Noctus's Story

Noctus had been watching two mages talk to a woman, and from the looks of it, trouble was near. She casted Vanish, and reappeared behind a tree opposite of the magi from the woman. She casted Nightmare on one, and Blot on the other. Afterwards, she strode silently from behind the tree and said:

"Magi, threats are no way to herald one to your cause."

Her glowing eyes turned to the woman as she casted Shadow Bindings on both of the men, the chains tethering them in place.

Noctus casted Travel and dissolved to a ominous mist. She had noticed a large amount of light coming from an area, some of it resembling fire. She began her journey of curiosity, hoping to get some answers.

Noctus,when she arrived, noticed an elf wandering in a destroyed part of he town, likely as curious as she was. Noctus attempted to make herself known, through presenting a dark aura. It wasn't necessarily evil, but dark.

City Skyfall

Sage felt the presence rather than saw it first. In a fluid motion she drew her bow off her back, knocked an arrow and pulled the string back to her nose, her gaze settling down the shaft and at the presence that she felt. The aura was dark, twisting in the shadows of the fires that still burned in the streets. It didn't move, though, and didn't look like it meant to move for some time. The elf watched, curiousity fueling her instead of her immediate reaction. Slowly she let down, and aimed the arrow to the ground between her feet.

"And what do you think that is, Rin?"

"Can't say for sure, but it's in the form of a woman. I've never seen anything quite like it before."

"Do you think it's... safe?"

"I'm not sure."

"You're such a great help, Rin..." Sage said sourly, rolling her eyes skyward.

Rin huffed in reply, "Whatever you say Sage."

"Hey there, what are you doing just standing in the street? It's still not safe!"

Sage turned to the voice, her eyes softening as she saw three people moving into the street. Two of them were carrying baskets full of debris as they were trying to clear an area, the third had his hand on a sword and was addressing her.

"What do you mean?"

"They could still be here!"

"Who?"

"The black cloaks, they call themselves the True Dragons. Bastards nearly sacked Skyfall! Come, girl, you can't just stand around here all day. Who know's when they'll come back," he held his hand out towards her.

Sage turned fully to look at him, "What makes you so sure they'll come back?"

"They were talking about a cleansing, they didn't finish. Thanks to V'lyn and his Assassin's, may Reina put his soul to rest, they saved the city from further destruction."

"V'lyn? Where can I find him?"

"He's dead, girl."

Sage sucked in a deep breath, "Where can I find the Assassin's?"

The man shrugged, "Not many of them left, and those who are still alive left Skyfall already."

"Don't worry about me, sir, I'll be fine. I'll find my way," Sage smiled at him and turned to face the shadowy aura that hadn't left yet. The man hadn't seen her, or he just didn't notice. Being human he might not have had the senses to pick up on the woman. Sage started towards the figure as the three men left her in the street.

"You're an interesting one," Sage said, addressing the darkness directly, "Don't suppose you know anything do you?" The elf smiled.

City Laowlee

Taking the steps two at a time, Raiyn reached the double doors of the palace shortly. With the doors wide opened, he was sure someone had already entered, or left. One of the two. He hoped that Aella and Drake were inside. With his long knives in hand, he rushed the doors and pushed inside. It was dark inside, utterly quiet and the air was heavy and still. The Assassin looked around, slowing his steps as he let his eyes adjust. He moved forward, a set of stairs looming up ahead, their shadowy outline wavering in and out with firelight that flickered on the second story.

From the darkness, sounds of fighting reached his ears. A sharp laugh echoed as well and the feeling of magic pierced the air. The familiar sound of shattering wood came next and from the second story two bodies came crashing down. Raiyn's throat clenched as he recognized the mop of yellow hair that belonged to Drake and the slender form of the elf Aella.

"I'm so happy you could join us, Assassin's. Enjoy the darkness, it will be your last," the feminine voice called from the top floor.

Raiyn rushed towards Aella even though there was a shout not to do so. The shadows writhed, moving to cut off his advance. The firelight danced above, making it hard to discern what was shadow and what was devil. The woman laughed over head. Raiyn glowered, lowering his body into a defensive position and preparing for a fight. The first shift of shadow to attack him came faster than he was ready for. Sharpened claws cut right across his chest, knocking him backwards.

"Raiyn! This is magic! Remember what Rayma said, you've got to relax, calm yourself."

