The Heart of Illumia

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Leo took hold of the reins as he sat astride his destrier.

            He had thought that with the death of his queen, these kinds of attacks would have ended.  He had thought that Silvus would not have the guts to do anything since his obsession has already died.  He had thought that peace would be forever.

            Complacency would lead to downfall.

            The queen’s voice whispered in his ear.  He remembered that she was always like that.  She would pull out a witty remark or a pot of wisdom and would remind him that he should always be alert.  That everything is not what it seems.  That sometimes clearer eyes are needed in order to see the bigger picture.  It took an attack of this magnitude for him to realize that Silvus was never really gone.  He was waiting quietly for the right time to strike.  The only thing worrying Leo was if this was really his attack and not some diversion. 

            “My lord.”  A voice respectfully addressed Leo.  Turning, he looked at his second in command, Aidan and Valen.

            These two were the first youths to become paladins at their young age.  Leo was confident in their abilities as he had seen what they could do during training. Ever since the attack on the princess four years ago, they were actively participating in various training sessions in order to become the best of the Illuvian knights.  He was truly proud of their accomplishments.

            Kale, Valen’s brother, however, was unable to join the Illuvian knights.  He lost the right when he “accidentally” peeked inside the princess’ room almost exposing the secret that she was hiding with her handmaids.  Countless reports were made of him being abusive and using his position to hit on women.  He maybe as old as the princess but he was a well-known playboy and it was also known within the kingdom that he wants to marry the princess.  Not that the king was unaware of his nefarious plans on his granddaughter.  On the contrary, he had constantly pitted the boy against his granddaughter but since Auria had a bad case of boy hives, she had shot him down more times that he can count hence the attempted attack on the princess.  Leo had assigned him back to his hometown in Cambria.  One less obsessive suitor to worry about.

            Aidan and Valen respectfully bowed towards him.

            “The company is ready, sir.  Awaiting your orders.”  Valen reported, drawing his horse alongside Aiden as they gestured at the group of knights behind them. 

            Leo nodded, his eyes scanning the group for a certain brunette.  His eyes crinkled at the corners when he saw Auria, riding her white charger, join in the group.  She looked flushed, long fringes covering her eyes and her long hair tied behind her head in a ponytail.  She had on her face mask and her light armor with her sword strapped to her side.  She gave him a subtle nod.

            Leo turned to look at the group.  He schooled his features as he addressed them.

            “The king has called upon us to investigate the matter with these creatures we will now call “Changelings”.  The order of our king is to exterminate, eradicate and purge our kingdom from their influence or plans to attack.  I cannot say if we can return to Durin unscathed or all of us can finish this mission as a company but I believe that as we are united, we can end these creatures before they can overrun our world.  Andrew.”

            “Yes, sir.” Andrew, the former general of the Illuvian army when Leo was on Earth, stepped forward.  He had a long silvery hair tied at the back of his nape and light scruffy beard that he would trim himself.  His broad shoulders were encased in body armor.  One look at him, he looked intimidating and quite a veteran.  He maybe old in years but he looked to be almost thirty years of age.

            The people of Illumia may look like they haven’t aged but the truth is they could be a hundred years old or more.  They stop aging once they reach their majority.  Andrew may look like a thirty-year old man but he had already sired more than twelve sons and daughters from his equally beautiful wife, Naomi.  He had already surrendered his position to Leo when he had returned from Earth and was busy enjoying his retirement.  But with this mission of finding the nesting grounds of these Changelings, Leo can only call upon him to take up the position once again to defend their kingdom while they will be away.

            “The king will be expecting you to take charge of the kingdom’s defense while we are away.  I hope you are up for a challenge.”  Leo smirked playfully.  Andrew chuckled before delivering a smack on the back of Leo’s head.

            “I can do this with my hands tied.  You don’t need to be worried.  Now go and get those bastards.”  Andrew drawled before giving them a formal salute by raising his sword.  “To king and country!  Onwards and never failing, hail Durin!  Hail Illumia!”

            The group mirrored Andrew’s movements as they also raised their swords.

            “Hail Durin!  Hail Illumia!”  they chorused.

            With a nod, Leo turned his horse and led the group out of the gates and towards their first destination:  the outskirts of the Impenetrable Forest.

*****

            “Do you wish to rest, Rhea?”  Leo asked as an aside at the princess as they were almost reaching their first stop.  So far, their ride was constantly hindered by travelers who wanted to seek sanctuary at Castle Durin before nightfall.  Apparently, the leaders have mentioned the situation to the people and as usual, organized chaos reigned.  People from different quadrants have decided to move to Castle Durin as they believe that the Illuvian army can keep them safe.  Leo had expected this and had forewarned Andrew about the deluge of refugees.  Auria had already placed an enchantment at the castle gates that will repel magical creatures that have the same scent as the one they had defeated in the Lumia ruins.  The army will be alerted if ever such a creature would try to enter the castle through a disguise but Leo was not that worried.  Auria’s spells has always been reliable.  What worries him though was the princess refused to rest.  She kept up the magical sweep on each of the travelers as an added precaution but it was quickly draining her. 

            The company would be able to reach the outskirts of the Impenetrable Forest before nightfall with the speed that they were travelling in.  It would be best to find a place to pitch a tent in so that Auria can rest but the female was quite stubborn.

            “We are almost there, uncle.  Let us wait until we have reached the outskirts before we pitch in for the night.  I can still move you know.”  She replied playfully before she squinted her eyes at something.

            She immediately reined in her horse and raised her hand, quite forgetting that Leo was the leader of the company.  The knights looked at each other before reining in their horses and looking at Leo for guidance. 

            Auria stiffened and unsheathed her sword.

            “What is it?”  Leo warily whispered as he also unsheathed his sword, his gaze sweeping around them.  He gestured for Aidan and Valen to cover the rear as he didn’t want to be caught unaware.

            Auria’s eyes widened.  She threw her hand forward and summoned a ball of light.  It sailed through the air and landed on the patch of trees beyond the Impenetrable Forest, somehow illuminating it brightly than the sun.  It was only for a moment but it was enough to make the company unmount their horses as they faced the advancing attackers.

            Slowly, they started to lumber out of the trees, each one more hideous than the next.  They snarled viciously, their green skin dripping with something more acidic than the last.  The slime fell to the ground, singeing the land and emitting sulfuric fumes that seemed to envelope the air.  Auria covered the company in a protective bubble.  They all watched as the purple smoke sizzled when it hit the magic barrier.

            “It seems they have come to greet us.”  Auria muttered as the monsters advanced further from the forest.  They seemed to be more than twenty in number.

            Leo moved forward.

            “Keep the barrier up, Rhea.  We’ll take care of this.”  He instructed as he brandished his sword in front.  He knew that Auria will follow orders as the group formed a wall in front of her.  Aiden stood by her side to defend her while she was busy with her magic spells.

            “Come, let’s play.”  Leo taunted before emitting a war cry echoed by the company.  They charged at the monsters, their swords raised upwards.