FF: Two Worlds (Chapter 16: Lose Again)

["cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Hello boys and girls,
More Two Worlds and things are starting to heat up,
Cilia

Title: Two Worlds
Chapter 16: Lose Again
Series: Royalty (Book Three)
Author: Cilia
Edited and Revised by: Brndn
E-mail: cilia@xxxxx
Feedback: Please god yes
Distribution and Archiving: Sure go for it
Summary: You know this dont you?
Missting Parts: E-mail me and I'll send you what you need.
Notes: A Big Thanks to my beta "brndn" for getting me started on this again
and Ollie for plot line helping.

Two Worlds
Cilia

Chapter 16: Lose Again

Alx carefully laid Joyce down on the low bed. The palace was in uproar over
the events at the mine. The news of Joyces feat was spreading like wild
fire though the city. He had started tending to the small cuts on her hands,
arms and face. True, Joyce wasnt easily wounded, but no mortal being walked
away from playing support rafter with several hundred tons of rock without a
mark to show for it.
Bah! She be jusfine, lad, a gruff voice said from behind him, Strong
lass at one is. Alx turned his head to see the Dwarf King standing behind
him.
I guess we dont have to worry about keeping her secret anymore, huh? Al
x asked. He turned his gaze back to Joyce and ran the wet cloth over her
forehead.
The Councill mos likely be apushin fer thmarch on Necris right soon,
Einar nodded and looked at the young man. Here was the being that had the
reputation for being one of the fiercest warriors the Eastern lands had ever
seen, tending to a hurt friend.
Not the image you had of the Great Alx Sun, huh? Alx asked without
looking at him.
Um, *ahem*, well& the dwarf began, scratching his head roughly.
Dont sweat it, Einar, Alx said with a smile just as Joyce gave a groan
and slowly opened her eyes.
Hey there, she whispered weakly.
Seeing the look on the lads face, Einar excused himself, mumbling something
about the feast and how he was becoming too old and sentimental.
Hey yourself, Alx whispered back.
You okay? Joyce asked.
Hey, thats my line. Alx chuckled.
Well, there is always a tomorrow, Joyce said with a weak smile. The smile
quickly faded as she notices how her friends face had darkened before he
looked away.
Oh, Alx. I&Im sorry. I didnt& Joyce trailed off. She was now
remembering the tales Alx had told the group when hed returned home to
seek their help. They had been stories of his stay in the Realm and how hed
found love in young elfin girl, only to lose her in battle a few short weeks
later. Her name had been Xerdana, and Joyce had just repeated her last
words.
Its okay. That&it was along time ago, Joyce, Alx said and she could see
how his neutral mask of General Alx Sun slipped into place as he stood.
Get better.
Alx dont... Joyce stopped as the door closed, go, she finished.

-

The young thief looked up at his saviors, two girls, a human and an elf. He
shook his head at his luck; he was still waiting for an answer about his
current whereabouts, and the status of his head.
Lets see, you were on todays lunch menu for a bunch of Forest Trolls and
we saved ya. the human named Cordelia explained. You were unconsciousness
when we got there.
How did you ended up hanging out with such a lovely crowd? the elf asked
at the same time as her astone.
Whoa, whoa. He groaned and waved his hand, One at a time, please. My
head still returning to its normal size, he said and rubbed his forehead.
Okay, sorry. Lets start from the beginning then, Stjara said and sat
down cross-legged.
Well, my daddy did a bad thing with mommy and&
Not& Cordelia raised her hands to stop him, &that beginning!
What? Oh, sorry. Ah, my name is Grimm. I am, as you might have a guessed,
a thief, he said and held up his tattooed wrist. When both girls nodded, he
went on. About seven days ago, I think it was, I was chased out of a
village on accusations of being responsible for some pillaging, he
explained, looking suspiciously innocent, affairs with married women, being
in league with demons and so forth. All lies, of course, he finished, the
speech obviously known to him.
Oh, of course, Stjara nodded, the sarcasm more than a little noticeable.
They always throw in that demon thingy, Cordelia nodded.
Yea, well, so anyway, I run into the forest and smash, crunch, I get
knocked unconscious. I think Ive been hit on the head too many times ever
the past week, he said and rubbed his head again.
Do you have any idea where you are? Stjara asked.
Now that you mention it, Grimm answered and looked around, No.
Youre in the Kingdom of King Vitor. Stjara explained. Specifically, in
the Great Forest,
The Elven lands, Cordelia added.
Oh great, Grimm muttered still looking around, Where the hell am I
supposed to go from here?
Uh, pardon us a moment& Cordelia said and pulled Stjara with her up into
a nearby tree.
We have to take him with us, she said when they were out of earshot.
Cordy, he is a thief, Stjara hissed.
So? Hes lost. We cant just leave him here, Cordelia stated.
Hes a liability, Stjara countered.
But&he might be useful, Cordelia argued, and it is our duty above all to
protect any being within King Vitors land she quoted.
Damn, youre worse than a Ranger. You know that? Stjara cursed and shook
her head.
Is that a yes? Cordelia asked with wide, innocent eyes.
Stjara melted, as usual, Yes. But he is your problem. Not mine. she
stated. Cordelia quickly kissed her lover before jumping down onto the
ground.
Grimm buddy! How do you feel about becoming a spy for King Vitor?
Cordelia called out when she had landed. The young thief, wondering where
they had disappeared to, turned around and threw a crooked grin.
He shrugged his shoulders, Eh, why not? One more ungrateful job makes no
difference to me. He answered, and cocked his head, As long as& there is
going to be gold, right?
We have got to work on your attitude, though, Cordelia stated as sour
faced Stjara landed next to her.
Lets get moving. she said flatly and treaded into the forest with them
following. Before the trail gets cold,
Ouch. Is she always like that? Grimm asked and bit noisily into an apple.
I dont think she likes thieves too much, Cordelia answered.
I heard that. Stjara called back without turning.
Me, on the other hand, stopped making instant judgments a while back. I
like to think that& Hey! Thats my apple&

