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Clash of Two Kingdoms [rskde & nightsoceress]

Risky

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Aug 2, 2015
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In the land of Eadirene there lay two kingdoms, one of peace and prosperity, the kingdom that celebrates the differences between the many races that inhabit the land. This kingdom is known as the Union of Four, to represent the four different realms that it contains. First, the realm of the Elves, where High King Troslg resides and rules over the kingdom. Second, the realm of Orcs, a darker corner of the kingdom but one that raises many strong warriors to fight for the Union. Third, the realm of Giants, a kingdom built entirely to make room for the Conquerors of the Old World, who stopped their war against the Elves and Orcs when too much blood had been shed. The final is the realm of Dwarves, a kingdom completely underground built and inhabited by the great blacksmiths that the land had ever provided for. These kingdoms formed a powerful alliance long ago, when the first Humans migrated from their homeland of Austrios which had encountered an apocalyptic volcanic eruption, causing the land to become inhabitable.

The first humans in the land, much like the Giants, were also Conquerors, they paved the way for their race, hoping to find a new home in this foreign land. The first humans had been thrown off of Eadirene, the Union of Elves and Orcs had seen it fit that Humans would never inhabit the land. But the Humans returned with force, causing the Union of Four to form, but even the four combined races of Giants, Dwarves, Orcs, and Elves were not enough to throw the humans off of the land again. This caused an uneasy balance to form, for hundreds of years the Humans and the Union lived side by side in a sort of peace, though racial fighting had broken out in the form of border wars occasionally.

The new kingdom that the Humans formed, filled with hatred and jealousy towards other races put in power a King who sits atop his throne in a constant state of eternal rage. A king who has gone as far as to steal relics from the grave of the Old Ones, a sacred tomb that had been marked by the Goddess Juniper as a place to be untouched by man as revenge for the many sins that mankind had committed against Juniper and her people before she became a Goddess. But the Humans did not care for the warnings that the Tomb bore them, they paved a path forward towards a brighter future for Humanity. Once the relic was announced to Humanity, there was a rebellion that tore through the kingdom. This started the War of Seven Kingdoms. The rebellion started the day Justinious III beheaded the King, and crowned himself King of the Relic with a crown forged from the very Relic that he named himself after. He swore to bring back the power of Humanity, to lead better than the Fallen King and rule fairly. With the combined metals of the former King's sword and armor, Justinious inherited the power of the Relic and has become immortal. Very soon, the rebellion was crushed under the iron fist of Justinious, who by wearing the Relic became as cruel and jealous, if not more, than the former king. A few human realms turned to the Union of Four in order to gain protection, refusing the benefits of the Relic that turned their beloved king into the monster that he had sworn to destroy and root out from the Kingdom. This new Human kingdom dedicated themselves to the Relic that caused their corruption and hatred, naming themselves the High Order of Old, seeking to restore the great kingdoms that Humanity once held in Austrios.

The religion of the land was not fiction, but history. The Gods and Goddesses hated the Humans, as they had risen from Giants and Elves, from the wars of Orcs and from the flames of the Dwarven forges. In retaliation of the Humans inhabiting a part of Eadirene, the Gods and Goddesses of Old came together and granted the Union of Four a boon, the ability to live for hundreds of years, to never feel famine or poverty and to allow their rulers to be immortal. Even now, High King Troslg lives at the ripe age of four hundred and fifty years old. But this power of immortality was given to many Humans who have sworn their lives to the King of the Relic.

A new era of war erupted when Justinious III publicly executed one of the Keepers of Old, an Elven Librarian who Justinious assumed would have more knowledge of the Relic that sat upon his head. When the Librarian refused to give the King of the Relic what he wanted, Justinious saw it fit to behead him in the square of Humanity's capital city, Praven. The Union of Four reacted viciously, launching a campaign to secure the many burial sites that the Humans had begun excavating for more clues on how to further their immortality. The initial fighting was brutal, many casualties on both sides that only ended in a stalemate. The Armies of Man were called, a counteroffensive was launched, specifically aimed at the kingdoms that had seceded from the Order.

One of the humans whom had sought refuge from the high king bore the name of Venarus, the man was only twenty two years of age, his youth was evident on his handsome but scarred face, which he kept clean shaven. He only had a single scar that was more like a wound as he had received it just a day before, a reminder of his disloyalty to King Justinious who had struck him with a metal gauntlet when Venarus declared his secession, this wound ran from the top left corner of his lip to the bottom of his left ear. He has a pair of hazel eyes that contain green flecks. He had full eyebrows and his black hair was kept short and well trimmed, as if he knew that he would need to wear a protective helmet. His armor was not decorative, and covered all the way up to his neck, all metal and well polished.

