THE WAR OF THE ELEMENTS
By m00nstorm77
Chapter Six
Dorian swayed from side to side as he climbed up the stony path, his eyes blurred and he struggled to see the people in front. He had made this trip many times that day, Nora wanted to move camp in just the one day, but the new camp was a ten miles away and there was so much food that even the people had to carry things. Dorian had been up since before sunrise, and now, by the stars, he guessed it was shortly before midnight. 'Last trip.' He kept repeating in his head.
"We're here." Rang out a voice from the front of the line.
Dorian stumbled into the new cave. Dropping the sacks that had been rubbing his shoulders for the last few hours. Leaning against the wall he waited until he could feel his hands again before unrolling his bedroll and sliding into it. The others began to do the same, seeming just as exhausted as he was. At last, Dorian slept.
A donging noise woke the camp at midday. Dorian ran outside to investigate the noise, feeling fatigued after his long day of work and long night of rest. Sprinting around the mountain, chasing the source of the ringing he turned a corner and stopped suddenly.
It seemed he was caught in an invisible net. Using his power to break it he stepped forward, the valley before him shimmered and a city appeared with East Element standards flying in the breeze. Tall buildings towered in the centre and a thick wall surrounded the city. A bell tower seemed to be what had woken the camp.
"A hidden city." Dorian murmured. A soft wind blew past Dorian's ears, carrying the words "Rebels! In the mountains!" Back at the cave he gathered everyone and showed them what he had just seen, guiding them through hole in the shield that he had blown. But Nora looked worried.
"What if they have sensors to detect if someone attacks their shield? What if they send a battalion to investigate? Or an army? Dorian, I don't like the look of this."
Dorian paled. "I heard something.'
Nora turned to him. "What?"
"The wind – I heard something on the wind – 'rebels, in the mountain'. What if you're right and they're on their way now?"
Nora frowned, looking out over the valley. "Wait, there!" She pointed to the neighbouring mountain, where the mouth to a cave visibly showed signs of a similar camp to theirs. A battalion of East Elements soldiers were moving up the slopes to meet the habitants of the cave
"It must be them they saw." Said Dorian.
"We're not moving camp." Decreed Nora. "Our position is still safe. The entrance to our cave isn't visible. There's a forest nearby where we can find game, our cave is perfect for setting booby traps for those who wish us harm. Soon we can even begin to launch small attacks on their stupid city."
"Yes, but Nora, that would mean we'd have to be alert all the time. We'll have to set up watches and be ready to move into the forest at any time. Do you think we should make preparations? Hide food and weapons in the forest? Prepare attack formations in case they come at us? I think that would be wise Nora."
"Yes. Every second we are here is bought time. They will find us. I just want to be ready to kick their arses when that happens."
*~*~*~*
In the Fire Palace the King called a meeting to hear what his brother, the Chief Advisor had to say. Queen Drusilla, Prince Blaise and the notoriously bad-tempered Fire Priest also came.
"I believe we should create a back-up plan in case we need to resort to drastic measures. We should take the last quadruplet as one of our own." Said the Chief Advisor.
"I like your idea." The Fire King said.
"ARE YOU INSANE?" shouted the Fire Priest, whipping out his nun-chucks and smashing them through a nearby table.
"You just ruined my favourite table." Snivelled Queen Drusilla, eyes watering.
"Don't get like that, I'll get you a new one." Consoled the king.
"I sensed an unusually large amount of Fire essence inside her, probably because of her mother – our sister." Suggested the Fire's chief adviser.
"WELL THAT PROVES IT, YOU REALLY ARE INSANE!" Shouted the Fire priest.
"Excuse me!" Exclaimed Drusilla, looking scandalised.
"You're excused." Muttered the Priest under his breath.
"On social functions we should all try and bring out the Fire within her Spirit." Blaise put in.
"I will consider this, in the mean time I want tabs on both the High Princes, meeting adjourned." Ordered the king. He walked the Queen out of the room, who was still sobbing over her 'dead' table.
That night the Priests met to discuss the urgent situation. The Fire Priest relayed what he had heard in the meeting, and told his fellow priests what he had seen in his Divination Fire that afternoon.
