A/N: My third chapter
Chapter 3 The promise, the truth and the alliance.
Katolis 3 days later.
Dawn came with such sorrow as Callum groaned in pain as he began to wake up feeling sore as he moved in his bed as he struggled to get up "Callum?" a feminine voice called out to him as he stirred in the bed as his eyes flicked open "Claudia… where's... Ez…" Callum said as Claudia pressed a finger against his lips asking Callum to be quiet "Sorry we couldn't find Ezran anywhere in the castle" Claudia said as a tear began to treacle down her face "Wait…what?" Callum asked "It's been three days Callum" Clauida said with sadness "Wait... where's King Harrow?" Callum asked as he moved Claudia's hand from his mouth.
Claudia looked at Callum as her eyes went wet with water as tears began to drip down her cheeks "Callum I'm... I'm so sorry" Claudia said as she turned away as more tears slid down her cheeks as realization hit Callum like being hit by a rock gasping as he placed his hand over his mouth in shock "NO… NO… NO... " Callum yelled as he quickly stood up, throwing off the sheets before clutching his left shoulder in pain as tears formed in his eyes as he cried "The elves, they killed him, Callum" Claudia said as she embraced Callum in a gently loving hug.
As Callum momentarily enjoyed the hug a knock on the door interrupted them making Claudia sigh depressingly "I'll get it" Claudia said standing up as Callum sighed rubbing the tears off his face as Claudia opened the door to see two council members waiting outside with sad expressions on their faces "Excuse us Claudia, but is Callum awake?" Opeli asked as she and Saleer waited outside as Claudia looked at Callum watching slowly get out of bed clutching his arm with a groan as he walked over to the wardrobe grabbing his blue jacket out.
Callum turned to see Opeli and Saleer at the door with Claudia as he grimaced putting the jacket on "Yes you may come in" Callum said as finished putting the jacked loosely over his left shoulder as he sat on his art chair as Claudia allowed Opeli and Saleer in "I know King Harrow is dead" Callum said as he wiped more tears from his eyes "Yes, Callum since the elves took Ezran that leaves you" Saleer said as Callum looked between him and Opeli he realized what was about to happen "Coronation" Callum said bluntly making them nod in unison.
Callum sighed as he new the coronation was due in seven days as he realized since Queen Sarai is dead and her sister Callum and Ezran's aunt Amaya who guards the border between the human kingdoms and Xadia were the first line of defence incase of an invading army "Send word to General Amaya tell her the news and call a council meeting please" Callum asked as he sat in his chair feeling angry and sad at the same time as he clutched his chest as he felt pain shoot from his breast down his left arm almost yelling as he stood up.
Saleer and Opeli watched Callum clutch his body in pain as Claudia approached Callum holding a vial near his hand as he looked up at her before looking at Opeli and Saleer just stand there momentarily as they exited the room "What is this Claudia?" Callum asked before accepting the vial which had a purple liquid in it "It's some painkiller medicine Callum I brewed it last night" Claudia replied as Callum pulled the cork off he smelled a metallic taste coming from the vial as he took a quick sip of it feeling a little shock as it entered his mouth.
Callum nearly recoiled at the taste as he felt the pain in his arm and chest vanish before remembering the elves from last "Claudia what happened to the two elves that attacked me last night?" Callum asked, causing Claudia to smile slightly as Soren barged in groaning as he clutched his bruised hands "Claudia, there up are I have been looking for you" Soren said, looking tired and sore "Soren, how was the interrogation?" Claudia asked as she eyed her brother's baggy eyed face "Wait interrogation?" Callum asked as his body felt a lot better as Soren turned his face to Callum "One of the two elves you fought last night is alive and we still don't know how you fought them off for so long, you wanna talk to her?" Soren asked as he exited the room "Yes Soren I would like that very much" Callum said as he followed him out.
Castle Dungeon.
