A Royal Invitation

Shirley

As I sit in my room on the bed I hear a knock. I don't answer, as I am looking at the bow in front of me. The finely detailed snake head, no longer holding a string. The handle snapped in the middle, splinters sticking out everywhere. The eyes seem lifeless now. The knocking happens again, now more continuous. Still I can't find myself responding to it. Eventually I hear the door open. The footsteps move to my side and then I feel someone sit down next to me. 'I'm sorry for what my mother did. She should not have taken away your bow.'

It is Sha'iva. As she sits next to me looking at the remains I close my eyes. 'It wasn't just a bow to me. To me it was my way of showing the world I had returned. That I wasn't beaten by my past but on my way to a new future. This bow... it showed my training without ever being drawn. That is taken away from me. Now I'm back to having nothing.'

Sha'iva puts an arm around me. 'I told my mother why you have an Elven bow. I asked her to at least consider supporting you in return for saving her life. She never said anything about it.'

I get up slowly. 'Until I get paid I can't buy a replacement. So that means I'm useless until after a month of being deployed for the first time.'

She puts a hand on my back. 'I can lend you my sword until then? You seem to be able to use it now.'

I sigh. 'I cannot do that, Sha'iva. That sword is your heritage. I don't know if your mother had it made for you or if it is older than that, but I cannot be seen parading around with your sword on my hip. Especially not now that your mother is in the city. Just think about the questions that will be asked. Your mother could hurt you or me for it. Not to mention the fact that you are twice as deadly with that blade so it would be wasted on me.'

She grabs my hand and puts it on the handle of her sword. 'Shirley, you are one of few humans who can use Elven weaponry effectively. You are better using it than you are with human weapons. Use it.'

Then I hear a knock and see one of the Elven guards at the door. 'I hope I'm not disturbing anything here, child of forest and child of the stars, but the queen wishes to see you in the embassy.'

We both get up and follow the Elven guard.

In the embassy we are lead to a throne room where the queen sits. In front of her I do the usual greeting though everyone can hear my enthusiasm is lacking. 'Greetings to you, child of the forest.'

She gets up. 'Lets drop the formalities. I understood from my daughter that you were a bit... shocked with the loss of your bow. Now I want to know why.'

I look her straight in the eyes to the shock of everyone around me. 'I have been practicing with the bow for years. When a dragon attacked my village I stood between him and it alone with a bow. When I was brought here, all I had was my bow. I made the Elven kids in this city respect me with my bow and as long as I live a bow is the way I will fight if I have the chance. That bow was my way to show the world I'm an archer you don't mess with.'

The queen studies me. 'Those are bold claims to make. To stand between a dragon and what he wishes to attack is either sheer stupidity or bravery.'

Sha'iva speaks softly. 'My queen, she is speaking the truth. The dragon she rides on is the one that attacked her village. The news made it through the entire city before the dragon was even shown. He is massive.'

The queen looks at me once more. 'I'm conflicted with you. You seem fearless and almost reckless in your actions. Yet even in the city you showed skill and the willingness to do what it takes to get your goals done. You are entrusted by the Riders with my daughter who seems to respect you, yet when I look at you, you seem so... human.'

I glance at her. 'I could look way different if you wish that. I don't think the guards would like it but I have a Lamia staff for a reason.'

She looks at my back and than at me. 'The staff of Kai'chira. You are its owner. Interesting to say the least. Very well. I would like to see how skilled you are. I heard from Ra'iki that you had some abilities with the sword as well. I will decide based on what you show me.'

The queen gets up and leads both Sha'iva and me to another room, which seems to be a training room of sorts. It has a similar archery range to the one in the outcasts home only more overgrown, making it hard to see if there are even targets anywhere. She then hands me over a bow, though not the respectful Elven way, which does make me twist my mouth a bit from the acid tone. Then I turn to the archery range and put an arrow on the bow. First target... through the leaves and hit. Another arrow, bow drawn but not raised yet.

