Prolog
Long Ago, Xadia, was one land rich in magic and wonder. In the old times, there were only six primal sources of magic: the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth, the sky, and the ocean but a thousand years ago two humans, a mage and a young researcher, both discovered a new magic and new power which were the seventh source. Dark magic. Dark magic uses the essence within magical creatures themselves to unleash dark power.
Horrified and amazed by what they saw the elves and dragons put a stop to the madness, They drove every last human to the west and divided the land in two, In the east, the magical lands of Xadia. And the west, the Human Kingdoms.
However one day a hundred years ago a human washed up on the shores of one of the human kingdoms. This human was an unusual one for any who challenged him from experienced warrior elves on the borders to human muggers were defeated by two swords of steel and Silver.
But for all his skills and magic all he did was work for coin and drink, any job he could find he did, one day the king himself sent out a job request and the man came and accepted, it was to drive every last elf away from the borders and keep them from infiltrating.
Terror spread through the elves at the news but instead of fight, the man called a cease fire and a meeting between the two leaders. Between the human king and the dragon king.
The Humans called him Thunder, for when he spoke, his voice shook the Earth and the sky. The two agreed to cut the border in two halves and create a truce zone for both species and so for the next hundred years an uneasy peace was made.
But on the eve of last Winter's Turn, the humans used unspeakable Dark Magic to slay Thunder. Then, without mercy, they destroyed his only egg, his heir…the Dragon Prince. Now the world stands on the edge of all-out war.
Chapter 1: of mutants, mages and elves
It was night time in the human kingdoms, in one kingdom in particular in the castle of the king to be accurate there was a boy teenage boy sleeping, his hair black as night with a single white strip at the front, wearing mostly black and dark brown clothing with some gold embroidered and some were unseen on his cloths.
These invisible embroideries became outlined at certain angles but on his torso were two sheaths holding two steel short swords while next to his bed was a longbow, quiver of arrows and a sheathed sword of steel.
The boy's piercing yellow eyes snapped open as he heard something from the other room. If you took a close look at the boy's face then you would notice that just next to the nose and right eye was a long and faded scar down his face.
The boy had awoken because he heard something from the other room where those he considered his cousins slept, it was probably the oldest of them scaring himself again.
In the aforementioned other room we see a young boy with dark skin and hair snoring as well with his pet toad that is glowing. Then the glow died down due to the boy's drool being smeared all over its face, but it licked it all up in a flash and went back to sleep.
In the next room over we see another teenage boy wearing blue clothes and a red scarf who is simply doing some drawing and pretending he is defeating some monster made of marshmallow. Then with a clap of thunder it spooked both boys.
"Callum," called out the once sleeping boy to the now named boy across the room.
"It's okay, Ezran. It's just a thunderstorm. Nothing to be afraid of. Go back to sleep," said Callum reassuring the dark-skinned boy now named Ezran.
"I wasn't scared. Bait was scared," said Ezran cuddling up to the toad named Bait which he growled in response.
Forest now
Outside of the castle, a man is walking through the forest in the middle of the storm who is a soldier on patrol until they hear rustling close by.
"Who's there," demanded the soldier wait for a response but was met with silence.
Losing patience, he continues, "Declare yourself, in the name of King Harrow!"
In a flash of lightning the soldier sees a group of elves and due to his panic, he takes a shot with his crossbow and misses. Too scared to face the elves, the soldier backstepped and made a run to the castle to warn the others but not far behind him is an elf chasing him through the treetops. Now his crossbow reloaded the soldier turns around to make the shot but once he looks back, he sees nothing but trees and bushes.
Suddenly the soldier was kicked at the chest which made him fall off the cliff that was behind him. Luckily for him he landed in a soft pit of mud. The Soldier trying to recover sees the elf jumping the cliff towards him. He tries to take aim again, but the elf knocks the crossbow off his hands and a sword close to his neck begging for mercy.
Too shocked to think of anything except for one question, "Who are you?"
The elf looked at him and through her expression it was clear she did not want to kill this man, so she let him go knowing he was close to death.
The next morning king's castle
When the sun began rising back to the tower, the pale skinned teen still snoozing until hearing both a loud slam and the shouting of an old man with a husky German accent calling out his name "Rigran wake up you little shit!".
The teen,Rigran Irzin or simple just Rigran, winced as his piercing yellow eyes opened, he didn't wince at the words themselves or the swearing he was far used to by now, but the sharp wake up call with the accent of his master didn't help in making him not wince. Rigran's Master was a Witcher from an unknown land overseas. Irzan had already passed his Witcher trials and mutation, in fact the mutation was a risk in itself as when other witcher apprentices go through mutations there are usually surviving.
"I'm up. I'm up. *yawn* What is happening that is causing you to be wound up master," said Rigran to his master as he hurriedly got his bow, quiver of arrows and silver sword slung over his back.
"Oooh, I am not angry. Just impatient is all'' quipped Rigran master, "impatient is right'' Rigran thought a she opened the door to find his master standing outside the door, "everything okay master?" Rigran asked, "Well, other than being a minute late to weapons practice, no," said his master.
His master's name was Draazan, he was of the school of the Manticore as he said and he had a manticore pendant to back it up, like Rigra, his master had black hair with a white strip but it was longer and was worn in braids. And his black beard even had a white strip in it, His master wore blue leather witcher clothing with his two longswords on his back, one steel the other silver with a wolf skin cloak over his shoulders.
"So which weapons are we practicing today?" Rigran asked, the school of the Manticore was a little different from the other schools as instead of just using two swords, Alquatil specialized in teaching Witcher how to become deadly with any weapon in hand from Axes to Katars to spears.
An expert could use a shield as a deadly weapon and even though they were none other than Draazan, years ago there was an abundance. However a Witcher from Alquatil could have one or two primary weapons(or three if you count the use of bows) and one Silver sword as Traditional among Witchers.
"Pitchforks" Draazan said, Rigran chuckled even though Draazan was serious about it, pitch forks, oh how anyone would laugh.
Inside another tower there is lord Viren examining a mirror. He caresses the markings that surround the glass's frame, but his studying was interrupted by fierce knocking at his door. Viren covers the blanket and opens the door to the soldier who was patrolling during the rain wanting to give information on what he has seen.
Viren went to the king's bedroom to wake him up by opening the curtains of the window. "Viren, didn't I tell you if you ever woke me up this early again…I'd have you executed," said King Harrow, jokingly who was rudely awakened.
