Ch 3 The Magic of Vios

The king curses again at the news his spies brought him from the wildlands, not only had his guards failed, they'd all died fighting a troop of raiders. Then there was the letter he'd just received that stated that the king of the east was tired of awaiting his emissary and was coming with his youngest son to inspect the bride to be. Cursing again he crumbles the letter and throws it into the fire pit, watching it burn with dark glee.

"Sulti." His southern advisor bows as he enters.

"What is it now?" The king snaps, never having liked the man, or the title his people face him.

"Another purple wyrm has appeared and is attacking the livestock and hoarding the crops."

"You southerners are as easily frightened as your livestock." The king growls. "Look." He points at a long since faded red scale. "If there is anything you need fear it is me. I killed the last great dragon in her cave. I pulled that scale from her cold dead hide to prove my dominance over the beings of old." As he speaks the king starts to smile at the idea coming to him.

His ministers face lights up with joy. "Shall I tell the Khans that our great Sulti is coming to fell this wicked beast?"

"No." The king smiles gleefully at the sight of his minister's downtrodden face, "Tell them that I will be holding a hunt for it when my fellow king from the east arrives."

"Yes Sulti." The man bows deeply and leaves the room. The king looks back into the fire and smiles cruelly.

"Yes, come king of the east, come so I might get rid of you during the hunt."

~~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~

Kyle smiles softly, leaning in the busted doorway as he watches Annabelle sitting in the windowsill, reading the book he'd given her.

"Kyle..." Annabelle says softly, not looking from her page, "I know you're there, you may as well come in."

In a flash he's before her on the window sill, "Enjoying the read?

"Yes actually, it's quite fascinating," she smiles at him, gently moving his hair out of his eyes, "but there is one thing that I just don't understand..."

"What's that?" He chuckles.

"Some of these names are colored, different colors for three different names and I was wondering why?"

"As I told you, the book is illuminated." He smiles. "When the writer put it together he used magic to make the ink shine in a color that matched the magic they had."

"Oh," she smiles, running her hand over the golden text.

"'The illumination of to the text matches the status of the being it's talking about.'"

"So when the author talks of the god Vios... the words glow purple... it's the exact same shade as your eye... does that mean anything?"

"Let me see?" Kyle smiles as he comes around to look at the page she's on.

"Right here," She says, holding the book out for him as she points to the page.

He smiles and starts reading aloud: "Vios," the name barely changes to the light purple color, "the great King of Creation, was never more fond, nor proud of his works than when the sun set and the moon rose, for it was then that all his creation was at peace..." Kyle chuckles, "The book is registering something at the end of the book, because if you noticed while reading all the names of the other gods glow grey."

"Yes, which I don't understand." She smiles softly.

"The Old Gods died during the Second Dragonic Wars, the dragons decided they no longer wanted gods to rule them..."

"The words are grey because their dead... then why is Vios' purple?"

"Keep reading, the book explains near the end." Kyle smiles and leaves. She smiles curiously and turns back to her book.

Days go by as she reads, each page teaching her more of the world she lives in. Until one day she finds an odd passage in the book. Marking the page she goes and finds Kyle pouring over a large book bound in hard silver covers.

"I'm guessing something has piqued your curiosity?" He turns from the book, closing it as he does so.

"This book mentions the Keep." She opens the book to the page and points at the line, reading out: "Queen Ela, proud of her children for their curiosity and tenacity, built upon the mount a great fortress temple, one to help them grow and learn..." She stops and looks up at him, "That's the Keep, isn't it?"

Kyle smiles then starts to laugh. "It took me three times reading it to realize that." He chuckles, "And you got it first time through."

"So Ela, she was the mother of all human life right?"

"Correct." Kyle smiles, "Vios was known as King of Creation, Ela was his Queen, Mother of Man, Orilo was a Painter, Deity of the Day, and Nilo was the second Painter, Deity of the Night. Syan was the Dragonic Guardian, Fiea-la was the Patron of the Fae Folk, and Olikos was the first of Man to Find The Gods."

