THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS
By m00nstorm77
Chapter Five
When Dorian woke in the dark cave every one else was asleep except for the sentry at the mouth of the cave. Dorian couldn't see the guard but he knew he was there. Dorian got up and staggered towards the sack that held the food and rummaged through, till he found something he felt like eating. The pre-dawn sunlight pierced Dorian's eyes as he stepped out of the cave. He looked down at the sentry and saw it was the huntress. Sliding down next to her he took taking a bite out of his stale biscuit.
"How are you, Dorian? Coping well with this way of life?" Asked the huntress surveying him with her emotionless blue eyes.
"Fine, Nora." Replied Dorian, offering her a piece of his biscuit. Dorian guessed it was around the sixth hour past midnight by the sun.
"I'm going hunting." Dorian groaned as he got up, he knew he wouldn't, but he wanted to bag a wolf. However rabbit seemed to be a more likely breakfast now.
East Elements scouts had become very common in the north, and Dorian estimated that there was a camp in the vicinity, so he headed south. When Dorian returned with a few conies the rest of the camp was awake.
"We've got company. Two dozen men and archers on the way here as we speak." Nora spoke quietly as she accepted the conies.
"Why don't they bother to send more troops?" Dorian replied. A sly smile slid across Nora's face.
"Because if they do, they have to file a Parchment of Dispatchment. And who wants to say on that fifty troops are needed to take out a group of seventeen." Said an archer.
"Positions everyone, Formation Six. Archers take the ledge on the left. Riders back of the cave. Footmen hide on the side and block of the exit after they enter. I'll be with the archers. Now hurry." Ordered Nora.
Everyone hurried away, and slipped into stealth mode. Minutes passed and still no one made any sound, not any sighs or footfalls. The horses had been specially trained for this situation.
At last the enemy troops slipped into the cave, swords at the ready and eyes darting madly about. The footmen on either side of the cave wore the gloom like a cloak. A snort sounded through the cave, magnified many times. The East Elements troops halted, straining to see what they already knew was there.
Horsemen sprung out of the darkness slicing at the enemy. Unaware, the enemy archers fired their arrows in multiple directions hoping to hit their target. Two return volleys were quickly shot from the left ledge as the horsemen ran through the mob of soldiers. T
he enemy scrambled, most ran after the horsemen, soon to find their exit blocked and their limbs falling off. The footmen had sprung from their hiding places, Dorian at their side, to finish off the last of the East Elements. Dorian swang his sword back and forth, but they no longer held the element of surprise. Blades clanged and cries rang through the cave. Light flared at Dorian's sword-tip as the two packs melded. Enemy archers fired at the mob. Dorian quickly slaughtered his opposer, clenched his free hand and then thrust it forward. A violet dome grew from he palm to surround the footmen. The arrows hit the dome and exploded into dust that showered down. Screams still echoed in the cave, Dorian swung his sword at head height, the tip glowed purple and the enemy archers fell down dead, their necks split.
The last East Element was backing into the gloom when a knife appeared in his chest. Stabbed in the back by Nora, who pulled her knife out and smiled grimly at the sea of corpses around her. "We're moving camp tomorrow. This place reeks of death." She sheathed the knife and set about ordering the clean up.
*~*~*~*
There was a knock on the door and a bald black man strode into the room. His blood red Priest robes and wrinkly skin didn't stop him from looking impressive. The man took a seat at the enormous pentagon-shaped table, all but one side had five people seated at it. The door opened again and another three men and a woman came through the door and sat next to the black man.
"It's the first time we've had a meeting since the fall of the High King, and High Prince Dorian's capture." Said the Air King. His words carried across the large oak table, it had beautiful carvings that played across it, dividing it into five sections.
Each element had its own section, marked by their emblem being carved into the table. In the centre of the table there was a stone basin. From the basin five mages had intertwined a stream of water, a strip of fire, a vine and a light breeze together. At the top they formed a purple spark that hovered bringing unwavering light to all sides of the table. However, today one side was empty, its section's emblem was a U shape, just like the High King's traditional crown.
"To business," the black man announced, staring at the High King's empty chair, "We shall vote for who shall replace the High King. It must be one of the quadruplets." The light from the purple spark glinted on his many rings and his bald head. The darkness from the chamber swelled as he talked, making him seem imposing.
An Air official with the decorations of Royal Adviser put in. "I propose High Prince Waylen, for he is the obviously the most intelligent of the four, he will lead the West Elements well."