"The rhino charged at the Blaise, but Blaise was athletic and leapt above the rhino, sweeping at the rhino with both of his short swords. The rhino glowed blue and then turned slightly transparent. Blaise's blades went straight through the rhino as if it was just water. Without time to stop or turn back into its normal self, the rhino hit the cliff behind Blaise and water splashed off. The splash reformed into the rhino, this time facing Blaise and ready for the charge. Blaise smirked and rolled to the left, dodging the charging rhino, which changed direction. Blaise leapt back and dug both daggers into the rhino. Screeching, the rhino tripped and slid a few yards. Blaise ran towards the whimpering beast and stabbed to fatal blows into the leathery skin that protected the rhino's neck. "And then the fire went out. I don't know what this vision means, but I keep seeing it, so it must be important. There isn't much more we can do until the Fates decide to reveal more to us." The Fire Priest sat back to survey the reactions to his story.
"So be it. We meet again in three days, one hour before midnight." And the Priests swept off back to their respective palaces.
*~*~*~*
"I have to agree with Mortimer's plan." Said the Air King.
"Fool proof, it is." Mortimer added.
"Sire, there must be another way! This play will lead us to doom." The Air Priest half-pleaded, he rarely came down from his chamber and when he did it was only when absolutely necessary. "I've been having prophetic dreams about the next couple of months. Vague and only half-probable as it was, it still told of a war between more then the East Elements, a great and terrible war that will sweep through this land like a plague. The future can still be changed, we can avoid this, but you must not go through with this!"
"I knew I should have never let my father ever consider this corruption. Mortimer is blood-thirsty, he's a warmonger." Morna stepped forward.
"He will use this war to kill off my father, mother and aunt. Then he will marry me and claim the throne as his own. Air will collapse; listen to the Priest father! " She was almost in tears at the thought of marrying Mortimer. "He just wants war."
"I want a different thing." Mortimer crooned, moving his eyes up and down Morna's silky gold gown.
"Save for the bedroom, Mortimer." Advised the Air Priest. "Your chances of survival will be higher." Mortimer stood up to confront the Priest.
"Sit down or you'll be expelled from my counsel." Ordered the king. Mortimer sat down glaring at everyone, then pretending to be interested in the papers in front of him.
The King spoke, "The way I see it, if we don't convert High Prince Waylen and Earth and Water do, we'll be the weak Element. Seizing this chance will not only stop the other Elements from walking all over us, it will put us above them. Spirit are weakened, now is our chance to prove that Air can rule the West Elements. We will then lead this kingdom to victory over the East Elements and I will be able to rule in peace." The counsel exchanged various looks.
"Well, when you put it that way, I'm all for it. I'm putting in my vote for war, so that's three votes. Tomorrow, we are to war." The Air Queen said at last, looking down her elegant nose at the Priest. Next to her, the Lesser Queen nodded in agreement.
Mortimer grinned smugly at Morna. "Super." He said softly.
"War is coming." Morna whispered. She looked at her father, giving him her best pleading look. But his face had hardened and he looked set. "At least I tried."
*~*~*~*
Three men ran through the Fire village, getting slower with every step. Slipping in to stealth mode, they snuck quickly up to the temple. Each man chose a pillar and hid behind it. Two Fireguards came around a corner, talking. As they disappeared past a couple huts the men silently drew their swords and blasted though the door, using magick to mute the blast.
More guards were posted at either side of the door and half a dozen more patrolled the staircases on either side of the hall. The blast flung the temple doors into the doormen and blinded the rest of the guards. The three men stole into the temple, killing the door guards and sheathing their swords. The three intruders drew their bows and fired, rolling and sprinting for cover, the intruders shot as many arrows as they could, straining to claim their targets through the dust that clouded the air. One guard tried to slip past them to alert the town, only to be shot and dragged back out of sight by one of the three men. Moving swiftly and silently the three men ran up the stairs followed a winding hall up to a set of white double doors.
Opening them fast it revealed Prince Blaise doing some paperwork behind a large, expensive looking desk. Glancing up, Blaise saw his attackers and sent out a quick magical distress signal. He spun out of his chair, tossing a letter opener into one of the intruder's eye as he went. Thick blood ran down the man's face and he fell to the ground screeching. The other two intruders nocked their bows, ready to begin firing when a pack of underlings leapt on them, killing all three with their nasty little swords. Without speaking they carried the corpses out.
