Empire of Blood, page 17
part #2 of Armageddon Series
Her mind then fancied the idea that perhaps her, Thor, Azrael, and Doragon could over power the god. No! That would be too insane. Even with Azrael’s former status and power, they could not hope to over power Ulrich.
Glumly after finishing washing her hair and the rest of her body, she went through her baggage that she packed before the trip to find some of her formal military attire that she wore the night they left Alfheim. It made her think of when Silver proposed; her face lit up, as she longed to see him again. She finished the outfit with black, leather boots and gloves that went to her elbows to match.
Thor, are you and Doragon busy? She called out to her dragon as she brushed through her hair.
After a few moments, she heard his deep and soothing voice echo within her consciousness.
We just finished our evening hunt. Are you well?
There are loads that I want to talk to you about after everything settles down.
I kind of overheard parts of your conversation earlier with Rahim and Azrael. I figured you would tell me when you were ready. I didn’t want to bother you too much.
You’re never a bother! But I wanted to ask. Did you two see Ulrich earlier? Thor did not respond immediately. Did you hear me?
Yes. I’m sorry, I was deep in thought. I did see him before. Doragon and I had to take cover but it seemed as though he were flying away from something.
That was not an answer she was expecting. What could a dragon, no, a god, flee from?
It must have been something bad enough to terrify him.
I’m not sure what, though. Dragons have little fear. Let anyone be brave enough to come and try to strike me down!
Little fear, huh? That’s not what you said before we got here.
Thor was not amused. You know what I mean.
I’m sorry, but you’re right. No one in their right mind would, but there’s something going on. With Ulrich back, we are going to talk to the king to see what he thinks we should do. I’m afraid for the city.
As am I. Let me know how everything goes. I will be on alert if you need me.
She heard a knock on her door and Azrael calling from the other side, “Are you decent?”
Selena quickly brushed out her hair before opening the door, still feeling nervous. Azrael stood there dressed in his formal attire as well, the designs matching with the ones from her suit. His hair was slick back and his face was clean shaven.
“Glad to see that you’re ready. Do you want my honest opinion?” he asked in an irritated tone.
“What is it?”
“I hate social gatherings and parties,” Azrael admitted. “This is getting ridiculous. I just want to rest and leave.”
“Same here. Where is Rahim?” Selena asked as she looked around.
“He’s already at the great hall. We should keep moving.”
Together, they walked down the corridor towards the hall where the tables had been moved. The décor was of august design. The full moon’s glare seeped through the giant stained glass window, behind the throne where King Dionysus sat. Gargoyle statues stood guard beside him. Smaller panels lined up with each other in beautiful symmetry. Large columns made of marble that supported the foundation stood tall and proud in their corners.
The banquet tables were moved to the sides, as the squared off section in the middle filled with guests of the king. Standing at the entrance of the temple was his majesty’s squire wearing a fancy suit with a flowing list in his hands, reading off the names of those who were invited as the denizens stepped into the king’s court.
Selena concentrated and kept thinking as to what she would say to his majesty as she walked with Azrael into the dining hall and into the sea of people. She wanted to make sure she had her speech ready. Dionysus was sitting on his throne with Dormrir standing next to him. At the ends of the dining hall were a group of people playing music for the festivities.
Selena watched as dancers lined up in the center of the hall in the similar fashion from the party at Alfheim. Azrael lead her into the blitz of the king’s company. She quickly turned back around to face forward, her body trembling as her hand clutched onto Azrael’s arm even more. Together, they walked towards King Dionysus. They bowed before him.
“Please, enjoy yerselves, dragon riders,” Dionysus announced, “this was put together for ya.”
Azrael forced out, “You’re too kind.”
“Your majesty,” Selena began, “may I have a word in private?”
“Not now! Go, and have fun! Be good.” The dwarf king waved them away and Selena and Azrael both bowed once more before taking their leave from his presence.
Selena grumbled under her breath but tried to dismiss. Her eyes darted around to see if she could find Rahim. “Do you plan on dancing at least?”
“Probably not,” Azrael muttered. “I don’t know about you, but I think I’m going to have some wine.”
Selena glared at him. “Why not? Last time you didn’t dance with anyone at all and you did the exact same thing. Why not at least enjoy the moment?”
Azrael scowled. “I’ve already told you, I don’t like dancing and I hate parties. Besides, I don’t know anyone else here.”
“Oh, like no one can be introduced at a party? I don’t know anyone else here either, but that doesn’t mean we should just sit it out and not have any fun.” Selena grabbed Azrael’s arm to bring him over but he resented her touch.
“I don’t like dancing,” he repeated.
“Have you ever danced before?” He was about to object but stopped. Selena smirked. “Just one dance, and I promise I will leave you alone.”
He didn’t object. Instead, he moaned and reluctantly followed her to the dance floor.
Chapter 16
When the music started up again, Selena and Azrael joined the other couples as they formed the two lines once more. He and the others from his line stepped up and, together, they swirled around their partners.
Selena admired the general splendor, and said, “Even though this is the second affair I’ve attended, I do enjoy the music.”
