“Vorthak, the time has come. Your purpose is neigh. You are to seek out the kingdom of Ulthaira. You are to serve the King. He is about to become locked in a fight against the one you seek revenge upon. Take your army and be the protector of his lands. In this, you will find new and creative ways to exact your revenge.
“Remember, Death is too easy for someone like him. Seek out King Raziel, He has plans, plans you will want to be part of. You will revel in his tact. Take your entire army and prepare to have some fun.” The gleam in her eye was full of malice and wicked intent.
“Yes, My Queen. What of Felendor?”
“Tsk, Tsk, when are you going to learn to not question me?”
He growled softly. “Fine, woman, you grow to irritate my nerves.”
“But Vorthak, you have no nerves left to be irritated?” Her hollow chuckling was the last thing he heard before she left him.
A glowing bracer wrapped itself around his wrist and he smirked.
He turned his mount, “My Dread Knights! We have a purpose! Let us go and secure the Kingdom of Ultharia!” The volume of chanting was deafening. He turned and opened a portal. Vorthak and one
hundred Dread Knights stepped through.
Raziel, Lycander, and Warthan sat at a table across from Phalentine.
“We need to establish borders, so that people can stop thinking that we are a weak village. I am growing tired of needless deaths.”
Lycander and Warthan scowled. They said nothing. Phalentine only smiled softly. “I do not think he meant that as an attack against you two.
“I do not think so, I only scowl because he is right. Because what will happen if someone comes in great enough force that we cannot protect against?”
Raziel eyed him with doubt.
“You know you do not have the strength to use that much shadow magic my King.”
Raziel’s expression softened. “You are right. I want to defend my people, not lose my soul to the darkness.”
“I have fifty men I can set up on patrols. We must send a message to the bandits, that even though Erikson does not own this land, we are not an easy target.” Warthan told Raziel.
“I can add fifty wolves.”
“I…” He did not get any further before Raziel felt a strange magic. His attention snapped to Warthan. His expression said everything the centaur needed.
The three of them rushed out of the castle. Lorenx was waiting at the base of the steps. He mounted and they took off to the outer edge of their lands. Lycander shifted to his wolf form.
Warthan’s eyes narrowed. “Raziel, that is a portal from Eldoria. Proceed with caution. Even you must be cautious of what comes from there.”
The three of them watched as a curious species stepped out. Raziel had never seen anything like it. The army appeared to be undead monsters. Lorenx pawed at the ground and spoke. “Raziel, those are the Dread Knights.”
“Dread Knights?”
“Yes.” Warthan added. “Myths have it, that no mortal can fight them. They are fueled with magic of the Nameless Queen.”
“Interesting.” They sat there and watched as the leader and one hundred creatures exited the portal.
They stopped and just stood there as the portal closed. His armor fused with his body, becoming an extension of his rage and power. Its body was covered in spikes and skulls. His glowing blue fixed on Raziel.
Raziel asked Lorenx to go forward but she refused. Raziel felt a strange magic hum in his bones. He dismounted and approached the warrior without a hint of fear in his stature.
“What are you doing Raziel?” The centaur king’s equine hooves pawing at the ground.
Lycander stood in front of him growling. Raziel put his hand on the wolfs snout. “It will be alright friend.”
Raziel stepped around the giant wolf. He walked right up to this new creature. Their eyes locked on each other. The monster held his hard gaze and returned it with admiration.
“Not many can approach me without the slightest hint of fear. You must be Raziel?”
“I am. What can I do for you?”
A mirthless chuckle. “I was sent to be your army my King.”
The bracer on Raziel’s arm began to glow. It caught the creature’s attention. The corners of its lips curled into a wicked smile.
He bowed before Raziel. “The Dread Knights are at your service Sire. We shall patrol your borders. And bring all trespassers to you for your judgement. A warning though, any that approach with intent of harm will be met with my wrath.
“I, my young Fae, am Vorthak. Your new self-appointed admiral of your undead army. None shall survive my fury if they try to harm Ultharia.” He dropped to his knee and lowered his gaze to Raziel’s feet.
Raziel chuckled. He turned his attention back to Vorthak. His expression becomes solemn. “You will not harm my citizens? They are of many species, and your warriors will not bring them fear?”
Vorthak stood. “Young King. My army will not be seen except by those that wish you harm. Your young should be told of us, but not to fear us. We will ensure their safety. My rage and vengeance will be saved for those that march upon you in mass, with ill intent.”
Raziel let a wild and chaotic expression contort his features. “Sometimes, Vorthak, to obtain our desired results, we must let the enemy walk among us. With that said, I do not always want the ‘enemy slain’. Death is too easy for some. They deserve a much darker … torture.”
