Hit by an arrow, the helmsman of one of the gunships dropped dead and his machine began to fall onto the rubble-strewn battlefield.
Vorgath walked slowly through what had once been the marketplace of Caramthown. He killed anyone who bumped into him during the battle or who wanted to kill him . He strangled , ripped swords from his hands , twisted necks with the Force . He could feel it. He felt the one man on the battlefield he cared about.
Rheus swung his sword at one of the mercenaries who was clumsily holding a spear. He broke the weapon, and the man began to flee in panic from certain death.
-What a challenge for Tabor's finest sword, isn't it?
Rheus turned and saw Philip. Tears stood in his eyes as he seized the young man in a bear hug.
-My dear boy...
-I knew we would meet again.
-You are so...- said Rheus measuring him in the gaps- Well grown up.
-That's right. I may not have slept in the best castles, but I'm not likely to have starved much. But that's it, Rheus. We must find my sister. And the cruisers are still in the air.
- You're right. Look for your sister. I need to...do something I should have done a long time ago.
A shadow ran across Philip's face.
-So good luck to you, Rheus- he said quietly. They embraced again, prolonging the moment a little, but they knew that the battle was not yet won.
Snow and Will pushed their way through the handful of orcs that were still alive and had not fled the battlefield.
-They have picked up the gunships!- shouted Gamlin, who approached the prince and embraced him like a brother.
-I am glad you are alive kids- said the experienced knight.
-Gamlin. My father...- said William sadly
The knight turned pale. He had to sit down for a moment on a lying piece of wall.
-Who? -he asked quietly.
- Vorgath- replied Snow White.
-Someone must kill this demon. Does Emma?
-She doesn't know yet,‖ said Will- -she's leading the civilians into the mountains. As far as I know some of the elves are helping her in this activity. Few survivors... Like 10 years ago.
-Snow! -a strong shout rang out. Eric and Robert ran down the hill to them.
-Did you kill him? -William asked.
-Finn bites the ground,‖ replied Robb cheerfully.
-We don't think we know each other- said Snow White with a charming smile
- Snow White.
Robert shook hands with her.
-Robert. Rheus's apprentice. So you're the source of all the confusion , eh? -he asked grinning all the while.
-That's what it looks like,‖ replied Snow White.
-Seriously, is that your name? -he asked.
-Mummy had it on a whim,‖ she laughed.
-Well done my darlings,‖ said Eric, -we must somehow ground the cruisers. Ideas?
-One,‖ said Robert- -but I need a wizard and my master for that. I can't do it alone.
- What do you mean?
-Grounding the cruiser
The others looked at him as if he were some curious phenomenon.
-But you don't... listen The Force is great. And today I believed in it, actually, but not the whole ship. He's 3,000 metres!" shouted William.
- You'll see. Let the wizard know,- said Robert and disappeared quickly running away.
-And me- said Snow White- I have to find Ben.
Darun spotted Theodrill out of the corner of his eye. He smiled at the sight of his old friend.
-Extremely nice to see you, Theodrill.
-My king. You have not changed a thing, not a thing.
-The great darkness has covered our eyes, but today I see the light rising after a long night.
- Lady Saonis is with us. It is said that the seas are beginning to rise. That Queen Atlana is beginning to be angry at the actions of her cousin and soon the spell may tip.
Darun nodded his head.
-The games of the gods, my friend. And we are but pawns.
-Father ...
On a brown horse with white patches on its muzzle, an extremely beautiful elf rode up. Pale as snow, with hair almost platinum. She dismounted from her horse and gently knelt before her father.
-The infantry is broken. However, the firing from above continues.
-Theodrillu. You didn't meet her ten years ago. She is my daughter. Mirianna.
The elfess bowed to the wizard with a smile. Theodrill reciprocated the gesture.
- Pleased to meet you, my lady," he said calmly, "But you said that the shelling continues. Perhaps we can do something together.
Darun nodded his head.