"Alright so there's something else that I'm a little unsure of..." Annabelle smiles softly.

"What's that?"

"The book says that just before Vios was killed... he split his soul from his body. When it speaks of his soul and this act the words glow a soft purple. The book then says that Vios put his soul into several different men." Annabelle looks down at the book in her hands before continuing, "Your two toned eyes... you have two forms of magic, human... and a part of Vios... right?"

"Yes, I'm one of the last two beings that does." He sighs.

"I'm sorry..." she says softly, "but that leads me to another question, if you're up for answering it. You don't have to if you don't want to..."

"What might it be?"

"If the second being were killed... What would happen? Would Vios' soul die or would it move into the closest living being or would it find itself...?"

"The power is usually kept in some physical form that is passed on."

"What's that mean?"

"Well mine manifests in my eyes, magic. The other living being is a wyrm whose manifestation is in its skin color, reincarnation."

"What were the others?"

"A birth mark representing knowledge presents as a perfect circle found in the small of the back. And the last represents strength... it presents as blood."

~~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~

"They've arrived sire." A chamberlain says softly as he stands in the doorway, the king barely acknowledges him. The king finally turns to his chamberlain.

"Have the translator meet me in the courtyard."

"Yes your majesty." The man bows and leaves the long to his peace. The king walks around his room for a moment before looking at his reflection in the mirror, he starts as he realizes that the vein in his neck is standing out, the thick purple blood coursing through his veins showing in stark contrast to his overly pale skin. Cursing he tries to hide it behind his collar.

"Why did I ever kill that miserable peasant...?" He stops before his door. "Though I'm glad I got this power, that dragonic hag that dared call herself my wife was no match for it." He puts on his sweetest smiles before leaving his room and heading to the courtyard. The king slowly walks into the courtyard and bows to his foreign counterpart, who, along with the translator, bows in return.

"Sfoohabsg ueyf ozabobpo, tek tijo uey noob gabpo xigh ko zoh?" The foreign king says loudly.

"Greetings your eminence, how have you been since last we met?" The translator speaks firmly, he body rigid with nerves.

The king smiles. "Since the summit, I have been quite well."

"Gabpo hto gyzzih, A tijo noob dyaho koxx." The translator say to the questioning look of the foreign noble. The foreign king chuckles, looking around in interest.

"As always, straight to the point." The translator pauses, "Now, where is this daughter of yours that is said to shame the flowers in the field?"

"Sadly she has been taken," The king sighs sadly, "she was on assignment for me in the weeks when she was kidnapped, the deadline to pay her ransom is fast approaching. I fear that she will likely perish before I see her again."

"Then rescue her we must!" The translator says, barely keeping up as the foreign monarch speaks rapidly.

"We've a month, if you were to send a message to the Knights of the Wildlands then I'd be forever in your debt for it is a king's duty to protect his people and there is a wyrm to the south that I must go slay, shall you join me in the hunt?"

"It would be my honor to do both!" The king smiles as his plan comes together.

"Then let us away to the south, most of my guard is there already so your men will have to take your letter." The foreign king nods, then gives instructions to one of his soldiers who was standing nearby. The soldier salutes, bowing to both monarchs before marching away.

"Now let's see to this wyrm that's troubling you."

~~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~_____~~~~~

Annabelle sits in the tattered and blood soaked white dress, her tears free-flowing and fresh. As she cries she hears a commotion from outside then the rustle of leathery wings, turning to her window she sees Ravi sitting on the sill, the bars that were caging her gone.

"He's coming for you." Ravi says lightly, his eyes glowing silver, "And nothing will stop him until he has you."

Annabelle goes to the now open window as an explosion shakes the castle. Staring out into the settling dust she sees Kyle standing atop the rubble of the wall, his eyes glowing fire and an army at his back.

With a start she awakes from the dream Elise quickly appearing at her side, "Are you alright my... My lady, your eyes, they are glowing."

"Do what?" Annabelle sits up and sees herself in the mirror, her eyes glowing a bright red.

