Kalec watched as The Goldwynn Rangers proudly rode into the packed city streets, their banners flickering lightly in the breeze.
"Not as many lost as I had feared." came a heavy voice "Today is a good day Kalec, so why not join your people in celebration? Do not sit up here in grief. It's not healthy."
Kalec took a moment to glance up at his father, who stood regally in Goldwynn's colors of red and gold.
"The people...They always act differently around me. They always seem afraid."
"Well Kalec, you're uncle's vicious rule still haunts their minds. He cast a shadow on our family that will last until we find a way to erase it. For that reason, we must allow them to see we do not follow in his foot steps. We must place ourselves among them and allow them to see us as their kin, not just the rulers of their city, so Kalec please come join your mother and I in the festivities."
"Maybe some other time. I'm not really feeling up to being around that many people."
"That's too bad. I know Zarim would have wanted you there. Also, word has reached my ears that we'll be promoting a new Ranger General today, and a certain elven officer is up high on the list of prospects."
Kalec's head shot up from the parchment he'd be consumed by moments ago. Without the need to ask, he knew who his father spoke of, and knew why he had brought her up.
"Come now, Kalec." he sighed. "We'll be sure to save you a good seat."
With that, he left Kalec alone, leaving him to stare out at the hills that stretched out towards the early afternoon sun. Letting out a sigh, Kalec rolled up the parchment neatly and tucked it carefully back in it's storage cover.
Meanwhile, in the city's Market Square the Rangers and their mounts were pouring into the city stables. Even amongst the cheering and buzzing excitement that surrounded them, most were somber while few others matched the energy of the people.
"Mirna, have you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"There's talk that Nevaria's the top choice for the Ranger General promotion." Talyon smirked.
"You really think Zarim would have picked her over Thalrion? She's had less than half his military experience." she said while tossing her mud covered pack onto the stone floor.
"Do you honestly think Zarim would have picked anyone else? We all know she was his favorite officer."
"Alright you two. We haven't even been back an hour and you're already being sucked in to the city gossip? Even a war doesn't effect you two. Now stop you're jabbering, we need to get ready for the ceremony. You know the Queen doesn't want us there still covered in blood, dirt, and looking like we just got back from a 5 month war." scolded Nevaria who now stood in the door way with her arms crossed.
"But we did. I don't see why she doesn't want them seeing us like this."
"Doesn't matter if we don't really understand why. If the Queen says to wear your dress leathers, we wear our dress leathers." she said, rolling her eyes at the horrified looks on Mirna and Talyon's faces.
"Oh and by the way, we weren't really gossiping Ria. You should know better than anyone that Zarim would have wanted you to take his place."
"You know Talyon, now that you mention it, that very well could be true. Zarim was very good friends with the Prince, and everyone knows Kalec's had his eye on you for a while. No better why to get better access to you than by making sure your his Ranger General. Do you know how much time Zarim spent with Kalec before this war?"
"Now I really know you two have had to have sustained some type of brain injury while we were gone." Nevaria said while unloading her DragonHawk's travel bags.
"What makes you say that?"
"You both are sitting here saying I'll not only be picked over much more qualified officers for Ranger General, plus you're saying that Prince Kalec has some secrete crush on me? That screams post-war trauma."
"Oh just you wait and see. We'll prove you wrong, Ria." snorted Talyon while nudging Mirna slightly.
As Mirna and Talyon finished tying up their mounts, Nevaria quickly washed herself and pulled on her dress leathers that had been safely tucked away in her Hawk's stall while they were away. While fluttering his Gem green wings, he nudged Neveria's shoulder uneasily.
"Shh, it's alright. We'll leave right after the ceremony and we'll go home Anar." she whispered while stroking the dark green strip that adorned his head. Much like herself, Anar wasn't too comfortable around crowds but they both tolerated them. She knew the ceremony wouldn't last too long then she'd get out of the city as fast as Anar could carry her, and they'd be back home on the edge of the forest where her family had lived for almost 2000 years.
"Nevaria! There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you!" came a young voice from the street.
"Calanon!
The blonde haired boy came running into the stables and quickly wrapped his arms around his sister.
"We were so glad when we heard you made it home safely. After the reports we'd heard come in, I was so scared you weren't coming back."
"Cal, you should know better than that. Nothing could keep me away from my favorite little brother."
"But I'm your only little brother." he said with an odd look on his face.
"Exactly, so of course you're my favorite."
"Hah, we figured he'd find you first. No matter where you're at, I'm sure he could find you. Even before the Blood Knights."
"Father? What are you doing here?"
"Well, like Cal said, we were all so worried about you and he couldn't wait to see you. So we figured we'd just come celebrate with everyone else for once. Plus, your sister was wanting to come in town to do some shopping anyway."
"Saphrina's here? Is she with mother?"
