Of Dragons and Foxes
Arc 1
Chapter 3
Well here is my third chapter
From now on I will cheat a bit using the TDP novel as a base for the chapters, of course since it is a Fanfic will see changes, but some parts will be from the novel to save me time and I can publish more chapters more often
I will also mention how I will divide the fic
Arc 1 is phase 1, that is, S1, S2 and S3 of the series, from Arc 2 it would be my original content
When we finish S1 (Part 1 of Arc 1) I think I'll start some short TDP fics (possibly another corssover with Naruto, Overlord or mass Effect, these probably won't be full fics to see if I can inspire other writers to write) but don't worry this time off wouldn't take long and we'll be back before you know it :D
Some of these fics are also to practice my skills as a writer
About the extra fics I plan
Nartuo x TDP = This would be one where Naruto was born in the world of TDP and is in a relationship with Claudia
Overlord x TDP = Ainz discovers the continent where TDP occurs and feels curious, after conquering the continent where he arrived, he approached this continent to try to conquer it in other ways, feeling special curiosity in Callum and Rayla, not only because of their relationship but because of what it could produce in the future, which ignites his collector's spirit
Mass Effect x TDP = (Not very convinced) The Andromeda expedition ends up discovering a planet with only 1 continent divided in two, fortunately, peace seems to be returning thanks to a group of 2 princes and a murderess after seeing their technological levels and their special abilities, they want to help and elevate them / (The other possibility) A group of explorers find a planet inhabited by 2 species, with one of the species with v6 subspecies, their abilities are extraordinary and quite impressed the Council of the Citadel, deciding to help them technologically and accept them into the galactic community, inviting the young King Ezran, his brother and High Mage Callum and his personal bodyguard (and apparently the mage's partner) Rayla
TDP 1 = A little post S4 fic, after a LONG talk Callum and Rayla get back together, but everything will be put to the test when the other kingdoms send marriage requests to Callum
TDP 2 = AU During a trip, Callum meets a friend of his from before he became a prince and apparently when they were children Callum had made a childish promise to marry her in the future, his friend tries everything possible to re-win the Wizard's attention, but he is loyal to his elf, Comedy and reunion in this short fic
TDP 3 = AU Evil Callum, In this fic Ezran dies along with Harrow and the council appoints Callum as the King by the law of the Orphan Queen, his first action is to talk to the only elf they managed to capture (Evil Rayla), this reveals that she is part of a group known as the Order of the Fallen Star, an order of "Fallen" of each type of elves, these being are elfs who practice Dark magic, she also reveals that her order wants peace with humans and the only way to get it is to destroy the Dragon and seal the Primal Sourcer so that no one else can connect to them, forcing the elves to adopt Dark Magic and becoming Fallen
TDP 4 = Peace came 35 years before the start of Canon, Runaan is the leader of the Crownguard of Katolis and live with his husband and adoptive daughter Rayla, who is a close friend to the princes, with a crush on Prince Callum
TDP 5 = 25 years after the end of S3, we see the twins Sara and Aranon son and daughter of Callum and Rayla together with their friends Prince Sebas(Name placeholder) Son of Ezran and Ellis and Loren son of Soren and Nyx. They will live adventures at the Katolis Royal Academy
"Dialogue"
Thoughts
Kurama speaking
powerful voices
-places-
=Time=
-City of Katolis-
-Room of the princes-
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Torrential rain pounded on Katolis Castle, the sky darkened at night and stormy clouds, only illuminating for small moments thanks to lightning bolts too far away to be heard
Wrapped in his warm sheets, was Prince Ezran, comfortably stretched out in his large bed worthy of his status as a prince, the only light inside the room coming from the candles. A few knocks sounded at the door and the soft voice of the King came from behind it.
"Can i pass?"
Ezran replied from his bed "You are the King, I don't think you should ask"
With a small laugh the King opened the door
"Kings don't, but a father does" King Harrow said as he entered his son's room, reaching the bed he sits on the edge of it giving Bait a small pat on the head
The king approached Ezran and arranged his blankets. "Are you comfortable cozy?"
