The New World Chronicles

Part V

1

The teenage boy continued running for his life, never turning back. A cloud of confusion, uncertainty, sadness, and anger ran through his mind. What had happened so far, he didn’t understand. His family was killed, his neighbors marauded, and his settlement burnt to a scorched wasteland.

Right now the only thing the boy was concerned with was reaching the castle of King Phillipios II and Queen Amrielle, at Fernafol Castle south of the River of Rayse. Only dire news and strife drove him on; no matter how tired or famished the farm boy was, he continued moving on.

He wasn’t sure how long he had traveled, probably 1 or 2 days at the most. Soon, the farm boy saw the tall spires of Fernafol Castle in the far distance. He was edging closer to his destination.

2

The group of 5 companions hastened to their destination. Kari had noticed that there were enormous flocks of birds, flocks in their hundreds, coming westward. “Only mass migration means one thing,” Apollion noted, “that there is a disturbance in the environment. Now we don’t have to have a sixth sense to notice something is wrong.” Kari agreed as she rode on Tonner’s back. The horse was fighting against himself to break into a run. He had noticed a disturbance as well, and the only thing he wanted to do was break into a mad charge. But since Kari was tugging on his reins, Tonner was forced to fight that instinct of flight.

Casera and Eretria followed, jogging to keep up with Apollion and Kari. They knew that they had to get to the castle as soon as possible, knowing that something must have terribly happened already. Neither Casera nor Eretria spoke with each other. In fact, nearly the whole group was silent. They could no longer take their sweet time, and thus, talking wasn’t permitted.

For 12 exhausting hours, the companions hurried to the castle that was their destination. They decided to make camp for the night, and the next morning they traveled for another 12 hours. When they came upon the castle, both the Noircanids and the Meracanid looked in awe at the amazing fortress. The castle was truly gothic-looking, said to be over a thousand years old. And yet after all these long years, it could still stand. A giant wall, over 9 meters tall and 4 meters thick, ran along the whole perimeter of the castle, guarding it like a blanket covering a child. On the four giant guard towers, there were four banners showing a blue tiger standing on its hind legs, with a cerulean background symbolizing the Bleu Tigre’s ascendence into the Heavens.

Never before had Casera seen such a fortress. His mouth was agape, and this time he looked directly at Eretria. She looked stupefied when peering at the castle. Eretria knew what Casera was going to say, and then she gave a hearty chuckle. “Yes male, I am quite surprised by this unexpected wonder. One hell of a castle it is indeed.”

3

King Phillipios II was sitting down for the evening, and often, a very large dinner was held every night. Food garnered the table; roasted chicken, potatoes, breads of many different types, pure Raysean grape wine, cakes, sliced tomatoes, hams, and sausages. “A meal fit for a king!” laughed the jolly Phillipios. He was certainly in a good mood today, since his politics were going quite well. He had just found out that the country’s crops were raised nearly 3 percent this year, certainly more than enough to feed the population. No single family had starved since the War of Polemos Pass nearly 4 centuries before, and not even the poor would starve now.

Phillipios was in his early 50’s, with short grey hair that in his early days were a stark brown. He was quite fat, though he was powerful in stature and was said to have lifted 10 bulls in his youth(although his wife Amrielle didn’t believe a word of it). However it wasn’t his physical features that were appealing, but his overall attitude. Often when he would laugh, he would give a great “howk howk” from his throat, a laugh that was enjoyable to hear. He was certainly the greatest king to ever rule in the Hollandrian Valley, not just because of his attitude but also because he was a fair king. He was an experienced politician, almost as if he had been born knowing how to be a king.

His wife, Queen Amrielle, was a little younger, in her late 40’s. Her hair was long, and it shined with showers of gold. But now, her hair was turning grey due to her old age. Her skin was pale, and she was not very thin at all. In fact, she loved to eat like her husband, and yet she never put too much weight on her. Like her husband, she was a very good politician, being the highest woman in the country. She had a very care free attitude, and it was believed the queen had never panicked once in her life.