Psssst. Tshak. Through the rings and in the target. I knock another arrow on and look around for another target. This is by far the most challenging practice range I've trained on. Some of the targets pop up quickly after the previous and other times they are either well hidden or behind smart obstacles. There! I let the arrow fly and grab three more arrows, each in their own gap between my fingers. I see a set of two targets pop up and use two of the arrows. The first hits bang on, the second does hit the target but is slightly below the bulls eye. Damnit.

The bow the queen lends me out is an odd one. It seems a little bit plain for an Elven bow but Sha'iva recognized it. Odd. However it isn't half as odd as how the bow is in usage. It is lighter in the draw than even my hunting bow yet it somehow isn't to flimsy, though firing arrows in quicker succession will get the arrows off course as I just saw. I see another target pop up behind some cover and moving away. I aim slightly up and let the last of the three arrows fly in an arch, the thwack letting me know I hit the target at least. I'm about to grab another one when I notice my quiver is empty. Damnit. Between my lips I curse myself for not making more arrows or spending the one silver coin I had left to buy some more.

It is then that the queen steps forward. 'Interesting. You know how to hit a target, even on the move. There should be another one but I'll consider the outcast you shot through an open window as that target. Now for your sword mastery. I heard from the guard you are... at least decently able to defend yourself.'

I close my eyes and sigh. 'I was able to defend myself with his sword. As was I able to defend myself with your daughters sword, your majesty. However this sword on my side is nothing but pain and slowness. It is to heavy and bulky for me to use well. It will work in a pinch situation but not in a full on battle.'

The queen points to one of her guards to hand over his sword. As Sha'iva taught me I bow as I grab the handle and support the blade with my left hand, though I don't test it out yet as the queen is standing next to me. Then she motions Sha'iva. 'I'd like to see how much you have forgotten, Sha'iva.'

As the queen steps aside again I test the sword. The balance is good and the sword feels light. Light enough for me to risk using my shield. I grab my Dwarven shield from my back and strap it on my left arm, and then hit it twice with my wrist. Both Sha'iva and her mother are surprised, though I guess for different reasons. Then we start circling each other. Sha'iva is the first to lash out, though I'm quick to deflect with my shield and strike at her. I instantly notice she isn't holding back now, as my blow gets deflected. I then go into a defensive stance and remind myself of Noruk's advice. Be as a mountain and the shield will do the rest. As I feel a flurry of attacks bounce off the shield all I do is follow Sha'iva.

Then Sha'iva starts to try and get behind my shield. She is close and when I deflect one of her arching strikes I do what she didn't expect and bash her in the chest with my shield. As she is regaining her breath I arch my sword towards Sha'iva, which she barely manages to block. Now it is my time to go into the offensive. I start using the attacks that Ra'iki taught me. I feel I'm a bit rusted already having trained with a slower sword so far. However soon I catch up again and fully force Sha'iva into the defensive despite her Elven speed. The few times she does strike out I angle my shield sideways so it glances off. Now we are on even ground. As I see victory nearby Sha'iva starts fighting back. Her attacks get more ferocious, almost beast like. Then I go for the final strike. I slam her sword to the side with my shield and aim my own sword at her neck. 'I finally did it...'

Sha'iva looks up at me and then at the sword. 'Yes, you did. You did what I thought was impossible. You beat me in sword fighting.'

I put the shield away. 'I guess Noruk and Oruk made a masterpiece of a shield as it held great against your attacks.'

She nods. 'Without the shield the battle would have gone way differently. I respect their handiwork a lot now.'

The queen walks over. 'Interesting. You played on your strengths but did use our form of fighting to take the battle to my daughter. However you are slow and very much... limited in your move set. It does show you mostly trained under Ra'iki.'

I look at Sha'iva, who takes the word for me. 'She did. Because of me she started learning how to use a sword.'

The queen nods. 'Very well. I haven't decided yet so I'd like to invite you to stay the night, Wing Leader. Sha'iva, you know where the guest rooms are. Lead her to them.'

I stop and turn to the guard, offering him his sword back respectfully. 'Your sword has served me well this battle. It is a good sword.'

As he takes the sword back he nods once.

Sha'iva

As Shirley sits down I start pacing her guest room furiously. 'What the hell is my mother thinking? She was just using us for show! The way she had us parade around... Bah.'

