Chapter four

Deopkena kqxheaa lwnpea zaqt [Forgotten History part two]

...

Three days after Athalon's wife was cremated, Athalon was back in Coratas. He had sent a message to some of his men, the most trustworthy of them. Athalon was pacing in front of those seven men and women.

There was Apkeha Iltan, his second-in-command and one of his best female friends. She was of average height and of average weight. She had shoulder-length black hair and eyes the colour of old gold. Her brother was also there. He was one of the most skilled Ajandeyeaj he knew of. He was a short and chubby man with short greasy black hair, a greasy black beard and rough tanned skin with many scars. His eyes were a vivid blue. His name was Tekal Iltan.

"You are crazy, Athalon." Tekal said in a deep rough voice.

"I know what I saw. We need to attack the Golden Skull while we have the advantage of surprise." Athalon replied.

"And how do you know it was the Golden Skull that did it?" A young man asked.

He was leaning his back against the stone wall of the room, his legs crossed. He was slightly taller than Athalon and had a slightly tanned skin. He had shoulder length greasy black hair, a trimmed black beard and grey eyes. Resting beside him on his left was a bow and a quiver full of arrows.

"Listen, Jalor. Whenever the Golden Skull attacks, they leave something similar to a skull. I found one hanging in front of the door of my house." Athalon replied to the man who was apparently called Jalor.

"Now stop. Both of you." Apkeha ordered the two men. "Even if they did do it, we need to have your father's agreement."

"We could still act on our will." A woman with blue eyes in her early twenties said.

"Yes. And we could get a head start as well." Another woman identical to the one who talked just before, except for the eyes, added.

Those two women were twins. They were of average height, and slim. Their skin was a pale white. They had mid-back-length slightly dirty dark blonde hair. The only difference between the two were their eyes; one had green eyes, the other had blue eyes.

"Are you suggesting we rebel against our King, Nalika?" Jalor asked the blue-eyed woman.

"She is not suggesting that, Jalor. Now behave." Athalon ordered firmly.

"Fine."

"Malika, Nalika. Are you sure this will work?" Athalon asked the twins.

"We don't know." Malika answered for the two.

"Delkor, what about you?" Apkeha asked a man who was sitting on a chair in the corner of the room.

"What I think is of no importance, Apkeha. We are the best soldiers Corantha has, and yet, our King refuses to send us to fight." Delkor answered as he straightened on his chair.

Delkor was a tall man with pale skin. His hair was pale blonde and he kept it really short, His eyes were cold and the colour of desert sand. His voice was like sandpaper.

"He probably has his reasons." Jalor said.

"ENOUGH!" Athalon hated to raise his voice, but he had no choice. "And you, Kalia. What do you think?"

"What I think? Bring them on, that is what I think." The woman named Kalia replied to her commanding officer with a smirk.

Kalia was shorter than average. She looked like she was barely fifteen years old despite being twenty-three. Her skin had no flaw and was coloured with a golden tan. She had mid-back-length curly blonde hair and soft green eyes.

"So? What do we do?" Tekal asked.

"We wait." Athalon answered.

The seven soldiers got up and saluted their commanding officer before leaving.

About ten years after their meeting, Athalon and his seven trusted companions gathered once more. But this time, they were going to fight the Golden Skull. The eight soldiers were all wearing their battle armour, although they looked different. Athalon's armour was, like all the other armour, made of copper. He had pieces covering each legs in two segments open on the back of the legs. He had pieces covering both arms, and like for the legs, they were in two parts and open on the back. He also wore a chest piece, but it was more ornate than most, showing his rank.

Apkeha's armour was identical to Athalon's and also ornate, however much less than Athalon to show she was second-in-command. Nalika's armour was also identical to Apkeha's and Athalon's, but without any ornament. The armours Tekal and Malika were wearing were made for Mages. These armour were lighter than the standard armour - the kind of armour Apkeha, Nalika and Athalon were wearing - and they had a cape and hood attached to the chest piece.

