Read Forever, After... :: FA - Chapter 17

Chapter 17 - ' Love Is A Weakness '

"I grant them life!"

Those were the only words Azrael needed to hear. However his desire to celebrate was crushed. A loud bang was heard. The natural light in the room flashed blinding those inside. The magic wielded by the Crown Prince was felt. A surge of blue light exploded within the courtroom before any of the guards could respond.

The silhouette of a body wrapped in light could be seen attacking the Crown Prince. There was an intruder within the castle's walls! The King's guard assigned to the Crown Prince took an offensive stance. The room fell into chaos as the Prince made his way to safety clutching his crown.

The rebellion!

A soldier by his own right, but he was forbidden to use any form of magic at the hearing. Azrael did not think of the repercussions to his actions. Seeing a strobe of light race past him. He broke free of the enchantments placed on his wrists. The darkness wrapped itself around the pillar of light. Forced into a rock and a hard place. The unsuspecting light stood still.

So this is what caught my attention earlier...

Azrael walked over to the light that his darkness had captured. Widening the space, the light expanded and with time it dimmed. Standing in dark robes, that covered most of his face. The man scowled at Azrael. Azrael stood staring at the man. Hadn't he seen this face before? But the insignia stitched to that robe... The guards on duty pushed Azrael aside breaking his train of thought. His group leader pulled him further away.

Golden eyes met his black pair. A flash of disappointment could be seen in those resilient eyes. Azrael cursed his impulsive actions. Even when they chastised him, he was still ready to lay down his life to protect the kingdom. He would never learn.

A second flash of light that was unnoticed passed before the surrounded man. The skeletal practitioners present erected many barriers, but unfortunately for them they could not surpass the speed of light. The two pillars fled to the open windows. Azrael cursed under his breath, as he helplessly watched them escape.

This was a perfect example of inadequacy and incompetence. If intruders could now enter and leave as they pleased in the presence of the King's guard. Were they not useless? Just pieces of flesh to be fed to the hounds?

The respective leaders of the groups spun on their heels. One turned to the Crown Prince and inquired of his condition. The other turned to Azrael seemingly ready to strike him down. Minnon found himself defending the man that operated beneath him once more.

Turning himself into a physical barrier, he addressed the man saying, "Second in command, you must forgive his insolence. He did not intend to interfere with your formation. I'm sure our benevolent battalion leader would have seen things the same way."

In every aspect his words were out of turn. Minnon waited on the response group one's leader would give to him. Separated by three levels in terms of strength. He should have shown more subservience. This idology clearly showed on the face of the leader of group one.

"I will be reporting this to the battalion leader! Let's see how many strikes for misbehaviour your excuse for a group can take, before incurring the wrath of our benevolent leader!" said the second the command. His words barely above a whisper, but they were heard clearly by the one they were intended for.

"Hopefully one more," said Minnon grimly, before turning around, taking Azrael with him.

The room settled itself once more and the hearing was closed by the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince called Rystler's name. Rystler glanced at his partner, before walking towards the Crown Prince. Bowing in respect he listened to the words said. Nodding he stole a glance over his shoulder at Azrael before following the Crown Prince out the door.

Walking down the hallways. A problem arose. It was not the silence around him, it was the uncomfortable stares of his Leige's lover that had him on edge. The man's neon green eyes refused to look elsewhere.

I have a partner with whom I have three baby dragons! Stop looking at me like that! I have not come to steal him from you!

Rystler felt his thoughts did not reach the man, but added to the flame. They paused before the Crown Prince's royal chambers. Dismissing the King's guard Prince Waide, ushered in his lover. Pausing his steps he looked at the open door.

"Enter soldier," said Prince Waide.

Taking cautious steps Rystler entered the room. The second his feet crossed the threshold of the room an oddly familiar noise entered his ears. The doors were shut causing his nerves to show themselves. His eyes darted around the room, partially in search of the strange sound, but partially because of his anxiety. The Crown Prince chuckled beneath his breath while looking at Rystler's actions.