The high mage clears his throat and leaves the king to make himself decent. Now both the king with his pet bird and mage now stand at the balcony in the morning sun having their talk. "So, what's so important that you come into my bedroom risking your life like this," asked king Harrow petting his bird.
"Assassins," answered Viren. "I see," said the king, unfazed by the news. "A scout on patrol discovered them just before dawn," the mage explained the information in more detail. "Well, don't look so grim. We've fought off plenty of assassins. Haven't we, Pip," said the king, being all calm about the situation and being in love with his bird.
"It's different this time. We believe they're Moonshadow elves," said the mage with worry. "Moonshadow elves? Then how did the scout escape," asked the king now curious. "I don't know. It was muddy, wet, dark…Somehow he got very lucky," explained Viren. "The Crown Guard won't be enough to hold them off," said the king, now beginning to be worried. "Send for General Amaya and the Standing Battalion," ordered Harrow.
"The Breach is too far. They'll never make it back in time," said the mage feeling dread. "What's tonight's moon," the king asked. "Full," answered Viren. "He, of course it is…," Harrow sighed. "With the Moonshadow elves at the height of their power, no defense will stand against them," said the mage solemnly.
"Then we won't defend. We will attack," said the king, now being serious. "We must find them today, in the light of the sun, and stop them before it's too late. Beside we also have our own talented monster hunter to set up traps and improve our offensive."
Hearing that causes the mage to grunt in disdain on how he does not like the Witcher, mostly because of the inhuman treatments on Rigran that would have potentially killed the boy, but at least he was a talented swordsman and hunter.
Back at the kingdom's grounds, Rigran was great kindly to many of the people in the kingdom of Katolis, hell he was the local hero when he had killed a Griffin that had been terrorizing the town by himself, Draazan killed three when he had first arrived on the shores, Draazan often expressed how surprised he was about the fact that the Griffins had owl heads instead of eagle.
On this occasion was a blacksmith girl, though she didn't look the part, other than the hands that made it obvious she could pull her own weight, the girls name was Kaja and she wore a rather sorceress like outfit, considering she had a fire primal stone on the underside of her bracelet on her right wrist, it should have burnt but she wore heat proof gloves, albeit fingerless ones and was learning sorcery it was a little hard to tell if she was a blacksmith or a sorceress.
She had brown hair with a thin sea blue headband with a golden coin on one side, the rest of her clothes consisted of a dress that covered the right shoulder shoulder and leg but not her left leg arm or shoulder. Her legs were covered by long boots that went up past the knees and net like tattoo's covered her arms, thighs and legs.
Most thought her a bit mad, but she argued that fire elves used fire magic to forge so why shouldn't humans every once in a while, some didn't like the idea but almost everyone saw sense in it, including her father who was a metal supplier. "Oh hello Rigran" said Kaja as he walked into the shop, "hey Kaja" Rigran said, How are things?I heard that they're planning on adding primal stones to swords now in another kingdom".
"True enough, I haven't got a spare primal stone yet but if you can get me one I'll see if I can make some adjustments to your sword" Kaja said, "maybe i can find one at the castle the high mage may have one or two?" Irvan offered, "that would be very appreciative" Kaja said then a barking came down the road, the two saw a man being chased by a dog.
"Looks like he needs help" Rigran said, "not the kind you give though correct?" Kaja teased as Witchers were only supposed to help monsters, Dogs weren't necessarily monsters unless they were wolves. Kaja rolled her eyes, "come on let's just go get something to eat".
The two walked down a few blocks down the street and made it to the bakery, "ah good to see you two back, nice to see peoples faces that don't try to steal food every morning" said the Bariys the Baker who did not look in a happy mood, "let me guess, Ezran?" Rigran said looking at the open ventilation shaft.
"oh that boy does not know when to keep his hands off things" the Baker billerly said, Kaja giggled, "more of a thief than a prince" she said, "well he is a kid and kids tend to steal things" Rigran said patiently, "they learn and grow up eventually".
"Unless it's you and your master" Barius said accusingly, Draazan had been through a period when he had broken in and stole some spare tarts and Barius only found out when Barius was caught red handed later in the period and Irzan had only attempted once and that was on the same day and he was also caught red handed.
Irzan could not help but blush, and Kaja sniggered at his sheepish expression, "I can try setting up a stink trap if that would help?" Rigran suggested hoping to get off subject, "bah it'll ruin me but thanks anyway" Barius said then put on a smile, "anyway what would you two like?".
A little laterThe two had finished their breakfast quickly and had some tea at a tea shop belonging to a nice but strong old lady who liked the two, ever since Kaja had helped build a stove to heat up the tea and Irzan got rid of a giant rat.
Kaja then returned to her shop while Rigran returned to the castle and went to the courtyard and listened to the local knuckled heads.
Callum the half prince, knucklehead number 1 and the captain of the crown guard, Varins son, Soren, knucklehead number 2.
"Prince Callum." Soren said, "Today we focus on the art of-" "Art! Finally, something I'm good at," said Callum interrupting the blonde in armor. Soren made an unamused look, "sorry. Won't interrupt again. Please…continue, Soren," said the prince trying to fix his mistake.
Accepting the apology, the armored blonde named Soren continues the lesson, "The art of defense is critical in sword-fighting. Parrying is about angle, motion, anticipation…Misjudge your opponent, and it's over."
"Same as any monster" Rigran chimes in, "disrespect their capabilities and your dead", "see witch-boy gets it" Soren said, Rigran gave a glare, Soren always called him that it was very annoying if only mildly.
Then again he could be pretending just to annoy Rigran, anyway Soren gave the prince the wooden sword and immediately dropped it but picked it back grasping it.
"Uh, I'm gonna have to say no," said Callum not confidently.
"Great. Let's do this," said Soren, pulling out his wooden swords as well. The battle was over within a minute. Callum scoffs, "I'm terrible at this!"
"Yep," said Soren. "But you have to practice anyway, because that's what's expected of a prince. How do you think Irzan got so good?"
"By having the crap beaten out of him every day" Callum deadpanned and Irzan laughed, it was so true it was funny. "Or a step-prince, actually." Soren finished not hearing what Callum just said
"What," asked Callum, not hearing what Soren said.
"Nice to see professional acting professional" came a sarcastic voice, it was Draazan coming up, Soren began sweating a little as the first time he fought the Witcher he had been hospitalized, it wasn't as bad as when he fought Rigran later on in life.
