The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles: Chapter 6

Chapter 1 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

Chapter 2 - The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

Chapter 3 - The Samurai: Eru's Origin

Chapter 4 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials

Chapter 6 - Hocirne's Return

The brutally battered, bloody and bruised bodies laid strewn all across the beach front. Ari was sickened at the sight of it. In the center stood, Kcin tall and blood with a wicked grin on his face as if to say "Here I am! Slaughterer of Elves, look at my masterpiece."

Eru was no help to Ari's sheer rage, she was beside herself with the scene and had crumbled to here knees. "You Distrosted MONSTER!!!" She shouted at the top of her lungs not caring who heard.

After a moment Eru piped up, her face lowered in defeat "How could you kill your own kind like this? With no remorse."

Then Kcin did the one thing that sealed his despicableness, he laughed. He began pacing, giving them sideward smirks while swaying his massive onyx sword about. "Do not presume to judge ME Eirumas! Or what was it they called you in the Old Tongue,-" His eyes darkened in victory, "Ah yes, 'KinSlayer' was it? The bloodied bodies of your fallen folk may be laid bare before you feet in the thousands! And all that at the behest of your Father? That's, that's where we discompare. You killed for your kingdom and your unworthy title holder of a father. Whereas, I, no I kill for myself."

Unheld tears streaked down Eru's cheeks now as she shook her head, Ari could tell that she did not believe his words, so kind was her heart to believe in the best of folk. She sighed deeply and asked, "What do you get out of this Monster?"

Annoyance flashed on Kcin's face for a moment and then it was gone, "Simple, I deliver unto the Queen of the North, that there Looking Glass and one, how did she put it? One Green Haired warrior princess. And I get a lifetime supply of Opium from her mines." His smile at the last words told her that this "Opium" was valuable to him.

Ari balled her fists in outrage, no one was taking Eru from her not as long as she held breath within her breast. She moved forward to charge when he appeared instantly before her and backhanded her to the ground, her whole body shook from the force of such a simple gesture on his part and her neck felt loose upon her head. "Do not dishonor yourself my thinking you have a chance fighting me woman. Eru was my only challenge today. It's why I sent her through the Trials. See the kicker, isn't the Mountain Troll you faced, it's what that idiotic place does to you afterward. Saps all your strength it does."

Eru was on her feet now, sheer rage reflected in her demeanor but the spell's toll could be seen on her skin, her once earthy glow no longer reigned true, a dull pale white now took its place. Kcin sensed this and snapped his fingers. Time literally began to slow all around them, even the ocean's powerful waves were halted in their beauty.

An old decrepit man appeared, unshrouded ever so slowly by a swirl of mist. His face held no emotion. He wore only a simple dark gray cloak with long nailed toes sticking out the bottom. Pure white hair draped across his head, flowing as if under water.

Ari tried to move, well anything at this point and nothing happened it was like her whole body not her own anymore and nothing worked as it should. She could tell Eru had this very same problem, except Eru seemed to be moving just a tiny little bit. She was reaching for her Katana! The one Ari had never seen her use no matter how dire the situation. The old man regarded her with a raised eyebrow, the furtherest extent of his expressions so far. Still, it seemed it would take Eru eons before she could do anything worthwhile.

Kcin looked down at Ari with a smirk of victory, "It would appear your escort has arrived your majesty. Meet Father Time."

Art Credit

***

Ari felt completely exhausted and defeated as she was forced to trail behind the old man. He walked with painstakingly slow movements, then again he did literally possess all the Time in the world. No matter how much she screamed, how much she struggle, nothing could stop the sight of Kcin leaving with Eru in golden chains, her beloved katana now thrown to the ground behind them. Thankfully the old man, who called himself Pilav by the way, had allowed her the solace of taking the katana with her. 

Even though they seemed to be moving at a snails pace, before long she noticed that they had passed Thorumdawn's tavern, the very same tavern she'd met Eru. How had they traveled so far, so quickly?

"Time moves for no man but I you see, everything slows and flows, blows and tows where I wish it. Thus is you confusing on the distance covered." Was he reading her thoughts? He frowned.

"You are on a quest to free the one you love yet the love I just watched being taken from you is not the love you quest to free. Peculiar, very peculiar. Tell me spriteling, what does love mean to thee? For such things are a mere blink in mine eye. Seen it once, seen it a thrice, 'tis all the same. Ends with such brutal tragedy or such boisterous victory."

In that moment, with her personal time zone affected by Pilav's presence, Ari was caught completely unawares at his unexpected burst of conversation with her. "Love is all." That's it? That's all she could manage to say to the Father of Time?! Yet he nodded & stroked at the saggy and aged skin of his chinny chin chin, deep in thought.  

"Where are you taking me? Why was I not taken to this Queen?" Ari began an internal dialogue not bothering with words anymore, seeing as he could read her mind and all. 

"That queen is a mere mortal pawn. It would seem this self-proclaimed Toad King, mistook his value of you and wants to possess you once more-" Pilav winced at the outburst of Ari's thoughts. She was beyond furious now. Since when did that slimey tadpole possess her?

She calmed her thoughts enough, "Why not let me go then? What could the all-powerful father of time have to gain from bringing him what he desires?" A part of her cried out, this could be her one chance to see Hterag once more. But no, no she couldn't leave Eru at the mercy of that usurper of a Queen. She had to go back for her friend, her Sister.

Pilav sighed and palmed at his face, "I was there at the birth you know, of all things but before this, I existed too. Eons upon Eons of footfalls upon all realms, none have proven above or before me. So I invite you this; of what heed would you take to should a mere passingly of a breath had it asked you for a favor? This Toad King has me bound by unspeakable and ancient magic that I thought lost to the ages. Thusly you nor I have a choice in the matter."

All Ari could do, was pray, pray to all the Asoscia Gods in sincere, pleaded and bended-kneed requests.

***

Art Credit

Hocirne pushed through the air with annoyance in his wake, calling over his shoulder "-alls I'm saying Merly, next time you want to send me to alternate realms and spheres atleast remember to mention the toxic mud or dragon's nest we might stumble into!"

Merlin's laughed echoed through the air behind him, "Oh laddie, such is not within my power. Old Wizzie was that sole owner and now you as well."

"Mother toad, you drive me bonkers. Then let's be glad I'm leading this time, and no-" Hocirne was cut short when the appeared before an OLD man and his charge. And he thought Merly was old but this guy was seriously beyond imagination old. Ancient was a more profound word, how could anyone look this old? His charge appeared more clearly as if shrouded in mist before and Hocirne's breath caught. 

"Ari!" He exclaimed. Ari opened her eyes in bewilderment and was almost toppled over as Hocirne barreled into her for a hug. 

Catching himself, he backstepped and palmed at his now shaggier hair. "Heh, sorry about that. It's just been 400 years since I last saw you! Merly wasn't kidding about the time difference."

The overcasted clouds began to shift and he felt a tugging sensation in his gut, it emanated from the old man. Ari grabbed at his arm, "Please, please do not anger Pilav." Hocirne squinted down and now noticed misty chains attached from Ari to this Pilav, stretching through his belly explaining the cold pit that filled there. All that made him do was think of food, decadent, and mouth watering food. 

Pilav raised an eyebrow, he thought the wrinkles in his face were going to crack at the strain. "What mysterious being are you? My presence seems naught but to make you hungry. Peculiar, very peculiar."