"Markus was born first so I'll have none of this rubbish. He is High King by right of birth" Said the Earth Prince, a young man with broad shoulders.
"You're saying that High Prince Markus are responsible enough to rule this empire? High Prince Markus is no more then a child. He spends his time playing with the peasant's children and preening himself. Putting him on the throne would lead this kingdom to ruin, no offence intended to the High Prince. I say one of the girls should rule. High Princess Isis is wise beyond her years and a compassionate girl" The Princess of Water half shouted.
The Air Royal Adviser was on his feet "Compassion will get us nowhere, we need a military leader! A ruler with the brains and the courage to defeat the East Elements and protect our people! Compassion is for peacetime. We are on the verge of war!" he yelled.
"What do you know, Mortimer?" The Water Princess was standing too, while her mother, the Queen, was trying to pull her down without ruining the fine gown she was wearing. "Your last piece of advice to this council nearly cost us half the kingdom! Remember that, eh?"
The bald man stood up again, "Silence! We shall have silence!" He boomed over the other voices now joining in the argument.
All of them shut up immediately except for Mortimer, who continued to speak. "Your defeat over the Metal Emperor does not raise your rank, Priest."
"I still outrank you, Royal Adviser Mortimer. I suggest you learn your place and keep to it." Princess Morna smirked from her place on the other side of the Air King.
"Overstepping the line again, Morty? We all know you do that a lot, just as we all know you're the puppet master to High Prince Waylen!" The Water Princess said in a low voice.
Voices rang out as the people seated the table rose, pointing and shouting at the other elements. Without warning four fists hit the table as each Priest stood up, there faces the picture of fury.
Everyone froze. "This meeting is over. We will vote at a later date." Bellowed the Priests in unison. The officials exited the room quickly and quietly through their respective doors.
*~*~*~*
"Princess Theodora, that was appalling!" Yelled a short man clad in a deep blue suit. He leant back on his chair. A man and a woman stood in front of the yelling man, while a cloaked figure sat in a chair to the side, face hidden by the soft folds of his turquoise blue robes that marked his rank as Priest.
"Not only did you argue with everyone in that room, you also didn't shut up until the priests stepped in. You have humiliated yourself and your Element! Out of all the meetings I've ever been to that one has to be the worst, the loudest and the most uncomfortable. I am disgusted at your behaviour!" rebuked the Water King.
"But father – I – I didn't –" stumbled the water princess.
"It wasn't Dora's fault, and besides, she was arguing with Mortimer for most of it." Empathised the Water Queen as she entered the room. She treaded gracefully around the table and laid a calming hand on the King's shoulder. The man standing next to the Princess glared at the Queen, his sister-in-law.
"Sweetie, how are you? I noticed you were a little worked up after the meeting." He smiled up at her.
"Fine, I'm still upset over the deaths of the High King and Queen." She answered, taking a seat by the fireplace and petting one of the palace cats that she kept.
"If you would excuse me your majesties, but I have some business to attend to elsewhere." Said the hooded Priest is his soft voice.
He sped out of the office without making a sound then continued down the hall, through the dining hall and out of the main entrance doors. The Priest's hood shielded his eyes from the glare of the morning sun, which was fortunate, as his eyes were not accustomed to light. He continued the walk through the garden, the scents of the perfectly manicured rose bushes pleasing to him. His workroom where he spent most of his time had a very stale smell to it. The priest stopped at the door to a tall, thin tower. Taking a crystal out of his pocket, he waved it over the door, which opened to let him through.
Inside he climbed up the spiral staircase to his workroom. The room was nearly empty. A flat bowl sat on a small, round table with a velvet stool next to it. The Priest filled the bowl with water from a pitcher of specially cleansed water, sat down on the stool and dropped a few droplets of a sacred liquid into the bowl.
Taking a branch of hawthorn he tied it to his brow and peered into the bowl. Slowly, his mind relaxed and an image began to appear on the surface of the water it was a strange symbol. The image faded suddenly and the water began to bubble. The Priest was scared for a moment; his training had taught him bubbling meant a very important vision was about to occur. He strained to look beyond the bubbles, and he saw:
The Fire Prince stood in a long, thin valley with steep walls of stone. He had a big mace in one hand and a shield in the other. The head of the mace was covered in a veil of flames.
