The Throne Seeker

Part 3: The Battle of the Throne

Chapter 14

The sun was rising in the east on a long stretch of plains with a forest lining the horizon. Captain Elsneer was sitting next to his tent on the edge of the camp, drawing a circle in the bowl of irilesa waters sitting in front of him. Casrah's image appeared in the reflection of the waters. "Anything to report at the castle?"

Casrah's eyes looked off to the side. "Nothing of note, sir. Everything is normal. I did give the okay to the fae to strengthen the patrols at key points in the castle."

"That's fine—won't matter now. The battle will end today, and we will have averted the crisis." Something in the distance caught Elsneer's attention. On the horizon, the first of the rebellious fae marched out from behind the trees. "The fae have shown themselves. You are in full command at the castle."

Elsneer ran his fingers through the waters, disrupting the image and called back to his troops to prepare for battle. He freed his sword from the sheath on his side and held it out in front of him. He closed his eyes as green energy funneled from his hand and into the hilt of the sword. Ancient elven glyphs glowed bright green all along the blade with growing intensity. His elves and the other fae recruited from the outer cities moved onto the field in battle formations.

"This battle begins now. Those of you fae that are here to bolster our numbers, I expect you to hold no quarter. Do not hesitate or you'll answer for your crime against the balance." Elsneer walked to the front of his troops and gazed at the army across the field. Look at them in their assorted collections of armor.... No real army here. This will be a pathetic battle, although I'm surprised by their numbers. Their leader rode out on a white horse in shining armor. The horse carried him forward with careful steady steps. And look at their throne seeker, sitting tall with their silver armor. Probably some rich ranch owner who has never fought a day in their life. The throne seeker lifted a horn to their mouth and a rich deep sound resonated across the field. The rebels broke out into a run across the long stretch of land. "Forward charge, for the balance."

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Much to Captain Elsneer's surprise, the usurper stood far behind the battle in front of the trees. Just as a suspected, not even worth it for him to enter the battle. Elsneer parried an attack and impaled the rebel through the chest before kicking them away. I'll have to make my way across the battlefield. The mystic said I was the one to deal the fatal blow. Three fae rebels charged at him. He took his sword in both hands and swung it in a long horizontal arch muttering a single word under his breath. As the sword was swung, a green mystical energy erupted from the blade and reached out like a wave. It crashed against the assailants launching them backwards.

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The throne seeker, who stood in between a man and a woman, looked down at the man at his left and nodded. The man marched forward to three other rebels positioned in a circle around a glyph etched into the field and gave the order. The three mages held hands and broke out into a chant. The glyph burned white hot lighting the area around them.

Chapter 15

The front of the castle was well guarded with three elven troops and six fae. Jolken walked over to where Casrah was standing. "It's been a while now, nothing amiss on this side. Perhaps the battle really will take place hundreds of arcs away."

"The battle will end today, that much is known. My captain will not fail," said Casrah.

"Is there any way to know if he has failed?"

"It was forseen that Elsneer will deliver the final blow to the throne seeker." Casrah pulled a glowing turquoise amulet from his belt. "If this amulet stops glowing it means that the captain has fallen, but that will not happen. As I stated, he is a great warrior."