- Ireki. Manu capduro- he shouted and at his command all the elves with bows reformed and aimed at the gunboats and cruisers visible in the sky.
Snow White searched the area with her pattern. She could not see her brother anywhere. He could have been lost, killed or... simply returned home. To her.
However, he had to know. He needed to know the truth.
Then she felt him in the Force. She turned. He stood less than 50 metres from her with his Valrum sword drawn
-Aegon...
- I know the truth-he said tartly.
- So what are you waiting for, little one? - said Snow White with tears in her eyes -Come to me. Philip returned. We can beat her.
- Snow White. I...I only know this life. She was, she is my mother. I was loved, I never lacked anything. I am torn at the thought of being kidnapped. That no one knew about it. I know this life. Going with you means, change. I don't want change.
-Ben-Snow White began to slowly walk towards him- Listen to me. I lived her life too. I looked at the world through her eyes. She was a mother to me. However, I knew she was a monster. A plague that would destroy the world. If you come with me you can start anew, little brother. You see this one thing she did not want to take away from us. That you are my brother and I am your sister. We have a chance to start again. Please, listen to me.
She held out her hand towards him
-Ben. For our mother. And for dad. To make them proud of us...
After running for nearly a kilometre, Robert stopped and began to assess whether the distance from the cruiser was sufficient. He needed to have a good view of the ship in order to focus properly. It was nowhere near the teachings of Rheus, who had told him to feel the Force, but Robert wanted to feel confident to have a full view of the battlefield so that no innocent people would be harmed.
-Well, there it is.
He closed his eyes. He concentrated within himself. He reached out in the Force beyond Carmathown, beyond the Continent, Exelos, beyond existence. A stillness, a breath, somewhere in the mountains far to the south a lark was splitting grain against pebble, somewhere a child was being born, an old man was dying.
-The Force connects everything-he whispered- After you are born, and when you die. I am in it. Flow through me, Donyell. I need you old master.
-Don't hesitate. You can do it- whispered Donyell's voice.
Robert reached out and, concentrating, began to lower one of the cruisers.
-EE, general- stammered Sergeant Linus standing close to the side. Morgan only glared at him nervously, expecting more bad news.
-What is it again?
- The "destroyer"... He seems to be tilting.
Morgan ran to the side and looked at the ship on his left. Literally ,,The Destroyer" was bending over on the starboard side. Directly to the command ship.
-General- groaned Linus.
-Jaa..how did they...
-We surrender? -shouted someone from the rear of the bridge.
-Surrender?- shouted Morgan- In the face of triumph?
-Now the other one!- shouted Corporal Mosley. Morgan turned pale.
The ,,Queen's Pride" was tilting to her port side. They found themselves trapped.
-Fly forward! Come on.
-General, the rudder's not working - announced helmsman Lyle.
Morgan scowled to himself and watched as the two cruiser ships on his left simultaneously fell to his royal cruiser. He wanted to say something more, but his voice stuck in his throat and the ships collided, causing an explosion to light up the rather sunny morning over Carmathown. Then, joined together in one huge lump of metal, black glass and obsidian, they began to fall to the valley floor.
- Ben, please- Snow White stood with her hand outstretched towards her brother.
-No, sister. I'll give you a chance. I will let you live. I will leave now, however from tomorrow I will pursue you with redoubled vigour. I promise you this.
-Ben. She has hurt you. And she will continue to do so- moaned Snow White .
-Silence, or I'll change my mind !" roared Ben.
Then an explosion pierced the sky. Snow White looked up. Three ships had collided with each other causing an explosion that shook the ground to its foundations. Like meteors, the burning ships began to fall.
-Ben...- shouted Snow White, but after a moment the wreckage hit the ground almost centrally at the point separating her from her younger brother. The rumble and bang were unimaginable. It seemed to Snow White that the world was ending. Hit by one of the pieces of shrapnel, she fell and then felt debris cover her.
