"Ah, this a fair day!" A young woman sighed in delight as she walked alongside a younger child by her side. "It's been a while since we left the mansion."
They both looked alike despite there age difference. One would have mistaken them as mother and daughters exploring the streets of Caledor in that early morn; they both had the same blonde hair that framed their pale faces. Their eyes were emerald like the deep jungles of Lustria, as their father would say.
The eldest wore what others would notice to be a mage adept robes, but this robe has no significant meaning since the college was burn down. The other was donned in the most adorable dress to signify her station as a noble; to be fair though, every Asur's child are all dressed like they are all nobles.
What they both had that differentiate them was the house symbol that are etched into their clothing: The eldest cloak had the symbol of a red dragon and purple lance crossing over other. The youngest sleeves had a patch of the symbol along with the color scheme matching her dress.
"Ah, father was rather mad, sister." The younger girl replied. "He was really angry."
"Ah, yes," The women said sheepishly. "Well, we can't say it wasn't worth it since we rode a dragon, Ellena?"
"Well, erm… yes, yes, it was." They both laughed.
It was a very nice day indeed for Ymira and her sister. It has been a while since their last outing which involved a fun flight with a dragon. Ymira's father though was not so pleased with what he called their "antics".
Now, she would beg to differ, but not when her father was redder than Caledor's flag. It was all in the pursuit of learning after all. Plus, the wise dragon actually offered the ride; it wouldn't do her no service to refuse a dragon's gracious offer.
"Sister!" a Ellena voice broke Ymira's thought. "Can we ride the dragon today?"
The elder of the two spared the youngest a look of sympathy. After having a taste of flight, she, too, wishes to depart into the winds.
They both were in the marketplace – or what's left of it. The recent prince sure did a number on the place—his warriors were rather efficient when it comes to clearing the street. The two elven sisters were trying to find something to occupy their day since their father's punishment was let up; two months stuck in their house would have driven any immortal or mortal being insane.
"Not today, dear Ellena," Ymira sighed. "Father would actually explode if he catches us doing such a thing again."
"Aww, but it was so fun." Ellena pouted. It was rather adorable.
"I know, dear sisters," She paused as mulled over her thoughts. "Oh! I have an idea."
Ellena's eyes widened in excitement, her smile eager and beaming. "What? What?"
"We could go check the shores, tomorrow. Surely, we may find interesting things there," Ymira said. "That and the chance to at least come across a sight of a magical sea-serpent in the distance. Or perhaps, gauge the winds of magic if I can gets close by it."
"Ooh, can we ride the sea serpent, too?" Ellena asked.
"Hmm, well, no."
"Aww."
Ymira laughed her sister's adorable pout.
They walked further into the maze of the market but then came across an odd sight. Every corner of the streets was littered with guards standing about. Some were even marching in columns which everyone in the streets made way when they came close.
"Move along!" A guardsmen barked.
"Make way, folks!"
In the center of the column, there the were riders in the armor of the Dragon Princes. One of them, Ymira recognized, was father's close friend: Lord Alvains. He was leading his regiment of Dragon Prince riders as they and the columns of guards led them through the city street.
Ymira glanced at one of the horses carrying what seemed to be a body draped over the saddle. She couldn't recognize what who it was, but Lord Alvain kept the horse close and the cloth of his own regiment flag covering the body.
Poor, Lord Alvain – but she wonders where her father's regiment was? They both rode out together last month ago.
"Move, citizen!" A guardsmen barked as they formed a wider formation.
Ymira held her sisters closer as they both squeezed against walls to let the soldiers march through. She could feel the ground trembled as they passed them.
When the last row past, the two sisters along with the citizen began to flood the street. All the while, Ymira could hear all the hateful and angry words the common Asur spat quietly among each other.
"The damn prince is up to something…"
"There are more soldiers here than before…"
"Was that a dead body? Did anyone see that?"
"I swear, if I see one more marching column I'll!…"
"Is there gonna be another war?"
"I won't be surprised if there is. After all, it's what our new prince likes to deal in with…"
"Y-Ymira?" The last voice was Ellena's, which drew Ymira's attention. Her little sister had fear and worry in her eye, the same look she had when the prince invaded. Her voice and lips trembled as tears began to well up. "Is t-there gonna be more fighting?"
"I…" She paused. Ymira looked away as she glanced back at the castle. "I hope not."
"When will father come back?" Ellena pleaded, tugging at her sister's dress.
"I don't know," Ymira said. "Don't worry, though, I am sure he is fine. After all, he one of the greatest warriors out there, right?" Ellena nodded, her eyes blazed with dedicated adoration for her father. "Then there's nothing to worry about, hmm?"
