-Two Worlds II- (Chapter Six: Gathering Forces)

["Cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Title: Two Worlds II: The Heart of Darkness
Series: Royalty
Book: 4
Chapter Six: Gathering Forces
Author: Cilia
Author's e-mail: cilia@xxxxx
Pairings: Well duh!
Distribution and Archiving: List archivers and anybody else who has my stuff
can go ahead. Other's please tell me if you chose to archive this.
Disclairment: Joss owns some and I own some. But hey I think I write better
then he so he can just pucker up and kiss it for all I care.

Summary: Nine years have past in the Old Realm since the deperture of
General Elisabeth Anne Summers after the Battle for Necirs and the following
Search for Willow. Now Willow Summers, her wife and Leader the Alliance
Council must bridge the gap between the worlds to seek out her out, the
darkness is rising and the Last Hero of Necris is needed now more then ever.
So the final story in Royalty Epic begins.

-Two Worlds II: The Heart of Darkness-
Cilia

Chapter Six: Gathering Forces

The General was back and the news spread like wildfire through the city of
Necris and even through the tunnels into the Halls of Clan Thunderfoot.
Elisabeth hated the attention, kind of hard to round up an army if you cant
go someplace without being recognized. So after having dispatched a
messenger to the City of Elves, who had gated there to fetch Tark and what
remained of her soldiers there.
She hoped the Drow General wouldnt kill the messenger as she donned a cloak
and non-script black clothes and then set out into the city to search out
the soldiers that had fought at her side nine years prior.
Entering a fairly decent inn called the Roses Honor. Which she had heard
from a reliable source, Litni Speed to be exact, was being run by a soldier
that had served under her and still had connections to the old guard. How
the young elf knew this, or how she knew the exact location of the inn, was
not something she wished to dwell on.
Looking around, she took in the fairly standard setting, a long bar,
scattered tables and a staircase leading up to the inns rooms. Taking a
seat in the shadow of the staircase she waited for service to arrive.
She noticed that the waitress was surprised that a human had entered the
inn, so apparently the Alliance only went so deep.
What will it be maam? the waitress asked.
Elisabeth looked up at the waitress; there was something familiar, although
she couldnt be much more than twenty seasons. She bore a resemblance to a
certain first in command shed known.
Dark wine and make it a good year, she ordered.
You sure? the waitress asked with a raised eyebrow.
Elisabeth pulled back her hood and smiled.
Yes Im sure and I would like a word with the owner, she said.
Hes very busy Im not sure& the girl started, not intimidated by the
human, but still sensing something odd about her.
Tell him that the banner of the houseless will fly again, Elisabeth said
with a smile. If he doesnt understand then take this for you troubles,
she said and dropped five golden coins on the table.
The waitress gathered the coins without a word and headed for the bar.
Elisabeth watched with a smirk as the bartenders eyes grew wider, she
recognized him as the owner and someone shed fought along side. Hurriedly
filling a glass of Dark wine, he instructed the waitress to take over while
he brought her the drink.
Hello Trist, she greeted with a smile, but not looking up.
Trist was a strong build Drow, not sleek and lithe like most Drow soldiers,
but with broad shoulders, thick arms and legs and thinning white hair.
General this is an honor, he greeted with a bow.
Sit down Trist, she ordered with a smile and the Drow took his seat. Hed
been a grunt in her division during the Battle of Necris and the first one
to retire apparently.
Is it true then? the Drow asked nodding at the armor.
Yes its true, we march in three days time, maybe even sooner, she
whispered.
Where are we heading this time around?
Dark Lands, she answered.
Who are with us? he asked without the usual shocked look.
General Tark is being recalled, the Red Mage and possibly Cordelia
Moondancer, she answered.
Impressive group, but what of Litni Speed? he asked.
You know her? Elisabeth asked a little surprised.
Every Drow knows that elf, he answered with a smile.
Shes coming along as well, but I need soldiers& soldiers I can trust,
she answered.
The Alliance troops not to your liking then? he asked with a raised white
eyebrow.
I dont question their skills, but their loyalties lie with the Council, I
need soldiers who's loyalties lie with me, she explained and sipped her
wine.
I can round the remaining ones up for you then, but they might need some
time, not all continued the fight after your departure, he answered.
I know that, Tark will return with those that have followed him and I
trust the rest to you, she said.
Give me two days and well be in the training yard at nightfall, he
nodded and stood.
One more thing who is the waitress? she asked and motioned to the girl at
the bar.
Noticed her then? Well if you are wondering that is Tare, Xares sister,
he answered.
Xare never told me about a sister, Elisabeth stated taking another look
at the waitress.
They werent exactly speaking at the time and Tare was only eleven at the
time of the Battle and not an outcast like her sister, he explained before
bowing and leaving.
Elisabeth leaned back in her chair and thought. Xare had been a great
fighter and an excellent second in command. She wondered if that had been
passed down to her sister as well. Shaking the thought away she figured she
needed experienced soldiers, not nostalgia, so she emptied her glass and
left.


~*~*~*~

Litni was walking around Necris at night, not something a surface elf should
be doing and definitely not something Willow approved off, but the Red Mage
was currently brooding and scheming somewhere in her tower and well the
young elf got bored easily. Of course Tark called it one of her few
failings. Entering her favorite inn and hoping that the General had finished
whatever business shed come there to do already.