He ducked another swipe, twisted his body and avoided another. His long knife lunged forward with his momentum and cut into the shadows. They parted, fading away into nothing more than flickering darkness across the wall. Raiyn felt his anger driving his actions rather than pure instinct. He came up from his dodging and thrust the blade into another shadowy apparition. Turning he met the claws of another, this one tearing at his neck and shoulder.

For a quick lesson, calm your emotions and soul. You are bound to your Scales [your dragon] and with that comes an inherent, albeit minor use of mana. You focus on your dragon in times of need when magic is cast against you, and you can avert it with your own mana. A simple deflection is all you need...

The Assassin reeled backwards, avoiding another slice of dark claws. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing and his anger. Dropping low he twisted, fingers reaching into his clothing to get two throwing knives. When they came free, he launched the projectiles at the shadows. Both hit their mark, dissipating the enemy threat. Raiyn lunged forward, his knife leading and he ran it through another beast of the dark. Overhead the laughing slowly stopped. The woman was obviously sensing the threat from the room down below.

"The more we kill, the more the true God gains life. Your efforts are futile, Assassin. He will be raised and he will crush you!"

The air became stuffy, hard to breath as it heated. Raiyn knew to take it as a sign of some very powerful magic being readied to cast. He looked up at the balcony, his gaze catching that of a woman in black leather. Both her hands raised. The darkness was swirling between her palms, a wicked grin on her pale face. Raiyn felt his heart jump and he looked for Aella. Just as he was about to call her name, the witch above them released the power.

"You may find this inconvenient, but I know as little as you might. I came here from curiosity. " Noctus stated in her monotone voice."But, I have heard of these True Dragons you speak of. On the way here, I witnesses them threaten an elf to join their side. I attempted to handle the situation, but I was traveling here before I observed the results of my actions."

Noctus took a few steps toward the woman, assuming she was not a threat.

City Laowlee

He had just barely finished explaining the situation to Aella and Drake. The elf was finishing her work with Rayma, the Assassin wasn't sure what she was doing but the moment she stopped, she dropped over the large man. Raiyn leapt forward and pulled her off of the Assassin, his heart in his throat.

"Aella?" He shook her gently.

"Deimos tells me that she's just unconscious. She's used too much energy. She needs sleep," Vy said.

"Alright, we should find a place for the night."

Shifting the elf to a better position he laid her gently on the floor, his eyes lifting to look at Drake who had been patched up by her. Relief filled him when he saw Rayma stir slightly. At least she had been able to give him enough energy to wake. However, they were in a very dangerous situation. With the palace destroyed and obviously the King dead, no one held rule over those who were allied with the Blacks. Raiyn only hoped that the sudden attack on their 'own' city would keep many of the people from attacking each other needlessly.

"You know as well as I that that isn't going to happen."

"Wishful thinking."

"Once Rayma's up, we will leave," he told Drake.

City Skyfall

Sage didn't move as the apparition got closer to her. Overhead, she heard Rin's soft growl, but there wasn't anything else that told her that this shadowy woman was a threat to her.

"You may find this inconvenient, but I know as little as you might. I came here from curiosity. But, I have heard of these True Dragons you speak of. On the way here, I witnesses them threaten an elf to join their side. I attempted to handle the situation, but I was traveling here before I observed the results of my actions."

Sage frowned, she was hoping that this being would have some insight on these so called 'True Dragons'. She took her arrow from the string and replaced it in the quiver on her back. As she strung the bow across her shoulder, she eyed the being before her, "Do you have a name? What manner of being are you?"

"Sage, isn't that a bit rude? What if she's dead?"

The elf blushed slightly at her dragon's words. She hadn't thought about that, "I-I'm sorry... I didn't mean... I just... uh..." Sage put a slender finger to her lips, took a deep breath then smiled at the woman, "I'm Sage. Maybe we should go and see if that other woman needs any more help?"

City Crystacia

"My Lady, I have terrible news," the messenger knelt down before her, his hand clenched in a fist against his chest. He looked up at her, long blonde hair falling across his shoulders and framing his sharp elven features. She leaned forward, eager to hear his words and he didn't hesitate to tell her.

"Last night, there was an attack on one of the noble's estates. His guards were killed."

"How did they die?"

"Magic. Powerful magic, my Lady. Some say it's dark magic, necromancy. The strange thing is that nothing was taken."

"Did anyone see anything?" Queen Fae asked sharply, her heart pounding and her fingers curling into a fist on the arm of her throne.