By m00nstorm77
Chapter Six
Dorian swayed from side to side as he climbed up the stony path, his eyes blurred and he struggled to see the people in front. He had made this trip many times that day, Nora wanted to move camp in just the one day, but the new camp was a ten miles away and there was so much food that even the people had to carry things. Dorian had been up since before sunrise, and now, by the stars, he guessed it was shortly before midnight. 'Last trip.' He kept repeating in his head.
"We're here." Rang out a voice from the front of the line.
Dorian stumbled into the new cave. Dropping the sacks that had been rubbing his shoulders for the last few hours. Leaning against the wall he waited until he could feel his hands again before unrolling his bedroll and sliding into it. The others began to do the same, seeming just as exhausted as he was. At last, Dorian slept.
A donging noise woke the camp at midday. Dorian ran outside to investigate the noise, feeling fatigued after his long day of work and long night of rest. Sprinting around the mountain, chasing the source of the ringing he turned a corner and stopped suddenly.
It seemed he was caught in an invisible net. Using his power to break it he stepped forward, the valley before him shimmered and a city appeared with East Element standards flying in the breeze. Tall buildings towered in the centre and a thick wall surrounded the city. A bell tower seemed to be what had woken the camp.
"A hidden city." Dorian murmured. A soft wind blew past Dorian's ears, carrying the words "Rebels! In the mountains!" Back at the cave he gathered everyone and showed them what he had just seen, guiding them through hole in the shield that he had blown. But Nora looked worried.
"What if they have sensors to detect if someone attacks their shield? What if they send a battalion to investigate? Or an army? Dorian, I don't like the look of this."
Dorian paled. "I heard something.'
Nora turned to him. "What?"
"The wind – I heard something on the wind – 'rebels, in the mountain'. What if you're right and they're on their way now?"
Nora frowned, looking out over the valley. "Wait, there!" She pointed to the neighbouring mountain, where the mouth to a cave visibly showed signs of a similar camp to theirs. A battalion of East Elements soldiers were moving up the slopes to meet the habitants of the cave
"It must be them they saw." Said Dorian.
"We're not moving camp." Decreed Nora. "Our position is still safe. The entrance to our cave isn't visible. There's a forest nearby where we can find game, our cave is perfect for setting booby traps for those who wish us harm. Soon we can even begin to launch small attacks on their stupid city."
"Yes, but Nora, that would mean we'd have to be alert all the time. We'll have to set up watches and be ready to move into the forest at any time. Do you think we should make preparations? Hide food and weapons in the forest? Prepare attack formations in case they come at us? I think that would be wise Nora."
"Yes. Every second we are here is bought time. They will find us. I just want to be ready to kick their arses when that happens."
*~*~*~*
In the Fire Palace the King called a meeting to hear what his brother, the Chief Advisor had to say. Queen Drusilla, Prince Blaise and the notoriously bad-tempered Fire Priest also came.
"I believe we should create a back-up plan in case we need to resort to drastic measures. We should take the last quadruplet as one of our own." Said the Chief Advisor.
"I like your idea." The Fire King said.
"ARE YOU INSANE?" shouted the Fire Priest, whipping out his nun-chucks and smashing them through a nearby table.
"You just ruined my favourite table." Snivelled Queen Drusilla, eyes watering.
"Don't get like that, I'll get you a new one." Consoled the king.
"I sensed an unusually large amount of Fire essence inside her, probably because of her mother – our sister." Suggested the Fire's chief adviser.
"WELL THAT PROVES IT, YOU REALLY ARE INSANE!" Shouted the Fire priest.
"Excuse me!" Exclaimed Drusilla, looking scandalised.
"You're excused." Muttered the Priest under his breath.
"On social functions we should all try and bring out the Fire within her Spirit." Blaise put in.
"I will consider this, in the mean time I want tabs on both the High Princes, meeting adjourned." Ordered the king. He walked the Queen out of the room, who was still sobbing over her 'dead' table.
That night the Priests met to discuss the urgent situation. The Fire Priest relayed what he had heard in the meeting, and told his fellow priests what he had seen in his Divination Fire that afternoon.