Stepping through the doors she was greeted by the usual turning of heads,
but most of the customers returned to their glasses or mugs.
Tare, the usual, she said with a grin as she took a seat at the table.
One apple juice coming up, Tare answered as she turned around and placed
a glass in front of her. Tare looked like most elves, her ears were as long
as Litnis but their points where sharper, everything about her seemed
sharp, her features were clearly elfin and she had very cold blue eyes that
could just tear you apart if you looked into them too long. Like a cry out
against Litnis short hair, hers was long reaching her lower back, but it
wasnt white like the common Drows it was a very light blue.
You are no fun, Litni muttered.
I know your parents, and the fury of the Red Mage and General Tark is not
something I want to live with, Tare answered.
Did General Summers come here yet? Litni asked.
Came, talked to Trist and he took of faster than a Ranger Knight at a
victory celebration, Tare answered.
Are you going to volunteer then? Litni asked with bright eyes, she would
like to have her Drow friend along on the journey.
I cant and I wont, Tare answered firmly.
Why not? You are a great fighter and Ive never seen anyone that can match
you with a bow, although it is a pretty weird weapon for a Drow to use,
Litni exclaimed. Plus we could go hunt for some farmhands along the way,
she added.
You are not going to guilt me into coming, Tare stated and Litni just
batted her eyes innocently.
And I know you are not interested in that kind of fun, Tare stated with a
smirk. Litni sighed and nursed her apple juice.
Youll find a nice male someday, Tare said and patted her shoulder.
I broke the last ones hand when he got too frisky, Litni muttered.
And he deserved it, but how you put up with it is beyond me, Tare said.
What being courted by every single heir to every single royal house in the
Elfin Kingdom? Litni asked with a weak smile. Patience my friend,
patience.
My shift is over soon if you want to talk, Tare suggested.
Just talk? Litni asked with a raised eyebrow.
Trust me you are only a friend, anything more would be hazardous to my
health, Tare answered with a laugh and Litni frowned.
Hey Im nice, she stated and it made Tare laugh more. No really I can be
charming and& she stopped when Tare started hitting the table and begging
her to stop.
Youre no fun, Litni muttered.
Yes I am, just not the kind you are interested in, Tare answered with a
grin.
Shut up and pour me another, Litni said and emptied her glass. Yep this
was much better than watching Willow brood.

~*~*~*~

Willow was brooding, she hated it, but it was something she was quite used
to after years of practice. All her plans had failed so far, she couldnt
control Elisabeth like shed hoped and her independent wife was treading the
fine line of an insurrection.
Litni was in the city again against her orders and wishes, but the elf
needed to unwind since taking care of a brooding mage wasnt an easy job.
She just hoped the elf wouldnt do something rash, like jump into some
Princes bed, but then again that was highly unlikely. She sometimes worried
about the girl but she knew that Litni was just searching for someone. Being
raised on stories of true and although sometimes forbidden loves had left
her with a very narrow frame for the right-one, but she wasnt afraid to
search as the trail of broken hearts and bones clearly showed.
There was a gentle knock at her door; shed at Elisabeths request gated the
messenger to the City of Elves, so Tark was probably back.
Hello my friend, he nodded and took a seat in front of her. She looked up
with a smile. The former General looked just as he had during the battle of
Necris, but then again when you live to be at least five hundred aging isnt
something that happens over night.
Hello Tark, Willow nodded. How is the garden?
We should get a good harvest, Tark nodded. But I doubt the General
called me here to discuss gardening.
We are going to war Tark and Elisabeth needs you, Willow explained.
Youre wife has returned then, this is good news, Tark nodded and Willow
swore that his red eyes brightened just a little.
Depends on how you look at it, Willow snorted.
You cant plan a good harvest, you can only sow the seeds and tend to
them, he answered. This isnt a battle or a deal my friend.
So youre telling me I screwed up, Willow asked with a raised eyebrow.
You made a tactical error yes, Tark answered.
Any ideas then? Willow asked.
The General is on the battlements I suggest you go make peace, he
answered.
Thats it?
Thats it, now go, he said in his usual calm voice. Willow stood up and
taking a last wary glance at the General she left the room. Tark always knew
just what to say and it creeped her out sometimes.

Taking the usual route to the battlements she indeed found Elisabeth looking
out over the city wearing her comfort clothes for the realm. Lose black
pants, a long white shirt tied around the waist with a belt and with her
hair flowing freely.
Tark said you might be up here, Willow said as she leaned over the
railing.
He came here and told me to admire the city a little longer, Elisabeth
said.
Think we are being set up? Willow asked with a smile.
I want to apologize for my actions today, since we will be working
together and all, Elisabeth said slowly, not rushing the words.
And I forgot to think about why you are here and what you left behind,
Willow nodded.
This isnt over by a long shot though, Elisabeth said after a moment of
silence.
Friends for now? Willow asked and offered her hand that extended out of
the wide red sleeve of her robes.
Allies, Elisabeth said and pulled a gold band off her finger. It was
Willows wedding band, which she had given her after her return and promised
that she would one day collect.
I&
Just to remind me why Im here, Elisabeth said and pushed the gold band
onto Willows finger.	You are ready to collect it, even if Im not ready to
give it back, she explained.
Thank you, Willow whispered and inspected her hand.
Well& its getting late and I have troops to train in the morning,
Elisabeth pushed herself away from the railing. Walking away leaving a
stunned Willow behind she just barely caught a whispered in the wind.
I never stopped loving you&
She turned around and smiled at her wife before turning back and
disappearing into the shadows of the doorway. Leaving the Red Mage alone in
the Necris night, studying her wedding band.

To be continued...