"Comfortable Cozy" Ezran replied "You can sing now"
The King chuckled and began to sing in a soft, melodious voice a lullaby that he had sung since the death of Ezran's mother.
"The Sun is down, and the Moon is high.
Baby yawns wide with a sleepy sigh.
The Sky fills up with Stars that blink.
Baby's eyelids start to sink.
The Ocean kisses the Earth good night.
The waves say hushhh… little babe, sleep tight."
"I love that you still sing that song to me, even if it's for children, it makes me happy"
"Good" replied the King
"Will you still sing to me when I'm older?"
"If you want me to, then yes."
"Even when I'm the King?"
Harrow hesitated for a moment in his answer, but then he affectionately replied, "I'll always take care of you, even when you're the King." When he finished speaking, he leaned over and kissed Ezran on the forehead, a moment where Ezran always yawned, being hit by a wave of drowsiness
"Goodnight, sweet prince," Harrow said as he headed for the door, only to stop and glance into the next room. "And goodnight to you too, Calla."
"Nights!" Answered Calla, Ezran's half-sister, without looking up from a drawing she was making.
Harrow opened the door again to leave, but before leaving, he looked towards one of the dark corners of the room, untouched by the candlelight, "Good night to you too." Harrow left the room and closed the door behind him
Calla continued with her drawings, over the years she had become quite good, combining that with her almost perfect memory results in her being able to draw anything just by looking at it once, now she was drawing herself, dressed as a knight in shining armor and with her mother's spear, fighting a dragon with the help of his crush, Naruto
CRUSH
A bolt of lightning resounded throughout the room.
"CALLA, NARUTO!" Ezran yelled from his bed, clearly startled by the loud sounds of thunder.
Calla, stopped her drawing, and closed her drawing book "It's okay Ez" after calming Ezran down with her words, she got up and walked towards her little brother
Ezran saw Calla approaching his bed and behind her was Naruto, something that did not surprise the young prince or princess, after all, since that day when Naruto swore allegiance to them, he is always close, the fact that the King said it goodnight to him before leaving, it proved that he was in the room, like almost every night, only leaving them when they want privacy, either by asking subtly or loudly, or when they fall asleep.
"It's okay to be scared, Ez." Calla said as she reached Ezran's bed and sat on the edge.
"I wasn't scared, but Bait was" The young prince replied, with the Glow Toad changing color to a red one implying that he did not appreciate the accusation, but he soon returned to his natural color, after all, the grumpy Glow Toad could not stay angry with Ezran for a long time "He says he would feel better if you sleep with us"
Calla smiled at her younger brother and slipped between the sheets to sleep with Ezran so that he wouldn't be so afraid, Calla didn't mind doing this much, she adored her younger brother and rarely denied him anything, besides if this helped her brother sleep better, who was she to refuse
"Naruto? Can you stay? Not in the shadows?" Ezran asked
With a small laugh Naruto replied "Yeah sure" and pulling out a book from somewhere, he sat on a nearby chair and began to read.
"Thank you…" Ezran said as he drifted off to sleep "Brother" was the last thing he said before he was embraced by sleep and fell asleep.
The fact of being called Brother by Ezran was not unusual for Naruto, after all after so many years together Ezran began to see Naruto as an older brother whom he loved almost as much as his sister (although Calla will always be more important to Ezran) and Naruto began to think Ezran as a younger brother
Naruto just smiled and continued reading, until the siblings fell asleep, at which point he left the room to return to his own.
-City of Katolis-
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The dawn sun bathed the kingdom of Katolis, the birds sang their morning songs.
Naruto woke up with a knock on his door, with a loud sigh Naruto got out of bed with some effort due to how early in the morning it was.
"Yes, how can I help you?" Said Naruto opening the door, in a sleepy voice, only to find a young soldier.
The young soldier standing at the door trembled. He was wet and covered in mud from head to toe and a stream of blood ran down his cheek.
Looking at this, Naruto immediately woke up "What's up Soldier?" he ask with a serious voice
The soldier stifled a sob.
