The Amethyst Flame

Chapter 18 - The Great Fall of the Draulters

"My people perished overnight seventy years ago during the reign of King Jedemis IV. I was thirty-six back then. We had long been wary of humans and their lust for power. The Draulters cautiously arranged a meeting with the king and made a blood oath to avoid conflict. Jedemis swore he would never attack my people, but a man's words do not speak as loudly as their actions," Zaxl spoke in a pained tone.

"What happened next? Why did the king break his oath?" Jethro asked curiously. He was just as confused as I was.

"Our land was filled to the brim with riches; all manners of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, and cinnabar could be found in our territory. The king heard rumors of this and foamed at the mouth from avarice. He sent his armies to attack us in the dead of night and gave no warning of his plans," he struggled to speak.

"How many people did Jedemis bring?" I asked.

"Four-thousand men. You know how many warriors we had?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"How many?" Jethro asked.

"One hundred and twenty. We fought bravely against the masses, but we knew we stood no chance against evil deep down. I was the only one who survived, although I wish I didn't. Giving up is the most cowardly thing imaginable for a Draulter. I pretended to be dead and hid in the bodies of my fellow soldiers. Jedemis, believing all to have perished, raided our village and took every gem and gold coin in sight. The soldiers left after four hours, and I fled into the woods, not knowing where I was headed. I ran for three days. At the end of my journey, I went down by the river to get a drink, and that is where I met Aurielle. I told her of my people and how they all perished. I would have killed you both without hesitation had you not mentioned her. King Jedemis is dead now; he died with a smile, knowing he had become the richest king in history. After his death, there was a succession crisis. His sons Realgus and Rolevon felt they both deserved to be king. Rolevon murdered Realgus to become the ruler. He made his death look like an accident and threatened to execute anyone who stood up to him."

"I don't blame you for not trusting humans after that. Please, do not think that we are here to harm you," I cautiously spoke.

"I know you won't. Now, I sense that one of you has a question?" I asked with a tiny smile.

"How did you...?" Jethro asked with wide eyes.

"I can see it in your eyes. Ask me anything, and I will tell you the truth."

"Zaxl, who is Maelfor?" I asked with shaky hands.

Zaxl turned pale as snow.

"Please don't say his name so openly. There are things... things that you do not understand about this world," I spoke with a shaky voice.

"What do you mean...?" Jethro asked with shaking hands.

"You see... he was a god once. He was banished thousands of years ago for corrupting the mind of man."

"So why don't we just kill him?" I stupidly asked.

"You see... he doesn't have a body. Not anymore. Maelfor can't be killed."