Maev and the Broken Oath

“You ask for direction. A specific line upon which to follow. This, I cannot give,” the Oracle began her voice thin and light. “Circumstances can make fate feel like a certainty. An inevitable destination regardless of one’s own desires. For Erylis, the Bringer of Death, and Princess of Vestroya she finds herself in the rather vexing confines of a familiar location in her home world of Haut-Rhin. A place she should n’er have returned and yet,” the Oracle paused holding up a taloned hand. “Now she will face the very destiny she wished to avoid while saving the friend whose flesh and memories she shares and yet does not know. What course shall she plot? I know not...However” she said lifting her head slightly as the light from the fire illuminated her colorless unseeing eyes, “the truth shall let out soon my King. Very soon.” 

******* 

“Well, we made it,” Bengt said. “Now what?” 

“We’ll go check my room. Anker, go check the court to see if Maev’s there,” Erylis said.  

Bengt and Erylis made their way down the hall until Erylis stopped. She then pressed against a stone. The stone moved in, and the wall slid to the side revealing a passageway. The two stepped in and Erylis grabbed a torch off the wall. They then ran down the tunnel until they got to a ladder. Each rung was more then twenty meters apart. 

“This place is huge! How on Earths are we going to get up there?” Bengt said anxiously. 

“I-I have an idea but I am going to need your help,” Erylis said. 

“I can maybe hoist you up to grab one of the rungs and then pull me up. And then...” 

“No, that will take too long. Can I see your wand?” 

“Yeah, but I don’t know how that’s going to help us since you can’t cast spells,” Bengt said and he handed Erylis his wand.  

“Right. That’s just it. I can’t but from Maev’s memories there was something she read about called transference.” 

“Transference?” 

“Yes. You see Exemians cannot cast spells because they have a limited store of meta energy in their make-up. It prevents them from being able to manipulate meta energy. However, I might be able to use your wand as conduit to tap into your body that is rich with meta energy. Then I could use that connection to cast a spell.” 

“And you’re sure that’ll work?” 

“It is either this or climb.” 

Bengt looked up at the ladder, grimaced then turned back to Erylis. 

“Alright, let’s give it a shot.” 

“Okay,” Erylis said with a smile. She hand Bengt the torch, wrapped her arm around his waste then pointed the wand up. She closed her and tried to clear all of her thoughts and every emotion. Every fiber in her being had to focus on Bengt and only him but nothing happened. 

“I think you may have to, maybe, think about me,” Erylis said hesitantly. 

“Think about you? Like how?” 

“Just clear your mind and focus all your thoughts and attention on me.” Erylis didn’t want to open her eyes because she could only imagine what face Bengt was making and she could feel her cheeks burning with heat. 

“That shouldn’t be too hard,” Bengt said to which Erylis elblowed him in the ribs. 

“O-o-okay, you got it. All of my thoughts are on you. Got it,” Bengt smiled slyly. 

“I’m serious!” Erylis said. 

“Alright, alright.” 

Erylis concentrated again. This time, in her mind she saw Bengt. He was standing in a clear, white open space. He gave her a half smile and waved. She smiled back and again felt her cheeks flush. She swallowed back the nervousness and approached him. He moved closer to her and extended his hand. Erylis reached out and took it. A shock forced it’s way into her body and she heard Bengt breath in sharply. She pressed her eyes shut hard and forced herself back out onto the astral plane to where Bengt was.  

She squeezed his hand tight, raised the wand and shouted, “Lebitatu!” 

The two began to rise. Slowly at first, their feet dangling just inches off the ground before they shot straight up like an arrow being released from a bow.  

“Omigods!” Bengt screamed.  

After they has ascended several floors Erylis steadily lowered their speed until they landed on a ledge. 

Bengt shakily opened his eyes and looked around. 

“Next time, warn me before you do that!” 