"Kyle!" She says loudly, backing away from the mirror. Quickly and angrily Annabelle gets up and storms through the keep, until she comes to the only door she'd never been to, kicking it in she finds herself in a lavish room filled with tapestries and a bed covered in shimmering sheets that almost look like they're made of silver. She sees Kyle sitting in the middle of the room upon a carpet of skins.

"How might I help you?" He asks casually as he continues to sit there, the muscles in his back rippling lightly as he rolls his shoulders.

"What was that?" She asks blatantly.

"What was what?" He turns his head to smile at her.

"That dream I just had, what was it?"

He sighs and slowly stands up, the robe around his hips, his only visible clothing, slips down and reveals a purple circle in the small of his back, "What was it about?"

"I... was back at my father's castle, I think I was hurt, I was covered in blood... I was being held prisoner… And why are my eyes red?!?!"

"Your eyes are always red." He chuckles softly, "That aside, these aren't good times."

"My eyes aren't red, they're blue!" She says angrily, "Now explain this!"

He smiles and holds a small hand mirror up, "The genes attached to your magic started to kick in the night we met, and it seems they've taken full effect." She stares into the mirror and sees a red-eyed stranger, her hair as wild as the way she holds herself.

"What have you done to me...?" She asks softly, touching her cheek to ensure it's really her own reflection.

"I've done nothing, you've done it yourself, there is a way to hide this change though, which you've unwittingly been doing since I brought Elise here."

"Why did I change...? What else will change...?"

"In time you will have all the magics and powers of the dragons of old, it will take many years and a great deal of teaching and control but I believe you've what it takes."

"So I'll, what, become a dragon?"

"Quite possibly."

"And... what if I don't want to...?" She asks softly, fear showing in her voice.

"Hmm." He says lightly, "I could stall that part of your changes so that it's the last to occur..."

"I'm... Kyle I'm afraid..." she says softly, turning away from him as she speaks. "What will happen to me...?"

"The same thing that happened to me, only you'll have help."

"You have two..." she says softly, looking to him again, "I know you have two parts of Vios' soul, magic and strength."

"Magic and knowledge..."

"Explain it to me? How does someone gain multiple pieces of his soul? What happens if someone gains the entire soul?"

"They'd be near to his divinity."

"You'd be god like...?" She smiles softly, moving his bangs out of his eyes a thought hits her: he's already god like. She watches a smile stretch across his face as a slight pressure on her hips and the small of her back. She looks down to find his arms around her, then she feels the heat of his breath on her cheek.

"You think very highly of me, and I of you."

"I think, I'm not sure but, I think... Kyle I think I'm in love..." she says softly, not quite looking him in the eyes as she blushes furiously, "I think I love you..."

He smiles and kisses her softly, pulling her closer to him. She kisses him back, her nerves showing in the slow way she responds, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. The sound of someone clearing their throat brings them out of their kiss. Annabelle blushes violently as she turns to the door, Trixi smiles at them knowingly.

"Our mysterious James is finally waking up," Trixie smiles, "Now if you two are finished eating each other's faces, we can go see him."

"Thank you Trixi." Kyle smiles.

"So are you coming or do you lovebirds want another few minutes?" She asks, grinning, Kyle chuckles as Annabelle blushes furiously.

"We'll catch up with you..." Kyle says softly, holding Annabelle's hips to his as he crooks his finger under her chin, causing her to look at him again as Trixie leaves. He smiles and moves her hair out of her face before kissing her again.

"Do you love me too...?" She asks softly, her arms around his neck.

"Yes." He smiles at her, she smiles brightly and takes his hand.

"Shall we go see James now...?" Annabelle asks softly.

"Yes." He slowly leads the way.

They quickly get to the room to find the others all there. Walking the rest of the way into the room Kyle lets her go as James turns his now open eyes to them.

"Morning." Kyle says lightly.

"Who are you...?" He asks softly, his voice dry, "Where are we?"

"My name isn't important, and you're in the Keep." Kyle smiles.

"The ransom, oh no, how long is left?"

"A month."

"Wait, there's only a month?" Annabelle asks, looking worriedly to Kyle.

