“Tell me more about this ‘taking away free of choice’?”
Warthan scowled. “I just want my people to live in our villages and be left alone.”
Raziel nodded. “I can respect that. So, what do you propose?”
Warthan eyed him with curiosity. “Fae, this is Aquatic elf land, you are not aquatic?”
“My mother was.”
“Ah, Alright, then, do you have any warriors?
“Not that I am aware of. I have only been here a few days. I am still learning, but from what I understand, this is a small clove of simple elves. That just wanted to live on land. However, we just had a group move in, so I need to find someone to head that up. We need an army. I cannot be everything.”
Warthan smiled softly. “So basically, right now you are its lone protector?”
“We have a small set of archers, and a few mages, but as far as ‘brute’ force. Yeah, that is just me.”
“You must be some ‘brute’ because I have never seen Erikson back down. He brought two hundred men to my lands. Told me to pick one warrior to fight five of his men at a time. If they could beat seventy five percent of his men, he would give my people independence. I fought them, but I only managed to get through one hundred men before I could not fight any longer.”
Raziel gave a grim expression. “That was the same deal he gave me.”
Warthan raised a brow. “How many did you defeat?”
Raziel spoke with sadness in his voice. “One hundred percent.”
The centaur narrowed his eyes, “You mean to tell me you fought and beat two hundred men?”
The fae frowned, ‘No, I killed them all, and then helped him burry their bones or what was left of them, over there.” He pointed to the right. And there were rows and rows of graves.
“Interesting. Would you be interested in a treaty?”
Raziel raised a brow, “what would the terms be?
“We can sort that out later as to the exact details. But it looks like your buildings need to be rebuilt?”
The Fae turned and looked back at the buildings, half of them were falling down, burned. He sighed and turned back to the centaur. “Are you offering help to rebuild?”
Warthan chuckled, “Yes, just as soon as we bury my dead?”
Raziel frowned. “I am sorry. But I will protect what is mine with the fury of the Gods.”
“I see that. I just would like to be something you consider as worth protecting as well.”
“Fair enough. Bring help to raise a city for me, and you will have your treaty.”
Warthan bowed.
“Phalentine, bring out the carts, we are going to help Warthan care for his dead.”
The small band of aquatic elves came around the corner. “Yes Sir.”
After the dead were cared for Warthan turned to Raziel. “I have an idea. What if? My people come and live here with you. My whole tribe, we can expand the lands and take from Erikson?”
Raziel thought about it for a moment. “But you are a King? Why would you want to take a second seat under me? Two Kings in the same place is never a good thing.”
Warthan thought for a moment, before adding. “Your might is great. I am willing to place my crown at your feet Raziel.”
The fae looked at him with hesitation. “That would make me responsible for all of your people.”
Warthan nodded solemnly, “It is not something I offer lightly.”
“Nor should you. You do not even know my intentions or anything about me.” Raziel crossed his arms.
“That bow, on your back, tells me all that I need to know. It is fabled among my tribe, that the one who wields it will march upon the darkest evil. That they will fight against Aether’s hold on the mortal realm.”
Raziel’s eyes narrowed. “Aether?”
“Yes, it is said that one who Aurelian chooses will also be chosen by Aether. That he will have a great internal battle. That he will have an army of all species rise to serve under him to save his soul from Aether’s hold.”
Raziel crossed his arms. “Alright, we will have to come up with rules that guide our people to feel safe from internal and external forces. They shall be just, with allowance for mercy, but if for any reason I feel that your people and my people are not able to share the same space, I will ask you and yours to leave. Am I clear?
“Yes Sire.” Warthan bowed deeply; his equine knees touched the ground. His arms stretched out in front of him. The remaining herd that was with him followed suit.
Raziel’s heart swelled with pride and confusion as these centaurs bowed to him.
He turned to his elves. They were kneeling behind him. The two people in unison.
“All Hail King Raziel.”
Elrian smirked and walked up to him. “How’s that ‘not feeling like a prince’ coming for you?”
Raziel gave a solemn expression. “I gave up on it. I must yield to fate apparently.”
He turned in a circle, “Rise my kin! We shall rebuild, and we shall free our people and all others who wish to be free from Erikson’s Rule. I was less than impressed that he does not care for your safety against his own pets!
“Tonight, we shall share a meal with these centaurs. And tomorrow we shall draft new plans.”
Raziel woke to his Queen on his chest again. He smiled. “Good morning DeLarian.”
“Morning My King.” She stirred and sat up.
He chuckled. “I like having a larger bed.”
She snickered. “Me too”
“Come we have much to do today.”
