FIC: The Twilight War (Chapter Three: The Road to Glor y.)

The Twilight War

Cilia

Chapter Three: The Road to Glory?

General Elisabeth Summers smiled as she nudged the sleeping Tark with her foot, she?d come to rouse the drow General, since for the first time in living memory that drow general had not been the first to emerge from his tent. Only to find him sleeping on the floor of his tent where two bedrolls had been pushed together. On the point of her sword she held a pair of undergarments and she smirked as red orbs greeted her with what was undeniably a shocked look. She?d manage to catch Tark, the great drow general and planner supreme, off guard.

?Good morning general,? she said with a smile that threatened tosplit her face if it got any bigger and there was a rustle of sheets as Tare, her lieutenant, covered her head. ?In case you'd forgotten,? she went on taking much enjoyment at her friend?s silent uncomforts. ?We?ll be setting out for Necris and it?s supposed to a big moral-boosting send off,? she explained.

?Of course,? he nodded, his voice was vibrant and musical, much like the other elves. ?Shall we go?? he asked standing up fully and in all his naked glory. Elisabeth despite being married a woman, still appreciated the male form and perhaps, when away from her wife, entertain a fantasy or two, but very few things could prepare her for the sight that was Tark Dragon. His body was a bundle of corded muscles, crisscrossed with white scars of battles long past and as her eyes drifted downward she blushed a deep crimson color.

?Maybe you should get dressed first,? she said trying to hide her blush, but failing miserably. ?We don?t want to cause an? uprising,? she said. ?I?ll meet you in the field,? she said hurriedly and then turned on her heel and fled the tent.

?That was cruel,? Tare said, peaking from underneath the blanketas Tark just smiled and went about dressing for the parade that was schedule for later in the day. He?d been opposed to the idea from the start and would have preferred leaving quietly at the crack of dawn, but the defense of Necris was more of an ideological battle than a tactical one and he knew that a show of force was required for the sake of moral and to hopefully shake the determination of the enemy. He was strapping on his black leather armor when smooth hands came to rest on his from behind.

?Let me,? Tare said gently in his ear as she removed his hands and started fastening the various buckles and straps that held the armor in place. Then came the cape which she fastened and arranged so it bunched around his shoulders, when she fastened the broach that held it she looked up with herdeep blue orbs and met a pair of red orbs, that now shone with what only could be described as a lust for life and the coming battle, a mask perhaps, but Tare hoped that it was some of her doing, that by coming here she?d somehow drawn out Tark?s inner self.

?Yes you have,? Tark answered in a melodic voice as he kissed her forehead. ?And I won?t ask you to stay behind,? he added.

?You really are too smart for your own good,? she said, with a small smile.

?You'd better get ready for the ?show?,? he said, as he turned away and walked over to his traveling chest it opened without a sound and he drew out a circlet with the symbol of the third house set in the center of it. ?And I would very much like for you to wear this,? he said and placed the circlet on her head.

?I?? Tare stammered as her hand went to the triangle shaped stone in the center of the circlet. The symbol of the third house was currently only worn by one other person in all of Necris, her friend Litni, Tark?s daughter. Tark just smiled his thin smile at the young woman?s lack of words; he was after all a last of a breed.

?Just accept the gift,? he said. ?Let the world know that evenat the time of war there exists hope for?? he went on but was silenced when Tare kissed him fiercely.

?If I knew this was the result I might have reconsidered coming here,? she said with a smile as they parted. ?I will wear the symbol of the third house, but only because you asked me,? she said firmly. ?I entertain nothoughts of becoming the matriarch of it.?

?Wouldn?t dream of it,? Tark said with his stone-faced _expression_. ?Now go and get ready,? he said. ?I want all the lieutenants to look their very best.?

Tare smiled her most girlish smile, kissed him once more for good measure and then skipped out of the tent to dress for the coming show. Tark watchedher go with a content smile, of sorts, he had ?solved? one problem but created many more, he would finally have peace from the other houses but also an uproar of protest from the other Royals. Yes although Tark had found happiness and a measure of joy for living, his mind was none the less the finest and the most calculative in the world, after all those who didn?t plot and scheme didn?t survive long in drow society. Taking it all in stride he fastened his swords to his belt and stepped out of the tent into the early morning sunshine. Come hell or high waters, Tark intended to fight the battle for Necris, not because of any patriotic or theological reasons, rather so that he might quickly return tothe shining elfin city and be with the women he loved.

* * * * *

Elisabeth stood still as Willow dressed her in the Armor of Necris, granted to her by Queen Piratess for the coming war, it was the house armor of the First House, gleaming black and only worn by the royal line, until now.