"Yes." Kyle sighs sadly, "As per my word if your father hasn't given me what I asked for then I'm going to let you go where I found you..."

In shock Annabelle almost missed the soft sound of his voice going through her head, saying "I'll make sure you get there safely, and see if my official title holds enough sway."

"To what end?" Ravi asks.

"I failed to save you my lady, failed to protect your hand maiden from bandits and had to be rescued by your kidnapper... your father will surely kill me if I ever return..." James says softly.

"There is still a month," Kyle starts, "Who knows, maybe in that time you'll get comfortable here, I've been meaning to find a new caretaker."

"You'd... want me to stay...?"

"Someone has to take care of this place." Kyle smiles.

"Well... thank you, I really didn't expect that..."

Kyle smiles, "I am quite unexpected."

"I'm sure you'd like something to drink?" Annabelle asks, taking a pitcher and a cup from the bedside table.

"I'll let you three catch up." Kyle smiles as he leaves the room, Ravi flying to his shoulder.

"Do you really think you can let her go...?" Ravi asks softly.

"That's why I'm dusting off my father's nearly useless title..." Kyle smiles softly as they go up to the parapet. "At least then no one will know who I am."

"You really think a title that hasn't been renewed in twenty years is going to help?"

"It's better than nothing..."

"I just hope the king recognizes the Knightdom of the Wildlands." Ravi sighs as the sun sets. Kyle sighs with him, picking up a small stone, cutting himself on it. Looking at the blood he shakes his head, letting a drop of it fall onto the stone which he then charges with magic, causing it to change slowly into a human form.

"I think war is coming, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to be there, let alone in the front lines..."

"You won't be alone my friend."

"Of course not." He smiles, "You'll be there with me, just like you were for mom..."

"And if war comes before the month I'm sure our dragon-in-training would be more than happy to help in all her limited ways." Ravi smiles toothily.

"I wish I could save her of that, but she's the keystone..." Kyle sighs, running his hand through his hair, "Depending on whether she lives or dies will determine if this world does as well..."

"Are you saying you would destroy the world if she were dead? Or is that what you believe her father would do?"

"That's what the imbalance of magics will do. She's the only being with true dragonic magic left, and you know the theory behind what would happen if any magic type vanished completely."

"True, but my idea was much more romantic." Ravi smiles, "she's looking for you..."

"Guess I'd better go find her." Kyle smiles.

"My friend you are truly smitten." Ravi chuckles as Kyle walks away.

"Kyle, there you are!" Annabelle's voice comes from behind him and he turns to see her approaching him.

"I'm up here." He chuckles.

"It's almost lunch time," she says as she approaches him, "I was wondering if you would like to join me?"

"Of course." He smiles.

She grins and takes his hand, "I found a lovely parapet the other day, there's a nice view of a waterfall."

"Oh?" He smiles and follows her.

"Yes, the sun sparkles on the water in such a lovely way." She grins mysteriously and leads him down a hall. Soon they're standing on a parapet, a blanket spread on the stones with two pillows placed as seats. Just to the right of the parapet is a flowing waterfall, the water glowing softly golden in the sunlight.

"Do you like it...?" She asks softly, picking up a picnic basket.

"Yes." He smiles.

"I'm glad," she blushes softly, "will you sit?"

He smiles and sits beside her on the pillow. She then takes two crystal glasses and pours them both wine.

"Took me a month to find this." She says softly, "Is it okay?"

"Yes." He sips on his glass once handed it.

"Oh good," she smiles, then reaches into the picnic basket again, this time pulling out a venison dish and several fruit tarts. She divides the food onto two plates, then hands him one. He takes the plate gladly, smiling at her.

"So you like the waterfall?" She smiles softly, sipping her wine.

"A very good illusion." He smiles at her, laying back. "I almost didn't realize it was."

"I almost got it perfect, just a little bit more and the sun would have perfectly hidden the red light of my magic." He chuckles. "You enjoying your meal?" She asks, smiling softly.

"Yes." He smiles.

