4: Darken War

7: Thorne

I had finally returned to my palace in El'gorin, entering the halls that had only been my home for less than a year. I passed by many nobles who bowed in respect as I passed. 

i had never expected to be respected as king here, but once Alexandria vouched for me and explained that it would be her own son to inherit the throne next. 

i walked down the halls, floors made of white marble, tapestries on the wall picturing images of past kings. i turned left at the throne room and descended the stairs down to where the barracks were. i got to an oak door and knocked. 

the door swung open, General Silverbow opened the door, at first rubbing his eyes. when he noticed it was me he placed a hand over his heart and bowed. "Your majesty, apologies, I had no idea you had returned."

"Its fine Silverbow." i held up a hand. "however i am here on some serious business."

"why do i feel like this is the Great Dragons doing?" Silverbow raised an eyebrow as he motioned for me to come in.

"unfortunately you are correct there." I entered his room and sat at the small table in the corner of the room. "There is to be another war."

"it has only been six months since we last went to war." Silverbow sat across from me. "what did she do this time?"

"we went to the dwarven kingdom, at their kings request to negotiate peace." i started. "it ended with their king declaring war for us killing the dragon king as they were apparently friends."

"As far as i know, no dwarves have ever contacted the dragon kingdom." Silverbow took the pitcher of water off the table and poured himself a cup. "they would have had to pass through our kingdom to get there."

i nodded. "i know, it didn't sound right to me. that's when Alexandria told me that the other king was being controlled by the other eye of the great dragon."

"now that is a problem." he nodded. "a war would be pointless as long as they have that on their side."

"She stayed back to get the gem." i told him. "she should have it by the time our troops get there. a war should not happen if we play this right."

"i see." he stood. "but just in case, you are preparing all the armies of the Great Dragon."

"it is better safe then sorry." i stood and followed him to the door. "Queen Alana and King Alexander both returned to their own kingdoms to prepare. Alexandria should contact us when all is safe."

"very well." Silverbow opened his door. "I will have the troops ready by tonight, we will head out in the morning."

"Thank you." i said as he took off down the hall. 

i walked back up the stairs, past the throne room and up a spiral staircase leading to the next floor up. i then made my way to my office. 

i entered the room to see someone sitting at my desk, Alexandria. 

"What are you doing here?" i asked a bit confused. "there is no way you could have made it here before me."

"i have wings don't i Surok?" she asked, placing her elbows on the desk and intertwining her hands. 

she didn't sound right, or look right. 

"your wings have never worked." i answered, carefully sitting across from her. "even if your past life."

"well i figured it out." so spoke coldly. "i assume you already told your captains to get the army ready?"

"General." i answered. "And yes, i did." i slowly started to reach for the dagger in my sleeve. i was an assassin before becoming a king, old habits die hard.

"I will need you to call them off." She stood from her seat and started to pace.

"I will not be doing that." i stood as well, watching her carefully. 

she turned to face me. "i am your queen and you will do as i order."

"my queen would never order me to do anything." my dagger was now firmly in my hand, the blade still hidden in my sleeve. "however if my queen were to make an order, i would listen. too bad you are not her." 

"whatever do you mean Surok dear?" She smiled, trying to look sweet. i knew that this was not my friend. 

"You made one major mistake." i told her. 

"And what would that be?" She took a step forward. 

"The real Alexandria would have called me Thorne." i flung my dagger straight at her head, but it did not hit. instead it went through her like a mist. 

she looked at the dagger, now sticking into the wall behind her and then back at me. "that is unfortunate. i had hoped that the elves were as dumb as the dwarves had told me."

"You are that advisor to the dwarven king arent you?" i reached for another dagger.

her face smiled at me. "indeed, no point in hiding that."

"what happened to Alexandria?" i demanded.

"she's fine, for now." Her body started to morph back into the dwarven advisor. her voice becoming deep, changing into his own. "call off your troops of she wont be for long."

"Go to hell." i spat at him before throwing another dagger at him. this time he just disappeared into a cloud of mist. 

"Damn it." i punched a nearby wall then heard a knock behind me. "enter."

"is everything okay your majesty?" General Silverbow walked in, now dressed in his armor.

"no, its not." i turned to face him. "The Great Dragon, Alexandria is in trouble, if she appears to you or anyone here tell them to aim to kill. there is a shapeshifter pretending to be her."

"That is not good." He answered, looking worried.

"I fear that she has been captured." i told him. "i need to send word to the others of the council of eight. we need to march as soon as possible." 

"As you wish." he bowed, leaving the room in haste.