Hocirne rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah I get that alot gramps. The name's Hocirne. Now may you please release my friend here so we can go fill my belly with aunty M's best homemade cafflewaffles."

Pilav began pacing, but so slowing he must have not moved an inch in ages. Hocirne tapped at his feet.  "Hmm Ho'rin, familiar with this name Time has not been. Where reign thee?"

He got tired of this charade instantly, 400 years was a long long time and no amount of patience had been wasted so the thought of spending a second here irked every fiber of his being. He mentally shifted through Ari's memories of her time with Pilav seeing that the blasted Toad Kings hand had been played. He concentrated on the misty chains tethering Ari to Pilav, silently conjuring forth the Old words, the chains shattered as well misty chains could shatter he supposed. 

Pilav moved then, so fast it appeared a blur. Red misty now flew out at Hocirne, hitting him square in the chest with the force of a boulder. He was thrown into a nearby tree demolishing it in his thrust.

Art Credit: Tira Owl

He got up, dusting the splinters of his newly washed wizard robes the princess of Amdala had made for him. Annoyance flashed and he chuckled, "You call that hit old man? A baby mountain troll hits better that you!" He thrust out a hand, no flashy sparks needed. Pilav was sent up into the air, while there, he swayed his hand hoping the old man would get vertigo and thrust back downing, sending Pilav hurtling to the ground so hard that it left a crater once the dust settled. 

He grabbed Ari's hand and in a flash of lightning, the three of them stood in his now completely destroyed barn. 

Ari touched at her nape, breathing heavily. "How, how in the seven pointed kingdoms did you do that!?" 

But Hocirne couldn't think, he could breathe in fact when he saw Eru's katana. Her one, truly prized possession now on the back of Ari. "Don't....no...Don't tell me..." All the energy sucked out of him, the ground beneath him fell away and his knees landed soundly below an abyss. 

She came over in hurried exclamations, "No, No! She's not dead Hocirne, she's not. She's just been taken by a vile dark elf named Kcin. To the Queen, the very same queen that ordered your mother's dea-"

What was left of the barn was completely leveled, destroyed with but a thought from Hocirne. He got up with murder ablaze in his oceanic eyes. 

"Kcin is a dead man."

*****************

Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. I wrote out Part 1 as a test version to see how it would all play out.
Thusly, we chose to name this forthcoming collection - The Zemjla Dosta Chronicles.
Zemlja Dosta means "The Land of Plenty" in Bosnian. Thanks Sumarie-chan :-)

Hope you enjoyed reading chapter 6!

Tune in next week for chapter 7 won't ya :-)

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Zemlja Dosta Chronicles: Chapter 5

DeviantArt Cred: ignisfatuusii

Chapter 1 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

Chapter 2 - The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

Chapter 3 - The Samurai: Eru's Origin

Chapter 4 - The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2

Chapter 5 - The Elven Trials

Ari looked out as the sun set over the horizon, she pondered at the spot where the tormented Hocirne had been just a moment ago. To be so young and to have lost his mother in such a brutal fashion, she felt such heartache for him. 

"We should head back to the nearest tavern for now, they might have rooms to lay rest for the day." Eru looked defeated as she gathered up what remained of their supplies. 

A sharp sound caught Ari's attention, the baby dragon was beside her. Looking up at her with mournful slitted yellow eyes. Sigh, another motherless child for her to deal with. "Little one, what shall we name you hmm? Tarlock? No that's doesn't sound right. I know! I will name you after your mother begone. Brieme."

Without their horses, they were left to walk alongside Brieme towards the tavern. "That's a wonderful name Ari. Say, what ever did you do back there with the guards? The last thing I remember was you singing a most ethereal song." Eri asked as they picked up pace with the wind's tide. 

"My papa called it the Maiden's Melody, not heard in a hundred centuries prior. They had thought the gift lost to the ages until I began singing on my 200th centenary. The melody manipulates the emotions of others, meaning I can make them feel whatever it is I want them to feel." Ari frowned at that admittance and Eru's bewildered reaction, in her land it made her special, an outcast. Here it made her more so. Ari closed her eyes and pictured her realm once more. 

DeviantArt Cred: Nagatuki

***

Ari and Eru walked into the tavern, weary of the road they had traveled, longing for a moment of peace where they could each reflect on what had just happened.

“Why do we have to wait for him? I thought you said he’s some sort of great wizard that could help, not a stumbling block to get Hterag back.” Ari continued her rant as they searched the busy tavern for an open seat. 

“I said he is a great wizard. He is. But he needs training. Did you see the havoc he can create with untamed magic? Be patient. Things will work out as they should” Eru walked toward an open table and sat down. The air in the tavern was foul, reeking of breaths soaked in ale and humid bodies tired after a hard days work. 

“He will be back in due time, and then we will continue on our mission to find your Hterag.” 

Ari acknowledged the waitress walking in their direction with a fresh ale on her tray, the waitress made her way over. “Oh my, what brings such fair ladies to a tavern such as this? Be careful who you meet in places like these ladies, there are a lot of wolves in sheep’s clothing. But then again, I guess there’s a lot of sheep in wolves clothing ey?” The perky waitress gave a slight chuckle and started to turn around. Ari looked at Eru with disbelief, it was the first mortal in this realm that freely spoke to them. The waitress swiftly spun back to the two and whispered, “You might want to cover your hair, you're gaining a lot of attention from some dangerous folk.” 

On that note she was called away to another table. Eru immediately covered her hair with her cape and looked around the room. One by one making a summary of the collection of mortals, their weapons and a guess at their agility and combat ability. Once she summarized everyone, she felt at ease with herself. She would be able to defend herself, Ari and the waitress if need be. Finally her gaze fell to Ari, looking back at her with a questioning look “I’ve finished my ale, you haven’t touched yours or said a word about our situation. What will we do?” 

Eru sighed deeply and wiped tiny beads of sweat off her brow “I wish I had all the answers Ari, I truly do. But we have to be patient. Have you seen anyone looking at us?” 

Ari smiled guiltily and glanced around the tavern “Who is sitting there at the far corner? She can’t keep her eyes off of us.” Eru smiled, so Ari noticed and took in her surroundings even though she did not show it. Pride. It was a feeling she had long forgotten, left behind in a land far away, a land she was starting to think she’d never reclaim. Eru pushed back the thoughts clouding her view of reality in this moment and looked at the woman sitting in the corner. She was dressed neatly, the difference between her surrounding and attire was striking. She was out of place, but somehow Eru thought this woman was right where she wanted to be. “Don’t stare at her Eru! It’s rude” As if the woman had heard their conversation, she slowly lifted her head, and looked right into Eru’s eyes. 

Ari stood up “I’m going to go talk to her” Eru and Ari have only been a team for a few days at most, but Eru knew how this would end. There was no stopping Ari when she had her mind set, so the best she could do was hastily down her ale and make her way over to the woman to make sure that Ari didn’t get herself into a sticky situation by losing control of her emotions.

"Oi, why are you staring at us mortal? I demand answers." Ari stood there hand on hip ready to take on the world. 

The woman chuckled, her big beady neckles danced upon her ample bosom. "Verily, I apologize. I am named Valencia, I hail from the southern kingdom and I was told to wait for your here."

"Wait for who? Us? Why?" Eru asked in perplexion. 

"I was beseeched to wait for the green haired gaijin and her pinked haired companion. You see I am on a grave mission from my queen. It is urgent that I must speak with thee." Valencia's heavy set golden bracelets jingled as she moved to make room for them as her rather large frame took up most of the room of the booth. 

