Kingdoms of Caelum; Autumn of the War Queen

Chapter 40

Several silent moments of both fear and astonishment passed between the two as they stood flush to the colosseum wall.

"Perhaps the stone caught sunlight and she saw the glint of the red..." Katla began but soon trailed off knowing it was hidden well.

"The vision she saw was real Katla," Bane whispered.

He suddenly grabbed her roughly by the shoulders and looked around making sure people were out of ear shot. It was not safe to talk about such things and he knew the danger she would be in if anyone suspected.

"Blood Stones are powerful gems. Do you know how they were forged?"

Katla shurgged, she had heard the fables and childhood stories, but never paid much attention. Bane brought his face less than an inch from her own.

"Golden Dragons once lived on the Realms of Caelum. Rare, beautiful creatures with scales of sunlight and eyes of fire, the Golden Dragon was of magic. Its blood could cure the sick, give sight to the blind and its very breath could help a crippled man walk again. Mages, Kings and High Priests fought for its blood and for its bones, until all the dragons were no more."

A Dark Elf walked by them and Bane paused, making sure he had gone before continuing.

"The legend is, that as the last Golden Dragon fell, its blood touched the rocks and set solid like amber."

Katla's own blood had run cold as she thought for the first time in her life about the seriousness of a Blood Stone. Could she somehow be the owner of the blood of the last Golden Dragon? It seemed tragically haunting, and how come she had come to have this one, this Golden Dragon heirloom? Bane saw the questions in Katla's eyes and he elaborated, keeping his voice soft and low.

"The men who had killed the Dragon hacked at the solid blood, but they only managed to cut loose several small pieces. Some of those pieces were sent as gifts of fortune to each King and the others were traded and guarded throughout history, and these tiny little fragments would cause wars in years to come, be responsible for the cull of the Grey Elves, the Mages, and the fall of the two Kingdoms Argon and Blehmintine. They were responsible for many thousands of lives. Eventually, the Stones were lost, or hidden, or destroyed. I believe you have acquired this through your mother's blood line."

Katla reached for her hood again, "I will have to destroy it Bane. I do not want the burden of this."

He nodded "I agree little wolf, but it can not fall into the hands of the Rakshasha either. It is of magic, and so are they. There is no telling what powers the Stone enhances, and now they know you have one, you will be hunted."

"What if they already have one though Bane? Could that be how they overthrew the Lightning Children, took control of Lieulf many years ago?"

"Perhaps. It is rumoured Maffitati keeps one hidden around the neck of a semi-god, deep in the core of Lieulf. Wise we do not give them another?"

In those few moments, the Blood Stone in Katla's ribbon had become very real. She was the owner of the world's most dangerous object, and it needed to be destroyed. She turned her head briefly, thinking intently of her next move, but as she did she noticed a tall, young man staring at her behind the bulk of Bane. He wore a kilt and was covered in an assortment of pelts with the unmistakable reds of Roskilde brandished over sashes and chain mail: The symbol of his house Maynard, the Shield, screamed up at her. Their eyes locked and a lump of terror, grief, and happiness rose into her throat simultaneously.

"Katla Veurink?" he said quietly in disbelief. Bane flicked his head quickly in the boy's direction and for a moment there was silence, as the stranger looked from Katla, and then to the mountain that was Bane.