The Witching Hour

Ch. 42

Castle Nitehardt

"How are you feeling, Anthena?" Leonidas asked his queen as they prepared themselves for the upcoming battle. He wore a regal crown and armor and had two swords at his hip.

"Better than ever, my love. I can't believe this is the kind of power my family kept from me for so long." Anthena replied, pure delight shining in her eyes as she watched flames slowly dance around her hand. She felt no pain from the fire, as it was all a creation of her own.

"I am glad you have received what you wanted, but now we must prepare our army. The witch and warlock are coming at any moment."

"Do not worry, my king. I am now more powerful than either of those two. In fact, I was thinking we should trap them..." Anthena trailed off, staring deep into the heart of the fire in her hands before smothering out.
"Yes...trap them indeed," she continued.
"I will take the magic from one of them and use it to kill the other. How delightfully poetic, don't you think?" Anthena asked aloud with a slight grin.

"You want more magic, Anthena? Must I remind you that our goal is to rid the world of the devil's work? The power you have now is quite useful to us but we need not get you more involved with such witchcraft." The king replied firmly.

"Oh no, you misunderstand me. Of course I shall give up the magic once my family is out of the way for good. I will have no more need of it." Anthena replied as she too dawned armor over her normal regal attire. These pieces of armor were much lighter and more flexible than Leonidas, as her needs were much different.

"As long as I have your word, then," Leonidas said after a slight hesitation,
"What does the Oracle's magic tell you about our enemy? Have they finally left that dreaded witches fortress?"

"It is my magic now, dear husband, do not forget that. As for your question, yes I believe they are out of the shrouds of the north. However..." she put a finger to her cheek as she focused on her magic,
"They seem to be separated, the brother and sister. The magic from them isn't as clear."

"That is some good news at least, as long as we can keep them apart it shall be easier to defeat them. Guard!" The king called out in a demanding voice. Almost immediately, a member of the Red Guard came running in while wearing full uniform.

"Yes, my king." The soldier said and knelt on one knee.

"Send word to our forces for them to return to the castle. There's no need to look for the devil spawn any longer, we know where they are headed and will be here shortly." Leonidas commanded.

"My king, are you sure that is wise? Perhaps we can make more examples out of the smaller villages." Anthena replied with the slightest grin.

"No, I cannot have you doubting me now, Anthena. We are spread to thing and I do not wish to murder more decent normal citizens. Besides, if they escaped our forces again we would be vulnerable here for an attack. Carry out my order." Leonids added with a nod to his guardsman.

"At once, my lord." The man bowed and left quickly to carry out his duty. Leonidas became lost in examining his maps and strategies and did not notice Anthena's reaction to his refusal. She lost her grin, glaring slightly at the king. An odd mixture of power and delight danced in her eyes, but it soon vanished and she let out a breathe.

"If you think that is wise, Leonidas." Anthena said and sat in her throne.
"Let them come, my niece and nephew. We need not worry about them, with our forces and my power how could they possibly stop us?" She asked and laughed to herself.

"Do not get arrogant, Anthena, it is a flaw that defeats even the greatest of us. We need a plan and a fallback incase the unexpected happens." The king replied.

"Oh, do not worry about that. If our Red Guard fail us, I have plans on getting another army to replace them. Just remember, my king," she said with a pause
"I need them alive in my presence if I am too absorb their magic."

"After which, with the siblings dead, you'll destroy the last of the magic, won't you, Anthena?" He replied, looking up from his war plans to look in her eyes.

"Of course, my lord. You have my word you will have no need to worry about anything once they are gone." She replied with a smile and approached her husband for a kiss.