"The noble escaped with his life, he reported seeing men in black cloaks attacking some strangers that were in the Manor. He is demanding that we find who ever entered his house and-"

Queen Fae raised her hand, the messenger silenced, "You won't find the men who killed the guards. They are the same who attacked Skyfall. I received word from V'lyn about this cult. They work in the shadows and they are very powerful. The people who were fighting these cultists, I want them found and brought here. I have some questions for them," she said softly. The messenger bowed his head, got to his feet and left the palace. Several of the guard went with him. Turning to the few guards that remained in her audience, she raised her hand to them. They came and dropped down in front of her.

"Bring Admiral Xenith to me, I need her."

The four of them filled the room with their voices saying 'My Lady', then they stood and took their leave of her. Reaching under the decorative belt around her waist, Fae brought out the letter that she'd received from Raiyn V'lyn. It detailed the attack on Skyfall and how he was planning to figure out what was really going on. He would keep in touch with her as often as possible. That had been a day in a half ago. She worried where he was and what he'd found. Her sense's told her that there was something sinister at work, and she couldn't fight off the feeling. She was going to send Xenith to Laowlee to see if she could help. The one's who were at the manor that night she hoped could help her as well.

"I should be dead, yet I am immortal. My name was lost to the ages, but I refer to myself as Noctus. I am an Essence of Darkness, a being of pure shadow. I could be considered an 'Elemental', but I find myself much more thoughtful than those. I have been walking this land for centuries, stalking the shadows of this kingdom."

Noctus took a few more steps towards Sage, then casted vanish mid-stride. She reappeared right behind the woman, and then resumed speaking

"I was imbued with powerful magic when my husband transformed me into this, and I thank him dearly for it. Though, I eternally mourn my beloved, but that is for another day. "

City Crystacia

"Does anyone look like them?" The guard asked the Noble who stood right next to him. The inn was crowded and rowdy. The Nobleman searched through the faces for quite some time, much to the annoyance of the guard. They moved slowly through the crowd until finally, the Nobleman stopped a ways from a table and watched them with a look of recognition.

"That's them, or at least, the one with the ale in his hand looks like the one I saw that night."

"Go back outside and wait with the other guards, I'll bring them and we will go see the Queen," the guard ordered the man. The Nobleman left and the guard made his way towards the crowded table. With his gloved hand, he tapped the man on his shoulder, grey-green eyes turned to look up at the guardsman, "You're presence is requested by Queen Fae."

He proceeded to wait for the man to finish his ale, and with a few others from the group at the table, they left the inn and made their way to the palace of Crystacia. It was a large group that walked into the throne room where Queen Fae sat waiting for her guards to return. She watched carefully as the Nobleman and a small group entered with her guards. Brushing back locks of blonde hair, she stood and welcomed them.

"I requested your presence because you all saw something the other night that is very important. The name 'True Dragon's' has come to my attention and I believe that they are what you encountered. I need to know if you found out anything during your fight with them," she was blunt and straight to the point.

The Nobleman took several steps towards her, the guards parting to let him through, "My Lady, they were cloaked in black and used dark magic. I don't know what they wanted but these brave men fought with them. Without them," the man stopped, a smile slowly twisted on his lips as he watched the Queen who waited. Two guards slowly put their hands on their swords as they watched.

A moment later and black magic swirled around Queen Fae. The throne room resounded with a sharp crack and a startled gasp of pain. When the darkness faded away, Fae's eyes were wide, her mouth opened slightly and blood all over the front of her dress. A large, black spike was protruding from her chest, the crystal like weapon swirled with dark magic. As the Queen collapsed on the steps up to her throne, the guards men drew swords and pointed them at the group.

"Thanks to them, I wouldn't have been able to get here."

"No one leaves!" One of the guardsmen shouted as he moved forward.

The Nobleman laughed, "No, no one will leave," the same black mist swirled around him and his form of high class clothing was replaced by that of black robes and a cloak with the hood up, "You all are going to die in the name of the True Dragons." Several of the guards around them turned their weapons on each other, changing into their true forms.

City Skyfall

"Sage, you better get out of the city," Rin called.

"Why, what's going on?"

"Black dragons."

Sage flipped around and looked up into the sky, her gaze was sharp, but even then, it took her a while before she spotted the inky dots of flying dragons. They were moving fast and they were heading right for Skyfall. Rin's worried voice was enough to get her moving quickly. The elf turned to the darkness called Noctus.