In a surprising turn of events, Valencia told them her mission. To retrieve the Looking Glass from an Elven clan in the mountains. In exchange, her queen was prepared to offer them a way to Ari's realm. Eru regarded the woman suspiciously, who did this queen know of their plan to visit another realm. What was more disturbing was the lack of stories Eru had heard about the southern queen. Every other kingdom was afresh with gossip on their royal rulers, yet not a whisper of this one. "I thought the elves went extinct a millennia ago."

Valencia smiled politely, "I know not of such things but my queen has arranged an escort for you."

***

"Do you trust her Eru? You ought to be more careful in your deals youngling, I've only been a short time in this land and your fellow mortals have had terrible behavior." 

Eru sighed, "I am cautious Ari, but this is our only option at the moment. Take heed, our escort should be arriving shortly."

Eru and Ari waited beside the Spirit waterfalls, the vapor of falls carried to them dampening their hair. Thunder and storm brewed in the east, an iron stoned castle in its wake. Brieme who had been playing gleefully in the falls, came galloping to tuck his head under Ari's arm as the thunder boomed in the distance. A time later when the storm hit them, they took cover at a near by ledge, looking out into the storm for their assigned escort who appeared to be frustratingly late. 

Suddenly, though not entirely like, an elf appeared in the same way that Merlin did. As if through the very fabric of the air. He glanced back at the iron stoned castle and pulled at his obsidian cloak. 

DeviantArt Cred: Martaemilia

His was long and dark, with the sudden contrast of piercing ice blue eyes framing his eyebrows. The armor under his cloak almost swirled with the storm as it connected. 

Ari regarded him coldly but Eru could not help but stare. He did not look like any man she had seen before, then again this was no man before her but an elf, an elf in blackened armor. "You must be the escort, well don't just stand there. Introduce yourself."

The elf smirked at Ari's demand as if a child has just asked him for a sweet. "The name's Kcin of the Remerb clan. Forgive my lateness, those mountain trolls can be a pain to deal with."

"Mountain trolls? First elves now mountain trolls. I was told the mortals ruled these lands and that such beings were driven to extinction in eons past." Eru inquired, unsure as to why her heart beat loudly as he stepped closer to them. Something about him resonated with her at her very core.

Kcin chuckled heartily, "It's true the humans do outnumber us fair folk but alas our extinction has been the subject of political hogswash, meant to give a sense of safety. Come, we must journey a day's trek towards the eastern mountains if you wish to reach the entrance to the Elven lands."

Kcin gestured for them to follow as strode off into the storm without a care. 

The trek was long and hard, through sleeted snow and burnt rock. Kcin had no intention of stopping even they struggled through the harsh conditions. Worse still was his insistence on climbing a damned mountain top. It took them longer than a day to reach its zenith but alas the survived. The view from atop the peak, was breathtaking. Lush greenery sprawled out as far as the eye could see, decadent waterfalls streamed through the burnt rock of the distant mountains. Upon their descent, Kcin held up a hand and hurried them behind a boulder. 

Thundering footsteps could be heard, the noise of armor echoing as it did. Before Eru, a marvelous yet impossible sight awaited her. Golden warriors marched in complete unison as if of one mind. In the lead was an Elven woman with luminescent blue-purplish eyes.

DeviantArt Cred: jasontn

Kcin grunted, "Hellfire! Varda has decided to go ahead then."

Ari pushed at Kcin's shoulder, "Decided on what exactly?"

Kcin palmed at his face in tiredom, "The invasion plan, they attack at dawn. The dawlish clan will march unto the east pointed kingdom in full force and annihilate its ruler."

Eru clutched at her chest, remembering all to well the carnage war always brought. "I don't understand, the stories, elves are supposed to be naught but peaceful delicate beings. Recluse and in tune with nature." 

"It's true we elves descend from the fairies of old but alas these later generations have evolved beyond those limitations. They are bred for nothing but war and war is what they will bring unto this world. We must hurry to their vault before all is lost."

Kcin led the way towards the shoreline, and presented to an eastern facing mountain side. 

He took out a piece of white rock and began drawing intricate symbols upon the bare rock. 

"What is this elf doing now?" Ari whispered whiling absent-mindedly patting on Brieme's scaly head. His tail wagged out in furious appreciation. 

Eru shushed at Ari as they watched Kcin finish off the symbols with an appraising glance. "Ah, that should do it. Eru, you're up."

"What do you mean. I'm up? You've brought us this far. You go."

Kcin eyes glazed over as if he was encircled in an altogether unpleasant memory. 

DeviantArt Cred: takeyourhatred

"The trials within call for a warrior of pure heart and fierce loyalty. It will not allow an elf from another clan to enter." He explained. 

Eru sensed that that wasn't the entire story but lamented on completing the task. As she got up to stand before the symbols, Ari stood beside her with a determined expression. "Warrior or not, I didn't come this far to sit out here like some pampered queen. We do this together." Eru's chest inflated, never had she experienced such friendship before nor had anyone been willing to risk their life with her outside of battle. 

Kcin uttered an incantation and a doorway erupted through the rock sending debris everywhere. Eru and Ari stepped into the narrow cavern, startled as the doorway closed loudly behind them. Even though Eru had been trained to fight in the blind, even her vision could not pierce the darkness around them. Ari began to literally glow, every inch of her became illuminated in glorious white light. "That's a new one." Eru marveled. 

Ari shrugged and urged them forward, until the happened upon a large dome like cave. Surprisingly the floor beneath them was all made of glass, it bottomed out into an abyss below. "Great, how in the transenoble tails are we suppose to find a Looking glass amidst all this other-"

"BBBRRRRRRROOOOAR!!!" The rocked ceiling above them quivered and splintered as a massive sound erupted from the gloom of the cave. A gigantic monster came pounding towards them, it's heavy footfalls causing cracks to appear in the glass. 

Ari shrieked and shrunk back in terror, "Who the hell leaves that thing to guard a place where the floor is made of bloody glass?!"

From Kcin's earlier descriptions during their trek, Eru summed that this was a mountain troll. Green blistering skin and all. It had on a sheer loin cloth for cover around the midsection with a belt made out of skulls. Eru didn't miss a step, her body taking over in muscle memory. This is what she knew, this is what she was chosen for. She pushed Ari out of the way and sidestepped the beast as he went barreling into the cave wall, sending chunks of burnt rock flying out around him. 

She lifted off her heels, calculating now that her speed would win them this. Eru danced around the giant to an attempt to anger and disorient him further. This time when the beast came barreling towards her, she effortlessly scalled the far cave wall, defying gravity as she went. Just as the giant was to reach her, she flipped out curving her body in the air as she landed upon the giant's shoulders. She withdrew two hunting knives from the small her back in quick succession and drove them into either side of the beast's pulsing neck muscles. It took but a minute for the beast to feel the acid and poisonous touch of her blades. A gift from her father of course, dipped in manticore venom and fermented in summer sun. The giant went crumbling down causing large fissures to appear in the glass floor. Eru bent over, breathing deeply from the exertion. Those muscles were thick and had stripped much of her strength. She turned to notice Ari smiling broadly with a piece of glass within her hands. 

"I found it!" She exclaimed. 

***

Ari had to practically haul Eru out of the cave, she was completely drained from more than just that battle yet they did not know from what. All Ari cared about was getting them out from there. As the door to the vault opened, they both gasped at the sight before them. A legion of elves, all....dead. Bloody bodies were strewn across the beach and in the center of them stood Kcin with a dark expression that now claimed his face. 

