Crystal

Which Side Are You On?

The sun was setting in the purple-blue sky.  The dragons were no longer flying in the breeze, and they were nearing the citadel.

The citadel itself was a huge dome of shimmering light that protected the inside from the elements.  Inside, the buildings seemed to be made of gold and a white marble, or a mix thereof.

"Woah..this is.. amazing!" Nora whispered to herself.  "What's the dome made out of?"

"That, my lady, is made of pure light energy, held in place by powerful spells.  It is the crown jewel of Invris." said King Lux proudly.  It keeps the darkness out.

"The darkness?" Anora asked.  Lux's face darkened, and he ground out with a hateful sneer on his face, "Anything from the Dark Lands.  The citadel is our last line of defense should that poison ever get past the Wall."

"Um, even the animals?" she asked.  "Yes, even the animals; sneaky demons the lot of 'em!  I curse the unholy ground they walk on!" was the reply.

There was an awkward silence after that.  Nora didn't think the animals were that evil.  Perhaps just a bit sneaky.  Cat certainly was.  She shot him a glare.  He winked.

How did you do that? She thought, mostly to herself.  A distinctly output voice responded in her head, Well, it's about time you stopped treating me like an animal, no? 

She blinked, hopped down from the horse and grabbed the apparently telepathic Cat by the scruff, and was gone with a pop and a wisp of silver.

King Lux turned around "Lady Anora, we near the gate.  Ready yourself for..." he trailed off as he saw the empty horse munching grass  few yards away.  "What..."

About a mile away, at the crest of a hill.  Cat and Nora popped into existence.  "Okay, let me get this straight. You are a colour changing cat that can aparently talk in my head!"

No, came the calm reply, it's you who can talk in my head.  As the bearer of this land, you can speak to all creatures in it. He blinked slowly.  You just couldn't at first.  You needed time to adjust.  

"So your telling me I can talk to any animal in Satera, the Winter Woods or Invris?" Yes, as well as a few rare trees.  "Woah.  So I could talk to that dragon right there?" Yes, but that's not-  "Helloo! Can I talk to you?  Mister dragon sir?"

The great violet dragon wheeling in the setting sun gilded down to the hill, flaring his wings as he touched down.  It would appear as though you can. What do you want Bearer? 

" Oh. Um, nothing much.  Uh, can I feel your scales?"  The dragon let out a big rush of air, akin to a sigh, I suppose.  And for future reference, my name is Asroth, so you do not go calling Dragon over the land. 

"Thanks.  Mine's Anora."  I know.  Who doesn't know your name?  Lady Anora.  The whole of the land let it ring the moment you arrived.  Our savior.

What? she thought.  "Savior?  What does that mean?  What are you talking about?"  She asked.  The dragon lowered a violet eyelid in a wink.  Spoilers...  and took off into the deep blue dusk sky.

She sighed.  "Wonderful.  I suppose I'd better get back to the citadel thing.  C'mon Cat."  Might I remind you that I am not some servent at your beck and call?  "Oh hush."

A sentry barged into the throne room.  "Sir, we found this girl claiming to be Lady Anora.  Should we-"  "Let her in, let her in!" the great doors opened, and in she came.  Nora thought she looked very out of place in the midst of all the gold and white in her darkly coloured maroon dress.

"Lady Anora!  Where have you been? We have been searching everywhere for you!" the king exclaimed,  half rising out of his seat.

"Um..." She said, unsure if she should tell him or not.  She looked down at Cat, who gave the tiniest shake of his head.  No.  "Oh, nothing.  I just, uh, wanted to see a dragon." 

" I see.  Well, it would be greatly appreciated if you refrained from disappearing  like that.  Please, do sit." He motioned to a table and chairs.  There was suddenly an unpleasant look on his face, and his dementor had changed drastically. She took a seat.

"So.  We, the Lux brigade, would like your support in the war against the Umbrlands.  With your help, we could slaughter the dark forces of Von Hea and lay waist to the land." the king said with a slightly insane look on his face.  "You will be the crown jewel of this land.  You must do this!"  He banged a trembling fist on the crystal table.

There was long pause.  Nobody said anything.  Lux cleared his throat. "Ahem.  So, will you help us?" Slightly taken aback, Nora said, "Uh... can I think about it?   Cause I'm really not into slaughtering and murdering.  And the Winter Woods wasn't that bad."

King Lux stood up suddenly. "Fine.  Think about it.  But also think about the consequences of allying yourself with Hea.  Think about this; which side are you on?" 

Sorry sorry it's so late.   I've been busy.  Holy crap long chapter.  (For me anyway)  Anyway, should I add a love interest? I'm toying with th idea, but I'm just not sure.  Thoughts?  Please comment.  :-)    ~AlaskaRose00