The Witching Hour

Ch. 29

Connor

The sun was still on it's way towards setting, yet Connor had already had a full day. He sat by a river and rested, breathing heavier than normal as he laid back and watched the sky.

"Is the life of an elven warrior too tiring for you, dear Connor?" Lydia asked as she approached with a smirk.

"I did not even know vampires could tire." He replied with a smile.

Connor had just spent most of the day training with the elven army. He had practiced some of his spells along with sword fighting and archery. The elves moved much quicker than normal humans and his vampiric speed allowed him to keep up with the rigorous training schedule. However, he lacked the experience to pace himself throughout the entire day.

"At least I'm on my way to knighthood, that must mean something yes?" Connor added and stretched in the grass.

"Usually yes, but the queen of the elves will not officially knight you because you're not an elf. That leaves the only other royal family in the kingdom...I wish you the best of luck there." Lydia replied and laughed lightly.

Connor sighed, he had always dreamt of being a knight since he was a child. His stories always had a knight in shining armor who defeated evil and saved the day while winning over a princess. He was fortunate Lydia turned out to be a princess, though that was not the only reason for wanting to be a knight. He was young and from an unknown town, he dreamt of making a difference in the world.

"Well then, at least the elven guard gave me some armor and a sword so I can look the part." Connor commented. The armor he wore now was black with golden lining and his sword was strong and vibrant.

"Yes, that was generous of them." Lydia replied.
"Most of the elves use bows, so they have very few worthy swords to lend out."

Connor nodded and dusted himself off as he arose from the grass. A moment or so later, Ambur came by on his mount. The mount was an unusual deer, larger than a horse and with many antlers. Ambur and his mount wore the same colored armor.

"Lady Lydia, sir Connor." He stated flatly.
"The queen wishes for you both to see her immediately. There is news involving your Avalonna."

As soon as Ambur stated his message, Connor looked at Lydia and nodded. He took off in a blur and got to the queens throne room as quickly as he could. Connor was still developing his control over his speed, and accidentally ran into a pond near the palace.

"Decided to take a quick swim first?" Lydia asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

"Yes, please join me." Connor replied with a groan and tried to dry himself off.

"Perhaps another time, we must see the queen." Lydia stated and lead Connor inside.

Queen Aurora was sitting on the throne, her eyes closed as books and objects floated all around her. The queen's eyes glowed a faint red and the pages of the books flipped at blinding speed, as if an unseen hand was searching for an answer within the pages.

"The queen is a witch." Connor whispered to Lydia, half asking and half stating what he saw.

"Yes, I am, young Connor." The Queen replied without opening her eyes.
"And although I can quite clearly hear you from where I am, I must ask you both to approach my throne."

Connor lowered his gaze slightly as he and Lydia stepped closer to the grand throne.

"What is it mother, do you know something about Avalonna?" Lydia asked.

"I know nearly everything, my child, do not forget that." The queen replied. She slowly opened her eyes and the items around her all floated down to the tables and floor.
"You know this, Lydia, but Connor does not. I am not just a witch, I am also a member of the 13th Council."

Connor gave a surprised look and began to listen to what the queen had to say.

"I just received a message stating that the Council's home is under attack, by dragons nonetheless." Queen Aurora stated.

"Dragons?" Lydia asked.
"How is that possible? The last of their kind either died or went into hiding."

"Yes, apparently I do not know as much as I like to think..." The queen replied quietly.
"These dragons are under the control of the Red King and Queen, but that is not all. Drakkar was with the pack."

"Drakar? I thought he was merely a myth." Lydia replied.
"He's a god among dragons!"

Connor knew his heart would be beating fast, if it still beat at all. He was getting anxious and worried, this dragon god was attacking his sister.

"We can still defeat him, can't we? He is just a dragon, we are many and we have magic." Connor asked hopefully.

"We might be able to..." Queen Aurora replied after a moment's hesitation.
"However, that would require us being there. That is why I was searching through my books and scrolls to try and find a way to stop Drakar."

"Does this mean you will actually be leaving your throne, your majesty?" Lydia replied with a hint of a grin.

"Now is not the time for spite, daughter. We must get to the northern wilderness quickly." Her mother replied with a slight smile of her own.

"I agree, but leave your army here. You know how exclusive the Council can be at times." Lydia stated.

"Yes, very well. I know a spell to get us there quickly, if you two are ready to go now."

Connor nodded and put his hand on his sword hilt. He was ready to see his sister again, hopefully he wasn't too late.

"Do not get separated from my mother as we are transported," Lydia told Connor.
"Only a Council member can freely enter the north safely."

Connor listened and he and Lydia walked to either side of the queen.

"I must warn you, Connor, and even you Lydia. Dragons are unlike anything you have ever faced. They created magic and can do many feats all at once. They are deadly and will not stop until their goal is reached, and as powerful as one dragon can be, Drakar is even more so."

Connor wasn't afraid, fear was one of the emotions vampires did not have. He simply nodded and prepared himself to face the dragons.

"When we arrive, we have to move quickly. Connor, remember, you are a warlock, not just a warrior. You must use both your abilities." Lydia said, as she and Connor put their hands on the queen's shoulders.

Queen Aurora's eyes glowed a faint red again and magic sparked from her fingers. She cast her spell without saying a word and suddenly a ball of magical symbols encircled all of them. The symbols spun faster and the energy felt like a strong blast of wind blowing through. There was a blinding flash and suddenly the trio found themselves in a cold, snowy place with several large creature flying around and attacking anyone they saw.