Rayla groaned as she sat on the ground as her arms were chained up against the wall after a long night of being interrogated she kinda felt relieved as the guard left for a moment after beating her face and body all night with his fists feeling bruised organs and one or two broken ribs occansing grimacing in pain when she breathed too hard looking up she watched the door opened watching the same guard walk in with a girl and the prince.
Rayla's eyes widened when she saw the prince still alive and standing in front of her "How are you still alive?" Rayla asked before Soren kicked her in her solar plexus winding her making her cough in pain "Shut up you elven bitch" Soren said as he raised his hand for another strike only before he felt his arm being caught in a sudden elbow lock as Callum stood between him and the elf "That's enough for now Soren" Callum said as before turning to face the elf feeling sorry for a little.
"Tell me elf what is your name?" Callum asked her before turning her head away in shame making Callum sigh before kneeling down in front of her as he grabbed her chin forcing her to look into his eyes seeing the violet color before his wristed glowed underneath his glove as he felt Ezran's presence know he was still alive he released his grip from her chin as he stood up walking away "Get some rest if I were you" Callum said as he began to walk away before nudging his head to the door encouraging Soren and Claudia to follow pulling the door shut behind them.
As Callum took another sip of the potion that Claudia gave him before starting to walk up the stairs he began to wonder why was the metallic taste in the potion so familiar as they began to walk up the stairs "I am still wondering how did you beat two moon shadow elves Callum?" Soren asked "It wasn't two Soren I fought three actually I disarmed two then I fought her she was a lot harder than the other two elves" Callum said making Soren and Claudia cease their walking momentary as Callum continued to walk up the stairs before entering a hallway walking towards the throne room.
The throne room.
The council members gathered around with a few guards as Viren tried to talk to his fellow council members over the discussion of retaliation as the doors opened and Callum, Soren and Claudia walked in silencing everyone in the courtroom as a few council members and guards looked at Callums wounded state as he approached the throne before sitting down facing the crowd as everyone bowed making Callum feel somewhat overwhelmed as they bowed in silence.
Callum let a breath of stress escape his mouth feeling the heavy burden of being king even though he wasn't crowned yet "Everyone please rise" Callum said as everyone slowly stood up as Viren approached Callum's side "Prince Callum may I ask how will we retaliate at this as the elves killed King Harrow?" he asked as Callum just sat there wondering before feeling Ezran's mind connected to his briefly.
Callum looked at Viren sighing in depression "I have no idea at the moment" Callum said as Viren leaned closer sighing "Callum I was king Harrow's advisor if you wish I can before the regent until you are ready?" Viren said making Callum raise his head at the idea "But we also have more pressing news" Viren said as he walked down towards the large map of the human kingdoms in the west and Xadia and the east encouraging Callum to come forward and listen more closely "We are prepared to go to war against Xadia Prince Callum we just need to…" Viren said "No Lord Viren" Callum said, interrupting Viren's speech.
Callum sighed in depression as he began to walk away from Viren and the other council members as he began to leave the throne room "Callum where are you going?" Opeli asked as Callum turned around with tears forming in his eyes "I need time to myself okay" Callum said as he opened the door leaving the throne room making Viren sigh disappointingly shaking his head as he looked down at the map "I know Callum is King Harrows step son and Katolis needs a leader" Saleer said.
Viren looked at Saleer "I did suggest to Callum that a regent could be placed until he is ready" Viren said as both Saleer and Opeli looked at him nodding their heads briefly "We should wait for General Amaya of the standing battalion and lets hear what she has to envalorape on this matter" Opeli said concluding the high council meeting as she and Saleer left the throne room just leaving Viren in the throne room pinching is the bridge of his nose in frustration.
King Harrow's bedroom.
Callum opened the door to his step fathers room and the maids had just finished cleaning up the blood and making the kings bed again silent bowing to Prince Callum as he walked into the room as Marion the eldest of the maids approached Callum giving him a letter the bared the king's seal before giving him another teary eyed bow as she and the other maids left the kings chambers as Callum sat down on King Harrow's bed he unscrolled the letter as he started to read it.
