Flights of Fantasy - The Pub Fantasy Smackdowns

A Mad King's Rage

Round 2 of the Smackdown. Theme -WAR & ROSES. *You must have a secondary theme of war in your story. *Somewhere in your story, a magical flower must be incorporated. Eight quotes were put forward, of these four had to be chosen for inclusion in the story. These are highlighted in bold.

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A Mad King's Rage

"There is no escape. We pay for the violence of our ancestors."

As the Feren Elder sat down, his piece said, Caspra thumped the table in frustration and stood to speak. “Dek, there is always an escape, and our ancestors are irrelevant. This situation is due to the Mad King warmongering rather than suing for peace, not our ancestors. They were warlike, but so were the ancestors of the King. The peace was broken by the madness of Calmaraelan and his generals, but we are the ones who are paying…”

Dek shrugged, not bothering to rise to his feet again. “So what is your suggestion nephew?”

“You and the Elders take the people over the mountains, you’ll be safe there, even Calmaraelen in his madness won’t take on the Elves. They will allow you safe passage to the lands beyond the Elven forests. We will provide a diversion and lead the King’s Guard away from the pass for long enough to allow you to get to safety.”

“And who is we? Surely you don’t mean your brother?”

“Jace is a little erratic sometimes, but his magic will come in handy if we’re to provide you with an escape.”

Dek raised an eyebrow. “Erratic? He’s lazy, good for nothing and unproven in battle. He’s a druid of sorts, not a warrior.”

“That doesn’t mean he’s a coward uncle, and he can handle himself if need be, he and I have been fighting together most of our lives.”

“He has never put himself forward, he’s…”

Screams and shouts of warning from outside truncated the conversation and a lieutenant thrust his head through the flaps of the tent.

“Elder Dek, the Mad King’s forces are advancing. We are out of time.”

Dek turned to Caspra. “Do you have your plan ready to set in motion nephew?”

“I do.” Caspra put his hand on his heart, a sign he was in Communion with another, and a few seconds later, Jace entered the tent garbed for battle and carrying Caspra’s axe.

“I was beginning to think you were afraid to fight,” said Dek looking at Caspra’s younger brother, who shrugged and replied.

“I'm just naturally lazy, but I will if I have to, and it's starting to look like we have to."

“I’d say you may well be right.” Dek clasped hands with the two of them. “Your father would be proud. May the Small Gods and the Earth Mother be with you and guide your steps. I will look after your sister, we will see you on the other side of the mountains…”

~

Caspra ducked under a sword blow and slammed his axe into the leg of the horse, watching in grim satisfaction as the patrol leader was crushed by his screaming mount.

“Ready?” Jace shouted at him, and Caspra nodded, dashing back towards his brother.

Their patrol leader down, Jace watched as the rest of King’s Guard closed in on them. A mere hundred yards separated them now, the warriors swiftly closing the gap, feet pounding on the bare dusty earth. Swords raised, they raced to become the ones who took them, the ones who claimed the prize of being the warriors to present their heads to the Calmaraelen and assuage the anger of the Mad King.