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From far behind them, Kayden’s eyes widened in shock as he watched them fearing what may come upon them. Layana rushed to Declan, his eyes were closed a deep frown on his forehead. “Fight it!” she said cupping his face, her hands were shaking from fear, not even wanting to think about what could happen, the darkness grew, its putrid stench of evil and death filled the air, weighing down and cutting off the very air one needed to breathe. Layana staggered back as she heard the manic laugh of The Dark Lord. Layana stood up she needed to reach him! This couldn't be it; this was not the end- she refused to believe it! She fought against the blasts of power that were rolling off Declan as The Dark Lord tried to take over, she had seen something similar happen to Declan’s father in the vision. But he had allowed it, to sacrifice himself for his kingdom, but Declan would fight for the kingdom, for her and for their baby. She shielded her face as she pushed forward using a shield around he
Five days had passed and most bodies were accounted for, however, those who had fought for The Dark Lord had not been identified within the charred bodies of Orcs, Dagorath’s and other beasts of darkness. Therefore many families had been told their loved one was unaccounted for, although they sided The Dark Lord, it was partially by the influence of darkness more than their own will that only bought the evillest part of a human to their forefront. Funerals had taken place and three days of mourning had taken place for the kingdom to honour their fallen soldiers and knights. To remember those innocent victims of a war that had riddled the kingdom. Today was the day Layana would address the high-rank nobles and after this, if all the powerhouses of the kingdom approved of her rule, she would take up the role. The sun shone through the windows of Layana’s bedroom and her eyes fluttered open when the light hit her eyes. She smiled softly at the rays of coloured light that sent pretty pat
“We wish for Her royal majesty Layana of Ehlesaar to be our Queen but with a condition,” Gabriel said with a small smile on his face, it was a rare sight and Layana almost stared in shock, yet the weight of his words kept her serious and focused. “What is the condition?” she asked, Declan frowned he didn’t really agree with her letting the people decide on whether she should be queen or not. Yet he knew how the people loved her and knew she would be chosen. “The condition is for our supreme commander to rule by your side as King,” Elian said smiling at his student. Declan raised an eyebrow despite feeling shocked at that. He kept it hidden, did they really want him to be king? Layana smiled, “That would be a given,” she said looking up at Declan, feeling proud, from being a man who was hated and looked down on, he was being chosen as king, not even settling for prince consort. “Then, to our new king and queen!” Gabriel said, everyone, stood and bowed to the couple “Long live her m
A month had passed since then, winter had arrived and life in Ehlesaar was returning to normal. Layana and Declan had chosen their council together consisting of 20 men and a few women. A mix of nobles, mages and even a bloodline user, Layla. The palace had been rebuilt and the dragons were a common spectacle flying around above the palace. Layana had visited Halian and Rina’s families personally apologising for their loss and promising to take care of their families and always be there for them. Halian’s wife had not held her accountable and told her, he had died doing his duty. It still hurt remembering all those they had lost, but with time it was becoming easier to handle. Layana had made changes in certain laws and they had been approved by the council. She knew with the power she and Declan held, they were the strongest around and no one would defy them. But she wanted to rule with a fair reign, although perhaps in the future she knew their neighbours may begin to feel unrest w
FIVE YEARS LATER…. “Aryan!” a woman's voice came, a child's laughter echoed in the halls of the palace. The boy who was not even five yet giggled as he hurried out through the open doors, past the guards who looked startled to see the young prince rushing through the halls. “Your majesty,” they said bowing to the young woman who was running after the prince. “The crown prince…” “Yes…” Layana said shaking her head, none of the guards could approach him without him zapping them with lightning. Like his father, he had inherited the bloodline of House Storm. “Aryan,” Layana said again her own eyes flashing as she stepped into the front courtyard, her pale pink dress billowing softly in the wind. The little boy froze from where he had been trying to escape, sensing his mother’s eyes on him. “I did not hear you calling me mother,” he said his large grey eyes looking innocent, an innocence Layana knew was not real, his dark brown hair fell in his eyes. “I am sure you didn’t,” Layana sai
The scorching heat of the sun burned down upon the green fields, the sweltering haze clear to the naked eye. The grass was long, reaching high towards the blazing sun, as the soft yet scarce breeze danced across the meadows like a soothing rhythm. A rhythm that was a stark contrast to the agonising screams of a woman in childbirth. For there was a small hut in the middle of these fields where a woman lay on a wooden bed, her eyes were stinging with tears of pain. "You are almost there," The elderly woman who was assisting with the labour, encouraged her soothingly, her eyes flitting to the sun in the sky. "I must hurry before the eclipse…" The woman on the bed cried in pain, her light blond hair sticky with sweat. "We cannot control the hands of time nor the cards of destiny, place your faith in God." The elder woman said, looking towards the handsome young man who stood in the corner. A rich navy cloak over his shoulders was the only thing giving away his wealth. But despite that,