"SOLDIER! CONTROL YOURSELF!" shouted the ninja
The soldier swallowed.
"Lord Naruto, I saw something in the royal forest"
Naruto now fully awake and calmer, he began to look at the soldier better, he was one of his own, that is, one of the soldiers most loyal to him and the King before the other Lords of the Katolis court, he was a young man named Marcos, Soren's subordinate , and seemed to be quite scared, whatever he saw scared him enough, Naruto looked at the soldier and motioned for him to continue
"I was on my patrol, you see, and then there was lightning, and I saw a group… a group of of them chased me. She had blades twice the size of her arms. I was sure that I was Dead. But somehow, I got away. The killer... well, I think she may have decided to forgive me. I ran straight towards you….I think they were Moonshadow Elves"
"Moonshadow Elves? Are you sure?"
"Yes sir"
"Strange, they are not known for forgiving their victims….." If this is true, maybe this Moonshadow elf can help break the thought cycle Nartuo though
"I-I know the story must sound far-fetched, sir," the soldier stammered. "But at that time there was some strange connection between me and the elf. She had me cornered, and then…it was like she felt bad for me. she stopped chasing me and I had a chance to run….my lord….could this be the moment we were waiting for? A chance for peace?
"Maybe…..but right now we have other problems, the other elves, the one that forgive you could help us on the path of peace, but the others….came for the King, go to rest soldier and report to your superior"
"Sir, I believe Lord Viren might have been informed of this as well."
"Yes, his spies are skilled, surely he already knows about this, if he has stopped his obsession with that mirror that he found in the Dragon King's lair"
After saying that, Naruto left his room and went to talk to the King, while the soldier went to carry out his last orders.
Upon reaching the King's room, the soldier posted outside informed him that Lord Viren had already entered, Naruto thanked the soldier (one of his own) and entered the room just as Harrow was speaking.
"I didn't tell you that if you woke me up so early again I would have you executed" The King was saying to Lord Viren when he saw Naruto who had just entered the room
"Naruto?" asked the King
"It seems the consequences of your revenge have arrived, King of Wrath"
Menacing , Calla thought. The royal trees cast the most menacing shadows. Calla loved drawing in the castle courtyard, the light was always perfect, but today, the shadows were catching his attention.
She pulled her sketchbook and pencil from her shoulder bag and started a quick sketch. She drew rapidly, glancing between the shadows and the page. The shadows of the branches on the courtyard stones seemed as stiff as skeletons. She turned to a new page in her sketchbook, but a long shadow of a figure crept onto the paper, obscuring the leaves. Calla recognized the broad shoulders and thick neck, the full battle armor. The high mage's son, Soren, loomed over her.
"Hey, that's pretty good work, Step-Princes Calla," Soren said. "But it's time to stop messing around. You have to work on your spearmanship, and I have to teach you the skills." Soren clapped Calla on the back, sending her sketchbook and pencil flying.
"Yes, of course Soren" Calla answered, then it was a tradition in the Kingdom of Katolis that princes learn the use of the sword and princesses the use of the spear, plus the fact that her mother was a spear user only made her wanted to master the discipline more, normally she would get frustrated because learning was extremely difficult and she kept failing, but two things kept her training, one was her love for her Stepfather, wanting to be the Princess that he surely thinks she can be and the other is Naruto, a hard working person who never gives up, no matter what it is Naruto would never give up and that inspired Calla a lot (Besides the fact that she wanted to impress her crush)
...A few hours later…
Calla and Soren had been practicing for two hours, Calla was a little tired, but with the corner of her eye she managed to see Naruto something that made her happy, but that joy dissipated a bit when she saw that he came with Claudia, as the years went by, Calla and Claudia have become very good friends and although they both had a crush on the same person, that never got in the way of their friendship, but despite the fact that she had a healthy competition for her crush's attention, that did not prevent Calla from feeling something jealous, wanting to impress Naruto Calla tries some new moves she finds Soren, who easily fends off these
"What was that?" Soren asked
Calla's response came non-verbally, her eyes drifting slightly to where Naruto and Claudia were standing.
