A/N: Sorry to anyone who thought the last chap was corny or bad. I was in a
rush to get it posted and I really didn't pay much attention to what I was
writing. Also, I included a history of the Four Masters and the prophecy.
It sort of explains some stuff about the Chamber of the Ordeal and how
Dante is part of the de Dracore family. The name, Dante, means everlasting
in Latin. Its not a common name since parents of children don't name their
children Dante because it associates with hell in Dante's Inferno. Dante is
also a name that is like the name Damian, who is Lucifer's son. I got some
of the names for my Four Masters from pokemon. Don't ask.
Rekindled
Chapter Fifteen: Assassin
By: DarkDracon0
History of the Four Masters and Uusoae's prophecy
Excerpt of the Book of Powers-
The most powerful and legendary of beings are called the Four Masters. Though they have been put to sleep after the Dark War, they still rule over the gods. Capable of destroying the very existence of the earth, these beings are believed to be nothing except a legend among mortals. All of the Four Masters own a type of power. Each one of them control an element of the earth. The fourth of the Four Masters is Garick the Earth Master. The third is Lance the Fire Master and the second is Mistaria the Water Mistress. The strongest and the first of the Masters is Danteis the Shadow and Darkness Master. Danteis, the first of the Masters, is more commonly known as simply the 'Assassin'. Danteis is also known to be commander of an army of mechanical dragons that are ridden by soldiers, also mechanical. Known as Dragonriders, these machines were once a life being, but the souls were traded in to be a machine and to serve Danteis. A man who traded in his soul was cast upon a spell and his memory and body would no longer be his own. He would then be changed into machine to ride a machine dragon that shared the same change. This machine soldier felt no pain, nor was he a living mortal anymore. He was simply a suit of armor that held no occupant. The Dragonrider army was also hidden away and put to sleep when Danteis had. The Dragonriders are as invincible as their commander.
Uusoae arranged, with a powerful spell, to open the Gate of Idramm in the reign of King Jonathan III. Though the Gate has not opened even two decades into King Jonathan's rule, it will open. The opening of the Gate of Idramm will result in demons that came from different worlds to be unleashed into the mortal realm. The Chaos Queen never intended for a prophecy or anyone knowing that she had arranged the Gate of Idramm, but a servant betrayed her when he heard of it and recorded it. He escaped to the mortal realm and hid there. Mithros himself searched for the servant after hearing word of it and the servant was not found until he was long dead. Mithros banished the servant's soul from the dark God's realm, into Tortall's Chamber of the Ordeal for knights. The servant is now the one that tests the worthiness of knights by bringing forth their worst fears. Before the servant died and was banished by Mithros, he looked into the future, into King Jonathan III's reign. He chose one to prevent the Gate of Idramm from opening and if he did fail, the chosen would fight the demons. Only that chosen is capable of doing so and no other.
( A/N: This is the actual fic after you've read the history)
Two weeks later
Royal Palace of Corus and Tortall
The great army of Tortall have captured Fort Tiras, read the simple note. King Jonathan of Tortall shook his head and tossed the piece of parchment into the fire, watching it blacken and curl into ashes. So much weight was on his shoulders now. Find the prophecy and you will not have Tortall ripped into pieces, Dante had said. He knew that it wouldn't be Dante who would destory Tortall. It would be demons unleased by the Chaos Queen. Gods are strange, he thought. They even war within themselves.
The king rose from his chair, grimacing slightly when he felt even his bones creak. I'm getting old, he thought, amused. Damn, how did Alanna manage to remain so young and healthy looking? He slowly walked away from his study and into the library.
So many of these books could hold some part of the prophecy. Jon walked toward the older part of the library that had been restored after a fire some long years before he was born. He looked at a certain book that had caught his eye, but dismissed it when he saw it was merely a book on famous plays. He searched through the shelves and found one particular book. Jon reached out and gently slid it out from between the other books. The Origin of the Contes. Jon skimmed through the book, stopping only to read a few sentences worth of military exploits of King Rorick I. Jon put the book back into its place, but he had pushed a little too hard. When the book's cover edges thumped sharply against the shelf panel, he heard a hollow sound. Jon frowned. He took the book back out and the rest of the shelf of books, stacking them neatly on a nearby table. Luckily, there was nobody in sight in the quiet library. He rapped the shelf panel with his knuckles. He heard the hollow sound again. Jon felt around the wood. It was a bit dusty, but not at all too sturdy. Jon bunched his hand into fist and slammed it through the wooden panel.