"Come out, I know you're here, there no use stalling for time. I always find my prey." Echoed the fire prince's voice. He grinned, white teeth striking against his dark skin. There was a whistling sound and the Water Princess and five underlings bounded onto a ledge near the Fire Prince.
"Prince Blaise," she said, slightly surprised. Her and the underlings jumped down facing the Prince. Mist covered the small group, and without the slightest warning the underlings leapt into battle. They nocked their arrows and moved quickly to form a large circle, surrounding the Prince and fired. Blaise was unmoved by this. He spun his mace at astonishing speed, colliding with the arrows and splintering them. One arrow made it past but he ducked it. The Water Princess entered the circle, spread her arms and brought them together, face contorting as she performed her complex spell.
Water poured over the edge of the valley, foaming and frothing. It spilled over the rocks at an incredible speed. The wave had no effect on the underlings or princess, but Blaise had to sprint. He dropped his mace and shield and dashed for the exit to the valley. More water was pouring in; he had to move fast. The Prince pumped his long legs, not daring to look back in case it should slow him down. He reached the edge of the valley and began climbing the steep rock. Just as he scrambled over the edge the wave hit the base and the spell ended.
He could see the underlings attending to the Princess, who had fainted with the effort to maintain the spell. But there were only four underlings down with the Princess . . . Looking around he saw another underling climbing up onto the edge and drawing a sword. Drawing his own two short-swords Prince Blaise ran at the underling. The underling wasn't a very competent swordsman. Blaise ran him through and kicked his still living body back down into the valley. Panting, the Prince looked around. He was in what looked like the dried up remains of a small lake. It was foggier up here.
"Think you're good." Muttered a soft voice that echoed around. Jumping into a defensive stance Blaise spun around searching for the speaker. But it seemed the voiced had come from everywhere at once.
A shadow appeared, that materialised into the Water Priest. Prince Blaise jerked his hand forward using the force of Fire to knock the prediction Priest back. The real Priest fell off his stool, kicking over the table and the bowl.
"Drat." He muttered. Servants were told not to clean his workroom, which meant he would have to do it himself. As he did so, he pondered the meaning of the vision and how he could discuss it with the other Priests. It was clear now; the corruption of the quadruplets would ultimately lead to the War of the Elements.
By m00nstorm77
Chapter Five
When Dorian woke in the dark cave every one else was asleep except for the sentry at the mouth of the cave. Dorian couldn't see the guard but he knew he was there. Dorian got up and staggered towards the sack that held the food and rummaged through, till he found something he felt like eating. The pre-dawn sunlight pierced Dorian's eyes as he stepped out of the cave. He looked down at the sentry and saw it was the huntress. Sliding down next to her he took taking a bite out of his stale biscuit.
"How are you, Dorian? Coping well with this way of life?" Asked the huntress surveying him with her emotionless blue eyes.
"Fine, Nora." Replied Dorian, offering her a piece of his biscuit. Dorian guessed it was around the sixth hour past midnight by the sun.
"I'm going hunting." Dorian groaned as he got up, he knew he wouldn't, but he wanted to bag a wolf. However rabbit seemed to be a more likely breakfast now.
East Elements scouts had become very common in the north, and Dorian estimated that there was a camp in the vicinity, so he headed south. When Dorian returned with a few conies the rest of the camp was awake.
"We've got company. Two dozen men and archers on the way here as we speak." Nora spoke quietly as she accepted the conies.
"Why don't they bother to send more troops?" Dorian replied. A sly smile slid across Nora's face.
"Because if they do, they have to file a Parchment of Dispatchment. And who wants to say on that fifty troops are needed to take out a group of seventeen." Said an archer.
"Positions everyone, Formation Six. Archers take the ledge on the left. Riders back of the cave. Footmen hide on the side and block of the exit after they enter. I'll be with the archers. Now hurry." Ordered Nora.
Everyone hurried away, and slipped into stealth mode. Minutes passed and still no one made any sound, not any sighs or footfalls. The horses had been specially trained for this situation.
At last the enemy troops slipped into the cave, swords at the ready and eyes darting madly about. The footmen on either side of the cave wore the gloom like a cloak. A snort sounded through the cave, magnified many times. The East Elements troops halted, straining to see what they already knew was there.