DeviantArt Cred: arsinoes

"No, it cannot be." Eru said as she fell to her knees. "He's a dark elf."

Kcin smiled sickeningly, "The Baboon Queen will be most pleased at your success."

*************

Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. I wrote out Part 1 as a test version to see how it would all play out.
Thusly, we chose to name this forthcoming collection - The Zemjla Dosta Chronicles.
Zemlja Dosta means "The Land of Plenty" in Bosnian. Thanks Sumarie-chan :-)

Hope you enjoyed reading chapter 5.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard Part 2

DeviantArt Cred: Averte

Read Part 1 of this Story Here

A shiver shot down his spine and—BOOOOOOM!!!!!!

In a flash, the barn roof exploded and lightning surged through it, hitting Hocirne head on. All his world turned white and bright hot. He was consumed by it.

He un-scrunched his eyelids when his body didn't feel like it was being burned alive. A pure white room greeted him, it was expansive and ominous. 

"Hello son."

Hocirne retreated in horror, "F-Father! How can this be?"

A man stepped forward as if from a fold in the white, his smile broadened causing little crinkle lines on the side of each of his eyes. He appeared to be in the same clothing as he was when Hocirne last saw him. Tattered dark green shirt, torn brown pants with a faded scarf around his neck. 

"The great wizard of Old, thought it best if I met with you and explained things, such as they are. But first are you just going to stand there or are you going to give a father a long lost hug?"

Hocirne flung himself into his father's strong and farm study arms. He couldn't believe his luck, two beautiful maidens coming to revealing a magical destiny and seeing his father all in one day. Surely this cannot be His life. "Wait, explain what things?"

His father put Hocirne in front of him, steadying his hands on his shoulders. He appraised his son, "You've grown to a mighty fine young man my boy, I am so proud of you." 

Hocirne's ear started to heat up. "Father, I haven't done anything worth being proud of." 

"Cobblewalsh, you've taken care of your mother and the farm and dreamed of a life filled with adventure. I couldn't be more proud." His father cleared his throat and nodded to an imaginary force. "Right then, son we don't have much time. You have been chosen to become the new Wizard of the North. A savior for some, a nightmare for others. You must take heed, do not use the power as a crutch and never give more than the people deserve. A path has been laid out, you must promise me son. Promise me to follow the path. The wizard of Old was quite adamant on this."

Hocirne sighed deeply, so many rules and he hasn't even started being a wizard yet. "I promise father, but please don't go, can't you come with me?"

The entire room shook and a thunderous roar could be heard. His father looked unto him with sad eyes, "Such things are forbidden my boy, it would throw off the balance between life and death. Now you must go, stay too long here and you may not never return."

A tugging sensation appeared in his gut before he could protest, he was pulled back into his place in the center of the barn. 

A single tear trailed down his cheek.

He smelled burnt ozone all around him and hurried out to help the maidens up as they were thrown from him. He looked up and palmed his face at the destruction. "Mother is going to kill me."

"What happened? Is he a wizard now?" Ari asked as she frown in frustration.

Eru looked unto him with a sparkle in her eye, she seemed to know alot more than she was letting on. "I am unsure, well Hocirne, how do you feel?"

Yes, how did he feel? None of this morning chores reflected in his muscles or his bones, his mind felt pristinely clear, thoughts no longer jumbled. But there was something else too, something had taken root deep within him. He closed his eyes to focus on it, reach for it. "I feel it, it's there."

Ari huffed out a breath, "Finally! That took forever, let's get moving then."

"No, wait, Hocirne I have a book of spells in my travel sack. It will help you." Eri moved to reach for the sack but halted when she marveled as Hocirne hand begin to glow a bright white & yellow light.

DeviantArt Cred: Djsanka 

"First, we need to go to the village of Maca, it's 30 leagues from here and I feel it calling to me or rather the people calling out. And we can't go there looking this, not as clear outsiders." Hocirne waved out his glowing hand, touching the power within him and bringing to forethought, his intentions. Their clothes were suddenly changed, into the styles he had seen on his one visit to Maca. 

Ari looked down, appalled at the state of her dress, "This is absurd, I will not be seen in this I tell you. I will not."

A palm touched his, soft and delicate, sending a shiver through his whole body. Eru had taken his hand to study it in wonder. "How-How ever did you do that? I was advised that the wizard would need spells to do such things?"

Hocirne retracted his palm, feeling his ears heat up. Being this close to her, seeing the flakes of golden within her emerald eyes, unnerved him. "I uh, I don't know exactly how I did it but I was never one for the rules. I guess I just don't believe they have power over me."

***

Their horses halted at the entrance to Maca, chaos was the only word to describe the scene before them. Houses ablaze, people running in terror, children left crying and a dragon. A massively red scaled dragon sailed through the smoke filled sky. It's fury echoing in the thunderous roars it bellowed out. The very same roar he had heard in his vision. This must be what he was sensing.

DeviantArt Cred: Sky Sealer

Ari gripped at his arm, "What the bloody hell is that thing?"

"Why it's a dragon ofcourse, and we're going to talk to her." Eru smiled broadly like she knew this was going to be the outcome all along.

"Let's tend to the villagers first. The need to know that the wizard is back." Hocirne concentrated and out stretched his hands above his head. A blast of white energy shot to the sky and as it reached a peak, crescendoed out in an arc around the village. Invisible, but still there. "There, that should keep them safe for the time being. Shall we?" He gestured out to the maidens. 

Eru stood out in the open field, under the swirling Dragon without so much as a care in the world. As if summoning it, the massive beast came barreling to the earth before her. It halted before them, fiery plumes still etching at the sides of its mouth.

"The poor thing has lost her baby," Eru said, now caressing the sides of dragon's blood red scales. 

Hocirne looked on, flabbergasted. "You can speak to it - I mean her?"

"Yes. Her name is Brianna. Here come." Eru reached for his hand, but Hocirne avoided the contact and instead placed his own hand upon Brianna's scales. Eru's voice took a whisper to his ear, "Feel her rhythm. Feel her power. Yes, there. Now listen to her speak."

Hocirne's eyes popped open, "I can hear her!" He exclaimed in wonder. 

"Eru please this doesn't make any sense. We did not come here to rescue some infant beast. We came here to find the Wizard so he can help me find Hterag."

"Wait, how do you know Hterag your majesty?" Hocirne asked now perplexed. 

The queen's eyes lit up, "You've known Hterag in this land?"

"Yes, he's my uncle."

***

Brianna scoured the skies above them as they raced through the land to find her baby dragon. Hocirne could tell that in their silence Ari and him were both dealing with the revelation. The revelation that Hterag, her lost love was his long lost uncle. His father and uncle had had a huge falling out when Hterag wanted nothing to do with the farm after their parents passing. Hocirne had thought of his uncle as a gallant hero. Out accomplishing great deeds and going on fantastical adventures. Never could he have imagined that his uncle would open a portal to another realm, fall in love with a queen and then get himself captured by this usurper Toad person. He vowed that he would do all in his power to save his uncle and reunite the queen with him. 