Katolis forest.
Ezran let a muffled moan escape his lips as Runaan and the surviving assassins continued to walk towards Xadia as they walked past a lake Ram groaned in pain as he clutched his right thigh making the other elves stop as fatigue began to set in their wounded tired bodies as they to refuge near the cursed caldera as they all settled down Andromeda grabbed her water kirne from her waist she approached Ezran unscrewing the cap she looked at him seeing the bags under his eyes seeing along with the rest of the group they were all awake during the night long walk "Listen if you so much as scream when I take your gag out I will knock you out and you won't get a drink do you understand?" She said with an angry mom voice making Ezran gulp before nodding slowly.
As Andromeda took out Ezran's gag expecting him to scream all he did was spit onto the ground as he massaged his lips together and move his jaw around making easing the ache that was forming as Andromeda pressed the her water kirne against his lips she gently tilted it up allowing the water to slide into his mouth as began to drank it down rather hastily before letting a muffled cough escape his mouth telling her to stop as she removed the kirne from his lips she put the cap back on before gagging Ezran again as Runaan tossed her Skor's cloak she gently wrapped around Ezrans body keeping him warm "Now get some rest and don't try and escape you won't get far" She said as she walked back to her fellow assassin's as Callisto began to tend to Ram's leg Ezran simply rolled to his side closing his eyes he fell asleep praying that Callum will find him as he tried to connect to Callum again.
Katolis castle.
Callum put the letter down as he finished reading the letter feeling sad about after the fight him and King Harrow had as he started to cry as he reached for the vial of medicine that Claudia made for him a sudden chirp sounded out in the room as he turned his head to see Pip in his cage Callum sighed as he opened the cage door allowing Pip to land on his bandaged left arm he didn't even flinch when Pip's talon pierced his flesh as he drank some more of his medicine which was numbing the pain he felt in his shoulder and chest hissing slightly as his shoulder cracked a bit before looking at the balcony door he walked over to the door opening it stepping outside into the afternoon air he felt Ezran's presence again as he focused on his Ezran's mind he saw a glimpse of blurry blue image with bat-like wings shrugging off the ought thinking it was just another childish image that Ezran was playing on him as he rubbed Pip on the crest of his chest he heard a faint knock on the door.
Callum walked back inside the castle to see Soren walk in with a worried look in his face before it vanished when he spotted Callum with Pip entering from the balcony door "Callum there you are, bro, I have been looking over for you" Soren said as he approached Callum placing a hand on his shoulder as e eyed where Pip was on Callum's arm seeing blood-forming out of where Pip's talon's pierced the skin of his arm "What is it, Soren?" Callum asked as he looked down at his arm seeing blood seep out of his newly formed puncture wounds.
"Oh great," Callum said sighing as Pip flew off Callum's arm and landed on his wooden mount that sat near the window enjoying the sun, as Callum grabbed the tips of his fingers giving them a firm squeeze he didn't feel anything, realising that something was wrong he eyed Soren with a worried looked plastered on his face "Where's Claudia Soren?" Callum asked making Soren cock his head to the side "I dunno why what do you need?" Soren asked as he saw Callum's worried expression "I can't feel my arm Soren" Callum said with worry "You think their weapons were poisoned?" Soren asked as his face went pale as if was hit with an iron fist "I'll go find Claudia you stay he" Soren said as he ran off to find Claudia or his father.
Callum nodded as he watched Soren run off as stood in the hallway outside King Harrow's bedroom as he massaged his arm against he started to feel slightly dizzy before regaining his senses as he walked with haste to the dungeons to see the elf girl as something started to not feel right and he needed answers.
Castle dungeons.