Vorgath wandered through the ruins amidst the mud. Shipwrecks were piled into the ground and loomed over the horizon like ominous shadows. Everything had disappeared. Elves, orcs, Ravenclaws, humans. Vorgath walked slowly towards a small clearing near the Camarthan graveyard. Against the backdrop of the graves stood the figure he had been searching for the last ten years. He approached it and looked into the face of his former master.
-Have you come out of hiding,‖ he asked mockingly.
-Yes- pathetically replied Rheus Matir, not knowing if he needed to add anything more.
- Do you want to kill me? That's not in keeping with the path of the light side of the Force, is it?
-Such as you must be destroyed. No matter what. Regardless of the past.
So you will crack the whip on yourself," said Vorgath and threw himself at Rheus.
Their swords glinted with Valrumian light as the clangs clashed again and again. Vorgath dodged Matir's blows again and again, taking evasive action while dangerously twirling his sword. After one of these, Rheus dodged and the stone tombstone shattered from the impact of the sword. Both men were panting heavily, but avoided verbal contact. Vorgath began to swing his sword and shatter the stone slabs. Rheus slowly retreated deeper into the graveyard, seeing the onslaught of his former apprentice. He took a step forward and fell on Vorgath in an attempt to hit him in the neck.
-A punch below the belt-it was greeted with laughter by the lord-You yourself have brought me to this state and are now trying to exploit my weaknesses?
Vorgath swung his sword powerfully once more and collided with Rheus with his blade. For a moment they wrestled, wanting to push each other through. Rheus forced him to retreat to the area where some rubble lay. He instantly let go of the push and dragged the boulder with the Force directing it at Vorgath.
However, the man easily stopped the projectile and laughed:
-I can't believe you spent years in the middle of nowhere perfecting what was to you a fairy tale.
He dismissed the boulder easily with the Force
-But your weaknesses will always remain within you, Rheus- and hurled two boulders towards Matir himself. The knight dodged to the side and rolled on the ground. Votrgath immediately jumped to him and their swords crossed again. Vorgath dragged the stone and undercut Rheus. The man began to crawl and Vorgath in fury ordered the ground to shake to its foundations causing another landslide to form. Matir fell into it, and soon afterwards stones that had been lying on the slope fell into a pit behind him covering him underground.
-You will always lose,‖ roared Vorgath sliding down more stones with the Force, wanting to bury the knight alive in the soil of Carmathown. When all around was finally quiet, Vorgath silently left Matir's burial site.
Rheus, meanwhile, covered in earth and stones, fought for every breath.
-Jacen, Theodrill. Please!
He closed his eyes. He slowly stretched out his hands. Not today. Not today. He will die differently. Not much longer, but not today.
Memories of the duel ten years ago, the fall of Tabor, the death of Natalie, the separation of the children, lived in him. Sadness, death and defeat. Rheus, however, remembered Robert, how much joy that boy gave him, Daniel, who probably helps his uncle with the daily chores at the market on Exelos, Emma so similar to Natalie,so noble. Snow White, Philip. He had to fight for them.
He felt the stones lift. Centimetre by centimetre, he finally saw the light of day. He jumped onto the first of the hanging stones, which held his weight, then onto the second, and so, in a flash, he climbed out of the landslide by means of these , "stairs", and ran after Voragath's slowly walking figure. He was already right at his side and swung his sword when the man turned quickly and parried the blow. They began a quick exchange of blows.
Rheus quickly spun around his axis and tossed his sword. He grasped it in flight with his left hand and tried to reach Vorgath's exposed side. However, the latter stopped it with the Force, and Rheus' sword did not budge. Matir let go of the sword, which fell silently to the grass after which he threw Vorgath against an oak tree standing nearby. The body, like a doll, hit a tree branch and Rheus, immersed in the Force, picked up all the pieces of debris lying around him and hurled them at the slowly rising dark lord. Stones crumpled into Voragtah's armour, and he was barely able to stay on his feet as he was hit every now and then by large shards of the former ship.
