The Battle For Ikriam

CHAPTER 16

Sage couldn’t keep her eyes of Rioghnan. He looked so handsome in his uniform. His defined muscles made her heart beat faster.

Rioghnan gave Sage and Saira daggers to protect themselves.

“Don’t leave this room. Do you hear me, Sage?” Rioghnan said.

Sage knew she couldn’t promise. She was the Princess. The rightful Queen of Irkiam. There was no way they were fighting this battle without her. She knew Rioghnan wouldn’t let her fight. She didn’t want to but she had to lie to him.

“I’ll stay here.” She said, feeling rotten.

“Good. Now don’t try and be a hero. You’ll get killed. And I need you alive.” Rioghnan said touching her cheek.

Sage’s body responded to his touch and put her arms around him. Looking up, she invited him with her eyes to kiss her. Rioghnan bent down and ever so softly pressed his lips against hers.

****

Vappu was escorted to Liskin’s tent just outside of Ikriam.

“Vappu, my dear friend. How have you been? Thanks for inviting me! I couldn’t wait to put my party hat on and destroy this…this filthy place. Get rid of all the rats.” Liskin said.

Vappu looked at him and tipped her head to one side “You have got to be kidding. Party hat? Aren’t you supposed to be the most dangerous Dark Elf in the whole country and here you are talking about party hats?”

“Vappu, my dear. Don’t mock me. You know nothing!” the elf spat.

“Listen here Liskin. I paid you and you work for me. I told your little helpers earlier. They seemed to have a problem answering to me.”

“I work for no one but myself. Remember that.”

Liskin turned around and walked to his commander.

“Now listen Dark Elves!” he shouted “We have waited a long time for this. Today! Today we destroy Ikriam!”

The army shouted. It felt like the whole earth started shaking from their screams.

Thousands of armed elves started walking towards Ikriam with one thought in their minds.

Destroy.

****

Takvor was walking as fast as he could. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. Sage and Saira was in trouble.

And Ragnid. His beloved Ragnid. She saved his life. She knew about Vappu. She knew Vappu was trying to kill him. He got sick and Ragnid tended to him. She was giving him this mixture to drink. He started forgetting things. Important things.

It was too late when he realized what happened. When he woke up in Sacheverell’s cell, he thought Ragnid tried to poison him. He was wrong. She helped him. She tried to save is life. Make him forget and start over again.

Drastic measures but he knew she meant well.

“Hurry up Takvor. I can see Ikriam’s tower” Sacheverell said.

Takvor looked up and saw it. The great tower of Ikriam. Made entirely of gold. His father liked beautiful things.

“Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!” Eachann started saying.

“Eachann, what is your problem now?” Sacheverell said sarcastically.

“L…l…Look!” and he pointed with a trembling finger towards the Castle.

Takvor looked and he saw thousands of flames. And even worse, dark elves holding the torches.

Takvor knew he was going to fight to the death.