"Ohhh. I see what's going on here."
He offered a conspiratorial smirk. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll help. You come at me." He backed away and held up his sword.
Calla closed her eyes and bent down low. Then she ran at Soren, yelling like a maniac, and thrust her spear out. They clashed. Calla thrust again with all her might, and they clashed again. she swung once more, but this time hit air. When Calla opened her eyes, Soren was lying on the ground, clutching his side in mock agony.
"Oh, I've been stabbed!" Soren cried out
Calla grinned. Sometimes Soren wasn't so bad.
"Stabbed so, so hard! By the stab-princes, Lady Stabbington."
Calla thought "stab-princes'' had a nicer ring to it than "step-princes." And it was weirdly nice of Soren to help with Naruto like this, though he might have been laying it on a little thick.
"All right, Soren, you can get up now," Calla said.
"I cannot!" Soren yelled. "I'm only seventeen, but now I lay dying. Look! Spurt! Spurt!" Soren pointed at invisible blood exploding from his nonexistent wound. At the other end of the courtyard, Claudia and Naruto laughed.
"Good job, shut up" Claudia said between laughs "He deserves it"
"After he abandoned me in that tavern to chase that barmaid, he deserves more, one would say that he would learn his lesson after the 3rd but nooooo" over the years Naruto and Soren had become very good friends and from From time to time they would go out to town to "paint it red", for example once while in Del Bar, they both ended up involved in a bar fight that covered the entire street, they ended up being the only ones standing at the end of the night.
Calla went over to where Naruto was to talk to him, but she noticed something in him, after years together she learned to detect the subtleties in Naruto, this time going from smiling and apparently in a good mood he was actually somewhat annoyed and worried, something Calla quickly noticed.
"Everything alright Naruto?" I ask be quiet
"Hmm? If I'm fine, shut up"
"Don't lie Naruto, you're worried about something, what is it? I know you pretty well, I know when something bothers or worries you."
Caludia frowned, she hadn't detected any of that in Naruto, to her he seemed like his Happy self
"It's nothing Calla, just a problem with the Primal Stone I ordered"
Calla did not believe that, but she stopped pressing her friend, shortly after Naruto left the area saying that she had work
The 3 friends continued talking for a few moments until a soldier wearing an orange sash, indicating being from Naruto's faction, approached.
"Princess Calla, the king wishes to see you"
(OK what comes next is almost a 1:1 transcription of the book since there aren't many changes here, I'm not sure if I should put it but I'll put it in this chapter and if you don't like it I'll stop doing it)
Meanwhile, in the depths of the castle, Ezran and Bait went about their morning routine.
"What do you think Barius is baking this morning?" Ezran asked Bait. They were sitting in one of the castle's many secret tunnels. Most people (and glow toads) didn't even know about the tunnels, but together, Ezran and Bait had developed a keen talent for locating and opening false walls. This morning's secret passage was near the kitchen; buttery aromas wafted above their heads.
Bait blinked his amphibian eyes and licked his lips. He was pretty sure he smelled their most favorite treat.
"Yeah, I think I smell jelly tarts too!" Ezran said. He peered out of the metal grate at the end of the passage. Sure enough, Barius was placing a tray of fresh
tarts on the table.
Not yet, not yet … Ezran thought. He knew from experience that he needed to time these things just right. Even though Barius baked hundreds of tarts a day even though he could bake tarts in his sleep he always made such a fuss when he caught Ezran swiping a tart. In fact, Ezran thought it was funny that Barius made the sweetest, sugariest treats in all the kingdom, because the baker himself was a royal sourpuss.
After an eternity, Barius finally waddled off to work on something else.
Ezran slowly slid the grate to the side. Then he scampered to the tray and snagged a piping-hot tart.
The very first bite scorched his mouth, but he continued to sink his teeth into the buttery crust. Some things were worth a sore tongue.
"Prince Ezran! I caught you!" Barius yelled from across the kitchen.
Ezran froze, but then took another enormous bite. "Ohhh. I'm sorry, Barius. I thought these were the throwaways."
