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Chapter 44: When Traitors Come Together
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Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 45: Gathering Clouds
Niamh's sadness at Lorcan's leaving disappeared momentarily at the sight of the old horsemaster from her youth. Paying no heed to status or etiquette, she ran through the courtyard and wrapped her arms around Horsemaster Asamar Taron. Smiles spread quickly across both their faces.Tears of happiness mixed with tears of grief as the old horsemaster and the young queen welcomed more Tigherneach Keep refugees. Niamh took her place with others helping hand out blankets and food to the exhausted travelers. Seeing the familiar faces, and hearing their heartbreaking stories of how they were put under siege with flaming arrows and balls of fire, and having to run for their lives, made a dark fire burn in Niamh's usually gracious and kind heart."I feel like this is my fault," Niamh took a heavy breath. "Could I have stopped this somehow?"Taron shook his head and sighed, "It's not your fault at all, my Queen. Trouble was coming for a long time."Niamh frowned, "How do you know?"This time the
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 46: The Plains of Kren Ennore
Niamh stared at the pub owner in the front courtyard. Shandalar tried to calm his fractious horse, but the scared beast continued to spin nervously. Shandalar ended up jumping off the horse, and approaching the Queen.Ithril leaped in front of Niamh and Shandalar stopped, glaring and the warrior."I need to speak to the Queen, the King and his company are in danger!""Stand back, Ithril," Niamh said with a wave of her hand. "Let him speak."Shandalar wiped the mud from his face and tried to catch his breath, "The King rode through my village with a small company, when I inquired if he needed refreshments, he only asked for provisions for his warriors. Just a few hours ago, a large army rode through my village headed in the same direction as the King."There were nervous whispers behind Niamh and she turned to see the Great Hall's doors open. The Elves inside were curious to hear what the owner of The King's Pub had to say. Worried faces peered out into the early morning.Niamh began w
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 47: The Queen's Command
Niamh, her falcon, and company rode through the broken palace gates and onto the paths leading to her old home, Tigherneach Keep."My Queen," Ithril rode on her right. "We feel your need to get there as soon as possible, but the horses can't keep this pace for the whole journey."Niamh blushed and slowed her mount. She turned to see the long line of riders and wagons behind her. The sight gave her strength. They were making good time.They traveled steadily and smoothly through the forest, and as time moved along, Niamh began noticing something she had never seen before. "Horsemaster Taron," Nimah whispered to the rider on her left. The Elflord turned his head, and Niamh continued, "Have you noticed anything about this forest… these paths?""They seem like smooth, well-traveled paths, my Queen," Taron replied. "The forest is old, I can feel its strength.""The forest is old, yes, and the paths too," Nimah looked at the silent trees that surrounded them. "But that's just it. These path
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 48: The Strength of the Storm
Niamh began riding her horse forward, Fergal gripping her shoulder. The growing company began moving forward picking up the pace as Lord Beluar moved towards his warriors and raised his hand. The warriors fell in line with the rest of the company and they moved forward like water in a stream. Now, the Queen's warriors rode hard. The forest opened up once again to allow Niamh and her warriors to pass through. They made incredible time. It was still daylight when the warriors began covering the familiar ground of Niamh's childhood. She began dreading what the next corner would bring. The forest ended suddenly and the Plains of Kren Ennore spread before them. The battle had already been raging for some time and the King's company stood tired and losing hope. She could see the exhaustion in their movement. Niamh looked desperately for the King."Keep riding!" Niamh ordered. "Don't stop!"Ithril turned to his warriors and they proceeded along the river, Niamh and Taron went to the right
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 49: Eye of the Storm
"General Konnyr would be over there," Lord Beluar pointed towards a small group of warriors by the distant trees. "We wanted to keep him separate from the others."Niamh knew what Lord Beluar meant by "others." He was talking about Tormil and the rest of the council. Their fates would be decided shortly. "Let's deal with this traitor," Lorcan decided. He glanced at his Queen, who nodded in agreement.Lord Beluar rode ahead, leading Lorcan and Niamh to the General's position. As they watched, however, Lord Beluar suddenly dismounted and ran forward."Oh no," Niamh breathed.Lorcan groaned low and almost silently. They, too, began running, and when they reached Lord Beluar's side, they were faced with a disheartening sight. The four warriors guarding the traitorous General were sprawled unconscious at the scene of what obviously was a short, violent struggle."He removed his ropes somehow," Beluar kneeled beside one of the warriors, picking up the sawed-through ropes that had once hel
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 50: Sunshine after the Storm
The sun broke through the morning clouds above the town square where just moments before, a falcon took down an Elven General. Trading had stopped. Errands and tasks were forgotten. The townsfolk stood in awe and shock. The King and Queen of their realms stood weary and triumphant in their modest town square, the falcon that had just attacked with the ferocity of a dragon now sat calmly on his Queen's unwavering arm. "Kind townsfolk, we apologize for the disruption of your peaceful day," Lorcan spoke in the most kingliest of voices. "We had to apprehend a traitor to our realms, and now that he is in our hands, we will let you get on with your day.""This isn't the town for traitors," an elflord glared at General Konnyr."I know him," a tall, elf maiden with long golden braids called out. "He sat in our pub and brought in mercenaries! Never paid what he owed!""Sounds familiar," Shandalar said casually.Niamh found a smile playing on her lips. The mumblings of discontent with the Gen
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 1: And So It Begins
The birds stopped singing.The silence echoed down through the empty skies into the deep, green forest below. It spread across the long, winding river that ran eternally through the Elven land, and continued onto the hill-covered plains of a neighboring kingdom.It was this silence that caused a slim, fire-haired Elf to turn her face away from the river to the sky, and listen. She cautiously scanned the riverbank from where she sat. There was no wind, no rustling of leaves. There was only the sound of the rushing river."What is it, Niamh?" her honey-blond companion asked, pulling her hand out of the water, slight concern in her sapphire-blue eyes.The sky began to dim as clouds began to form.Niamh frowned, sniffed, and slowly stood up. She raised a finger to silence the noble elfmaiden beside her.Three dark riders appeared at the top of the far hill, and a threatening rumbling began rolling on behind them. The three figures sat silent and still, swiftly surveying the field, trees, a
Rising Storm in the Elven Realms Chapter 2: Decisions in the Dark Hall
Lady Enid whispered, looking Niamh directly in the eyes."Go get my daughter."Niamh hurried down the now silent halls to Eithne's chambers. She found the young elfmaiden looking at a selection of dresses laid out on her bed.Eithne turned at the sound of the door opening."Oh Niamh," she sighed gratefully. "Please help me choose a dress."Niamh stood in the doorway, "King Lorcan is coming."Eithne gasped, but Niamh softly waved a hand. "He's already here," she said casually.Niamh controlled her nerves and calmly helped Eithne dress. Then there was a knock on the door."Lady Eithne, Lady Niamh," a mild-spoken servant nodded. "Your presence is requested by Lord Tigherneach in the Great Hall."With a mixture of interest and dread, Niamh and Eithne made their way through the Keep. Niamh looked down at her dress, wishing she had the time to change. Her blue dress hid the dirt well, however, she could still smell the smoke from the burning forest still clinging to her.Two guards were st
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