Light of the Seventh Spire

By Tavian Royal

Chaos and war are sweeping across Tallendrall. The elves war against the empire while the corrupted spread death and destruction. Humans huddle in protected cities and lords abandon their duty as protectors. To create a haven and to heal the realm, Monty and her companions must find allies to fight against the evil that lurks within the growing darkness.

While the navigator Maliki searches for the summoner Calais, Ren, an elven maiden who must hide her dreadful curse, travels to the eastern mountains to seek an alliance with the barbarian tribes. But, she is too late. Abandoned by the spirits, most barbarians have turned to a mysterious being who promises glory and revenge, but a few remain committed to the great spirit totems. With their help, Ren travels to the village of the totem champion, Denarith, where she hopes to find answers for the barbarians and her past.

Meanwhile, Monty escorts two young girls, Astrea and Aviva, to the Lords’ Council where they will train as new lords. During her stay, she learns of an ancient relic known as the Light of the Seventh Spire. Once thought lost, it was a device powerful enough to decimate the realm. To be the first to retrieve the light, she must travel across broken realms controlled by demons and dragons who also seek this devastating device. In her perilous journey, can Monty discover the courage and powers within her to save the light and the realm? Will she save her beloved friends before they perish or be imprisoned in eternal darkness?

The Light of the Seventh Spire is an epic fantasy, fast-paced adventure novel. It is the third book of the Fallen Spires series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tavian Royal
• Release date: Apr 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370699018

Tavian Royal

Tavian Royal is a science fiction and fantasy novelist. By day, he is a workaholic software engineer creating epic software solutions and fending off code gremlins. By night, he enjoys reading and writing about fantastic worlds, over-the-top heroes and fun adventures. He lives in central Texas with his beautiful wife and children.

Book preview

PART ONE

CHAPTER ONE

Eirondrall

ON THE realm of Eirondrall, Rev stood on his castle balcony and watched the mountains fall. Rivers and lakes disappeared, and the land wept with tears of fire. The ground trembled and cried with massive jets of steam. The sky had turned red as the sun slowly dipped beneath the ruins of his realm.

The air elves streamed out of the great city, Eirodias. The hillside beyond the walls was speckled with torches as his people ran to the nearest portals to escape the devastation. Buildings beneath the castle crumbled into the city’s empty streets. Rev didn’t know what to expect as the city and surrounding land collapsed. The city floated in the sky so it remained unaffected by the massive earthquakes. With the people evacuated, he needed to get the remaining people from the castle before it too was destroyed.

What are you doing here? King Regillus said. His voice boomed through the empty hallway behind him. You should be with the others helping the evacuations.

I came back here, looking for you, father, Rev said. You must leave so you can lead the people and help them start a new city and a new life. He walked back into the quieter hallway away from crackling sky and grinding earth.

The time of Eirodias is over, he said. The airwalkers must take their place on the realm Tallendrall and protect it from the same fate. That is why you must lead them to a new life among the humans, orcs, barbarians and the other elves. Air elves were one of many elves that lived on Tallendrall. Despite the empire granting them limited rights, most elves were forced to wander the realm as merchants and vagabonds.

As much as you would like, I can’t take your place. Now come along, father, and let’s get somewhere safe.

The king walked to Rev and placed his hand on the young elf’s shoulder. His stern face softened with a brief smile. "I am glad you want me to come with you. Watching you grow up has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life. I may have called you a fool in the past, but you are growing in to one of the wisest men I know. Elves live a long time but it is never enough. I wish I could have told you more. Please, Revannick, go while you have time. Once I complete my task, I will find you on Tallendrall.

Then, I am staying to help you finish your task and we can both leave.

Stubborn and hard-headed like your mother. A quality that will make your life far more difficult. Regillus stared at his son for a moment before squeezing his shoulder. Fine, you may join me and help me complete this task. The king turned and walked away with his long golden cloak flowing behind him.

