Disclaimer: I do not own anything you'll recognize.

A/N: Long time, I know. Thanks for your patience and for your reviews. They really helps. Thanks to Sweetcreme for correcting this chapter. I do apology for any spelling or grammar mistakes left...

Well I do hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

Naia

Chapter Twenty Eight

The one whose robes were lined with red turned towards him. From her figure, he guessed she was a woman.

"Athar Harry. By the oath you took, Queen Valera requests your presence back to Horevald."

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

Harry felt his innards twist.

Truth to be told, he had been expecting a summons. After all, he had been warned enough time that it would happen. However, he didn't want to leave his world behind; not with the latter development.

But he couldn't refuse Valera's request. At the moment, the wizarding world was not in danger, but the Elvin one was. They had need of his help and, unless he wished to have his powers stripped from him and his life slowly and painfully drained from him, his oath forced him to comply.

He bowed his head.

"Very well, I will pack and arrive at Horevald as soon as possible." His face was blank as he straightened himself. "Do you wish to remain here until my departure?"

The Eldoiras shook her head.

"We are needed and can't stay there any longer than necessary. People will wait for your arrival. Be quick."

Harry nodded sharply.

"May Lunai and Solyen guide your steps."

The dark haired wizard smiled bitterly. It looked like prayers were going to be needed if they wanted to live through this storm…

"And yours."

With those parting words, he whirled on his heels and strode back to the castle, trying to think of everything he needed to do before leaving once more.

He halted in the entrance and grabbed his golden scale necklace.

Rexeran?

A wave of joy hit him.

Astyan? Are you coming?

As soon as I can, Will you be able to come to bring me back?

I'm afraid I won't. Gae and I are attending our council. I will join you as soon as I can, I promise you, my bonded.

Harry was a bit disappointed but pushed the feeling away.

I will see you soon then.

You will, be careful, Astyan.

Harry relished in the warmth of Rexeran's acceptance and unconditional love and adoration for him.

He dropped the scale and walked back to the Great Hall. The students had left the Hall and the adults were seated at an enlarged teachers' table. Snape was there too. Apparently Voldemort had gotten tired of having to go over whole records of Potion classes and had taken out his little recorder

"…to fetch the Athar Harry."

Dumbledore seemed tired and that only made Harry feeling guiltier of leaving. He made a note to warn Terio as soon as he was back at Horevald. The dwarves had left after three days of enquiries and there had been no words from them since then.

He walked in, holding himself straight and looking in his headmaster's eyes. The aged wizard seemed to understand what had happened and what he was about to do.

"They called you back."

It was more an assessment than a question and Harry only nodded.

Several members caught on that and looked at Harry with disbelieving, accusing or sad looks.

"They did,"

Sirius sprung to his feet.

The man had a stormy look on his features.

"What do you mean? You aren't going back there! You owe them nothing after what they did."

Harry massaged his temples. He knew that his decision would not go over well and he had to warn Hermione and Ron too.

"Sirius, I have to go back. I swore an oath. Would you like me to be an oath-breaker? Would you be able to look at me again if I betrayed my word?"

This didn't seem to calm the dark-haired man.

"Harry, you took an oath to protect innocents, didn't you? Well there are innocents there who need protection. You can't leave!"

Dumbledore raised his hand.

"Sirius, calm down."

The man focused his anger on the headmaster.

"Don't tell me you agree to this, Albus, that you caution this non-sense! Do you remember how they treated Harry, how those masters have treated us so far? They despise us, they don't want our help."

An Auror spoke.

"Black is right. They scorn us. I say we let them deal with their own problem. We need Potter at the moment. If they're so powerful, then they'll be able to get out of this on their own," spat the man. He seemed to resent the master quite strongly and Harry wondered what had happened between them.

The people started to speak at the same time, under Harry blank gaze. Finally he shot his headmaster a look and the old man stood up, casting a Sonorus on his throat.

"Silence!"

The hall echoed for a bit. Harry finally steeled his resolve.

"I'm leaving as soon as I can. I'll try to come back at the first occasion." He held up his hand. "No, Sirius, try to understand this. This is my oath and I'm bound to fulfil it."

The ex-convict shook off Remus' arm as the werewolf had tried to make his friend sit down.

"No, I don't understand Harry! I don't understand how you can decide to abandon your friends and family, your world to help some bastards that never did anything but humiliate or hurt you from the moment they saw you. I don't understand how Prong's son can betray us like this!" Remus yanked harder on his arm.

"Sirius!"

"No Remus!" He turned back to Harry who had paled a little. The young man had taken a step backward. "Harry…"

"Shut up Black! Get a hold on yourself!" snapped Snape. "Your godson has no choice in this. So use whatever brain cells you have left and get it down your thick skull."

Harry looked strangely at the Potion master. He was wearing dark midnight blue robe with a silver trim and collar. He also had one of the platinum rings on his right middle finger.

Sirius snarled at the man and turned back towards Harry, opening his mouth, but Harry cut him.

"No, Sirius, don't say anything. I'm leaving and it's final. I'll leave the Headmaster a stone to contact me at all time if needed. I'm going to pack my things. I'm sorry you can't understand this."

With that, he placed a quartz on the table and turned to leave.

"Harry! Stop right here, Harry! Harry!"

Sirius shot forwards but fell flat on his face as he was hit with a full body-bind. Snape pocketed back his wand in his flowing sleeves.

"You always were and hot head idiot Black and this never changed. We managed to survive without the brat until now, I don't see why we won't be able to do so again," he sneered. "He is not a child, you mutt, neither is he Potter reincarnate, or a god who'll defeat the Dark Lord with a snap of his fingers."

The Animagus glowered at his childhood rival.

"Be quiet, Sniv-Snape, you never could stand Harry because of some petty grudge you had against us. No wonder you don't mind him leaving!"

The Slytherin sneered darkly.

"My reasons for the dislike of the Potter name were my own."

"You were always a petty bastard, Snape. The fact that you have finally decided to display your Patriarch status, instead of just wearing those master robes of yours does not change this…"

Snape's eyes darkened with anger and he took out his wand.

"And whose fault it is that I couldn't access my birthright, Black? Who stole my heir rings and the key to the Snape vault? You only left me with my child signet ring!"

Sirius shrugged a gesture which seemed to enrage Snape all the more. Curses would have flown had not Albus stepped him, breaking the dark curiosity that had had everyone in the Hall watching the exchange.

"Sirius, Severus, if you would act your age, we do not have time for this. You'll settle your grievance once this war is over. For now we need to stand together. Harry's departure, no matter how detrimental to us it is, can't be avoided. We need to put new protection on the school and our other strongholds. Reports were also received from France and Germany…"

Sirius seemed incensed at this, but was beat to it by Molly.

"Albus, you mean you'll let Harry leave? Alone with Them?"

The Headmaster smiled sadly at the Weasley's matriarch.

"I can't stop him from following his path Molly."

"But, he's a child! It's already bad enough that he has to fight You-Know-Who and you'll let him enter another battle?"

"Do you think I could stop him, Molly?"

"He'll get himself killed!" she nearly screeched.

Moody snorted.

"Not from what I heard. That boy was trained to fight, just look at him… Now that's what I call a good training…"

Sirius looked at Dumbledore.

"How can you let him leave us, Albus? We need him here, not with them."

The headmasters shook his head.

"I can't interfere with riders business, and I don't want to. Accept this for Harry's sake, Sirius, or you'll lose him. You can't ask him to fight Voldemort and put him under lock the rest of the time."

There was a slow clapping and everyone turned to see Helion standing in the entrance. He raised his eyebrows.

"Apparently you learnt something, Wizard." He said blankly.

The Headmaster's eyes twinkled slightly.

"I think we all have things to learn, Elemental."

At his side, he heard Minerva mutter.

"It's not like the office could have survived another onslaught…"

The Elemental nodded sharply.

"We will start the preparations for a portal back to Horevald. Do not go to the pitch unless we say so, this place is so saturated with Magic that the anchoring will be difficult."

Without waiting for an answer, he left the hall, the three others on his heels.

Sirius was seething but managed to restrained himself. Standing up, he stormed out of the room, Remus following after shooting an apologetic look at the others.