It was a close quarter combat armor, spiked and ridged in various places, the shield that came with it was firmly fixed to the shield arm of the suite, but it was small so it didn?t hinder movement and on it was the Spider emblem ofthe Drow Empire, she?d forgone the customary sword that went with the armor, for her customary sword. Nithiril the sword of the first ruler of Necris, thought lost until it was found by her and Willow in a hidden armory in the city of elves, it was among the most powerful weapons in the Realm and no other being could wield it.

?This is nice,? Elisabeth said quietly as Willow fastened the trailing ribbons in place, the armor had no cape, but rather twin ribbons that trailed from the waist and down the back of the armor.

Willow silently stood and studied her work. The armor was a magnificent piece of forging skill and its craft almost flawless. They made a stark image, Willow dressed in, what some many considered flimsy, white robes, that could in fact deflect even the heaviest of blows, with her short red and golden hair and immaculately painted face. Then Elisabeth, sleek like a panther in the dark armor, with her long brownish blond hair tied into a massive braid that had a spiked ball tied to the end of it. The Slayer had never worn a helmet and the only headgear she wore was a thin circlet gifted to her by Piratess ten years prior to enable her to see in the pitch darkness of the Nether.

?You?re angry for me sending June back?? Willow asked, looking her wife straight in the eye.

?That you took away her right to choose, yes I?m angry, but you also saved her from the horrors of war and for that I can?t help but to be glad,? she explained.

?She didn?t belong here,? a new voice said as Rosetta, or Roseas she preferred to be called, Willow?s twin, emerged from seemingly the room?s wall. ?The Guild knew, the elves knew and even you my dear sister-in-law knew it,? she said with a nod towards Elisabeth. Rose was Willow?s twin born from the climatic battle for Necris ten years earlier when the powerful mage had been thrown across the planes and suffered the loss of her memories, thus giving birth to Rosetta, a wild mage of almost equal power, but lacking some of Willow?s qualities and virtues. Later when Elisabeth, along with her companions, had found Rosettaand Joyce Summers, the avatar of fire, had split the two into separate beings and the rest was history. Now Rose was here at her sister's bequest to lend aidin the coming war.

?You ready to leave?? Elisabeth asked ignoring the wild mage?sstatement, she?d never fully understood the wild mage and their encounters had been few and far between.

?I travel light,? Rose said and gestured to her dark purple assembly. Rose was much more subdued compared to Willow, but the results were the same, her hair more red and streaked with white and her eyes almost constantly glowed with a faint red tinge. While Willow?s beauty was striking and almost ethereal at times, Rose possessed a darker aura, she was every inch the seductress and her clothing that followed the contours of her body showed it.

?Is Darliana coming along?? Elisabeth asked, referring to Rose?s companion, a young seer with a dark and shattered past that was known only to Rose and Willow. Rose had a soft spot for the young oracle and was protective of her to the extreme at times.

?No,? Rose said with a deep frown. ?She? she says she's needed elsewhere,? she explained.

?Darliana knows more than any of us,? Willow said stepping between her wife and sister. ?So we should trust her,? she said with a firm look towards Rose.

?Still don?t know why you are sending me to Necris,? Rose mumbled. This was perhaps what set the sisters apart, Willow possessed a strong almost paladin like sense of honor, while Rose?s was more akin to a rogue's or a thief's.

?Because I say so,? Willow said firmly and her eyes flashed green for a moment and then Rose mumbled something and phased back through the wall.

?She reminds me of a girl I used to know,? Elisabeth said with a grin.

?Don?t say a word,? Willow said, but the sternness failed her and she broke down into laughter. ?WasI that bad?? she asked.

?No, not that bad, but close,? Elisabeth admitted. ?You had that, love the world, thing going on,? she added with an even bigger smile.

?Hey, I was young,? Willow protested. ?And I met you didn?t I,? she said and kissed Elisabeth onthe cheek and the Slayer moved in to hug her.

?No way,? Willow said playfully as she backed out of the embrace. ?Not while wearing that,? she said and pointed at the armor; as she pointed a green spark leapt from her finger and the armor fell away from the Slayer leaving her only in the padding worn underneath. ?Now that,? Willow said with a grin and moved in again. ?Is acceptable,? she said and blew at her fingertip before firmly kissing her wife.

* * * * *

Theris was alone in her preparations for the march out of Larken, dressed only in a white undershirt she looked at the clothes arranged neatly on herbed, a simple green cloak, thin mail armor, a brown traveling hose and dark brown leather tunic. It was a far cry from her white Guardian armor, now collecting dust in the armory in the citadel on the Isle of Ages. There was heavy knock at the door and without turning Theris called out for the caller to enter. King Einar entered the room dressed fully for the parade with a bundle under hisarm. The burly dwarf king swiftly turned around when he saw the scantly dressed high elf standing before him. Dwarves despite their rough demeanor, had a strong sense of honor and ethics, and it was that strong decency streak that set them apart from the elves, among other things.

