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The rain was ice cold in the darkness that was dawn. The sky was so laden with great black clouds that they seemed to threaten to crush the Earth with their weight. A lone rider slumped precariously in the saddle as his mount tore down a mud slogged road, the horse on weakening legs, breath tearing from its chest each time pressure cracked hooves came down to churn through the thick black mud. They careened over the crest of a hill and a city appeared in the valley below. The animal nearly went down, stumbling down the incline at a dangerous angel. There was an audible snap as something within him gave out.
A sentry on the city wall spotted the struggling pair and gave a shout of alarm. With a gasp of recognition he scrambled off the ramparts, screaming orders to the men below on his way. Soldiers scrambled to swing the great gate open, struggling with the wheel to lower the drawbridge. The sentry grabbed a boy in uniform and barked an order to him, but didn't wait to watch as the boy mounted a horse and charged off through the city streets towards the castle looming beyond.
Outside the horse and rider completed their perilous descent, the animal snorting blood soaked foam that flecked its sweaty flanks. The journey across the bridge was a clattering of hooves no longer controlling themselves and just as they reached the gate the chestnut fell, throwing the ride unceremoniously to the ground as it drew one last breath, giving up just as it seemed to realize its job was done.
The sentry rattled up the street towards them, stripping off hindering helmet and sword and dropping to his knees beside the fallen man. "Prince Gador?," he hesitated to touch royalty, "My Lord?" A bruised and blood encrusted face stricken with pain turned to face him..
"My brother," the words rasped through blood flecked spittle, "Where is he? Brinar? Is that you? Please... summon my brother quickly!" The Princes' head slumped to rest on the cobble stone street, his breath coming in shallow gasps.
The clatter of hooves and steel on steel caught Brinar's attention, the Home Guard had arrived in escort of the King. King Derwin of Corin dismounted and ran to the fallen Prince, shoving his men out of the way. "Gardor!" Falling to his knees he pulled the wracked body to him, turning the tortured face to look him in the eye. "My brother.. What has happened?" He could feel the blood seeping from his brothers robes, soaking into his own.
"Derwin," Gardor coughed, "I'm so sorry. I could not stop what was set into motion... I could not right my betrayal. Destiny, with its ironic sense of humor, has punished me for my crime. Tallin has conjured an army and rallied the dwarves and the trolls to him. I could not stop him... His wizardry is too strong." The Prince paused, gasping for breath that seemed to elude him, "He comes for the child, he says he has seen... a girl.. Your child will be a girl... and great power shall she wield." Gardor's eyes darkened, "He wants her... wants her for himself." Clutching at Derwin's robes he tried to rise, panic in his eyes, "He will blacken her soul, raise her to darkness, use her to implement his plans of conquest. Protect Se'Liene my brother... protect the child!"
The Princes' eyes rolled back and he began to convulse, "Forgive me, my brother... my King." A choking cough brought up a stream of blood, and he went still in the arms of his King.
Derwin knelt in the rain.. gently cradling the body of his beloved brother.
Queen Se’Liene of Corin shifted restlessly in her sleep. The bedclothes were coiled tightly around her slight body, and her nut-brown hair clung to her face, wet with perspiration. The shrill cry of a newborn set her bold upright in the bed, emerald green eyes shifting the bassinet, which was shaking gently, the cries of the child emanating from it. Smiling the Queen rose from the bed and went to pick up her child, her touch quieting the babe as soon as she was in arms. Deep emerald green eyes with a defined almond shape were still unfocused, but there was something in them that spoke of something beyond the average child.
The door to the chamber swung open and King Derwin strode into the room, pausing to drink in the welcome sight of his wife and child. Se’Liene turned to look upon him, the peaceful expression on her face falling away when she caught sight of his blood stained robes. "By the Goddess Derwin, what has happened?" Her husband shook his head, bringing his hand up to stay her.
"I'm alright Se’Liene, the blood is not mine."
