Dragonkin

The water from the stream trickled by, bubbling as it rolled the small rocks at the bottom. Adaya sat and watched as the pebbles rolled along with no care for their destination. She smiled wistfully as they continued further downstream and out of sight. A wind rustled the leaves and branches above creating a peaceful ambiance to the tranquil grove.

“What a life to live. Free of worry...and war…” She thought to herself, inhaling deeply as she rose to her feet. The bitter cold of the early winter air began to bite at her face. She could feel the warmth of her cheeks fighting to defend against the sharp wind. She turned away from the stream and back towards the path to her home. The snow crunched loud and sudden with every step she took. The snow was crunching and sloshing as she walked through the trees. Stepping now out of the grove and into the open path leading back to Estelduin, she paused and stared at the city before her.

“Home.” She sighed heavily as she walked gloomily toward the main gates. “I wonder if Basche will scold me today?” The city of Estelduin was beautiful, none could deny it. It was filled with white bricked towers topped with emerald steeples that were tall and came to a point. The houses of the common folk were just as beautiful with white bricked walls, pine wood floors, and red oak lined windows. The tops of the common houses would normally be the color of juniper berries, but today they were all white from the snowfall of the last 10 days. Winter had arrived several days before it was expected which left hunting parties frantic as they worried over the food stores. The hunts had not been plentiful this year and the seasons were harsh. Many of the superstitious elves believed that there was a curse over their land. “It’s all hogwash, the gods are not taking revenge upon the people, it has just been a difficult year.”

“Adaya! Where have you been!?” A harsh guttural voice shouted from behind her. She whipped around to identify the source and saw a short portly elf waving her over. Basche was a mere five feet tall and had the belly of a man who drank more than his fair share of mead. His looks were rather deceiving however as none in the kingdom could match his speed and agility in combat. He wore a chain shirt that hung over his silver greaves and a thick fur coat fashioned from the hide of a bear that dragged a few inches along the ground behind him. His sword was fashioned very tightly to his side with his hand resting on the hilt.

“Good morning Basche, I was out for a walk. I assume the city did not fall to ruin whilst I was away?” Her voice was calm and collected but there was a bite to her as if she were spitting venom.

“The city did not, as you see it still stands. With me guarding it there isn’t a troll or a dragon that would ever breach our walls. You know that you aren’t to leave the palace, or the city for that matter without escort. It is not to spite you. Your father cares deeply for you and wishes only that you stay well….and alive. You know he would have our heads should anything befall you! This reckless behaviour can no-” All at once his words trailed off and he fell to a knee. “My liege.” He said very quietly, staring at the ground.

“First you scold me then you bow to me? Which is it to be with you? Scolding or servitude? Rise from your stance Basche! You know I disdain pleasantries!” Adaya said just as bitingly as before with animosity in her eyes. Her brow had furrowed now and she was visibly perturbed. “Did you not hear me? Have the gods stricken your ears with a curse I said ri-”

“I am the one to whom he is bowing Adaya, how many times must you be told you may not leave without escort It is their command from the king. Do you have no respect for my wishes?” A smooth voice that was betraying to his age said patiently from Adaya’s side. Turning now to face a man who stood several inches taller than Adaya who was not short by any means. He was adorned with a white steel breastplate and silver cloak. His greaves rose to his thighs and completely covered his legs. There was a thin silver crown resting atop his silver hair that hung to his back and over the sides of his face. The face of the man before her was aged with wisdom and battle scars from his time in the wars of the elven people. He had a kind face despite this and his crystal blue eyes mirrored the sky on a summer day. He was smiling at her gently.

“Father, I need not have an escort to take me to a stream. I have been trained by the best of our defense forces, have you no faith in my abilities as a fighter?” She snarled back at him. Adaya did not have a threatening presence; her face was soft and smooth; she was still young only 26 years had passed in her lifetime but she was no child. Still she had no features that appeared harmful to anyone. Her eyes were as green as the forests, a trait she had gotten from her mother. She had very slim features, her nose was a bit short for the length of her face and her lips stretched wide but thin. Her hair was a dark brown which was a stark contrast to the silver haired brethren which she lived with. Her mother was a human so she faced many adversities among her kind for being a half-breed. None of the people dared to say anything directly though they had a lot of love and respect for their king. This did not mean there were no whispers however and she feared what would happen when the day arrived that her father was no longer on the throne.