Dust and splinters showered his face and he coughed. There was a hole in the wall. Who ever had constructed the library had put a bookshelf over a hole in the wall. That person had wanted another to find that hole and made sure that the wooden panel over the hole was not sturdy and could easily be broken through. Jon looked through all the dust and wood pieces and saw a bundled up stack of papers. As he carefully took it out, he could feel his heart thumping against his ribs in excitement. The pieces of parchment were oiled to keep it preserved, but the ribbon that held all the papers in a neat stack crumbled away when Jon gingerly touched it. He blew away more dust from the parchment and stared hard at the writing there. It was written in the Old Language. Jon yelled for Numair.
Fort Tiras
" Damn Jon! He wants me back in Corus again!" Dante yelled, furious. Kel looked at the simple note the messenger had given Dante. It was scrawled, ' Urgent. Come back to Corus at once. Sir Keladry of Mindelan must accompany you. Signed, Jonathan.' Kel frowned slightly.
"The king wants me to go with you. Wonder why."
" Damn him to fiery hell and back!" Kel looked at him. " Why do you so not want to go to Corus? Just do what the kings wants you to do." Dante glared holes into the tent wall.
" I hate the city! I don't anything to do with it! Jon annoys me. I don't want to see his pretty face all smug and knowing that he can make me do what he wants."
" Well, he is king." Dante growled at her and stormed off out of the tent, muttering dark oaths and promises. Kel looked down at the map of Tortall and Scanra. From where they were, it would take about a week to reach the captial of Tortall. How had Dante gone to Corus so quickly the last time he left?
After they had packed their bags, a group of men (and one woman) left Fort Tiras, leaving a captain in charge until they got back. After an hour of silence, Kel could finally stand it no longer and blurted out to Dante, who was riding his destrier nest to Peachblossom, " How did you reach Corus so quickly two weeks before?" Dante blinked at her and answered quite blandly," I was riding at top speed. There wasn't a moment to be lost. Jon had sent me an urgent message. I didn't even stop to rest."
"And what was that so called 'urgent' message?" Kel said that before she could stop herself. Dante smiled at her. For some reason, she could look away from his mouth. " That is none of your business, Lady Nosiness." Kel shook her head. Looking at Dante lustily was not going to help. " I am not nosy."
" Oh? Then why such flow of question about what I did on my trip, hmm? What would care if I bedded lots of women?" Kel felt a spurt of jealousy at the thought of Dante in bed with other women. " I wouldn't care if you did bed a hundred woman when you left. It matters naught to me."
Dante smiled again. "Are you sure?"
" Of course I'm sure!" Kel said that part so loudly that several of the men escorting them looked up.
"Alright, fine. The next town is far, about fifteen miles or so away. We'll stop for a rest and camp as soon as it starts getting dark." Kel held herself silent this time. Another outburst from her would be embarassing. No, it would make her look like some outrageously wanton female that wanted all her men to herself.
They did stop for a rest and to nibble at supplies since they really didn't eat much since they departed that morning. Kel walked to a nearby stream and sat down by the bank, away from any wet ground. She stared out at the gently rippling surface, wondering what her mother was doing, and what her friends were doing right now. Were they enjoying the day or on patrol? Laughing at each other's jokes or were they fighting hard against the constant attacks from thieves and raiders? Kel stretched her arms out behind her to support her body and raised her face toward the sun, enjoying its warmth. At some point, Kel had gotten up and sat back down against a tree. Her eyes closed and she fell asleep with the sun still in her face. A sense of calm and peace surrounded her.
At first, the warmth Kel felt on her lips, she thought it was the sunlight. But then, she felt pressure on her lips and she let out a breath from the pleasure of the feeling. When she felt soft hair touch her eyelids, Kel slowly opened her eyes to the world. Her mind was still adjusting to what was happening. There, she saw Dante. He was kissing her, his hands gently gripping her upper arms. His eyes were opened slightly. When he saw that she was awake, he smiled and deepened the kiss. They stayed there for a few more moments, locked in that position. What we are doing?, Dante thought to himself. Why we are- Dante jerked away from her. Kel raised surprised eyes to him. He was breathing hard and trying to regain his common sense back until he looked at her eyes. He nearly grinned in male triumph when he saw their expression. There was a look of vagueness and lust there. She wanted him. He wanted to shout and yell his joy. He had always wanted to make her look at him that way, ever since he saw her on the training court. Expressive, her eyes were. He now had to act the gentleman.
Dante straigtened himself and said, apologetically, " I'm sorry, Kel. I shouldn't have done that. While you were asleep. That was not well done of me. Forgive me. Uh, we should be getting back on the road. We have to leave soon, else the men will desert us here." Dante turned and left her.
After Dante had broken the kiss, Kel had nearly cried out in disappointment. She wanted him. She truly wanted him. It was a strange feeling, this wanting. Maybe it was lust, a word males always talked of. When Dante had babbled on about how wrong what they were doing was, Kel hadn't heard a word. Again, she couldn't help herself. She had stared longingly at his mouth, liking the way they moved. Then, when he had turned around, she could see the play of muscles there as he walked. She had also stared longingly at the way his muscles moved on his back. Damn, was she falling in love?
A/N: Ha, that was real corny. I'm not a romantic type of person, but when I made this a romance, I guess I have to write a love story added to the action. Damn me for always saying what I'm going to write about and later having to do it and not wanting to. Am I lazy or what? I also want to thank a few people:
Starless Night: Want to thank ya for making me your new best friend. Your fic is great! (Midsummer's Dance)
MagixPawn: I luv ya, you mentioned me on the A/N!!! And you've also been supportive and saying that my work is good since I don't think it is.
Kaye: Yeah, I luv u too. Keep on giving me more ideas on how to get rid of Cleon. It amuses me and maybe I'll use one of your methods. ( And I do sometimes groan when I see that you've reviewed. No offense
Chibi-Chingo: Isn't my fic great? Yes, I know what you're thinking... what a ego-blown person...
Merritt: Thanx! You said happy birthday to me!
Princess Sanidaylene: Thanx to you especially! You reviewed every chapter ( I think), and this is how you spell 'definitely'.
devilschild: I'm updating now! Happy? ( Is my fic really the best one on the whole site?)
Serenity: Glad you enjoyed the fic. ( I think I suck at writing. I really do think that way. Whenever I read my work, I don't like it.)
tifflypuff: The last time you reviewed, all you said was "good". I'm gonna cry!
Blue Eyes: Thanks for enthusiastic review you wrote. It really did cheer me up that I was back.
Kelsey McCartney: You know, when you said that I did a plot twist, I didn't know what you were talking about. Then, my friend did the same to me at school and I asked her about it. That really made her crack up that I didn't even know that I did a plot twist. Stupid me.
StorytellingStar: Sorry, if the last chap was corny. I thought it was pretty corny too. I was in a rush to get it posted. Hope you liked this one.
Jip: You mentioned me twice in your author note and you also reviewed more than twice! LOVE YA!!!!
Aric Moroz: Thank you a lot for your review. I was having a real shitty day until a logged in and read your review. Thanx!
Kel4Ever: Interesting pen name... You know, I have this thing against red- headed guys. I know this red-headed guy at school and he is really bad and stupid. No, seriously, he is really stupid. If you're reading this, Nicole, you know who I'm talking about. I love my Dante. Isn't he the coolest? *swoons as Dante walks by in armor and carrying sword*
Orange: I know, my fic is great. Anybody got a problem with that?
~ : You know, if you make up a name and put it into a review, I won't have to put that little sign there. It annoys me for some reason. Thanx for the compliment about me being a better writer than 19 year-olds. Keep on critisising me. My mother explained to me that it was constructive critisism. My ego was huge when you sent that review.
TerraDestiny: HAHAHA! Thought I'd leave you out of the A/N didn't you? *snickers* Scared ye for while, eh? HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!
Rekindled
Chapter Fifteen: Assassin
By: DarkDracon0
History of the Four Masters and Uusoae's prophecy
Excerpt of the Book of Powers-
The most powerful and legendary of beings are called the Four Masters. Though they have been put to sleep after the Dark War, they still rule over the gods. Capable of destroying the very existence of the earth, these beings are believed to be nothing except a legend among mortals. All of the Four Masters own a type of power. Each one of them control an element of the earth. The fourth of the Four Masters is Garick the Earth Master. The third is Lance the Fire Master and the second is Mistaria the Water Mistress. The strongest and the first of the Masters is Danteis the Shadow and Darkness Master. Danteis, the first of the Masters, is more commonly known as simply the 'Assassin'. Danteis is also known to be commander of an army of mechanical dragons that are ridden by soldiers, also mechanical. Known as Dragonriders, these machines were once a life being, but the souls were traded in to be a machine and to serve Danteis. A man who traded in his soul was cast upon a spell and his memory and body would no longer be his own. He would then be changed into machine to ride a machine dragon that shared the same change. This machine soldier felt no pain, nor was he a living mortal anymore. He was simply a suit of armor that held no occupant. The Dragonrider army was also hidden away and put to sleep when Danteis had. The Dragonriders are as invincible as their commander.
Uusoae arranged, with a powerful spell, to open the Gate of Idramm in the reign of King Jonathan III. Though the Gate has not opened even two decades into King Jonathan's rule, it will open. The opening of the Gate of Idramm will result in demons that came from different worlds to be unleashed into the mortal realm. The Chaos Queen never intended for a prophecy or anyone knowing that she had arranged the Gate of Idramm, but a servant betrayed her when he heard of it and recorded it. He escaped to the mortal realm and hid there. Mithros himself searched for the servant after hearing word of it and the servant was not found until he was long dead. Mithros banished the servant's soul from the dark God's realm, into Tortall's Chamber of the Ordeal for knights. The servant is now the one that tests the worthiness of knights by bringing forth their worst fears. Before the servant died and was banished by Mithros, he looked into the future, into King Jonathan III's reign. He chose one to prevent the Gate of Idramm from opening and if he did fail, the chosen would fight the demons. Only that chosen is capable of doing so and no other.
( A/N: This is the actual fic after you've read the history)
Two weeks later
Royal Palace of Corus and Tortall
The great army of Tortall have captured Fort Tiras, read the simple note. King Jonathan of Tortall shook his head and tossed the piece of parchment into the fire, watching it blacken and curl into ashes. So much weight was on his shoulders now. Find the prophecy and you will not have Tortall ripped into pieces, Dante had said. He knew that it wouldn't be Dante who would destory Tortall. It would be demons unleased by the Chaos Queen. Gods are strange, he thought. They even war within themselves.
The king rose from his chair, grimacing slightly when he felt even his bones creak. I'm getting old, he thought, amused. Damn, how did Alanna manage to remain so young and healthy looking? He slowly walked away from his study and into the library.
So many of these books could hold some part of the prophecy. Jon walked toward the older part of the library that had been restored after a fire some long years before he was born. He looked at a certain book that had caught his eye, but dismissed it when he saw it was merely a book on famous plays. He searched through the shelves and found one particular book. Jon reached out and gently slid it out from between the other books. The Origin of the Contes. Jon skimmed through the book, stopping only to read a few sentences worth of military exploits of King Rorick I. Jon put the book back into its place, but he had pushed a little too hard. When the book's cover edges thumped sharply against the shelf panel, he heard a hollow sound. Jon frowned. He took the book back out and the rest of the shelf of books, stacking them neatly on a nearby table. Luckily, there was nobody in sight in the quiet library. He rapped the shelf panel with his knuckles. He heard the hollow sound again. Jon felt around the wood. It was a bit dusty, but not at all too sturdy. Jon bunched his hand into fist and slammed it through the wooden panel.
Dust and splinters showered his face and he coughed. There was a hole in the wall. Who ever had constructed the library had put a bookshelf over a hole in the wall. That person had wanted another to find that hole and made sure that the wooden panel over the hole was not sturdy and could easily be broken through. Jon looked through all the dust and wood pieces and saw a bundled up stack of papers. As he carefully took it out, he could feel his heart thumping against his ribs in excitement. The pieces of parchment were oiled to keep it preserved, but the ribbon that held all the papers in a neat stack crumbled away when Jon gingerly touched it. He blew away more dust from the parchment and stared hard at the writing there. It was written in the Old Language. Jon yelled for Numair.
Fort Tiras
" Damn Jon! He wants me back in Corus again!" Dante yelled, furious. Kel looked at the simple note the messenger had given Dante. It was scrawled, ' Urgent. Come back to Corus at once. Sir Keladry of Mindelan must accompany you. Signed, Jonathan.' Kel frowned slightly.
"The king wants me to go with you. Wonder why."
" Damn him to fiery hell and back!" Kel looked at him. " Why do you so not want to go to Corus? Just do what the kings wants you to do." Dante glared holes into the tent wall.
" I hate the city! I don't anything to do with it! Jon annoys me. I don't want to see his pretty face all smug and knowing that he can make me do what he wants."
" Well, he is king." Dante growled at her and stormed off out of the tent, muttering dark oaths and promises. Kel looked down at the map of Tortall and Scanra. From where they were, it would take about a week to reach the captial of Tortall. How had Dante gone to Corus so quickly the last time he left?
After they had packed their bags, a group of men (and one woman) left Fort Tiras, leaving a captain in charge until they got back. After an hour of silence, Kel could finally stand it no longer and blurted out to Dante, who was riding his destrier nest to Peachblossom, " How did you reach Corus so quickly two weeks before?" Dante blinked at her and answered quite blandly," I was riding at top speed. There wasn't a moment to be lost. Jon had sent me an urgent message. I didn't even stop to rest."
"And what was that so called 'urgent' message?" Kel said that before she could stop herself. Dante smiled at her. For some reason, she could look away from his mouth. " That is none of your business, Lady Nosiness." Kel shook her head. Looking at Dante lustily was not going to help. " I am not nosy."
" Oh? Then why such flow of question about what I did on my trip, hmm? What would care if I bedded lots of women?" Kel felt a spurt of jealousy at the thought of Dante in bed with other women. " I wouldn't care if you did bed a hundred woman when you left. It matters naught to me."
Dante smiled again. "Are you sure?"
" Of course I'm sure!" Kel said that part so loudly that several of the men escorting them looked up.
"Alright, fine. The next town is far, about fifteen miles or so away. We'll stop for a rest and camp as soon as it starts getting dark." Kel held herself silent this time. Another outburst from her would be embarassing. No, it would make her look like some outrageously wanton female that wanted all her men to herself.
They did stop for a rest and to nibble at supplies since they really didn't eat much since they departed that morning. Kel walked to a nearby stream and sat down by the bank, away from any wet ground. She stared out at the gently rippling surface, wondering what her mother was doing, and what her friends were doing right now. Were they enjoying the day or on patrol? Laughing at each other's jokes or were they fighting hard against the constant attacks from thieves and raiders? Kel stretched her arms out behind her to support her body and raised her face toward the sun, enjoying its warmth. At some point, Kel had gotten up and sat back down against a tree. Her eyes closed and she fell asleep with the sun still in her face. A sense of calm and peace surrounded her.