The babe wailed, sensing her mothers distress as Se’Liene breath a deep sigh of relief, worry clouding her eyes. "Then whose blood my love..." The question was barely past her lips when she saw the pain in his eyes... and she knew before he spoke the words.
"Gardor.... He returned an hour ago. Tallin set a Wraith upon him; it’s a miracle he lived long enough to reach us. He came to warn us... Tallin has raised an army Se’Liene. Gardor said," his brown eyed gaze fell to the child in his wife’s arms, "Se’Liene, Tallin is after our child."
She instinctively clutched the babe to her, "What! Why?"
The fear in her eyes wrenched Derwin's heart, and he breathed deep for a moment, "Power my love, the magic in her blood. The power of the Sorcerer in mine, the Elven in yours. Y’Roden is powerful. Yes, he is our son... but... An'Thaya," he looked at his fiery haired daughter, "She will have more power than we ever dreamed possible. Tallin wants it."
Se'Liene gaze dropped to the child, such a reflection of both her parents. Her fathers golden human skin and fire red hair, her mothers beautiful eyes and the characteristic ears of the Elven race, delicate and pointed. So gentle, so unassuming... how could such a tender package hold such a store of dormant power?
"What do we do?" her voice was shaking, "Tallin has grown so strong..." Derwin's gentle hand touched her tiny child like face, tilting her chin so that she looked up into his glistening blue eyes.
"Se’Liene, I'll never let anything happen to our child. Either of our children. or you." She didn't need to hear the words, she could see the conviction in his eyes, read the posture of his body, feel the emotion running through his blood. Her Elven senses tingled with the strength of him. She had loved this man at first sight, he filled all her delicate Elven senses, stimulating and astounding her. After forty years nothing had diminished. Only strengthened. She thanked the Goddess every moment for granting him immortality.
"I know Derwin." She drew herself up and expelled a nervous breath, "And there are ways of deterring Tallin, despite his strength. Forgive me my momentary weakness." Her voice softened then, "Please accept my deepest sympathy, I know you loved Gardor greatly, as did I. He was a good well intentioned man, just very mislead."
Derwin smiled, allowing himself a single tear of grief before touching his hands to his robes, "He was a loyal brother in the end. I must change; there is much to be done. Tallin will not me long in coming."
Watching him in sympathy Se’Liene said nothing as Derwin took out his anger on his crimson stained robes. He was true proud to truly vent his emotions and she had never thought to interfere. As an elf she knew the danger of emotion, her race seemed cursed with feeling in extreme. Remaining quiet she waited as his aide assisted him in donning his lightweight armor, the process was quick and fluid from years of repetition. When finished he dismissed the man and turned to his wife, taking their daughter in his arms. Smiling down at the calm little babe he settled her into the crook of his arm, "Let us go then ladies... to defend what is ours."
The throne room hummed with the presence of Generals, Ambassadors, and Ladies and Gentlemen of the Court. Derwin surveyed the crowd, searching out his favorite General and most trusted Advisor, Tager. The faces he sorted through varied as to race, gender and color, but all reflected the tension of coming battle. He spotted Tager forcing his way through the thong in full battle dress... and carrying the young Prince Y’Roden.
Derwin smiled, the boy worshipped Tager and followed him everywhere, and the brutish man genuinely returned the boy’s affection.
"General Tager!"
Tager set the Prince down and knelt before his King, "Your Highness, you summoned me?"
"I take it you've been updated on our present situation," Derwin inquired, continuing after a nod from the man, "Good. Then I will need your assistance in developing a defense strategy. Queen Se’Liene is preparing her own basket of surprises for our coming guests, and will be joining us shortly."
Se’Liene sat within a circle of women... all Elven, all robed in white. Their almond shaped eyes were closed, delicate Elven features relaxed in a trancelike state. It was dark in the room, save for a circle of candles in their midst which illuminated their serene faces. Silk white robes glowed softly in the light, sharply contrasting with their waist length chestnut hair. Se'Liene was settled within the circle of candles, eyes closed, but her mind was wide open and awash with questions.