"Nah, you're mother went to get us seats in the Square, and who knows where your sister is. Even though you two are twins, you're both so different." he said with a strange tone in his voice.
"I bet I could tell you where she's at. Probably scouting out a future husband or something."
"Now, now Ria. You are both getting closer to marrying age every day. Rina is just looking ahead of time."
"She really doesn't think I'll get married first does she? You know how I feel about arranging marriages like that."
"Ria, my dear. It's better we not discuss that here. You know your mother still refuses to believe her twin daughters are so competitive. Just let her enjoy her ignorant bliss and we'll cross that bridge when it comes time."
"Father, I'm not the competitive one. That's all Saphrina. Sometimes I think I just play along to keep her off my back. And sometimes, I really have to wonder how we can be twins. We're nothing alike. Heck, we don't even look alike."
Neveria saw something in her Father's eyes that she'd never seen before. It was almost as if he was hiding something from her. After all, she was the odd one of the family. Both her mother and father had the traditional Sunshine gold hair that had a staple of the Silverstream family since forever, yet her hair was a medium azure, and it contrasted greatly against her silver eyes. That fact alone constantly stirred in the back of her mind, but yet again she pushed it away and chalked it up to be some odd quirk.
"We'd better get going Calanon, your mother will be wondering where we ran off to." he said, taking the small boy's hand.
"All right Father."
"I'll see you guys at home after the ceremony. I'm sure I'll get stuck here doing something, I always seem to."
"Love you Ria! We'll be right up front!"
"You guys got really good seats. How'd that happen? Aren't those seats normally reserved for officers and other members of the royal court?"
"Yeah but King Krasa reserved them. Not sure why but I'm not complaining, and you know your mother surely isn't."
Nevaria let out a small laugh and waved one last time to her younger brother as he disappeared down the street, dragging their father along.
"You ready, Ria?"
"Oh jeeze Taylon, you startled me."
"Seriously? I caught you off guard? Thanks for the compliment." he said with a smirk. "Shall I be your escort? No lovely lady should go alone."
Nevaria rolled her eyes playfully but took Taylon's extended arm none the less. As they made their way towards the city square, there was hardly room to breath. The only way into the square was a small path cleared by the palace Blood Guards, which was the only spot where one could see the stone pavement they were walking on.
"Guess this is a really big deal. They must really be naming the new Ranger General tonight."
"This soon? We just lost Zarim. Shouldn't we at least wait until his funeral?"
"Ria...The new Ranger General is the one who proceeds over Zarim's funeral. Guess they view it as a passing of the torch."
"I didn't know that."
"Well yeah, you hadn't joined the Rangers when Zarim was promoted."
Finally Taylon and Nevaria found their seats, marked by their family seals or crests and luckily they were right next to each other. Nevaria giggled under her breath as she saw Cal waving frantically from a few rows over, which seemed to be causing Saphrina come sort of distress.
Moments later, Prince Kalec joined the Queen and King on the balcony that looked over the Square. Even over all the hushed voices, Kalec's carried to every inch of the Square, even without the need for magical aid. She watched him carefully as she noticed how much taller Kalec stood over the other elves around him, but his mother and father were the same. Assuming it had to be a family trait her eyes found their way to his perfect face, even by elven standards.
"Ria, you're staring." Taylon whispered as he nudged her slightly.
"No, I'm just listening. You know I tend to space out a bit."
"Uh-huh. I'm sure."
She turned her head quickly, refusing to allow her skin to betray her slight embarrassment.
"With the passing of Ranger General Zarim Windrider, now comes a time of mourning. And like the darkness of night, our mourning with give rise to great celebration. Being a close friend of Zarim's, I know personally he would have only wanted one to carry on as his replacement as Goldwynn's Ranger General.
The crowd fell uncomfortably slight as they clung to every word that Kalec spoke. Even the wind died down as if even the earth beneath their feet wanted to hear his every word.
"This Ranger has proved themselves in many ways, both in battle and in our every day life. Zarim passes his title onto you...Nevaria Silverstream."
The Rangers broke out in an ear splitting cheer as Nevaria sat in her chair, almost in near shock. Zarim had chosen her?
"Ria, go. He's waiting for you." Taylon had to nearly shout, breaking her out of her stupor.
Quickly jumping from her seat, she fought through the number of excited Rangers to Kalec's side. What he held in his hand made her heart stop for a moment. In his left hand, Kalec carried Zarim's bow; the bow of the Ranger General. She still couldn't believe it as she took it in her hand and felt it's energy pulse through her body. As it did, she heard it hum a sad, yet cheering tune and only she seemed to hear.
Again, the crowd erupted into an ever louder cheer as the rest of the city joined in with the Rangers, as she held the bow above her head, silently wishing Zarim was still there.
