4: Darken War

4: Alexandria

"What was that?" Alana asked me as we made it back to our horses. 

"That wasn't like you at all sister." Alexander looked worried.

"Is everything okay?" Thorne placed a hand on my shoulder. 

i looked around, then cast a soundproof barrier around us. their eyes went wide when i did so. "I don't trust the ears around here." 

"What did you see sister?" Alexander seemed to catch on that i knew something. 

"Its that advisor of his," I spoke calmly. "He is controlling the king."

"How do you know?" Thorne asked. "Are you sure?"

"Did you see what he was wearing around his neck?" I asked my brother.

"No, i did not notice." He looked concerned. 

"The other gem." I spoke to him calmly. "He has the twin to the gem of the king, the mind stone, the other eye to the great dragon."

"Are you sure?" Alana glanced between Alexander and i. "it could just be a similar gem, plus that could only be used by the true king couldn't it? that's what Alex here told me."

i looked at Alana and raised an eyebrow, she blushed. then i looked to all of them. "I am sure, because he tried to use it on all of us. i don't know how he can use it, but he can."

"He tried?" Throne asked. 

"He did." I looked at Thorne. "I could sense it and blocked it power, otherwise i would have attacked him. i couldn't protect you and stop him at the same time. i think he could tell that i knew, that's when Thrain started to get more aggressive. i don't think he knows he is being controlled either."

"So now what?" Alana crossed her arms. "We wont be able to help you if he has that gem."

I nodded. "I know. i have to do this one myself."

"Lexie you cant." Thorne sounded like he was getting mad. "You know what happened last time, every time you go off on your own."

"I know Thorne." i smiled to him. "But its the only way this time. the stone cant work on me, it once belonged to me. It can work on you, so i need the three of you to return to your kingdoms, get the armies ready, and meet me at the border. This gem is rightfully mine and it will be again."

Alexander nodded. "Just, be safe sister." he pulled me into a hug. i hugged him back. 

when we pulled away i smile at him. "This wont be like last time, i promise. i will contact James soon, i just hope he will understand."

"he will." Thorne gave me a hug next. "Just please don't let them hurt you."

"I wont." i said. "beside, i am the great dragon, there's not much i cant do anymore."

"Watch your magic reserves." Alana gripped my forearm and i hers in a strong shake after Thorne let me go. "Do not let yourself get weakened, if anything goes wrong get out of there immediately." 

"my magic is mostly full right now so i cant be weakened easily." i smiled at her. "don't worry, you think the Great Dragon can be beaten easily?"

"I wouldn't think that for a second." She smiled back at me. 

i released the spell around us. "safe travels for you all." i grabbed the bags i had packed off my horse as they took off, riding into the darkness. 

i turned and almost bumped into that advisor. 

"Sorry." I said quickly. 

"Why are you still here?" he asked, sounding more interested then mad.

"I cant really take part in the war." I shrugged. "if i joined then your whole nation could be wiped out in one move. so i would rather let it be a fair fight. as for why i choose to stay here, i was going to offer to stay here so you can make sure i don't actually join."

"so your saying that you will voluntarily be held prisoner here?" He started to fiddle with the green gem around his neck, the stone of the kings twin. he was trying to use to power on me, i could see the air between the gem and myself. 

"I am." i nodded. "I am just going to come out and say this, its not going to work."

He paused, looking at me. "Whatever do you mean?"

"The gem around your neck." i pointed. "It was once the original great dragons eye. her body was lost, but both her eyes remained. i destroyed the other one a few years ago."

"and how did you know i was trying to use it on you?" He stopped trying. 

i started to walk towards the palace. "Because of one simple fact." i glanced back at him. "I am the great dragon. i may have a new body, but the memories and powers remain."

i walked into the palace, the advisor following closely behind. 

I paused for a moment, he almost bumped into me. i turned to face him. "Obviously you wouldn't have a queen sleep in the dungeons right?"

"of course not." he smiled. "ill put you into the rooms next to my own. this way." he took the lead.

as we walked i spoke. "i do not know how you can use the gem. only the true king of Drakaria could use the other one. it turns out, it was actually whoever held or currently holds the Great Dragons soul. you are neither, do you care to enlighten me to that?"

"No." he said as almost an annoyed hiss.

"Too bad." i shrugged as we walked. "oh, i should mention. i do know that you are controlling king Thrain. but i also do not know if there are any other powers you can use, so i will not interfere. it is not my business anyways, i am only here to make sure this stays a fair fight."

"very well." he spoke. "how am i to know that you wont use your powers to spy on our people and report back to yours?"

"because i can only contact others through fire." i said as we stopped at a door. "take away and  fire and that power is useless. i can not create it on my own either." 

the advisor went to open the door. "This is were you will be staying. you are free to roam around the castle and surrounding areas as long as you have a guard. i will assign one immediately. I will also assign one female maid to you, she is not to leave your side for any reason. i will allow you to keep your fire as it gets cold at night, however the maid i will assign will report your every move to me. you can keep your weapons to protect yourself only."

"works for me." i walked into the room. "i only planned on contacting my husband and kids to let them know why i stayed and that i am safe. oh, what am i to call you?"

"Theo." he answered plainly. "i go by Theo here."

i closed the door behind me and sighed. the room was simple, a bed in the corner, a sturdy desk at the foot of the bed. a raging fireplace on the other wall. no windows, we are underground of course. and a wardrobe. 

at least i kept my bow. i took it off my back and looked at it. this bow has been by my side for the longest of times. it was once a gem encrusted great sword, but now it was a longbow, with leaves and gems in an elegant design. 

when it was the great sword it held the other eye, the gem. the two could be used together. now there was no spot for the gem, not even when i turn my bow into two matching short swords that can be used together.

i wondered how i could used the gem if i can get it off of Theo. the problem is, i can sense that he is not truly a dwarf. i laid on the bed, it was as hard as stone. this was an unknown land to me, underground at that. none of my memories of any of the past kings helped me with this place, none had come here.

i sat up and looked at the fireplace, i wanted to wait until the maid he told me about arrived. i guess it is just a waiting game at this point.