"We have to leave Skyfall, their coming back. Where's the woman that you saw? If she's headed towards Skyfall, I need to warn her. I have to go back to Crystacia. Warn the Queen about this attack and hopefully get enough dragon riders out here to stave them off," Sage said all of this quickly as she looked up into the sky looking for the familiar form of Rin's purple body.

"I'm sure you could manage to meet me in Crystacia, right Noctus? I'll be there with our friend," Sage turned and smiled at the shadowy female figure.

"Rin, time to go."

"I shall meet you there,Sage." Noctus nodded to the elf and then stepped back into the shadows. She had found a map, so knowing where to go was easy. She casted Travel, and dissolved into the air. With unimaginable speed, Noctus glided over the landscape.I will be there shortly, she thought to herself, hoping to see Crystacia after all of the time she had been away from it.

City Laowlee

He hadn't gotten as far as the door before the beautiful elf Aella planted herself firmly in his way. He frowned at her, but it was in an attempt to fight off his smile. He was happy to see her up and about even though she had done so much. Her energy had obviously come back because the next thing he knew, he was being put through her interrogation.

"Raiyn V'lyn. You are in no condition to move. You get in that clinic room and sit on a bed or so help, I will use magic to restrain you again!"

His frown turned into a smile, a glint in his eyes as he listened to her, "Will you now?" he whispered. She didn't seem to hear him, or she just ignored him because she threatened to hunt him down if he didn't go into her clinic right that minute. Then he was assaulted by the children of the house who latched onto him and led him into the room. Raiyn sat down and found himself under guard by the overly excited children.

He waited for the elf to return and treat his wounds, all the while the twins hopped around him, playing with his clothes and the sheets on the bed. They laughed and giggled, completely oblivious to the destruction that had happened not moments ago outside. Laowlee was destroyed, the city sacked with the loss of its king. It was going to take weeks, months even, to rebuild it to it's former glory. Even then, he was sure that this city and the others weren't going to be the same ever again. He sighed as he watched the children.

Aella soon returned and she set to treating him, slowly removing the cloth that he'd taken from the palace to wrap his wounds. The 'bandage' he'd made was rudimentary, as she peeled it off, he tightened his jaw. The blood from the wounds he'd received had dried and caked onto the cloth, making it stick to him. When she'd finished removing it, the wounds were bleeding again. His armor was torn apart and he looked at it sadly as she removed each piece. Soon he was shirtless once again and she was working her magic across his chest and shoulder. His side was bruised from having his ribs crushed, but it was all cleaned up and repaired in a matter of moments.

When she finished, the elf looked tired, but satisfied. He reached out and took her hand in his. He brought it to his lips and kissed the back of her hand, a smile on his face. Then he stood up, his eyes lowering as he was much taller than her. Without letting go of her hand he leaned forward so that he was speaking in her ear.

"Thank you, Aella, Dragon healer," he turned his head and kissed her cheek. Only then did he release her and grab his clothes. Pulling the simple white shirt over his head, he turned the rest of the cloth in his hands. They were blood stained, torn and in desperate need of repair. Taking the belt that she'd removed, he put it back around his waist, the daggers resting on his lower back.

"I'll return later. Drake will be back soon. I'm taking Rayma with me," he told her, smiled at her and left the room. Outside, he spied Rayma sitting on a barrel, his large arms crossed over his chest and staring at nothing. The Assassin looked to be in deep thought, so Raiyn approached him silently. After a moment, he reached out and touched the man's shoulder, drawing his attention.

"Will you walk with me?"

Raiyn was interested in the older Assassin's knowledge and would welcome any wisdom that he had. He was sure that if he sparred with the man right after being healed, Aella would have his head, so he decided against it. When they had gotten rest, Raiyn would see about training again. The last couple of fights with the enemy had hit home on the fact that he wasn't in any way ready to face the True Dragon's on even ground.

"First repair your armor, talk with Rayma, see what he thinks about these 'True Dragons'. Then wait for a response from either Queen Fae or the Assassin's. We will make a plan from that. Drake is on his way back, the birds have been sent," Vy said to him, his voice soft as he was some distance from Raiyn.

"Thank you, Vy."

City Crystacia

"Yes, Skyfall was attacked already, about three days ago. Rumor has it that it was by a cult. I don't know the details, but I'm sure that in time we'll find out exactly who it was that did it. I'm glad I got to you when I did, the city was about to be attacked again. Who know's what would have happened."

Rin was flying fast, diving through the sky as she beat her wings hard against the wind. The woman was seated behind her, resting easily in the nook of Rin's neck. Soon the purple dragon was lowering herself underneath the clouds and once the white mist cleared from Sage's face, her heart was in her throat. She gasped as she looked down upon the city below.