“Phillip, I ask today, why are you ignoring your advisors?”

Phillipios smiled, though his mouth was full of food. Before talking, he graciously swallowed his food. After all, he was trained in the courtly way. Then he burst out laughing.

“Why, dear Amrielle, I have no need for these damned advisors! I have already heard good news today regarding our country’s agriculture, up several percent in crops than last year! The unused crops can be used for trade, and more trade means less poverty!”

All of a sudden, one of the king’s assistants came bursting into the large dining hall, interrupting the king and queen’s laughing matter. The assistant was named Andras, little more than 21 years old. His tall skinny form certainly made him noticeable. He was panting, as if he was in a rush. Phillipios’ smile turned into a scowl, though it was not meant to scare off Andras.

“This can only mean urgent news,” said Phillipios, “which is odd really, considering there never is urgent news. Amrielle grew a concerned look on her face, though she remained calm. “You may speak Andras, surely as this may be important.”

A bewildered look appeared on Andras’ face. “Indeed this is urgent,” Andras spat out. “A young farm boy from a small farming settlement to the east has come with news that is worth telling, your majesties. In fact, this is grave news. Apparently, dark dragons have invaded the valley, passing over the Ouranos Mountains. They totally destroyed a farming village, and the young boy is the only survivor. He says his life was spared by one of the dragons, and the boy’s name is Donato. He…”

Dropping his chicken leg, Phillipios II stormed unexpectedly out of the dining hall, his chubby belly moving up and down as he ran. Andras quickly followed, though he was surprised by the king’s hurrying mood. Amrielle just sat, and continued eating. She was in no mood to deal with these problems right now; her husband would take care of that.

4

“You know who I am, Shellone. I am the knight who carries the Terre de Rayse sword, and a sworn friend to both King Phillipios II and Queen Amrielle. You will let me see them at once.” Kari was pissed that she could not see the king, and was growing impatient at the stubborn guard’s orders.

“The king cannot speak,” replied Shellone stubbornly. “There is…recent news that I am not allowed to discuss out here in public. In fact, I shouldn’t even be telling you this at all…” Kari suddenly grabbed Shellone’s shoulders and shook him harmlessly, though her nails dug deep into his skin. “Damn it, you will let me see the majesties now Shellone, or eventually I will tell the king that you disobeyed the orders of a holy knight. Do you really want to lose your job? This news is extremely important, in fact, this news is for the protection of this whole country.”

Shellone grew an amazed look on his face. “Then you know of the dragons?” he gasped, half in wonder and half in the pain from Kari’s nails digging into his shoulders. Kari immediately let go of Shellone, almost as if she was stricken dumb. “Dragons?” she questioned, “dragons? What dragons?”

“Dark dragons,” Shellone replied. “Burnt a farming settlement, and Phillipios II may declare war. In fact, my best guess is he will have to declare war. A farm boy named Donato was spared, only to come and tell the majesties that the dark dragons have invaded…” Kari slammed her fist into Shellone’s face, knocking him out. Apollion’s jaw dropped in shock. He had never seen the human act this way, and had never thought a knight would show such behavior. Casera and Eretria stood watching, oblivious. As usual, they said not a word.

Apollion was amazed by Kari’s attitude, and his eyes bulged at the sight of the knocked out guard. “So courtly of you,” snared Apollion. Kari ignored Apollion’s comment.

“Come now,” Kari urged, motioning with her hand. “No damn guard or even a single army will stop me from getting into this castle. Tonner will be okay out here.”

5

“Indeed, this is very terrible news!” Phillipios panicked, “dark dragons in Rayse! This can only mean war, and how will we be able to take on dozens of these evil dragons?” The king pondered, and Andras just watched the discussion silently. After all, only three of them were present in a little room under the structure of the castle. Phillipios knew his wife was not interested in attending the secret meeting, so he continued to ramble in his thoughts as what to do.