Erylis nodded and smiled. She took the torch from his hand put it onto a sconce then pressed her hand against a stone on the wall. A piece of the wall moved creating an opening and the two stepped into a room. 

“I’ll check the bathroom,” Erylis said. Bengt looked under the bed and in the closet. 

“She’s not there,” Erylis said coming back into the room. 

“No sign of her here either.” 

The door to the room started to opened. Bengt grabbed Erylis’ hand and pulled her into the closet with him. Erylis tried not to breath for fear it would reveal their prescense. She then looked down and realized she was still holding Bengt’s hand. Bengt looked at her then let go. 

She heard the door click shut and hesitantly peered around the corner of the door. There stood Anker looking around the room. 

“Oh Anker, it’s just you. Any luck on your end? We couldn’t find any trace of her here.” 

Anker turned to look at Erylis his face was tight and sad. 

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Erylis asked. 

“I-I don’t know how ta tell yew this my Lady.” 

“Did something happen to Maev?” Erylis asked as she took a step toward Anker. 

Anker shook his head and cleared his throat. 

“It’s, it’s yur father Princess.” 

“What about my father?” 

“When yur friends, Astira and Birlen, returned from their mission to retrieve yew, ah, Maev, they accidentally brought back a spirit from the middle-after. Yur father was able ta save Birlen, barely, but...” 

“What happened Anker?” Erylis asked as she stood in front of him. 

“King Corvallis destroyed the spirit but not before he was dealt a mortal blow. 

“What about Maev?” Bengt asked as he stepped closer to Erylis. 

Anker turned to look at Bengt. 

“She’s gone.” 

“Gone? Gone where?” 

“When yur father learned that Maev was not his daughter, he ordered Count Talerus to accompany her on a mission ta find you and bring yew home.” 

“Great! Just great!”exclaimed Bengt. “We risked our lives, came all the way here and now Maev is heading back home. Wonderful!” 

“And my father?” Erylis asked in a soft voice. 

“In his quarters.” 

Erylis started to move past Anker, but he held her back. 

“What are you doing? I must go see my father!” 

“The succession planning has already started...” 

“But he’s not dead. There’s still a chance we could save him!” 

“There’s nothing to be done. If yew were to go see him now, in yur current state, the rival clans will at once contest the order of succession. Yew will be imprisoned. Once the new ruler has been named they will put yew to death.” 

“What? Are you kidding me? She’s the Princess! She could just order someone to kill all those guys before they do anything to her,” Bengt said assertively. 

“No, Anker is right. Even if I could prove who I am, the Vestroyan clans will not see fit to place me on the throne in my current state. It would go against every belief we have.” 

“So, we go back home, find Maev and switch the two of you back,” Bengt supplied. 

“I fear yur father will not last the fortnight my Lady.” 

There wasn’t time to go back to Iraxto to find Maev. And even if they could, Erylis had no way of knowing whether they would be able to just touch and switch back.  

“Let me see your wand again Ben,” Erylis asked. Bengt reached inside his jacket and handed her his wand. 

“What’re you gonna do?” 

“If it comes to it, I think I can turn myself into a dragon.” 

“How on Earths are you going to do that? I know Maev’s like really smart and you have most of her memories but there’s no way she’s that far ahead to know how to cast that kinda of spell.” 

“She doesn’t know all the steps, but the basics are there in her memories, I think.” 

“You think?” 

“I’m pretty sure,” said Erylis tentatively. 

“Erylis, spell casting is hard even at the most basic level. You mispronounce a word or use the wrong sequence and things could go bad. I mean really, really bad.” 

“We don’t have a choice. If I don’t get in front of the Council of Elders before my father dies, then Vestroya will fall into a civil war. I cannot allow that. This is our only chance. The only question is are you up for another round of being my personal battery?” 

Bengt took a deep breath and nodded.  

“Take me to him,” Erylis said turning to Anker. 

“Should we take the tunnels your highness?” 

“No, it’ll be faster for us to take the main corridors.” 