"No..." she whispered in fear and anger. Crystacia's buildings were flickering orange and red from fire. Black smoke billowed into the air reaching her nose with the stench of burnt flesh and wood. Her heart hammered in her chest as she choked on the air.

"It look's like the fighting is over," Rin said softly.

"Lets see if we can find any survivors. We might be able to find out what happened. Start with the Palace, Rin. I need to know if Queen Fae is still alive. Keep an eye out for Noctus too."

Sage leaned forward, her eyes squinting as they dived down into the burning city. She hoped that she could find anyone that would be able to tell her what happened.

"There they are," Noctus muttered to herself. She stepped into the light, letting herself be seen from above.If anyone sees me, I'm dead. With Crystacia under siege, and from the centuries of being away, Noctus could barely recognize the place. Her glowing eyes drifted to the side, and she noticed some people staring wide-eyed at her.

The first thing from their mouths was "Monster!"

Her eyes slowly shifted to red as she commented,"I'll show you a real monster." As Wrath of the Darkness casted, she teleported behind the small group and summoned enormous tentacles of dark rage. Ghastly wailing could be heard from the arms as they slammed down onto the group, reducing them all to a pile of bones from the darkness consuming the flesh.

A small magical vault appeared around Noctus, attempting to keep her in place. "Foolish mortal! You cannot restrain me!" her voice more resembled that of a terrifying demon than that of a woman. More tentacles erupted from the ground, writhing and wailing in rage. As each massive arm slammed into the vault, Noctus could feel the barrier beginning to weaken, since she was imbued the magical expertise of a master sorcerer. "All will be consumed by my rage! The wrath of darkness knows no mercy!" Her demonic voice boomed at a deafening volume, likely being heard from all over the city.

City Crystacia

"Rin! Set us down!" Sage projected her thoughts at the purple dragon in a near shout. Her fear at what Noctus was doing overwhelming her. She hadn't thought that the woman of darkness was going to go into such a rage when she appeared in Crystacia. Something must have provoked her. Sage needed to calm the mystical woman, get her back under control of herself before she leveled the city.

Once they were on the ground, Sage leapt off her dragon and drew her bow, knocking an arrow. She didn't draw back though, but kept the arrow pointed downwards. She didn't wish to invoke even more wrath from Noctus.

"Noctus! You must calm yourself!" The elf shouted, trying to reach the woman and get her attention. Rin moved, her steps rumbling the earth as she did so. The large purple dragon slithered her body down against the ground, twisting her tail to make a half circle around the three of them. She gave a soft growl that vibrated in Sage's chest.

"Noctus!" Sage yelled again, tightening her hold on the bowstring, drawing it back slightly and lifting the weapon a few inches.

"If she does not calm herself, you need to go to the palace and assess things there. Nadia and I can handle her on our own."

Sage nodded to her dragon and waited for the dark woman to reply, hoping that she would get a hold of herself.

City Laowlee

His fingers gently picked up a piece of armor in a shop that had not been hit by the attack. Most of the damage to the city was centralized near the palace. There was still a bit of chaos going on as the citizens of Laowlee were at a loss at what to do, especially since their king was dead. It didn't surprise Raiyn that the city had come to a near standstill. Skyfall was the same after the attack there. He ran his other hand over the engravings on the bracer. Metal covered leather and it's craftsmanship was beautiful.

"Rayma," Raiyn's voice was soft as he spoke to the older Assassin standing with him, "Ro'ell, or Crystacia? Which do you think is the next target of the cultists?"

Both cities are powerful, they are large cities with many people. If what that woman said was true, and they are trying to kill as many people as possible, then the cities with power is where I would think they would go. But to which one first?

Raiyn's eyes narrowed as he gazed at the bracer. The merchant owner was watching them carefully, waiting to see if the Assassin wanted to purchase anything. The part of the city Raiyn had wandered into was calmer than the central area.

"Also, you should ask him about the nega-rune he spoke of before. If I'm not mistaken it would be used to transfer my energy to you more effectively. But that's all I know, learn as much as you can, Raiyn."

"I will."

Raiyn set the bracer down and turned to look at Rayma, waiting for his response. He was itching to leave Laowlee and do something but he couldn't. He had to wait to hear from Skyfall. The few Assassins he had left would get information for him soon enough he was sure, however, Raiyn wasn't one for waiting around. Then there was Crystacia, he had to wait to hear from the Queen as well, if he left Laowlee, he would never get her reply.