"Sisters of S’Hea, I would have answers to pressing questions." The voices of her companions rose in unison...
"Ask freely sister."
"There is danger approaching Corin, once seeks to take my youngest child. He is powerful in the ways of magic, more powerful than I could hope to be, stronger even then my beloved husband. I have not the power to defeat him, I would seek to avoid him, but cannot see the way." Her voice rang high with anxiety in the darkness, revealing the fear in her heart.
"Call upon the Goddess," came the response, "The circle knows not the answer, a greater wisdom then ours in required."
"Is the circle willing to aide a sister in seeking?" she inquired.
"We are, we follow your will."
Eyes still closed the Queen's hand traveled confidently to an onyx bowl on the floor beside her. Her fingers closed on a golden powder contained within its black shell.
"Goddess, Mother of Whispin... we call out to you. Your wisdom is our vessel. Your daughters call you to grace us with your presence, fill us with your knowledge." Her hand raised and flung the powder in a circular pattern, there was an explosion as dust met candle flame. A flash of intense bright light and a gold cloud billowed over the circle, slowly drawing in on itself it roiled and condensed into form.
Se’Liene slowly opened her eyes to fix her emerald green gaze upon the white form of her Goddess. The breathtaking face smiled down on her...
"Daughter, you have need of me?"
The Queen nodded, concern in her eyes, "You who know all, sees all. Mother, can you lend your aide to us? Please, held me save my daughter."
Eyes without form focused on Se’Liene, misty white hair framing a face that was beautiful and terrifying all at once. "I will help you daughter, for you have ever been a faithful child. I find you to be pure of heart. But. Only once in a lifetime may a request be granted, is this your request?" The Queen nodded without hesitation. "I see your conviction, I feel your urgency. Let us wait no longer."
The pale white hand of the Goddess touched Se’Liene brow, and she gasped in shock. None had ever touched or been touched by the Weeper, such a thing was forbidden. Pain shrieked through her body, shaking her to her very soul. She screamed aloud, but held her ground despite a single tear that welled in her eye, trailing down to fall from her cheek. The voice of the Goddess came to her through her pain. "Take this gift my child, protect that which is yours. Peace and wisdom be with you." When Se’Liene opened her eyes once more the Weeper was gone.
A nanny in the royal cambers fell faint with shock at that moment, for a ghostly white figure appeared next to the bassinet in which the Princess lay. The Weeper smiled, shedding a single tear as she touched the child's face. When the nanny awoke the vision was gone, but when she checked on the babe she found evidence of the ghostly visit... A tear of gold inlaid above the baby's heart.
Tager clutched his head in frustration; he had no time... no allies could be summoned to help defend Corin in time. Tallin was leading a virtual horde, and Corin could not hope to withstand such a barrage. The General turned to look at his liege; King Derwin's head was bent over a map, his expression tired and discouraged... much like Tager's own.
Both men startled as the door crashed open and a woman carrying a swaddled bundle burst into the room, scuttling across the floor to kneel at the King's feet. "Your Highness," her voice was breathless and hoarse, "The babe!"
Derwin jumped to his feet and seized his daughter, shaking fingers brushing aside the blanket. "Above the heart M'Lord! ‘Twas the Weeper herself! I swear it!" Shifting the blankets down his finger slid over something warm and smooth... a golden tear embedded in his daughter’s skin. "‘Tis her mark of favor to be sure Your Highness, a blessing of the Goddess Mother."
Derwin stared in bewilderment; his feet carrying him through the door that led into the thrumming throneroom. He barely noticed when the room went silent, but when he looked up he found all his subjects facing towards the opposite door.