-You're done?!" he roared and threw back a flying boulder and hit Matir, who was standing nearby. Another clash of wedges ensued, but this time Rheus grabbed the sword from the other side and struck Vorgath's jaw with the hilt, followed by a corrective chest strike. The lord tried once more to reach him with the sword however he visibly groaned in pain. Rheus hurled another stone and Vorgath fell to the ground. He knelt down and tried a clever leap, but Matir cut him in the back with his sword.
Vorgath stood up panting heavily, his breathing echoing so loudly that someone must have found them soon. Rheus pushed him away with the Force, and Vorgath rolled on the ground once more. The knight, however, did not want to wait any longer. He ran up to one of the tombstones, bounced and flew towards the kneeling Vorgath. The valrum sword struck the mask, sawing it in half. Silence fell. The kneeling Vorgath fought for every breath and Rheus watched him intently. Finally, the lord raised his head and looked at Matir. Half his face was still hidden under his mask, but the other half was exposed. Battered from the fire, scorched, yet the green eye of Cade Starkiller-the great knight-still shone there.
-Cade- said Rheus quietly.
Vorgath stood up very slowly. He looked at Rheus and spoke in a voice. It was the combined voice of Voragtah and Cade, which made it sound extremely strange, but it could be understood
-Cade is gone. I am what remains.
Rheus did not manage to control the tears squeezing into his eyes.
-Sorry, Cade. I'm sorry for all this.
Vorgath/Cade looked at him with absent eyes, as if he was outside the situation. He was panting heavily, but his apparatus was managing to supply him with oxygen.
-I am not your failure, Rheus. For it was not you who killed Cade Starkiller. I did. And just like him, you will die.
Rheus felt resigned. He had lost the will to fight, to kill this person he had thought about every day for the last ten years. He lowered his sword and rattled out
- So my friend is really dead. Farewell, Vorgath.
He turned away and, without looking at his opponent's body, left the graveyard. Vorgath shouted his name one last time, wanting him to return to finish the duel then fell unconscious on the cold grass.
Robert felt the cold on his face and then that it was a wet cold. He spat out the water and opened his eyes. And oh boy, was he stunned. A few centimetres away from his face was the other extremely beautiful face of a woman, with big blue eyes, platinum hair loose and cascading down her back. She was looking at him curiously.
-Died?- he asked stupidly
She smiled.
-No. You were just lying unconscious.
-I used a lot of the Force. I lost myself. Did we win?
-Yes-the woman replied sadly, fixing her hair and tucking it behind her ears.
- Are you an elf?" asked Robert .
-Yes-she said- My name is Mirianna.
-Robert. You are the second elf I have met. And you are nicer than that marauding Celeborn.
Mirianna laughed.
- Sharply about my brother. But yes. He's quite a marauder and a destroyer of a good time.
-Your brother?- groaned Robert clearly embarrassed by his nonchalance.
-Yes. I am the daughter of King Darun. But enough talk. Come on. I found you a little way from the castle and we must go to help with the search the bodies... and survivors.
Robert achingly stood up and moved behind Mirianna. Such a beautiful woman or elf he had never seen. Slowly they descended between the wrecks of three ships that lay in the valley. Between the wrecks, they could still hear the bleating of Ravenna's wounded officers or the roars of the orcs, but there were very few of them. Robert sensed someone's presence in this place. He looked to his left. About 100 metres away from him an approximately 11-year-old boy was making his way between the rubble clearly fleeing the battlefield.
-Do you know this boy? asked the elf who stood quietly beside him.
-No,‖ he replied, -but I have a feeling I will know him. I feel something in nothing. Some kind of doubt.
-I think it's Benjamin. Magnus' son.
-Sister didn't convince him to leave his kidnapper- -the young man commented and slowly moved towards the castle.
Philip walked among the wounded and spoke to each for a while. However, he searched with his eyes for his sister. He could not see the raven-haired girl anywhere.