The walk to the throne room was a long and pensive one. Each dragon the trio passed had looks of confusion and bewilderment, but Erylis didn’t let that get to her. She kept her head held high and her eyes focused straight ahead. 

As they approached the doors to the throne room two guards blocked the way with halberds. Anker nodded to the two. The guards exchanged nervous glances before separating and opening the doors. Erylis led the way with Anker and Bengt close behind.  

A retinue of guards formed a semicircle around an altar where Corvallis lay surrounded by dragons. One of the soldiers stepped forward with his hand on the hilt of his sword. 

“Anker, what is the meaning of bringing humans here?” the guard asked reprovingly. 

“Any questions you have you may direct to me, Sir Viscardi.” Erylis told the guard with icy courtesy. 

“How dare you think to address me directly you impertinent...” Viscardi started to say as he drew his sword. 

“Hold, Sir Viscardi!,” commanded Anker as he stepped in-between Erylis and Viscardi. “May I present to yew, the lady Erylis. The Bringer of Death, lone daughter King Corvallis, first of his name, Princess of Vestroya.” 

An audible collective gasp came from the crowd huddles around. 

“What lies are you peddling here Lord Anker? Princess Erylis was killed at the Battle of Raith!” 

Before Anker could respond Erylis shoved her way in front of him. 

“Do you doubt the word of the Chancery of the Order?” she asked Viscardi. 

“I will not deign to lower myself to acknowledge one so lowly...” 

But before Viscardi could finish his thought Erylis transformed into a dragon and grabbed Viscardi by his neck. 

“Does my form suit you now, Viscardi?” 

Viscardi could only gurgle a response as the rest of the guards at once sheathed their swords and bowed. 

“Never doubt Lord Anker or me again, Viscardi. Is that understood?” Erylis scolded. 

Viscardi nodded tightly. Erylis released him and he fell gasping to the floor. 

“Now, leave me with my father!” 

The guards and family quickly left the throne room. 

Erylis walked hesitantly over to where her father lay. She could see his chest rise and fall with significant effort. His eyes fluttered open as her shadow cast over him. 

“Er-Erylis? Is that you, my daughter?” Corvallis asked, his voice thick and raspy. He raised his hand and touched her face. 

Erylis reached up and caressed his hand. 

“Yes father, it is me, Erylis,” she said as tears began to well in her eyes. 

“I-I thought I might never gaze upon you again...” 

“I am so sorry father. I should have...I should have come home at once. I thought I could find peace. If I had known you were going to look for me, then this would have never happened.” 

Corvallis' face constricted as his face turned stern and cold-like. 

“By not dying in battle you brought dishonor to your name,” Corvallis said taking ahold of Erylis by the wrist. “Then allowing yourself to be manipulated by humans to become this, this mockery of an existence you now bear all so that you could elude your duty and obligations you have disgraced our house!”  

Corvallis began to cough uncontrollably, and he wiped flecks of blood from his lips with his sleeve. Erylis’ concentration faltered and she reverted to her Exemian humanoid form. 

“Ah yes, this is how you truly see yourself. Not as my daughter but a worthless, pitiful, and weak being,” Corvallis said coldly. 

“All is done as the Fates have decreed Erylis,” Corvallis said his voice now just above a whisper. She crawled onto the slab and stood next to his head. 

“You knew? You knew I would reject my place at your side. To take up your mantle? 

Corvallis turned his head slightly and chuckled before gasping and shuddering in pain. 

“The Oracle knows not what the future holds...only a vague outlook on what could be. The paths one takes and choices are an enigma until they are taken.” 

“What would you have me do father? Tell me.” 

“It matters not. Your destiny...” Corvallis started before a seizure of coughing to ahold of him again. “You may yet redeem yourself as my daughter if you...if you so choose. Your destiny now is what you decide.” 

“Tell me how father. Tell me what to do. I-I don’t know what to do,” Erylis asked her father, but he did not answer. 