They got out of bed and went to their closet. After getting dressed Raziel got dressed, Aurelien settled into place. He watched as his Queen got dressed, with an idle smirk.
When her clothes were in place. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her waist. Raziel pulled her hips hard into his and growled softly in her ear. “You are mine now you know that right?”
She chuckled. “I do, and I am.”
“Let us go downstairs to get some food, before I choose to take you again instead.”
She smiled at him, “Come on my dear, we have too much to do to revel in selfish choices.”
He growled “fuck, fine.”
Together they headed out of the hall and down to the tavern.
Raziel’s eyes glimmered with excitement when he saw Issac standing in the tavern talking to Phalentine.
“I am sorry who are you?”
“I am Raziel’s father.”
“I highly doubt thought Sir.”
“Father!” Raziel ran down the stairs and threw his arms around Issac.
Issac returned the hug. “You have been busy I see.”
Raziel chuckled. “Father, this is Phalentine. He is my noble Adviser.”
Phalentine raised a brow. “I am?”
“Yes, I just decided so.”
He bowed. “I will accept that.”
“Raziel, I… I spoke with Erikson. He is not pleased with you.” Issac stated solemnly.
“Erikson will get over it.”
“But son, do you not know what he is?”
Raziel’s eyes narrowed. “Do you not know what I am?”
Issac paused for a moment. “Ok, Fair enough. But Raziel, be careful. He is a celestial. He is not defeated easily.”
“I appreciate your concern father. But these people are mine now. I am their protector. The centaurs are coming to live with us too, they want to be free from Erikson’s rules as well.”
Issac raised a brow. “You are going to build your own kingdom here aren’t you?”
“Yes Father. Would you like to stay with us?”
“Sorry my boy, I do not. But I will help you repair your buildings.” Issac smiled.
Raziel eyed Issac. He reached into his satchel. “You know father, I found your hidden cave by the forbidden lake.” He pulled out the letter with his name on it. “I found this; I have not opened it. Should I?”
Issac frowned. “I… had not planned on giving that to you yet.”
“Fine, I shall not open it, but I am keeping it.”
Issac’s frown deepened. “As you wish.”
“I do, now come have breakfast with us?”
“I suppose.” Issac eyed the elves.
“A word Raziel?” Phalentine approached him.
“Sure,” He turned to Issac, “Make yourself at home father. I will be back in a moment.”
He followed Phalentine into the inn hallway. Phalentine leaned into him. “Sire, do you know that is Xanther’s Grandson?”
“Yes.”
He narrowed his eyes. “And you are ok with him being here?”
“Phalentine, He raised me.”
His eyes went wide with surprise. “He did?”
Raziel nods. “I have my suspicions about him. I do not trust him completely. But he is to be treated as if he is my father. Ok?”
Phalentine frowned. “Yes Sir.”
Together they walked back out to the tavern hall.
Issac smirked. “I have a gift for you Raziel.”
“Oh?” and what is that?
He only let his excitement glimmer in his eyes.
“Everyeone come outside.”
When everyone was outside, Issac turned back to the city. He chuckled slightly and then began to wave his hands as he wove an intracate spell. The earth began to shake and the buildings fell. New ones began to emerge. In the center of the lake a grand castle began to rise.
Bridges into and out of the castle clicked into place one board at a time. Rows and rows of homes became available, some centuarian, others Aquatic Elf.
Issac finished his spell. There now stood a beautiful castle and surrounding village. “Do you need farm lands?”
“No father, our ‘farms’ are actual are hydroponics in the lake. Time flows differently there so we get more food than if we were to try and grow on land.”
Raziel smiled as he watched his father build him a new city. Warthan and his tribe could be scene on the horizion. The faes jaw dropped.
“I never asked him how many people was in his ‘tribe’.” He watched in astonishment.
Issac laughed, “I was wondering. I mean the Centaurs are one of the most populous next to the human’s and the Elvearians.” He scoffed, “Watch next they will come too. Everyone is so tired of Erikson, and his desire to join Xanther.”
Raziel’s eyes narrowed. “And what about Aether?”
Issac’s expression dropped. “Son, You do not have what it takes to fight Aether.” There was a sense of almost loyalty?
Raziel eyed his father with caution. “Alright. Well thank you so much father! This is epic!”
Warthan showed up shortly later. He looked out at the new city. “Wow, Raziel this is beautiful. Who helped you make it?”
“My father.”
Warthan raised a brow. “Elderak?”
“No, Issac Wavelander.”
His eyes narrowed as they fell upon Issac.
“Do now worry, I am not staying.”