An arrow whizzed past his head as Brianna shouted from above that she sensed her baby nearby. Men appeared from behind the trees, dirty and sneering, all of them. A dozen of them notched their arrows when a cry erupted from the forest behind them. The wailing touched at his hurt, the baby dragon was in pain. A darkness rumbled from the earth below him and he turned to see a murderous look on Eru's face. She jumped off her horse as the arrows sailed through the air, surely to hit them should it land. Eru's unwrapped her sleeves so that they overtook her hands. Just as the arrows were about to land upon them, she began the most beautifully enthralling dance Hocirne ever had the honor of seeing. Using her flowing sleeves, she changed the directory of every arrow before her. They all hit to ground around them. The barbarians looked at a loss, unsure of what to do next. 

The rumbling in the earth began again and he knew the dance was over, "You sniveling sacks of pigs. I will make you pay for ever having touched a scale on the poor creature."

A gust of wind blew out in her wake as she flew out at the men with astonishing speed. Eru didn't even draw her katana, only using her hands she rendered each one of the barbarians either unconscious or dead. Deadly hands, twisting necks and bloodying her opponents. He could not imagine that they were the same that touched his palm not so long ago. 

The baby dragon was found deep within the Maca forest with two barbarians stationed to guard him. Hocirne pushed out his palms and the men were hurtling into breaking trees. Brianna was once more reunited with her kin. She nuzzled at the little dark blue scaled dragon. He huffed at her affections. 

"There, now that we've saved this lot. Can we please get back to our mission?" Ari said warming her hands over the fire. 

"I can't just leave, I need to talk to my mother about all of this." Hocirne gestured out in dramatic fashion. "But I promise you, your majesty, I will help you find my uncle. He is family and family is everything to me."

DeviantArt Cred: Perlamarina

***

"No, no this cannot be." Hocirne looked out in horror at the scene before him. A infantry of armor clad men stood on steads and the very ground he'd called home for so very long. His mother was among them, being held firm by a soldier with no face to be seen. 

"You will hand over the wizard to us now. He is to serve in my queen's army. That is his purpose." The no faced man commanded. 

"What? Who the hell is your bloody queen? Bring her forth so that we may have words." Ari thundered forward with balled up fists. Eru halted her. 

"Please, please just don't hurt my mother." Hocirne pleaded, with no hope in sight. He could try his magic but the no faced man seemed to be in no gaming mood. A quick thrust from that blade in his hand and it would be all over. 

"You have no say in this outcome wizard. It is your protectors who must decide before my queen orders any further bloodshed."

Eru stepped out, "What do you mean further bloodshed? This is the Wizard of the North. None are higher. You will pay heed soldier boy."

The other soldiers laughed and the no faced man shouted for quiet, "That title holds no honor any longer Gaijin. My queen rules over these lands now and-" He broke of as a whisper appeared on the wind.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Eru screamed out as she picked up whisper on the winds. But it was too late. The blade had already been thrust into Hocirne's mother.

Brianna bellowed from above and came soaring down in anger. Worse still was the sight of her shaking the earth as she crumbled. The soldiers had been ready for this, their leader had pulled out a ruby. Deep and blood red, the color of Brianna. Before Eru could move, the soldier was on the dragon. Stabbing her through the heart with a golden sword. 

He touched at her, "Forgive me Brianna... thank you for your sacrifice."

The baby dragon wailed beside them and Eru did all she could to hold him back. She look out at Hocirne, he had sunk to his knees. Like them, unable to process what had just happened. Obviously more so. Her heart broke for him.

A melody broke through the chaos, the sweetest sound she had ever heard. It was Ari! She was singing. Her words, her tone were utterly captivating. Eru could feel the power within them. It resonated with her very soul, swaying her. And then all the world around her faded.

***

Eru was thrown awake by the thrusts of Ari, a massive storm out around them. She screamed through the torrent of rain, wind and thunder. Eru sat up groggily as the scene unfolded before her. Trees and even boulders were being uprooted by the sheer force of the storm as it raged about. At the center of it, was Hocirne. Again on his knees but now in pain. She could hear his cries of sorrow and despair. 

"I can't go near him! His magic is out of control!" Ari shouted beside her. 

"Well, what did you expect? The boy did just lose his mother." A voice came from behind that startled them. A white-bearded man appeared as if through a fold in the very storm. 

"OH right, who the bloody hell is this now?" Ari fumed

"What is it you call it? Ah yes, I suppose my fast-tongued name would be Merlin. I was apprentice to the Great Wizard of Old and I am here for the boy." Merlin stood there smiling serenely, the fury of the storm that battered at Eru and Ari, seemed to not bother him at all. He waved out a hand and the storm seemed to dissipate around them, energy began to glow and they were warmed.

"Where will you take him?" Eru asked in concern. 

"He must go where my master went. He must walk the path laid out for him. His 400-year journey must be-"

"400 years! Have you lost your mind old man? We cannot wait that long." Ari exclaimed balling up her fists.

"Worry not my child, I sense the urgency of your words. Time moves differently for us wizards. He will be returned unto thee within a fortnight."

Eru looked back at Hocirne, magic bolts of energy shooting out from him as he clutched at his sides. The pain of his loss was now uncontrollable and physically tormenting him. "He shouldn't have to go through this. I failed him."

Merlin crouched down and cupped her chin, "Hmmm you feel more deeply than most, don't you my young samurai. He and thee are connected. A wizard and his guardian, such shall it be as it has ever been. I fear the darkness of this loss will corrupt him should he stay here, he must journey with me or alas his terrible pain will become all that he knows."

Eru sighed deeply, an incredible weight now reflected in her shoulders. "Please bring him back to me."

Merlin nodded and with that, he snapped his fingers, taking Hocirne and the storm with him.

Unicorn Queen Cred: iluvfaeries

***

Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. I wrote out Part 1 as a test version to see how it would all play out.

Hope you enjoyed Part 2!

Here's the Origin stories of Eru & Ari respectively.
Happy reading.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Samurai: Eru's Origin

Read Part 1 of this Story Here

The bolt of lightning that exploded through the roof of the barn had rocketed her of her feet and thrown her mind into the past. Into the memories that brought her to this moment…

The land that stretched out before Eiramus was barren, the air pungent with war and poverty, she could feel the despair of the land just as vividly as the wind blowing through her viridescent hair. She lightly brushes her cheek, setting the trapped stand of hair free from her damp face. 

“How did it come to this?” she mumbles into nothingness while slowly crouching down. She marks her territory with her village’s symbol, a snake wrapped around an olive branch. How ironic, she thought that this would be their symbol. A snake, everlasting symbol of evil and despair and the olive branch signifying hope. Which one is she? The snake or the olive branch. The questions never plagued her when in training, believing she would be fighting for a better cause, but looking out at the dying land, she started thinking that she might be the snake. 

“Eiramus, get up, the others have departed to the Thasues mountains already. You know well you cannot let your soldiers travel that path alone, the gods will frown upon your actions child” 

Eiramus turned around while still crouching, looking up into her father’s eyes “Teacher, tell me, how can you still call me a child when I’ve taken the lives of hundreds? When I’ve conquered almost half the kingdom in our gods names and helped you push back the enemies you’ve feared for years.” She could see her father’s anger rise in his stance, the way his lip slightly twitched in the right corner, the way his knuckles turned white around his trumpet, Eiramus could not care less. She stood up and faced her father “They call you the mighty conqueror, but I lead your battles and slaughter your enemies before you. Can you not feel the ground mourning for the lives lost, can you not see the three suns hiding behind the darkness we’ve cast upon the land.” 