Soren shuddered at the memory, Rigran had been absolutely ruthless in that spare match if it could have been called that.
That is when a young woman walks past the young men with Irzan and Draazan giving her sour looks, She is too enamored of her book to see her surroundings.
"Hey, Your sister. She's gonna walk right into that-," said Callum before being shushed by Soren, unfortunately Sorens sister didn't bump into the tree but stopped and waved at them.
"Oh. Hi, Callum," shouted Soren's sister waving at the prince. "You're no fun." Soren moaned "Next time, continue walking and at least make it look funny" Draazan agreed.
"Is this new?" Sorens sister asked looking at the tree in surprise, "Relatively new," responded Rigran, "by about 300 years," Draazan added.
"Hey, uh, can we try again? I think I can do it now," said Callum to Soren as Sorens sister named Claudia sat on a bench to keep her distance from the younger of the two Witchers
Both Witchers creeped her out "or you could try me" Draazan offered seeing what he was trying to do, "uh no thanks he's really improving" Soren said hurriedly as Callum gave an awkward smile.
Neither wanted to be hospitalized by either Witcher, Draazan shrugged, "your loss" he said as he walked next to his apprentice to watch Callum try to impress a girl.
At first Callum was doing better until he attempted to swing the sword at Soren's legs which did not work.
"What was that," asked Soren.
"I don't know," responded the prince, feeling ridiculous at the moment.
"Uh, I was trying to 'sweep the leg'," said Callum trying to sound smart but that only causes Solomon to shake his head again.
"That's not a thing in sword-fighting," said Soren and he realizes where the confidence came from, "but cutting off someone's leg is" Rigran added and Soren realized the implication.
"Guess Callum wins" Chuckled Draazan, and this boosted Callum's confidence a little even though it was not part of his plan and he had no intention of making someone lose a limb.
Soren gave the prince a reassuring smile not wanting to wound his confidence and then Draazan changed the subject before the spare could continue, "anyway, Callum, Rigran, the king wants you to come" he said.
At the throne of the king, his advisors were gathered to talk about different businesses. To make it better Viren was there hoping to help the king in any way he could. After some knocking on the door to grab the adult's attention Callum, Ezran, Irzan and Draava entered the room and king Harrow is happy to see them.
The other adults, other than Draazan, took their leave, "Boys. You're going on a trip. To the Banther Lodge," said the king.
Callum being suspicious says, "But…it's spring. That's the winter lodge." As Rigran gave his own suspicious squint at his master, "Eh. Winter is coming…eventually," said the king.
Draazan facepalmed as the king continued, it was practically the middle of summer, anyone who had a calendar would know that.
"And to think he was having another nice time with Kaja" Draavan thought, now he and his apprentice were going to have to get through the plan the king way.
While that is happening Ezran asks, "What will we do? Everything fun has to do with snow or ice."
"Maybe you can invent new versions using…dirt and rock," king Harrow provided the best solution and hearing that just made Rigran shake his head in disappointment but with a amused smile.
"I see the lessons on lying haven't reached your brain yet" Rigran thought as sometimes Lying was a necessity in the job of a witcher and of a king.
"You could build a dirt man! Or…what about mud-sledding? It could be a thing," said the king
"So how long will we be staying for" Rigran spoke freely, all Witchers didn't care of status they spoke freely to anyone in any way they liked, some were more respectable than others.
The tone made it evident he had figured it out, without telling the other two, Impressed the king chuckled and said, "Nothing can get past your insight but. Look, this is something I need you to do. Including you Rigran." The king thought, "a while. A long while" is what he said.
"Dad" Erzan said
"It's decided," said the king seriously and from the looks of it Irzan understands the severity of the situation so he does not speak. "You'll leave before sundown, so go get packed up."
"Yes, sir. Come on, Ez," said Callum to his little brother, Irzan watched them go and his master's hand found its way reassuringly to his shoulder. He then followed and caught up with the two.
"Why's he sending us away? Something's wrong and you know it, Irzan," said the little prince accusingly, "you do know what followers can come from a Witcher's tongue right?" Rigran asked then ruffled the little prince's hair , "relax everything's going to be fine"
"Took the words out of my mouth" Callum said, "and he sounds more sure of it then I would", the three then went to pack their things.
Meanwhile in one of the towers, Viren, Soren, and Soren's sister enter the room. "What's going on, Father," asked Soren. "We have visitors from Xadia…Unwanted visitors," answered Viren.
"What are they, minstrels or something," asked Viren's son, not having a clue. "Assassins," whispered Claudia.
"I know! What do you think, I'm an idiot," said Soren proving that he is not an idiot but slow on understanding.
Viren walked up to his children and continued, "They've set up camp somewhere near the base of the cliffs. Soren, you will lead an attack."
"Right. Their secret camp. How am I supposed to find it if it's secret?"
Knowing the answer Viren goes for a wooden box and answers, "These assassins are Moonshadow elves. They draw power from the Moon. Inside this box is an Archangel Lunaris…a giant moon moth. It will be drawn to their energy. Follow it, and you will find them."
"And what happens if I can't find them," asked Soren.
"Then we may be on the brink of changing times." Viren announced
"You're saying they'll kill the king," Soren again asks but was shushed looking out the window to see prince Callum walking and looking up at that same window looking worried.
Unannounced to the mage the Elder Witcher has placed an ear at their door hearing the whole conversation growing worried for the king and two prince's behalf.
"Discretion, Boy," said Viren seriously. "Do you want to cause a panic?"
"I'm sorry-"
"Just get out there and find them. Before sundown," said Viren having nothing to do with apologizing and it is Draavans quest to get out of there as quickly as he can to tell his apprentice what has heard and if things do get worse as he imagines he needs to get his boy prepared and fast.
Back to the Viren and family the little sister speaks up saying, "So, if these are Moonshadow elves, then once the moon rises…"
"Even with the distractions of those crazy Witcher traps. They'll be unstoppable," said Viren, giving his daughter a grim look.
"Well, I'm going to find a way to stop them," said the daughter with confidence. "After all, "unstoppable is just another kind of "stoppable.", even to Soren this sounded a little dumb, "No. That's not really right," said Viren, now confused about what his daughter has said. "Yeah, it made more sense in my head." Claudia admitted
Back in Rigran's tower the young Witcher was sharpening his knives, checking his arrows and packing up Witcher potions, miniature traps and bombs, some medical kit with surgical tools, a notebook or two, all that was missing was food and water but Witchers were hunters of anything and so it would only be as a last resort.