Wait, where are you going? What are we doing? Rev threw his hands up in frustration. He hated it when his father spoke in riddles. He ran down the hall to join him. Unlike his father’s flowing robes and cloak, he wore a simple brown jacket, white shirt and black pants. Being one of the city’s scouts, he had to wear more practical clothing as he spent most of his time out in the wilderness. Once he caught up to the king, he walked next to him down the long hallway. Despite being hundreds of years old, his father only had a few silver strands in his light brown hair. He had no facial hair like any other elf but his face had deep lines. His expression was hardened with worry as his eyes were lost in thought.

What are we doing? Rev said. When his father gave no answer, he shook his head in annoyance. For several moments, he allowed silence to stay between them while they left the hallway and worked their way down several flights of stairs. The castle shook and parts of the walls and ceiling collapsed behind them. The king remained focused and continued forward. Do you know why this is happening to our realm, Eirondrall?

Yes, the Sixth Spire was just destroyed. Without its link, the realm will collapse into a cloud of rocks and dust.

Wait, why does the destruction of a building on Tallendrall control the fate of this realm?

The spires control all the realms on this plane. It is why they exist.

I don’t understand. You say that when the Fifth Spire was destroyed, another realm died?

Yes, there were once twenty-five realms in this plane. Each one was linked to a spire. Most people don’t realize that as they are unseeable from Tallendrall and most portals don’t lead to them. The spires are powered by these realms and this is how Tallendrall protects itself in the light’s absence.

Light?

Good, they have finished clearing the way to the vault.

The two elves left the stairs and the connecting narrow hallway. They entered a much larger hall covered in marble walls and ceilings. Stone pillars lined the red-carpeted walkway that led to a massive stone door. It was circular and twice as tall as Rev. What is this place? I have never been down here.

Of course, you haven’t. No one has for decades. Your mother was the last one here as she was its guardian. That is why she was killed.

Rev stopped in shock. He never knew the details of his mother’s death. There were only vague reports and her dead body showed no visible injury. Some thought it was a physical malady while others suspected darker motives. Are you suggesting she was murdered?

Yes, they were trying to learn the secret of this vault. It is why the city was built here. To protect it from the dragons and demons. That is why I was so angry when your friends brought the fire knights here. I thought they might be after this. Fortunately, the darklings never detected what was inside these walls.

So, what is in it?

Instead of answering his son, the king spoke a string of gibberish at the door. It was known as ancient elven but the dragons had snuffed it out when they mutilated the elven race. His father tried to teach it to him once, but he had no interest in history or dead languages. The grand hallway was empty and his father’s voice echoed against the bare white walls. For a moment, nothing happened. He looked at his father wondering if the old man had lost his mind. How could something be so important to call for a city to be built around it?

Then, the stone door slid sideways to reveal a dark room. As he got closer, Rev found the room was a bottomless pit with a small stone platform floating in the middle. On top of platform, there was a stone casket. It was carved like a sleeping woman with her hands holding a rose on her chest. When he stepped inside to get a closer look, he could see that the pit below led to the nothing but darkness. Wind swept through the room and he could feel warmth from the casket.

Who or what is that? And why do we have a bottomless pit in the castle?

It's an extra-dimensional space. It was the only way to keep her hidden.

Who is hidden? What is going on? The castle and the city are falling apart and soon nothing will be left of our realm.

I wish I had time to explain more but you are right. We must hurry. Follow me to the center.

His father glided across the black expanse. All air elves could use the surrounding air to glide or even fly a short distance. After several years of practice, elves could do the action with no thought or concentration. Still frustrated and shaking his hands in the air, Rev activated his power and accompanied his father on a cloud of air. When he arrived at the platform, he found his father feeling the casket.

It is still intact, he said. His voice was soft and his eyes remained lost in thought. He turned his gaze to his son who was shocked to see his father smiling. This is the light of the Seventh Spire.

A dead person is the light, Rev said. I do not understand what you are talking about.

It's difficult to explain, but this is the key to the plane’s survival with the convergence approaching. Before Rev could ask another question, he raised his hand to stop him. It will take too long to explain. More time than we have. But, you must understand that evil forces are searching for the light. They must never possess its power. If they do, the corrupted will be least of our worries. Now, no more questions. You must help me get this off the plane.