“I do not doubt your combat prowess my dear daughter, I do however doubt your safety. You are a princess and that makes you a target for those who wish ill of me. Can you not understand this?” The king replied with a silky tone.

“Who wishes ill of you father? The Oenirians? We have entered a peace treatise with them.. Unless you believe your subjects are unfaithful to you? We can not live our lives in the fear of those that are plotting else we are not truly living.” She said, turning back to Basche who was still on a knee. “Rise Basche, your chainmail will rust resting in the snow then what will you defend against? Rusted weapons? Resume your post. Worry not father I am returning to the palace now” Basche had not budged despite her words. Adaya turned frustratedly away and threw her hands high into the air as she walked toward the palace stomping her feet with vigor. The cold of the winter wind was becoming too harsh to bear, and she pulled her silken cloak tighter around her woolen shirt with leather pants and boots, as she shivered and sniffled. “I should have asked Basche to borrow his fur cloak...Not that it matters I am already in the city and once I reach the palace I will retire to my chambers and have Zarona stoke the flames and draw a hot bath for me.” She thought to herself as she marched onwards to the palace.

“Now that she has left earshot, Basche you may rise. Walk with your king this morning should you have no other duties to attend?” The king said with a heavy sigh. Basche complied and rose to his feet as he looked respectfully upon his king.

“I have none. I have already made my patrols along the walls and now that the princess has been found my only duties are those that you wish of me, King Remial” Basche said with a gentle smile.

“Come now Basche I have known you, and you I since we were barely more than ninety years old. Please speak freely.” Remial replied.

“Very well my liege a thousand pardons as it is not my place to say but has the princess so quickly forgotten that it was the Oenirians who had slain her mother?” As Basche finished his sentence he looked to his king who was visibly distraught by his words “My greatest apologies Remial you know I only mean-”

“Yes, Basche I know what you meant. She is still young and has hopeful eyes. I envy that of her. She has not forgotten but merely has chosen not to remember. She knows who took her mother from us but it is a painful memory she wishes not to relive.” Remial paused for a moment and gestured toward the cobble street. “Shall we?”

“Yes Remial of course.” They began walking side by side. Basche had his right hand firmly upon the hilt of his sword and the king walked with his hands held together behind him.

“Tell me Basche what say the scouts along the North-Western border? Have they any news as of late?”

“I am afraid not, and they are two weeks past due for their reports but there have been rumors of dragons nesting along those borders. We fear the worst has befallen them but we are hopeful that it is merely the weather that has forestalled them." The king drew his left hand from behind his back and began rubbing his brow which was now furrowed.

“First the war, and now talk of dragons? The plights of a king are never ending. Can we confirm what breed lies beyond that border? Perhaps we could send a detachment to negotiate with them…” There were a few moments of silence before the king spoke again. “I see. It would seem that you are at a loss with this news as well…” The king stopped in front of a peasants house to see an elderly elf who was struggling to carry in her bucket of water her clothes while covering, were naught more than rags. Without a second thought Remial reached down to lift the bucket for her and carried it into her house. The warmth from the fire nearly stung in contrast to the bitter chill outside.

“Thank you my liege I am not deserving of your kindness!” She said exasperated, as she bowed as humbly as her knees would allow.

“You need not be afraid of me nor do you owe me thanks Isabelle. I am king in title alone.” The king said with a smile as he exited back to the cold with Basche waiting patiently beside the road. “What of the eastern ridge? Have the scouts returned?” Remial said, resuming their conversation.

“They have returned, however their news may be troubling to my liege. They report that the Oenirians have pressed their forces against the border. They did not appear to be attacking but they stand at the ready."

“How many forces are estimated?”

"A force of around fifty-thousand perhaps more.”

“I see. They will not dare attack as per our treaty, however I imagine Adaya is none to pleased with the arrangement...speaking of such matters when can we expect the envoy?"