"Throwaways? Did you see the perfect golden crust? The impeccable triangular shapes? Why are you still chewing? Put that down!"
"I mean, now this one is a mess-up," Ezran said. "I've already bitten into it; you might as well let me have it."
Barius raised his bushy gray eyebrows in disbelief at the young prince's cheekiness. People around here didn't appreciate him nearly enough. Running a castle kitchen was no small feat. The only reason it ran so smoothly was because of the military-like procedures he'd put in place for himself. He started up the oven at six o'clock sharp every morning. He baked tarts, cookies, and other treats in batches of exactly twelve. He distributed them in batches of twelve too. One could not request fifty tarts for a party. It could be only forty-eight or sixty. (Someday, he wouldn't have to tell party organizers that rule over and over again.) But he never compromised quality for quantity. He was exacting in all his measurements, precise with his whipping techniques. And for his jelly tarts, he used only the finest imported jams. He carefully whisked the batter for exactly eight minutes. He shaped each tart into a perfectly equilateral triangle.
And now the prince had gobbled up his precious creation. The entire batch would have to be thrown out. Eleven tarts simply would not do. He looked toward the ceiling and launched into a rant about this new generation of disrespectful children.
But Ezran was watching closely. Once he was certain the baker was completely immersed in his list of grievances, Ezran gave Bait the signal: He wiped jelly off his face with the back of his left hand.
Never one to take a chance when it came to sweets, Bait immediately flicked his enormous tongue out and lapped up three tarts from the tray. He stuffed them in his cheeks for safekeeping. Could he risk another swipe?
He flicked his tongue again, but the tarts stuffed in his cheeks made it awkward. He was slow. Too slow. Barius tore off his chef's hat and charged at Bait. The glow toad found his speed again. This wasn't the first time he'd been chased around the kitchen.
Ezran smiled. This morning was going quite well. He scooped the rest of the tarts into his shirt and escaped through the secret passage. He and Bait would meet later to divide their spoils.
Calla arrived at the throne room doors out of breath. She was surprised to find Ezran there, holding Bait and anxiously eating jelly tarts.
"So, he wants to see you too?" Callum asked. "I wonder what this is about."
Ezran shrugged. "Should we go in?"
The siblings pushed open a heavy door and peeked inside. The throne room, with its soaring ceilings and stone columns, was one of the most intimidating places in the castle; the sheer size could make even a prince feel insignificant. A long crimson carpet ran from the entrance to the foot of the hand-carved throne that had occupied this room for centuries. Standing candelabras cast shadows over the marble floors.
In the middle of the great hall, the king, Lord Viren, Naruto and a number of attendants stood huddled around a long table. A three-dimensional map of the five human kingdoms and Xadia was laid out before them. It looked like a table game, with pieces representing the various armies and miniature terrain delineated by kingdoms.
But this was not a game; this was the place where the powerful discussed trade routes, treaties, and other things of international importance. In more troubled times, the table was used to devise battle strategies. King Harrow stood over the table, his brow furrowed. But as soon as he saw Calla and Ezran, his expression filled with joy and delight.
"Calla! Ezran" the king called out. He hurried toward the children, a glowing smile on his face. "I am so glad to see you."
He gave his tow children a huge bear hug.
"Hi, Dad!" Ezran said.
King Harrow put one hand on each of his children' shoulders. "I've got a big surprise for you. You two are going on a trip!"
"We are? Where?" Calla asked.
"You're going to the Banther Lodge! And you're leaving today," the king said. He was all smiles, but Calla detected a worried look in his eyes.
"But, it's spring," Calla said. "That's the winter lodge."
"Yeah, and why are we leaving today?" Ezran wanted to know. "What will we do? Everything fun there has to do with snow or ice." His voice had gotten a little whiny.
"Well … Use your imagination," the king said. "Maybe you could invent new versions of your favorite winter games, but using dirt and rocks. I know! You could build a dirtman. You know, like a snowman, but made of … dirt!"