-Filip - someone shouted quietly. The prince turned and saw a man younger than himself, clad in armour with the emblem of House Hammond. His face was marked with scratches and orc blood. Beside him stood Gamlin, the Duke's audiutant. Philip approached William and hugged him without a word. After a moment, he looked at him and shed a solitary tear.
-How long has it been, eh?
-Someone's waiting for you,‖ said Will.
The prince took a breath. He slowly followed William around the corner of the stool where a small field hospital had been set up. And at last he saw her. She was sitting right next to Eric the hunter, who had influenced the course of the battle in no uncertain terms. The hunter stood up and bowed to him, and Snow White stood up and stared in disbelief. Philip slowly approached her feeling all his emotions let go. Snow White and Prince Philip were finally reunited after 10 years and that night when Tabor was conquered. They stood for a long moment enjoying each other's presence. Eric, William and Gamlin smiled. So did Theodrill, who stood a little off to the side leaning on his staff. Eagles flew over Carmathown marking sizable circles, as if awaiting the enemy's return.
-I don't know what to say," whispered Philip
-We've probably got some time what... silly?" poked him, Snow White, once again becoming the girl from Tabor Castle teasing her older brother.
Philip laughed. After a moment, however, he clouded over.
-So many have died today... I didn't think such sacrifices were needed.
-My lord- said Theodrill quietly- we are all here for you. You are the spark, the New Hope to defeat the darkness of Ravenna's rule.
-Thank you each- said Philip loudly- for each sabre. We will mourn the dead, we will rejoice briefly. Evil does not sleep, and today's battle is only the beginning of the war. Evil in the form of the Raven Empire is a disease that grows stronger while we sleep.
Philip spoke so loudly, he seemed to be surrounded by silence. He was listened to by everyone who survived and gathered around the stool
-It is easy for me to speak. I am the exiled king. A king without a crown. And maybe...Maybe it's too late. Maybe fighting is unnecessary, but today's battle... It made me realise that there is still the will to fight on the Continent. That there are people who, will stand up and fight these bastards. We have to climb up, fight one for the other-he looked around at the faces that were looking at him as a leader. Like a king.
-There is only one way. And we must walk it together. Who will come with me?
-I- said William
-I- said Snow White
-And me‖ burbled Beith, and with them the three surviving dwarfs: Nion, Noir and Duir
-I- said Eric
Theodrill nodded. After a moment, each of the people gathered in the courtyard answered in the affirmative to Philip's request.
- The elves are with you- said Darun, who had also arrived with the elven troops near the castle.
- Me too- said a voice quietly as silence fell. Rheus gently laid Duke Hammond's body on the grass beneath the stoop of his castle and bowed to Snow and Philip.
-Eld friend- wept Philip. William approached his father's body slowly and closed his eyes. He pressed the broken sword of his lineage to his hand and shed a tear...
-He knew the risks. He would not die other than fighting in the name of justice. Now he will join my mother- said William quietly
-My dears, may each of us today mourn the dead or rejoice- announced Philip- Before we sleep tonight, however, may each of us remember Lord Duke Hammond. A great friend of my father. And simply a good protector of his people.
Robert stood next to Rheus. Matir embraced her in a fatherly hug.
-You were crazy with those ships.
- I was in control. I did not lose myself, Rheus.
-I'm glad about that. You helped win the battle significantly.
-Don't send me away, eh? Daniel can handle himself on Exelos. He doesn't need to be looked after, and we have some things to do here.
Rheus smiled.
-You wouldn't let yourself be sent away. We're staying. The rebellion is just beginning, my padawan.
- Do you think this elf, Mirianna, daughter of King Darun is...? -he made a meaningful look.
-She is hundreds of years older than you , boy. The only thing you have in common is a little drop of elf blood in your veins.
-But you know, hypothetically
- That's enough for now. We don't need diplomatic scandals at the moment. Plus I think she would shoot you down with that unspoken tongue," Rheus announced dully.
-I'm not saying anything anymore.
