Chapter One
The world was once brought to its knees when the great legion of Daemons walked the earth. They ravaged the land, leaving nothing but terror and blood in their wake. All at the command of the highest Fae of the holy houses. It took the strength of the six houses combined to defeat the one they once called their brother. The scars of his betrayal have all faded from the world, and the memory of his existence is long forgotten in the minds of mortals. But the six that have always remained, have never been forgotten.
There was a peaceful quiet in the woods today. The only sounds were that of shifting branches, feathering leaves, a distant sound of singing doves, and the gentle footfalls of a lone stag. It had been some time since he had last seen such a creature venture through this area of his domain, he remembers so vividly how desolate and barren it once was. He could still smell the faint stench of decay and ash that once covered this soil. The scent was over five hundred years old, no ordinary mortal alive today would understand the scars that still lingered here. Or the traces of those that remained in the lands that they live upon today. How fortunate the humans were for their short lifespans; they would never be forced to endure these old memories that plagued his mind.
To live for as long as he has, no mortal would be able to comprehend all that he has seen.
Time was sacred.
Sliding the notch of his arrow into the bowstring, he pulled it tight. The bow arched, keeping one eye on the Stag.
Large antlers were pointed down as the stag grazed the grass, his presence unknown to the majestic beast as he hid in the thicket.
He breathed deeply, and the world slowly faded around him. Fading, fading, fading, all until that old scent dissipated and all that remained was his sharp focus on the animal. Its head raised, large antlers pointing up to the sky and shifting as it gazed at the surrounding area. His arm stayed steady as he aimed the tip of his arrow to prepare for the shot. There was only one chance.
As the air he held deep in his lungs exhaled, the taut bow stretched—release.
There was barely a whisp from the arrow before it embedded itself into the center of the animal’s chest.
The stag fell to the ground, and he stepped out of his hiding spot to collect his kill.
His senses returned to him as he stood above the deceased animal. There were no signs of distress or any marker of pain in the animal. He stared at the arrow that had successfully performed its purpose, only a fraction of it protruded from its chest. It pierced straight through to its heart. A quick and painless death. Bending to one knee, he looked at the lifeless eyes and rested his hand a top of its neck, closing his eyes and sending his thanks to the gods that lived beyond this world.
Flame and ash flashed before him. The memories of screams and bloodshed echoed in his ears.
His hand ripped off the animal, as panicked pants took over him. His heart pounded hard in his chest. Feeling his blood pulse with a force in his veins, he shook his head trying to shake off the old memory that had overcome him.
Even after all these centuries, he was still plagued with these old memories.
He wasn’t sure why he hoped today would be any different.
Rustling leaves and footsteps pricked his ears.
“Sire.”
He turned his head to his servant, Saevel, where he emerged from the forest.
“Speak.” He commanded.
Saevel swiftly answered, “The lords of the Holy Houses have gathered in the council hall. They are awaiting your arrival.”
“Take the Stag and prepare it for our guests.” He removed his hand from the animal and tossed his bow to Saevel, leaving the meadow behind him.
Four lords were seated in the council hall, as they always were before the first full moon of each turn. There they sat, waiting for their host to arrive.
“I’m happy to see that at least four individuals can understand the importance of punctuality.” The first words spoken in the entire half hour since they were escorted, came from Julien Dragos, Lord of the Second Holy House.
“And it has been so for the last five centuries, Lord Dragos.” Avora, Queen of Harpies, and Lord of the Third Holy House, responded.
“Do you ever get tired of complaining?” She asked.
Julien pondered for a moment, then with a sneering smirk that showed his pointed canines answered, “Never.”
A bored voice drawled, “Though there are those who are bored of hearing it.”
Leaning on one broad scaled shoulder against a nearby window, gazing out over the vast land of the Elven realm, was Dragon King Arei, Lord of the Fifth Holy House.
Shifting his vibrant eyes to the sagging horned male. “Then I suppose you will have become accustomed to our eternal friendship, lizard man.”
A growl ripped through bared teeth.
“Do not tempt me into burning you to ash, blood demon.”
“Don’t hold your fork-tongued breath on my account.” Julien chuckled.
Arei snarled, “Remember whose breath it was that saved an entire realm from a hoard of orcs.”
Julien snidely stated, “Yes, thank you, oh great Dragon King, for ridding the world of such filth. But remember, I still hold the keys that keep those of your traitorous kin where they belong.”
A vicious ripping roar came from the dragon’s throat. The temperature suddenly became scorching, and the growing heat that was radiating from Arei’s chest and throat, set the inside of his mouth aglow and crackling with sparks and embers.