With that Chikura flung his trumped to the ground and wrapped his hand around Eiramus’ neck “Don’t you ever mention what you feel, do you hear me, girl? Your feelings are a fiction of your imagination and don’t you dare ever defy me again” He slung Eiramus to the ground and stood over her.

“Child”
With that Eiramus watched her father whom she once loved dearly walk away from her for the last time…

DevantArt Cred: fearn

At that moment Eiramus knew what she had to do, she picked up her father’s trumpet and once again looked out to the landscape she had ruined. Slowly making her way the mountain, she knew this was the path she was meant to follow. Her heartbeat was in tune with her steps, and in turn her steps were in tune with the heartbeat of the land beneath her feet. It was as if she could already smell life returning to the lands, even though it laid, destroyed before her. 

She knew she had to escape her father’s wrath, he would stop at nothing to force her into her destiny to become the leader of this land by becoming the executioner to anyone who would defy her. No, she did not want her followers to fear her, but to love her. Harmony was key, and she knew it. She would return to her father, this time fighting against him, instead of for him. 

By the time Eiramus came to this conclusion the ledge on which she stood with her father was a speckle in the horizons behind her. She turned around and swore in her mother tongue 

“Heishbag kvosiera au hijden” – {I will return to claim my land} 

With that parting promise, Eiramus picked up the pace, she felt the wind in her lungs, cleaner somehow. The air around her was no longer weighed down by the despair of past and future conquers. She was no longer the snake, but the olive branch. She was free and she was freedom entwined into one magnificent being. She knew what she had to do, she'd head for a realm far from hers, where magic was in abundance and you aren’t imprisoned for wielding with the forces of the universe. 

She had heard whispers of a woman opening portals to another realm, she’d heard villages call out her name in despair as she slaughtered them to claim her father’s victory. The name was Nezebeth, and she lived where no man or woman would dare wander. 

Eiramus made her decision, she would find this sorcerer, and she would find an army powerful enough that her father would not dare stand against her. 

The moment she decided,  the land beneath her feet started to move. Changing, laying out a path that she has yet to walk. Walking she became certain that she’d made the right decision, jogging and eventually running towards her destiny. Before she knew it, she found herself in the middle of the bog. A place she’d only heard of in stories to scare toddlers and adults alike. 

“Why are you here, child?” a mysterious voice filled the air around her. 

“Don’t call me child, I am Eiramus, samurai trained by the great Conqueror Chikura, king of these lands. You will address me with respect or live to regret it.” Eiramus suddenly felt the ground starting to suck her in and her breathing became frantic, like she wasn’t getting enough air. 

“Oh child, how do you fight an enemy you can’t see? An enemy you can’t hear, unless it wishes to be heard. An enemy you can’t feel unless it wants to be felt? But you already know you can’t fight such an enemy. That is why you are here, isn’t it young samurai?”

Eiramus fell to the ground, whatever was holding her released. She closed her eyes and thought about her father. The days he spent training her, the nights he spent tucking her into bed and the men he fought and killed to stay in power and for her, a woman, to become the leader of his army. Suddenly she wanted to turn back, wanted to look for the quickest path out of the bog “It’s too late child, you already made your decision. You can’t turn back now.” 

Eiramus felt herself rising involuntarily, she clutched her trumpet and katana. Before she knew it, darkness engulfed her. She begged for unconsciousness to replace the nothingness. She did not know how long or how far she traveled. All she knew was that she was on her way to another realm. And the sorceress in the bog somehow knew what she felt, she knew her past and her future. While on the journey, Eiramus held fast to two vows: 

First, she will return to claim her land and second, she would find the sorcerer that sent her away, and confront her about the kingdom’s past, present and future.

the_seven_virtues__hope_by_sijeney

*******************

Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. Part 1 of this story can be found here.

Last week I featured The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

We got to talking & the girls started writing their own versions of the how the characters came to be.
This awesome Origin/Background story on the Character Eiramus, was brought to you by unbelievably amazing Sumarie Steenkamp

She was born to write fantasy and I cannot wait for more.

Part 2 of "The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard" will be posted next week, which continues where the storyline left off.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Unicorn Queen: Ari's Origin

Art Cred: Cassarica Nadas

Read Part 1 of this Story Here

The bolt of lightning that exploded through the roof of the barn had rocketed her of her feet and thrown her mind into the past. Into the memories that brought her to this moment…

Acirassac, the fifth of her name, was the only blooded daughter of king and queen Neris. A descendant of Asoscia, the prodigious warrior queen who battled the 5 High demons during the Iron Wars to bring peace to the land of Unakite. As a princess she lived her days in the castle above the city that hung in the salmon clouds over the highest mountain.

Living in a castle may sound like a pleasant life but Ari's life seemed to be controlled by one thing only, her destiny to become queen. From dusk till dawn she studied hard to become a great leader like her father and her ancestors before him. She felt trapped behind the stone castle walls and whenever she looked over at the city she longed for the unknown beyond the horizon.

When Ari's parents mysteriously disappeared within the Ivy forests of Nantak, she was in despair but she quickly had to pull herself together and accept her responsibilities to one day be queen. Her dreams of adventure slowly faded away as she upheld her royal duties to make her parents proud in their absence.

Everything she had to do was either written in the ancient scrolls or decided upon by the royal counsel. Until her parents were found she had to do what she was told by the 6 old men who sat around a table and discussed politics and read scrolls all day. The head of this counsel was Zopar, the toad. He was further appointed guardian of Unakite until Ari fully claimed her throne. Zopar towered over the elderly men, with crooked and bushy eyebrows that seemed to always emphasize his disdain. He reeked of the lake that birthed him.

She wasn't fond of Zopar, he was awful. He was sly and cunning in nature and whenever she questioned him about her parent’s disappearance and what was being done to find them, all he said was "A princess does not concern herself with such things, the counsel takes care of it." Ari couldn't just stand back and do nothing, but what could she do?

She would often look at the tapestry which hung in the throne room depicting the epic battle between Asoscia and the 5 High demons. She wanted to be like her, strong and brave. She wanted to find her parents, she wanted to be a hero. Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt helpless, she looked at the tapestry and shouted "I'll never be like you, the great Asoscia, Queen of Unakite!" Suddenly she heard a rumble like thunder, the air started to swirl lifting objects as it blew across the room while the tapestry started to glow.

The light was bright and blinded Ari for a few seconds. She was petrified as she saw a shadow come towards her from the tapestry. She didn't know what was going on but her instincts took over as she summoned the power within. The incantation spilled from her lips "Zezora Entarantis" and the shadow was lifted off the ground, immobilized and placed in front of her.

"Who are you?!" She demand as she looked at the being that lay before her. The shadow wore a long grey hooded robe and half its face was covered by cloth, that is when she noticed the creature’s eyes. They were striking yet calm, a pool of grey and green with specs of hazel stared back at her. Again she asked "Who are you?"

The creature spoke, in a deep voice "I am Hterag, son of Lien. I reign from the Five Pointed Kingdoms."

The Mortal Realm, Ari thought, she had heard stories of the realm, whispers in the village. She never thought it was real. "What are you? What do you want? Why are you here?" she probed.

Hterag squinted his eyes to get a better look at her, " Do you mind letting me down? It's not very welcoming of you, do you always do this to your guests? "

Ari grimaced at him "You are no guest, I did not invite you."

"Well you sure look like her, the one in the picture. Why don't you let me down so we can talk, I'm starting to get a stitch in my side which is rather uncomfortable."