Robert walked towards Philip and Snow White wanting to greet the prince and say that of course he was right. Rheus nodded slowly and bowed to Theodrill. The wizard approached him.
-Ravenna's wrath will be terrible.
- It will blind her. But we need more men, Thdeorill.
-They will come,‖ the wizard announced, -The whole Continent will know of today's battle. And Ravenna's oppression will be so strong that it will begin to leak through her fingers.
- Do we have a chance? - asked Rheus
Theodrill looked at him with a question in his eyes.
- And do you believe that?
-Yes- answered Rheus after a while
-So the chance is still there.
Both men looked at the valley with melancholy. The predawn sun warmed the recent battlefield. Birds sang among the trees. For a moment, a substitute for peace returned.
He was floating somewhere. Or the water carried him away and he became hostage to its fa. He struck with all his might in front of him and came across something heavy.
-Cade, please.
A baby's cry.
He opened his eyes and impetuously slammed into the glass surrounding his medical vat tank. The glass cracked and the water, along with him, Lord Vorgath, who was hooked up to the tubes keeping him alive, spilled out onto the stone floor. For a moment he hung on the pipes trying to catch some breath
-Look who's awake,‖ mockingly sneered a voice just above his ear. A few metres away from the wall with the vat stood Thomasin, a loyal follower of Ravenna, one of the members of her magical order that made sure that the queen had no surprises when it came to users of the Force.
-What are you doing here,‖ growled Vorgath.
-Watching you sleep in your water. I have to admit that it is quite pathetic that nature, or rather fire, consumed your dick as well. With it, perhaps you could still be a valuable man to satisfy a woman.
Then she felt as if thousands of needles were stuck in her throat. As if struck by lightning, Thomasin fell into the puddle created by the destruction of the vat. She fought for every breath, but knew that Vorgath had her life in his hands.
-Good...-she growled, writhing on the floor.
-First, how dare you come here, into my chamber , without my permission? I should kill you for this mockery. Secondly, how did the battle end and where is Prince Ageon?
-Well, I'll tell you," groaned Thomasin.
-Sorry politely, bitch.
-Sorry, Lord Vorgath- she moaned on the brink of consciousness.
Eventually the pain stopped , and she relished every breath as she lay for a long time on the floor amongst the water.
- Prince Aegon is alive. It was he who brought you to the ship where you were thrown into that capsule. You almost died. We lost because Snow White lives. And I should not have entered your chamber.
-Well, that's beautiful," growled Vorgath supported by the pipes, "and now let me clothe myself and fuck off.
-The queen has called a council- she announced getting up from the ground.
After a few minutes, Vorgath and Thomasin were walking through the corridors of the Tabor fortress. Vorgath heard the sound of bells ringing throughout the city. The churches were calling the faithful to pledge allegiance to their mistress. Ravenna, fearing rumours of a rebellion, had them quelled by a drugged service in her own honour. The cathedral in the middle of the city must have been bursting at the seams as the Ravennes rallied the entire populace there.
Eventually they entered the throne room, but passed through it and went to the chambers tucked away on the left behind the room with the Magic Mirror.
At the table with the world map were already standing, among others, the wizard Gideon the Wise or the rest of her order. The Queen sat defiantly. She was wearing a simple morning robe that covered her body, but clearly outlined elements of her body. Her breasts shone through the material, and when she stood up it was apparent that the robe was untied but showed the other element of her womanhood to those gathered.
Her baptismal font, a pool of milk worked, Which meant a milk bath awaited Queen began to walk around the table sipping wine from her spell held in her left hand. It was obvious she had been crying as her eyes were watery. It had been a long time since Vorgath had seen her in such a state.
- We have lost so many soldiers- began Ravenna- General Morgan, my brother. They suffered a defeat. I ask you why?" she looked at those gathered around the table.
-Maybe let the person present on the battlefield speak, my lady,‖ Gideon said emphatically.
