People, elves and dragons all celebrated the win over Viren and his monster army. Ibis with the assistance of the Katolis baker had organised a feast for everyone. But to Callum, the feast wasn't as festive as it could have been. People were drinking, eating and laughing, but separately. Humans were talking to humans and elves to elves. The only exceptions were Callum, Rayla, Ezran, Janai, and General Amaya who were doing their best to integrate the two groups.
Amaya was introducing a nervous Gren to Janai who seemed as intimidating as his general. But after some light chatter, Gren charismatic nature eased the conversation and soon Janai and Gren were laughing and holding each other like old friends. The wine probably helped. Callum and Rayla were talking to Opeli, discussing what had happened since Callum, Ezran and Rayla had started the journey. After the discussion, Callum searched for Ezran and found him to his surprise hanging out with Queen Aanya. Ezran was introducing her to Zym, who had been following Ezran around all night. Her excitement was beginning to break through her serious persona.
Callum had just appeared next to the group when Zym leapt on her sending her to the ground with a shout. Her personal guard instantly jumped to defend her again the dragon attack but was stopped by a strange sound. Giggling, the Queen of Duren was giggling and squirming as Zym attacked her with his signature zap kisses. While the queen was distracted by the cute storm dragon Callum tapped on Ezran's shoulder.
"Hey, looks like your having fun." He said eyebrow raised.
"Yeah, she's pretty cool once she relaxes," Ezran replied with a smile before leaning in with a whisper. "And I think I may be awaking her child side."
They both watched the queen recover and begin to admire Zym's smooth, gleaming scales as Zym raised his head for a chin scratch, Aanya hastily obliging.
"That would be interesting to see. Anyway, I wanted to quickly discuss what you're plans are for tomorrow."
Ezran nodded and gathered himself. "I plan to have the remaining soldiers start the journey back tomorrow morning. Viren brought almost the whole Katolis military force and now they're all monster prisoners. Katolis is weakened and the quicker return the better. I wish we didn't, but Opeli and Corvus tell me that this could provide an opportunity for neighbouring kingdoms to invade. A few of the dragons have agreed to meet us at the border and carry us across. Opeli will leave to the capital by dragon tonight to prepare the castle for the return of its 'soldiers', thinking of the glowing creatures their people had become. Queen Rubeia has requested that tomorrow Aanya and I meet with her to discuss the peace between Katolis and Duren, and Xadia."
Queen Aanya decided to add her input, resuming her serious tone. "Yes, I am eager to find out what she has to discuss." She turned to Ezran. "If I could, might I request King Ezran that the Duren army join your forces as they head home? It would be safer for both forces."
"I agree. Although the dragons won't be able to continually carry soldiers across. They will need a break." Ezran breathed out slowly. "Now, let's have fun. Aanya have you met Pyrrah, she is beautiful, and has deep blue eyes. She's also very funny."
Callum noticed that Queen Aanya suddenly looked disappointed and nervous. Callum grinned having a faint idea of what she was thinking. He leaned in close to Aanya.
"Pyrrah is a dragon we met on our journey," Callum said winking.
"What?!" Queen Aanya said backpedalling, her face flushing red. "Oh, well of course."
Still flustered she turned to Ezran again, looking him in the eye. "I would love to meet Pyrrah, King Ezran."
"Cool," starting to jog towards the outside platform. "And don't worry about the 'King' part, at least for today."
"Umm, yeah. Sounds good…Ezran." Hurrying to catch up with Ezran, before turning to address her guards. "Stay here and enjoy the festivities, I am safe here."
Callum watched glad that his brother was able to converse with other royalty easily. That would be important in the next few months. He had no doubt that both Ezran and Queen Aanya would be working to convince the other human kingdoms of the peace that can be established with Xadia. And it looked like Ezran had also made a new friend in the fellow child monarch. She was a good example for Ezran who would also have to establish himself as a capable leader despite age.
"And it looks like she might have more than friendship on her mind," Callum said with a thoughtful look on his face. He then remembered his own 'friendship' and went off to search for Rayla.
Queen Aanya did in fact like Ezran, she didn't know herself how seriously, but she did admire him. There was of course his journey to return the Dragon Prince, the courage to stand against the beliefs to recognise what is morally right. Before she met him today, she heard from his advisor how he had given up his position to stop a small battle on Katolis. Most royalty wouldn't do such a thing, even she wasn't sure if she would follow suit to settle a small dispute compared to the big picture. And his behaviour was very relaxed. She had watched as he maturely organised his subjects after the battle as well as when addressing Queen Rubeia and herself. But he didn't allow it to change who he is. He was still a child at heart and enjoyed what kids enjoyed. She was eleven and felt she had lost that aspect of herself. Ezran seemed to be able to bring it to the surface.