"But I want him back." The younger asur pouted, again, adorably. "And I want him now."
Ymira sighed.
Her sister can be quite adamant when she wants to. Denying her now would only cause a ruckus in the street; Ymira doesn't want add another reason to why the common Asur folk are glaring at her back at the moment.
"Must you fuss? I am sure father would return-" She tried to persuade, but Ellena stomped her feet and pouted even harder than before.
"No, now." She cries, drops of tear appearing at the edge of her eyes.
"Ah, fine," Ymira grumbled. "Here, let's go visit the prince then, hmm?" Ellena faltered, and for good reasons; everyone is afraid of the new prince of Caledor, even a grumpy young Asur. "If we must ask, then we must visit the prince."
Ymira watched as her sister contemplate on the thought. Personally, she hoped the fear of the prince would be enough to change her mind. But Ellena called in on her bluff, her eyes looked even more resolute than before.
Ymira sighed, again. "Very well, but you should know that I won't speak for you. You must be the one to ask."
Besides, she doesn't wish to speak to him herself; the words that would come would be scathing since he burned down her college.
"Okay…" Ellena replied, even she knew of her sister's ire to the recent prince.
And thus, they both head towards the gleaming tower of Caledor.
So it all has come to this moment. Raynor wanted to close his eyes and plead to the heavens that this was all a nightmare.
"... What happened?" He asked the tall imposing figure of Lord Alvain. He stood off to the side while the body he bought was laid out on the table with the other members of councils surrounding it.
"Councilman Cornai and I were riding out with our regiments to scout out the odd sights that were reported down at the southern shores." The man stated. "It is with great dread and horror for me to report, but our greatest fear has come true."
All the members tore their eyes away from the body to stare at Lord Alvain. They all listened intently as he finished saying: "The Druchi has come to Ulthuan..."
"... How many?"
"Two armies worth."
The gasp and murmurs of dread grew in the council room. Mordecai held up his hand to quiet them down.
"Two armies worth of them, my lord. One army looked to be decently fielded troops along with what we witnessed to be siege equipment. Another is made up of corsairs, lightly armed troops at most. And... they bring beasts with them."
...
"Beast? What kind of beasts?" Prince Raynor asked.
"... Hydras, milord. Hydras and more." Lord Alvain said, at last, but his gaze was turned to the body with great regret and horror. "It was one these beast that has slain… him"
All eyes turned to the mangled, burned corpse with sorrow and dread.
"Hydras!" One of the councilmen gasped. "With those beast at their helm, we have snowball's chance in the fiery pit of hell surviving! We need to evacuate-"
"Evacuate!" Councilman Vexer cried out in anger. "We will do no such thing! We are the Asur! We do not run from Druchi scum!"
"Hear, hear!" A councilwoman cheered. "The least we could do is show no fear to the enemy invader!"
"Are you mad? With what army?" Another cried. "Our entire kingdom had just barely repaired itself! The entire people will not be willing nor are they in any condition to go to war!"
"Enough!" Raynor shouted, silencing the room before the argument could build. He racked his head quickly with what info he can get. "Lord Alvain." He called the Dragon Prince, who stayed still in silent horror as he stared at the body. "Lord Alvain!"
The man jumped in shock, before regaining his composure. "Yes, milord?"
"How far is the army?"
"… Two weeks." The room paused in quiet horror. "In two weeks, they will reach the walls of Caledor."
"By Asurian balls…" Prince Raynor cursed, earning a glared from Mordecai and some from Council. He sat silently in deep thought, whilst the Council waited.
Some weren't so willing to wait.
"Milord!" Councilman Vexxer yelled. "We must stand and fight. We may not have the army necessary, but we can hold out here!"
"With what? We barely have the supplies, the walls were repaired quite recently, and we are outnumbered 2 to 1! Face it, Vexer, what you are wishing for is a dead wish, a glorious dead wish that will kill us all!"
"Think on it, Councilman Lorkaain! If we do not stand our ground, we all would die! Ulthuan is at risk here, and as well as the bloody ritual site! We simply cannot leave that site. It must not be disturbed."
"What of the people? Surely, we don't expect them to suffer to your foolishness?"
"And run like cowards? No, that honor belongs to you!"
"Enough!" Mordecai shouted, causing the room to silence their bickering. "Your prince is thinking. Act like your station and conduct yourself…" All the nobles simmered but stayed quiet. "Milord, what are your orders?"