Ezran gave the king a suspicious look. "You're acting weird. Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," the king answered. "Oh, I've got it! What about mudsledding? That could be a thing. Nothing weird about that!"
Calla shook her head. "Now you're just digging the hole deeper."
"Hole-digging contests! Now you've got it, Calla."
Calla looked at Ezran and then down at the ground. She could tell that despite the king's cheer, something wasn't right. I don't want to be rude to the king, Calla thought, but …
King Harrow bent down so he could look into the boys' eyes. His expression changed, and he lowered his voice.
"Look, all kidding aside, this is something I need you to do. You'll leave before sundown, Naruto is going with you two"
"But, Dad," Ezran interrupted.
"I don't want to hear any protests, Ezran. Go get packed."
The siblings left quietly; it was clear to both that something was up.
As they left the room, Ezran went ahead to go pack while Calla stayed behind, deep in thought, she went out to a nearby terrace to get some air and meditate with the meditation techniques that her mother and Naruto had taught her, but at Going out to the terrace, she heard a voice coming from an open window, it was Viren's voice and he seemed to be talking to Soren.
"Moonshadow elves have been sighted nearby" The Dark Mage began "Your mission is to find them and kill them, Naruto will go with you, keep an eye on him, that lover of peace will surely try to negotiate, the naive idiot"
"But how will I find them?" Soren asked
"She will use this Lunar Moth, they are attracted to Moon Magic, they will be attracted to the elves" Viren replied.
Calla decided to leave before Viren or Soren decided to look out the window and see her there.
-Katolis Royal Forest-
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The Lunar Moth, took the group to a certain clearing with some trees, the Moth stopped in a tree
"There's nothing here" Soren said "This stupid moth, it led us to a place with no one, I guess we just have to wait, let's go" Soren started to leave but he noticed that Naruto was looking at one of the trees in particular "Nartuo what are you doing ?"
"Hmm? Excuse me Soren, it's just that this tree looks beautiful to me, don't you think? Naruto answered not taking his eyes off the tree.
"It's just a tree" replied the son of the Dark Mage
"Maybe, but I consider it beautiful"
"Sometimes you can be really weird, you know that?"
"I've been told that often" The Ninja replied, without taking his eyes off the tree "You know what I find strange? What the elves are doing, surely they justify it by calling it justice, but it is simple revenge, they dont bother to send a message asking that the King must answer for his actions or an arrest attempt so that he can receive a fair trial, it is only an eye for an eye and my good friend Soren, an eye for an eye, the world goes blind, I really expected a little more from the elves...If the elves were here, do you know what I would ask them?"
Soren was silent for a moment thinking that his father was right and Naruto was going to negotiate if they found them but he didn't know if that was a bad thing or not "What would you ask him?" he say at the end
"If they think that the King's actions are justice or revenge, after all the King killed Thunder because Thunder killed his wife, so the King's actions, from the elves' perspective, were revenge or justice? If they think that their actions now are justice, should they think that the King's actions are justice?, or don't they think that because we are human?
Soren listened quietly to what his best friend was saying, it made sense after all but a question arose from the young knight "What do you think?"
"That the King's actions were revenge, just like what the elves are about to do, after all Soren" Naruto said turning around and moving to his horse "An eye for an eye the world goes blind"
…
..
.
After the soldiers left the clearing, the trees disappeared revealing elves, the tree Naruto was looking at revealed a 15 year old elf named Rayla, the youngest of the group and an apprentice to the group leader, Runaan, her cheeks flushed red by the words of the blond masked human but was pulled from her thoughts when Runaan, her teacher and one of her father figures spoke
"You lied to me" his voice was soft but it was indisputable that he was furious "you let him live"
As Runaan said that, the weight of her actions hit Rayla but the blow was lessened by the masked blond's words, which, unbeknownst to the young elf, had been burned into her mind, from the beginnin she was not sure about this mission, and now after listening to the masked man these doubts had only grown, but the fact that her actions could cause the death of everyone present continued to weigh on Rayla.
"Runaan, I'm sorry!" Rayla began, "The human looked at me and she could see the fear in his eyes… ..how could I kill him? He never did anything to me, he was innocent"
Runaan looked at Rayla for a moment.
