Dragonieth 7 The Royal Alaeg Seriph

Their small insect-sized bodies darted erratically about Corin and Darick's forms to envelop them within a soothing warmth and feelings of bliss. To an innocent traveller this fairy reception would be considered welcoming, but the Lochlea Brothers knew better.

Nevertheless, they followed Luca's back who led their path upwards and onto rope bridges that were connected to the giant trees, causing their trek to ascend into the air.

The bridges magically unravelled their slates and lengths as they walked and disappeared where they didn't to ensure the way in front and behind was hidden.

Luca led Darick and Corin with confidence and little care for the invisibleness of the path in the air that was only shown at step touches.

Despite the lack of ground and being high up, moonlight struggled to s.h.i.+ne through the trees dense canopy. This canopy formed the protection barrier of the Alaeg Fortress, which contained the core of the forest and royal palace, The Regia.

Their path eventually ended at a white stone circular building sparkling like a constellation of stars against a night sky. The building was actually a ten level tower with the upper levels hidden from plain view. At the tenth level was the Throne Room, which was their destination.

Luca's hands played over the lock of the ground floor doors that opened their way into The Regia.

Corin and Darick's senses returned with full awareness as they stepped inside, relis.h.i.+ng the crisp aroma of citrus and bitter flowers. Complete whiteness lined with silver and gold followed their path up stairs that spiralled into floors of various purpose and curious looks from the resident Seriphs. No one approached the foreigners whom Luca escorted upwards until they reached a set of gold gilded and Bluestone double doors at the top.

The doors were delicately carved with runes around two wise tree symbols running the length of its surface. Old magic lingered about the stone and hinges, reinforcing their solidness. Darick glanced about the s.p.a.ce surrounding the landing and Bluestone door. It was formless and dark as a night sky.

"Staar, Alaeg de Seriph, Luca o'third." Luca formally announced himself to the door.

The doors glowed to a bright white and parted to reveal a moonstone room that was empty of furniture except for two silver stone thrones. A five pointed star with the rune words for 'Staar' written in its center covered the entire gleaming white floor.

Seated on the left throne was a man who was adorned in majestic white robes covering his neck to his ankles and with a ring of gold birch leaves as a crown on his flowing silver hair. He was as youthful looking of twenty-five summers and handsome as Luca with a sternness about his blue eyes that showed the truth of his wisdom beyond the years of his physical impression.

On the right throne was a woman whose slender and pixie-like body glowed through her flowing blue gown that graced her form from head to toe with a semi-transparent silk train flowing about her silver slipper feet. Her beautiful face carried the impression of a seventeen-year-old girl with a softness about her emerald-green round eyes and lush ruby red lips. She held a strong likeness to Luca's image. The air about her was mature and dignified, which made it clear that her physical impression was a contrary to her actual age of living. Her long silk blond hair was stylishly held up with a simple gold band crowning her head.

"Luca." The majestic woman warmly greeted her son.

"Mother Queen Selma." Luca formally acknowledged his mother, bowing on one knee before her as custom to addressing Alaeg's queen in the Throne Room.

He repeated a similar greeting to his father seated next to his mother.

Corin and Darick stopped a few steps behind Luca. They followed his example by lowering themselves on one knee and bowing their respects before the King and Queen of Alaeg Seriph.

Neither of them raised their bowed heads from the floor, waiting for the command to do so.

"Raise your heads my son and n.o.blemen." The King of Alaeg give the men permission to look upon them.

Luca formally announced his party by introducing their place of origin in their world called Staar, t.i.tle and family position.

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"Father King Malros. As requested, may I present Staar, Lochlea de Corin, first and Staar, Lochlea de Darick, o'second."

"Lords of Lochlea, I thank you for your visit and express my condolences for your loss. My prayers to Ganzerasbu for your kin." Malros respectfully acknowledged Corin and Darick.

"The Vorn's attack upon your village is the reason I replied to Avarack." Malros stood to approach Corin.

He extended his hand. Corin gratefully accepted and rose to his feet. Luca and Darick held to their positions on their knees.