?Don?t be embarrassed old friend,? Theris said and turned around with a dazzling smile on her face. The dwarf king blushed a very un-regal shade of red.

?My lady,? he said with his eyes shut tight. ?I beg of you??
?Aw alright,? Theris said with mirth dancing in her voice as shewrapped herself in the forest green cloak. ?You may open your eyes now,? she said with laughter in her voice.

?Nothing of interest,? the dwarf king said, when he opened his eyes, his demeanor returning to its normal booming self. ?If ye grew a beard,? headded with a laugh that died down quickly as he remembered his errand. ?I noticed ye?re missing yer blade,? he said in an awkward voice.

?Taken by the Council,? Theris explained off hand.

?Well we can?t have ye going into battle unarmed so?? he said and handed her the bundle he?d been carrying. ?I made dis for ya,? he said.
Theris kneeled to face the dwarf, being a high elf she was tall, almost six feet, while the dwarf king stood just under four and a half feet tall.

?I thank you,? she said and took the offered bundle.
?It?s just a plain sword,? the king explained as she unwrappedthe gift. ?Double edged, but with a point for doing that poking that ye elves enjoyso much,? the king said, referring to the elfin fighting style of poking their thin crystal sword between an enemy?s armor and into vital organs and joints. Theris gave a small smile and bowed her head.

?I thank you again King Einar and I shall endeavor to cleave a foein your name,? she said, and with that the dwarf king let out a loud laugh that lasted for almost a minute.

?Ye do that my lady,? he said. ?Just remember to follow through, nothing as bad as getting stuck halfway through,? he explained and patted her on the shoulder. ?If ye don?t mind me asking,? he then said. ?Ye don?t plan on marching out in dat?? he asked and gestured to the splayed clothing on the bed.

?I?m only a common soldier of the Alliance now,? Theris said.

?Well I won?t have it,? King Einar said and drew himself up tohis full height and bellowed. ?Belwar!? and just three heartbeats later a very neatly dressed and groomed dwarf ran into the room.

?My lord,? he said with a low bow. He was the King?s steward, a short dwarf with a short white beard and wearing spotless white robes. He?d been a steward to the King?s of clan Thunderfoot for two generations, which in terms to dwarves is a long time indeed.

?Get the seamstress and an armorer,? the king ordered. ?And bequick about it,? he said and the royal steward bowed and went to fetch the required individuals.

?You don?t have to?? Theris started but the king waved her protest away.

?My clan owes ye many debts,? he said. ?It?s the least we can do,? he added, as the elf stood up fully.
?Then I thank you again,? she said with a bow and a smile tugging at her lips.

The seamstress and the armorer, stared with puzzling eyes at their intended customer, when they had been summoned they?d expected maybe the kings armor or clothing needed mending, or that that one of the general?s had not met the King?s approval and needed some last minute fixing. But instead they found Theris, a person considered throughout the Alliance as one of the most beautiful and elegant of women.

?Well get going at it,? the King said as he left the room. ?I hate being late for battle,? he added and then slammed the door. Of course dwarves almost always slammed doors.

?Lady Theris,? the seamstress, a beardless female dwarf said with a low bow. She had pincushions on the back of her hands and various measuring apparatus hung from her belt. Theris courteously bowed back.

?I?m goin? to be needing bigger plates,? the armorer, a short and stocky dwarf with a fire red beard said, as he sized the high elf up with an experienced eye. The two dwarfs did wonders in the short time that was left before the ceremonial parade, to send off the army that was destined for Necris, started. Dwarves and various other servants that happened to pass by and were requited by the craftsmen, ferried cloth, armor plates and various other material needed to armor the High Elf. The craftsmen stepped back and studied their work.

?Theris, we?re going to be?? Ziel?s urgent message died onher lips when she saw the High Elf. ?I?? she trailed off and then started again. ?We?? but stopped again and then just stared.

Theris blushed slightly at the young priestess? reaction. Then her thoughts strayed a bit as her mind played out some scenarios, very unbecoming of a High Elf, before settling on

?I?ll be with you shortly,? she said and all that Ziel could do was nod and back out of the room.

?Well I?ll mark that as a success,? the armorer said and slapped his companion on the back. Theris turned towards the mirror that had been placed in the room and smiled at her reflection.

* * * * *

It was a beautiful day, the sun shone in the sky and the houses of Larken sparkled under its rays. At the gate exiting the city, stands had been raised and they were too hold the members of the Council and other members of the noble houses of the Alliance. The parade was planned as a moral effort by Willow and the members of the Council and it was a grand affair, even more so by the state of war that hung over the alliance.

