Kingdoms of Caelum; Autumn of the War Queen

Chapter 32

Lubon watched a flock of his Black Sabbath Dragons circle above a distant mountain with greedy eyes. They were his by birth right, his heritage, his power, and he hoped their presence was a continual reminder of that to the many humans who now shared his Kingdom. In one way, he hated humans, like any Dark Elf did, but in another way, these drifters, outcasts and scum of the realms had seen his rise into wealth and power. Lubon sighed. His battle days were long over, and he was tired, but despite this and despite the bright white of his hair that rested gently on aged purple skin, he still felt every inch the warrior and crusader of his former years. It was close to Lubon's three hundred and seventieth year and he was getting old, he thought absentmindedly. A lesser ruler would have already had his demise by now but Lubon was a warrior; strong, cunning and sharp. He also put a lot of his luck down to Mivana, his infamous broadsword that never left his side. Beautifully crafted and coated in silver, encrusted with blue diamonds and red jewels, including the only known Blood Stone on Caelum, Mivana was his child, and it had given him much fortune.

He turned his head to survey the trail of humans and hybridees entering his mines far below the rock face, but he couldn't concentrate now, he had been so pre-occupied today; there was something in the air. A metallic taste he didn't understand, and since he had felt the shift last night, his mind had raced with memories of the old religion. He hadn't had a feeling this strong, since the Kingdom Argon on the Isle of Swift had fallen almost three hundred years ago. Lubon looked back to the dragons and saw them dive down below the mist and head back towards their pits. Something was coming, something bad.

"Can a rabbit stew tempt you away from your turmoil?"

"Anisana," he smiled as his skin broke into deep creases upon seeing her. She was his life partner, similar in age, and had also once been a great warrior. She smiled back with vivid green eyes, sheltering her silver tunic from rising in the wind. How he loved her and her beauty, he thought softly. "One day when our death is due, they will carve us in stone and your beauty will be preserved forever."

Anisana's thin lips curled into a smile, she never tired of Lubon's adoration.

"I hope we have many moons together before that time."

He reached her and put an arm around her shoulders, glancing behind to the cliff drop one last time.

"I'm not sure about that, I feel the cold in my bones now."

"Nonsense," she quipped and smiled, "It will be the stew that's cold if you do not quicken those bones."

They laughed with each other all the way back to the palace. Lubon and Anisana had joined their union together at a young age, their story and success was legend around Caelum. Dark Elves were notorious loners unless they found a life partner, but Lubon and Anisana had found each other and become soul mates, both knowing that one wouldn't live long without the other, but they needn't have ever worried about that. Together they had defended Fortis in the fifty year war, beat back the mages and killed Seraphine the white witch, taking leadership of the Elvin colony in the process. Under their reign, the mines had grown and prospered, and they had reaped the rewards together as the longest life partnership in Caelum. They reached the tower and Lubon's pleasant mood quickly diminished. Lofaid emerged from the shadows.

"Greetings my Liege, sister," he purred. Lubon disliked him greatly, he was a dangerous creature. Lubon had often regretted giving him so much power and free reign, but he did it for Anisana's sake.

"Lofaid, to what do we owe the pleasure?" He knew Lofaid would only seek him out if it was important. .

"It is grave news my Liege." He beckoned them both indoors, away from prying eyes and hidden ears. Lubon took a breath, perhaps this could be the reason for the shift he thought, and he frowned at Anisana as they entered into the tower. Silently they followed, footsteps and breath echoing off the thousand years worth of history embedded in the walls. Lofaid's steps were unmistakable, limping as he went through the arched hallway and into a small private study. When the door was shut behind them he took off his cloak and lit the fire gracefully, leaving Lubon and Anisana staring mutely at him with suspicious eyes. Lofaid loved drama and he was determined to savour this moment. He sighed as regretfully as he could muster.