Azrael avoided eye contact. He was more focused on his footwork.
The couples took the place that their partners were standing in before. She did her best to follow her partner’s movements; they held hands and spun around before stepping back in place.
“I won’t lie, I am a little nervous,” he said.
“Just because this is your first dance?” Selena asked when she passed by him once more and they walked down the line beside each other, following the others.
“I told you before, I just personally don’t care much for dancing.”
“Honestly, I don’t blame you,” Selena responded, “then again, I figured it would be more appropriate and suitable to those who fancy one another.”
“That’s making this even more unsettling for me.”
His response left her feeling confused. “What do you mean?”
Azrael rolled his eyes. “The fact that you said this is more for those who like each other makes me feel uncomfortable by the whole idea of dancing. Especially with someone like you. I only say this because I know we’ve never fully seen eye to eye on anything. Not that long ago, you hated me, even though I deserved it.”
“If I’m not mistaken,” Selena began, “it sounds like you wanted to be friends.”
His eyes widened when she caught on to his meaning, but he didn’t say another word about the subject.
As the night continued to drag on, Selena noticed a slight change in Azrael’s demeanor. He wasn’t just going through the motions like when it began, he actually smiled a little! Selena was in shock, but she was happy for him.
“Tell me, do you always find it easy to talk to strangers?” Azrael noted. “You seem to be much more confident than when I first met you.”
She did not respond immediately. It was interesting that he took notice of her recent development. The two spun around each other as she worked on an answer.
“Not nearly as easy as you seem to think, but it is always interesting to meet new people.”
“Maybe I need to take your example and practice.”
When the dance ended, Selena and Azrael bowed to one another. The musicians stopped playing and everyone applauded for the performance. She left to find Rahim near the food table.
Be careful, otherwise your soon-to-be husband will be jealous.
There’s nothing for Silver to be jealous of! Besides, it will do Azrael some good to relax and to have some fun. Just because he’s Death doesn’t mean he can’t be happy.
By dancing with Death? You’re strange.
I may be so.
Doragon said that he hasn’t seen his handler this happy in a long time. Maybe he really needed a friend.
Selena knew he was right. Even with Doragon confiding with Thor, it seemed as though that was all they both really needed.
The dancing stopped and everyone sat at the prepared tables with food on silver platters waiting for them. Green lace table cloth with gold trimmings were laid across the tops.
The banquet table was laden with delicacies that lay in wait. Whole roasted cows and pigs were served on their spits. Large platters of stuffed fowl were presented with fruits and charred vegetables. Many cheese wheels and breads lay before steamy savory soups. In the middle was a perfectly cooked boar laying on its back on top of a silver platter, all drizzled in a special sauce that smelled of honey. Decorating the edges of the plate were different herb garnishes.
King Dionysus was already sitting at the very end of the middle table with a goblet full of red wine next to him. He lifted his cup to his lips and drank heavily. Selena looked around as she took her seat and saw Rahim coming over with a few meat-filled biscuits stuffed away in his robes. He paused when the two locked gazes. Selena laughed at his silliness when he sat down next to her and started munching on the bread. Azrael, on the other hand, sat across from them and kept his head low.
Dionysus first served himself before anyone else did. He took a bite, smiled, and announced: “Eat! Get to it!”
Everyone at the tables dove into the mountain of food. Selena watched as Rahim eagerly cut himself some portions from the boar. She followed suit, but she wasn’t really hungry. Food was the last thought on her mind, but she still served herself so she wouldn’t insult his majesty.
She took a bite before looking back up at the dwarf king. King Dionysus was definitely in a festive spirit. He had already went through half a wine bottle, and still wanted more before stuffing his face with the roasted game hen.
“Did you still want to talk to him?” Azrael asked.
Selena scowled and looked back at her plate. “Of course I do. I’m not changing my mind.”
“Do you think now would be the best time?” Rahim asked in between mouthfuls, but Selena shook her head.
“Maybe not. He’s already drunk. I would rather talk to him when he’s sober.”
*****
Kiba ran through the Hinterlands and hid in the bushes just as she reached the gates of Rhumbek. She peeked through and found that the entire city was deserted.
Kiba slowly climbed out of hiding without making a sound and ran quickly, heading towards the Earth Temple. She immediately went to hide behind of the dragon statues.
One of the mountain troll guards walked up the steps towards the temple holding a large spear. The beast stopped and turned its head in Kiba’s direction. She froze as the troll’s yellow eyes glared into hers, but it did not see her. The shadows hid her well.
The guard grunted into the night and walked inside. Kiba followed closely behind in absolute silence, keeping herself concealed in the dark.
Just as the troll disappeared into an empty room, Kiba swiftly and silently darted down the corridor. However, she came to a halt just as she heard large footsteps marching in her direction. Careful not to be caught, she slipped into another empty room. Two more mountain trolls sauntered down with their weapons held high. They walked towards the room that Kiba hid in and stopped when they reached the door. She held her breath.