Elisabeth waited in a side street not far from the gates for the sign to start the march, dressed in the gleaming black armor and with her shield at ready, she didn?t like the spider totem, but she held a lance that flew high the banners of the Alliance and the Rose Brigade, on her head was the circlet she?d received long ago, it was a simple silver circlet, but it would enable her to see in the darkest darkness. Although she was the over-all commander of the army, the Rose company was also under her command through Tare, who rode behind her along with the lieutenants of the army, the blue haired drow was in her black leathers, but wore a circlet around her head that Elisabeth had not seen before, but it bore without any hint of a doubt the symbol of the Third House.

On her left were Stjar?a and Cordelia, both dressed in their white armor and bearing the standards of the Royal House of Necris and the Knight?s of Necris. Elisabeth had to chuckle to herself, since the Knight?s of Necris consisted of Cordelia and herself. Stjar?a?s long silvery hair shone in the noon sun and her dark skin made the armor shine even more, Cordelia with her hair ranger-short and her brown eyes ever alert just sat passive and waitedfor the march to start, she like Tark would have liked to sneak away during the night. Then there was King Einar Thunderfoot, on his stout pony, with his black hair, and beard braided and combed and his crown shining upon his head, his armor shinning silver, like all the dwarves and laid with rich gold and gem stones, the dwarfs although prone to hoarding their treasures reveled in the opportunity to show them and this too was carefully planned as a moral effort by Willow. Rosetta was not with him, she would join them on the road, althoughthis was to be a display of power, unity and strength, there was no need to reveal all the heavy hitters right at the start.

On her right, was Tark in his black leather armor, but with his head unhooded and an uncustomary smile on his usually stoic features, next to him rode Queen Piratess in all her regal splendor, her deep purple cape and short white hair, the war-crown of Necris was a simple circle, but it was also powerfully enchanted with magic and Elisabeth's senses flared when she looked at it. There was a noise and some whispers as the last member of the front row arrived, Theris took her place silently, but with a small smile, and Elisabeth couldn?t help but stare. Before she could comment, the sign came and the column started moving. They all rode white horses, after all that?s what heroes did, didn?t they?

The cheers rose up before them like a wall as they entered the main street leading out of Larken and flowers were thrown before them and onto them. Tark caught one nimbly and smelled it before throwing it back to the maiden that had thrownit to him and the girl blushed a deep red, then he threw an apologetic smile over his shoulder to Tare.

There were gasps and stares and even more cheers when they moved in front of the podium and the stands that held the nobles. The noise from the crowd still loud, but those who had sensitive ears among the group could pick up the astonished whispers of the nobles and the looks directed at Tare and Theris escaped nobody.

Theris rode high in her saddle, with her back straight and her long golden hair flowing behind her. The armor she?d been given consisted of mythril plates, they protected her arms, shoulders, shins and chest, underneath them was a light mail, also shinning a brilliant hue of silver that reached half wayonto her thighs. Underneath she wore a white skirt that did not reach longer than the chainmail, and behind flowed a white cape embroiled with golden runes and elfin wards. The shock, to the nobles and those who considered themselves of high morals, were her bare legs, covered only by her shin guards and smooth sandals.

All in all, her appearances would be talked about from the taverns to the dinning rooms of the noble houses, maybe only overshadowed by the significance of the circlet Tare wore, the Third House had a mistress now and that single act had thrown many carefully laid plans out of the window. Then just to add something a little bit more, a lone rider came through the gates to meet the march. He rode a dark horse and his face was hidden by the shadow of his hood. Elisabeth called the line to a halt and the crowds silenced.

?You?re late,? she called out with laughter in her voice and the rider threw back the hood of his cloak and the crowd gasped as one. His face was pale and his strong features stood out sharply and behind him a mane of black hair flowed in a suddenly chilly breeze that swept through the streets. This was Prince William Blood, the eternal ruler of the undying, a tribe of humans in a far away land, a warrior that appeared only in the time of great crisis andthe vanished soon after. Although he?d been here for some time, his true visage and heritage had been hidden from sight by Willow. This too of course was carefully planned by the Head of the Alliance.

?I?ve come to lend my aid to your cause,? The Prince said in aloud voice that rang through silent streets of Larken. ?For the road to glory, oftenleads through the valley of dead,? he said with a cold smile. ?But perhaps with my help, that can be avoided,? he added and the crowd breathed a sign of relief.

?Come then Prince William of the Undying,? Elisabeth said. It was a well-rehearsed line. ?Let us ride together once more,? and then she motioned for the ling to move forward as the cheers rose again and soon they were moving through the gates and out onto the open plain.

?I meant what I said Slayer,? William said. ?The road of gloryis often covered in blood also,? he stated and Elisabeth just solemnly nodded her consent. Behind them lay Larken and her wife, before lay Necris and her oldoath to protect it at all costs. The road to glory, or the road to death, eitherway she was going to return.

To be continued...