“The ship sailed from their southern port thirty days ago; they should be arriving on the morrow.”

"Well at least there is some good news to be had.” Remial stopped just short of the steps to the palace and turned now to face Basche. “Thank you for walking with me this morning. I am afraid I have matters to attend to in preparation of the envoy's arrival tomorrow have the hunting parties departed yet?”

“Not yet do you have a message for them?”

“Yes. Tell them to extend their hunt. We will need additional food for the stores and festivities tomorrow. You have your duties as do I farewell for now and may Freyr watch over you.”

“I take my leave, may Freyr watch over us all my liege.” Basche bowed gracefully and turned to attend to his duties. Remial stood for a moment and watched as Basche trapsed out of sight before turning to head into the palace. He stood for a moment to look up at the white marble pillars that elegantly stretched up to the roof above, and decided he would visit the garden that his wife often frequented. He found himself there anytime he was unsure of what to do as he could feel his late wife’s presence and felt that she would guide his thoughts to make the right decision.

As he walked down the carpeted halls that wound and wove into one another as if the palace were a labyrinth. The entire palace had been shaped out of smooth black marble with golden flecks that danced through lines that resembled lightning. It was built with powerful magic by dwarves when they were once allied. Remial stopped momentarily to examine a painting of a great silver haired elf with a spear wedged into a human's chest in the midst of a bloody battlefield. These were their ancestors, they were commonly known as the first elves, Remials bloodline was that of the first elves. “My ancestors would probably look upon me with shame for allowing this envoy of humans to come into our city...but it is the only way…” He thought to himself as he stared. After a few more moments he walked through an elegant archway made of porcelain and marble that led into the palace garden.

There were no flowers save for a few stubborn breeds that withstood the winter cold. Smiling as he looked upon the bright pink camellia flowers blooming around the garden. “These were Amelia’s favorites.” He thought silently. He walked out into the open area along the cobble path he had built with his late wife when they planted the garden, to a mithral bench that was covered in snow he wiped it away and sat looking to the sky in reflection. “What should I do my dearest? I fear that Adaya has grown to despise me...I want only for her to be happy and safe from the horrors of war. I only wish that you were still among us.” His thoughts trailed off and he began to daydream. His thoughts swam and raced and for a moment he could see Amelia standing in the garden once more.

“The weather is quite warm today Remial. I think we should plant some more flowers around the winterberry trees.” Amelia said giggling. Her voice was so sweet that it would entrance all who heard it. Her brown hair was curled around her forest green eyes, as she looked to Remial for approval.

“If that is what you wish for, my love.” Remial said with a smile as he felt a warm tear stream down the side of his face breaking his trance and losing sight of her once more. He let out a heavy sigh and stood slowly. “I will make everything right Amelia I swear to you.” He said in a determined tone. Leaving the garden behind he walked down the corridors that led back to the throne room at the center of the palace. Two guards stood motionless at the entrance of the throne room. They wore elegant white steel breastplates atop chain shirts and ornate helms with wings that came to a point in the center. The opening in the helm left their eyes, noses, and mouths exposed. They were holding long metal staves that had emerald colored blades on the end that were wide but sharp enough to tear through the thickest dragon hide. The guards quickly fell to a knee in respect of their king.

“My liege!” They said simultaneously.

“You may rise. Have I any visitors today?”

“Yes my liege, Baron Hrath is waiting for you in the throne room.” The guard on the left replied. She held her right arm in a fist over her heart and bowed her head slightly.

“Oh good, I had bad news about the scouting parties and now I must deal with the vultures…’ Remial muttered audibly. Baron Hrath was Amelia’s brother who was granted a title and a small province within the kingdom for saving his sister from a young dragon. “Though he did little more than stab a helpless whelp and brought the anger of the dragons upon his people…” Remial shook his head at the thought.

Remial entered the throne room to see Hrath sitting upon the throne with his legs haphazardly lying over the left side of the throne. As Remial entered Hrath wasted no time in addressing Remial.

“Ah, and so the king has finally arrived I have been here several hours awaiting our meeting today..” Remial had opened his mouth to speak and Hrath raised a finger before continuing, “Bah-bah-bah I know of my nieces escape. You could not defend my sister from the humans and you can’t keep my niece within view. It would seem it is only a matter of time before she is kidnapped or slain as well... Is there anything you can keep alive? Or any promises that you don’t break?” Hrath’s voice was very coarse and rough. He drank mead at all hours of the day and was rarely sober. He had a very portly face with eyes that were as small as almonds, his nose was wide and he had large nostrils. His lips were fat and plump as though he had orange slices instead of lips. His chin was unable to be seen as it blended with his neck and he stared at Remial with an almost bloodthirsty glare. His lips formed a cocky smile that showed how proud he was of his wit.

“Well you still live, so I at least kept that promise. Were it not for Amelia I would have had you locked in a dungeon to rot. But I promised her I would let no harm befall you. So you should be grateful-” Remial was cut off mid sentence by a now enraged Hrath.

“You made the same promise to her and where is she!? How did that work out for her!? I at least saved her life, something you were incapable of doing! How dare you throw her name around to try and demand respect from me!..” Hrath paused for a moment, took a deep breath and smiled. “Now then, it would seem I let the drink speak for me. We could argue all day about how much of a better man I am, or we can talk about why I am here.” Hrath finished now glaring at Remial.

“...I called you here to speak about the matters concerning the envoy that is to arrive tomorrow.” Remial could feel a rage bubbling within him but he fought it back and continued. “You are to treat them with respect and mind your tone and manners while they are here. They are guests of Estelduin and I expect them to be treated as such.”

“You want me to pretend that these barbarians didn’t murder my sister?! You expect me to just pretend that I don’t want all their heads on a pike?! I will do no such thing! I wi-” Hrath was yelling belligerently until Remial shouted.

“You will! Unless you want to have your rights and your deed revoked! I promise you now if you cause any sort of problems on the morrow I’ll have you beaten and stuffed into a cell until naught more than the feces of the rats who devoured you remain!” Remial was glaring with an intense hatred in his eyes that even caused Hrath to pause in his assault before he fell to a cocky grin once more.

“You are nothing. My sister made you everything that you were, and now that she is gone you are nothing more than a husk without a spine. Your threats? They don’t frighten me because we both know you will never follow through.” Hrath was smiling from ear to ear once more before he stood and began walking out of the throne room and he yelled back as he left. “Have your dinner with those sheep fuckers and maybe I’ll be lucky and see you poisoned.” Laughing obnoxiously as he left Remial stood for a moment looking up to the ceiling above for the strength not to strike Hrath down where he stood. After a few moments he walked to the throne and sat down staring at the floor with his hands crossed in front of him.

“My liege?” He heard a soft voice call and looked up to see Eimara. Eimara was a very muscular elf; she was the captain of the Estelduin military. She had very pretty features that were marred by scars from countless battles. Including three small scars across her left cheek from a fight against a dragon, as well as a scar across her forehead from a stray arrow that grazed the front of her face when she removed her helmet during the battle of six rivers. Her white steel breastplate was well worn and her chain shirt had several holes in it. Her greaves came up to the edge of her chain skirt and her helm was the same as all standard helms of her kingdom with wings that came to a point hers however had a topaz affixed to the middle signifying her position. Her skin was a slightly darker tone of white as most elves and her eyes were a fiery red with short hair that was the same pigment as her skin. She was also an advisor of the king. “I couldn’t help but hear your conversation with Hrath…”

“It is of no importance I am sure he will not be any trouble to the festivities tomorrow, Come Eimara You have just returned from your patrol of the southern borders yes? What news have you?” Eimara was sent to the southern border to quell an uprising of lizard men with the heads of lizards and the bodies of humans known as tragh who were razing their southern territories with yurtzin leaders. Yuttzin have three eyes and horns atop their heads, they stand around nine to ten feet tall and around five feet wide.

“We have quieted the uprisings however I am concerned as these tragh and yurtzin are not smart enough to coordinate an attack such as this by themselves they must have some sort of outside help. I have sent a detachment to follow them back to their camps in the hopes that we may learn something of their leaders.” Eimara finished with an informal tone as she bowed her head and held her right fist over her heart.

“I see. It would seem that these days I have enemies along every border of my kingdom. Tell me have you been to the North-Western borders?” Remial asked hoping she had heard something of the dragon nests.

“I have not my liege, Would you like me to prepare a detachment? I assume this is about the scouts from that region?”

“The scouts are overdue for their reports, it could be the weather but the alternative is somewhat troubling...Please ready a detachment and be careful there have been rumours of dragons along that border.” Eimara looked at Remial in shock for a moment.

“Dragons? Do we know what breed? Or how many there are?”

“No. Unfortunately we haven’t received any information from the northern territories.”

“Very well. I shall ready my troops and head out immediately.”

“Thank you Eimara, Although I have one other favor to ask of you…”

“Very well what would you ask of me?”

“If you could speak with Adaya she seems to respond better to you, and I am sure she would be happy to see her old teacher once more wouldn’t you agree?” Eimara smiled and bowed her head before agreeing.

“I will see her before we leave. Is that all you need of me my liege?”

“Yes you may go Eimara. Thank you.” Eimara left the room quietly as Remial collapsed back into his chair. “I don’t want the humans here any more than Hrath but I must consider my people's safety. The only way they would agree to a truce was to promise an audience with an envoy. I only hope their demands aren’t too great.”

As she lay in the hot bath water and feeling began returning in her feet and hands, Adaya couldn't help but to think of the morning's events. "Of course I know that I am still a target while we remain at war with the humans...but that shouldn't bar me from enjoying a morning walk." She let out a frustrated groan as she sunk her head under the water holding her breath as long as she could before surfacing again and calling out for her handmaiden.

"Zarona? Could you bring me a cloth to dry myself? And a brush for my hair?" She called out. After a few minutes of silence she called again. "Zarona?! Do you hear me?" After a few more moments she let out an exasperated sigh as she remembered that she had dismissed Zarona so she could bathe in peace. She stood letting the water drip from her exposed body to the floor beneath her and walked across her room to the bed and gazed at it for a few moments. It was a nice bed with a canopy that had black and white curtains, the wood was carved by her father and had intricate designs that resembled puffs of air etched into each post. "You'll sleep like a queen amongst a bed of clouds." She repeated quietly to herself. "Father told me that after he completed it…"

"Then no matter where you are in the world each time you look to the sky you will remember me." A voice chirped from the right side of the room. Adaya quickly grabbed a blanket and wrapped herself in it, turning bright red in the face as she looked towards the door to see Eimara standing in her room smiling widely. She ran across the room and embraced Eimara with enough force to knock her off balance for a moment. Laughing, Eimara spoke again. "I am happy to see you too little bird but perhaps we could speak once you are clothed?" Adaya looked down and turned red again as she rushed across the room to grab her clothing. Running once more to the left side of the room away from her balcony window and standing behind her wooden screen, she dressed as quickly as she could before reappearing.

"What are you doing here Eimara?! I thought you were still on the southern borders! When did you arrive?" Adaya started asking quickly enough to leave herself breathless.

"Whoa there little bird one question at a time. I finished my assignment along the southern border and I just arrived today." Eimara replied, smiling genuinely.

"How long will you be here? Will you be attending the festival tomorrow?"

"I am afraid not, I have another assignment that requires my attention but how could I leave without coming to see my favorite little bird?"

"Typical father, you only just arrived home and already he is sending you off again will you ever be afforded rest?"

"I am happy to serve your father, the king, in whatever ways he requires. You must understand his position, he is playing a game of chess and there are larger pieces at play."

"Could he not at least spare you a day?" Adaya said, becoming flustered.

"Well my troops are still readying the steeds and supplies so I have the afternoon." As Eimara finished speaking Adaya's eyes lit up once more.

"Can we walk the markets together?"

"If that is what you desire, little bird." Eimara placed a fist over her heart and dramatically bowed while saying, "I am at your command my lady" they both stood for a few moments before bursting into laughter.

"Well then, it is my desire that you accompany me to the markets for the afternoon before you depart! Adaya said as dramatically as she could muster. After gathering a pouch of gold and fashioning her sword to her hip she smiled broadly at Eimara and said. "Off to the markets!"

They walked together back out of the palace and into the marketplace below where the quiet morning streets were now bursting with life. They walked talking about nothing more than the silly trinkets they discovered at market stands and about her mother briefly.

"She was a wonderful woman Adaya, one could only aspire to her kindness" Eimara said softly.

"I miss her greatly Eimara." Adaya said with a hint of sadness in her tone. Before she quickly changed tone and said suddenly. "Oh I like this one!" Eimara jumped a bit surprised by the sudden shift and looked closer at the necklace that Adaya was holding. It was a silver chain with an amber stone carved into the shape of a lion.

"I'll take it!" She said to the young elf behind her stall.

"Two silver coins my liege!" She said with a perky tone.

"Very well. Here you are two silver coins." Turning to face Eimara with a grin she held out her hand with the necklace. "Here take this with you as a good luck charm from me." She said, gesturing for Eimara to take it. Eimara obliged and put it on without hesitation.

"I will wear it always, my lady." Eimara was smiling now from ear to ear and the two walked away from the stall laughing as they talked. They finished walking the markets and Eimara stopped to sit on one of the benches along the cobble road.

"Your father asked me to speak with you Adaya." Eimara blurted out.

"Wha- about What?" Adaya replied hesitantly.

"About sneaking off without an escort."

"I have already been scolded by Basche and father and now you?"

"I am not going to scold you I just want to know why?" After Eimara finished speaking Adaya sat and stared into the distance for a moment before finally speaking.

"When you look at a creek what is it that you see?" She asked Eimara who looked puzzled by the question.

"I see water, a source of life and nourishment why?"

"Well what of the pebbles along the bottom or the small minnows swimming upstream?"

"I don't pay them much mind, truthfully."

"I see freedom. They are in the creek which is always moving and changing like life. But instead of remaining still they are always travelling to a new destination for no real reason."

"Is it travel that you desire Adaya?"

"Not just travel. But freedom. Freedom to decide what I want to do each day, freedom to pursue those things at my own whim. I desire freedom Eimara."

"I understand however you are not bound. You are free to walk the palace grounds and the marke

"Well yes of course but I am not free to leave. I am not free to do as I desire without company. Is it so much to ask for a quiet morning alone with which to reflect?"

"We are in the middle of a war at present little bird...were it any other time…"

"Yes but it is not any other time it is now and now, I am not free. I know it is for my protection but you taught me how to fight...so why can I not defend myself or be responsible to myself?"

"You are the crown princess. Which means you have an obligation to the people of this land. Would you willfully turn your back on them when they rely on you for hope?"

"No. Of course I wouldn't but it doesn't change my stance…"

"I will speak to the king on your behalf about reducing your restrictions but only if you promise not to sneak off like that anymore is that fair?"

"I suppose so...thank you Eimara. For not yelling at me and just understanding."

"It's the mark of a good teacher I suspect." Eimara finished winking at Adaya who simply rolled her eyes dramatically with a smile. "I am afraid my time is up. The sun will be setting within a few hours and I need to get on the road as soon as I can. No worries, I will speak to your father before I leave and I will see you upon my return little bird." She stood stretching her limbs and Adaya hugged her again and walked back to the palace alone.

As she walked she reflected on Eimara's words. "Perhaps I have been too impatient with father...I will speak to him tomorrow. For today I feel tired and would like to rest." She thought to herself. Many hours passed with Adaya sitting on her balcony window ledge and watching the sun slowly dip beyond sight. Darkness leaked across the sky and the stars began to shine brilliantly most of the lights and sounds of the streets had quieted down now. Staring into the night sky she smiled and recalled her mothers lullaby as she lay back on her bed.

Hush child, smile child,

I will be here

In the stars in the sky

In the air you will breathe

No matter where

This world will take you

Hush child, smile child,

For I'll be with you.