The rest of the night was a complete blur as her mind still fought it's inabilty to absorb what had happened in the last few days. After a nearly sleepless night, sunrise came early. As it started to shine through her window, Nevaria was already dress in the black robes of mourning, the hood pulled up over her azure hair which hung down past her shoulders.
In just minutes, the funeral parade would be here. All of the Royal family, the Rangers, and Zarim's family would be there when they reached his funeral pyre. She, along with Kalec and his widow would speak a few words before sending his soul to rest with their ancestors.
Even Anar seemed to know the sadness that hung in the air as Nevaria mounted him. Without a word, he flew at Kalec's side, allowing Kalec to see the few tears that ran down Nevaria's face. She did her best to not look at Kalec, knowing his face was filled with the same sadness as her own. His bright eyes were as empty as hers. Zarim had been a close friend to both of them. In a way, he felt more of a brother than a commander, and now there was a gap that she knew would probably never be filled.
"How are you fairing Nevaria?"
"As well as could be expected, your Majesty. And you sir?"
"Just Kalec, please. I'm here as his friend, not his Prince. As for how I'm doing..."
Kalec didn't have to answer, for Nevaria already knew what he meant to say. Things were silent between them, but only for a few moments.
"He wanted to you carry that bow, he refused to let anyone else have it. He knew what he was doing, so do not doubt yourself Nevaria."
"But I still have to ask why? I've only been a Ranger a short time compared to the other officers. Any one of them would have been a better choice for Zarim's replacement."
"Yes, Zarim did have a number of excellent officers to choose from, but yet he saw something in you that he found in no one else. Zarim knew he could count on you to protect our people just as he did."
Fresh tears began to form in her eyes, as just as one slid down her face, Kalec quickly brushed it away.
"You know he wouldn't want you crying. He always use to say..."
"Don't waste your tears on those who have gone on to the sky. Save them for those who must struggle on in this chaotic world." she finished, drying the rest of her unshed tears.
Everyone came to a hault when they reached a large clearing in the forest. In it's center stood the largest Golden Oak in the forest, and at it's base was something Ria hoped she'd never had to see again. Under it's red and golden leaves, a black lined robe covered Zarim's body as it rested on a giant, yet elegant pyre. The hundreds of logs had been soaked overnight in scented oils, awaiting the flaming arrow that would release him.
As the Rangers gathered around, they too wore long black robes or cloaks, Ria's nerves began to settle slightly. They were her other family, those who she had fought besides and shed blood for. And they had given blood for her as well these past 100 years. Once everyone settled down, Nevaria was the first to speak.
"Zarim was the greatest man I had ever had to pleasure of knowing. He was great in a way many others will never know. He wasn't know for being a great war hero, a strong man, but he was selfless. He was known and loved for how much he cared for his kin. Zarim would have given his own life to save someone in need, even if it was someone he didn't know. In the end, Zarim gave his life for one of his Rangers, and he wouldn't have wanted it to be any other way. That was his idea of a honored death. Now I know I cannot and will not ever replace Zarim, but as your new Ranger General I will do my best to follow in his great footsteps. I will follow his lead and protect our people with the same love that Zarim had and keep our legacy great."
Before she could start to cry again, she went to his widow's side and took her hand. At her side was Zarim's only son, who could have been his father's twin. When she took her seat again, Kalec placed a comforting hand on hers.
"You did wonderfully." he whispered before getting up to speak his good byes. As Kalec reached the end of his speech, she finally learned how close he and Zarim had truly been. He finally took an arrow and lit it on fire, motioning for Nevaria to come forward. Bow in hand, her hands trembled as she took the flaming arrow in her own.
As she placed the arrow in the notch of the bow, the bow hummed it's good bye to Zarim, helping to steady her shaking hands.
"Good Bye my friend." she whispered almost magically into the bow as she released the arrow.
She stood there, almost frozen to the spot as everyone began to make their way back to the city. Until the pyre was complete, four Blood Knights stood watch over Zarim's body. Tomorrow morning, at first light he would be buried under the great tree. Only when Anar nudged her arm gently did Nevaria pull back her hood back on and headed back home where she fell into a dreamless sleep.
Kalec sat at the table in his study, watching the late night marketplace begin to slowly empty as the sun made it's way in over the white marble walls still not believing Zarim's funeral had been hours ago. He jumped as his door burst open in a fury, stunning him out of his thoughts.
"Why are you not dressed?!" his mother shouted.
"Dressed? There was nothing planned for this evening."
"Did you not hear your father last night? Ranger General Silverstream and her family will be here any moment for dinner!"
"What?"
"Just get dressed. We're meeting in the private dinning hall."
Kalec nearly slammed the book on his table closed and in a blur, rushed to his room. Tearing off his class robes, he changed into his rich blue dinner dress robes.