With a sigh, Dumbledore, gathered the papers strewn before him and ask Severus to give his report.

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

Meanwhile, Harry had gone to the room of requirement. He knew he would find Ron and Hermione there. They deserved to know he was going, he only hoped they would take it better than his godfather. He squashed the hurt Sirius' words had done to him. He wasn't going to think of it. Sirius would understand he had to do this.

He paced three times in front of the door and stepped in as soon as the door appeared.

People were duelling each other, with and without their wands. Others were working on their aims on moving targets. Some were repeating the wand movements of a shield charms or going through training sessions: sending harmless jinx at each other, varying the power put behind it. He noticed Hermione teaching a group of fourth year and Ron duelling a Ravenclaw sixth year.

He walked toward them, noticing the silence that was settling in the room.

"Hermione, Ron, I need to talk to you alone, please…"

The brown-haired witch nodded and signalled her students to practice the shield they had been working on. Ron sent a strong blasting curse at his opponent, ending the duel as he was thrown back as Ron summoned his wand.

Harry motioned them to follow him to a corner of the room and he erected the strongest privacy and silencing charm he could think of.

He starred at the both of them.

"I was called to Horevald. I'm leaving in an hour."

"What!" Ron and Hermione gaped at him, disbelieving.

"What are you on, Harry!" yelled his friend. "You can't leave!"

Harry sighed.

"I have to… The Queen asks for me and I'm oath bound to answer a call for help. I told you so before."

Ron was turning a strange shade of crimson which clashed with his hair.

"I thought that that elf was already there! They hate humans, why would they want you there!"

Hermione nodded, apparently wondering the same thing. She was pale and was looking at him with wide eyes.

"Both Athars are needed to stop what is going on there… Lots of people will die if I don't…"

"Lots of people will die here if you leave! Do you think Voldemort will wait for your return to strike?"

Ron shook his head, a bitter expression etched on his face.

"I can't believe you're abandoning us, Harry! Why are you jumping at their every order?"

Harry gritted his teeth.

"I do this because I decided to, Ron, not because they asked for it."

Hermione put a hand on her red-head friend's arm.

"Calm down, Ron, you need to think about this clearly…" She turned towards Harry. "How long are you going to be gone?"

The Athar sighed.

"I don't know… it could be months…"

This seemed to set off Ron again.

"WHAT! Are you mad?"

"Ron.."

"Don't Ron me, Harry!"

"You have to understand."

The red head was clearly angry.

"No, I don't."

Hermione was frowning.

"I don't either Harry. We know what they think of us. Do you think your help will be welcomed there?"

"That's not the point, I have to help."

"Bullshit Harry!" yelled Ron. "You don't need to. What difference will you make there?"

His other best friend nodded slowly.

"Ron has a point Harry. And we do need you here."

Harry shook his head.

"Not really, you did a great job without me…"

"But what about Voldemort, Harry? He's not going to wait for you to come back. He will attack." Ron was pacing, punctuating his words with moves of his hands.

"The headmaster gathered many strong wizards under his lead. I'm not as necessary as you seem to think I am…"

Ron shook his head.

"I don't really see why you must leave, you'll be only one more fighter and most of them can't stand humans…"

Harry sat on a chair.

"I'm an Athar, Ron, and I didn't show you all of what I learnt there."

Hermione nodded.

"Surprise effect…"

Harry shrugged.

"Not that it would mean anything. Someone recognized what I was during the attack on Gringotts."

Ron sent him an obviously annoyed look while Hermione eyed him curiously.

"What kind of abilities did you hide?"

Harry tilted his head a bit, considering the questions while erecting an obscuring ward around them on top of the privacy ones.

"Don't you trust us?" snapped Ron, oblivious to what Harry had done.

Harry rolled his eyes.

"I do, Ron, it's not about trust it's more about your reaction…"

The red head didn't seem to be convinced and was about to voice it when Harry waved his hand and a stone appeared in the air, floating in front of Hermione.

"You'll be able to use this to contact me at any time."

Nodding shakily, Hermione took the stone, nearly dropping it as it was slightly warm to the touch.

Ron had a blank expression as he looked with hard eyes at the stone.

With a small flick of his wrist, Harry cast the strongest magic dampeners he knew. Only then, he started to let his power flow freely while he flared his Elemental aura.

Blue flames shot up, forming a flickering halo around his body. They were tamed and calm, but you could feel the power reeking from them.

He closed his eyes, centering himself. Opening them, he heard his friends' gasp. He knew how he looked like, Freaky. Teneb had once told him that his eyes were literally glowing and that his magic was flowing around him, blowing his hair, and making his white strand stand out even more. He could feel the warmth of his Athar mark on his temple.

He looked at Hermione and Ron before lowering his magical levels and making his aura fade.

"Bloody Hell…" Ron was starring at him. "Why is it always you?" he muttered those last words in a barely audible whisper that Harry chose to ignore.

"Teneb needs me back there… They need me…"

Ron curled his hands into tight fists, his knuckles white.

"Then go back to him! And don't bother to come back, we'll manage without you."

He walked out of the room, followed by everyone's eyes as most of the students had by now stopped working and had been trying to see or heard what was going on. Both Hermione and Harry winced at the loud sound of a slamming door.

"He will get over it, Harry," said Hermione. "He changed a lot while you were gone, but with you back, he allows himself to fall back to his old self… I- "

Harry sighed.

"Forget it, Hermione, I expected it, anyway."

The young woman looked at him sadly.

"You always had a hero-complex… I suppose there's no talking you out of it, is it?"

Harry shook his head, to his friend's distress.

The Gryffindor sighed.

"Just come back as soon as you can. Despite whatever you might think, we do need you by our side."

Harry's green eyes were blazing and Hermione barely refrained from shuddering. Never before had Harry looked the powerful savior he had been heralded as. For the first time in her life, she was scared of her best friend, scared of what he could do and scared for him.

With a few more words, they parted ways, Hermione going back to the Junior Order's training, Harry to his room to get ready.

An hour later he was done, having checked over his bags twice to be sure he had everything he needed. He had even been to the Hospital Wing and had asked for some potions he thought would be helpful: Skelegrow, Energizing, Calming, Dreamless Sleep potions and basic healing ones.

Pomfrey had not been able to hand him a lot, needing them for her patients, but it would be enough to care of the injuries he might sustain and allow him to seek an healer.

He shrunk the bags and put them in his pocket, before making his way out of the castle. Neither Ron nor Hermione were waiting for him, but he hadn't expected them to do so.

He spotted Dumbledore and Remus waiting for him in the hall, apparently waiting for him. However, he didn't want to say good bye.

Spotting an opened window, he transformed swiftly into his raven's form and flew to the Quidditch pitch, landing in the stands, not wishing to distract the four elementals working on the portal's opening.

He sent a tendril of magic towards the swirling energies and frowned.

The flows were disturbed, agitated and extremely unstable.

He made his way towards Shadows' paddock and readied him. He had decided to leave Lucky there, not wishing to endanger the small beast that was way too curious for its own good.

When he came back to the pitch, the portal was nearly opened but he really didn't feel like passing through it… the energies were wavering greatly.

Steeling himself for a rough ride, he took Shadow's reins and started to direct his horse towards the swirling opening.

"May Lunai and Solyen light your path," said someone behind him.

Startled slightly, Harry turned his head and frowned upon seeing Lienhor observing him from a distance. He nodded back.

"May they shine on you and bless your path."

Lienhor nodded, before turning his back on the young wizard and heading for the paddock.

Harry focused his attention back on the portal and urged Shadow forwards. The stallion was quite reluctant at having to step through the portal, but Harry kept pushing him and encouraging him.

As he was about to pass, he shot the Elementals a look.

The four of them were sweating from the strain of holding the portal open. Helion nodded shortly.

"Go, Athar."

He dragged Shadow with him and thought he heard his name yelled behind him.

He turned his head slightly and saw Ron and Hermione running towards the pitch. With a sigh he walked through the swirling energies and let himself be swept away.

The ride was rough, he was shaken quite a lot and many times, he felt the energies trying to dissolve around him. He finally was sprawled to the ground and heard a pained and protesting neigh from his stallion.