Then he heard the banging of his door for the second time that day, "Rigran it's urgent" said Draazan's voice, leaving his satchel on the bed, followed his teacher and adoptive father downstairs then asked, "What is it master is it something bad going to happen?".
"I know you can tell someone is lying so I'll say it. What concerns me most is I do not know. I recently listened to Viren and his kids about finding the elves. What I do know about the past is that these elves are here for revenge and me knowing Viren if the king dies, he will do whatever it takes to seize the opportunity to not just kill the elves but the dragons as well. I have seen it before in my lands, it never ends well," Draazan said looking his apprentice dead in the eye, "if war does break out, protect those boys even if it means breaking some of the codes of a Witcher"
Rigran listened intently and quickly came to his decision, "I will master their lives mean more to me than the code" he said, Draazan nodded in gratitude as he opened a drawer and drew out a Manticore pendant.
"In the meantime this will help you in case of trouble" Draazan explained, "call it a pre-promotion in case I do die trying". "But-" Rigran said about the protest, "no buts! a Witcher accepts loss no matter what but Us two have to try to prevent at least some of it" Draazan interrupts.
He gave the pendent to his apprentice, who put it on and looking down at the lion head with bat wings on either side, "it's been an honor master" Rigran said looking up at his master with some difficulty, "aye, now go you still have hundreds of years of adventures worth going on" Draavan jokes.
In the forest
Back in the forest outside the castle, we hear the elves performing a ritual.
"Four full moons past, on the eve of the Winter's Turn, the humans crossed into Xadia and murdered the King of the Dragons. Even with the Witcher trying to ease the pain," said this group's lead Runaan. "Then they destroyed his only egg, the Dragon Prince. Tonight, we bind our lives to justice!"
"My breath for freedom," said the first assassin.
"My eyes for truth," said the other.
"My strength for honor," said the third.
"My blood for justice," said the fourth.
"My heart for Xadia," said the youngest of the group.
"Life is precious. Life is valuable. We take it but we do not take it lightly," said Runaan, tying each assassin with a silver ribbon.
"Moon reflects the sun, as death reflects life," said the youngest elf.
Once those words were said Runaan pulled out his blades and like the wind they were cut off finishing the ritual.
"When it is dome, I will send a shadowhawk with a blood ribbon message to the Queen of the Dragons," explained the leader what will happen once the job is done. "We strike when the moon is highest!"
"Runaan," asked the young elf.
"What is it, Rayla," asked Runaan.
"I was wondering…what if they know we're coming," said Rayla, being concerned for the others.
"We have the advantage of surprise. If we act fast, we will accomplish our goals without sacrifice," said Runaan with confidence on finishing the job but that does not reassure Rayla.
Castle
Back at the castle Ezran is in his room playing with his pet glowing toad but the fun is over once Callum enters the room.
"Ez! What are you doing," asked the older brother.
"Hi, Callum. Do you want a-"
"No, I don't want a stupid jelly tart," exclaimed Callum denying his little brother's offer of a treat. "Why aren't you packed? You know we have to get going soon."
"But…you're not packed," said Ezran.
"What do you think I'm doing," said Callum, stuffing a shirt into his bag only to get smeared in jelly tart which got the youngest prince to laugh.
"Ezran! You don't get it, do you, Exclaimed Callum even further, not taking anymore jokes. "Why do you think they're sending us away? Because they're coming to kill him!"
This upsets the little prince and runs to his room most likely crying while he sighs in defeat. "Remember when I said how foul a Witcher's mouth can be?" Said Rigran leaning against the doorframe, "oh and you're not packed, come on we have a job".
"You already knew, didn't you," Callum said, "I'm trained to figure these things out" "Assassins yes the type no" Irzan replied not wanting to have fun at the moment as this was a serious matter.
"What I do know is that my master will make life very difficult for the assassins" he continued, Callum then noticed the medallion on his neck, "wait isn't that your masters?" Callum asked, pointing to the medallion.
"Pre-graduated present in case my master…" he trailed off, "yeah well anyway I should go pack" Callum said, "and apologize to Ez while I'm at it" Rigran gave a nod and reassuringly patted Callum on the shoulder.
Later the two were in the castle library, The castle's library never ceases to stimulate Solomon's mind with all the books on history, history of magic, sciences, and on occasion some fictional stories he enjoys to read when time permits but alas this luxury cannot be achieved in today's current events. That is when takes a look at the corner of his eye to see Callum pulling out a red book titled Lost Secrets of Xadia.
Witchers liked to learn as much as they could, "when I had no idea where I was or anything about the strange land, do you know what I did?" Draavan had asked a 10 year old Rigran as a bedtime story, "I went to the library".
This had the little boy chuckling and he had a peaceful night without the usual gore detailed bedtime stories, some he had actually written down and had put into this very library but it was only for those who were above twenty and even then it was only the strongest of stomachs that could cope with the graphical imagery.
Callum took a book from the shelf and opened it somewhere in the middle but then the pages flipped by themselves catching both boys by surprise, "what the?" Callum asked, "maybe it's a light breeze" Rigran suggested but his medallion began to hum lightly. There was magic at work, the book then flipped out of Calums arms under its own steam, it turned out it was a light breeze but the medallion hummed still.
Callum and Rigran looked at it in shock, then girlish laughter was heard a second later, "okay very funny Claudia" Rigran said sarcastically, already annoyed, Claudia casted a spell which made a section of books fly off the shelves and the two peered through the gap, "i though the books were haunted!" Callum exclaimed, "oh you both looked so adorable" Clauia chortled, "ridiculous" Callum protested as Rigran sighed, then Callum asked "did you just say adorable?" and this drew a sharp elbow from the younger Witcher, "did i?" Claudia asked cheekily.
Callum clears his throat and continues, "It's so amazing that you can do things like that." "Nah, it's just a simple wind breath rune. Aspiro," explained Claudia while casting the spell for a third. "Can you smell the peanut butter?"
"No just thin air" Rigran quipped, all Witchers had a dislike for dark sorcery even if some was just ever so slightly. But Rigran still received a glare from the magic user.
There would have been a retort but Callum broke up the tension unintentionally, "Oh, yeah. Is that part of the spell?"
That calmed her down and she answered the prince, "Nope, it's just what I had for lunch."
