Author's Notes: Yeah yeah yeah, I know that I'm JUST getting around to typing and posting this whole thing. Upside, it's all written, all of the rest of this fic! Yay!
Chapter 6: Years Later
They were wed not long after with the blessings of the four angels and four keepers of the elements. For two years they stayed together, him fighting and protecting their people, her forging weapons and armor of unsurpassed strength and beauty. Then, two years to the day of their wedding, she bore him a child; a son named Rey who would bear his father's fighting talent, and nearly rival his mother's skills with metal and gems.
Yet, one night while Rey was still but a youth, his father stole away from his wedding bed. Neither mother nor child knew he was to be sent to the front line of the war. And none knew what would happen on that fated day three months later…
"Hold there in the front ranks! It's only a few Buels!" he shouted as he noticed the bowing of the front ranks. Of course, it was only a few Buels, easily slain, but their spells could kill a man, and the sudden vision of approaching Bombs was bad for the morale of the soldiers.
"The men can't handle Bombs," Corin's voice came from his shoulder. Initially, after the Trail, Drewel had mistrusted his faithful retainer, for Crysil had told him of the truth of Corin and the unknown Leon. Yet quickly their trust grew stronger than before.
"This, something isn't right about this," Drewel mumbled.
"I agree. I think she wants to draw you out my friend," Corin offered.
"Why? Even if I die there is a heir," the prince said as he clipped the wings of a Buel and then slew it.
"She needs a knight, so that she can strengthen and ground her magic. And she has before attempted to woo you to her side."
"I would never join her!" came Drewel's response as he cut another Buel in half.
Yet suddenly he was alone, the Buels gone, and he was surrounded by only Bombs. A sudden blast of fire, and then he gave into the darkness of sleep that beckoned him.
"Why have we not heard from the Crown Prince!" she demanded angrily at the breakfast table.
"My Lady," the King spoke softly, "one must be patient. Lord Corin said all has been well since he left his presence."
That was not comforting to her, because at that moment a messenger burst through the doors, scaring the guards. And that messenger bore the mixed symbol of the front line, the black fire that marked him as a follower of Drewel and Corin.
"My King, I bear word of your son," he gasped out.
Crysil quickly looked to her friend Nitasha, who was at this point Head Chef and was quietly conversing about the evening meal with the Queen. A simple signal from the smith caused the woman to nod politely and excuse herself. The older female took the child Rey with her to the kitchens with a promise of a sweet treat.
"You may speak," the King said as he sent the others out.
"Lord," he began nervously, indicating bad news, "Lord Corin had hoped that his fear was wrong, but it has come to be. Last month the Prince disappeared, believed to have gone off with a small group to pick at the enemy forces. Unfortunately, he has been found, and at the side of Sorceress Xera. Lord, he lead her troops in her name and nearly wiped out the front lines."
"What?" the King demanded, "What do you mean by this"!"
"He…" Crysil Mercale-Loire whispered, "is the sorceress Knight."