"Asoscia?" Ari could only stare in the face of his bold statement. She hesitated yet there was something about this creature that made her feel safe. "I will let you down, as long as you give me the answers I require."

With a nod of her head Ari loosened her hold on Hterag. "That's much better," Hterag said as he stood up, stretching his back "What a trip! I'm starving." He lifted the hood off his head revealing long ginger hair tied into a pony tail. As he stepped forward he pulled the cloth from his mouth and spoke "I am Hterag. A human mage dedicated to opening portal through the Gaelic tapestry in my library."

Ari had never seen or heard of such a creature, yes there were stories of them but nothing like what she was witnessing right in front of her eyes. His skin was soft and pale and his bones seemed fragile.

Hterag waved his hands pointing to the tapestry on the wall "You really do bare a striking resemblance to her!"

"That is Asoscia, my ancestor, she walked this land many centuries ago and brought peace to the people. I am not who you seek."

Hterag moved closer "So you mean to tell me that the woman there summoned me from beyond the grave?" Suddenly he was thrown to the floor and felt excruciating pain.

Ari was above him, fire in her eyes, "You do not speak of the Great Asoscia with such vulgarity, human."

"Okay, Okay, relax, I didn't mean to offend you. I'm sorry."

"Tell me exactly why you are here, human!" Ari demanded.

"While I was working on my gateway spells, I managed to tear an entryway to another realm. Through the tear came a female voice. I was told to walk through it and offer assistance to the one beyond the portal. When I asked the voice who it was, it told me that she would be the only salvation for all the know realms. Being the dashing & courageous man that I am I took on the quest. That is how & when I landed up here. She didn't tell me I was going to be met with some pugnacious tart."

Ari picked Hterag up his legs dangling in the air she thought for a moment, "Could this be true did the Great Asoscia send this creature to help me save my parents?" Ari looked at him and into his eyes once again, she saw the pool of green and grey with hazel specs that glittered in the candle light, she felt something inside her, something different, a calming and a longing to know more about this stranger. She gently placed him down and introduced herself. "I am princess Acirassac, of Ukanite."

"My parents have been missing in the Ivy forests of Nantak for the past year, no one knows what have become of them. Their guards watched as the ground opened up and swallowed them, there was nothing they could do as a force field surrounded my parents" Ari held back her tears, careful not show any weakness in the face of this mortal. “The royal counsel believes they have been trapped but no one has been able to find out where and no one seems to care. I need to find them but unfortunately I don't know how-

Hterag suddenly collapsed to the silkwood floor, convulsing in agony. Without caution, Ari fell to her knees in worry. She gently rubbed rhythmic circles over his back in an attempt to ease his suffering. When he calmed enough, he looked at her in alarm.

“What in the seven gypsies was that about?”

Ari offered a sad smile, her senses already picking up on the truth of the matter. “Your mortal body cannot survive this realm. Too soon, your magic will wane and you will pass to great beyond.”

She expected the human to return to his lands that very moment, what she did not expect was his taking of her hand and the impossible sincerity within in his eyes as he spoke, “I am beholden to thee.” Her breath caught, he smiled broadly. “Until we find your parents that is.”

***

Art Cred: Cassarica Nadas

In the days that followed, Ari’s fascination with the mage only grew in magnitude. Sure at times he drove her to all manner of madness but there was something about his determination that, that touched her. He worked long hours through night & day to find a way to track her parents. The trouble was that Unakite’s apothecary stocked very different materials than he was accustomed to. Yet even in this adversity Hterag, in all his wonder, had still found a way to make it all work.

The spell led them to the Orc lands of Drunkden, a most heinous of places that breathed a poisonous bog from its many swamps. Poor Hterag’s lungs burned in agony, it was all Ari could do to shield his glorious body from the harmful toxins. She could not stilt the terrible stench, though. Not long, they happened upon a cave that seemed to have been carved out by the very Rock Giants themselves. Ari silently admonished herself for bringing only a mortal guide on this journey. The cave opened in expected darkness, she breathed into a fist and released her hold whispering the ancient incantation for ‘light’. Resplendent wisps of fire floated in the air around them, illuminating the cavern within.

Ari gasped for what she saw before her. Zopar! Resting on a rock at the far end as if on a throne. His smirk casting sinister shadows upon his face. Hterag stepped in front of Ari in a protective stance. How she admired this mortal’s resolve, standing between her & the toad who once laid waste to an entire army with only the snap of his greasy green fingers.

“My, my little unicorn. How far you have strayed from your chosen path. Prancing around with this human filth & leaving the castle without any guard. Tsk Tsk Tsk.”

“What are you doing here Zopar? Where are my parents?” Ari could feel the energy waves radiate from her now, she was ready to do whatever it took to get answers from this devious toad.

Zopar’s face flashed in anger, in one motion he leaped of the rock in an arch through the air. He landed not two inches from Hterag’s face. Completely ignoring the mage, his bushy eyebrows squinted at her. “Do not demand from me you infidel. I tortured those traitors and when they no longer had any information of use to me, they were silenced.”

Ari’s already fragile heart, broke right then. Her knees gave way and she crumpled to the damp earth of the cave.

Hterag bellowed and launched a fireball right at the toad’s face, an explosion rang out in the cave. But when the smoke cleared Zopar’s face remained unblemished. Two massive blue skinned Orcs stepped out from the darkness, seizing Hterag by his arms. He grunted from the force of their brutish hands.

Zopar looked down at Ari in glee, “Come now child, surely you realize this by now. My plan all along. It was not your precious Asoscia that summoned this filth to our lands but I. I alone knew of your secret longings of a life filled with adventure. It was more than I could have hoped for that you fall in love with this whelp along the way.”

His words rang true within her core, she could not deny it. She had hopelessly fallen in love with the human mage but he didn’t need to know that right at this very moment. Surely he would tease her endlessly. First, she had to get them out of here.

As if reading her thoughts, Zopar snapped his greasy fingers and the entirety of the cave shook from the force of his spell. The air crackled with sparks of energy and a tear in space appeared right behind her.

The last thing she saw was Hterag’s face as he shouted for her.

The last thing she felt was a pull at her mid-section and then…falling…endless falling into parts unknown.

*******************

Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. Part 1 of this story can be found here. 

We got to talking & the girls started writing their own versions of the how the characters came to be. 

This awesome Origin/Background story on the Character Acirassac, was brought to you by Cassarica Nadas of the Amazeblog

Such amazing talent here, I couldn't wait to share it with you all.
Thank you Cass for sharing your writing with us!

Stay tuned, as this weekend I'll be featuring "The Samurai: Eru's Origin"

Part 2 of "The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard" will be posted next week, which continues where the storyline left off.

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

The Unicorn Queen, The Samurai & The Wizard

A lone samurai is perched upon the rafters of the tavern, resting her body after a long days trek through the Marshlands. She had volunteered to escort a couple & their newborn through the treacherous swamp to the new city of Thorumdawn. They were reluctant at first, no doubt hearing the stories of the “Green-Haired Gaijin”. Urgh, “Gaijin”, the foreigner. She hated that word with all her being, yet the whisperers and busy-bodies insisted on calling her that all her life. The samurai watched in boredom as the locals meandered about the tavern, in drunken banter & flushed cheeks. Until a new arrival, caught her attention. By the looks of it, a woman, covered from head to toe in an obsidian cloak. Clearly she wanted to avoid attention at all cost, little did she know that it was exactly the thing that would attract attention.