"This is Pyrrah," indicating the ruby-red dragon that now stood outside with them. It was the very same dragon that Ezran had been riding during the battle.
"Hello Pyrrah, it's an honour to meet you," Aanya told the dragon giving a small bow. Pyrrah in turn gave a nod to Aanya before letting loose a few low grumbles and growls. Aanya backed up a bit taking the growls at aggression.
Ezran laughed at her reaction, "She's asking if you would like a ride. She like you." Before proceeding to hop on her back and offering a hand to Aanya. She took it hopping on behind Ezran and grabbing his waist.
"Okay, we're ready when you are."
Pyrrah nodded again before walking to the edge and dropping off into a dive. Roaring as she does so she flattened out and did a slow loop of the spire slowly changing altitude at random.
Aanya thought this was amazing. The rush of adrenaline in her system and the wind whipping through her hair gave her a feeling of exhilaration. She laughed along with Ezran as they once again dived towards the camp of soldiers. They saw the surprised faces of a few Duren soldiers.
Secretly the soldiers were cursing their queen at that moment. The dragons around the spire still put them on edge, let alone one diving down on the overhead.
Pyrrah let loose another roar that filled the quiet night air and began a steep climb. The movement jostled the two around and Aanya's crown fell from her wind-swept hair, tumbling into the dark abyss below.
"No, Ezran my crown." Pointing to where it had disappeared. Pyrrah growled gazing down. She let go a puff of fire. The sudden light caught the gleaming gold of the crown sparkling like a firefly.
As Pyrrah began chasing the crown Aanya couldn't help but be astounded by the intelligence of the dragon she was riding. She patted her scaled hide. "Thank you Pyrrah."
Both Ezran and Aanya dismounted landing amongst the dew ridden grass. Once again, the ruby dragon lit a fire, but this time sustained it within her mouth acting as a living lantern. With the assistance of Ezran, it wasn't long before they found the crown. It was a thin gold band with a large blue opal as a centrepiece. Ezran was about to hand back the crown when he froze as he noticed two silent figures slowly approaching them.
Out of the shadows emerged two Moonshadow elves, a male and female. They approached within ten metres of the two before speaking.
"What are you humans doing with that dragon? Why are you in Xadia? Are you part of the party that attacked the Dragon King?" questioned the male elf pointing an accusing finger at Ezran.
Ezran was hesitant to answer. He knew from travelling with Rayla that Moonshadow elves were strong combatants, and although they seemed unarmed, they were still dangerous. It was also worrying that they mentioned the Dragon King's death. If these elves were unaware of the events of today then this wasn't the safest place for human royalty, certainly if they were anything like Rayla.
"We did nothing to Pyrrah," indicating the dragon who rumbled in agreement. "We came to Xadia to return the Dragon Prince to his mother Queen Rubeia."
Queen Aanya had left the initial response to Ezran because he was more experienced and at ease with elves. But the elves looked confused at what he was saying so Queen Aanya stepped in.
"Today elves, humans and dragons banded together to defend the Dragon Prince from a Dark Army lead by a traitorous dark mage."
"Impossible, the egg was only taken today," said the male elf looking at his fellow elf.
"No, the events of the Dragons King's death occurred six months ago."
"Six months ago. That makes no sense," said the female elf. She turned to the male elf and discussed something quietly before turning back to Ezran and Aanya. "Is it possible to take us to Queen Rubeia? We have something very important to tell her."
The initial aggression now over Ezran relaxed. "Sure, we can take Pyrrah. My name's Ezran and this is Aanya."
Aanya coughed and gave Ezran a pointing look.
"Oh, yes. Sorry," Ezran once again looked at the two elves. "Let me try again. This here is Queen Aanya of Duren, and I am King Ezran of Katolis."
The elves nodded. "I am Lain, and this is my wife Tiadrin. We are both from Silvergrove. And we also have another Moonshadow elf with us, but he is in bad condition."
"Pyrrah can't take all of us at once. Queen Aanya can take your friend up first so he can be treated. We will go up when she returns."
Lain and Tiadrin nodded and showed them where the third elf lay in the grass. His body was riddled with bruises and lacerations. One of his horns had been snapped off. Ezran also recognised the ribbon strapped to his bicep. Because of it, his arm was a sick purple. He mustn't have killed his target like Rayla, he thought. Lain explains that they can't touch him because they are ghosted so Aanya and Ezran must move his body alone. With an effort, they managed to move him a mere metre. Their small frames just couldn't manage it. In the end, they had Pyrrah grab him in her claws.