Jalor's armour was much lighter than the Mage armour to allow him a greater liberty of movement as he was an archer. Kalia's armour was a simple leather armour to grant her as much liberty as possible and to do as little noise as possible for she was a thief/spy/scout. Delkor's armour was also the leather armour, but he had a single plate of iron on his right forearm, covering the front but not the back. Small curved spikes were covering the plate. This little piece was custom-made for him, and it helped him in his job as he was an assassin/scout.

The small group was currently sitting around a campfire, waiting for dawn before moving to attack. They all had their weapons layed out in front of them. Kalia's weaponry consisted of two copper combat daggers. Delkor, Kalia's husband, had a copper short sword and a copper dagger. Malika had her Mage staff, of course, but she also carried a copper broadsword.

Tekal's weaponry consisted of his Mage staff and a copper knife. Nalika used two copper broadswords. Apkeha had a copper long sword. Athalon had his copper dagger and the sword of his grandfather. He un-sheathed it, revealing an ornate iron blade. It was light despite being as long as Apkeha's long sword, and it seemed strong. Athalon sheathed the sword and put it on the ground with his dagger.

Jalor's weaponry consisted of a copper dagger, his longbow and his copper head arrows. Jalor was the only archer in the Coranthian army to use copper head arrows, the others using much cheaper stone head arrows.

"All we have to do now is wait." Athalon said.

When dawn finally came, Athalon and his group began moving towards a stone building where there was to be a meeting of the heads of several of the factions, including the Golden Skull's leader, Dexan Ustor. The group split, Jalor staying hidden in the bushes while the others went for different entrances.

As soon as they entered the building, the fight began. The soldiers of each faction fell like flies, and soon, Athalon, Apkeha, Malika, Nalika, Tekal, Kalia and Delkor regrouped in front of a door. Apkeha opened the door, and she was dragged in by magic. She looked around, and she yelled to Athalon.

"She is here! Your daughter is here!"

Athalon then rushed in, followed by the others. However, they were taken by surprise as the building caught on fire. The six remaining soldiers fought continuously until Delkor and Nalika were injured. They retreated back to Jalor, who was giving them cover with arrows.

When they came back to Coratas, Athalon and the four uninjured walked in the throne room where Vaxol was sitting.

"Father! You need to declare war against the factions." Athalon said.

"Calm down, Athalon." Vaxol said before realising not all of Athalon's best soldiers were there. "Where are the others?"

"Apkeha was captured and she is probably dead, and Nalika and Delkor were injured." Athalon explained.

"And why should we declare war against them?"

"Because they conquered most villages, because they are probably planning to take over Coratas and because they have my daughter!" Athalon was almost screaming when he finished.

"Fine." Vaxol conceded.

...

Jenny's POV, present day.

...

"After war had been declared, Delkor died of his injury. Nalika got out alive, but she could no longer fight. It took three years before Coratas finally won, but the factions are still out there, and they plan on taking control of Equestria for the resources... And the ponies." Apkeha finally ended her story.

"And how do you know all that?" I asked.

Apkeha let out a small chuckle.

"I am Apkeha Iltan, second-in-command to Prince Athalon Mikos. His daughter was captured by Dexan and made his slave. The daughter's mother was my friend, and she was called Vania. And she kept saying that if she ever had a girl, she would call her Sylva in honor of the forests under Leanna's protection, under the protection of the goddess of nature, Health and medicine." Apkeha was looking at Sylva during the entire time.

Sylva seemed to realise something as her eyes began to water.

"Iana, Lana..." Sylva said under her breath before the dam holding her tears broke.

"Why is she crying?" Luna asked.

"Because her name is Sylva Mikos. She is the heiress of Corantha's crown." Apkeha said.

She then looked at Celestia.

"Why didn't you help us, Okhaeh?"

"Because I was afraid of what your people could do to my little ponies once the conflict was over." Celestia answered.

