"So, you ready?"
Soren turned to the voice and blinked when he saw the dragoness. Her dress was now changed out for armour, similar to the Sunfire elves', but the metal was tinted red, and her clothes below were tight and black. The metal was shaped and patterned like the scales of her draconic form.
After taking a moment to admire her, Soren sighed and looked back out the window of the lookout tower. Unlike a normal lookout tower, this one was underneath the palace, right below the blanket of clouds.
"To fight an army of humans? To fight my own Crownguard? People I trained? Not to mention my own sister and father?" He sighed as he looked out over the distance, waiting for them to appear over the horizon. "No, I'm not ready."
"I'll say you're not. You don't even have a sword."
"Threw mine down when I left my father," the blond explained. "I didn't want to carry it if it would be used to kill innocents. I want peace Pyrrah, just like everyone here."
The dragoness sighed, leaning on the window banister with him. "It's a shame…that we'll have to fight. But with the Sunfire army, the dragons, and the other human army…if they turn up in time...we may have a chance to just intimidate him into surrender."
Soren scoffed. "You don't know my father like I do. He doesn't get intimidated."
Looking out, they stood in silence for a bit, but then Pyrrah shuffled on the spot. "Thank you, by the way."
"For what?"
"For helping save me...when I was shot down, and you loosened the chains."
"Yeah, I remember. Never thought you would thank me for it."
"Contrary to what you might think, I like being alive." She smirked. "And…I'm sorry about the village. When this fight is over, I'll go there, see if I can help somehow."
"Well, a strong pair of wings will be helpful in fixing the tower. If you don't mind some lifting that is."
She gave him a glare, trying to see if he was serious or not. "We have to get through this battle first."
"We'll make it. If you're half as good a fighter as you are at insults, we'll be fine."
Pyrrah chuckled lightly at that. "Indeed." She then looked at him with a smile. "And if you're as good at fighting as you are kind, you'll do great too." The dragoness reached to her side, drawing out the weapon she was carrying. "But you'll be no good to anyone without a sword," she explained, then held the hilt towards him. "Here, take mine."
Soren looked at the weapon as she offered it; the blade was a fiery red like the dragon's natural scales, and the hilt was shaped beautifully, a small, red gem at the base.
He quickly held up his hands. "I-I can't accept."
"Do you have any idea how strong a dragon blade is? I mean, a sunforge blade may stay hot forever, but they still have their limits. A dragon blade? They're sharp enough to cut through stone and never dull."
"But it's yours."
"I'll be fighting in my true form. I won't need it," she explained. "The dragons are assigned to the air, attacking from above. So weapons are useless to me, and you need one."
After a few more internal hesitations, Soren reached out and took hold of the hilt, feeling the weight. "It's so light."
"Try it against that pillar," Pyrrah advised, pointing to one near them.
Confused, Soren took a stance then swung. The tip of the blade sliced into the stone like it was butter. "Wow..." Soren looked closer and admired the clean cut. "That…that was amazing."
"Look after it and it will keep you safe," the dragoness said with a nod. "And…don't lose it, stupid."
He smiled at her, then stepped to her side, boldly leaning over and kissing her cheek. "Thank you Pyrrah," he said, then put the blade in his scabbard. "I'll look after it."
The dragoness looked oddly flustered before huffing, a small flame coming from her nose as she did. "Whatever. I just think the prince would be upset if you got hurt."
"Yeah, maybe he would." He looked back out the window. "Pyrrah? Do you see that? On the ridge over there?"
The dragoness looked out as well before frowning. "That's not the army of monsters."
"Something is flying above them…"
"Ibis!" she realised, turning and hurrying to find the prince. "That must be the army of Duren! They made it!"
The pair turned and ran up the stairs, out of the tower, and back to the main palace. They hurried around to gather everyone that was needed, then ran outside. Janai ordered her people to part as they made way for the new group of soldiers, including the baker, the tracker, high advisor, and the general's translator.
Queen Aanya of Duren smiled as she dismounted her horse and approached the human king, the dragon beside him. "King Ezran," she said with a bow, "I'm glad my troops and I were able to make it in time."
"We are more than glad to see you too, Queen Aanya," Ez replied with his own bow.
Callum chuckled softly. "We were worried you had gotten lost," he explained, then bowed to her. "Queen Aanya. I am Cadonumis, the Dragon Prince of Xadia. Thank you for coming to our aid."
The young girl blinked. "Wow, you're…not what I expected for a dragon."
"I get that a lot." He blushed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"But I am glad Duren could come to your aid, Cadonumis." She then held out a hand to Corvus who stood beside her. "I have heard very good things about you. Mainly, that you wish for peace?"