This got both of them to laugh while Rigrin rolled his eyes just wanting her to go away.
She now explained about the primal stone and showed it to the prince that a storm was inside from a distant mountain. The explanation made Rigran less hostile to Claudia now knowing that this was like Kajas magic with her Firestone rather than dark magic.
"That's incredible. You're so lucky you get to learn magic," said Callum "Well, you two get to learn sword-fighting," said Claudia. "I'd switch places in a second," insisted Callum. "I think I'll stick to my talent," Rigran said.
That is when Claudia gasps in excitement, taps her nose and starts running off to somewhere and Rigrin grins when he saw Callum smiling ridiculously while tapping his nose as well, "I do not understand girls." He said
"You and me both even after all my masters stories" Irzan said, both shuddered, Callum more than Rigran as most of Draavan's stories involved fornication in very detailed description, Callum once listened to one of Draavan's stories with Rigran a year back and he had Claudia take the memory of it out of his head, then Claudia needed her father to get it out of her head.
In the throne room king Harrow looks outside the window with Viren walking towards him and the Witcher Draavan right behind him and speaks before the dark mage speaks, "Your majesty the traps are set. We may not see the elves, but they will not see what they will get as well."
This earned the Witcher a smile from his king, "Draavan and you did a lot faster than last time." The king said to Viren, "well I am a monster Hunter and so I'm just doing my job even if I miss a few" Draavan said looking rather darkly at Viren, but Viren could agree that elves were monsters in his opinion.
"Nevertheless, this helps things," said the king.
"My king, we have not been able to find the elves," said Viren about the search party's failure. "Sundown is only an hour away. Soren and the others have returned to bolster your defense even with the alchemist traps."
The king knows the differences between dreams and reality, so he said to both the Witcher and mage, "It won't be enough."
"Don't give up hope yet" Draavan said, "they may be assassins but I'm a Witcher we make Assassins lives harder". "I appreciate your optimism Dravaan but I've accepted that tonight, I may pay the price for our mistakes," said the king, "if only Our home was like yours where Elves and humans live alongside".
"Harrow, don't give up just yet. Claudia and I are still searching for a creative solution," said the mage, trying to sound innocent but both the Witcher and king know what he is talking about.
"Call it what it is…" the king ordered, "the cause of all this trouble" Draavan couldn't help but say. "Dark magic yes" Viren acknowledged, "I've spent years going along with these 'creative solutions,' and where has it gotten me," said the king exclaiming at the last part of his sentence.
Draavan then saw what the king was trying to say even with the devil standing right in the room, "I don't understand," said Viren. "Take a gambit," Draavan said.
"Leave me both of you," said the King, Viren left first glaring resentfully at the Witcher while Draavan does the same to the mage. Once the dark mage is gone Dravaa pats the king on the shoulder, giving him a face of understanding and he leaves the throne room to let the king be alone. Meanwhile, after Viren is in another hallway he hears footsteps and sees his daughter tapping her nose and pointing at father which confuses the mage.
Viren sighs and asks, "Okay, what is that, with the nose, the finger? Not everyone speaks Claudia, Claudia."
"It means, I've got something," said Viren's daughter with a smile.
Prince's quarters
"Ezran, we need to get going. It's almost sundown," called out Callum but when there is no response this causes both boys to worry. Both boys had been looking for Ezran and even though Rigran was a skilled hunter with Witcher senses even he was struggling to find any clues to find Ez.
"Where is he?" Callum wondered, a messenger came into the room, looking like he had run a marathon, "Prince Callum, Sir Rigran" he said, making both jump in surprise, even Witches got surprised once in a while and this was that once for Rigran. As for Callum he hit his head on the bed, "ow" he said as he retracted his head from underneath Erzans bed.
"Uh anyway the king wants to see both of you alone" said the guard.
Both of the boys followed the guard to the entrance of the throne room and both boys entered alone, the guard just stayed outside, "you wanted to see us?" Callum asked his step father, the king, Rigran had a neutral expression while Callum had one of concern, "Prince Callum, Witcher Rigran" the King said, "my king" Callum said, "your Majesty" Rigran said at the same time, both bowing.
"Please don't worry" the King said reassuringly, "okay" both boys said standing straight up, the king spoke to Callum first while Rigran waited to one side, "Callum, I know I'm not your birth father, but I want you to know that…," said the king but takes a breath before continuing. "This isn't easy. So, the most important things, I've written down."
That is when he pulls out a scroll to his boy, it was either a will or an eulogy for his son, either way the meaning was clear, tonight was the night the king died, most likely option anyway, and there was a chance that Draavan would die as well, small though that was, and it made Rigran fist clench, Draavan was his only family, his only father. Rigran had been orphaned a few months after his birth when a monster attacked his home.
Dravaad had killed the monster, found the house and the small Rigran in a cradle along, and had taken him in as his apprentice as the orphanage had been destroyed as well and most of the boy's relatives could not be found. Rigran was then brought up in the ways of a witch from the moment he could walk, "Witchers are weapons, i'm a weapon, your a weapon but the thing about weapons is that weapons can become an extension of someone and therefor can count as something precious to someone just as your precious to me" Draavan had said, he was never good at making good saying of his own.
And Draavan was precious to Rigran, everyone in the castle was precious to him, Callum and Ezran were like cousins and the king an uncle. "A letter," asked Callum?
"You'll understand in time," said the king. "I want you to break the seal when…Well you'll know when", "When you've been killed," said Callum.
King Harrow steps close to his son and places his hands-on Callum's shoulders, "War is full of uncertainty."
"Why can't you do something about it? Can't you just make peace with them," asked Callum, getting sad, "it's not that simple" Rigran said, "some people are just too devoted to be persuaded" that was what his master had said once, reason doesn't always win in the end.
"It seems pretty simple to me. You don't want to die. I'm sure the elves and dragons don't want to die. So, everyone agrees," said the prince, getting more desperate with each sentence.
"There are centuries of history. Generations of wrongs and crime." The king said, "Even with Draavan making the borders all those years ago. I am responsible for some of those wrongs. I have done terrible things. I thought they were necessary. Now, I don't know," said the king regretfully. "But I do know I will pay the price for the choices I made.
"There has to be a way to make it right," said Callum and while Rigran begrudgingly agrees on that he is thinking but it is already too late in the present but the future maybe things will be put right.
"It's too late," said the king what Solomon was thinking. "What is done cannot be undone."