"Runaan, she betrayed us" came the voice of one of the elves present.
"It's true Runaan, she has put us all at risk, no elf has failed like this in years, you know what tradition tells you to do" Said another of the assassins present
Rayla was surprised by the coldness of her companions, who turned their backs on her for just one mistake, a mistake born of compassion. Weren't they the same elves that said they had more compassion than humans? But here they are, lifelong companions cold-shouldering her for a mistake born in compassion.
"Please Runaan, I will not fail you again" Rayla said.
"You have to kill her Runaan is what the tradition indicates, her weakness is an infection" Said one of the assassins
"I will not kill a child" Runaan answered "The traditional one applies to assassins, she is not a assassin, it is only a child"
"But-"
"STOP, Rayla's punishment will be like that of a child, she is out of the mission and must go home and play with other children '' said Runaan, internally thinking that this was a form of mercy and that he had saved the life of Rayla, despite his anger at her right now, she was like a daughter to him, he could never kill her.
"But Runaan..." Rayla tried to say but she only received a strong look from Runaan, that, combined with the looks of hatred and disappointment from the other assassins made her run and get away from everything with tears in her eyes.
"Runaan…." started one of the assassins
"There are more important issues to deal with, that man in a mask"
"Wasn't he supposed to be out? According to our information-"
"It is clear that our information is wrong, that man is one of the best spies alive, it is natural that he is good at counter-espionage" Runaan said, if there is luck I will be the one to face him"
…
..
.
Rayla came to a stop near a tall oak tree. She didn't know how long she'd been running, only that she had never run that far or fast before.
"I'm sorry, Runaan," Rayla said to the forest. "I am so, so sorry."
She sank down against the tree, closed her eyes, and let the tears flow like she'd let her feet run.
When she had no more tears, she pulled herself up and took in her surroundings. The sun would soon set; the assassins would approach the castle, to a certain ambush by the castle army. Because of her, the mission would cost them their lives.
Unless …
Rayla wiped her face with the back of her hand and scrambled on top of a craggy rock. She could just make out the castle in the distance. Runaan himself had said she was the fastest of the assassins. No one could soar across the forest like she could.
"I can fix this," Rayla said.
She straightened her shoulders and bowed her head. Then she leaped off the rock and ran headlong toward the destiny she had chosen.
But in the back of her mind the words of the handsome blond masked man echoed…an eye for an eye the world goes blind
Calla was walking aimlessly through the castle, a few hours ago Soren and Naruto returned to the castle, without apparent success.
Calla knew what was coming, assassins were coming to kill her stepfather
Calla was brought out of her thoughts when a soldier stood in front of her and began to speak.
"Princess Calla, the King requests her presence"
…
..
.
"You wanted to see me?" Calla asked. she poked her head tentatively into the throne room, then slid the rest of his body through the ten-inch space she'd made between the doors. The great doors slammed shut behind her.
King Harrow turned. Worry lines creased his face.
"Princes Calls," he said gravely.
Calla trudged the length of the red carpet toward his stepfather.
"My King," Calla said, and made a short, formal bow.
King Harrow seemed suddenly uncomfortable. He reached his hand out in a hesitant but reassuring manner.
"No … please relax, Calla. I didn't mean for this to be so formal," he said.
"Okay," Calla said. But she stood with his back as straight and stiff as ever.
The king looked up at the vaulted ceilings and paused. Then he looked into Calla's eyes and smiled.
"Calla, I know I'm not your birth father, but I've always wanted you to feel comfortable around me. We are family. I want you to know that …" The king took a deep breath, his brow furrowed. "Forgive me. This isn't easy to say. So, the most important things I've written down."
From deep within his royal robes the king withdrew a parchment scroll and handed it to Calla. Calla turned the scroll over carefully. It was stamped with the official red wax seal of the King of Katolis.
"A letter for me?" Calla asked.
"Yes, it's a letter for you and for your eyes only. You'll understand in time. I want you to break the seal when … Well, you'll know when."