The samurai frowned in concern, the men at this tavern were notoriously filthy beasts around women. One of those beasts had cleared through the crowd, fumbling along the way in her direction. He was flanked by three other putrid males, no doubt delighted to be following the beast. The new arrival sensed their approach and straightened her posture. Words were spoken and before the samurai knew it, the beast had flashed out a backhand. The woman went sprawling to the ground, her hood flopped behind her, revealing… The samurai’s heart thudded with glorious purpose as she leaped off the rafters, arriving on the group in no time. She lashed out an open palm and took out the first male face first, into the ground. While still crouched, she released a swash-buckling lower round house kick that knocked out the other two males’ legs right from under them. On the turn, she rotated her open palm into a sky-ward rocket that slammed into the beast’s chin. His body left the earth and landed noisily into a wooden table, splinters and broken wood, crashing all around his hefty weight. No, she would not dare tarnish her beloved katana on the likes of them.

Without missing a step, she held out her hand to the new arrival. Looking down, her heart beat quickened yet again. The new arrival had luscious, long locks of pink hair!

Is she like me? Have I finally found my clan? The samurai thought, so loudly, it was a roar within her mind.

“I am not what you seek warrior.” The new arrival said as if reading her very thoughts.

The samurai’s chest deflated, her face visibly strewn by the news. She quickly recovered as was her custom & bowed deeply. “Forgive my assumption, I am named as Eiramus. Eru, in fast-tongue.”

The new arrival regarded her apprehensively as if this greeting had been lost on her. She reached out a delicate hand and touched at her forehead. “Allocante, I am named as Acirassa-“ She frowned at something. “I do not have a name in fast-tongue.”

Eru smiled broadly, “That would be Ari, yes, Ari & Eru. What a pair we shall be to behold. What brings you to this fair dump of a place?”

Ari gestured for Eru to follow her outside the tavern, away from prying ears. “I apologize for the secrecy, I have just not received the best of treatment since arriving to this strange, strange land.”

Ari’s gait seemed awkward as she walked, as if uncomfortable in her own shoes. “Oh? Where do you reign from then? Surely you must be from one of the kingdoms.” Eru said regarding Ari’s regal cadence.

Ari’s expression darkened then, she paced in that awkward way for a bit. Eru touched her arm to halt her steps. It was a gentle touch, to convey sincerity. Ari studied Eru’s eyes before saying, “I am not of any of your known kingdoms. I have been banished to this accursed land for breaking the ultimate taboo.” She paused to look out into the orange set sky, probably recounting the troubling memories. She sighed deeply. “I fell in love with a human male and for my punishment, the Toad King in all his cruelty devised a most horrid exchange. I would be forced to live out my days here while my beloved would be locked away in his dungeon, to perish away. For he cannot survive in my land & I cannot in his.” She clutched at her face, now filled with anguish. “Oh my poor Hterag, this is all my fault.”

Eru snatched the woman up in her arms, gently patting the pink locks of hair. The gesture seemed so natural, as if they had been accustomed to it for years. “Shhh, it’s not your fault. Loving someone cannot and will not ever be a death sentence. Not so long as I have breath in my breast.”

Ari sniffled and caught herself, she straightened out and titled her chin up. “You’re right, a queen does not falter. She fights for freedom, equality & peace. I must get my Hterag back from that monster. At any cost. I must.”

“You’re a queen?” Eru’s jaw dropped. She had never been in the presence of a queen before but did have the common sense to bow, deeply, yet again. Ari made a “tsk” sound.

“No need for such formalities, not after all the kindness you have afforded me. But how ever shall we get to my land and save Hterag?”

“Oh! I know!” Eru exclaimed in delight. Seeing Ari’s confusion, she explained “We shall visit the most powerful Wizard in all the pointed kingdoms.”

A time later, they were on the horses, leaving a trail of dusted wind in their wake as they galloped on towards the isolated farm atop the jagged cliff line that Eru had heard about in passing. The sky dimmed as the sun began it’s descent into the horizon.

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Art Supplied by Amsnorth

“Hocirne! Hocirne! Have you finished your chores?” His mother fumed, hands on hip, as she entered the barn. Hocirne couldn’t be bothered. He was in the middle of a riveting adventure between a silver knight and his golden dragon.

His mother huffed to get his attention, “Last meal is upon us you stupid boy, get a move on!” Her tangled tawny hair fell over her face as she shook it out and spun around to march out of the barn.

Hocirne sighed deeply, he longed for an adventure away from this miserable place. So secluded was his life, that he hardly ever met anyone nor got to see all the wonders of the world. All he had was these tattered books that the monk, Orisies would gift him upon his rare visits.

The door to the barn creaked open and he tapped at his head, not ready to deal with his mother a second time this night. He got up and peered around the corner of the stable, his breath caught and his heart fluttered. Lo and behold before him were two of the most outrageously beautiful woman he had ever set eyes on. He blinked several times to make sure this wasn’t a trick of the mind or a result of his own growing body. What a sight they were! Did all women in their land have such vivid and strange hair colors?

The pinked-haired one stepped forward and regarded him from head to toe. She laughed quick and hard, gesturing out a hand while looking to her green-haired companion. “This? This is the so called, ‘most powerful wizard in all the pointed kingdoms? Surely you mean this as some cruel, twisted joke.”

The green-haired beauty stepped forward, the sword at her hip glinting off the dying light of the sun set. No wait, it was shaped like a sword, he’d read about this. It was a katana! His eyes flared in recognition and awe. She laughed at his musings, such a delicious sound. “Oh yes my new friend, he most certainly is the wizard we seek. Can you not see it?”

A word brought him out of his reverie and into startling awareness. He frowned, “Wizard? I’m sorry, you must be mistaken. Maybe you refer to my friend Osiries. Yet he is a monk not a wizard.” Hocirne scratched at his head, had there even been such a thing as a wizard in these parts?

She bowed deeply before him, making him feel seven kinds of uncomfortable. “I am named as Eirumas. Eru, in fast-tongue. This is my companion. Named as Acirassa. Fast-tongued as Ari. I apologize for the abruptness but we haven’t much time. You must come into your own immediately and without explanation.”

Ari backed away as Eru drew out a decaying parchment. She held three fingers upwards, then closed them to form a fist and place it against her chest, where her heart would be.

“In the words of mortal men, I call upon the ancient power. Wizard of the North, we call upon thee. Slumber no more, slumber no less. The time has come for you to be born anew.

In the words of the old, I beseech thee! Kys mytrail felitaze arumtalla, Kys waye felitaze arumtalla!”

At first, nothing happened and Hocirne let out a quick exhale. Only to suck in all the air when they heard it, when they felt it. Like a deep rumbling within a giant’s belly. The earth began to tremble and then quack ever so violently. Ari grabbed on to one of the stable’s support beams. Hocirne cursed himself for not maintaining the barn, what if it broke under strain and hurt her? Such a beautiful, elegant angel. He would never forgive himself. A shiver shot down his spine and—BOOOOOOM!!!!!!

In a flash, the barn roof exploded and lightning surge through it, hitting Hocirne head on. All his world turned white and bright hot. He was consumed by it.

Unicorn Queen Cred: iluvfaeries

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Authors Note

While joking with some great friends, the basis for this story was formed. I wrote out Part 1 as a test version to see how it would all play out. In all honesty, It would have probably been too long for any one blog post haha. 

• So Feelings? Thoughts? Does the storyline work?
• Should I write Part 2 i.e> finish the story?

Feedback will be highly appreciated!

~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres