WindRaven stormed up to his father. “I told you, Xanther is up to no good! He plans to steal our people’s magic with his pathetic temples father. We must stop him.”
King Ravenmore grimaced at the sound of his boy’s squeaky voice. He sighed. “WindRaven, we have been over this. We tried to destroy one of them, We can’t.”
The prince crossed his arms. “I will find Erikson then; he might know who can.”
The king raised a brow, “You realize that Erikson works with Xanther right?”
The high-pitched man frowned, “What other options do we have?”
“I do not know son but, there is something else you must do for me. I am hearing rumors of a new kingdom rising. Perhaps they might have the ability to help since it is being said that Erikson backed down from them. Gave them land and dragon talisman.”
“You want me to travel overseas?”
“I do.”
“Do you know the name of the new king?”
“Raziel.”
“Alright father I will go and find out what is going on. I am going to take a company with me. It is never safe to travel Erikson’s land alone.”
The king nodded. “Return with news.”
WindRaven bowed. He turned and left his father to prepare for his trip
“Elrian, It is time for a road trip.”
The crystalline knight smiled. “Perfect!”
Raziel turned to the other men in his war room. He smiled. “I feel confident at where our kingdom is headed. Warthan and Lycander nodded.
“Sir, Do I have permission to build a grove in the forest? It is something that is sacred to my people, a place where we can go during the full moons.”
Raziel nodded, “You have permission.”
Lycander bowed and exited the grand hall. Warthan turned to Raziel, “Thoughts about Lycander?”
“I don’t trust him. Vorthak.”
“No need to say more, I have already sent some of my soldiers to watch him.”
Warthan chuckled. “Raziel, do you have any idea how fucking intimidating you are?”
Raziel only smirked. “I do. You are in charge until I return. I am going with Elrian to check out the temples. Vorthak is coming with us.”
Warthan only nodded. “Take this with you. My scouts have noted the location of two of them.”
“Alight, as I said before. I place you in control of the kingdom until I return.”
“A responsibility I won’t take lightly my King.”
“Elrian, I must go see my Queen before I leave.”
“Yes, my ward, I will get everything prepared.”
DeLarian was in a deep conversation with Tashina. Raziel walked up to her without any consideration for what she was doing. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply.
“mmm” She wrapped her arms around him. She held his embrace. When he pulled back, she inquired. “Are you alright my King?”
“No, come with me?”
“Tashina, I will be back.” The centaur just nodded.
Raziel took her hand in his and led her into their room in the castle. He let go of her and paced back and forth.
“I … I am afraid.”
“Of what?”
He looked at her with fear shimmering in his eyes. “Of losing you.”
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. “You will never lose me.”
“You don’t understand, I feel myself becoming a monster. Can you love a monster?”
She chuckled. “I will always love you regardless of what you become. I know that your actions are for us, for our kingdom. It may require you to walk a dark path. If that is the case, then I shall be your light.”
He smiled and tears came to his eyes. “DeLarian, I… I love you.” He touched her cheek and let his smile grow. He leaned in and let his lips brush hers as he spoke his next words with caution. “I will protect you with all that I am.”
She pressed her lips against his and kissed him. A slight moan escaped his mouth. He lifted her and took her to his bed.
His eyes fluttered closed as he reveled in her embrace. A voice from his shadow. “Raziel, I allowed you your time, but we must go.”
He growled softly, “DeLarian. I must introduce you to someone.”
“Oh?”
“Yes,” He got out of his bed and donned his battle armor that Warthan crafted for him.
“Who is it” She asked with curiosity. “also, before you leave, Who did you leave in charge?”
“I am leaving Warthan in charge.”
“Will they do patrols?”
“No, because I would like to introduce you to Vorthak.”
She raised a brow, “Vorthak? As in the leader of the Dread Knights? As in the one person that sends shivers of fear through the gods?”
A chuckle from the darkness, “The one and the same.” He stepped out and knelt before her. “My Queen, my knights serve you. If you need them while we are away, you simply need to call Pyrexis. He will oversee the army while I am gone. They lurk in all your people’s shadows.
“They will not interfere with any of your daily activities. Their presence is simply to keep you safe from external strife. We have an agreement with Raziel to allow all internal conflicts to be handled by your nobles.”
“Wow. I… My worries of safety are gone. I know you will be safe as well my love.”
“I am just afraid my love, the powers that I yield are dark.”
She smiled; she took off her necklace. “Here wear this. It will remind you of me, so that in your darkest moments, you will remember to Fight the light, Fight the control, and Revel in free choice.”
He smiled. “Thank you. We must be going now. We need to find out how to stop these temples. Before it is too late.