Raynor had never been so glad for his old friend's intervention. He send a grateful nod towards him before he continued to think. He glanced at the body, at Lord Alvain's regretful face, and the impatient council.
When he couldn't think no more, he made his decision and stood. All eyes were on him, all glaring yet hopeful. He could only pray what he had decided would bring them that hope they yearn for.
"We… will stand and fight." He announced with a clear voice.
Vexxer and his supporters were beaming at the news, while the others that oppose him were saddened and angry.
"But we will not fight for glory… or for honor… or for anything just as vain." His words had them paused, their attentions turned toward him again. "We will take whatever willing soldiers and citizen to hold off the oncoming wave, while those that are unable to fight will leave for the Vaul's valley and make haste for Lothern. I know how you feel about Lothern, but for once put aside your misgiving; our true enemy has come to our shores, our army unfit to even hold against a tribe of Orks, our walls weakened, and our supplies have yet to be refilled to stabilize ourselves to hold a siege. We cannot leave the ritual site, for doing so would cost us greatly. It is best if we hold the line here. We may not survive it, but our actions would afford our people's entry within Lothern's wall, our sacrifice will be remembered If there's a sliver of a chance that we can defeat the incoming enemy then we will take it, but not at the cost of our people!"
Everyone was silent, but the burning look in their eyes signals their burning spirit being stoked by his words. Raynor was glad; the council need these words and he was giving it fully. He turned to the mages that were seated off to the side of the council.
"Archmage?" He called.
"Yes, milord?'
"What are your status on the rites?"
"It still a long way from finishing, milord."
"How long until it finishes?" He asked.
The Archmages gives an odd but an amused look at the Prince. "In two weeks. At the end of the day, mayhaps."
"Then we will hold. We will hold until that ritual is complete. This is not the moment to bicker among our selves, for now we must combine our efforts, our power, and whatever strength we have left to keep the enemy at bay. Are you with me?!"
"Aye!" All the council members shouted, their angers and spirit burning in their eyes.
"We must hold so that our children, family, and people can look back to this day and remembered our sacrifices – your sacrifces, and be proud for days to come! Are you with me?!"
"Aye!"
"We… must… hold!" He glanced down at the body then at the council. He stepped away from his throne and approached the body. The person was burned till it was unrecognizable. But the flag that draped over it was familiar: A red dragon with a purple lance crossed over it. "We must hold. For our sake, for those who are lost… for Councilman Cor Nai."
He turned to Lord Alvain, he, too, had the same burning look in his eyes. With a nod, the tall Asur he said, "Aye."
"Good, then we all in agreement." All the members in the room nodded. "Good… Lord Alvain, take away Cor Nai and bring the family to me… they need to know of his-"
"Father?" A meek, broken voice caused the silence in the room.
Raynor looked up from the table and looked at the gawking faces of the council members. Mordecai even looked horrified. He wished it wasn't who he thought it was, but fate was not so kind when he decided to look back.
There, standing at the door, were the two daughters of the recent councilman Cor Nai. The eldest looked in horror as from her height she could see the charred corpse of her father. Her face was frozen in pale shock.
"Father?" The youngest one called, she slowly walked forward, her elder sister was still frozen out of shock. She came closer and closer to the table. "What happened to… father?"
Raynor wanted to shout, yell at her to stay away, to grab her and make sure she does not see the state of her father. But he couldn't, he was frozen in shock, guilt and sorrow. Just as the girl neared, her sister finally came to her senses and rushed towards her little sister.
"No!" She cried as she held her Ellena close to her. Ellena struggled against her sister, trying her best to break free from her grip. "No, Ellena, please-"
"I want to see father! I want to see him! Please!" Ellena cried, her wailing voice echoed and ring across the room. The sound piercing everyone's heart like knife; Prince raynor especially.
Lord Alvain strode across the room and embrace both of the sisters, using his tall frame to shield them from the horrid sight of their father's corpse. As quickly as he could, the noble lord led the sister out of the room, but both their wailing cries rang loud in room and in the hallway.
"Mordecai…"
"Yes, milord?"
"Prepare a proper funeral for Cor Nai… and make sure the family are compensated along with the families of the regiment that fell with him…"
Mordecai left, silent. Prince Raynor turned to room, every member of the council had the look of sorrow and anger on their faces. "You all know what must be done… Prepare for war. Council is adjourned."
One by one, all the council member left the room. When he was finally alone, Prince Raynor collapsed by the table, his eyes tearing up from the regret and pain that grew in his heart. It was too much…
He glanced at Cor Nai… and whispered in a broken voice. "Forgive me. I have made you leave your daughters. Please, forgive me..."