Donato had tears streaming down his face, trying hard to fight back the endlessly flowing tears. He was only 12 years old, and already his whole life was thrown away.

“I can only wonder where this large group of dragons has gone. Certainly they must already be moving throughout the valley, and yet I do not know where the hell they are now. We must assemble an army, and Andras, summon my advisors immediately. Also, send scouts and messengers across the Hollandrian Valley immediately to every town, city, and settlement. Especially send word to Kosmos and the City of Splendours.”

Without turning to bow, Andras quickly exited the small room. He knew the king had put this burden on his weak shoulders. Lost in his thoughts, Andras didn’t notice that he had bumped into a very strong woman. He lost his footing, and fell onto his butt. “Owww!” yelled Andras, grasping his nose. He looked up, and saw 3 large Canids standing aside by the woman’s feet. They were indeed very large Canids, certainly not dogs.

“Kari de Rayse, beg my pardon! What are you…”

“Take me to the king, now,” she threatened. “Or at least, tell me where he is now. Don’t ask me why, just let me see him.” Andras pointed down the long hall, afraid the woman was going to do something horrible to him. “He is in the small room down to the left,” answered Andras. “Now I have urgent matters I must attend to…” Andras clumsily sprinted away before he even finished his sentence.

When Andras reached the outside of the entrance to the castle, he noticed the guard Shellone lye in a coma on the ground. He obviously wasn’t dead, since he was still breathing normally. He shook his head, remembering the castle guard was as stubborn as a rat.

“No doubt the knight’s work.”

6

King Phillipios II was awaited with yet another surprise, when the knight Kari de Rayse and 3 mysterious Canids came stumbling into the room. By the look on the knight’s face, he could tell she was in a very bad mood.

Kari looked at the boy who was dirty and miserable. She didn’t care how forceful or hostile she was acting. She turned herself in the direction towards the boy. “You must be Donato,” she said more softly. “I know the king has urgent matters to attend to, so you will tell me everything. Why we are here isn’t important right now.”

While Donato told his story to the four companions, Phillipios quietly, yet sneakily, left the room. Then he broke into a jog, hurrying towards the council chamber. It was no surprise that the king was late when he appeared in the chamber, with his male and female advisors already seated and ready to go.

In the end, the majesties and their advisors ultimately decided that war was declared. From the reports of the Rasyean scouts, it was found out that 50 or so dark dragons were quickly approaching the City of Splendours, the holiest city in all of the Andalysian. Phillipios II and Amrielle, along with their advisors, ordered that 2,000 archers and crossbowmen line the city’s towering spires. They also deployed the most well trained soldiers in all of the valley; the Raysean knights. There were about 1,000 of them guarding the grounds of the city. Among them was Kari de Rayse, not looking forward to fighting this battle. Apollion and Eretria stood in the Tower of Bostony, the tallest tower in all of the City of Splendours. The majesties granted Apollion as Master Summoner and Eretria as Master Mage. All of the humans in the city were awe stricken when they had seen the three Canids. It was the first time in hundreds of years that any one of them had seen a Meracanid or a Noircanid. It was decided that Casera would be Lead Scout, since he had no military experience once so ever. However, it was found that he was excellent at determining a problem, even though he couldn’t read or write.

7

Not so far away from the City of Splendours, a lone dark dragon sat on a rolling hill along with nearly 50 members of his group. Fear of the unknown plagued the small dark dragon’s thoughts, fear that would not go away. The other dark dragons were eager for an attack, but their leader, Master Akemi, forced them to fight that desire. Battle certainly wouldn’t come yet, not when it was rumored that all of Rayse had been armed and ready for war.

Khan’s eyes narrowed as he noticed Master Akemi telepathically calling orders. All of the dark dragons suddenly unfolded their wings, and launched themselves in the air. Knowing that disobeying would be fatal, Khan spread his rustic black wings out so that they would catch a strong thermal.

Soar to death, thought Khan. Not soar to victory.

End of Part V