Despite the fact that it was turning his legs numb and shaky being in this position, Darick knew that custom didn't allow for him to move out of the position unless given explicit permission. It was considered an offence of the Court if he would do so, he wasn't keen to perform this for many obvious and personal reasons.

"You hold the Lifestone do you not?" Malros asked Corin question looking straight into the man's blue eyes.

He felt a comfort in seeing Corin's strong likeness to Alroy in his physical appearance and mannerisms. Alroy was his friend since childhood. As such their communities held a strong alliance. Lochlea and Alaeg Forest shared borders. The Lochlea children had a history of intruding upon the forest to play their games. Alroy had been one of those children to make friends with the Seriph. The Seriph were forbidden to leave the forest until they satisfied a condition, so their friends.h.i.+p became more distant and political as they matured. He was delighted to see his and Alroy's next generation continue with their alliances. The closeness between Darick and Luca was a welcoming fascination in his eyes.

"Yes. From Avorond." Corin soberly answered with sadness and confusion stirring ill feelings about his heart. "The Vorn took our women and child."

"I'm sorry to hear this." Selma voiced her sympathy and concerns.

She stood before Darick and Luca to offer them permission to stand before them as equals.

"Truly concerning that Lochlea was attacked beyond our awareness. To learn of the village's fate after the fact is a matter we have to address." She continued to voice her concerns. "If Avarack did not send his request for aid, we would be unsuspecting. A magic this powerful has to be countered."

"I agree. I learned from Border Scouts that the Vorn deployed power beyond the likes we've seen before." Malros frowned. "It attacked with silence only to be known when devastation had hit."

"This power is not drawn from Staar. According to a sentry report." A newcomer's voice intruded upon Malros's explanations.

A man stormed into the Throne Room, carrying with him an air of a regality. His rich blue cape flailed about his white leather boots which held sheathed darts along the boot's shaft. His leather all-white uniform held the royal trademarks of the silver crane on his belt buckle and silver studs to his ear lobes. Unlike Luca, his head was crowned with a simple silver band holding back strands of fine, gold hair from his smooth, flawless and princely face. The man's almond-shaped blue eyes was dulled with austerity, a contrast to Luca's sparkling round green eyes.

"Brother Deign. An honour to see you Crown Prince." Luca forced a respect through a fake smile.

"Your sarcasm is evident as always." Deign apathetically noted his youngest brother's fake respect.

"My dear Crown Prince, with such discussions your opinion is critical." Luca continued to play his sarcastic form of respect to his eldest brother.

"Luca. I'm surprised a frivolous brat as yourself would be present in a discussion for proper men and women."

"I am a man. Or would you like me to confirm by displaying my private parts?" Luca crudely teased Deign to stir an expression of disgust on the crown prince's face.

"You dare flash your harlot rubbish in the Throne Room!" Deign's cool austerity was coloured by a moment of seething rage.

"Stop it! Both of you are being disrespectful to our Lochlea lords who are in need of aid!" Malros berated his sons. "Where is Alec?!"

"I am here Father King." A man's voice entered the room from the double doors.

He was dressed in the same uniform as Luca, showing the Alaeg Royal Family traits of youthfulness, lithe body and round green eyes. Unlike his brothers, his long flowing hair was shades of autumn-brown and ears were slightly pointier. He performed the same greeting custom before the king and queen with a bow on one knee.

"Alec, please rise." Selma warmly greeted her son.

"My Lords Corin and Darick. Thank you for being here. I apologize for Lochlea. Please be a.s.sured that I will support your call for aid in whatever form you need." Alec warmly greeted the men.

Malros stifled a groan at his second born son's perchance for making commitments without thought.

"I appreciate your concerns Your Highness. Your expression of support is more than enough." Corin saved Alec from having to lock into any unnecessary commitments.

Malros smiled, grateful for Corin's understanding. It was fortunate that both boys had been friends since childhood like himself and Alroy.

Darick and Corin faced the Alaeg Seriph royal family to discuss the grave matters further.