There in the archway stood his wife, he was fairly positive it was his wife... Silent and somber the Elven Queen stood; her hair gilded gold, skin glimmering in the same hue. Only her emerald green eyes remained somewhat the same, although the pupils and eyelashes were gilded as well.
"Se’Liene?" it was more a question than anything. The unfamiliar eyes turned to regard him, the pupils shifting as if unable to focus properly.
"My Husband, I bring an answer to our plight. I would show you." The Queen swept across the room like a golden statue come to life, and all eyes in the room remained riveted upon her.
"Se’Liene, what has happened? Why are you altered so?" Derwin relinquished Princess An'Thaya to Tager's protective arms as he spoke.
"It is the will of the Goddess Mother my Husband, so as to protect our child from the darkness that encroaches upon us. To save our people who would surely die in Tallin's wake." Her hand stretched out towards him, facing palm up to reveal a small crystal tear. "Even now Tallin storms the walls, his power is greater than any magic of ours. Join you hand with mine my husband, aid me to remove our people from this threat."
Stretching out his hand Derwin covered hers, not quite touching. "What manner of spell do we cast wife?" he inquired, gazing deep into his wife's gold stained eyes.
"One to remove Corin from this mortal plane until the danger has passed."
Her words startled him with their intent. "A dimension portal that big?"
"‘Tis the will of the Goddess my love. Her gift to us, to our daughter."
Tager interrupted their exchanged, having been pulled aside by the Sentry called Brinar. "Forgive me the interruption my King," his voice showing more calm then was actually behind it, "But Tallin has blown out the city gate. His army seeks to enter Corin by force."
Derwin's eyes pulled away from their careful study of Se’Liene’s, looking briefly to Tager. "Then it seems we have no choice," he stated, his eyes flickering to the babe still cradled in Tager's arms.
He lowered his hand...
There was an air rending roar as skin touched skin and Derwin watched through a haze as Tager knelt to shelter the Princess with his body. The air itself seemed to be bending, distorting... and he heard Se’Liene begin to shriek in pain. Before his eyes she seemed to be melting away, molten metal swirling, rushing out in a brilliant cascade to fly through the very walls, and all in slow motion.
In the confusion is barely registered upon him when a dark pool of a portal appeared in the distorted doorway. People seemed to stretch and sway in the midst of the spell, but the man who emerged from the dark incor did not. Black robes did not stir; the raven waist length hair was not a strand out of place. Coal black eyes set in a strangely beautiful face were the only thing that moved, scanning the room until they settled on Tager and the infant Princess he protected.
The dark man began to move, and Derwin felt a rise of panic... the man was the sorcerer Tallin. There was no mistake; the image of that face was burned forever into his memory.
"Do not break the spell human!" an oddly familiar voice ordered in his mind, "To do so would be the death of Corin. Leave the Dark Soul to me."
The King caught a glimmer of light out of the corner of his eye. Shifting his line of sight slightly he found himself looking upon the Weeper. Distracted for the moment he missed then instant, in which Tallin attempted his spell and Goddess she may have been... but Arminiea was too late. The Dark Mage's spell wove its tendrils around the Babe, meaning to take her into his arms.
Tallin's eyes flew wide as he found himself in the grip of the Goddess's will, his concentration broken the spell corrupted horribly. A hole rent in the twisting air, creating a vortex in the already unstable magic plane. Tager's eyes stared helplessly at Derwin as he and the babe were sucked into the darkness, in a matter of seconds... they were gone.
Se’Liene screamed anew, a horrid sound that announced the end of their spell, and her loss. The Queen's normal coloring has returned, but now she turned pale as death as time resumed its normal course.
Derwin leapt to the spot where Tager had last stood, his hands finding nothing but empty air. Turning in rage upon the Dark Sorcerer he found him gone, as was the Goddess.
"Return my child!"
The words rang out hollow in the castle, echoing out and beyond to the golden dome in which Corin was now encased... trapped within the spell and without that which it had been meant to protect.
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