"But you're the king. You can do anything," said Callum being a fool not knowing of bearing the responsibility.
"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," said the king to his son.
Callum looked at the scroll and said, "I'm going to give this back to you this weekend okay? I'm not going to have to open this.", Rigran sighed at the naivety even though he understood it "well then I can't promise anything but I'll help you try" Rigran said reassuringly.
Harrow gave a smile, "take care of each other, Ezran included" the king said.
Later both boys were on edge as they walked down the corridors, "so you have a long bow while Draavan has a crossbow?" Callum asked hoping to break the ice, "I like feeling the strain of the string and it feels a lot easier to aim and shoot" Rigran said, Callum gave a nod, "look we are both on edge we did both have an emotional moment" Callum said, "your telling me especially when I can do something about it…maybe" Rigran said.
Callum understands his childhood friend and they press forward. Then suddenly both boys here woosh and Rigran takes position to draw his dual short swords on his torso. while Callum calls out, "Ez, is that you."
No answer, "Hello," Callum called out walking down the hall, while Rigran drew both his swords cautiously, behind him. After taking another number of steps both the prince and Witcher can tell someone is behind the suits of armor.
"If you're trying to sneak up on someone" Callum said to thin air, "don't try sneaking up on a Witcher" Rigran finished. Both boys turned around to see an elf with her hood up scaring the prince while the Witcher readied his daggers.
The elf then takes off the hood and the elf was indeed a female due to her delicate features but this did not make the young Witcher lower his guard.
"Uh, uh, you're not who I thought you… You're one of those, with the pointy…" Callum said, "your highness it's rude to talk about others appearances without respect" Rigran interrupted then turned to the elf, "sorry about his manners young lady he hasn't had as much beatings as I have".
The elf was surprised, "Well thank you at least there is one human who treats others nicely," said Rayla, being respectful as well.
"Oh, I am very sorry for being offensive about your ears," said Callum only to make things worse. "Oh, you don't like my ears," said the young female elf.
The prince stutters, "No. I mean, Yeah. Yes, I do, I guess." "If you're trying to make things worse you're going the right way about it" Rigran deadpanned, not relaxing his position and his short swords in a backhand position.
"I mean… I meant the point swords," Callum corrects himself, but it was too late the deed was done. "That's far enough. I'm looking for someone," said the elf pointing her sword.
"Oh. Uh, did you check back there," asked the prince trying to distract the assassin. The elf was clearly trained despite her being around Callum's age, she probably wasn't as skilled as Rigran but she was not easily fooled.
Apparently he was wrong as the elf looked behind her and the two bolted down the hallway. Now the elf was chasing them. Callum hit a suit of armor to delay their pursuer, but she ran up the walls avoiding the roadblock. Once they reached the top of the castle walls, Callum ran past the guard to tell them that the elf was behind them while Irzan stopped and faced his opponent.
"Aard" Rigran said as he shot his hand forward as the elf drew near and a burst of telekinetic energy shot forward like a burst of wind and the elf was thrown back and into the floor.
"What?…you have magic?!" She said in absolute surprise as another suit of Armor fell on top of her and pinned her down, Rigran simply turned and ran after Callum, if this assassin was here early then the others could very well be as well. "Well that was certainly stronger than last time" Rigran said absently as he caught up with Callum, "Stronger?" Callum asked.
The elf shakes off her initial shock, pushes the Armor off her with great difficulty and goes after the boys again, but the guards are ready. With the speed of the wind Rayla dodged guards' swing jump over them with acrobatic skill landing behind them. She toppled the guards by sweeping their legs.
She quickly caught up with the two boys and slashed her swords, however Rigran used his twin swords to block them and then kicked her in the knee making her buckle then grabbed her and knees her in the gut, knocking the wind out of her.
This Forced her to go on her hands and knees to recover, coughing violently, while Rigran caught up once again to Callum, "hey she swept the leg" Callum said pleased that the move was real. Rigran raised an eyebrow, "uh not that I'm for it but why aren't you killing her?" Callum asked, "that's not going to do anything but piss off Xadia even more I'll do it as a last resort" Rigran said, "and why are you not distracting her more?" Callum asked, happy with his friend's response.
"Ever hear of an ambush?" Irzan said.
"What is he?" Rayman wondered as she mentally examined Rigran, something about him didn't seem natural, The elf recovered and continued her pursuit. The boys were running on the spiraling staircase and the elf was running on the walls.
"Elves" Rigran said in slight admiration "one of the most agile species", "Lord Viren! Claudia! Anyone," exclaimed Callum before both boys were knocked to the ground by the elf.
From his fall Callum landed next to the table and lost his scroll while Rigran rolled and recovered quickly and lunged at Rayla and the two locked swords, "You don't have to die." Rayla said with more conviction in the fight than she felt against this for.
"Witchers tend to decide that and I'm starting to feel like you're needed as a corpse" Rigran said as he pushed Rayla back and advanced. "There are only two targets tonight," she explained her mission trying to throw the Witcher off which didn't seem to be working
"Wait, two? What do you mean," asked Callum, the Witcher stopped and waited for an answer, "the prince and the king" the Witcher answered, "yet it was supposed to be at night time and you look young and reckless so let me guess you're here against your team's plan".
Rayla answered by throwing some nearby dirt from a plant pot into the Witcher's eyes making him stagger back, blinding him temporarily and gave the elf an opening to kick the Witcher in the stomach and into a bookshelf which fell on top of him.
Both the elf and the boy winced at it, Rayla knew he was going to be sore in the morning while Callum knew that he was going to be more pissed than sore and possibly out for blood. On time when the big was more violent and more short tempered during his training as a Witcher, an older boy who had been the town bully among the other kids had stolen his favorite toy and had chased after him and caught him when the boy tripped.
Rigran then began beating the boy, breaking his nose badly and making him lose several teeth; this had earned him a reputation and a warning to never piss off a Witcher even if he was more able to control himself nowadays.
"Now the annoyance is over." Rayla said, shaking off the incident "I'm here for the King. And I'm also here for his son, Prince Ezran," this shocked Callum even though he already knew it.
"You can't. That's not fair. Why would you hurt someone who's done nothing wrong," said Callum, trying to persuade the assassin.
"Humans cut down the King of the Dragon. Grant their alchemy did their best to ease his pain but it was never enough, and then destroyed his only egg, the Dragon Prince. Justice will not be denied," said the elf.