At first, the warmth Kel felt on her lips, she thought it was the sunlight. But then, she felt pressure on her lips and she let out a breath from the pleasure of the feeling. When she felt soft hair touch her eyelids, Kel slowly opened her eyes to the world. Her mind was still adjusting to what was happening. There, she saw Dante. He was kissing her, his hands gently gripping her upper arms. His eyes were opened slightly. When he saw that she was awake, he smiled and deepened the kiss. They stayed there for a few more moments, locked in that position. What we are doing?, Dante thought to himself. Why we are- Dante jerked away from her. Kel raised surprised eyes to him. He was breathing hard and trying to regain his common sense back until he looked at her eyes. He nearly grinned in male triumph when he saw their expression. There was a look of vagueness and lust there. She wanted him. He wanted to shout and yell his joy. He had always wanted to make her look at him that way, ever since he saw her on the training court. Expressive, her eyes were. He now had to act the gentleman.
Dante straigtened himself and said, apologetically, " I'm sorry, Kel. I shouldn't have done that. While you were asleep. That was not well done of me. Forgive me. Uh, we should be getting back on the road. We have to leave soon, else the men will desert us here." Dante turned and left her.
After Dante had broken the kiss, Kel had nearly cried out in disappointment. She wanted him. She truly wanted him. It was a strange feeling, this wanting. Maybe it was lust, a word males always talked of. When Dante had babbled on about how wrong what they were doing was, Kel hadn't heard a word. Again, she couldn't help herself. She had stared longingly at his mouth, liking the way they moved. Then, when he had turned around, she could see the play of muscles there as he walked. She had also stared longingly at the way his muscles moved on his back. Damn, was she falling in love?
A/N: Ha, that was real corny. I'm not a romantic type of person, but when I made this a romance, I guess I have to write a love story added to the action. Damn me for always saying what I'm going to write about and later having to do it and not wanting to. Am I lazy or what? I also want to thank a few people:
Starless Night: Want to thank ya for making me your new best friend. Your fic is great! (Midsummer's Dance)
MagixPawn: I luv ya, you mentioned me on the A/N!!! And you've also been supportive and saying that my work is good since I don't think it is.
Kaye: Yeah, I luv u too. Keep on giving me more ideas on how to get rid of Cleon. It amuses me and maybe I'll use one of your methods. ( And I do sometimes groan when I see that you've reviewed. No offense
Chibi-Chingo: Isn't my fic great? Yes, I know what you're thinking... what a ego-blown person...
Merritt: Thanx! You said happy birthday to me!
Princess Sanidaylene: Thanx to you especially! You reviewed every chapter ( I think), and this is how you spell 'definitely'.
devilschild: I'm updating now! Happy? ( Is my fic really the best one on the whole site?)
Serenity: Glad you enjoyed the fic. ( I think I suck at writing. I really do think that way. Whenever I read my work, I don't like it.)
tifflypuff: The last time you reviewed, all you said was "good". I'm gonna cry!
Blue Eyes: Thanks for enthusiastic review you wrote. It really did cheer me up that I was back.
Kelsey McCartney: You know, when you said that I did a plot twist, I didn't know what you were talking about. Then, my friend did the same to me at school and I asked her about it. That really made her crack up that I didn't even know that I did a plot twist. Stupid me.
StorytellingStar: Sorry, if the last chap was corny. I thought it was pretty corny too. I was in a rush to get it posted. Hope you liked this one.
Jip: You mentioned me twice in your author note and you also reviewed more than twice! LOVE YA!!!!
Aric Moroz: Thank you a lot for your review. I was having a real shitty day until a logged in and read your review. Thanx!
Kel4Ever: Interesting pen name... You know, I have this thing against red- headed guys. I know this red-headed guy at school and he is really bad and stupid. No, seriously, he is really stupid. If you're reading this, Nicole, you know who I'm talking about. I love my Dante. Isn't he the coolest? *swoons as Dante walks by in armor and carrying sword*
Orange: I know, my fic is great. Anybody got a problem with that?
~ : You know, if you make up a name and put it into a review, I won't have to put that little sign there. It annoys me for some reason. Thanx for the compliment about me being a better writer than 19 year-olds. Keep on critisising me. My mother explained to me that it was constructive critisism. My ego was huge when you sent that review.
TerraDestiny: HAHAHA! Thought I'd leave you out of the A/N didn't you? *snickers* Scared ye for while, eh? HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!