"The rhino charged at the Blaise, but Blaise was athletic and leapt above the rhino, sweeping at the rhino with both of his short swords. The rhino glowed blue and then turned slightly transparent. Blaise's blades went straight through the rhino as if it was just water. Without time to stop or turn back into its normal self, the rhino hit the cliff behind Blaise and water splashed off. The splash reformed into the rhino, this time facing Blaise and ready for the charge. Blaise smirked and rolled to the left, dodging the charging rhino, which changed direction. Blaise leapt back and dug both daggers into the rhino. Screeching, the rhino tripped and slid a few yards. Blaise ran towards the whimpering beast and stabbed to fatal blows into the leathery skin that protected the rhino's neck. "And then the fire went out. I don't know what this vision means, but I keep seeing it, so it must be important. There isn't much more we can do until the Fates decide to reveal more to us." The Fire Priest sat back to survey the reactions to his story.
"So be it. We meet again in three days, one hour before midnight." And the Priests swept off back to their respective palaces.
*~*~*~*
"I have to agree with Mortimer's plan." Said the Air King.
"Fool proof, it is." Mortimer added.
"Sire, there must be another way! This play will lead us to doom." The Air Priest half-pleaded, he rarely came down from his chamber and when he did it was only when absolutely necessary. "I've been having prophetic dreams about the next couple of months. Vague and only half-probable as it was, it still told of a war between more then the East Elements, a great and terrible war that will sweep through this land like a plague. The future can still be changed, we can avoid this, but you must not go through with this!"
"I knew I should have never let my father ever consider this corruption. Mortimer is blood-thirsty, he's a warmonger." Morna stepped forward.
"He will use this war to kill off my father, mother and aunt. Then he will marry me and claim the throne as his own. Air will collapse; listen to the Priest father! " She was almost in tears at the thought of marrying Mortimer. "He just wants war."
"I want a different thing." Mortimer crooned, moving his eyes up and down Morna's silky gold gown.
"Save for the bedroom, Mortimer." Advised the Air Priest. "Your chances of survival will be higher." Mortimer stood up to confront the Priest.
"Sit down or you'll be expelled from my counsel." Ordered the king. Mortimer sat down glaring at everyone, then pretending to be interested in the papers in front of him.
The King spoke, "The way I see it, if we don't convert High Prince Waylen and Earth and Water do, we'll be the weak Element. Seizing this chance will not only stop the other Elements from walking all over us, it will put us above them. Spirit are weakened, now is our chance to prove that Air can rule the West Elements. We will then lead this kingdom to victory over the East Elements and I will be able to rule in peace." The counsel exchanged various looks.
"Well, when you put it that way, I'm all for it. I'm putting in my vote for war, so that's three votes. Tomorrow, we are to war." The Air Queen said at last, looking down her elegant nose at the Priest. Next to her, the Lesser Queen nodded in agreement.
Mortimer grinned smugly at Morna. "Super." He said softly.
"War is coming." Morna whispered. She looked at her father, giving him her best pleading look. But his face had hardened and he looked set. "At least I tried."
*~*~*~*
Three men ran through the Fire village, getting slower with every step. Slipping in to stealth mode, they snuck quickly up to the temple. Each man chose a pillar and hid behind it. Two Fireguards came around a corner, talking. As they disappeared past a couple huts the men silently drew their swords and blasted though the door, using magick to mute the blast.
More guards were posted at either side of the door and half a dozen more patrolled the staircases on either side of the hall. The blast flung the temple doors into the doormen and blinded the rest of the guards. The three men stole into the temple, killing the door guards and sheathing their swords. The three intruders drew their bows and fired, rolling and sprinting for cover, the intruders shot as many arrows as they could, straining to claim their targets through the dust that clouded the air. One guard tried to slip past them to alert the town, only to be shot and dragged back out of sight by one of the three men. Moving swiftly and silently the three men ran up the stairs followed a winding hall up to a set of white double doors.
Opening them fast it revealed Prince Blaise doing some paperwork behind a large, expensive looking desk. Glancing up, Blaise saw his attackers and sent out a quick magical distress signal. He spun out of his chair, tossing a letter opener into one of the intruder's eye as he went. Thick blood ran down the man's face and he fell to the ground screeching. The other two intruders nocked their bows, ready to begin firing when a pack of underlings leapt on them, killing all three with their nasty little swords. Without speaking they carried the corpses out.