"I think you'll find your justices on the end of a silver sword when Irzan wakes up" Callum thought as he cast a sideways glance at his friend. But what he said was, "Well, you found me. I am Prince Ezran.".
Meanwhile in the throne room. Before King Harrow is donning his armor, while Draavan was with him and pointing some extremely foul smelling liquid onto his sword, when Viren came in carrying a wicker basket and Draavan kept an eye on this monster in human skin.
"Not a great day for a picnic, Viren," said the king, being suspicious.
"On that, we agree," said the dark mage walking towards the king.
"Moonshadow elves are dangerous, elite fighters. Under a full moon, they become nearly invisible, and they can penetrate any defense. Nothing in the five kingdoms can stop them," those words cause Draavan to scoff.
"We already know that and I have hunted elves before, not to mention my traps I have set up" said the elder Witcher, "thanks for testing them by the way" that earned him an annoyed glare from Viren.
"Unwillingly," growled Viren.
Draavan raises his hand innocently saying, "Hey you still have both your feet don't you?"
"Enough both of you and I know this," said king Harrow.
"They will find you, and they will kill you," said Viren showing he did care for the king deeply, probably the only thing that the Witcher and Mage could agree on.
"Not helping, Viren," said Harrow, now getting annoyed.
"But it doesn't have to be you," said Viren, causing people in the room to start talking and for Theo he is worried while the king raises a questionable brow.
"In the black sands of the Midnight Desert dwells a mysterious snake called a soulfang serpent," hearing that causes Draavan to remember those snakes and he now knows what the warlock is trying to do.
"Don't tell me it's that," said the monster Hunter warningly.
"The soulfang has an unusual diet. Its bite drains and consumes the spirit of its prey. On our last journey into Xadia, I acquired a rather unique specimen," said Viren, putting down the basket, opening it with his staff and pulling out the two headed snake.
"Two heads, two bites, two souls held at once. And through magic, I can switch your spirit with another," Viren explained
"Now this is crossing the line. Any magic related to the soul is strictly forbidden in my land; this is practically blasphemy." Draavan raged and he would have raged a bit more had he had the chance
"That is enough Draavan. guards take him out of the room so he can calm down and think properly," ordered Harrow and the guards did without arguing but when Draavan was close enough he gave Viren a stare that says 'l will kill you' which scared the dark mage a little.
After the distraction was taken away Viren continued. "The Moonshadow elves will find the king's body, but your spirit will survive."
That only got the mage an angry look from the king.
Back to the boys, Rayla walks towards Callum ready to kill, "I have to do this. I'm sorry. I don't want to, but I have to," said the elf assassin showing a little form of remorse.
"Why? You know this is wrong," said the prince again trying to reason while hoping to the dear god that Rigran would wake up. He saw the Witcher groan and move a little bit, but in a disorientated manner.
"An assassin doesn't decide right and wrong, only life and death," said the elf seriously, "That's very clever, but come on, really? How does this solve anything," said the prince.
"This is justice. Humans attacked us unprovoked." The elf argued, "So, it's okay for you to do the same thing," Callum said, asking about the elf's words. "Well, no. It's not the same thing, because we're attacking you provoked," said the elf.
"And there's the loop, you hurt me, someone will get revenge against the elves. It won't end," said Callum.
"Callum," Ezran's voice called out of nowhere, "Psst, Callum."
"Shh, go away," said Callum, talking to the painting, Rigran who was now awake and trying to get out from under the bookshelf, would have facepalmed if he was able to.
"I found something," said Ezran through the painting. "Are you talking to that painting," asked the elf, Callum, chuckling and attempting naive innocence but failing and said, "Now's not a good time."
"You mean, because you're with a girl," asked Ezran which caused many reactions. Callum blushes, while Rigran did his best to push the bookshelf off him. The elf, being suspicious, walks to the painting to reveal a secret past where Ezran is standing.
"Uh…Jelly tart," asked Ezran. "Really bad timing" Rigran managed to say, "Kid get out of here," ordered Callum. "Callum, what's going on," asked the littlest prince ruining the trick, "Callum? I thought you were Prince Ezran," said the elf now figured out that she was tricked. "You lied to me."
"How is that any worse than trying to murder a kid?"Rigran thought as he made a good effort to push the bookshelf off him, it was made of the best quality wood but unfortunately the best quality wood was also very heavy even for a Witcher.
That is when all three hear Ezran eating his tart and presenting his pet. "Have you met bait? Say hello to my little friend," said the little prince and showed the glowing toad who began to glow.
Rigran used the distraction to use Aard on the bookshelf and blast it off him; he then drew his silver sword and cut her across the shoulder, then kicked her in the knee, When Bait made a very big and bright flash. The pain would slow her down and disorientation would add to the distraction.
"Guys follow me. I have to show you something," said Ezran, as Callum followed him, when Rayla recovered she had a silver longsword to her neck via the Witcher, "move and I swear I will do what a Witcher does and kill a monster" he warned.
Back to the throne room Harrow has made his choice from Viren.
"No. I won't hide in the body of another, while someone else dies paying the price for my decisions," said Harrow and Viren, now getting desperate.
"Two hundred men and women are ready to fall protecting you tonight, but you won't let one soldier sacrifice their life for you," asked the shocked mage.
The king, being solemn, said, "It's not the same. I would rather die a king than live as a coward." Then that is when Viren realized what the king is doing, "Ah. So, that's what this is really about."
"What are you talking about?" Harrow said "Pride." Viren answered
The king already knows what to say, "No, the problem is not pride. It's dark magic."
"Yes it is. It's clever. It's brilliant. It's practical. It will save your life and many, many others," said the dark mage being both concerned and aggressive.
"It's a shortcut. We may not pay now but we will pay the blood price eventually. What do you think got us here? Dark Magic," exclaimed the king about the repercussions in the future.
Viren scoffed, "You're acting stubborn and ungrateful. Also, you and the Witcher should be thankful that he had not been executed many years ago."
"Should I be grateful that you destroyed that dragon's egg? Thank you for starting this unwinnable war? Thank you for angering the dragons and the elves so much that tonight they are here for my life, said Harrow, just a hair close to having enough of Viren.
"Destroying that egg saved our kingdom. Maybe all of humanity," said Viren, trying to say his actions were for the greater good.