Fine, but after this, I expect you to tell me all these stories. So, how do we get it out of an extra-dimensional space and off this realm?

The king knelt down and pulled off a hidden panel from underneath the platform. One advantage of an extra-dimensional space is that it can lead to any place in the castle. In our case, it will take us to the large hanger on the fourth level. There, I found it.

With a rush of air, the blackness disappeared, and they found themselves in the large hangar. White stone walls surrounded them, and the platform rested on the hangar’s metal floor. The hangar doors were open allowing the room to be flooded with light from the red sky. On the left side of the hangar, spiderlights were hanging from metal harnesses that lined the wall. The flying vehicles were slender and long, but their rear engine compartments were disassembled for repairs. Near the front of the hangar, there was a large metal craft.

The craft was oval-shaped that was larger on one end and thinner on the other. The thin part had an opening for its rocket-like propulsion. The larger end was covered with dark windows. Red fins and silver pipes decorated the gray-metal sides. It stood on thin metal legs while a ramp extended from the rear and was lowered to the ground. Rev had seen similar craft before as they were often the inventions of mad engineers. They used a power source known as ethaerium, but Rev never understood its mechanics like Calais did. All he knew what that ethaerium was dangerous and mishaps often occurred with such inventions. A man in a brown vest and a blue shirt walked around the craft checking different panels.

What is that thing? Rev said. When did it get here?

It arrived a week ago while you were on patrol, Regillus said. He needed to land to do repairs and has been staying in one of the guest quarters.

Really, I haven’t seen him around the castle.

I’ve had dinner with him a few times. You might have met him if you would ever eat with me. Rev avoided dinners with his father. It often resulted in harsh lectures or the boring machinations of ruling the city. With everything happening, he regretted not speaking with his father more. The king pressed something on the casket and it effortlessly floated above the ground. Bring the light and I will introduce him.

The king stepped off the platform and headed to the man. Rev carefully pushed the casket forward. It glided across the ground but was still heavy enough to require strength. Grunting, he followed his father while moving the casket to the craft.

Korren, I am glad to see you are still here, Regillus said. I would like for you to meet my son.

The red-haired man walked to them. He had brown eyes and a young, clean-shaven face. His left hand held a wrench while his right hand readjusted the goggles on top of his head. Hey king, he said while giving a right-handed salute. Your guard told me I had to leave so I am doing my final checks now. I shouldn’t be too much longer.

I am grateful you are still here, Regillus said. This is my son Revannick. Rev greeted the man while still breathing heavy from moving the casket. I need you to take the light and my son to Tallendrall. Once there, you must go to the Lords’ Council. I still have a few allies that will help us.

No, we are all going, father, Rev said. You said this was your task and aren’t you lecturing me all the time about being responsible to my duties.

A wise elf indeed, Regillus said. Fine, I will come with you since the city has been evacuated. Get the light on board while I unhook the ship from the hangar.

Excuse me, Mr. King, sir, Korren said. My ship can’t travel to other realms and I don’t know the coordinates to Tallendrall using a portal.

My son can help you with that. He has travelled many times to Tallendrall.

If you say so. The engineer shook his head with uncertainty.

Come help me with this, Korren. This thing is heavy.

He helped Rev push the casket up the ramp. Both grunted as they maneuvered it onto the ship. Once on board, Korren through straps over it to secure it to the interior of the ship.

I thought he said this thing was light, Korren said.

He said it was ‘the light’ and not light itself… or… I don’t know what this thing is.

Is there a body in there? The engineer appeared squeamish as he backed away from it.

I don’t know, but there are worse things than dead bodies right now. How soon can we take off?

I have to check the intake valve and then I am ready to power up the engines.

Rev followed the man out of the ship as he checked another panel. His father was finishing unclasping the last of the three metal legs. Looking at the strange ship, he missed the elegant and simple airships. When he saw Regillus complete his task and the engineer working on the panel, he decided it was a good time to get a few more answers. Then, Rev noticed a flash behind the king.