“Father?” she asked as she leaned against his chest. 

“No, no, no! You must tell me! Tell me what to do!” she screamed as she grabbed his robe and shook his body. 

“I don’t want it! I don’t!” Erylis screamed as tears streamed down her cheeks. “Why, why would you do this to me?” she demanded, and she began to pound her fists on his chest. 

“Erylis?” Bengt ventured as he walked up to the altar. 

“Can you give me a lift big guy?” Bengt asked Anker.  

Anker walked over, picked up Bengt and set him on the altar next to Erylis. Bengt slowly walked over to Erylis who lay sprawled across her father’s chest weeping. 

“I’m sorry Erylis,” Bengt consoled as he reached down and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Erylis turned and buried her face under his neck. 

“It’ll, it’ll be okay,” Bengt said reassuringly. 

“How?” Erylis asked as she looked up at Bengt. 

“Well,” Bengt started, and he glanced back at Anker who shrugged. “For starters you now have a kingdom to run.” 

“How? How am I going to do that? My father has disowned me and look at me!” 

“Uh, yeah, I am and you uh, you look great.” 

Erylis shook her head. 

“That’s not what I mean. I’m a humanoid. I cannot rule like this, remember?” 

“But you just turned into a dragon. Can’t you just do that again?” 

“I cannot hold it for long and besides, I needed to borrow your meta energy to do it. The longer I hold that connection the more I would drain you and eventually...” 

“Yeah, yeah I get it.”  

Just then the doors to the throne room burst open and in strode Viscardi. 

“The Oracle has pronounced the King’s death. We must...what, what is this?” gasped Viscardi. 

“I-I can explain,” Erylis said honestly. 

“No! There is no explaining!” said Viscardi furiously. “You disgraced me in front of the court, but I see now through your tricks. You are no dragon and certainly not Princess Erylis. Guards seize them!” 

“Yew will do no such thing,” Anker said drawing his sword. 

“I feel for you Lord Anker,” Viscardi emphasized. “Ever the noble lap dog. But you have misplaced your trust, or you have been bedeviled. Either way, step aside or I will have my men cut you down.” 

“No!” Erylis said defiantly and she leapt down from the altar. 

“If Lord Viscardi wishes to challenge my rule, then I will be the one to defend it. I warned you Viscardi that I am not to be trifled with!” 

“Nor am I you vile sorceress,” said Viscardi hotly and he charged at Erylis. 

The ground shook under Erylis feet and she nearly fell but she kept her feet and pulled out Bengt’s wand. She glanced over to Bengt who nodded back to her. She then grew into her dragon form just as Viscardi slashed his blade down at her neck. 

Erylis ducked and raked her claw across his stomach. Viscardi brought the hilt of his sword down, jamming it into the back of Erylis head. Erylis staggered forward then lunged at Viscardi tackling him to the ground. Viscardi released his sword and wrapped his fingers around her neck. 

Erylis eyed Viscardi’s dagger in its sheath on his leg, reached down and grabbed it. As her vision began to fade Erylis used the last of her strength to ram the dagger up and under Viscardi’s breast plate. 

Viscardi gasped as a trickle of blood flowed out of his mouth. Erylis jabbed the dagger repeatedly until Viscardi stopped his struggle and released his grip on her throat. 

Exhausted, Erylis rolled off Viscardi and returned to her human form. The guards and family all looked about bewildered not knowing whether they should attack Erylis or kneel. 

“All hail, Erylis, Bringer of Death, third of her name and Queen of Vestroya!” Anker said as if in answer to their unspoken question. 

Everyone hesitated for a moment before kneeling. 

“All hail Queen Erylis!” they rejoined. 

“Our destiny is what we write, not what tradition says or what we are told to do,” Erylis said as she rose unsteadily to her feet. “ 

“Today,” she turned to Bengt and winked, “we begin our story anew.”