With a wave of his hand, and the normal set of runes and incantations, the sorcerer disappeared.
Warthan crossed his arms and turned to Raziel. “You did not tell me you had connection to them.”
Raziel raised a brow, “You did not ask. Having connection is one thing, having an alliance is another. Just because he is my father, does not mean he will have my mercy in a fight.”
Warthan could feel an energy radiating off of the fae, one he could not quite place. But he liked it. “Fair enough. I want to introduce you to my clan. There are many of us.”
“I see that, I have been thinking about this a lot. I feel that there are a lot of cultural differences that will need to be addressed with care and compassion. Once we are sure that everyone has been taught and knows the rules, then we can enforce them. I feel like one should not be scolded for a rule they do not understand.”
Warthan smiled. “Fair enough.”
“On the bright side, he saved us work and now we can just play?”
They laughed. “Alright. Let us enjoy our night then.”
Raziel and Warthan walked together through their people mingling. A smile crept onto their faces as they watched Centaurs and Elves play together.
“Raziel. What do you think about forming a council?”
He thought for a moment. “I am not against it. But right now it would only be me and you.”
Warthan nodded his head. They continued their walk. A large female centaur was speaking to DeLarian. The sight of her warmed his heart.
She turned and saw him with excitement she waved Raziel over. “My King! Meet Tashina, She is Warthan’s Queen. She is so sweet. I just adore her. We have been discussing customs, and education. That we should have required classes for everyone to teach what is good/bad/offensive to each culture so that we can live in harmony with each other. Only then can we establish rules that can be followed and enforced.”
The two Kings listened with their hearts swelling with pride. “Would the two of you like to head that up? While Warthan and I sort out borders and patrols?”
Her eyes glistened with joy. “I WOULD!”
Tashina allowed her excitement to be seen as well.
“Warthan, come with me.” Raziel led him toward the lake. “I want to show you something.” They stopped at the edge of the lake.
Warthan followed in silence. He waited for the young King to speak.
“I am worried, that there is something bad coming. I have been having dreams of Aether.”
Warthan raised a brow. “So, you are the one he has selected?”
“I fear you are right. I had a dream. There was a darkness. It told me that I would become an agent of death, and that I would lose my heart in the shadows of the brimstone in the belly of the abyss.”
“Raziel, do you have magic? Being fae I assume so, but I wonder what it is?”
Raziel frowned, “I don’t really want to talk about it. It is frightening.”
Warthan looked down and watched their shadows dance under them. The morning sun cast a soft glow around them. “Tell me, is it shadow magic?”
Raziel looked out over the lake. He took a deep breath.
“When I was fighting Eriksons men. He tried to trip me. I… I did a back flip and dove into the shadows. There is so much raw power in one’s shadows. It is difficult to defeat.
“I can harness the power of their fears. Anything less than a god of sorts, or an immortal being like Erikson, won’t survive it. It poisons their soul. The weight of their fears devours the flesh off their bones.
“I have been afraid to harness it, because I do not wish to lose my soul to it.
“I commanded roughly two hundred men and their horses, to be devoured, their souls absorbed by the dark abyss of Aether. The shadows should be feared. Aether is real.”
He stared at his new castle for a few moments.
Warthan held a solemn expression. “I wish there was something I could do to help you carry your burden. I do understand.
“I feel, you being here, Is going to help. It anchors me, to a sense of belonging.”
Raziel bent down the lake. He reached into his pocket and got a small vial. “This water,” he smiled softly.
He filled it with water. He stood and looked at Warthan. A string from his satchel, he wove around the bottle’s top. He held it out for the centaur. “It is healing water, use it wisely. A token of our new treaty.”
Warthan took the vial and observed it for a moment. Before placing it around his neck. He took a horn off his hip. “These are the alarms our people use to indicate danger and need of help.” He held it out to Raziel. “We are in more than a ‘treaty’ young King. We are a new kingdom now.”
“What should we name it?”
Warthan smiled softly. “What about Ultharia?”
Raziel thought for a moment. ‘That sounds good.” He held out his hand, “Welcome to Ultharia Warthan.”
His smile grew, he extended his hand and shook Raziel’s. “I look forward to this My King.”
Raziel let his excitement be seen in his eyes. “Let us go back to our people now. But first, there is one last thing I wanted to mention. Food wise, what we do is there are elves under the water that grow our food. Our livestock is above the ground though. We have cattle, chickens and pigs.”
Warthan nodded. “We have some druids that have settled with us. They have agreed to add a forest and orchard around the new castle and buildings.
“Perfect”