"Aanya when you get up there find Callum and Zym. Zym can remove that strap on his arm."
Aanya nodded and Pyrrah took off making a steep climb up the Storm Spire. Ezran watched them disappear through the clouds before turning back to Lain and Tiadrin.
"I have a friend from Silvergrove. She was also ghosted," Ezran admitted, sitting on the grass only to realise he had soaked his pants doing so. "In fact, it was partially due to the fact she didn't kill me, so even though I'm grateful she didn't kill me I feel a bit guilty about it. Weird right."
The elves did think it was weird. Everyone at Silvergrove hated humans. To think one had a change of heart after being sent to kill this boy no less was nothing short of astounding. The boy himself was unlike any human they have heard about. To them, humans were greedy and selfish, but the boy and girl, or King and Queen to be more accurate, had been kind and considerate to them.
"Might I ask where you two came from?"
"Well, we don't know. The last we remember is that we were defeated protecting the dragon queen's egg by a dark magic user." Tiadrin replied with some shame.
"Probably Viren."
"And then he did something to us. The next thing we remember is that we woke up down here six months in the future."
They continued to talk. Ezran giving them a simplified summary of what had happened including assassins being sent to kill King Harrow and himself. Then journeying to return the dragon prince before the battle today. Lain and Tiadrin had many questions but it wasn't too long before Pyrrah had returned.
Queen Rubeia watched over the celebration calmly. Her large frame took up a large portion of the room, so she simply sat in silence and enjoyed the atmosphere. Truth be told she was still overwhelmed with what she had woken to. For the first time in modern history elves and humans had worked together for a common goal. And of course, Azymondias' return was like a new breath to her and since then she hadn't let him out of her sight.
A commotion at the back of the cavern caught her attention. Queen Aanya was rushing through the room. She found Prince Callum and told him something before he too started running, weaving back the way she had come. Callum called Zym to come who instantly swooped down from chasing moths to land on his shoulder. Curious the queen also began to move towards the entrance after the group. Rayla obviously had the same idea and had begun to push her way through the crowd, although to the queen's frustration a lot quicker.
Callum gasped as he recognised Runaan. He had only seen him once, but you don't forget someone who wanted to kill you. Ezran hadn't got a good look at him that night back at the castle so he wasn't able to identify him. He cast Ventus Spiralus and watched as he slowly roused regaining some partial consciousness.
Runaan reflexes were quicker than expected in his sorry state. Upon seeing Prince Callum, he lunged forward tackling him to the ground and started to throttle him anger etched on his face. Runaan grimaced as his dying arm throbbed, but all the abuse he had been through in the dungeon had fuelled his hatred for humans, and he wasn't going to let this one get away again. It was Zym who came to the rescue. He bit Runaan's left arm and feed a high voltage current through it. The power of it caused Runaan to seize up. Zym refused to let go of the elf who had tried to kill his friend. He was starting to kill Runaan who gasped for air with his paralyzed lungs and soon he wasn't breathing at all. Aanya had to rip Zym off him electrocuting herself in the process. Eventually, he calmed down in Aanya's hands but continued to growl at his now prone figure. Callum having recovered his breath checked the smoking Runaan and was glad to still find a pulse and that he was once again breathing. Along with his bruises, he now had serious burns on his arm.
Pyrrah swooped down next to them Ezran, Lain and Tiadrin leapt from the dragon. Ezran saw Runaan and frowned at Callum.
"What did you do to him Callum?" he shouted, thinking Callum had used his lighting spell on him. Lain and Tiadrin went to check on Runaan glaring at the human identified as Callum.
"Hey, I didn't do anything." Callum quickly replied hands raised. "He attacked me and Zym here electrocuted him."
"Oh. Good work Zym." He said smiling at the dragon.
"Wait, what?" Callum said flabbergasted. "So, if I had electrocuted him, I was in the dog box. But Zym gets praised."
"Yes," Ezran said with a straight face. Callum gave Zym a glare, who to his surprise looked smug.
Ezran joined the Moonshadow elves to check on Runaan. This gave Callum time to check out who the other new arrivals were. Obviously Moonshadow elves with milky pink skin, white hair with short horns, and purple-blue tattoos. Yet to Callum they struck him as strangely familiar. "Excuse me, but are you two…"
"Mum? Dad?"
Everyone turned to see Rayla standing in the entrance silhouetted by the warm glow of celebrations. Her hands were trembling as tears fell from her eyes.