A metal blade burst from his chest and the king spat blood as he fell to his knees. A young woman stood behind him. She wore a dark purple jacket and black pants. Long black hair fell to the middle of her back. A soft purple cloth cap and goggles covered the top of her head. The most remarkable part of her appearance were the clear, insect like wings that extended from her back. She reminded Rev of a large fairy they spoke of in fables. With his father choking on his own blood, Rev drew his sword that hung from his side. Enraged, he screamed and ran at the king’s attacker. The woman responded by pulling the sword out of the king and defended herself from his quick attacks. Rev noticed from her technique she was less experienced. All she had to do was make one wrong move and then he would slaughter her. From the corner of his eye, he could see Korren tending to his father. The king laid on the floor motionless.

You have little time, the woman said.  She continued to block his strikes but made no offensive moves. Give me that coffin and you can save your father. He attacked quicker, and she barely avoided each strike. Oh, come on. Your father’s dying.

Because you stabbed him, Rev said. He was shaking with anger. I will kill you.

Oh, this has continued for far too long. I see you want to do this the hard way. After blocking another attack, she raised her hand and a beam of light lanced out. It struck him in the shoulder causing him to spin around and fall to the ground. The pain was intense. The attack had burned through his clothing and the skin on his right shoulder. Before he could respond, she had teleported herself across the room and was boarding the rocket ship. Then, she was struck down by a purple blast.

Korren had fired the shot from a strange-looking pistol, but it didn’t kill her. She had moved behind the debris for cover. Back off, navigator, Korren said. That’s my ship and my cargo. He moved away from the king and was kneeling behind the ramp. Rev pulled himself up and moved around the hangar. He wasn’t about to be surprised again. Then, the hangar shook, and the ceiling crumbled with debris raining upon them.

Come back here, elf, Korren said. We have to leave. With more stone falling around him, he agreed and ran back to his father.

Help me get him up.

It's too late. Korren’s voice was somber as he lowered his head for a moment.

King Regillus was still and no longer breathing. His eyes were glazed over and lifeless. Rev shook the body and tried to mend his father’s wound. The floor and his robes were covered in blood. Looking at his blood-covered hands, Rev panicked. He couldn’t let his father die. There was still so much they needed to discuss. Another blast struck the floor near him. It exploded and created a cloud of debris while more blasts arced past him. Looking up, he saw a strange airship. Like other airships, it had a poop deck, quarter deck and fore deck with two large masts of sails. However, part of the poop deck was round and ended in a sting-like cannon. The front of the ship had bulbous eyes like an insect. Six short mechanical legs hung from the hull along with thin insect-like wings. The wings fluttered quickly allowing the ship to turn quicker.

Get on board, Korren said. That ship will destroy us if we don’t leave.

Stubbornly, Rev grabbed his father’s body and tried lifting him onto his shoulder. He took a few steps before another blast knocked them to the ground. With his ears ringing, he groped around the floor looking for his father. Korren’s hand grabbed his jacket and pulled the elf to his ship.

No, stop, I can’t leave him, Rev said.

I am sorry, but we have to get you and that coffin-thing out of here.

Rev struggled for a moment. Tears streamed from his eyes as he looked for his father. As the ringing in his ears subsided, he knew the engineer was right and allowed himself to be pulled up the ramp. He leaned against the casket as the ramp closed. Korren was already at the front pushing buttons. The engines roared to life, and the ship trembled.

You can do it, you can do it. Oh, not that again, I thought I fixed that.

Another blast shook the ship and Rev joined the human in the cockpit. What is wrong? Is there anything I can help with?

No, I got it. Wait, I know what I can do. He leaned underneath the main control panel and fiddled with the hanging wires. A spark erupted from the panel causing Rev to step back with his arm raised for protection.

Do you know what you’re doing? Have you flown this ship before?

Of course, I have flown this ship. How else did I get here? There we go, the injectors are working and the ignition sequence has begun. Here we go, you might want to take a seat. This will get bumpy but don’t touch anything.

