Kingdom From The Ashes

Reticent

   Stars ignite over a black canvas much like reflective glitter strewed across the upper atmosphere. Among the exuberant stars, a blue voluminous moon added a sapphire luminescence over a vast barren desert. The sandy landscape included tiny grains of weathered crystals that featured a blue glow when removed from a light source. The added crystal grains, which inhabited nearly every square inch of desert, offered an oceanic feel as part of its natural design.

Also called the Reticent Desert, this region has its secrets. Along the south-eastern edge of the deserts is a canyon that emits a blue aura during the night. Within the prodigious canyon, along the rugged floor and throughout the rocky walls, are the crystals that bare the attributes of the grains imbedded throughout the desert mural. This four-hundred-mile maze of sediment, crystals, grains, and rock made the perfect location for a hidden city.

Inside the city stood many structures and buildings that had an interesting round, circular, and even spherical architecture about them. The buildings had a darker color variation than that of the material found in the canyon which added an interesting mystery to the city’s construction. Some buildings incorporated the blue crystals imbedded in the outside walls. Each building was finished with a cone shaped roof that had a pointed tip. A sign just outside the city entrance included the phrase “Welcome to the Silent Estuary”.

Residence of the city were scarce on this night despite the natural beauty emphasized by the combined luminescence of the desert and the stones throughout the canyon. Guards with polearms stood a post around nearly every turn and corner. Both elements raised complications for scouring predators with plans to infiltrate the area. Despite the risks, shadows lurked about blending with as many travelers that did move about the streets.

While a cloaked figure made its rounds, a meeting between allied forces commenced within one location among the cities large number of structures. From the center of a windowless room of a completely empty building, a party of eight pledged and commenced.

“The enemy has flushed out nearly all of our hideouts and more than a dozen decoys have been targeted and slain.” Roy reported. “I believe we should retreat what forces we have to the southern territories.” He proposed while Galfur gazed on, studying Roy.

Everyone who sat around the table served a separate leader or kingdom. To maintain secrecy and conceal identity the majority donned basic solid color cloaks and a tunic that did not display any sort of uniform or patronage to any rule. Roy, on the other hand, was the son of a king of who’s throne was still intact which meant he had wealth and his attire showed it.

His arms were tightly bonded in a special dark fabric material. A gray tunic concealed the rest of the shirt apart from the collar and neck area. A sash with a silver overlay and buckle certainly added a touch of higher class to his look. Leggings made from the same protective material covering his upper body and a pair of hunter’s boots completed the look.

Galfur rubbed his black bushy beard as if to consider Roy’s proposal but at the same time didn’t seem to appreciate his company. He veered his eyes to the table leader Althred, a rather large man with a pale to blue skin complexion from the northern kingdoms of Destroll. Galfur was anticipating an objection from Athred as typically they had the same point of view on war tactics.

Roy continued. “Along the coast of Galith there is a hidden port along one of the ravines with boats large enough for us to sail away with hundreds of our people.” Roy paused a moment and examined the table. The expressions displayed by the other members provided a harsh disapproval. “The southern territories could provide aide and support and yes it will come at a price that we could negotiate later.” He continued. “But it would save our land, our people, and our families.” He added.

“No.” Galfur quickly declined. His voice was as rugged as his appearance, a big nose with an oily complexion and scraggly charcoal hair. He continued in a low tone to ensure anonymity in case of outside listeners. “The port you are referring to requires that we travel over treacherous mountains.” Galfur drove his finger into the table and gave a stern look through everyone in the room. “It would take months to organize and many more months to reach our destination.” Roy, who had been standing at his seat the entire time, nodded through Galfur’s asserted points. “Not to mention the amount of supplies we’d have to carry to prepare for the trip and the fact that the southern territories refuse an alliance in the first place.”

“If we can’t bring everyone together.” Roy insisted as he looked by each attending member. “We will all perish to this invader.”

Althred’s deep voice countered the discussion. “Alright!” He ordered. “Right now the North East kingdoms are making progress and our primary responsibility is to keep their throne protected.” He continued. “We don’t have the time to prepare for such a journey nor could be protect ourselves let alone one of the key figures to our survival if we travel through Galith.”

Lorli, who was sitting one seat down from Galfur, added an additional concern.  “Speaking of.." She paused passing her eyes through the standing members. "It appears the Empress has not yet arrived and neither has Aida.” Her confident voice carried through the room. Lorli was from the first fallen kingdom of the invaders and even the enemies of Lorli had immense respect for her. She was a force to be reckon with as a warrior and a natural leader which led her to be one of the first adopted into this secret order. After battling the invaders on four occasions in different battlefields and terrain, she freed thousands of prisoners and slayed thousands more of the enemy.