-

Buffy stood at the center of the encampment. Around her stood the hooded men
and women that made up her army division. Whod have thought, I have a
brigade she laughed to herself. She held a flagpole with a forest green
flag, framed with black and embroiled with golden rose. A favor shed asked
from Piratess.
This& she began, holding the flag high, is our banner. She exclaimed
and drove the pole into the ground. The banner of the houseless!
In my world, the rose is often used as a source of protection from demons
and since we are up against, what some of you have described to me as
demons, Ive selected the rose for our banner. The black border marks us as
drow for all to see and the green, as warriors! she said as she looked over
her soldiers, and then went on.
Today we train. Tomorrow we train. Then we train some more. We are all
without a house in this brigade and many will say that were without honor.
I intend to prove them wrong! Xare will split you up into ten groups of
five. Each group must be able to function as unit. Independent of the rest.
You must trust your comrades. Buffy was almost shouting to the group and
she could feel the cheesiness building. But I have to give them confidence,
she told herself. Work together and we will win this! she said and
motioned for Xare to step forth, Number One, she said.
The first group is as follows& Xeras voice faded as Buffy retreated to
her tent.
You did well, Piratess said from her seat, before the Slayer even had a
chance to sit.
My Queen, Buffy bowed.
Youre learning my friend, but please, lets dispense with the
pleasantries, Piratess said and Buffy let out a lengthy breath as the aura
of command dissipated.
Thank god, she said and sat down heavily.
Command is never easy, Piratess nodded.
Its not that. Well, not just that. I mean&I just miss Willow. Shes
always so good at, you know, balancing this sort of thing, Buffy explained.
You will see your wife again soon, Piratess said in a reassuring voice.
Yea, I know. Buffy said with a weak smile and looked to the queen, Hey,
thanks, Tessa. I&
General! Xare said as she rushed into the tent. General!
What? What is it, Number One? Buffy asked and jumped to her feet.
Piratess had slipped out quietly.
Spies! Just outside the entrance into the cave, Xare reported. Their camp
was situated close to the exit and so they noticed any movement first.
Who else have you informed? Buffy asked.
No one, General, Xare answered. I came to you first.
Good. Im going to inspect this personally. I dont want the other houses
getting wind of this yet. Understood? Buffy stated.
Yes General. Xare barked as she saluted, Shall I prepare a party to
accompany you?
That wont be necessary Number One, just see to it that the soldiers
continue to train. Buffy said and pulled her cloak around her neck. As she
was about to leave, she remembered, and assign the handy ones to sewing the
roses into the cloaks, with said, she left the tent.

-

Amy raced through the castle, her hands full of documents and maps. Being
Willows apprentice had taken her to the heart of the war council and turned
into a universal errand girl.
Late! So very, very late. she sing sang as she raced through gardens,
which rested in the ruins of the old castle. She didnt mind the
responsibilities, really. She reveled in them, actually. With the knowledge
of doing the right thing keeping her going, or as Willow called it, being
the Elf Alliances Cheerleader. There was thud in front of her and she
stopped. A crossbow bolt was imbedded between the cracks in the half
crumbled wall. Tied to it was a message.
Great, she muttered and unrolled the parchment. After she had read it,
she merely crumbled it up and stuffed it in her pocket.
Damn, lousy, no good, Royals, she cursed to herself. It was no secret
that the Royals didnt like her one bit and that she and Vitor were always
watched. Being a witch did have its benefits.
Show yourself! she demanded. An elf, the noble son of a Royal house, was
flung onto the path by some unseen force.
Now you listen to me like a good little boy, she said coldly as her voice
rose. I will not be intimated by empty threats from cowering boys hiding
behind notes. she said and backhanded the man.
If you want to say something& she began, and another noblemen fell from a
nearby tree. Say it to my face. Her face had grown red; the frustration at
this pettiness had come to a boil.
Youre scared. Good, she nodded; all sane beings feared a mage when
enraged. They had seriously underestimated her.
Now, for the sake of the& Alliance, I will not tell the war council. Nor
will I mention this to the King. Now go! Before I change my mind and do
something I might regret, she said as the man was released from her
invisible grip. Coughing he crawled away, with the other one stumbling
meekly after him.
Oh this has to got to stop, she mumbled to herself and made a beeline for
Vitors study.