"I'm glad," she blushes softly, secretly hoping he won't force her to leave in a month.

"Your father will be looking for you..."

"If he didn't respond to the ransom then he's given up on me..." she says softly, "he probably thought that you released me long ago when the guards were all killed..."

"Not likely, he sent word to the Knights of the Wildlands."

"Knights of the Wildlands? Who are they?"

"They're the official guards of the wilds."

"They're going to come for me...?"

"Yes." Annabelle sighs softly, taking a large drink of her wine.

"If... If they come here Kyle... will they attempt to kill you...?"

"They won't find the Keep." He smiles.

"You're sure...?"

"Yes."

"How long do you think it will be before the Knights arrive...?"

"They'll likely get to where I picked you by the end of the month."

"I don't want them to find this place... Elise and James, their safety relies on it..."

"Trust me, they won't." Kyle smiles.

"Alright then, I'll quit worrying." She smiles, picking up her last tart. He follows suit, laying back, his head now on the pillow. She gently brushes his bangs away from his eyes.

"You know I truly love your two-toned eyes..."

"And I yours." He smiles, holding his hand up, his palm reflecting her, her eyes slowly taking on both the color of her magic and their normal color.

"Will you stay in contact with me...?" She asks softly, her finger gently stroking down his cheek.

"I'll do what I can to." He smiles.

"It would be terribly lonely without you..." She smiles.

"Indeed, I've grown quite accustomed to your presence."

"Told you, you took me out of loneliness for human companionship." She grins.

"Well, it definitely seems so now." She smiles softly as her finger makes its way across his bottom lip.

"I love you Kyle..." She whispers.

"I love you too." Kyle kisses her softly. She moves a little closer to him as she kisses back. Gently Kyle extracts himself from Annabelle's arms.

"Love, if we don't stop... I'll never be able to let you go..." he says softly, his eyes filled with both need and regret.

"Oh..." she says softly, standing up, "Alright, I'm going to umm go back to my room now... see you at dinner."

"Of course." He half smiles. She half-heartedly smiles back as she leaves. Kyle sighs and, waving his hand to the waterfall, he channels his magic. The waterfall swimmers red, then gold, before turning blue, the froth throwing off a rainbow as the waterfall becomes real.

"Master...?" Trixie's soft voice comes from behind him. "Are you alright...?"

"I'm going to regret letting her go, but I have to..."

"It may turn out to be easier than you think," Trixie says softly, "her heart is almost broken..." Kyle sighs. "You know you could always apologize... or do you intend to avoid her?"

"I don't want to do either... I'm going to have to explain, or something..."

"You did explain Kyle, but... well we women can be quite tricky to get along with without someone getting hurt."

"Yeah..."

"I'll go check on her if you'd like..."

"Yes please."

"Alright, I'll see you later then." Kyle then feels the soft pressure of her hand on his shoulder before she turns and walks away. Trixie finds Annabelle sitting in a window watching Kyle. She sighs softly at the thin beads of tears snaking down the princess' cheeks. "Annabelle dear...?"

"What do you want?" Annabelle half snaps.

"To explain something... may I sit?"

"You can do whatever you want."

"Annabelle..." Trixie sits down beside her, gently setting her hand on Annabelle's. "He loves you, so very much... it's why he said that. When it comes time to send you home... Kyle would never be able to let you go..."

"I don't want him to, I'd rather stay here than go back, this is the first real human interaction I've had since my mother died... I don't want to go back to that..."

"He can't, he'd be breaking his own word if he kept you... if you were to find your way back, he would never be able to turn you away again."

"But, he said this place can't be found..."

"Not by mere humans, but dear if you could somehow fly... well you are a dragon aren't you...? We'll have Ravi help you, and maybe then you can make it back to us..."

"Then that's my goal..."

"Alright then, I'll go find Ravi okay?"

"Ok." Trixie smiles softly and leaves Annabelle's side, heading for the cave entrance, the last place she'd seen Ravi. As Annabelle sits there, watching him, Kyle turns, his eyes catching hers. For a moment she holds his gaze before she starts to cry again.