Her green hair was a natural color as Lorli herself was not born among this world. Her eyes sparkled with a purple blend of color from an inner dark to lighter shade. A variation of color consisting of blue, green, orange, and yellow provided a beautiful pigment to her skin. She was well cloaked, however, a blended of those colors moved through her body in patterns and it showed along her face and a portion of her arms that were revealed.

“Aida returned to Mestrio and mentioned that she may not arrive this evening.” Bajhay answered. As the last known living member of his tribe, Bajhay was considered the new tribal leader from the Orit Mountain region. His thick accent added a distinguishing feature to his presence. Most observed the Orit Mountain Tribe folk as nothing more than creatures of the rocks and trees. Those who were particularly put off by them would describe them as savages of the deep hills. Bajhay was not an exception to this perception. Like most of his ancestors he stood just over seven feet tall with green skin and a large extended jaw with two six-inch tusks.

Mostly identified as trolls, Bajhay’s tribe and his people preferred the term mountain elves. To them their sharp ears, unusual hair, and close relationship with nature made them unique and artistic.  Showing honor of his heritage, Bajhay’s body was tattooed in his tribe’s traditional tribal art, each piece designed to represent a separate accomplishment.

“Does anyone know where Serria is?” Althred asked.

The room was silent. The whereabouts of the Empress were always kept as secret as possible and this time not even Althred knew what her route was to get to the Estuary. Amidst the silence a guard could be heard outside stopping a suspicious character. The group looked at each other while closely listening.

“What should we do?” Galfur whispered. “About Serria?”

Althred thought for a second. “Roy!” He called, releasing a letter across the table. “No one is to know anything about the contents of that letter except for you.” Roy nodded. “Once things here go bad you need to take that letter some place safe.”

Outside, the cloaked culprit stood silently with their hands casually raised while four guards surrounded them. The guards were modestly armored in iron complete with a war helmet that fit along the top of the head and the sides of the face. A yellow tabard with gold embroidery along the outside seams covered the breast and back plates. Both sides of the tabard displayed an emblem that was in a darker shade of yellow. The image revealed a five-pointed crown over a ship with broad sails and a name across the side of the hull that read Serria using a darker shade of yellow. 

Two guards moved in from in front of the cloaked intruder and tilted their polearms down to where the tip of the blade pointed directly at the target. The other two guards moved around to the rear of the intruder and took a similar stance. From a crouching position, the guards slowly moved in closing the reactionary gap. 

“My name is Guard Keeper Yates!” The left guard from behind announced. “I require that you raise your arms above your head.” He commanded. 

The trespasser raised their arms further up until the sleeves of their cloak finally fell to reveal feathered arms along red skin. The feathers reacted to the glow of the Estuaries crystals and shimmered a purple glimmer. The Guard Keeper, Yates, nodded to the guard next to him. Yates stepped back while the other guard lowered his stance and gripped his weapon in a manner that would allow him to react and attack quickly if needed. 

“Using your right arm, slowly bring your hand down to the top of your hood and remove it.” Yates directed. 

The pair of guards in front of the feathered arm creature kept a keen eye, ready for any misstep to occur. Golden eyes beamed through the shadowy veil of the hood and slowly his face became revealed. The glow from the crystals illuminated patches of the trespassers red complexion and what looked like a golden beak. More feathers grew along the top of his head and formed a mohawk like spike that extended several inches from the back of his scalp. Darker feathers with a golden overlay continued around the back of his neck.

“Clantus…” Yates called out as a tactic to inform Clantus that his identity was known. “You’re wanted for many crimes including twelve attempted murders of Empress Serria!” Yates firmly stuck his weapon into the ground. “Place your hands-on top of your head and interlace your fingers.” He commanded. 

Clantus smirked at the two guards in front of him and narrows his eyebrows. Yates studied his subjects’ posture still standing from an angled approach behind Clantus. Though he was rather short in comparison to Yates and the other guards, it was necessary to take extra precautions while also quickly noting that it was difficult to see any weapons that may be hidden more inside the assassins cloak. 

Yates nodded to one of the guards standing in front to add distance away from Clantus. This way even if the prisoner were able to make some sort of move to take down the first guard, they would still be able to coordinate a counterstrike with three units converging on one target. 

“Now kneel on the ground with both knees!”

A broad voice escaped the crimson skinned bird hybrid. “You’re making it difficult for me to use my hands and legs.” Clantus patronized.

“I didn’t say anything about speaking.” Yates growled.

“At least you are competent enough to give yourself multiple advantages.”

“I said down on your knees!”

“As you wish.” Clantus declared calmly, this time with more depth to his voice.