"When you're dead," Calla burst out. "You think I don't know what's going on?"
King Harrow took a step back, his jaw slack with surprise.
"I heard about the assassins," Calla said.
The king bent down to look Calla in the eyes and put his hands on her stepdaughter's shoulders. "War is full of uncertainty, Calla," he said softly. "I hope you won't have to open this letter, but we must be prepared."
"Why can't you just do something to stop the elves?" Calla asked, close to tears. "Can't you just make peace with them? You're the king."
"It's not that simple," King Harrow said.
"It seems pretty simple to me," Calla said, her frustration building. "The elves want to live. We want to live. Everyone agrees on at least one important point."
The king smiled. After all, his stepdaughter was correct. "There are centuries of history, generations of wrongs and crimes on both sides. I know you don't want to believe it, Calla, but I'm responsible for some of those wrongs, Naruto even warn me this could happen, no...he said this would happen, but i ignored him. "
Calla stepped back. It was hard to imagine his warm, doting stepfather committing unforgivable acts, but here he was admitting to the unthinkable. What, exactly, had he done?
Calla desperately wanted to reassure the king, whose shoulders bore the burden of whatever past choices he had made. But how could she tell this man, a king, that it was time to move on?
"I've done terrible things," King Harrow said. "I thought they were necessary at the time, i thought it was justice, but in reality it was reveng. But now I have many regrets."
"There has to be a way to make it right," Calla said. "Maybe you shouldn't focus so much on the past. Maybe the humans and the elves can find a way to move forward together."
"I admire your youthful optimism," King Harrow said. "But it's too late. What is done cannot be undone."
"You're the king!" Calla pleaded. "You can do or undo anything!"
Harrow chuckled bitterly. "The great illusion of childhood is that adults have all the power and freedom. But the truth is the opposite. A child is freer than a king."
Calla gave her stepfather a skeptical stare, but she knew King Harrow was the most stubborn king in the history of Katolis. If he believed he deserved some terrible fate, there was no changing his mind.
Calla looked down at the scroll."I'm going to give this back to you this weekend, okay?" she said "I'm not going to have to open this." she searched her stepfather's face for a sign that maybe, just maybe, there was a chance he would live through this night and everything would go back to normal.
But King Harrow shook his head stoically. "Take care of your brother, Calla," he said and turned away.
Calla knew this was her cue to leave. She trudged toward the doors wondering if this was the last time she'd see the only parent she had left.
…
..
.
When Calla left the room, of the shadows Naruto emerged "I see that you have accepted your death"
"Yes..." Harrow replied with sadness in his voice.
"You should give Soren a letter too" Naruto said.
"Soren? Why should I give him a letter?"
"Because you're a father figure to him? And you are resigned to die"
"Me his father figure? He has Viren."
"Which has never been a father to Soren, he treats him as an extra or as a tool of political power and you know it"
"But I? The father figure of him?
"Who taught him how to fight with a sword?" asked after a moment the blond ninja
"I" replied the King
"Who taught him how to shave?"
"Me"
"Who gave him advice to date girls?"
"Me"
"Who comforted and helped him when his first girlfriend broke up with him?"
"Me"
"Who comforted him after his first kill?"
"Me"
"Who gave him his first beer?"
"Me"
"Who is the person Soren turns to when he needs help or advice?"
"Me"
"Congratulations, you have another son" Naruto replied with a tone somewhat irritated by the density of the King, although the irony was not lost on him, after all Naruto knew that he was dense but only when it comes to women
Harrow can't do anything but sigh heavily "You're right" he replied after a moment of silence "It's funny, it took me facing my death and for you to tell me so that I realize my relationship with Soren"
Naruto said nothing, but he took a few steps back, being consumed by the shadows and leaving the room.
As Naruto left, Harrow sat down at a table and took out a piece of parchment and a quill.
Dear Soren started….
And with this we finish chapter 3
I know it's a bit of a cheat to use the book, but it helps me write better and cut down on my writing time.
I already got Tale of Xadia, so the next update will possibly be my other TDP fic
I wish you the best