"M...M-My Prince. You said you had something for me?" said Rystler.

He stood watching the Crown Prince waiting on his words. The man the Crown Prince claimed as his own walked past Rylter, bumping into him. His glare had not died down. Ryslter prayed to his Goddess Soniya for a quick death at this rate.

"I am sorry, My ..." Rystler paused looking at his Prince's lover.

He was unsure of what to say. His apology was intended to combat the obvious animosity of the Crowned Prince's lover. Faced with a new issue Rystler wondered how to address his leader's spouse. A male lover had never been taken in by any of the past Kings or Princes. He resigned himself to saying nothing.

The Crown Prince saw the soldier's struggle to conform to the prewritten formalities. With a smile, he walked away. Words practiced so well left Prince Waide's lips. The fluency and clarity of his voice raised goosebumps on the ones who listened. A ripple appeared and a dark barrier showed itself.

Upon seeing the basket, Rystler lunged forward. His haala stared at the two men present in the room. A long tail of great beauty extended itself curling around the eggs. His golden eyes, nothing more than slits hardly blinked. He cradled the eggs closer to his person.

Happy to feel the one they spent the majority of their short lives with. The little bundles of life rotated contentedly to the lull of their mother's energy. Spewing words of their own. Rystler listened to each one, while his main focus remained on the Prince.

Fascinated by the sight of a storm dragon's haala. The Prince's lover stepped closer. Sharp claws sprung from Rystler's hands. A short huff released steam, it crackled with lightning flashing among the clouds. The man stopped his movements.

"He's feeling protective. It is just maternal instinct. Give them some space," said the Crown Prince. He wrapped his arm around his lover's waist and proceeded to walk to the balcony. A safe distance away, but close enough to keep eyes on the dragon.

Rystler's eyes stayed on the two huddled close. His muscles relaxed somewhat, after seeing they would not come closer. Taking a chance he glanced at his little lights. He took up all three eggs and by some miracle did not drop any. Giving them an estimate time from their weight alone, he could tell that they were close to hatching.

His dragon fought to break the binds of the flesh. He needed to complete his transformation to hide them, build a holding bay somewhere desolate and watch for their arrival. Instincts took over. A pair of sturdy wings extended from his back. Not able to extend them to their full wing span. He walked to the balcony. His eyes flashed brightly, changing from the colour of liquid gold to that of a flash of white light.

No one would stop him. He would not let them take away his little lights like the last time. Things changed and he could feel his strength boiling within his veins. Maybe he could not completely over turn the Crown Prince, but that didn't mean he could not give himself a route to escape. All he needed was to get in the air and the water breather would not be able to follow.

The Crown Prince already had a general idea of how the dragon before him would act. The knowledge received from his costly education was put to use and he stepped away from the door. The dragon watched them carefully. He passed by leaving as much space between them and himself as possible.

We cannot stay here. He chidded to his offspring.

Taking flight he soared to the skies. His grip, strong and secure he flew to a location that only came to mind as time passed. Circling the area until his heart was sure. He landed on the soft grass that grew freely. Making his way through the bramble and trees, he found what he was looking for. It was cool, dry and most importantly safe.

Memories created within the cave played in Rystler's mind as he worked hard at making the holding bay. He smiled. You were very likely to be conceived in this cave. He gave his offspring one last glance before continuing his work.

Fiha dipped below the horizon allowing Lina and Eesa to take her place. Rystler now lay in his full dragon form. His eggs nestled beneath him in a groove in the ground. Ever so often a short burst of energy was bestowed on the little dragons. They were consuming more of Rystler's life energy by the hour. Just a while longer.

Rystler took this time to burrow into the warm earth. He knew he would need as much energy as possible to deal with three young dragons on his own. His heart immediately pined for the one who gave him this blessing.

Closing his eyes, he curled his body over his offspring. The first peaceful night of rest was enjoyed in that dark and lonely cave. Tomorrow just might be the day he'd been waiting on.