Almost Fifteen Years Later... The Kingdom of Ehlesaar was known for its wealth and beauty. Across the oceans everyone had heard of the mines of diamonds and gold , riches beyond one’s dreams, oceans filled with pearls and lands as green and fertile as one could ever hope for. Whether it was the huge white snow-covered Altheyan mountains to the south, the glittering rivers and streams that ran through the lands, or the orchards full of fruits and flowers that adorned the gardens of the wealthy. The enchanting beauty of Ehlesaar gave birth to the name ‘Heaven on Earth’ and to those who visited it was nothing short of that. Each season brough t its own beauty to the land. Summer was the longest season, but despite the heat, the buildings made of marble and stone kept the heat at bay, and when winter came it was not hard nor too brutal for most. The people of Ehlesaar wore their wealth with grace and pride, showing it off in the forms of luxurious gowns, diamond jewellery, abundant mea
Meanwhile, not far from the outskirts of the capital of Odairo two men were travelling towards the palace. “Declan wait up!” a blond man in his early twenties shouted as he ran through the trees to reach the second man. “You’re too slow,” Declan’s cold husky voice came, he didn’t once turn to look at his comrade as his dark eyes scanned the area ahead. The colour of his eyes were not common in Ehlesaar who se people had lighter coloured eyes, with blond or brown hair and skin pleasantly tanned under the summer sun. Declan was the opposite of the warmth of the people of Ehlesaar, his pale skin and his dark black hair gave him a foreign look. He stood at six foot four, and towered over most, with a lean yet muscular build. He would turn twenty this coming winter. Declan was an orphan and despite his traumatic past, he remained composed and strong. However, behind those dark grey eyes he held secrets - pain and nightmares of long ago. His frown deepened as he looked at the palace
FIVE YEARS LATER…. “Aryan!” a woman's voice came, a child's laughter echoed in the halls of the palace. The boy who was not even five yet giggled as he hurried out through the open doors, past the guards who looked startled to see the young prince rushing through the halls. “Your majesty,” they said bowing to the young woman who was running after the prince. “The crown prince…” “Yes…” Layana said shaking her head, none of the guards could approach him without him zapping them with lightning. Like his father, he had inherited the bloodline of House Storm. “Aryan,” Layana said again her own eyes flashing as she stepped into the front courtyard, her pale pink dress billowing softly in the wind. The little boy froze from where he had been trying to escape, sensing his mother’s eyes on him. “I did not hear you calling me mother,” he said his large grey eyes looking innocent, an innocence Layana knew was not real, his dark brown hair fell in his eyes. “I am sure you didn’t,” Layana sai
A month had passed since then, winter had arrived and life in Ehlesaar was returning to normal. Layana and Declan had chosen their council together consisting of 20 men and a few women. A mix of nobles, mages and even a bloodline user, Layla. The palace had been rebuilt and the dragons were a common spectacle flying around above the palace. Layana had visited Halian and Rina’s families personally apologising for their loss and promising to take care of their families and always be there for them. Halian’s wife had not held her accountable and told her, he had died doing his duty. It still hurt remembering all those they had lost, but with time it was becoming easier to handle. Layana had made changes in certain laws and they had been approved by the council. She knew with the power she and Declan held, they were the strongest around and no one would defy them. But she wanted to rule with a fair reign, although perhaps in the future she knew their neighbours may begin to feel unrest w
“We wish for Her royal majesty Layana of Ehlesaar to be our Queen but with a condition,” Gabriel said with a small smile on his face, it was a rare sight and Layana almost stared in shock, yet the weight of his words kept her serious and focused. “What is the condition?” she asked, Declan frowned he didn’t really agree with her letting the people decide on whether she should be queen or not. Yet he knew how the people loved her and knew she would be chosen. “The condition is for our supreme commander to rule by your side as King,” Elian said smiling at his student. Declan raised an eyebrow despite feeling shocked at that. He kept it hidden, did they really want him to be king? Layana smiled, “That would be a given,” she said looking up at Declan, feeling proud, from being a man who was hated and looked down on, he was being chosen as king, not even settling for prince consort. “Then, to our new king and queen!” Gabriel said, everyone, stood and bowed to the couple “Long live her m