Rayla gasped in pain as Viren placed a needle in her arm draining her blood while Soren held her in place as tears began to treacle down her face as she struggled in his grip "Now, Now you elven bitch the more you struggle the more it hurts" Claudia said as Viren took a vile of blood and put it in his bag as he took out a knife and cut Rayla's braid off her hair as Rayla bit down on Viren's hand making him groan in pain loudly before Claudia heel kicked Rayla in the head knocking her out "You okay father?" Claudia asked as she eyed her father's wounded hand "I'm fine Claudia" Viren said in a disgruntled voice as he kicked Rayla in the side hearing a crack as he broke another rib before walking out of the cell as Claudia followed behind slamming the door shut following her father up the stairs.
Callum walked down the hallway just to see Viren and Claudia came out of the doorway as he hid behind a pillar in the hallway he was about to walk out off as he held his breath as they walked past without being noticed as he watched Viren bandage his hand he smirked as he watched Viren flinch as he bandaged himself as he walked with Claudia down the hallway "What are you going to do with elf blood father?" Claudia asked as Viren tightened his bandage "Some useful perhaps, why?" Viren asked, raising his eyebrow curiously "I was wondering if maybe we could mix elven blood and dragon blood together and make an army to swarm into Xadia with?" Claudia asked as Viren stopped to look at Claudia with a surprised look in his eye smirking at the idea as Soren came running towards them.
"Dad... Claudia… Something… is… wrong… with Callum… his arm… it might be going septic" Soren said between puffs as he caught his breath, Claudia's hand pressed against her mouth in shock as her face went white "Where is he, Soren?" Viren asked in an angry tone "I left him back in King Harrows room" Soren replied bluntly as both Viren and Claudia shoved past Soren as he turned looking somewhat upset as Viren and Claudia left him as he walked the other way past the dungeons towards the other end of the castle.
Callum let a breath of relief escape his mouth as he walked out of his hiding spot and walked down the stairs towards the dungeons Callum prayed that the elf was still alive as he shook his head in an attempt to clear his vision as he opened the cell door to see the elf semi-conscious as he kneeled down beside her as saw her chest rise and fall with each breath as he grasped her shoulder he tried to shake her awake "Come on, wake up" Callum said as he squeezed her nose in an attempt to wake her.
Rayla jumped in her restraints as Prince Callum stepped back in fear as the wounded elf woke up in shock "What do you want?!" Rayla said in fear as she snapped at Callum before hissing in pain as her breathing was short and painful "I want answers" Callum said bluntly as he sat on the floor next to the elf as she looked the other way not willing to look Callum in the eye Callum sighed disappointingly as he clutched his head as Ezran connected to him again seeing the creature once again which was in a cage being offered a jelly tart "It's okay I'm not going to hurt, please eat" Callum smirked as he realised it was Ezran's voice as the small creature sniffed the jelly tart before eating it in utter gusto making Ezran laugh slightly as it looked up at him giving a chirp and barked at him as it become more visible.
Callum opened his with shock gasping "Azymondias" Callum said out loud making the elf turn her head in shock "What did you say?" She said in surprise as Callum stood up walking away "Wait, please?" She begged, making Callum stop walking as he turned to her in the eye "Why? what has gotten you interested?" Callum asked as Rayla looked up at him "The name Azymondias, who told you that?" She asked as Callum cocked his head to the side "Why does it matter?" Callum replied as he finally got her attention.
Rayla looked at Callum as he eyed her waiting for an answer as her eyes flicked away briefly as she looked at Callum again before he squatted painfully clutching his chest as he pulled out his purple coloured medicine taking a sip coughing as he swallowed the metallic taste "The name Azymondias came to me through Ezran" Callum said as he looked at the elf as her eyes widened when he that "Are you saying that you and Ezran have a telepathic connection?" The elf asked as Callum rolled up the sleeve on his right arm with his teeth eyeing the glow it had.