Vorgath looked at the old man then spoke cleanly:
-I can defend myself, wizard. We lost because of Prince Philip and the elven troops from the Moon Mountains.
-Why is this boy alive?" asked Ravenna with madness in her eyes- Why was the focus not on the assassination, the capture of their leader, the leader of this wretched rebellion that crawls like a small child- here she held out her hands and comically showed how babies crawl.
-Where were you? Where the hell were all of you when three of our ships were bumped off like some kind of stick !" roared Ravenna, and her voice reverberated off the walls of the bathhouse.
- I was injured in the battle, my queen. We would have won the battle, but everything was turned against us. Including nature. Animals attacked us, eagles flew over and decimated our gunboat.
-Witnesses who have been interviewed speak of some sort of takeover of the gunboats, which were supposed to protect the rear in case Snow White escaped- said Thomasin. Vorgath was breathing hard under his mask accumulating thoughts.
-Recently. There has been a takeover by forces subordinate to Philip . One of the gunboats was commanded by the forester who was supposed to capture the girl.
- The hunter? - laughed the Queen ironically- The hunter had overrun my entire army and prolonged their defence ?
-Not just him. Also Finn's disastrous command of the infantry made the battle, instead of lasting several hours, last ... all night long - said Vorgath feeling that even his eyelid does not tremble when he openly ridicules the brother of the late queen.
-Lord Vorgath, why was Finn in command of the infantry?" asked Ravenna clearly losing her temper.
- He is your brother. I tried to stop him. I didn't even know he was dead until you told me, my lady.
Ravenna tapped her metal claws against the top of the map table.
- I don't actually have a conclusion. Our priority becomes fighting the rebellion. From today you are to search for them, catch them, torture them to find Philip and Snow White as soon as possible. For a while my prize loses its importance, but sooner or later it will fall into my hands. It's time to send word to my sister Freya. It seems our cousin Saonis has become involved in the war. I will not leave it at that. We still have a great army, we rule almost the whole world with our military. You are to strengthen the oppression. Every word of rebellion is to be cut off- she spoke calmly as if she were talking about the weather.-We still have only two infinity stones. However, we will soon be ready to move beyond this world. Others to conquer await us, but the building of infrastructure in Exodor, takes time. However, it won't be long now. You know what you have to do. Vorgath you become the temporary head of the troops, later I will choose the commander of our army. You may leave.
The council left the chamber, but Ravenna held Vorgath back for another moment.
- How do you explain these ships to me? Failure, sabotage?
Vorgath looked at the queen and was glad she could not see his smile under the mask.
-Force, my lady. There were two Force users on the battlefield as far as I know. One of them was Rheus Matir. The other I think was his apprentice who caused the disaster.
Ravenna turned pale.
- Young ?
- I think for sure.
Ravenna stood up. Vorgath tried not to look at its punishing beauty. The contours of her body were still enticing to him. He wondered for years if the world had gone crazy allowing one person to take charge of almost his entire self. Even, such a beautiful woman. If he hadn't lost all the qualities of valour ten years ago, who knows maybe, because of the pupil-master, servant-king relationships they shared, they might have been able not to love each other as lovers, but to make life more pleasant on a carnal level. Ravenna did not have a husband by her side, but even she probably sometimes craved pleasure and caresses from a man.
- You may leave, my friend. I will think about what to do with these two Force users. They are dangerously on the same level as Philip and Snow White. I think we have a few days of peace, though. I'm glad you're back.
- I guess I am indebted to Prince Aegon.
Ravenna smiled tartly.
- I think I'm in for a serious conversation with him. Unfortunately the subject is rather familiar to me already.
- I will leave in that case.
Vorgath bowed and left the bathhouse.
Ravenna looked after him for a moment then climbed the steps to take a dip in the baptismal pool. However, he sensed the presence of his foster son. He was again doing that disgusting thing that every boy his age does when he discovers a woman has breasts, and his cock straightens at the sight of it. It had come to her attention that Aegon had begun to masturbate, but now that he was doing it at the sight of her it began to... hurt. Was that all she was going to become for him?