His mount had been flung to the side and was now trying to get up.

Immediately, Harry rushed to its sides and started to check the horse for injuries.

Fortunately there had been no real damage. He looked around, noticing that he had arrived at the same location as the one he had arrived the last time he had come here for the allegiance ceremonies.

He heard galloping horses coming his way and unsheathed his sword.

He knew little of the situation at Horevald, besides what Terio and Arxeren had told him, as well as what he had read of the reports Teneb had got before his departure.

Relief flooded him as he saw two Eldoiras as well as a Herald coming his way.

He sheathed back his blade and finished his check on Shadow, adjusting its tack. The herald and its escort stopped a few meters away from him as he climbed on Shadow's back. He was aware of the picture he made: clad in blood red, riding a black stallion and heavily armed.

"Athar," saluted the Elf, bowing as well as he could while sitting on a horse, "May Lunai and Solyen guide your steps."

Harry nodded back.

"And yours."

The Herald nodded his appraisal.

"You are expected at the castle a soon as possible."

Harry gathered his reins.

"Lead the way."

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

They rode to a quick pace back to the royal palace, and Harry couldn't miss the signs of an upcoming war: soldiers were patrolling, villages were evacuated and defences lines were being set up. Many wards had been erected. Nobody spoke as they neared the castle.

Harry climbed off his mount, ignoring the looks sent his way. He knew how he looked and didn't care what other might think of him. Only the opinion of those who cared for him was important.

With a smile, he handed Shadow's reins to Erin. The elf teen nodded seriously, petting gently the forehead of the stallion. Knowing there wouldn't be problems between the two; Harry checked his sword and followed the Herald inside the palace.

The place was as magnificent as before, though the atmosphere was darker and tense. He was led to the audience room and waited outside as the Herald announced his arrival.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath; he would need all his patience while staying here.

Finally the doors opened and he stepped in, immediately taking in his surroundings.

The room was fairly large: Huge windows lightened it and several paintings and tapestries were hung on the walls. A large oblong table was placed in the middle, covered with a big map of the different elvish places. Queen Valera was sitting on one hand, Doryan, and Celen at her sides; then there was Demenor, Reald, the Xhan and the Xhana, Djaryle, as well as several other elves, Magis and Elementals. Harry smiled as he spotted his blood brother sitting at Celen's right. Teneb looked exhausted, heavy bags were hanging under his eyes and Harry could nearly feel the weariness radiating from him.

All of them had looked up as he entered and where appraising him.

"Athar Harry, welcome back to Horevald," finally said Valera.

Harry nodded back at her and Celen.

"Thank you, I came upon receiving your message."

The Queen acknowledged his answer and motioned to him to sit down on the empty seat by Teneb.

"We'll make a brief review of our situation, Athar."

She snapped her fingers and immediately colored lights started to appear on the map.

"Gerian, Duke of Meyan, controls this region. He raided the temples and managed to get hold of two pentacles of power stones and gathered two circles to use them."

Harry narrowed his eyes.

"He then asked for Keis, Lyn and Jiya's support, but though the High Duchess Cerelia disagreed with some of my choices, she wanted no part in a coup against the Royals. Gerian started to drain the islands' magic centers in retaliation."

The young wizard massaged his temples. Idiot. Did that imbecilic worm realized what he had done! Valera continued her summary of the situation.

"As you can guess, the archipel is currently highly unstable. A few minor earthquakes already took place, and there was, fortunately, no casualties. Heralds were sent to warn the population and ready everything for their evacuation. The problem is that Gerian managed to get support from quite a lot of people here. A few attacks had been already led against the castle and several villages were raided. For now, there was no casualty. Gerian want people to agree with him and he won't get support if he starts killing left and right…"

She was cut abruptly as a knock on the door broke her explanations.

A battered herald entered. His clothes were singed and he was sporting several cuts on his arms, neck and face. He bowed his head to the Queen.

"Your Majesty, reinforcements needs to be sent to Hiolan. The town is under attack and the defences won't hold much longer…" His voice was filled with urgency.

Valera didn't waste time in useless questioning. She nodded to an elf that left the room hurriedly. Teneb had risen after shooting Demenor a look.

He signalled to Harry to follow him, only to realize his blood brother was already up and ready.

They both exited the room.

"I'm glad you're here, Harry." He finally said letting Harry feel his relief through their bond.

Harry looked at him with worried eyes.

"Are things that bad?"

Teneb sighed, racking his hands through his hair as they reached the stables, ignoring the looks they gathered. Soldiers were already waiting in the yard, checking their weapons one last time.

"You'll see for yourself. Watch my back, and I'll watch yours."

Harry nodded.

"You didn't need to ask."

Teneb smiled and took Myst from the stable boy, jumping on it. Harry thanked Erin as the boy handed him Shadow's reins. He climbed fluidly on the stallion, readjusting his stirrups. Glancing at Teneb, he signalled he was ready. One of the permanent portals had been opened, since the magical disturbances were not affecting them yet. Nodding, Teneb tightened his legs around his horse's flanks, spurring his mount forwards, Harry immediately coming to his sides.

The travel was smoother than the one Harry had to endure to come to Horevald as they appeared in a vast plain which the closest spot accessible through permanent portals to Hiolan.

They wasted no time as they galloped towards the village which had been attacked. Harry felt his heart tightened as he took in the state of the kingdom. Where flourishing fields and orchards had once been, little remained. They passed through deserted villages or ruins. Cries could be heard as they neared the raiders' target. Unsheathing his sword, Harry heard Teneb's warning in his head.

Careful Harry, do not kill them, only incapacited them.

He nodded, placing a charm to prevent the blade from cutting on his sword as they charged.
Seeing the Queen's soldiers arriving, most of the raiders choose to retreat, taking their bounty with them: some gold and gems but mostly food, clothes, weapons and healing remedies.

Dismissing any idea of pursuit, Harry climbed off, and immediately started to look for injuries. He could do little when it came to deep wounds, but knew enough medimagic to take care of the lesser wounds, signalling the more serious ones to Teneb.

There hadn't been life threatening injuries, though, several people would have to have several bones straightened and mended. The deepest gashes had been taken care of immediately by those with healing abilities and Harry soon let those more qualified for it take care of the wounded, while he joined the group securing the area. He spread his magic, trying to sense the people still around. Frowning, he started to walk quickly towards a pile of rubble, raising his hand; he started to push the stones away. Why waste some of his energy when he could do it the muggle way easily?

A few elves joined him. The soldiers who had come with them were part of the Queen personal guard and were faithful to her and Celen. There hadn't been a word against Harry for the whole ride, something the young wizard was grateful for. Harry accelerated the process, sensing that whatever was sending the signal was weakening quickly.

"Stand back," he finally said. Raising his hand, he whispered the levitation charm, sending the rubbles away. Soon a figure appeared. It was a male who seemed curled around something or someone.

"Sildar!"

An Elf-woman pushed Harry aside, rushing at the elf side.

Teneb, Come here, quick!

Seconds later, his friend was at his side.

"What's the matter, Harry?"

"You need to heal him; he's weakening by the minute…"

Harry felt Teneb do a quick scan and ignored the cursing that followed.

"Anchor me, and for Solyen's sake, be gentle…"

Rolling his eyes, Harry entered a very light trance, enough for what was needed but not to become completely unaware of his surroundings. He caught the tendril of magic Teneb sent him, trying to be as smooth as possible and anchored it to him. Once it was done, he reversed the magic current, feeding Teneb some energy. He observed as the other Athar slowly wormed his way in this Sildar's body and started to work on the damage made… He winced as he realized it was a swelling in the brain as well as several broken bones. Those types of wounds were a pain… or so Teneb always said…

He just kept the flow of energy steady, a bit bored, but knowing that he couldn't help in any other way.

Suddenly he sensed something at the edges of his senses' range. He had not time to ponder on this as he whirled on his heels and raised both his hand, raising a shield dome over the area, in a five-metre range. The magic was called so quickly that a crack was heard. Having no time for subtlety, Harry sent a burst of power straight to the source of the curse. A cry of pain was heard as Teneb slowly emerged from his trance, looking at Harry.