"This binding was given to Ezran and I from lord Viren as some sort of royal thing" Callum said as he rolled his sleeve back down his wrist covering the binding as he eyed the elf again "Now what is your name?" Callum asked as the elf relaxed "Rayla my name is Rayla I was sent with other moonshadow elves to slay King Harrow and retrieve his son Prince Ezran" she replied making Callum nod "As for the name Azymondias it's the name of the dragon prince the offspring of Zubeia and Avizandum" Rayla also said as she suddenly went quiet as her ears perked looking around as if she heard something making Callum stand up with worry "What is it?, What's wrong?" Callum asked as he felt on edge.
Rayla's eyes eyed the door "Someone's coming" she said in a hushed voice as a yellowish glow came into the hallway with a familiar croaking sound as it entered the cell lighting up the whole making them sigh with relief "Bait?, Where have you been for the past three days? Callum asked as Bait nudged him with his head against his leg "What?" he said as Bait croaked glowing red and nudged Callum again "What do you want me to follow?" Callum asked as Bait jumped into his sling making Callum yelled in pain as Ralya stood up painfully groaning as she favorited the left side of her body as Callum's wrist glowed again feeling Ezran's presence in his mind.
Callum looked at Rayla with hope in his eyes "Wait here please" Callum said as he left with Bait leaving Rayla chained up against the wall with a scowling look "Oh don't worry I'm not going anywhere" Rayla said with sarcasm watching them leave, As Callum took Bait out of the cell as he leaped out of his arms and jumped down the hallway in haste as Callum followed him as he turned do a corridor Bait pushed open a door to be greeted by the sight of dried up creatures, scrolls and books as a chained rattled behind a cloaked cage as a chirp and squeak sounded out as he approached with caution as he pulled the cover off he stood in agape.
There with a shackle around his thin pale blue neck cowering in the corner was Azymondias the dragon prince of Xadia as Callum looked around he spotted a metal club in which he picked up looking at Azymondias who began to shake as Callum grasped the chain following it towards the mount in the wall as he placed the handle into the eye of chain link in the mount as he leaned on it groaning hard as it creaked and with a bang he forced it out of the wall and landed with a thump onto the ground as he opened the cage as Azymondias suddenly jumped out to land near Bait as Callum picked up the chain and put it in his sling as he leaned down to Azymondias Callum gently picked up the dragonling as he cooed in his arms somehow knowing Callum won't hurt him.
Bait croaked as he hopped into a nearby bag looking at Callum with big round eyes begging to come along making Callum let a defeated sigh escape his mouth as he picked the bag that held Bait and as he did he noticed the bag had clothes from the elf he had killed along with his sword along with a pair of twin blades that belonged to Rayla as carried the bag and Bait back to Rayla hopefully she'll agree with him to right a wrong and save Ezran.
As Callum stepped out of the he heard a sound of stones moving as he suddenly shut the door locking it as she pressed his ear against it listening carefully realizing it was Claudia "We have got to find Callum the medicine will only do… Where's the dragon?!" she said as she found the cage empty, Callum moved stealthy from the door to get back to the cells and free Rayla.
Rayla stood there massaging her ribs hoping Callum will return as she started to wonder was the dragon prince still alive as she heard footsteps approaching as she suddenly sat down just in case it wasn't Callum "Rayla look what I've found" Callum said as he clutched Azymondias in his arm making her gasp "It can't be" Rayla said as Callum began to unshackle her Rayla from the wall as she eyed the dragonling he cowered in fear deep into Callum's sling which he had wrapped the chain with to reinforce the additional weight of carrying a dragonling in his arm.
As Callum undid Rayla's last restraint the sound of a door being slammed open echoed out through the dungeon's making them freeze as they heard footsteps approaching "Drink this" Callum said giving Rayla the last of his medicine "This will numb the pain" he said as Rayla drank the last of it as he handed gave her, her twin blades as she gave him a confused look "This is how far I'm willing to trust you, I help you escape and return the dragon prince back to his mother and I won't take no for a fucking answer" Callum said as Rayla took her weapons looking Callum in the eye "Deal" She said and followed Callum out of the cells and up the staircase out of the castle.
A/N: I apologize if this is rushed. I hope it is to your liking.