Luna looked at her sister with a confused look.

"Why Tia? Why did you refuse to help them?" The Princess of the night asked.

"Because of their history. Because of their culture. Their history is one big blood bath, and they consider slavery normal. They have their own kind as slaves and pets to show they are more powerful than others. That's why, Luna." Celestia answered, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"It's not too late to change your mind, Princess." I said once I got up.

Apkeha smiled as she looked at me.

"Sylva aop rnweiajp ydwjyaqoa za p'wrken pnkqran. F'aolana mqa rkqo oanav daqnaqoa ajoaixha." She said quietly before speaking to all of us. "She is right. The king, Athalon's father, fell ill at the end of the civil war, and I think he died. If we go to Coratas now, we might be able to stop the Golden Skull. And reunite a father with his daughter."

A chill ran down my spine when Apkeha said that. My dad's face then popped up in my head, and I tried my best not to cry. Celestia got up and looked at all of us.

"I will not go with you on your journey." She said.

"Then I'll go in your place, Tia." Luna said as she got up.

"I wish to study more closely the culture of Coranthians, so I'll go too." Twilight said.

"And the pack's coming, too. Since we're humans, we'll fit in more than two Alicorns." I added.

Apkeha looked at me with a serious expression.

"Jennifer, you and your pack will have to learn Coranthan. I can teach Twilight and Hqra, but I doubt Sylva can teach more than one person at a time."

"Who's Hqra?" I asked.

"Okhaeh's twin brother. At least in our mythology. I named your Princess' sister like that because she reminds me of the night and the moon." Apkeha explained.

"I am the Princess of the night and I raise and lower the moon." Luna said proudly.

"And you seem to be the sister of Okhaeh, which makes you Hqra." Apkeha concluded.

"I'll come too. That way, I can asses the military power and threat level of Corantha to us ponies. And I can also see what your army is capable of." Shining said, breaking the silence he and his wife were locked in.

Once all the arrangements were settled, we began to prepare. Twilight asked Rarity to make clothes for all of us who were going to Coratas under Apkeha's supervision. Sylva taught me her language to the most of her ability, going all the way as using magic to help me learn it. When I had enough knowledge of the language, I began teaching Nathan, Franklin, Lucy and Jacob, with the help of Sylva.

Shining Armor ordered armour for him, as well as weapons, all of which were to be made like the Coranthians made their weapons and armour. The preparation took over a month, almost two, and during that entire time, me and Sylva only grew closer to each other. One night she even said that she thought she had feelings for me, although she was unsure if they were real.

Towards the the end, Sylva told me that she was still sleeping with me during the night not because she needed to be comforted, but because she felt good and safe with me. The night she said that, she also kissed me, and I just felt happy. That night, we slept embracing each other.

The following day, she also proposed that we washed together. The reason why she proposed that was because I was stinking since I hadn't taken a bath in what seemed like ages. When Sylva undressed herself to walk in the stream we chose to wash in, I saw her back first, and I saw what looked like feathers covering her back almost entirely.

She told me that her father was a Wexa, an angel, and that these humans had feathers instead of hair. Most of them would only grow feathers on their back, but some would actually have feathers on the head as well, and absolutely no hair. Sylva's feathers were the same colour as her hair, and she plucked one out and gave it to me. I attached a string to it, and I wore that feather around my neck, along with my usual necklace, ever since.

When the day we had to leave came around, Sylva and I left the hut with all of our belongings, which meant my backpack with my pillow and my blanket for me, and Sylva's clothes for Sylva. We walked to the library, and once we were inside, Rarity came with our respective clothes.

Sylva's clothing consisted of a purple and red linen dress with lacing on the back. The dress also came with a belt. The dress, once worn, covered Sylva's feet. Her cloak was made of dark brown leather. My clothing also consisted of a dress. It was dark green in colour, and it also had lacing on the back, and, like Sylva's, it covered my feet when worn. My cloak was identical to Sylva's and every other cloak. Lucy's clothing consisted of a simple white dress with no lacing. It did come with a belt.