"It was an egg!" Harrow nearly yelled
"And it would have become the most powerful creature in the world, I did more than the Witcher would have done!" Viren argued
Harrow, growing tired, sat down on a crate and exhaled to calm down, "the Witcher made the right choice not to follow us down this path" Harrow said
"What is done cannot be undone. I am offering you a path forward. Your discomfort is understandable. You don't feel right trading your life for another's, but know this, every one of the men and women would gladly trade their life to save yours," what the mage just said made the guards feel a little uncomfortable and they start to think that they are better off with Draavan.
That is when king Harrow looked at the mage and asked this question, "Would you, Viren?"
That question took him by surprise and started second guessing himself but that was more than enough to make his final decision.
The king glared at Viren and only said two words, "Get out."
Viren picked up his basket, bowed to him, and headed out. Once out the room Viren see Draavan down the hall to his right smiling his I told you smile but with a grunt he walks away.
Back in the tower
"Nice and easy now" Rayla said, "easy? Easy!" Irvan scoffed, "Witchers don't go easy on monsters, only chance leave and take your buddies with you otherwise they'll have me and my master to deal with".
Rayla gulped if this human was this skilled at such a young age then she began to worry that maybe she and her people did make a mistake by coming here if there was one more skilled than this boy.
"Uh can you at least tell me what you are?" Rayla asked as she scrambled her hands around searching for something to help, her hand met the handle of something that felt like it could be heavy.
"I'm a Witcher, got two weapon types, one of steel for humans and silver for monsters" Rigran told her, that lit a lightbulb in Rayla's memory as she felt the silver beginning to burn her even when it wasn't touching her skin.
There was an old legend that most Elves didn't believe that a human calling himself the Witcher made peace by negotiating two parts of the border with a neutral zone in between.
She heard stories of elves who tried to sneak over the border only to come back missing a limb or two or never coming back at all. She quickly slammed whatever she was holding into his face, which turned out to be a handheld mirror and bolted around the Witcher and down the tunnel.
Irzan was caught off guard as he rubbed his sore face for a few seconds, he wasn't Rayla's target and the two princes were getting away. "damn" Rigran said as he recovered and ran down the tunnels.
In the secret tunnel inside the castle all three boys were run as fast as they could to keep their distance from the elven assassin. They had a good head start thanks to Irzan, "remind me to thank him when this is all done" Callum said.
That is when the two boys and frog heard her say in a voice that echoed down the tunnel, "You're only making this worse.", "Worse how," Callum asked exasperated.
This way," said Ezran, taking a left, Callum almost made the mistake of taking a right but corrected it.
After a little more running through the tunnel they ended up at a deadend. "We're trapped," said Callum, "What do we do now," Callum asked his little brother.
"Time for a puzzle," said the little prince with a smile Then begins Ezran's little song of rock and stone begins and Solomon starts to grow anxious for the limited time that all three of them have.
"Wait, what's the difference between the rocks and the stones," asked Callum which caused Ezran to lose his concentration and screw up the pattern.
Starting again, Callum begins to worry as he looks down the tunnel. That is when the youngest prince finishes the pattern, they hear a click and a secret staircase that goes down appears.
"Wow," said Callum before Ezran grabbed him and sayed "No time to admire.", Once down the stairs Ezran pull a lever to fold back the stairs, "Yes," said Ez, Triumphantly "You're sure she won't be able to follow us," asked Callum.
"No way. It took me over a month to figure out that Combination," said Ezran, then the stairs began unfolding, revealing the elf as the stairs descended. Ezran, shocked, tries to ask, "But how did you…"
"I just pressed all the stones with jelly handprints," explained the elf and Ezran facepalmed leaving a jelly handprint on his face.
When the elf walks down the room, she sees all these jars and items made of pieces and parts of magical creatures. Not feeling comfortable about it she asks, "What is this?".
"I'm with her" Callum whispers to Ezran, "what exactly is this?", but Ezran didn't get a chance to answer, Now feeling disgusted, she continued, "Runaan was right. There's nothing in human's worth sparing. Times up and this time no Witchy-Witcher boy is here to stop it."
And that was when the folded up stairway shattered and fell to the ground with a big crash and jumping down into the room was a very pissed off Roth's with the silver sword still in hand.
Rayla nervously pointed her swords at the yellow-eyed boy, who began to look around the room, eyes gleaming in recognition, "always wondered where this place went," Rigran said.
"You know this place?" Callum asked, "yes this is where i was created" the Witcher said, "haven't been here since my trails", "Created?" Rayla squeaked all sorts of images and meaning going through her head, "yes" Rigran said oddly sinisterly, pointing his sword at her, "created to kill monsters".
Rayla just got riled up at the words, "humans are the monsters" She said "they killed the king of the dragons, and destroyed the egg of the dragon prince. There must be Just-", "stop bullshitting and fight already" Irzan interrupted and swung his sword at Rayla, she parried the attack and sent one of her own which was also parried and Irzan slashed and made a long cut on her arm.
"Argh" Rayla winced at the pain, the silver made the wound burn, she then tried a stabbing motion only for her arm to be grabbed and sword knocked out of her hand onto the floor and kicked to the far side of the room. She then got socked in the nose, the two Prince's swore they heard a crack and cringed.
Rayla then slashed her sword three times at different angles only for it to block all three times, the third time she was roughly grabbed by the Witcher boy and her stomach forced into his knee knocking the wind out of her and making her drop her second sword and then get tossed into the wall hard.
She slunked to the ground defeated and Irzan pressed his sword against the side of her neck, "any more tricks?" Rigran asked, Rayla stood up, "no blood for you today or your comrades", Rayla looked into his eyes and saw that she was going to die, this thing would kill her without remorse, "wait you don't have to kill her" Erzan said, "yeah all this would do is make things worse" Callum said.
"Fine" Rigran said after a moment seeing their point, "but any other reasons other than that?" Rayla was surprised this guy who was clearly a killer would stop so easily by being asked to by a child.
Said child turned to Rayla, "there's something you need to see" Ezran said, pointing to a podium, Rigran's medallion began to hum as all of them looked to the podium there was something magic underneath the cloth.
Not sensing any dishonesty and with no other choice she says, "Fine", That is what Ezran is doing and says, "I can hear something inside, something alive."
Once the cover was removed what was under it was a blue egg glowing like an enchanted stone. The Witcher lowered his sword in amazement as the Elf stared wide-eyed.
"What?" Rigran breathed, "It…it can't be." Rayla breathed, "The egg. It wasn't destroyed," said Callum, amazed just as the alchemist and elf.