Rev sat down even more worried. He didn’t know if he was safer on the ship or outside where he could blasted by a navigator or get torn apart with the rest of the realm. None of his options were good. He sat in a leather chair to the right of Korren. Needles inside the gauges spun around while several lights blinked. None of this looked good.

Then, the engine roared to life. The ship raised itself off the ground and hovered there for a moment. The navigator’s ship continued to fire bright blasts of white energy at them. Several shots hit the hull but did no damage. After a few more blasts, their ship lurched forward, and the hanger flew out of view and the rocket ship passed above the airship’s masts. Rev was squashed against the seat from the force of the launch. It felt like his innards were being pulled out of his body the faster they went. Each time the ship jostled and jerked, he fought against the urge to vomit. As the ship leveled out, the elf pulled himself away from the seat and peered out of the cockpit window.

Everything was changing. The mountains he had known since he was a child were gone. Rivers and lakes had disappeared. The valleys were filling with lava while the sky burned red. With nothing looking familiar, Rev didn’t know how he could find the portals that were hidden in the mountains.

Where are we going? Korren said.

Rev had no answer. Nothing looked the same.

That airship is following us now but don’t worry. This ship is fast and can outrun any old airship.

Good… there. I see one.

The shining portal ring sat on top of a large crumbling mountain. The mountain side crumbled to its base as the entire mountain trembled. The portal didn’t have much time.

Can you put in portal coordinates through your console?

Of course, what coordinates would you like me to put…

Another blast jerked their ship to the side. Lights flashed in the cockpit and steam bellowed from a broken pipe in the back of the ship. Korren frantically pushed several buttons.

That airship did something to us. None of the controls are responding and we are slowing down.

If we can get to that portal, we can get out off this realm and they won’t be able to follow us.

I am trying something now. Korren reached under the console and worked on an open panel. The lights in the cockpit flashed off, and they were jerked upward as the ship dropped out of the sky. Rev’s insides were in his throat while he clung to his chair. After a moment of rushing wind, the lights flashed on and the ship stopped falling. There, I got it. I’ve got control.  Rev readjusted himself and breathed again. He scanned the cockpit for a bucket to vomit in but found none. Soon, it wouldn’t matter. The ship jerked and twisted again as it veered up the mountain side. At least some control. Heading for that portal now.

The ship readjusted itself and Rev watched portal get bigger in the cockpit window. More blasts erupted around the portal. The navigator was trying to destroy it. Instead, the ring absorbed the attack. Korren pushed several buttons, and the portal lit up with white energy. Red lightning erupted around it as more blasts struck it.

We have to hurry. I have seen many portals, and that doesn’t look normal.

Hopefully, we can get in before it explodes. You humans are always blowing up our portals. Rev shook his head as he remembered the last time Calais and him flew through an exploding portal.

Then, the casket glowed and filled the ship with a blinding iridescent light. From what little Rev could see, the portal had deactivated and was reactivating. Blue lighting erupted around it. Korren’s face had grown pale.

Oh no, the portal’s coordinates have changed. I don’t know where it's taking us.

Then, the engineer’s ship disappeared into the portal’s silver aura.

CHAPTER TWO

Castle Pellandarr

MONTY FOCUSED on the hay target across the courtyard. She held her hands up and was trying to launch an energy blast from them like the wizard, Djinn. Her white marble-like skin glistened in the midday sun. The light breeze lifted strands of her white hair into the air. Her blue eyes glared at the target, hoping it would explode or something. She readjusted her blue dress so she could lean closer. There were few dresses available that fit her small size. Besides goblins, no one else stood three feet high. Despite the tailor’s effort, the dress still was tight in all the wrong places. Returning her focus to the target, she pushed her hands further out. Nothing was happening.

Remember your breathing and draw your energy from within, Djinn said. He was a tall, slender orc that wore black robes and an oversized brimmed black hat. Unlike humans, he had dark green skin and red eyes. Orcs were known for their savagery and ferocity. Djinn was neither of those. Instead, most found him eccentric but polite. From traveling with him for almost a year, she knew he was caring and protective. Although, he wasn’t a great teacher as everything came naturally to him. Djinn folded his arms while he waited.