Standing in the doorway, having seemingly just arrived at the perfect time, Ruven Balnan came upon his two oldest comrades rearing to tear into each other.
His voice boomed as he yelled, “That is enough!”
The two men quickly retreated from their leering at each other. Julien turned his back to Arei. Arei rolled his eyes—the rage and fire he was set to unleash completely deflating—and reclined back into his position against the window. Ruven was all too aware of where that window looked out, he wasn’t the only one with bloodstained memories.
“Have the two of you had your fill?” He asked.
Alpha Kellam, Lord of the Fourth Holy House, spoke up, “I suspect there were many more daggers to be thrown before your arrival, King Ruven.”
Ruven hummed as he moved over to the group, “I’m sure there was. It wouldn't be the same without Julien making digs at someone.”
“I prefer to reserve such special treatment for a certain self-righteous friend, but he refuses to acknowledge these meetings in any capacity. So, the lizard man is the easiest target,” Julien explained as if it was the most obvious notion in the world.
Avora interjected, “That overgrown fish has an ego that would never allow him to step foot in this realm, and pride that rivals even that of Arei’s.”
“Or in any realm for that matter,” Julien muttered.
Kellam asked, “Might we get on with this? I’m certain we all have much to do when we return to our territories.”
Ruven agreed, “Yes, we should begin. There has been a matter that has been brought to my attention from the human tribes.”
Avora grunted, “What more could they possibly want? Their numbers continue to grow at alarming rates, and we allow them to maintain areas of land that could be put to far better use.”
“Such as?” Kellam inquired.
Avora quickly responded, “Farmlands for one. Or footholds, where we can place reliable eyes in places where humans would never be able to venture.”
“We gave them those lands, and in their hands, they will stay.” Ruven firmly, stated he added, “Besides if it were not for them, we would never have succeeded against the Daemons.”
Avora tsked, her wings flexing behind her in irritation.
“So, what is it that they want this time?” Arei asked.
Ruven announced, “They are seeking to align themselves with the High Fae through marriage.”
Ruven was not known for keeping secrets from his peers. These four were the only individuals in the world that he allowed himself to be completely forthright, even if they did not bestow him the same courtesy. He believed that they were owed that after all that they had sacrificed.
“I beg your pardon?” Arei spoke.
“A representative for the tribes arrived in my halls two Turns ago. They had expressed that their kin wished to give compensation to show their appreciation for our dedication to the realms. They desire to send those of age to each of the Holy Lords to select a marriage partner.”
“Are they insane?” Avora spat.
“Where did they even get the notion for such a thing?” Kellam asked.
The three lords continued talking amongst themselves. However, Julien remained silent as he kept a keen eye on Ruven.
Ruven felt a tickling sensation on the back of his head, and then a soft slithering voice spoke.
Are they hiding something?
Julien didn’t speak in his usual snide tone when speaking telepathically. Ruven knew that Julien never used his powers lightly, and when it came to his telepathy it was never a laughing matter.
Something is ruminating within their tribes. Ruven answered.
And you kept this to yourself for two months? Julien asked, his pink irises glowing brightly as his pupils dilated.
I am still not certain. I have dozens of spies with their ears to the ground. But there is something strange going on.
Julien’s brow raised inquisitively. You wish to infiltrate their ranks.
It’s the only way.
I know that’s not true.
It’s the only safe way. I will not have any more bloodshed on my hands. Ruven was curt with his words, just as he was curt when he cut off Julien’s connection.
“I plan to accept their offer.” Ruven declared.
The room went quiet as Ruven looked over each of them. He wasn’t looking for their approval, they all knew too well that when he set his mind on something, he would get it done—he at least wanted them to have full awareness of what he was planning. However, based on their suspicious looks he was sure that they knew something serious was going on if he accepted an offer from the humans.
“I can tell from your stares that you all have an idea of what I am doing. I tell you this, there have been odd happenings amongst the human tribes, that of which I must find out to discover just what is wrong here. I do not expect you to follow in my footsteps, I have even said as much to their messenger. But I ask that you trust me and allow me to solve this problem quickly and swiftly.”
This was truly the only way that they were going to discover what was happening within the tribes. He would indeed have to infiltrate the inner circles and find out everything that he could. He and his fellow Fae do not age, they have remained the same for the last five centuries, and all eyes have remained steady on potential threats. But for humans, power and leadership have changed hands so many times, and there was no telling what could be lurking in the corners of darkness that still existed in this world.
Kellam spoke first, “We will support you as we always have.”
Avora, Arei, and Julien nodded their heads.
All that there was left to do now was wait for the arrival of the tribes on his doorstep.