"Who goes there?!" Noctus finally shattered the vault, then turned to see who was calling her name. It was the elf that she met in Skyfall, the one that accepted her. The dark tentacles slowed down, and eventually stopped, before collapsing to the ground and then dissolving into the air. Her eyes went from a bloody crimson to a smooth amber, halfway between calm and enraged. "Do you think of me as a monster? An abomination to the living? Something that must be destroyed?". Her voice shifted to as if she was crying. "I am no monster. I have been persecuted for becoming immortal through magical transformation. I can become a monster. I could level this whole city, but I am not going to. The reason why, is because I have retained my human consciousness."

"You are right," Nadia whispered, stepping down from the dragon. "You are no monster." She watched as the woman - Noctus, as she now knew - fell apart through her words. Her eyes became sad and lost, replacing the fire that had burned just moments ago with sheer despair. "Dark magic is venomous, is it not?" Nadia's voice was hushed, gentle. "The more you use it, the harder it is to control," she said, "and the faster it will spread."

Nadia sat in front of Noctus, crossing her legs. "You are not an abomination," she said quietly, looking into her eyes. "Your power is a gift. There are few like you, Noctus - few that, with dark magic, are still able to hold onto their conscience. It is much easier to just let it go," she explained, "so much easier to give into the power." Nadia's eyes met the scorched dirt, her expression now bitter and almost resentful. "It is a constant fight," she paused, "but it is also a worthy fight. Do not let it consume you."

Looking back up, Nadia took a silent breath. "And thank you," she added, "for saving me today."

Noctus looked down to the woman talking to her. "Dark magic is not as you would think. There are some that are driven to madness by it, but us beings of darkness are much different than those who practice the art of our magic. We are not hellish demons, nor are we mindless killers. Those are constructs made from rage and fear, simply imbued with our power. But us, we are different. Essences of Darkness, as most scholars call my kind, are creatures of the night. We hide in the shadows, and mingle with only each other. I am much like the rest of our kind, but I don't reserve myself to the dark corners and caves of the world. Philanthropic acts are common amongst Essences, but they aren't usually as obvious as what I did to help you."

"Nadia, I'll leave this to you. I must go to the palace, I need to find out if everyone is alright inside. The Queen especially," Sage said as she put her hand gently on the dwarf's shoulder. She left after, Rin moving out of the way so the elf could easily get by. Racing across rubble and passed fires, she kept an eye out for anything that would be an enemy. Her fingers were tight on the string of her bow, the arrow resting lightly on the handle.

In a matter of moments she was taking the stairs two at a time that led up to the large palace. She pushed opened the double doors that had been slightly opened already. Silently stalking the hallway down to the throne room, she maneuvered through fallen stones from the walls next to her, broken glass and overturned furniture. The upper level of the palace seemed to be intact still, but she didn't go up the stairs. Sage kept going until she could faint sounds coming from the throne room up ahead.

Steel scrapping across steel urged her to go quicker. Still silent, she rushed down the hall, leapt over a large stone, and was in the throne room shortly after. Her bow came up, drawing the string back to her nose. She remembered what the man in Skyfall had told her. That they had been attacked by strangers in black. Sage saw several men in black cloaks fighting with guards and a couple other men. She turned, her bow aimed right for a man in black and released. The arrow whistled slightly as it went, a second later and a thud resounded in the air. Before that thud had sounded, Sage had drawn another arrow and let loose to a second target. Then a third, and a fourth, all within quick succession.

What remained of the guard's and the others, finished off the attackers before she could get another arrow loosened. Lowering her bow, she scanned the area and her heart came up to her throat. Lying on the stairs that led to her throne, was Queen Fae. A huge black crystal like spike in her chest, with blood all over her. Sage dropped her bow and ran to the elven Queen. Kneeling next to the beautiful woman, she gently pulled her up onto her lap.

"My Lady," she called softly. Fae took a slow, shallow breath. With a hand covered in blood, she pressed something against Sage's chest. Her eye's barely opened to look up at the woman who held her, her lips parted to try to say something but only resulted in the last bit of air escaping her. The Queen weighed heavily on her lap, her hand slipping from Sage's chest to fall heavily across her stomach. A piece of paper slowly fell from Sage to rest on the Queen's throat. Reaching out, she took the paper and tried to read it passed the blood that stained it.

All she could manage were a few words, and a name at the end, Raiyn V'lyn