This time, Monty clinched her teeth and reach deep within herself to touch her soulforge. It was the mechanism that held her soul and mind. It was also the source of all her powers she had yet to uncover. So far, it only had allowed her to kill a demon, cure the corrupted and control light seeds. None of those abilities were useful since demons were trapped in other planes and realms. The remaining corrupted fled to the Xandia and Erretia provinces which covered the eastern half of the realm. Life seeds were rare and found in few places. To continue the fight, she had to learn new powers which she had spent months practicing but with no success. This time had to be different. She could feel a tinge of power within her but couldn’t grasp the elusive thread. With her arms and body stretched out, she fought even hard to pull the energy out and blast the mocking hay target.

But, nothing happened.

Oh, this isn’t working, she said with a heavy groan. She straightened her body and tightened her fist while jumping up and down. After a moment, she released her fist and stopped hopping. Why can’t I do this? I know I can do more, but I can’t reach it.

It will come, Nora said. Behind them, the druid laid near the side entrance of the great hall and was still in a jaguar. Like all druids, she could talk to animals, control plants and take different animal shapes. Her list of abilities irritated Monty who still had few powers.

Remember, raise your hand, then pull the energy from within while focusing on the target, Djinn said while lifting his own hand. You can almost feel it. Then, a green fireball flew from his hand and struck the hay target. It exploded into a cloud of dust with green flames dancing around the cobbled ground. He straightened his body and furrowed his brow at the cloud of smoke. Oops, I didn’t mean to do that.

You destroyed another one, Sinnell said. The captain of the guard was an older man with few strands of hair remaining on his spotted head. His skin drooped over his body’s thin frame. The blue and white tunic of Pellandarr hid the chain shirt he wore underneath it. It bothered government officials he still clung to the Pellandarr barony even after it had been dissolved. It was now called the Rendall Republic, but Sinnell claimed he would not live long enough to learn the new rules. Monty believed what he said since the man had gotten more frail over the last six months. He could barely stand while he helped Astrea with her bow lesson.

The blond-haired girl wore a dark green dress. She scrunched her pale freckled face while aiming an arrow at another hay target. When Monty’s target exploded, she released the arrow, but it struck the white stone wall that surrounded the castle.  Out of frustration, she grabbed another arrow and fired it at the hay target. It flew past the target and hit the stairs leading to the wall’s parapet.

She’s right, we will never get this, she said. Why do I have to shoot this stupid thing, anyway? The sewing lessons were more fun than this and that says a lot.

All people must learn to fight in this dangerous realm, Sinnell said. Straighten your back and breath.

Before Astrea could pull another arrow, her sister Aviva and her horse raced through their section of the courtyard. A train of goats and chickens followed while she laughed and urged the horse to go faster.

Quit running that horse, Sinnell yelled. You will get it crippled or killed.

Calm down, captain, Nora said. The horse knows how to handle the ground and they're few places for it to run.

It had been six months since the battle with the army of corrupted.  The fields surrounding Castle Pellandarr were littered with debris of broken weapons, armor and crashed airships. Scavengers collected the larger pieces but there were still smaller bits of debris in the grasses and the dirt. No herd animals were allowed in them and no one with any since spent any time in it. It made the castle even more dreary and lonely to Monty.

After the battle, everyone left to rebuild their villages and cities along with their livelihoods in the new Rendall Republic. The ones who remained lived in the castle or worked on the formation of the new government. Once the government’s articles were written, those officials left which made the castle feel even emptier.

The lords and the castle’s servants always had something to do unlike Monty. Meera busied herself with new trade agreements so they could have a source of income. Nora traveled to different villages aided with their agricultural needs. Djinn wondered off for days for no reason, but that was okay with everyone else. Once he helped them get the ethaerium power rigs running, he didn’t have much to do and most people didn’t like orcs. Maliki had left the castle to search for Calais but they hadn’t heard from him in months. Nash left for a trade city called Penny town and claimed he wasn’t interested in rebuilding governments or towns. Ren, Maliki’s first officer, had left for the eastern part of Tallendrall to aid them in forming an alliance with the barbarian tribes and orc clans. With both dragon stones gone, the empire showed little interest in the new republic but many believed it was only a matter of time before they attacked again. They needed many strong allies especially with the elves warring against the empire.