Twilight's clothing consisted of a sleeveless light magenta dress that covered the feet when worn with a dark magenta shirt she wore over the dress. The dress also came with a belt. Both had lacing; the dress' was on the back and the shirt's was on the front. Luna's clothing consisted of a black and midnight blue dress identical to mine and Sylva's.

All the boys clothing were identical. It consisted of an ample white linen shirt with a brown leather three-quarter pants and a leather belt. Apkeha already had her own clothing, except the cloak. Luna and Twilight then walked down the stairs, and Shining Armor walked in the library with some armor, a copper sword, and several copper daggers, all of which were in sheaths. He was followed by Nathan, Jacob, Franklin and Lucy.

We then went in two separate rooms to change. Luna and Twilight then casted a spell on themselves, turning them to humans. Celestia probably taught them the spell so they would fit more than if they stayed ponies. However, their horns and wings were still visible. Both had pale skin of a standard colouration, unlike Celestia who had a skin with the same colour as her coat. We all put on our clothes and cloaks, then we went back in the main room of the library, ready to hear what Apkeha had to say before we finally went to Coratas.

"When we reach Coratas, we might have difficulties passing the city's militia. We do not fight unless we are attacked. We only want to reach the King, not get arrested. Everyone got that?"

We all nodded, and Apkeha led us outside of the library. And thus began our journey to Coratas.

3rd person POV, present day.

Athalon was sitting on his throne, his head in his hands. Ever since his father's death and the victory of Coratas over the factions, leading had been worse than going to the Underworld to face Athas, the god of death, diseases and ruler of the Underworld.

Suddenly, a small breeze blew in the throne room, causing Athalon to look up. He saw a beautiful woman with blue eyes, curly long dark blonde hair going past her waist and a pale skin. She wore a simple white dress and was barefoot. One of the most unnatural thing about her was what came out of her back. Great, jet black feathered wings, and the were partly unfolded.

Athalon glared angrily at the woman.

"How dare you come back in my presence, Iwhaxa?" Athalon said harshly and almost yelling.

"Calm down, sir. I am only here to inform you that the Golden Skull will send slaves to attack." Iwhaxa replied in a voice as smooth as an angel's.

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because deep inside you, you know I am telling the truth." Iwhaxa said as she walked around Athalon, passing a finger on the King's jaw line and cheek.

"If you have nothing else to say, then go." Athalon said, ending the conversation.

"As you wish, your highness." Iwhaxa said with a small bow, causing her wings to unfold more.

She then turned around and walked out of the throne room. As the door closed behind her, an evil smirk grew on her face, and she let out a small evil chuckle.

"Soon, I will get my revenge on all those who made me suffer. And you are included, dear sister. Your little Jenny will soon join me, and there is nothing you can do to stop me." The woman known to Coranthians as Iwhaxa said to herself. "Soon, my name will be known to all and will cause everyone to shiver in fear."

Iwhaxa slowly walked away, and then vanished into thin air, leaving only a few jet black feathers as a proof of her evil presence.

Hey guys, what's up? So, we know that Sylva is the daughter of Athalon, who is now the King of Corantha. But who is that mysterious woman with jet black wings? You'll know soon enough. But for now, Jenny, Sylva, Luna, Apkeha, Twilight, Shining Armor, Nathan, Jacob, Lucy and Franklin are going to Coratas to meet with Athalon.

In the next chapters, Coranthan will be written as it is normally written by me, since I'm the only speaker of the language. However, for your own convenience and comfort, I will include the translation in brackets at the end of every spoken line in Coranthan. See you next chapter! And don't forget to review. ShiningShadow is nice enough to review, but I would like to hear what others have to say about this story so far. Anyway, see ya!

Oh, one last thing. I am ready to teach Coranthan, but you need to PM me your interest, and maybe, I say maybe, I will teach you. See ya, for real this time.