He marched with his vanguard, a small group of ten or so men towards the Union territory which would be his safe haven. Justinious was a good enough king to respect Venarus’ wish to leave, only to give him a small head start to escape. Now Venarus could imagine the horsemen riding hard towards the direction that they had left the kingdom, they didn’t have much time to become safe. He had communicated with the High King beforehand, with this fresh bloody mark on his face he was not the man that the King had seen, and he hoped that he could explain himself. Nor did Ven wear any sort of indication that he was a Lord, if anything he and his vanguard looked like a group of mercenaries or well equipped bandits moving into Union territory.

They cross the border quickly, heading towards the Union’s capital city, Grales (gra-lace). The men that the humans had sent after the small group of traitors had yet to arrive, Venarus just hoped that they would come across friendly forces before that happened. “My lord, your wound is bleeding again.” His steward, Tontus reminds him while offering him a rag. Ven takes it and pressed it against the bleeding wound on his face. “Thank you.” Ven says quietly, continuing their march deeper into the heart of the Union.

“The men have been run ragged m’lord, when shall we rest?” The steward asks.

“When we’re dead, Tontus.” The lord breathes. “We have no time to waste, if Justinious and his men catch us we will die, and the Union will not even blink an eye.” It was the unfortunate truth that Ven had yet to prove himself not only a worthy commander, but as a loyal subject to Troslg. “Keep moving.” He nods to one of his men, the march continues.
 
She saw them. He bright eyes saw them on the edge of land that would lead to Grales. Humans. Not a large enough numbers to do any real damage, but still one could never be to careful. Her eyes focused on one man he appeared to be the leader. She watched him carefully from the safety of the tower in the center of the city. Her power was great, she could see for for hundred of miles through her minds eye.

“My Ladyyou have that look as if you see danger. What is it” One of the elf warriors stood beside. Looking at her stunning face.

“Humans” she said simply there was no fear in her voice not a worry “They heading this way. Please be ready to receive our guest when I give the order”

“But my lady what will you do.”

“I will speak to them” She said as a soft smile curved on her lips. And with that she closed her eyes “why have you come” she said but she did not move her lips, nor did the warrior next to her hear her, the only ones to hear her were the men enroute to Grales, her words floated into their ears buzzing around their minds. When no one spoke she she spoke again. “Why have you come” he voice was like a beautiful song, soft but powerful.
 
Venarus throws away the rag that he had pressed against his face, as it had become too soaked to be of any use to him any longer. He rests a hand on his sword's hilt, gripping it tightly to get through the pulsating pain of the wound on his face, which would definitely scar. Good, it would be a reminder of the sacrifices that he had made to escape from Justinious.

"Stop here for water." The lord says, eyeing a pool of crystal clear water that they had started to walk past, his men eagerly begin to drink the water, one of them testing it for any poisons before the rest dug in, wanting to be able to wet their parched throats.

A voice buzzes against the inside of his ear, making him blink, nobody else seemed to notice it, and then it grew louder. Why have you come? Venarus lets out a breath before speaking quietly to the wind. "We seek an audience with our King, Troslg." He whispers quietly while kneeling down. "And asylum from the Relic King's wrath, he has sent an army to run us down." His voice wavered with fear, even a stop for water was wasting their precious seconds. "I was told we would be safe here I already swore my allegiance to the Union." The water break ends, the men staying put until Ven gave them an order, but he wanted to continue to talk to the wind, knowing that a sorceress must be on the receiving end.
 
“Your King hmmm, I have never known a human to call the Elven King their king.” There was a just laugh in the undertone of her voice, as her words buzzed in his ear. “If you are as you say, then you will through all of your weapons in the pool that your men so hungerly drink from.”

She turned to the warrior that stood beside her “please ready your men and take them to the great pond in the center of town.” Her command simple flat almos and the warrior knew not ask any questions he bowed and made his way down the many stairs that lead down fro the tower.
 
Venarus hears her command and he bites the inside of his cheek, this could easily be a trick to disarm him and his men before slaughtering them, but he really didn't have the option to question anything right now. "Cast your weapons into the pool." He orders his men before un sheathing his sword and throwing it into the water. He returns to facing the wind now, after his soldiers had done what he had ordered them to. "I assume you're one of the High King's servants?" He asks quietly before looking back at his men, who were justifiably worried.
 
As the weapons sank to the bottom the pool had began to shimmer, it was a bright white shimmer, pure and warm. There was a soothing beauty to it. In the kingdom their weapons appeared, the elven warrior collected them knowing that would be what his lady would have wanted.