In the door way, his father stood smirking.
"I do not believe I have ever seen you move that fast before, Kalec. I guess we were right about the feelings you have for this girl, and maybe I even underestimated it."
Kalec smirked back as he finished dressing and followed his father down into the lower levels.
Xanion paced uneasily, continuously glancing outside through the open window.
"Where is Nevaria? She was suppose to be back home by now." Xanion said under his breath as he paced just outside the front door.
"She's always late Father. I told you not to let her go with the Rangers on their hunting trip today. They can never take less than 5 hours on a hunt. Besides, what are we doing tonight anyway?" Saphrina scoffed.
"Nevaria has to be at the palace before sun set."
"The palace? What are we going there for?"
"We? Oh no, I need you to stay home and watch Calanon. The Queen herself requested a private dinner with Ria, your mother and myself."
"The Queen? You mean you're having a private dinner with the Royal family? The whole Royal Family?"
"I would assume so yes."
"That's not fair."
"Not fair? Probably won't be anything too exciting. Probably just Ranger business."
"But it would be the perfect time to present myself to Prince Kalec. If I play my cards right, I could maybe have him as a mate before next winter."
"What?" he said in near shock.
"I love Kalec, and I want to try and get a marriage arranged. You know the Queen loves our family so it's very possible."
"Rina, please calm yourself. Marriage is not a competition, especially not between you and Ria."
"But Father, if I was to marry Kalec, I would bring great pride to our family and finally be out of her shadow!"
"Saphrina, that's enough!"
"Everything okay in here?" Nevaria asked with a confused look on her face as she set her hunting bow down on the table.
"Your sister was just heading up to her room. Now go get dressed, we have a dinner to attend to."
"We do?"
"Yes. We have to be at the palace very soon."
"Why are we having dinner at the palace?"
"I'll explain on the way there, you just go get dressed."
About ten minutes later, Nevaria rushed down to the carriage and jumped inside with her mother as her father closed the door behind her.
" Do you know why we're going to the palace?"
"Some business needs attending too. The Queen asked us there herself."
"Oh."
Once they reached the Palace's Sun Court, a number of servants greeted them.
"Welcome Ranger General and family. Their Majesties have been awaiting your arrival, they are in the private dinning quarters. Follow me please."
The elder elf led them to a large room, rounded in shape with a rich fabrics that hung on the walls, and over the door ways was draped a sheering, almost glittering silk. In the center was an elegant fireplace, surrounded by large luxurious cushions and benches that sat low to the ground.
"Please make yourselves comfortable, and thank you for coming on such short notice."
"Thank you, your Highness for inviting us to dine with you this evening." he said as he bowed to the Queen, who wore a deep purple gown. The king was a near contrast in a fiery red.
"Enough with the court formalities, Please sit and help yourselves to food and drink. And Nevaria, how are you fairing?" laughed the King. "The new uniform suits you well."
"I'm more than well your Highness. As for the uniform, it will take some getting use to."
"The Queen and I, and Kalec as well know Zarim chose well. We all know you will lead our armies well."
"Which brings us to the meaning of this gathering." the Queen stated after clearing her throat.
Nevaria froze as she met the Queen's gaze. Something told her she needed to be running, but her legs kept her on the floor.
"Nevaria, we want you to marry Kalec." the Queen stated a little too bluntly before taking a drink of her wine.
"What?" called a shocked Kalec from the doorway behind them, the look on his face matching the one that was on Nevaria's.
"Oh Kalec, there you are. We were just getting to the details of your wedding."
"What wedding? I never answered." Nevaria nearly shouted.
"Honestly, my dear. We weren't asking. We've already made arrangements and you'll be married under the next Solar Eclipse." the Queen snapped back.
"I don't even get a say in this? Did you know?" she quickly looked at her mother and father. The looks on their faces told her everything. "Did you?" she said to Kalec.
"I can't see what say you'd want in this. Kalec is an excellent choice for a mate." answered her mother, sending Nevaria's temper nearly boiling over.
"No. No, absolutely not." she stated forcefully as she ran and vanished out of sight.
"Nevaria! Wait!" Kalec shouted as he ran after her.
The Queen turned and glared down at Xanion and Rytella.
"It seems we've made a mistake. I thought you said she would be more than willing to marry Kalec."
Nevaria ran until she reached the middle of the Sun garden maze near the Ranger's guild on the other side of the city. Most people didn't know how to reach the center, so it could take someone days to find her in here. The same questions flooded through her mind repeatedly. How could they do this? Force her to marry Kalec? Was she really just an object to given away at demand?
"Nevaria? Where are you? I'm sorry! I had no idea they had planned this."
Kalec stood silent for a moment, praying Nevaria would answer him and give up on hiding.
"Please Nevaria, please..."
