Court of Hearts Pt.1

Nightmare Burns the Heart

Year 399

Jester's Day

Korth sprinted up the endless steps of Castle Rhinestone leading to the throne room. He ran from the hurricane crashing into Osagor and the gates of the usually magical barrier.

As his vision locked onto the sight of the Jester clashing blades with Edward's glowing green runeblade. Regardless of the pouring rain and breathtaking wind speed.

He continously shouted out to them as their heated transition of blades rattled the very ground around them.

"Edward!" He screamed four times before turning his gaze to the other figure's neck who suddenly met the Dragon's Defiler cold burning runes.

The houts caught the Jester's attention.

Not the Dragon Slayer.

Week after the tournament

Year 396

Korth shot awake, covered in cold sweats from his vision. Quickly he rushed out of the closed like back room he slept in. Darla and Violet were nowhere to be found.

Exiting the blacksmith in a rush he saw the town of Salsgar as a normal blissful day. The Tark Serena sat outside playing with the two girls.

Korth's posture slumped down, shirtless, and shoeless. He sat on the steps, holding his head in his palms.

Serena noticed and leapt up making her way over to the steps. Kneeling down in front of him and began to make whining puppy noises.

This made Korth reveal the tears in his eyes.

"I have something to tell you about Darla and Violet..."

He did not wish to speak of his vision, but a secret to be spilled would fill the spirit; he hoped.

Serena lowered one ear questioningly.

Korth stood and made his way into the smithy, she followed right on his heel.

They both took a few moments to light torches in the dark room to see each other. Korth stood at the forge peering into the cold embers.

"The two outside are your elders in age... A long time ago they agreed to become forever young... But the sorcerer who aided in the 'everlasting youth' spell. Only to reveal he was a sycophant, in collation with the baron that rules of Saltire."

Serena remained silent.

"The whole reason the spell was to be casted was to immortalize the Flameheart name."

"I do not believe you." She spoke sternly and abruptly.

"Then I will fill your ear with self chose fiction. Yet fact my words remain. If those two fall, we loose a secret. I am told we need."

Serena remained silent, shaking her head at him. "I am more worried about the orcish and troll march!"

The dugnim's ears were pinned to head, her canines showing in anger. The news was not settling well.

"The troll's march to Varanthar's print... Here come." He walked over to the desk that sat on the far right of the room.

Serena reluctantly followed arriving to the sight of Korth pulling out a map of Throstor freshly drawn, the ink still drying.

"See we are here to the far south east. Varanthar's print is about a week's journey, counting the stretch of water coming from the ocean.

Boats aren't so easy to come by either, so it leads following the river to the print, or simply marching across the wooden bridge. With that many troops? I think not, so I would assume they passed right by Salsgar."

Serena watched over as he pointed at the map while he talked.

"Now the orcs, are over to the South West i'm assuming. In the Salsgar swamps, looking for their last settlement. Since it seems the Valley burned three days ago... Torhelm is it's name. Now there's a stone path that one can take just after leaving Troll's den..."

"Our swamp..."

"Well Salsgar's swamp."

"So which do we follow?"

"Follow?" Korth tilted his head and pointed outside raising his voice. "Darla and Violet need protection!"

"And with all these vicious things marching... Staying here with no idea of where the villians go? Sounds like less protection than as learning everything we- I can. You can stay here, like a father should."

Korth shook his head and grabbed ahold of a scroll, with the stamp of the orphanage. "Edward is going to come get my children, the matron filed a complaint."

"Then we take them with us. I will not let that pampered knight come and do as his lord demands!"

"If we can board the Troll's ship... We will learn what evil plans."

"With children you wish to take them onto...?"

"What else do you suggest? Joining with the orcs, after how many of the civilians and elders I killed?! During the battle..."

"Nearly four months ago, you have to let go of that."