“Thank you, I see there is a level of trust, I hope you can trust when I say I am no ones servant not even the kings, I also hope you can trust what I will have you do next.” Her words buzzed inner Venarus ear. “I would like for you and your men to jump into that pool”
 
Her next command made his eyes widen. "Surely if we jump into the pool wearing our armor, we will drown." He says quietly, but the sounds of hoof beats in the distance make him turn his head, the enemy was here. "Men! Jump into the pool!" He yells to them while jumping up, they had nothing to defend themselves with, their weapons gone from the blinding light in the pool. He watched his men jump into the water, one by one they disappear, he ensures that they are all gone before jumping in himself.

As he sinks to the bottom, his body lays at the bottom of the pool, his eyes staring at the surface ass he feels himself losing breath by the second. Suddenly he is in a different place, hands yanking him from the water and causing him to cough loudly, small droplets of water from the pool leaving his mouth. "Where are we?" He gasps for air, falling to one knee while looking around at the warriors surrounding him and his men.
 
Even for elves men suddenly appearing in the pool was something they had never seen. Some of the elves stood ready with their weapons as soon as they saw the men but their leader held his hand up. “Pull them up” he commanded. They did as he asked but still some held their weapons in case.

The leader looked to the man asking where they were. “My lady has brought you to Grales, for reason only she will know.” He looked to his men “no harm will befall you unless my lady see fit”
 
Venarus secured his sword back to his hip, as they had come with them through the pool too. Trust went both ways after all, his men did the same. "Will you provide an area for my men to rest while I speak to your lady?" He asks the leader of the small group of warriors surrounding him and his men. "The army that chased us will probably turn back, but she would know better than I would." She had already demonstrated her ability to throw her voice and see at distances further than the human eye could imagine. "And will you take me to her?"
 
He nodded to his second in command who began to show the men to to lodgings. “I will take you to my lady, but understand you will show is the greatest respect or she will not be the one you answer to” his threat hung heavy in the air he meant what he said. “She is the greatest light that has ever shown in the kingdom, even the Great King himself follows her blindly.” with that the warrior led Venarus to a garden. It’s flowers beyond compare, in shades of whites, purples, and blues. Birds and insects dance in the flowers as the fluttered around.

At the end of the garden stood a gazebo, ivy wrapped around the building covering the craftsmanship of the structure. Inside the gazebo what the most beautiful creature. She had long raven colored hair that seemed to shimmer as if a million stars had nestle inside. She was slender with womanly curves that would make even the most happily married man want to stray from his wife. He lips were ruby red, but it was her eyes, stunning purple eyes that was he most dazzling feature.
 
He was tempted to scoff, as if he wouldn't be respectful to someone who has saved the lives of him and his men. He walks with them to the garden and stares towards the gazebo that they walk towards, they say that the High King himself answers to this one, something that he didn't believe for a moment. The men take him towards the beautiful woman in the gazebo and he nods his head to her. "Thank you for saving our lives." He says to her. "I am in your debt." Ven admits, he looks around to the two men who had escorted him up to her, most rulers would have asked them to leave already.
 
“You will address her formally...” The warrior snapped at Venarus, but he was cut off by his lady lifting of her hand. “Tristan I would like for you to go check on his men, as well letting Troslg what has transpired on this day.” The warrior bowed and took his leave along with his man.

He attention turned back to the human now standing before her. “Now then can you tell me your name, and why you have forsaken your kingdom to journey here?”
 
"I am Venarus of Riverrun." He says to her once the two guards had left, he was obviously very tired from his march, it could be seen in how his body language was ever so slightly attempting to rest against the gazebo. "My former king is an evil man, he destroyed my town to make a point." He breathes. "I was offered the Ritual of the Relic, but I refused.. And he gave me this." Venarus points to the wound on his face. "A mark that I will proudly wear for the rest of my days.. I renounced him and sent a rider to the High King, who told me that I would be allowed an audience." He explains, keeping his tone formal. He collapses to a knee and lets out a breath, he was showing more signs of tiredness. "I apologize my lady, the march here was very long and tiring." He admits.
 
She listen to his story, she knew he had not lied to her, her eyes soften a little as she saw the bloody gash on face that is former king had given him. She felt for this human, she didn’t know why, but she did. As he dropped to his knee she sighed and moved closer to him. She to dropped to her knee in front of him, if her warrior would have seen it might of had fit with her, but she still dropped her knee. He hand reached out gently placing it on his cheek. Her hand was soft like silk, and a strange warmth flowed through her hand to his face, warming his entire body from the inside out. It was a gentle warmth almost like the feeling of pure love, as the warmth engulfed him, it healed the bloody mess that was his face, it rejuvenated his entire being, as if he just had the best sleep in his life. Then slowly she removed her hand from his cheek and looked into his face, how handsome he was, she could now clearly see that with traces of the gash gone.
 
"We are forever in your debt." He mutters to her quietly, his eyes closing as her hand moves to his face, her touch as light as butterfly wings as she seems to give him energy. Though his wound had closed, as predicted it left a scar behind as a reminder of what had happened to him, something that would blemish that handsome face forever, but at least it was no longer painful. He feels no longer tired, no longer like he needed to rest, he looks up at her with his hazel eyes, gazing into her purple ones. "Who are you?" He whispers to her quietly, he still hasn't had a proper introduction from her, and she had done nothing but help him. "There must be a way I can pay you back." She had already done a lot for him.
 
“Ianthe, My name is Ianthe.” She smiled softly at him still at eye level with him. She would remain that way until he was standing, she did want to make sure he was ok. “If you are truly as pure of heart as you seem you will repay my people in due time.” She did not say her, she said he would repay her people. “Do you believe yourself to be pure of heart? Or do you fear your heart is as black as the night sky?
 
"It's good to meet you." He says to her quietly while attempting to stand, using the gazebo as a support, watching her rise with him. She asks him if he was pure of heart, his shoulders just shrug. "To be pure of heart is not one for the questioned to judge." He says to her quietly. "His actions should be considered by others, for it does not matter what I believe, but those who must see my purity." He explains to her. "I don't know what fhe future holds, and I most certainly don't know where my heart is." Venarus says to her quietly. "I've done terrible things in my time under Justinious, I want to repay my debts and mount his head upon a pike."
 
She listen to his response, she had already known he had done terrible things, she saw it briefly when she touched his cheek. But she did not want to look further into them. She sighed softly. “I understand. Then if you believe that what do you see when you see me.” She questioned softly searching his face for an honest answer. She had never asked anyone that before, but now she asked this human.
 
"I see compassion and kindness, but I may be a little biased." He says to her quietly, a smile spreading across his face at his attempt of humor. "And beauty.. Though that is more of an outside look." He says quietly while standing up off of the support he had taken, feeling new again, though he still wanted to get some rest after the conversation was over. "Who are you in relation to the High King? Why does he answer to you?" He asks her quietly while examining her face with his hazel eyes.
 
She smiled softly as he called her beautiful, she had never actually been called beautiful of course the people of this world thought she was beautiful, but out of respect they never spoke it. It was nice to hear especially from a handsome man. “Who am I? That is still mystery even for me.” She knew he wouldn’t understand “I am power that was created long ago, before there was humans or elves or orcs or Giants. Where there was nothing but raw power, I was part of creation, but then I was trapped the other beings locked me away freeing my power draining as much of it as they could, it centuries before I had enough power to release myself, and even now I am weakened. Of course my power greater than most but weak from what i use to be.”
 
"You sound like an oracle.. Or a goddess." He says to her quietly while watching her. "But what title do you hold? If the people here hold you with such regard you must be the Queen or something of that sort." He shrugs before leaning back against the gazebo again. "I apologize, I must sit.." He says quietly before sliding down the support and sitting on the ground, his knees tucked beneath his hands while he looks up at her. He was glad he could make her smile, it seemed like she didn't get complimented like that, maybe out of fear.. But it was hard for Venarus to be afraid of anything after standing up to the Relic King.
 
“I don’t know what I am, I am respected, feared and loved. But I still do not know what i am, i just...am” She looked sad, this powerful creatures, looked truly sad, but there was something else, she had a loneliness about her it was strong. She watched him sit and she felt sorry for him. “I am sorry I should let you rest, would like to rest with your men or would like to be my guest at my home?”
 
"Living amongst my men.. Would not be a good example." He breathes quietly while standing up on shaky legs. "Please, if you do not mind I would like to be a guest in your home." He says to her quietly. "You seem lonely, allow me to accompany you." He says to her quietly. "For I do not fear you, like the others do." He says, having just met her she had shown him enough kindness for him to know that she meant him absolutely no harm. "And could you.. stay by my side in the night?" He asks her quietly. "I would like someone to talk to while I rest." He admits.
 
She was shocked that he picked on her loniness, she tried to hid it, it seemed the people around never notice it. “Alright” she moved to the entrance of the gazebo and she waved her and a strong wood door appeared. She turned the knob and walked through the magical door, inside he would it was a modest dwelling for a creature as grand as she. It had a living room with a roaring fire place and a few bedrooms. It was still grand but anything like castle it was like a simple manor.
 
He follows her inside of the dwelling, finding one of the small bedrooms and stripping off his armor, leaving him shirtless with a pair of cloth pants on. He stumbles over to a bed that looks comfortable and collapses on to it, staring up at the ceiling with tired eyes. "Ianthe, please come and stay by my side." He says to her while looking over at her, his eyes already beginning to grow droopy from sleepiness.
 
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