A truly evil laughter erupted from the creature. “You are just like me. Keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer. I will always lurk in your shadow my King. I will wait for your command to attack.”
Raziel let a wicked light dance in his eyes. “So, we have a deal? Armies are met with your force. Refugees will be guarded. Bandits will simply go missing, as you can do as your wicked heart desires, and Wavelanders, will be escorted to the castle?”
His sapphire eyes glowed bright at the mention of the name Wavelander. “Oh, she was so right, revenge is best when death is not an option. I have a feeling I am going to revel in my time with you. I look forward to serving you, my King.”
“Precisely.” Raziel’s expression was full of malice and determination. “The world will know that Ultharia is a force to be reckoned with.
He turned to Warthan. He walked back to Lorenx. The hoard of undead disappeared into the shadows.
“Raziel?” A hint of fear could be heard in Warthan’s voice.
“Do not fear, they are on our side.”
His eyes narrowed, “You mean to tell me that our boarders are now protected by the Dread Knights?”
“Yes.”
“Well, do we still need centaurs and wolves to patrol?” Lycander, in his human form now stood next to Raziel.
“Well that all depends, I think it would be more fun for Vorthak if our enemies see our land as unprotected. I mean I know they realize you are here. But wouldn’t it be more fun for them to fear the shadows?”
“You are wicked aren’t you Raziel?” Warthan chuckled.
A slight glimmer of red edged around his irises. “Wicked needs a point of reference my dear friend. Allowing someone with ill intent to walk unknowingly into their own demise. Is that, really wicked?”
His shadow chuckled. “I must agree my King. Thank you for allowing me to have creative allowance.”
Warthan raised a brow, “He is forever in your shadow, isn’t he?”
Raziel chuckled. “I think it is time to go and have a discussion with Erikson?”
The party headed back into town. When they got there, Issac was standing there talking to Phalentine.
“I felt the portal, where was it?”
“It was out in the fields father.”
Issac turned and looked at his son. He took a step back. “Raziel, something is quite… different about you today? Are you ok?”
“I am fine father, what can I do for you?” Raziel crossed his arms with an idle expression on his face.
Issac eyed his son for a moment. “I have come to tell you that the humans have some sort of death wish. They are wanting you to yield your lands to Erikson. They claim you have no right to take his lands.”
“Interesting, where do you side on this?”
“Me? I don’t have a side son.”
“Right. You know father. I am beginning to question your motives. And your alignments.”
Issac frowned. He grimaced. “I am sorry son. There are bigger things at play here than us.”
“You are so right sir. What is it with these temples of Xanther’s?”
“Son, leave his temples alone, you would have to have an undead army stronger than Felendor’s to survive the spell wards on them.”
“Like, Vorthak?”
Issac scowled, “Where did you hear that name from?”
Raziel chuckled. “An old textbook I was reading.”
Issac narrowed his gaze at his son. “I ensured that name was erased from history.”
Issac gritted his teeth. “Raziel, you are getting into things you do not understand.
Raziel chuckled. “You did not answer my question.”
“I am not going to answer your question, and I suggest you stop.” With a wave of his hand, he disappeared.
Phalentine scowled. “Sire where did you hear that name? I have not heard it in a very long time.”
“Vorthak, Introduce yourself.”
He stepped out of the shadows and into the light. He bowed. “Any that Raziel deems an ally shall have my protection.”
Phalentine raised a brow. “Raziel, do the Dread Knights guard our borders?”
“They do. I now feel there is enough protection here that I can leave and start my assault on Xanther’s plans for this world. “I will not allow him to steal the essence from our people, to feed his hunger.”
Issac felt brave, He had critical information for his grandfather. He summoned a magic bird. It was a dove. He attached a note to it. “Fly to Relana. I need to speak with her asap.”
He let the small creature fly. His gaze narrowed as he watched it fly high. It flew into the window of the Queens room. He swallowed hard. He knew this was dangerous. But he had to tell her.
A woman dressed in a white cloak with gold trim appeared before him. “This must be dire, for you to come here my grandson.”
Fear evident in Issac’s expression. “It is grandmother. Raziel, he… He has something dark living in his shadow.”
Her eyes narrowed. “He has shadow magic?”
“Yes, but it is not Aether I sense in his shadow.”
“Oh? And what do you sense in his shadow?”
“Vorthak.”
She raised a brow. “Are you sure?”
“I am positive. Raziel asked if Vorthak was powerful enough to destroy Xanther’s temples. I… I could not stand to stay in his presence.”
She crossed her arms. “For your information, I will not tell your grandfather you came, but Issac. I worry about your actions. They are dark. And there is no redemption for the path you seek.”
His eyes became clouded. “I know.”