Already in Vitors study, Willow was reporting her discoveries to the King.
They both sat casually in a comfortable room. She was sitting in an ornate
high-backed chair facing him. His chair looked to be a fancy loveseat of
some kind; his feet were propped up on an ottoman.
So Alx is with the dwarves? King Vitor nodded as he took a sip of tea.
Smart move.
Then hes most likely going to hear about the fall of Necris and return,
right? Willow inquired.
Or hell marshal the dwarves to war. There is no way to be sure, Vitor
said.
I can&well, I could try Astral Projection. Willow offered, but it takes
time.
Whatever it takes Mage Willow. You are hereby relieved off your duties as
Chief of the War Council until such time youve made contact with General Al
x, Vitor stated with a wave of his hand.
Just like that? Willow asked as her eyebrow raised its own question.
Just like that, Vitor answered with a smile.
Oh& then I guess I better go prepare, Willow said as she stood and walked
to the door. Ill keep you informed. After she opened the door, she had to
step aside as Amy, not missing a step, stormed right into the room. Oh, hey
Amy, she said.
Talk later, Amy said and her look told Willow that she should leave. The
Red Mage exited the room.
Amy stepped up to the casually seated king and locked eyes, We need to
talk Vitor,
About what, might I ask? Vitor asked and moved aside to make room for
her.
Us. Amy said. She still stood, but her eyes had softened, Or the ending
thereof&
The king blinked at her and sat up, Excuse me?
I&Im breaking off our relationship Vitor, Amy stated.
But&but weve barely&I mean, we havent even&
Youve heard the rumors. The Royals are talking revolt. We cant have
that, not now, Amy said and knelt in front of him.
So, this is in my favor, then? Vitor asked and looked away.
Its in all our favor. Amy responded sadly, Right now, more than ever,
the people need a King that everyone will flock behind and follow into the
pits of hell and back, Amy stated
Vitor took a deep breath and wondered how this had happened so fast. So
let me get this straight, in order for me to be that King, I must lose you?
Amy gave a sad smile and gathered his face in her hands. You wont lose me
Vitor. This has to be done. The affairs of state must precede the affairs of
the heart, she explained.
I &dont care, Vitor stated firmly.
Someone has to be the wise one here Vitor. And, who knows, maybe when this
war is over we can be together. Amy said as she stood, kissing his
forehead on the way up. But &not now.
Ill&ah&see you around, she said and quickly left the study, leaving the
King to his thoughts. The more he thought about it, the more he realized
that his human friend was right. He didnt like it, but she was right.
The affairs of state must precede the affairs of the heart, he said to
himself and leaned back into his chair. He would lead an army to hell and
back, if it meant a chance to be with Amy again.
Trenor, he called out and his old advisor came from a side room.
Yes my liege, the old elf said, his back straight and his fist to his
heart in salute.
I need you to start a rumor. The king confessed sadly, My relationship
with the Red Mages apprentice, the human, Amy, has&ended.
Yes, sir. Uh, pardon sir, but has it?
Has it what?
Ended, sir?
Yes Trenor. It&its over& he said and waited for the old man to leave
before adding. For now, and turning his gaze out the window and out over
the forests.

Amy leaned over the battlements with a tear in her eye. It had to be done,
she told herself, for the sake of the Kingdom. But that didnt make it hurt
any less, though.
Amy? Willow asked from behind her. Hey, I need your help,
Willow, Im your apprentice. You dont need to ask, Amy said and turned
away from the forest to look at the little redhead. She never would have
guessed when she had first met Willow that she would one day be studying
under her friend. Well, thats life for you.
The little mages face slowly saddened, I&uh, I guess you broke up with
Vitor, huh? she quietly asked as they walked along the battlements to the
Mage Tower. It was beautiful in the early morning sun, a true ivory tower
standing at the north end of the castle. The tower had been abandoned for at
least a generation. Until Willow arrived in the Realm, that is. Its doors
opened only to a true mage.
We&I put it on hold, is more like it, Amy answered. At least until all
this, war stuff, is over
Well, well just try to win this war as quickly as possible for you then,
Willow answered with a smile and a friendly squeeze on Amys arm. She
respected that Amy liked the king and wanted to be with him, but her
instincts argued against it. There could be a civil war if Vitor married
Amy. That was the last thing they needed right now. Maybe after retaking
Necris and clearing the borders, her friends could hope to find love, but
now was not the time.
Stop worrying, Wills. Itll all work out. I hope. Amy said and padded her
friends hand on her arm with a small smile, which the mage returned.

TBC...