"I want peace for all of Xadia and the human kingdoms," he explained boldly.
"Then we share the same goal."
"I'm glad to hear it. Please, come with me to the palace. You must be tired from the long journey."
The young queen looked up at the spire, the tip hidden in the clouds. Callum chuckled lightly at her clear worry about the mountain. "Hope you aren't scared of heights."
"Your Highness?"
He turned to the speaker and spotted Ibis behind him. "Yes?"
"I hope you remembered, we have the ceremony tonight," he reminded him with a small smile.
~#~
Looking up at the sleeping dragoness, Callum reached out and placed his hand on her face. "Wake up, please. I-I don't know if I'm doing the right thing."
The queen took a breath, then let it out, continuing to sleep as she had for the last few weeks. Apparently, the day she'd fallen into her deep sleep was the very same day Callum had been thrown out of harmony with his Arcanum. The dream he had, it was her last bit of magic calling to him. Now, she couldn't even sense him right before her. "I'm here mother," he pleaded. "If you could just open your eyes…you'd know I'm here. It's me…Cadonumis."
"Callum?"
He turned around and a sad smile came to his lips. "Rayla." His gaze looked her up and down. "I almost didn't recognise you."
She rolled her eyes. "Yeah well…I figured my normal attire wasn't right for the occasion."
"Don't remind me," he grumbled.
"If it makes you feel any better, you look really handsome, regal even."
He turned to her, his long cloak flowing behind him as it trailed down to the grass of his mother's sleeping chamber. He was wearing something Ibis had found, the fabric fine and soft in a stormy blue colour. The material shimmered as he moved, like stars were trapped within it. It came high to his neck with a white collar and matching belt, the buckle and clasps on the shirt highlighted with gold.
The white cloak parted over each wing behind him, and each of his horns now had a thick, golden band with blue gemstones attached. He gave her a smile, then reached out and took hold of her hand. "Well, you look stunning."
She blushed at his words. She'd changed into a long, sleeveless dress, dark forest green with silver highlights across it. The bottom was cut so the front was slightly shorter than the back. Her feet were still in her normal, long boots, but they now had silver bangles around the ankles that jingled when she moved. She had two more silver bands on each forearm and each one was decorated with small, green gemstones. She still wore her Dragon Guard badge, pinned over her heart, and it seemed to shine a bit brighter now.
Her eyes now had some white marks above them as well as the purple ones below, and her lips were sparkling in a dark red which Callum could barely take his eyes off of. Her hair was still the same, but resting behind one horn was a dark blue rose, just like the one he'd given her at the nexus.
"Is that the same rose?" he asked with a tilt of his head.
Rayla touched it softly. "Umm…yeah…I…I kinda preserved it."
"It suits you."
They stared at each other, smiling, but then, a snort behind them drew them back to the queen. Stepping closer, Rayla placed a hand on his shoulder. "Callum, I know you're scared…but this has to be done. You heard Ibis. The others won't fight if we don't."
"I know but…it feels wrong Rayla. I…I'm not ready to become king. I…I'm not ready to lead."
"No one is saying you have to be king." She held his cheek and turned him towards her, leaning her brow on his. "But whatever comes, we will face it."
With a slight nod, the prince closed his eyes, his tail slowly wrapping around her ankle. "We can do anything together, Rayla."
"Yeah," she whispered, leaning up and gently kissing his lips before pulling back and chuckling. "Oops!" She reached up and rubbed his lips with her thumb to remove the mark she'd left.
As she finished, he took hold of her hand gently and kissed the back. He opened his mouth to speak, but then a bell called out above them, and he sighed. "It's time."
"Ready?"
"No, but I have to do this."
Kissing his hand as it held hers, the elf nodded. "I'll be right at the front," she promised, then stroked his hair back into place. "Make me proud Cal," she said as she hurried off, her anklets jingling as she went.
Once she was gone, Callum took one more look at his mother, placing a hand on her snout before giving a respectful bow, and turning to leave. He walked alone through the halls of the spire, holding his head high and his wings wide until he came to the room he'd been instructed to come to.
A young elf stood outside, but once he spotted him, he slipped into the room and closed the door behind him. By the time he had gotten closer, the door opened to a soft bell ringing above, a collection of people standing on either side of the room and creating an aisle. Humans from Katolis and troops of Duren stood mixed in with the Sunfire, Moonshadow, and Skywing elves, and a few dragons that were already at the spire.
They all looked to the doorway as he stood, and he slowly began to walk forward. As he did, someone made a sound, and along the aisle, soldiers of all races drew their weapons and held them to cross above his head as he walked under them.