The trolls looked around, and then continued on. When they disappeared, Kiba quickly left her hiding place and ran to where the guards had vanished.
She stopped when she reached large, circular room with four different paths to take. Kiba transformed into a wolf and sniffed around. A smile formed from her furry lips and took the corridor to her far right.
It’s near here, I can smell it. Kiba thought to herself.
After changing back to her human form, she made her way to the entrance of the dining hall and quietly took out her long bow and pulled out three steel arrows. They were held taut and nestled in between the cracks of the door. However, her stomach started growling when Kiba smelled food that made her mouth water, but she focused on the task at hand.
She peeked through the cracks and saw a cloaked man- no, dwarf by the smell, walking away from the feast.
When the coast was clear, she had to act fast to get to the vault, but she quickly stopped when she heard another voice that was similar to the one she heard earlier back in the forest. She shifted her weight on her left leg as she tried to focus on those who were talking.
Kiba saw a young girl talking to the same young man she saw in the forest before. She took in a deep breath and prepared to run fast. She had to be quick and silent while everyone was distracted.
Kiba changed back into a wolf and quietly followed the robed man past the throne. What she assumed was the leader sitting the throne was already intoxicated and full of merriment, as were the rest of his company.
She followed the man down a deserted hallway until they reached large, metal safe built into the castle with a locked door. Two trolls stood guard, looking intimidating as ever. They were heavily armored from head to toe, but Kiba noticed there was a gap at the neck.
The dwarf fumbled through his robes until he found two keys. He inserted both of them into the door and it creaked open. Treasure chests filled with gold coins and gemstones sparkled inside. Thousands of gold ingots lined the walls. Shelves were filled with strongboxes that held unfinished pieces of jewelry and even more gems. However, what caught Kiba’s eye was a golden egg that sat on a pedestal in the middle of the treasure trove.
Just as the man walked into the vault, Kiba quickly changed form and pulled out her bow. Before the trolls were able to react, she shot an arrow at the first and another at the second where the necks were exposed. Their bodies fell heavy to the floor, shaking the foundation of the temple. The startled man was about to pull out a weapon, but Kiba was faster than he was. She drew another arrow and let fly through his chest.
*****
The formalities came to a screeching halt when the ground shook, followed by Dormrir’s screams echoing across the temple.
Everyone in the dining hall panicked and scattered about. Selena, Rahim, and Azrael exchanged glances with one another before darting off to try to help Dormrir down the hall.
“What is the meanin’ of this? No… me vault!” King Dionysus immediately followed suit.
They caught up to a young girl wearing only a wolf mask holding a bow. She stowed it away and quickly ran towards the golden egg in the vault. As soon as she got out, the dwarf king moved his hands and made the ground ripple like water. He moved his hands forward towards the intruder, and the ripples turned into waves that slammed the thief against the wall, away from his treasure. The wolf girl dropped the golden egg, and it slid across the floor.
“Seize her!” Dionysus shouted to his troll guards who were standing near his throne. They held up their weapons and ran towards the girl. The egg danced around their massive feet and slid in the opposite direction as the beasts trampled past.
Rahim quickly pulled out his revolver he had attached to his belt and joined in on the action. Selena, realizing that she had Dragonheart put away, got into position to use magic. Azrael summoned his Aether pistols and, with Rahim, began shooting at the girl.
The wolf girl dodged their attacks and, just as the trolls approached her with their spears, she waved her hands and the ground rose above the trolls’ heads and crashed on top of them, swallowing them within its depths. Selena was amazed at the girl’s ability to summon the earth with such grace and ease. When the girl turned around, Selena recognized her at once: she was the one Selena saw from the Hinterlands. Her ragged white hair covered up parts of her dirty face. For a brief moment, she and Selena locked gazes with another. The thief gave Selena an eerie smile.
“It’s her,” Selena gasped to Rahim, “I’ve seen her before.”
“How?” Rahim asked.
“That’s not possible unless you’ve run into the Aynu!” Azrael exclaimed.
“I… I don’t know, but it was back in the Hinterlands. Wait, you said she’s one of them?” Selena asked.
“Those part of the pack wear wolf masks,” Azrael explained. “It gives them the ability to transform into a wolf.”
“You’re lucky she didn’t hurt you then!” Rahim exclaimed.
The color drained from her face, and Selena said, “I thought she was lost.”
The girl quickly pulled out more arrows from her quiver and aimed them at Dionysus. When she released them, the dwarf king waved his hands above his head. The ground shot up above him, acting as a shield that protected him from the attack. The arrows bounced off the rock and landed by the king’s feet.
The girl quickly put her longbow away and quickly switched to magic. She stomped on the ground, sending a shock wave that erupted in Selena’s direction. Selena, quickly out of reflex, rolled on the ground away from the attack and stood back up. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a sword made entirely of fire. Selena slashed at the air and waves of fire blasted in the girl’s direction, but she quickly dodged it. The girl waved her hands, summoning the stones that were part of the temple structure. With the flick of her wrists, parts of the rock were broken into little pieces and shot through the air like bullets from a pistol.
