Make Me Crumble

CHAPTER 2

Picture: Kingdom of Avalorn

The next day, news arrived that a man was arrested in Avalorn for trying to sail past the western border. Eileen knew he was not the first, and he certainly won't be the last either.

The high court of dragons had demanded that all creatures stay far away from Galadhol's castle until it was decided which kingdom would take ownership of it. They were the only souls who had seen it up close. If you asked Eileen, the whole arrangement was rather stupid. It seemed belittling that once the wizard died, everyone placed their trust blindly to the new high court of dragons, where each member represented a kingdom. It was a little humorous to Eileen how it went straight from wizard to court of dragon. How humans would never be able to form the high court, no matter what happened to Labrumia. If not dragons, it would be elves. If not elves, it would be dwarves. By the seven hells, even Ogres have a better chance at forming the high court compared to humans.

Sometimes, Eileen wondered what Galadhol would have wanted. Who the old man himself would place in charge after his death, to keep the piece between the kingdoms.

"Eileen, it's almost briefing time." Nyx was a friend Eileen had made. She was an elf. She had beautiful, pale blue hair, falling along her back in perfect waves, which it always stayed like. Her skin was always glowing from within, and her eyes were a soft sage green, a stark contrast to Doriath's piercing and ghostly-white gaze. Nyx always smelled like poppies, which made Eileen wonder if elves ever sweat. But she knew it would be rude to ask.

She took a towel from her and whipped her own glistening forehead. Eileen had been training extra during the day, eager to prove herself on the field.

Nyx was a nurse. She didn't usually go on field duties. She sat down on one of the benches, dangling her slender legs as Eileen cleaned off.

"...do you think he got a glimpse?" She asked suddenly.

"What?"

"The man that got arrested." She explained. "Do you think he got close enough to see it? Galadhol's Castle?"

Nyx had a strange fascination with the castle. She was even a little bit of a conspiracy theorist, one might say. She often wondered why the dragons kept the castle a secret, why they were letting war resume just to see who got to look at the castle, like a game. She always wondered what they were hiding, and what was so great about the ancient castle, and she wasn't afraid to let her imagination run wild with the possibilities.

"He probably didn't." Eileen spoke, walking behind one of the wooden room -dividers with her uniform. "They caught just as he exited the border."

"Why was he so obvious about it, anyway? It's like that man was trying to get caught. He should had at least tried using some from of cloaking magic."

"Nyx! He shouldn't have been doing it in the first place?" Eileen reminded, as she pulled on her clothes. "He broke the law! He could have died."

"Well... one can't exactly blame him." Nyx muttered, twirling a strand of her hair. She knew better than anyone the power curiosity could have on a person.

"Yes, one can and one shall." Eileen retorted, pulling on her gloves. "The dragons must have a good reason for keeping s away from the castle until we determine which kingdom gets to own it."

"Or they're keeping up the war because they find it entertaining." She shrugged, smiling. Eileen chuckled as she walked to the door, to the command centre.

Silently she prayed today's patrol would be better. She had to make sure of it. She entered the hut and found Captain Colon already there.

"Ah! Eileen, here you are." He spoke. Calix was standing next to him. Eileen noticed his usual scowl seemed deepened. "I'm sending you with Calix to the southern base."