Horsemen sprung out of the darkness slicing at the enemy. Unaware, the enemy archers fired their arrows in multiple directions hoping to hit their target. Two return volleys were quickly shot from the left ledge as the horsemen ran through the mob of soldiers. T
he enemy scrambled, most ran after the horsemen, soon to find their exit blocked and their limbs falling off. The footmen had sprung from their hiding places, Dorian at their side, to finish off the last of the East Elements. Dorian swang his sword back and forth, but they no longer held the element of surprise. Blades clanged and cries rang through the cave. Light flared at Dorian's sword-tip as the two packs melded. Enemy archers fired at the mob. Dorian quickly slaughtered his opposer, clenched his free hand and then thrust it forward. A violet dome grew from he palm to surround the footmen. The arrows hit the dome and exploded into dust that showered down. Screams still echoed in the cave, Dorian swung his sword at head height, the tip glowed purple and the enemy archers fell down dead, their necks split.
The last East Element was backing into the gloom when a knife appeared in his chest. Stabbed in the back by Nora, who pulled her knife out and smiled grimly at the sea of corpses around her. "We're moving camp tomorrow. This place reeks of death." She sheathed the knife and set about ordering the clean up.
*~*~*~*
There was a knock on the door and a bald black man strode into the room. His blood red Priest robes and wrinkly skin didn't stop him from looking impressive. The man took a seat at the enormous pentagon-shaped table, all but one side had five people seated at it. The door opened again and another three men and a woman came through the door and sat next to the black man.
"It's the first time we've had a meeting since the fall of the High King, and High Prince Dorian's capture." Said the Air King. His words carried across the large oak table, it had beautiful carvings that played across it, dividing it into five sections.
Each element had its own section, marked by their emblem being carved into the table. In the centre of the table there was a stone basin. From the basin five mages had intertwined a stream of water, a strip of fire, a vine and a light breeze together. At the top they formed a purple spark that hovered bringing unwavering light to all sides of the table. However, today one side was empty, its section's emblem was a U shape, just like the High King's traditional crown.
"To business," the black man announced, staring at the High King's empty chair, "We shall vote for who shall replace the High King. It must be one of the quadruplets." The light from the purple spark glinted on his many rings and his bald head. The darkness from the chamber swelled as he talked, making him seem imposing.
An Air official with the decorations of Royal Adviser put in. "I propose High Prince Waylen, for he is the obviously the most intelligent of the four, he will lead the West Elements well."
"Markus was born first so I'll have none of this rubbish. He is High King by right of birth" Said the Earth Prince, a young man with broad shoulders.
"You're saying that High Prince Markus are responsible enough to rule this empire? High Prince Markus is no more then a child. He spends his time playing with the peasant's children and preening himself. Putting him on the throne would lead this kingdom to ruin, no offence intended to the High Prince. I say one of the girls should rule. High Princess Isis is wise beyond her years and a compassionate girl" The Princess of Water half shouted.
The Air Royal Adviser was on his feet "Compassion will get us nowhere, we need a military leader! A ruler with the brains and the courage to defeat the East Elements and protect our people! Compassion is for peacetime. We are on the verge of war!" he yelled.
"What do you know, Mortimer?" The Water Princess was standing too, while her mother, the Queen, was trying to pull her down without ruining the fine gown she was wearing. "Your last piece of advice to this council nearly cost us half the kingdom! Remember that, eh?"
The bald man stood up again, "Silence! We shall have silence!" He boomed over the other voices now joining in the argument.
All of them shut up immediately except for Mortimer, who continued to speak. "Your defeat over the Metal Emperor does not raise your rank, Priest."
"I still outrank you, Royal Adviser Mortimer. I suggest you learn your place and keep to it." Princess Morna smirked from her place on the other side of the Air King.
"Overstepping the line again, Morty? We all know you do that a lot, just as we all know you're the puppet master to High Prince Waylen!" The Water Princess said in a low voice.
Voices rang out as the people seated the table rose, pointing and shouting at the other elements. Without warning four fists hit the table as each Priest stood up, there faces the picture of fury.
Everyone froze. "This meeting is over. We will vote at a later date." Bellowed the Priests in unison. The officials exited the room quickly and quietly through their respective doors.
*~*~*~*
"Princess Theodora, that was appalling!" Yelled a short man clad in a deep blue suit. He leant back on his chair. A man and a woman stood in front of the yelling man, while a cloaked figure sat in a chair to the side, face hidden by the soft folds of his turquoise blue robes that marked his rank as Priest.
