I apologize for the late update. College is keeping me very busy. Please enjoy!
"Have my actions not proven my affections? Had I not cared for your daughter, I would not be here. Words mean nothing when falling upon deaf ears." Rorek stated, finding his voice to speak.
"The quill is mightier than the sword." William objected.
"Be that as it may, action brings those words to life. It is one thing to say you are going to lead a revolution, but it gains another meaning entirely to follow through on your words." Rorek stated, William looking at the man.
"Your mind is sharp, as is your tongue. I find that queer."
"Queer for my 'kind', correct?" Rorek asked, "I am not like the others, and it does not help that your people look upon me as if I am the Devil."
"To them you are." William stated, Rorek snorting in response, "You have survived a crucifixion. Many believe that you are too demonic to die, and view you as Lucifer himself. To my people, you are something worse. You are a Lich."
"And why have you not strung me up from the stake, if that is so?" Rorek asked, crossing his arms.
"Because my people fear you far too much to cross you. But, I do see your title as a weapon when facing my brother. Surely, seeing you will send several of his men soiling their armor and fleeing in terror." William stated, amused at the visual images in his head.
"And what of you? Do you believe the stories?"
"The ones that portray you as an undead savage and tells of you feasting on unborn children and capturing maidens for blood sacrifices? No." William answered, Rorek for once frowning.
"That is what they say of me? I find that offensive." Rorek stated, William shaking his head.
"How good are you with strategy?" William asked, curious as Rorek eyed the man, as if it were a trap.
"Good enough to keep myself alive." Rorek stated, "Why?"
"I need someone with a level head to be in charge should things go wrong. I lost most of my generals during the dragon attack, and I am desperate." William stated, appearing almost embarrassed.
"And you would trust me?" Rorek asked, eyebrow raised.
"Anaya trusted you, even Silas-to an extent. The men will be too fearful to disobey your orders."
"And who are the other generals?" Rorek asked, curious.
"Carl and Silas. Carl I would trust with my life, as would I with his son. Though Silas had failed my daughter, his heart was intent on saving her. Though Silas may lack experience, he more than makes up for it in honor and loyalty. Provided that he is still fit for war." William added after a second's pause.
"I see. Is our business concluded?"
"As you were. But please, do not go killing all of my men before the battle even starts." William replied, shaking his head.
"I will try not to, my Duke." Rorek replied, rolling his eyes as he heard William sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose before walking away.
"Silas! Silas, there you are! Are you okay? How is the boy?" Ember asked, eager upon seeing her dear friend. Silas stopped and looked upon the dragon, observing her. Even though her scales were caked with ash, she still was beautiful. Such a beautiful, magestic beast did not deserve to be tainted by the sin of man.
"Berend is fine, for now." Silas replied, Ember sighing in relief, the two chicks following her as if she were their mother.
"Oh, thank the Ancestors." Ember replied, breathing a sigh of relief, "I know how much he means to you, Silas."
"Spyro deserves to die, but I do not want to slay him if it causes you grief." Silas stated, Ember looking at the knight, shocked, before sighing sullenly.
"Spyro's too far gone. He's not the same dragon I knew, but I don't want to see him die."
"Ember, if Berend survives...I will let Spyro go. But if I do, you must take him and flee, flee somewhere far, far away where no man can ever find you. Will you do that?" Silas asked, Ember seeming hurt at the request.
"Wha-Silas-no! Why would I do that-why would I leave you? I can't do that!" Ember cried, Silas groaning, shaking his head.
"Ember, listen to me. You must. If you want to survive, you must. Look around! How much of a chance do you think we have against the King?! Ember, you must understand when I leave for war there is a good chance I will never come back! I just cannot do it. I cannot protect you. I am not strong enough." Silas stated, Ember's scales darkening in rage and sorrow.
"You told me you feared dying in vain, Silas! If I leave and you die then you will be doing the very thing you fear!" Ember argued, tail and wings twitching in agitation.
"That is not true! I am fighting for the memory of my Duchess, and if I die, then God willed it. But I am also fighting to protect you, Ember! The longer I fight is every precious moment you get to flee and keep your life before Eamon's armies come crashing down! I was meant to die that day so my darling Anaya could still draw breath, yet I failed at the simple task of dying! If I die, it will be so that you can breathe, you can live, and so you can give hope to the next generation." At this point, Ember was crying, almost sobbing, shaking her head.
"No! Silas, this is stupid! This whole war is stupid! I can't-I can't loose you! I don't know what I'd do!" Ember cried, tears streaming down her snout. In all his time of knowing her, Silas never had such a strong urge to just hug Ember, and let her know he was there.
Frowning, Silas brought Ember into a hug, his arms wrapping around her as Ember nuzzled into the crook of his neck, eyes closed tightly.
"I am here, Ember. I am here." Silas stated softly, simply, hearing the pink dragoness whimper.
"I'm scared one day you won't." Ember replied, her hot tears smearing on the knight's dirty and bruised face.
"And one day I will not, but as of now, I am by your side." Silas stated, Ember rising a delicate paw, the scarf still tied.
"Then do you want this back?" Ember asked, Silas hand taking her paw, slowly pushing it back.
"No. Keep it. I want you to have it, even though it may not mean much." Silas answered, Ember feeling his own hand against her paw, calloused and warm.
"No! It mean so much to me! I feel honored, really I do. It's like I have a piece of you always with me. So I'm not alone." Ember replied, Silas smiling sullenly, lip busted and bleeding slightly.
"Yes. That is a comforting thought." Silas replied, "Berend would love you."
"He would? Maybe I could visit him...when he gets better?" Ember asked, though her voice showed hope.
"You can...but I fear you may be gone by then." Silas stated, Ember shaking her head.
"No. I'm not going anywhere, Silas. You helped me so much, and now it's my turn to help you. I'm not leaving."
"That is how Anaya died. She was intent on protecting me, yet I did not need protection. Ember, if you stay you may die. I do not want to risk that. I do not what to lose someone so close to me again. You are such a pure, innocent, beautiful creature, and you may be the very last of your kind. If you stay, only death will follow you, and you will be tainted with the sin of man. If my perdition is risking you everyday then I will go mad, as I surely would with Anaya. I would die to protect you, Ember. Protecting others...being prepared to give up my life for others is...what I have known my whole life, and I intend to carry out the deed should you ever end up in peril." Silas spoke, Ember crying softly once more as she rested her head on his brow.
"Don't say that. Don't say that. Your words scare me, Silas."
I apologize for the short chapter, and for some reason it went to Silas and Ember. I'm not sure if their relationship is more romantic or just deep friendship. Either way, that you for reading thus far and thank you everyone who is supporting this story! Have a good day!