Five days had passed and most bodies were accounted for, however, those who had fought for The Dark Lord had not been identified within the charred bodies of Orcs, Dagorath’s and other beasts of darkness. Therefore many families had been told their loved one was unaccounted for, although they sided The Dark Lord, it was partially by the influence of darkness more than their own will that only bought the evillest part of a human to their forefront. Funerals had taken place and three days of mourning had taken place for the kingdom to honour their fallen soldiers and knights. To remember those innocent victims of a war that had riddled the kingdom. Today was the day Layana would address the high-rank nobles and after this, if all the powerhouses of the kingdom approved of her rule, she would take up the role. The sun shone through the windows of Layana’s bedroom and her eyes fluttered open when the light hit her eyes. She smiled softly at the rays of coloured light that sent pretty pat
From far behind them, Kayden’s eyes widened in shock as he watched them fearing what may come upon them. Layana rushed to Declan, his eyes were closed a deep frown on his forehead. “Fight it!” she said cupping his face, her hands were shaking from fear, not even wanting to think about what could happen, the darkness grew, its putrid stench of evil and death filled the air, weighing down and cutting off the very air one needed to breathe. Layana staggered back as she heard the manic laugh of The Dark Lord. Layana stood up she needed to reach him! This couldn't be it; this was not the end- she refused to believe it! She fought against the blasts of power that were rolling off Declan as The Dark Lord tried to take over, she had seen something similar happen to Declan’s father in the vision. But he had allowed it, to sacrifice himself for his kingdom, but Declan would fight for the kingdom, for her and for their baby. She shielded her face as she pushed forward using a shield around he
The Dark Lord looked at them coldly “I have lived far longer than any of you, what do you think? That you can defeat me, you are simply exactly where I wanted.” He hissed. “Think what you want but you will die by my hand,” Layana said softly her eyes blazing as she readied to fight, Declan raised his hand “Layana… let me handle him until he’s within an inch of his life,” he said coldly, Layana frowned sensing the anger that was radiating off him, something had happened… “Declan…” “I can handle the scumbag,” Declan said his eyes crackling as he raised his hand drawing his sword that now sizzled with electricity. He rushed forward not even waiting for Layana as he struck out at The Dark Lord, “Come, let the anger take over, how did his death feel?” he hissed, Layana wondered who he meant as Declan rushed forth, running with ease despite the rubble of the destroyed palace littering the ground. “Don’t you dare even talk about him!” Declan shouted coldly, sending a bolt of lightning
“Let’s do this Dragina,” Layana said softly stroking the scales of her dragon’s neck. She saw Myra raise her arms - the darkness spreading like smoke from her, bolts of pure darkness were shot at Layana who blasted them all aside as the sky illuminated with her dazzling power. Layla looked up at the sky seeing Layana facing off against The Dark Lord himself, where were the others who were needed for this plan? The plan was to isolate and trap him. She just hoped everything went smoothly as she used her own power killing orc after orc. Suddenly the darkness seemed to grow, the ground erupted beneath them and she tumbled back, their army looked ahead seeing the riders of The Dark Lord now coming to the forefront as the strong darkness that rolled off them only grew. Beasts of all shapes and sizes jumped out from the cracked earth attacking anything in their wake… Declan motioned for them to fall back, letting the mages and bloodline users now step to the forefront. Magic and power were
“When will my coronation take place,” Cordelia asked Myra who was standing on the highest balcony at the front of the palace seeming to be looking far off into the distance. Cordelia had felt her anger over the last two days, ever since Aurelia and the Fire Mage had escaped. It was a move they hadn't anticipated, but the fire mage turned out to be smarter than they had predicted. The Dark Lord now wished he had killed the man when he had the chance. “In time, they are coming.” Myra said quietly “How do you know that? you said I will be queen, I demand to sit on my throne,” Cordelia said. Myra turned her eyes flashing dangerously, Cordelia felt her blood run cold seeing the red glowing embers that now looked back at her from Myra’s beautiful face. “I know a lot, daughter of Ehlesaar… if you ever wish to see that throne, I would be very careful with how I speak,” she hissed the darkness emanating around her. Cordelia’s heart thumped, so this was the truth… The Dark Lord was within Myr
They had set out early the following day, moving faster, Kaloran had called to the animals around and they had been able to retrieve some horses. Although Layana knew Declan had hoped to find Pedro so far it seemed that it was a futile wish, they were long past the point they had left him. However not once did Declan mention it. He now rode upon Drakayaan, a dragon that refused to let anyone else take control of him apart from Layana and Declan. Something that had made Aren pout like a child, Layla and Marilda rode behind her on Dragina. “Slow down…” Declan called motioning to Layana, they had been flying for a while, slightly ahead of the rest scouting out the area.“I sense it too,” Layla said, the smell of smoke, burning flesh and the putrid smell of something rotten. It took Layana a second longer to catch the smell that made her stomach churn. She looked at Declan who motioned her for to say up in the air, whilst he went lower his eyes scanning the ground spread below them. He f