Fearing more attacks, Sinnell drilled his guards every day and insisted on training everyone in the art of combat. Monty practiced swords and bows in the morning and helped the cooks to make interesting meals in the afternoons. Aviva was still too young to pull a bow, so she delivered meals and supplies to the guards on watch. Astrea loved reading and art, but she had no love for the bow. She still struggled with pulling the draw string and couldn’t hit any target. The girl yelled at the target after missing it again and was seething with anger.

I hate this thing, Astrea said while throwing the bow to the ground. A geyser of blue energy erupted from the ground beneath the target and disintegrated it into a cloud of ash. Sinnell shook his head in frustration.

And, there goes another one, he said.

You see, that is how you do it, Djinn said with a large smile.

Like Aviva who could talk to animals, Astrea had gifts for harnessing energy from the ground. Djinn suspected she could become a tower wizard or an earth wizard. Either way, she couldn’t control her power and caused random destruction if she became frustrated or angry. Garrick, her old maru friend, had joined with the castle and could repair the random walls she destroyed. Once the stream of energy disappeared, Monty watched the ground mend itself and knew it was Garrick. Before Monty said anything, they heard the main gate open and the clatter of horse hooves. Monty saw a rider with a white cloak enter the castle’s courtyard. Two curved swords hung from their belt that Monty at once recognized.

Elarid’s back, she said. Elarid was one of the elven leaders who had become a member of the republic’s government. After the battle, she had helped Monty with her sword technique until she was called away. She also told the most interesting stories about the Age of Dragons.

She and the others left the smoldering targets and approached the rider. Elarid had pulled back her hood to reveal her thin pale face wrapped with long fiery red hair. Her bright orange eyes scanned the courtyard and pulled herself off the horse. She held the horse’s reins and bowed to them.

Hey Elarid, Monty said. Her blue dress flapped in the wind as she ran to the elf.

Greetings, child of the Divine, she said. It is an honor to see you again. Monty bowed in return and then hugged the elf. Elarid shifted her stance with unease while patting Monty’s back. Due to her life as a Sand Dancer, she had little opportunity to show much affection or compassion in these dark times. After a moment, Elarid stepped back with her eyes on the empty white walls.

Will anyone take my horse?

Probably not, many servants left for new lives in the rebuilt villages.

I am glad to hear people have so much hope. She walked the horse to the stables. Monty remained at her side while Djinn, Nora and Astrea followed. For the last two months, I have only heard bickering as we try to pass different laws. It makes me miss the battlefield.

Is there anymore news from the outside? What is the empire doing? Are the elves still at war? Has there been any sightings of corrupted?

I bring sad news you all must here.

*    *    *    *

Monty, Nora and Djinn joined Elarid in the great hall while Astrea found her way back to her art room. The hall was filled with long wooden tables. A large fireplace was embedded on one wall of the room. The other wall was adorned with old shields and swords. Another long table was placed at the front of the room where the baron and his special guests would eat. Above it, Caellan’s paladin sword hung on the stone wall as a remembrance for the last baron and his sacrifice.

Elarid stood at the end of one table undoing several scrolls. She had removed her cloak and wore a red shirt with loose yellow pants. Both swords hung from her belt and her hair was tied back. A gold bracer covered her left arm with several symbols on it. Monty didn’t recognize it but decided not to ask. The elf was focused on unrolling her paperwork. Once finished, she raised one parchment revealing a picture that looked like Monty.

Nora gasped.

I found this in Brand two weeks ago, she said. As you know Brand is a protected city of the empire. It appears the empire has learned of Monty’s identity and what she has done. The reward is ten thousand palaces, dead or alive.

How can this be? Djinn said with a scrunched brow. "It