"I did what I could, but he'll need a healer as fast as possible, I reduced the swelling and stabilized him as good as I could. What did you do, I sensed a burst in your magic…"

Harry smiled grimly.

"Someone tried to curse you, which is surprising, I was expecting an attack on my person, after all, I'm just human, while you're as pure as an Elf can be and the son of the Queen Advisor, as well as Athar…"

"What kind of curse?"

Harry shrugged.

"No idea, I just sent him a blast in retaliation after I created a shield… The guy must be somewhere, over there." He pointed to the area behind Teneb. The Elf nodded and stalked in this direction, while Harry looked around. Half of the village was destroyed; most of the houses had been ransacked. The fields behind the village were burning, making Harry snarled as he stalked in this direction. So they wanted to starve the Queen and those faithful to her.

Raising his hand, he clenched his hand and brought it down. The fires flickered for a few seconds before resuming their burning. Frowning, Harry sent a tendril of his elemental magic in the blazing flames. He tilted his head as the magic seemed to pool itself to something on the ground. Flaring up his Elemental aura, He stepped in the fire and walked to this something.

It was a small ruby, as big as a thumb nail but radiating with magic. With a sigh he sent a blast of raw magic, overloading the stone in a matter of seconds. He then used his own elemental abilities and seconds later, the flames had completely died. He walked over the burnt area, making sure no embers were hot enough to start a fire again. Most of the fields were destroyed. Ashes were flying in his wake. Suddenly as he was in the middle of a field which had to have been a corn-field, flames burst above him, circling him, smoke surrounding him and filling his throat, making his eyes ache and his throat hurt like hell.

Anger rising in him, he raised his hands once more and poured his mounting rage and helplessness into his elemental command. He had to leave his world to come here, and he was damned if he was going to let some idiot kill him using the very element that was his.

Blue flames surrounded his body and the fires around him disappeared in a snap of fingers as Harry pushed the power sustaining them back to its origin.

After all people who play with fire usually get their fingers burnt, hadn't his or her mother told whoever thought he or she could tell him that?

Breathing slowly, he calmed down and walked to the one who had been summoning those fires.

It was a fire Elemental, that was a given…. Who else had bronze skin, blood red hair and red eyes in this world? With a wave of his hand, the man was bound tightly and his burns dressed.

He floated him towards the others, teeth gritted.

Teneb gave him a strained smile.

"Thanks for stopping those fires… The elementals have usually a hard time putting them out since they seem to be anchored when they arrive."

"They are." He handed Teneb the ruby, while tilting his head toward the unconscious form of the Elemental. "He's still alive. He was the one fuelling the fires."

A ice-cold glint appeared in Teneb's eyes. We'll bring him back to Horevald where he will be questioned." His tone held a final edge and no one tried to dispute his decision.

They stayed a few more hours at the village, helping rebuild the house and gathering enough food and first aid necessities for the inhabitants to get back on their feet.

Sildar was sent to the closest temple were the priests would take care of him.

Harry stared at what the elf had nearly died for. It was a clear, transparent bluish stone. It was as big as his fist and the cuts had been roughly done, but he could sense the power flows in it.

Sildar had been the village's stone's guardian. He held the duty to protect and take care of the stone and he had laid his life on the line to do so.

He turned the stone in his hand trying to understand how it worked. This one was small so he was not in any kind of danger while holding it. From what Teneb had told him, those stone were some kind of magic regulators. It stabilized it and made the magic flowing in the grounds and all around them useable. It also could store it, acting like a reserve pool in which the villagers could tap should the circumstances ask for it.

The stone had not suffered from the raid, Harry could feel it slightly humming in his hand, and handed it back to Teneb, nodding.

"It's good."

Out of the two of them, he was the one who had the strongest sensitivity to Magic.

"Alright," Teneb walked to Sildar's house that was standing once more, like nothing had ever happened. He entered, followed by Harry, and placed the stone back in its place, on Sildar's bonded indication. As the guardian as no longer here, its assistant, a forty year-old apprentice would act in his place for the duration of his absence. As a precaution, Harry and Teneb combined their magic to create a shield that no elf, magis or elemental could break, since human magic had been woven in it.

"We need to go back to Horevald," stated Teneb.

Harry looked at the people surrounding them. Most of them were weary or in shock at what had happened. He looked to the sky. Dusk was nearing as the sun was about to reach the horizon.

An old Elf, even by their standards approached them. His white hair reached his waist and was carefully braided, he was wearing a silvery grey tunic over blue pants and a torque was resting on his chest, the stone embedded in its center shining quietly in the sun rays.

"You and your men are welcomed to stay here for the night."

Teneb sighed and nodded.

"Thank you, Elder for your offer, but we don't want to impose in this dire time."

The Elf smiled.

"This is the least we can do for our defenders."

Thanking the Elder again, Teneb signalled to the soldiers that they were resting for the night, something which was apparently appreciated. However, a fourth of them would be on guard for a part of the night, being replaced every two hours.

Harry took care of his horse, checking him for any injuries, brushing and feeding him, he combed his mane carefully petting the stallion's neck at the same time and chasing the occasional fly.

Meanwhile, the villagers had approached the soldiers, offering them to stay in their house for the night as well as chatting quietly, asking for news of other villages. Apparently, it had been decided that every inhabitant would house at least one soldier.

It didn't come as a surprise to Harry when no one approached him. Watching as elves started to guide their hosts away, he couldn't suppress a bubble of resentment from rising to the surface. He quickly squashed it. He had known nothing would change… With a weary sigh, he led Shadow to a quieter place and placed his saddle against a tree. That would do for the night. Casting a softening charm on the leather and conjuring a cover, he tried to settle as comfortably as possible. He would be part of the last shift, so he cast another charm to wake himself on time.

Lying on the grass, he listened as people talked and even laughed a little, his heart tightening as it only reminded him of his solitude in this world which did not want him…

Why had he come here?

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

Teneb accepted as the Elder offered him to stay in his house. He talked a bit with the man, looking around at the same time for his friend.

Finally spotting him with his horse, he reported his attention back to the Elder Trahl. However, as elves approached the soldiers to offer them to stay at their house, he noticed that no one headed toward Harry, on the opposite; they seemed to avoid even looking in his direction. He felt a flash of resentment pass through their bond, followed immediately by weariness. Looking up, he saw that Harry was gone.

He turned towards Trahl.

"Please, excuse me, Elder Trahl, but could you tell me where the other Athar is staying for the night?"

The elf seemed embarrassed.

"The human?"

Teneb nodded.

"Well… you must understand that you can't change people's opinion that quickly, young Athar." He said quietly.

The Athar eyed him, before nodding tiredly.

"It appears so, Elder." There was a few-second pause. "Please, apologize on my behalf to your bonded for my absence this evening. My blood-brother and I have much to discuss."

Bowing a little, he parted from Trahl's company and looked for Harry.

He found him quickly, and sat at his side.

"You can't force people to change, Teneb," finally said Harry, "so don't feel guilty for their actions."

"But you came here to help them; you saved this Sildar's life today. I hadn't sensed him, if it hadn't been for you, we would have only found a corpse…"

"And in their mind, I'm the one responsible for this fight."

Teneb leaned against the tree.

"This would have happened sooner or later, Harry, your presence just accelerated things." Seeing he would not convince his friend, he decided to let the matter rest. "You should rest; the coming times are going to be hard on us."

The elf summoned his own saddle and conjured another cover, settling himself not far from his friend. Both of them were on the same shift in the morning. They said nothing as they heard whoever had been listening to their talk step away.

Harry was woken up abruptly by his charm and after shaking Teneb awake, he got up and changed to a spare set of clothes. He then returned to his sleeping place and was surprised to find a plate filled with fruits and a piece of bread.

"Teneb?"

"Yes?"

"People from the village brought you some food."

Teneb walked to him, brows furrowed.

"That's not for me, I already got some." To prove his point, he took a bite of the piece of bread he had in his hand. "They must have brought it for you…" he said; smiling a little as Harry starred at the plate suspiciously. "Are you going to eat it, it would be a shame to let it go to waste…"

Nodding, Harry slowly took it and started to eat.

They were ready and went to release the on-guard soldiers from their duty.

As they waited for the dawn, they decided to play a little game. Both of them would create small creatures with their elements and then have them fight.

Finally, it was time to leave. Apparently the raiders had decided that attacking again was not the wisest thing to do. Harry walked to his stallion, getting him ready for their ride back to Horevald. Adjusting the saddle carefully, he then put the bridle on. After a last check, he walked the horse towards the others, the plate which had held the food in his other hand. Handing the reins to Teneb he approached the Elder, handing him the plate back.

"Thank whoever was generous enough to spare me some food. His or her gesture was appreciated." Bowing, he turned back, missing the surprised and appraising look Trahl sent his way.

Caressing Shadow's head, he jumped on the stallion's back and adjusted his reins, readying for a long ride.

Teneb motioned them forwards and they trotted away from the village.

The journey back was silent. They stopped a few times to allow their mounts to drink a little but most of them were eager to be back. Harry took in Arthania's landscapes for the first time. The land where Horevald had been built was on the largest of the islands used by the elves, Magis and Elementals. The Northern side was the mountain part, or so Teneb had said. A large plain stretched from there to the Southern side, where Horevald had been built. There were two huge forests, one at the foot of the mountains in the North, the other on the western coast. Holian, the raided village had not been far from this forest. Horevald was situated in the southern-western part of Arthania, at an eight hour ride from the forest and a half-an-hour ride from the sea. One of the main rivers, the Eluana passed close to the King's city, many streams joining it on its way from the mountains to the sea. Harry was fascinated with the luxurious grass, pickled with flowers of all kinds and colors. The land in this area was mostly flat, but had a few hills. The different communities had all worked to build the paths connecting the villages and various towns. The air was clear from the pollution that seemed to be a permanent fix in the Muggle world.

As they passed a few villages, Harry realized that the different races had developed their societies on magical tools, relying very little on technology only, unless it was coupled with magic; He smiled as he saw two elves picking apples from trees. The two of them were standing on the ground, directing magicked metallic things that neatly cut the apples from the branches. A bit further, kids were playing with a twisting toy which seemed to spit fireworks at odd times…

The sun was shining brightly, as it had done for the past few weeks, and they were creating clouds of dust on their way. Harry shifted, grateful that his guardian had told him to weave a charm to prevent his clothes from being too warm or not enough…

Finally, Horevald came into view and Harry couldn't help but notice that the horses were cantering a bit faster and that the men seemed more joyous.

They left their mounts in the yard. The soldiers went back to their barracks, Teneb and Harry to their rooms. They passed many courtiers, servants as the castle was bubbling with activity at this hour. Finally they reached their quarters.

Teneb had told Harry he had been given a suite right next to his own. They entered Harry's room, locking the door behind them.

Harry slumped on his bed, crossing his arms behind his head.

"Alright, Harry?"

"I could ask you the same question; you look like death warmed over."

Teneb grimaced.

"Thank for pointing it out… It's been hectic here, but for now, we don't have casualties. Gerian is bidding his time…"

"Then, why ask me to come back!" asked Harry, resentment, seeping in his tone.

Teneb let himself fall next to his blood brother.

"We need you here, Harry. Valera and her close council did not tell everyone the full truth."

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"How so?"

"You know that Gerian has been playing with power stones?" Seeing Harry nodding, he continued. "This idiot drained Keis, Lyn and Jiya's lands dry. There is barely enough magic left there to keep the islands above sea level."

"Why aren't you evacuating the area then?"

Teneb stood up sharply.

"What do you think, Harry? Of course we want people to leave these places but Gerian has blocked every means of communication, except for Dragon travels."

There was a small silence.

"So, what's the plan then?" said Harry, peering at Teneb.

The elf sat back on the bed.

"Should things turn to worse, Dragons will be sent to evacuate the islands. But unless we have proof of an attack commanded by the High Duke against us, or unless we receive a war declaration, we can't send Dragon wings as it would be perceived as an aggressive move and a threat. If the islands start sinking, there will be little we'll be able to do, but hope to save as many people as possible…"

Silence stretched in the room following the elf's explanation. It was broken by soft chimes.

"Dinner will be served in ten minutes," Teneb announced, getting up and casting a cleaning and straightening charm on his clothes.

He looked at Harry, eyeing his rumpled Athar uniform.

"I'll have the tailors sent you some clothes, since I assume you took the barest necessities with you?"

Harry nodded, imitating his friend's actions.

"Thanks."

Teneb waved it away.

"Do not concern yourself with this. Just one thing, Harry… Always wear your Athar clothes. They need to understand your status and the more visual, the better."

Showing his understanding, Harry smiled a little.

"You just want to show off."

Teneb brought his hand to his heart, chuckling.

Composing themselves, the two young men headed for the dining rooms, their blood red cloaks flying behind them, catching many eyes on their way.

They entered the rooms and seated themselves, well, Teneb sat and Harry guessed from the look of it that he was supposed to sit between Demenor and Djaryle.

He sent a small smile to the female elf, nodding to Demenor, Opheria and Kobalt as he spotted them down the table.

The dinner was a quiet affair, nobody daring to speak up aside from making some small talk with their close neighbours.

Growing extremely uncomfortable and feeling people starring at him the moment he looked away from them, Harry excused himself as soon as it was possible and walked straight back to his room. Locking his door behind him, he slid against it, massaging his temples.

If his headache was anything to go by, the coming days would be hell… He felt the scale Rexeran had given him months ago heat up against his skin and relish in the warmth emanating from it.

Reinvigorated through his bond with his dragon, he changed and went to bed. No point in tiring himself about this…

The following week was spent in the same pattern. They would be called from time to time to try to stop a raid, usually arriving too late to do more than helping people to rebuild… The Elemental they had caught had been joined by a few others, until the raiders decided to cut their loses and stopped setting fires to the fields, none of those sent with the raiders had been a match to Harry, but the young suspect that they weren't risking their better Element wielders for simple raids.

When he wasn't riding to attacked villages, he was locked in a room with Teneb, Celen, Demenor and a few other people, trying to come up with plan, defence strategy, ways to evacuate the inhabitants of the main town, should things come to worse. Aside from that, Harry spent what little time he had training himself. Valera had showed him a room for his practice and he was working his stallion at dawn, ignoring the other soldiers or trainers there as they worked the army's horses.

He was working himself to his limits so that he didn't think about his friends and what might happen to them that was how Demenor and Teneb found him. He was sparring with a practice dummy and being thoroughly crushed. Sweating profusely, he dodged a foot and retaliated with his own attack, only to be blocked. Disengaging himself, he circled the dummy, trying to find a weak point in its guard. Growing fed up with it, he launched a last resort attack, only to be blocked and blasted to the ground.

Teneb chuckled good naturally upon seeing Harry's frustrated glare.

"Don't laugh Teneb, unless you want to have a go at it too…." he snapped, bracing himself back to his feet.

The elf only laughed more at this, before finally managing to rein his hilarity.

"Sorry, Harry…"

The wizard snorted.

"Sure you are…" He turned to Demenor. "Why are you here, I assume it is not out of seeking the pleasure of my company."

The older rider shook his head.

"No, I need to talk to you and Teneb at the Headquarters. Your dragons are waiting for you in the courtyard."

This immediately caught Harry's attention. With a wave of his hand, his dummies were dispelled and his clothes straightened.

"Let's not keep them waiting then."

The three riders headed out in silent, though Harry did not miss the glances Demenor kept on shooting his way. He couldn't repress a full smile from spreading on his face as he all but ran to Rexeran, pressing his forehead to the dragon's head.

We were parted for too long, Astyan…

Harry looked in the rainbow colored eyes.

"But this was needed," he said, realizing that yes, this had been necessary.

It was.

Sending a last affective thought through the link bonding rider to his dragon, he easily climbed on Rexeran's back, leaning against the neck as the Sowaroc leapt in the air, Gae and Demenor's Azurean behind them. With a flash, they appeared over the Headquarters.

Harry starred stonily at the place he had vowed to never return, Proof that you should never say never. It hadn't changed, except for the fact that the place was swarming with Dragons and riders.

"All the riders were called back," said Teneb, from Gae's back, sensing his friend's question. "Only messengers remained behind, encase we are needed..."

Harry nodded, gripping, one of Rexeran's scale as the Sowaroc dove for the ground, landing smoothly, and paying no heed to the eyes he could feel fixed on him.

Climbing back, he hugged the golden, scaly neck, drawing strength from Rexeran's support. He pulled back; steeling himself for what he expected would be a difficult talk.

Demenor led them to what was obviously his office, motioning to them to take the seats in front of his desk. He folded his hands and looked at the two young Athars, once more regretting what they had endured during their stay among them. Such potential... such power...

"Let's drop pretence here. You both know that no matter what Valera and Celen will do, the war in unavoidable. The Queen's position regarding the human world will not be accepted without a fight."

He looked at Harry.

"Though you were the catalyst of this, these changes are needed, I'm starting to see it and I'm sure that with time others will."

Harry crossed his arm over his chest.

"But we don't have time, I'm not going to wait until your people get their head out of their arses and realize that no, they're not above being destroyed, simply because they think so!"

Demenor hold his hand.

"The riders have never been involved in a war, not as fighters. Never since the Great Wars were we the attackers... but I fear this won't be the case. Even the Xhan and the Xhana have agreed to lend their Eldoiras to the Queen should the need arise."

Both Harry and Teneb nodded.

"However, you two are now Athars and bonded to Elders. You will be expected to lead our forces, helped with the former Athars."

Harry shot a disbelieving look at the leader of the Headquarters.

"Sorry, but I can't believe that. Most of the riders here would rather rot than following me to battle."

Demenor frowned.

"I didn't sit idle while you were away to your world, Athar. I said there would be changes, and there were. The Dragons didn't let us have a choice."

Harry raised an eyebrow.

"You'll excuse me if I find this difficult to believe."

Demenor shrugged.

"You are entitled to your own opinion. The riders Opheria and Kobalt were at the center of those changes. They managed to rally several riders, mostly among the younger generations to them, helped by their bonded. Now I need to ask you if you will fight with us or not. I cannot force you, but without the full Athar's powers, Darkana's powers will be quite reduced."

I will explain later, sent Teneb through their bond.

Harry looked into Demenor's eyes.

"I did not come here to play cards."

Demenor's gaze was serious as he nodded.

"Indeed you did not. I ask you to stay at the Headquarters for the week, to train with the other riders. Choose your own wing among those non-affiliated to other Athars. There will be those who will take charge when you won't be able to do so."

The two youths nodded.

"I know I have little right to ask this of you after I lacked in my duty as mentor and leader of these Headquarters, but we will need to trust each other in order to go through the times to come."

Harry stiffened and stood up.

"I will help you and work with you, but don't ask me to trust you. You will have a lot to do before you gain that right."

Demenor nodded, having expected such an answer.

"Could you at least get rid of your enchantment over the building and on some of the riders?

Harry smirked, remembering his little departing gift.

He had found it fitting. Every room in the building had been charmed so that all those inside its walls would appear human to the others and wearing the most outrageous outfits possible. Every riders that had ever abused him, psychologically or physically had also been hit with a nasty little curse he had created specially for them. Every time they felt asleep, they would dream of the human world, seeing things through human's eyes...

There had been a few other prank hexes set up, but their effects should have lasted at most a week. Skin and hair coloring charms, nose, nails and ears lengthening curses, voices modifiers, transfiguration spells, to make the riders rabbits, geese, pigs, sheep, goats, toads for a few hours...

Arxeren had let him see some of it and Teneb had gotten a good laugh out of it.

Shaking his head, Harry concentrated on the threads of magic he had weaved in the wards with Teneb's help. Slowly, he delicately dissipated them.

"Done."

Demenor nodded at him, standing up.

"You will be needed to power up Darkana's core, as did every previous Athar before you. The Xhan and the Xhana will explain what will be asked of you." He shuffled his paper. "On other matters, you have been put into adjacent rooms on the third level, fourth and fifth doors."

The two young men nodded and exited Demenor's office, heading for their quarters.

"What's this about, Teneb?"

The elf turned to him.

"Rexeran must have mentioned this to you once at least... You remember Darkana?"

"That's the place were the ceremony just before the bonding took place, right?"

Teneb nodded.

"Yes, it is the power center of this place and a huge part of the wards and the veil that keeps these lands hidden and safe. The Dragons fuelled some of their powers in them too, which when added to Elvish, Magis and Elemental energies make an incredible amount of power."

Harry motioned for him to go on.

"The Athars are chosen to represent the riders. They are usually the more powerful riders. Their blood is needed as a vessel for the Dragon's energies. Without it, they can't mix with ours without risks."

Harry nodded in understanding.

"Alright then."

He strode towards the fifth door as they had just finished climbing the flight of stairs up to the third story. It was a fairly big room with a bed, a desk, two cupboards, a wardrobe and a couch which looked inviting. A large window with a view on the paddocks lightened the whole place.

"Nice."

"The bathroom is a communal one, at the end of the corridor, as usual."

Harry shuddered. This brought back memories to him. He had positively hated having to shower with the other Daryns, and after a month had taken to do it at times when it was empty.

Teneb sat on the bed.

"It won't be like before. You're one of them. They can't deny that. So lift your chin up, and go down there knowing you are their better."

Harry sent him a small smile.

"Arrogant, aren't we?"

Teneb laughed, throwing his friend the closest pillow he put his hand on.

Twenty minutes later, having straightened themselves, they made their way towards the Headquarters stores. After an uncomfortable hour of measurements and trying on clothes, the young wizard left with some pants, tunics, two belts, another pair of boots, a comfortable leather outfit for outdoors missions, one cloaks and some underwear. Teneb had written his mother to get him clothes for balls, reception, meeting and other occasions... After all, he couldn't wear his Athar tunics.

Once they had put everything where it should, they went out to fly with their dragons.

Harry's heart leapt in joy as he and Rexeran soared through the air. Nothing could compare to this, not even flying on his broom. There was a link between them. They were one, their mind fused together. The rider had then to train himself and his bonded to ease the fusion and make it so that the melding of the two minds did not hinder their reflexes. Most of the time, the draconian part was not really in charge since Dragons could lack in foresight. But with Rexeran or Gae, Teneb and Harry were placed on a somewhat equal footing; the Elders could even be seen as their better. It was then more difficult and asked for a lot of practice, something both of them had lacked deeply.

Harry wanted to shout at the sky, he could feel the air under his wings, as he could feel his hands gripping Rexeran's scales. Finally, they had to retreat to their own mind as they landed near the stands where the competition had taken place, a few months ago. Harry couldn't help but weep internally at the keen sense of loss he got from their separation.

We are but a thought away, Astyan. You need not fear my absence.

Teneb and he climbed off, reluctant to part with the two Elders.

"Teneb?"

Both of them looked up sharply. They had been so lost in their joy-filled daze, that they had not even noticed the people watching them and even less the elf that had approached them.

"Master Kario?" Teneb's face had completely closed up as he looked at his former mentor.

"Teneb... I-I'd like to talk with you."

The elf seemed uncomfortable, not really knowing how to broach the subject.

Harry's friend frowned slightly, shooting a look at his blood brother. Harry motioned for him to agree, knowing that Teneb needed to settle things once for all with the rider,

"Very well, lead the way."

Harry watch them walk away, leaning against Rexeran. He could feel both of their magic flowing together smoothly, mixing, melding, and parting. He didn't recall that from what he been told about the bond. Normally, their energies should remain separate. Thinking about magic, reminded him of the blocks they had found on him and Teneb, as well as the twist in their powers' flow lines.

"Rexeran, can you sense the blocks on me?"

The Sowaroc looked at him.

We were told of them. Some come from your encounter with this Dark Lord, the same way that some of Teneb's come from the Enchantments that were cast after the parting by your race. Regarding the rest, I ask you to trust me on this, Astyan.

Harry was annoyed at being kept in the dark again...

Don't try to learn more about them. You will be told when you will be ready to handle this knowledge, no sooner. The same goes for Teneb. They do not hinder you, and taking them off too early could mean your death.

Realizing he wouldn't learn anything by pestering his bonded, Harry relented.

"Very well, but I don't like this, Rexeran."

"Nobody likes to be kept in the Dark," said someone behind them.

Harry nearly jumped out of his skin and shot a fireball in direction of the one who had startled him.

"Nice aim."

You're not helping; Adrien, but what else is there to expect from a Vampire... Rexeran sounded less than pleased with the old Undead. Your Blades are not at your back, getting careless with old age, are you?

Adrien did not answer. Harry got a good look at him. The Vampire was wearing the same kind of outfit, and seemed definitively uneasy as Rexeran pinned him with his eyes. He sent a small smile at Harry, his fangs gleaming in the light of the sun set.

Be careful of what you're doing, Adrien, the chilling warning in Rexeran couldn't' be missed.

"Be sure I won't make the same mistake twice."

Rexeran starred at the Vampire, rainbow eyes turning a deep red color.

You better keep that promise, Imperator, because I will hold you to it, should any harm befall my bonded...

That said, he turned to Harry, touching the young man's head with his own.

I'll be back tomorrow morning, Astyan, we have much time to make up for... be safe.

"You too..."

Harry supposed Rexeran had said the later part to him only since Adrien showed no signs of having heard it.

The Sowaroc leapt in the air, leaving Harry and Adrien behind.

"So we meet again, Athar."

Harry nodded, crossing his arms.

"You'll have to tell me why Rexeran is so set against you sometimes."

Adrien laughed mirthlessly.

"This is a story left to later time, mortal. Retelling it would open many old wounds, something which is not needed during these times."

Harry could agree with that, so it brought him to the real question on his mind.

"What are you doing here, Adrien, and alone at that."

Adrien smirked.

"My friends are gathering our forces."

Harry shot him an unreadable look.

"Really?"

Adrien just smirked, enjoying Harry's unease.

"Really, little mortal. Vampires will side in the coming war."

He wanted him to ask... Gritting his teeth, Harry decided to cut the chase.

"And on which side? If you ever chose one?"

The fangs gleamed in the dimming light.

"The Dark Lord will regret ever trying to raise the Dead." The tone was deadly, the eyes showing for once the predator Adrien was, and not the aristocrat he played.

"We will go to your world and join Albus Dumbledore."

Harry felt relief wash through him. One less issue to worry about.

"Thank you."

Adrien's lips twitched.

"Your Headmaster was generous in his offer as was the Minister. We will have a wizard binding contract securing the deal."

The Undead eyed him.

"You'll have to go back to your world soon, I know that the scholars think Voldemort won't be able to reach his goal, but we don't think so."

Harry frowned.

"And why is that?"

"He has already obtained blood from Luctan himself, after managing to summon him. He was the one you fought down the Goblins' caverns."

"That was Luctan!" blurted Harry.

Adrien confirmed it.

"It was; you were lucky that he had not been fully transferred to a new body. No matter how powerful you think you are, you are still no match to him."

"But then, Voldemort only needs..."

"Blood from the Enchanter's line. He will have a hard time finding someone with blood pure enough, but he will, it's only a matter of time..."

"Do you know of his descendants?"

Adrien looked at his hands.

"We know of the main ones. They are placed in safe houses as we speak."

"And if they were to refuse."

"Then they would be killed. We cannot leave Voldemort a chance to complete the ritual..."

Harry felt bad at hearing that since he could understand the reasoning. He just hoped it would not come to this. Adrien seemed to read his thoughts as he gave him a small smile.

"Yes, hopefully, it will not come to that..."

"Are you reading my mind?" Harry's voice, though teasing, held a warning note.

"I wouldn't dare... I will see you on the battle field, Athar."

"You will."

With a parting laugh, Adrien melted in the shadows, disappearing to Harry's view. The young man looked through the darkening sky, trying to come with answers with little luck. Sighing he made his way back inside the Headquarters. He walked to the main room, knowing it was nearly dinner time.

Teneb was already here and seated at the masters' table, an empty chair next to him. The room had at least tripled in volume and was currently filled with riders chatting loudly among each other.

The assembly was colorful, from the different type of hair, the clothes. But silence fell on the room as Harry made his way to his friend, head held high. Opheria and Kobalt had also come back. Harry bowed his head to them, as they placed their hand above their heart, saluting him as it was asked by tradition. He could see other people at the head table, sporting the same mark that was adorning Teneb's and his temple.

Silently, he took his place.

Demenor signalled to servants to come and serve the meal. It was a silent affair.

Finally, the Headquarters' leader stood up as the remnants of the desert were being taken away. He clapped his hands.

"Riders, You all know why you were called today. A war is fast approaching among us. And you know why. If there are people among us today that think that our Queen is in the wrong then I ask him to speak up."

A fly could have been heard.

Harry snorted quietly, shook his head and stood up, drawing every eye to him.

"Let's be honest. Most of you dislike me or humans in general. Most of you think your Queen is crazy for even suggesting joining both our worlds." He paused for a bit.

"I know what you are now thinking. But, you know what, I don't care. Think of me whatever you wish, it won't change anything for me. You will only prove me right. Just don't mistake a fight for another. The fight you will be involved has little to do with humans. Sure, Queen Valera is more open-minded than most, but so are a lot of elves from Ynris. Geryan is not trying to campaign against humans. If so, he could have brought his plight to your council. No, he's trying to overthrow your Queen."

He looked around, anger simmering in his green eyes, promise of a rising power.

"This is not my world. As you showed it, I do not belong here, so I'll leave this to your conscious."

This said; he looked at Teneb before sweeping out of the room, cloak billowing behind him in a Snape-like fashion.

Heated talk erupted once the doors had closed on his back. Teneb followed his friend quickly, Opheria and Kobalt with him.

They found Harry in his room, writing letters.

"Nice speech."

Harry looked up, rolling his eyes.

"Opheria, Kobalt," his tone was more reserved as he spotted them.

"Athar." They bowed.

"Oh! For Merlin's sake, call me by my name!"

The Magis and the Elemental smiled.

"We wanted you to know that not all the riders are set against you. The younger riders and some of the older ones were willing to listen to us and hearing what you and Teneb had to go through had them thinking."

"We're not saying, they changed, but they are willing to listen to you and give you a chance."

"I'm sure..." Doubt was filling Harry's tone.

Teneb walked to his side and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Give them a chance, Harry, or you'll be no better than them."

Harry looked up, eyes narrowed.

"That's low, Teneb."

The elf gave him a 'you-think-I-care?' look. With a sigh, Harry relented.

"Alright, why not... By the way, how is Celen's mare, I was told Shadow... "

"The mare is well, even if Celen was a bit annoyed at having to leave her home, he can't deny that the foal will be promising. Do you want to claim him?"

Harry shook his head.

"Thanks, but no thanks; I have already enough to do with one horse." He yawned. "I'll see you in the morning?"

Teneb nodded.

"Seven?"

"As you want," the wizard turned to the two others, "you're welcome to come and bring whoever you want."

Both Opheria and Kobalt agreed and left quickly afterwards. Teneb and Harry spoke for an hour. Teneb was giving him news of his family, explaining a few things to the young wizard regarding the power stones. Harry told him of what he and Lienhor had learnt in Gringotts and agreed to meet with one of the archives' guardian.

They parted and went to sleep.

The week was spent either training, flying with Rexeran, tuning their magic to each other, or going on mission to help attacked village.

It seemed that Geryan was still bidding his time. However welcome this respite was, it was hard on everyone's nerves. Finally it came to an end in the middle of the second week...

O O O O O O O O O O O O O O

Harry and Teneb had taken to train early in the morning and late in the afternoon. They were often joined by Opheria and Kobalt, but also by various riders.

Though wary at first, Harry had relaxed slightly during the week. He had even sought the council of two old riders, a Magis, Joal, and a Fire Elemental, Ferin.

The Fire Elemental had helped him with his control over his element. It had been tied to closely to his emotion, since he had only started harnessing his gift late in his life. Most Elemental gifted were detected in their first year of life and train as soon as possible.

The Magis had showed him how to wield magic through his sword. They had been the only two he had willingly called Masters. They had remained aloof during their teaching.

When asked about their reasons. They only said that he would need the skills to survive.

"Focus, Athar, you mustn't try to direct the flow, you must canalize it. Teneb, you have to fuel your sword more than that!"

Harry frowned at his sword. The amber in the hilt was glowing lightly, pulsing even. Closing his eyes, he started to power it. The glow intensified in seconds.

"Good. Now, en garde!"

Harry fell in his starting stance, as did Teneb. Both their sword's stone shining.

"Start!"

Harry waited for Teneb to make the first move, watching for the tiniest signs which would betray his friend's intention.

Teneb suddenly lunged forwards, sword raised. Harry steeled himself to block his blow. However he barely managed to react in time as Teneb leapt in the air, spinning a little, bringing his sword down while sending a kick for Harry's torso at the same time.

Harry fell to the floor and rolled back to his feet. Sending a blasting curse through his sword, sighing as his aim was way off, hitting the ground a meter away from Teneb. He took to steps forwards and used his momentum to jump, using a bit wandless magic to hit Teneb in the chin while doing a somersault. Falling back to his feet , he noticed that Teneb has used his own magic to stop himself from falling to the floor and his widened as he saw a red light heading his way, side-stepping the hex, he brought his sword down, sending a stunner back, closely followed by a disarming one. Spinning, he dodged Teneb's thrust, falling to his feet and sweeping the grounds with his sword, forcing Teneb to jump and sent a blasting hex again, hitting his target for once. A tingle washed through him, signalling his sword was completely powered. Smiling, he raised his aura, checking the flow of magic in the swords. He could sense Teneb doing the same. His body was shaking with the power channelled through it. He raised his sword and bowed to Teneb before both Athar lunged at each other. Their blades met with a loud clanging noise. Swords locked in front of them, they tried to over power the other but couldn't. They took steps back and started to circle the other. Suddenly Harry, at a non-human speed ran to Teneb, cutting through the air in a large arc, his sword was blocked and he spun to parry Teneb's blow to his side, thrusting forwards, he was hit in the jaw as Teneb freed on his hand from his hold on his weapon.

Wincing as he felt his jaw crack a bit, he started to twirl, his sword doing chained slashing motions up and down.

Teneb parried some, dodged others and answered with his own blows.

The elf was the first one to draw blood as Harry had tried a new move and thus left an opening in his guard. Not one to be overdone, Harry combined a series of feint, forcing Teneb in a defensive mode, firing three curses from different directions; he followed with a twirl of his sword, and a thrust, cutting a small lock.

"Thanks for the hair cut."

"You want the other side done?"

Teneb laughed as he danced out of the way, before spinning, bringing his sword down, only to have it blocked. The two friends locked their blade, pushing, both physically and magically.

Suddenly, before they could continue, a rider burst in the practice room, making everyone jump, but Harry and Teneb who were much too attuned to the magic to be surprised. They had both sensed him coming.

"Athars, you have to leave for the palace as soon as possible."

Both Harry and Teneb stepped back from each other, sheathing their blades. Teneb frowned.

"Do you know what this is about?"

The man took a deep breath.

"Geryan and a delegation arrived at the castle."

Every face in the room closed up. They all know what it meant.

Harry and Teneb looked at each other and waved their hand. Seconds later, they were standing among their fellow riders in all Athar regalia, power rolling from then, flowing around gently. The riders looked at them, still in awe of the power the two could wield. Both their elements could be seen shimmering in their eyes.

"Very well," said Teneb and both of them stalked out of the room. Before he exited it, Harry turned glowing green eyes towards Opheria who nearly shivered under their intensity.

"Opheria, could you and Kobalt gather the names of those willing to fight along side us, it would be much appreciated."

The young Magis nodded, watching as he stalked out, door closing after him.

"This is war then…" sighed a rider.

Joal nodded his eyes still on the door.

"That it is, Kery."

Kery was an older elf than Teneb.

"Do you think we have a chance to win this?"

Joal turned to him, a slight smile on his lips.

"The Dragons made a good choice; I start to understand it, now. We'll win this fight, and I know I will follow the Athars."

The old Magis looked at Kobalt.

"I require joining their forming wing."

Shoulders sagging with relief the Water Elemental nodded gratefully to the rider.

As the riders started to discuss the coming battles, Harry and Teneb strode outside where Rexeran and Gae were waiting for them.

Greeting, Astyan… Be on our guard, and don't let anyone look down on you.

Harry nodded and the four of them leapt in the air, disappearing as soon as they had gathered enough altitude. They reappeared above Horevald and Harry could fill the tension in the atmosphere. Soldier had built a small camp outside the city, without doubt Geryan's escort, if the white flag flapping in the middle was anything to go by.

We'll be checking on the wards and on the other islands… Be careful my bonded.

Harry leaned forwards placing his forehead against the cool golden scales of Rexeran's neck.

"I will."

Gae and Rexeran disappeared in a blink of the eyes as soon as they were back in the sky. Teneb and Harry started to walk up to the castle entrance. They were stopped at the doors by four guards.

Harry found it exceedingly funny to see those four adult soldiers jump to attention once they realized who those two sixteen year-old young men were.

One of them spoke in a small quartz and minutes later, an herald rushed to their side and ushered them in, quite a difference from the composed pace of the previous time. However upon reaching the audience room, they slowed down. Straightening themselves, the two blood brothers stepped in together, showing their unity to those already present.

Geryan and his peers were seated on one end, Valera, her son, Doryan and the other Counsellors forming the Queen close circle.

Geryan was an elf in its prime, around four hundred year-old from what Teneb had told him. He had long hazel hair, braided as was the tradition. He had a square chin, prominent cheekbones, intelligent dark blue eyes and a thin nose. He was wearing brown pants and an ivory tunic embroidered with his family's emblems. For the moment he was sneering scorn oozing from his skin as he watched Harry take his place at Teneb's side.

"I gather you will not be deterred from this folly, Valera."

The Queen shook her head.

"This must be done, Geryan, or I fear none of us will survive this age, can't you see that we're degenerating?"

Geryan sneered.

"I knew Ynris dwellers were touched, but I did not think you were that deluded… I take it that you won't step down peacefully?"

"You are guilty of treason, Geryan, you're are not in a position of giving judgement, or asking for anything."

The elf took out a piece of paper.

"I hoped this would not come to this, Valera and that you would have seen reason." He pointed to Harry. "I couldn't believe that the riders went along with your charade and allowed one of THEM to wear the rider's tunic, not event thinking of the Athar title. No matter what is said," he smirked at Harry,

Celen placed a calming on his mother's arm.

"You made your case, Geryan, but our decision won't change."

The elf sighed.

"Can't you see the perversion of such an idea, young prince, your father…?"

"My father dishonored his name by trying to raise the dead. You will not sully this room by speaking his name," Stated Celen, eyes cold.

Geryan did not appear surprised.

"Very well, so be it then." He pushed the paper towards Valera who took it, face blank before signing it, handing it to Celen. It was then signed by Doryan, Xhan Luan and Xhana Cya. Teneb wrote down his name afterwards and Harry was about to do it too, eyes skimming over the title: 'War Declaration', when Geryan stopped him.

"Don't bother, your name held no power, no matter what title was given to you to go along with Valera's plan…"

Suddenly the man found himself mute and lifted in the air by his collar which was making it hard for him to breath.

Harry had his hand out, eyes blazing. He stood up and approached the elf, paying no heed to those watching them.

"The moment you best me in a loyal fight, you will be able to say whatever you want about me. Until then," he pause, levitating the High-Duke back to his chair, "you will give me the respect of my title, whether you think it earned or not."

Geryan was trying to catch his breath as he looked at Harry with stony eyes. He finally nodded.

"We agreed then."

With that said; Harry sat back down and signed the parchment before pushing it to Geryan's side. A Magis duplicated it, pushing the copy toward Valera's side.

All of them stood up. The silence stretched for a while before Geryan finally turned and headed out, his escort behind him.

As the doors closed, Valera slumped back in her chair, taking her head in her hands. Doryan shot a look at his son.

"This is War, then."