The Ashes to Rise

Chapter One

     Some might say 'Once upon a time' here. Some might say 'Until one day'. Maybe 'Until finally' or 'Ever since that day'. That's what was in every story in Elquan.

     Elquan was a peaceful, graceful kingdom built of stone. It's multi grey boulder, ten feet thick walls were traced with purple flower vines and aligned with gold tops and decor. If you ever entered the kingdom you would be welcomed by strong mahogany doors that opened wide into a Market street. You would find out that the Elven families that lived inside this kingdom were celebrating the kingdom's birthday. 1.0009 million years from the first building ever built, which was cased safely inside of the Castle, and Ten thousand, eight hundred and ninety one years of peace through all nine Districts.

    This festival lasted for days. Stands would be set up, flourishing with goods. From dazzling bouquets to healing Elixirs and oils. Wooden chests to painted dolls. From exquisite diamonds to life saving charms. Bread to Pastries. Books to ink. Even a dragon egg or two. There were even shops, like Bakeries and Florist, and the Coffee house run by fairies.

     Crafts were everywhere. Especially for the kids. There was an Elven sized Hek board and apple bobbing. There was face painting for all ages. Hair stylist set up a table to style everyone's hair. From complicated braids to rainbow hair and even shining for bald Travelers from the Paklant District.

     A kid or two ran around the courtyard holding windmill toys or model dragons. You might hear a child laugh with joy or a baby cry after waking up from all the noise. Or maybe you'd bump into a group of teenagers that were enjoying the shopping. A band would play around the fountain in the middle of the kingdom as couples and even strangers danced with cheerfulness.

     Just by standing there you could see all of the Elven traditions. Like a random man holding a golden flower over their heads, signalling them to kiss. Or trading their best duck to a Butcher or Farmer for good luck. You might even see a child cry for the duck that was gone they had named Donald.

     Soon the King with his golden circlet adorned with diamonds of white, blue and red would step out onto his balcony to give a speech. His royal blue robes shimmered against the light. It matched the banner of blue with a tree embroidered with gold and stoned with rubies like apples.

     Everyone would applause when he finished and the Queen came out in her flowing royal blue dress embroidered with golden decor. Her golden circlet too was stoned with white, blue and red stones. She even had light blue roses in her hair from some village Elven girls.

     If you were lucky enough you might even see their Daughter step out to give a smile and a wave. She didn't say much, but just the sight of her made every girl giggle with giddy.

     When the King, the Queen and the Princess went back inside, the crowd still cheered and celebrated this great day. It was hard to believe this was only yesterday. When it was joyful with pride of celebration. It's not even half the kingdom it was then as it is now. Not even close.

     The Flares, gruesome people that hair seemed to be on fire and skin that burned you at the touch, had entered the kingdom. They declared Fortune or War. The King did not have what the Flares declared. So they took the Queen as their pride and slaughtered every townsfolk on the street. Knights and Archers fought for their Queen, but it was useless against the Flares.

     The Guards closed the strong mahogany doors, locking them in and guarding them with all they had, even when they knew they would not survive.

     The Flares that were trapped inside shatter windows, burned houses to smithereens, and slit the throats of any living soul that was in sight.