Mythical Book #1

Epilogue

The setting sun over the far mountains shoots off spectacular rays of golden light that hit Fada Lake, making it sparkle like a field of golden diamonds. Leftover storm clouds over the far-off desert glow a deep purple, edged with bright pink. ‘I also like this view, because it too, doesn’t overlook the city.’ King Niall leans on the balcony. After a purposeful deep breath to relax, ‘Okay, the day’s events are over, now to hear the quick evening updates and then off to bed!’ Niall walks to his throne room and sits on his quartz throne; after his habitual routine.

As he patiently waits for his evening updates, he hears a loud bang from a throne door being flung open, followed by quick footsteps.

“Oh god, what now…” Niall says out loud ‘It’s probably Sean.’

Sean comes running up, with all those tassels feverishly jiggling back and forth. ‘How often do they have to keep putting new tassels on Sean’s robe,’ Niall wonders.

“Sire!” Sean says, out of breath but with a positive tone.

“Yes?” King Niall responds, avoiding the sweat puddle pooling up.

“Sire, the Trolls!” Sean catches a breath, “The Troll army has been defeated!” Sean gets out.

“Wait, what? How?” King Niall asks.

Suddenly there is another loud bang of a throne room being flung open. This time there are sounds of several feet walking in a hurry. Rounding a pillar is a figure in long, dark-gray robes, trimmed in a golden key pattern design. Two more robed figures then appear, and a few seconds later two more. As the first figure stops in front of the King, it takes off its hood to reveal a very old, bearded Elf. Sean grovels to the ground, and the King kneels on one knee in respect, “Judge Abban.”

This group is the Archerenian Court. They are the keeper of the laws. Originally the court and the church were one and the same, but since the decline of the church in recent times, the court has grown away from the church and has basically become its own entity. The courts were created long ago to make sure all followed the sacred laws written by the Ancients to help keep order out of chaos. It’s the one thing the majority still believe in from long ago because they are tangible, but as with all things, these sacred laws aren’t without their flaws, too.

“Rise,” the Judge says only to Niall with a deep echoing voice.

“I have just heard the news about the Troll army defeat,” King Niall says, gesturing to Sean, who picks his head up and grins and then catches the eye of one of the other judges and he quickly goes back to his groveling position.

“Aye, that’s not why we are here,” The Elven judge says, not moved by the news of the Trolls.

“Um, so what brings you, then?” Niall asks, getting a bit nervous.

“We have reason to believe a mix-breed exists.”

“But they are outlawed, put to death by law. Are you sure?”

“Very, and we can present a witness.”

“Who?”

“You, there!” Judge Abban shouts, not taking his gaze off Niall.

“Yes, your honor?” Sean answers with terrified glee.

“Get up and fetch us our witness, she is waiting just on the other side of the doors.”

“Yes, your honor,” Sean replies, and gets up awkwardly. He then runs off to grab the court’s witness, leaving a puddle of sweat behind where he has been groveling. The judges look at it, and Niall looks at it, then rolls his eyes.

The sound of hooves walking, echo with some confidence, through the throne room. An attractive blonde-haired Centaur woman walks past the judges, and presents herself, while Sean leaves the room.

“You, Mare, testify to what you have seen,” orders the Elf judge.

“Well, I was at a tavern a while back, and while being hit on by an obnoxious Fairyman, I overheard a Dragon and Elf girl talk about mix-breeds,” the Centaur mare says, walking around to get into a more comfortable position. Then she continues “The Elf girl got upset when they said that she may or may not be chaos or something like that.”

“Wait, Chaos? Are you positive that is what she said?” Niall responds to the news.

“Yeah, the Dragon was wearing a robe, too, just like these guys, only white,” the Centaur says, pointing to the judges.

“We believe the Dragon is one of our Grand Masters, who may have joined the rogue group of Ontroni,” Judge Abban says. “We are initiating the Mandamus Act, and employing our Hunters to take authority over a select group of the Royal Guard to find the mix-breed.”

There is a quick rush of air, then a large shadow comes up between the Judges. As it stands, a face of a man appears with a lion like structure. It has two horns on the top of its head, and the body of a lion is revealed. It is wearing polished dark metal armor. It then stands and walks on two legs next to the Elven Judge. A scorpion-like tail whips from its behind in the light, showing a lot of sharp spikes on its tip. “This is Caspian, he’s the Captain of the Hunters, and he’ll be leading this campaign,”

“But he’s a Manticore, from Zlokara. Where the Trolls are from too?!” The Kings argues with suspicion.

“Sire, I can assure you that I have no ties with the other Manticores, the Trolls, or Zlokara for that matter. I have been raised a Hunter from birth,” Caspian responds, with great articulation and manners. His tone sounding proud when mentioning being raised a Hunter.

“We need to make sure we capture and convict this mix-breed before their powers can manifest or grow,” Judge Abban says sternly.

“So, you believe she’s an Elf and what?” Niall asks.

Suddenly Sean bursts in again with a scroll. ‘I really wish I had my wings right now, with all the running I’m doing, White-faced, Sean hands the scroll to King Niall. As the King reads its contents, his face begins to grow white too, and his glow starts to fade.

“What is it?” demands the old Elf judge, who snatches the scroll and reads its contents:

Sire, the one who defeated the Troll army appears to be a mix-breed. She is an Elf and Fairy mix, and it may appear she has royal markings. Also appears to have a very powerful sword that creates storms. I will confirm more and report soon.

-          C

Looking at the judge’s reaction, Niall says with an uneasy smile, “Uh, okay, I can probably explain.” The judge’s gaze cuts at Niall and doesn’t waver.