Once he got to the other side, he was faced with a small rise that led to a large, decorative chair that had gaps in the back where a dragon could sit with wings spread if they wished. Above it, carved into the wall, were all six of the primal runes.
Callum walked up to it before turning, his cloak billowing behind him as he moved, but then he sat down, heart pounding, but head held high. A small smile crept onto his lips as he saw Ezran, Rayla, and Bait at the front. Ezran looked oddly dashing with a replica of the Katolis crown on his head.
Once seated, the swords were lowered and the guards turned to face him while Ibis walked forward from his place at the side. He smiled as he did before turning to the congregation, holding up his hands and showing them all a large, round sapphire that was floating just off the palm of his hand. "Coronam," he whispered to it, then stepped away.
Above them, the sapphire glowed slightly, and the engravings in the roof began to slowly glow too, each a different colour before each one seemed to float off the wall and change, uncurling from their rune form and becoming a single line of coloured light. They flew through the air towards the sapphire, then started to weave in and out to create a circlet crown of six golden strands that held the stone in place.
Everyone watched in awed silence as it slowly floated down towards Ezran who held out his hands. He gently took it, feeling a buzz of magic flow into him. He released a breath, then looked at his brother who smiled encouragingly, and nodded for him to continue.
The young human swallowed, then stepped over with the magically created crown, walking up the steps that had been placed for him. "I, King Ezran of Katolis, in the name of the human kingdoms and in the name of Xadia…crown you…" He placed the crown carefully on his head with the stone in the center. "Cadonumis, The Dragon Prince."
He stepped back and looked at his brother. "Long live Prince Cadonumis!" he called out.
"Long live Prince Cadonumis! Long live Prince Cadonumis!" the assembly repeated before bowing to their new prince.
Once they stood, the Golden Knight of Lux Aurea walked towards the prince, one of her followers behind her carrying a box. As she approached the throne, she bowed with her hands crossed before her. "Prince Cadonumis, as a token of the Sunfire elves' loyalty, I present to you a gift for the upcoming battle."
The follower opened the box and knelt before him, showing the contents. "Please accept this armour so it may keep you safe and lead us to victory."
Callum looked at the armour and felt his heart race. It was a dark golden colour, the chest a simple chainmail, but each link looked more like a scale than a link. On the right shoulder was a guard with a thick leather strap to keep it in place, the clasp shaped like the royal seal.
The Golden Knight bowed to him. "It is made from a rare material that is light to wear, but as hard as stone. We would be honoured if you would accept."
He was tempted to pick it up, but decided to wait. "Thank you Golden Knight. I accept your gift."
With another bow, the Sunfire elf turned and walked back to the crowd.
The next to approach was Amaya and her translator, Gren, who was holding a sword. The general gave him a small smirk, but bowed all the same, then began to sign. "To Prince Callum, in the name of King Ezran, we plead the loyalty of the Standing Battalion and the Broken Links to protecting you and your people." She turned and waved to the sword. "This sword has protected the breach for a thousand years. It has served as a sign of the distrust and hatred between humans and Xadians. May it now serve as a sign of our unity."
The dragon nodded and stood, taking the sword from Gren and drawing it, looking at the beautiful blade with the human writing engraved on it.
"What does this writing say?" he asked the general.
She signed, then Gren replied. "It reads, 'as one, united.'"
"Fitting." He smirked at her, then bowed his head. "I will bear it with pride. Thank you."
As the pair stepped back, the newly crowned prince looked over at the beautiful Moonshadow elf as she smiled with pride at him. Holding the new sword tight, Callum turned to his people. "Listen to me, everyone. I take the crown today not for myself, but to lead all of you. We face a dangerous, deadly, and fearsome enemy that will show us no mercy. But as I stand here, I swear to each and every one of you, that I will not allow these monsters to win. They will see the force of Xadia! They will come here and not find a land defenceless." He looked at the inscription on the blade in his hand. "But a people united as one!"
He turned to Ezran who was standing with the others once more. "Humans." He looked at Rayla. "Elves. And dragons. United. Fighting against one force." He raised his head a bit more. "We will fight. We will fight for each other. We will fight for peace, and hope. We fight…For XADIA!" he shouted, thrusting the sword into the air.
This time, the cheers were wilder, brought on by the power of their new prince as he stood before them. At the front, the female Moonshadow elf clapped and beamed before catching his eye and blushing.
SL: WOOOOOO! Crowned Prince Cadonimus! For the win girls and guys!
RK: And since we got to the good Pyrren scene, now I'll scream. XD