"Not only did you argue with everyone in that room, you also didn't shut up until the priests stepped in. You have humiliated yourself and your Element! Out of all the meetings I've ever been to that one has to be the worst, the loudest and the most uncomfortable. I am disgusted at your behaviour!" rebuked the Water King.
"But father – I – I didn't –" stumbled the water princess.
"It wasn't Dora's fault, and besides, she was arguing with Mortimer for most of it." Empathised the Water Queen as she entered the room. She treaded gracefully around the table and laid a calming hand on the King's shoulder. The man standing next to the Princess glared at the Queen, his sister-in-law.
"Sweetie, how are you? I noticed you were a little worked up after the meeting." He smiled up at her.
"Fine, I'm still upset over the deaths of the High King and Queen." She answered, taking a seat by the fireplace and petting one of the palace cats that she kept.
"If you would excuse me your majesties, but I have some business to attend to elsewhere." Said the hooded Priest is his soft voice.
He sped out of the office without making a sound then continued down the hall, through the dining hall and out of the main entrance doors. The Priest's hood shielded his eyes from the glare of the morning sun, which was fortunate, as his eyes were not accustomed to light. He continued the walk through the garden, the scents of the perfectly manicured rose bushes pleasing to him. His workroom where he spent most of his time had a very stale smell to it. The priest stopped at the door to a tall, thin tower. Taking a crystal out of his pocket, he waved it over the door, which opened to let him through.
Inside he climbed up the spiral staircase to his workroom. The room was nearly empty. A flat bowl sat on a small, round table with a velvet stool next to it. The Priest filled the bowl with water from a pitcher of specially cleansed water, sat down on the stool and dropped a few droplets of a sacred liquid into the bowl.
Taking a branch of hawthorn he tied it to his brow and peered into the bowl. Slowly, his mind relaxed and an image began to appear on the surface of the water it was a strange symbol. The image faded suddenly and the water began to bubble. The Priest was scared for a moment; his training had taught him bubbling meant a very important vision was about to occur. He strained to look beyond the bubbles, and he saw:
The Fire Prince stood in a long, thin valley with steep walls of stone. He had a big mace in one hand and a shield in the other. The head of the mace was covered in a veil of flames.
"Come out, I know you're here, there no use stalling for time. I always find my prey." Echoed the fire prince's voice. He grinned, white teeth striking against his dark skin. There was a whistling sound and the Water Princess and five underlings bounded onto a ledge near the Fire Prince.
"Prince Blaise," she said, slightly surprised. Her and the underlings jumped down facing the Prince. Mist covered the small group, and without the slightest warning the underlings leapt into battle. They nocked their arrows and moved quickly to form a large circle, surrounding the Prince and fired. Blaise was unmoved by this. He spun his mace at astonishing speed, colliding with the arrows and splintering them. One arrow made it past but he ducked it. The Water Princess entered the circle, spread her arms and brought them together, face contorting as she performed her complex spell.
Water poured over the edge of the valley, foaming and frothing. It spilled over the rocks at an incredible speed. The wave had no effect on the underlings or princess, but Blaise had to sprint. He dropped his mace and shield and dashed for the exit to the valley. More water was pouring in; he had to move fast. The Prince pumped his long legs, not daring to look back in case it should slow him down. He reached the edge of the valley and began climbing the steep rock. Just as he scrambled over the edge the wave hit the base and the spell ended.
He could see the underlings attending to the Princess, who had fainted with the effort to maintain the spell. But there were only four underlings down with the Princess . . . Looking around he saw another underling climbing up onto the edge and drawing a sword. Drawing his own two short-swords Prince Blaise ran at the underling. The underling wasn't a very competent swordsman. Blaise ran him through and kicked his still living body back down into the valley. Panting, the Prince looked around. He was in what looked like the dried up remains of a small lake. It was foggier up here.
"Think you're good." Muttered a soft voice that echoed around. Jumping into a defensive stance Blaise spun around searching for the speaker. But it seemed the voiced had come from everywhere at once.
A shadow appeared, that materialised into the Water Priest. Prince Blaise jerked his hand forward using the force of Fire to knock the prediction Priest back. The real Priest fell off his stool, kicking over the table and the bowl.
"Drat." He muttered. Servants were told not to clean his workroom, which meant he would have to do it himself. As he did so, he pondered the meaning of the vision and how he could discuss it with the other Priests. It was clear now; the corruption of the quadruplets would ultimately lead to the War of the Elements.