-Get out and don't fool around, son.
After a while he came out from behind the pillars. He came back changed. He did not speak to her on his return. He knew that, sure enough.
- Do you do this often? Do you sneak in when I'm bathing?" asked Ravenna sharply.
-From once or twice. Now you've got me covered.
Ravenna exposed her robe showing him her breasts. She quickly covered them.
-This is a bit abnormal. To do that to your own mother when you could take a servant girl.
Aegon had tears in his eyes. He felt shame, humiliation and deception.
-You are not my mother- he roared out loud- Vorgath told me everything. I am kidnapped by you.
Ravenna gave him a look.
-Come here to me. Closer- she ordered chastisingly. Aegon approached slowly. He had no weapons.
-I want to know why,‖ he said, -why didn't you kill me? I am a threat to the crown. The son of a king who has been forgotten. So many years of me...
Ravenna touched his cheek and her finger slipped into his mouth.
- Shhh. Shhh, my abducted prince. Listen to me.
Aegon looked at Ravenna in silence
- I would have killed you. That's obvious. You and Snow White. But my mirror predicted to me that you would achieve great power. I would have rejected such unformed abilities in favour of my own hubris? Aegon. I gave you a name, I nurtured you, in fact you have almost nothing in common with those parents. Your father was burned. He died by my hand slain the night I was to become your new stepmother. He was just like any of the kings. At first I didn't want to have you, Snow White was older. But in time- Ravenna began to weep genuinely,- however, for but I started to love you. It's weird, isn't it? Someone like me? Someone who doesn't believe in love has suddenly been given a child, or even two. I did love you, Aegon. I desired a child when I was young, but the world had other tasks for me. And it gifted me with a child of pure Force. You emanate it.
Aegon also felt tears.
- I have returned. Because I know no other mother. I don't know what to believe- he wept, and Ravenna embraced him and cuddled him into herself.
-I know, you don't know another mother. Did you feel kidnapped? Did you feel enslaved? You were lucky. Every child in the kingdom is mine as they learn of our lineage, of me as queen. I want to be the mother of the people. I am the queen-mother. However, you are only mine. I am not a monster, my son. I cannot stop myself. I will give this wretched world the queen it deserves. And I want you at my side, as a son and a prince. You are the most important man of my life. My little raven.
-Well, mum -cried Aegon- I'm sorry.
-Don't apologise. Together we will make this world and others subject to us. We'll cure it of this ugly, deformed freedom and create a perfect world.
They stood for another moment in front of the pool of milk, the symbol of Ravenna's vital dominance, cuddled into each other. The worst was behind them, now they must be ruthless.
Rheus, Robert, Snow White, Philip, Eric, Gamlin, Theodrill and Celeborn stood a few metres behind William and Emma, who were paying their last respects to their father under one of the oak trees growing near the fortress once known as , "The Candle". Today it was the ruins left over from Ravenna's attack 10 years ago, but Will had decided to bury his father where the lords of their lineage had always been buried.
Duke Hammond's body was laid to rest under a spreading oak tree, where his children dug the hole themselves. William marked the tree with oil and a transverse line in a circle, which he carved with a dagger.
Rheus looked at the people present. Robert was standing next to Snow and Philip. He felt that the three of them would play a key role in the future battle against Ravenna. His apprentice would be tempted it was certain, but he could not lose him. Philip thought of Ben. His little brother was alive and he promised himself and Snow White that they would do everything to get him back.
Silence fell among the ruins of the castle. A lone owl was making its presence known somewhere between the trees. Emma quietly said a prayer for her father.
-Let us enjoy this moment,‖ said Theodrill, -for this is only the beginning of our adventures.
Rheus nodded his head. As he strained his gaze in the distance on the horizon he saw the outlines of the fortress of Tabor. And there was the source of all the evil in their lives. And they had to be defeated. At any cost.
The End