Shirley looks up. 'Don't think to much of it. She gets whatever she wants. Maybe she will support me, maybe I'll have to ask permission to go into that training ground and retrieve my arrows so I can eventually use a bow once I can pay it.'

I turn to her. 'You don't get it, do you? She is manipulative. That is why I went away to become a Rider. I wanted to go away from her. I don't think you'll ever see your arrows or any weapons again.'

Shirley unbuckles her quiver and lays on the bed. 'I have one weapon remaining. My staff. If your mother is as you claim her to be, then I'll go back to the Mage and focus on magic training. I'm not one that is easily disarmed, Sha'iva. My mind is my greatest weapon.'

I walk over to her and grab her hand. 'That isn't the point. She strips you bare if you let her. She is an Elven supremacist at heart and won't stop pushing her point until someone puts an arrow in her head or a blade in her chest. I know that won't be me as I don't wish to lead her kingdom. She ruined enough for me there.'

Shirley sits up again. 'Sha'iva, calm down. You are now citing doom scenario's. Even if your mother doesn't support me, I'm more than capable of working to get myself the weapons I need. Besides Ra'iki and you I don't think any Elf would willingly give me his or her weapon. Your race is shrouded in secrecy from the outside world. You keep your forges, your bow making and other crafts hidden from any prying eyes. That means none but you decide who can carry even one weapon around. To give someone more than that... is insanity. No, I don't expect much more than maybe a nod of respect.'

'I have decided. You won't just get a bow, Shirley. Even with your mastery of archery I'm not convinced a bow would do the trick.'

I'm about to blow up at my mother. What the hell is she thinking here? Taking away my Wing Leaders best weapon and then claiming a new one would not keep her alive. When she stands up she speaks again. 'No, I've decided you have to be armed properly. You have put in a lot of work to learn our ways and to learn how to communicate the right way. If I am to let my daughter be led by a human, especially one whom respects traditions of those she leads, then we have to honor those traditions to. You will be armed as if you were one of our nobility.'

My mouth drops open. Mom can't be serious. She is going to have our best craftsman measure Shirley a suit of armor, a sword, bow AND spear? This is not like her at all... unless this is all a stunt to proof Elven superiority to the humans again. But if that is the case, then at least my squad comes out on top and Shirley the most. Shirley bows for my mother. 'Thank you earnestly, your majesty. Your gift is highly appreciated and will be used only for the good of both our races.'

She motions to Shirley to rise. 'Leave the niceties. I know how you will use them. At least they won't be wasted on you.'

The last words have a venom on them aimed at me. Mother knows I don't use my spear and only recently started carrying around my sword in public. She knows I don't wear my armor at all. What should I expect from her? She has spies everywhere. Shirley then bows her head. 'I suspect that if you mean, armed as if one of the Elven nobility, that it is made by craftsman who aren't in this castle. Does that mean that I will be traveling to the Emerald Forests where the Elven home lays?'

Mother nods. 'Yes. In two moons, at high noon before the night of the full moon, you are invited with your squad. My daughter shall lead you there. Do not pay heed to your squad as they are but trivial in this great picture. During the night the feast of the Scaled Peace will be celebrated. The next day the craftsman will start their work on your new bow, sword and other commodities. When they are done none will doubt an Elven princess sits in your squad, as the one leading it will look ready to defend her. And you, my daughter... You and your dragon will once again be fully outfitted as well. I know you dislike me but please don't make our entire race suffer for it. You are its princess and the one inheriting the throne of it. In the end... you are the one who will lead them as well. Even if I adopted your loved Wing Leader she still is the younger so it is you who will lead them.'

Straight ahead. I nod and keep on flying over the massive forrest. Though reluctantly, the Ork relinquished her position for this one flight so Sha'iva could lead the way. Though I have poured over the maps before leaving, and knowing where we are, I still do not know where we are going. Then, when Sha'iva points to a clearing, I give the command for landing. The six move to the clearing as agreed and with their dragons form a clearing for me to land in. Sha'iva told me that if we didn't do that, I would be hard pressed to find a spot to land with Rashter. As they give the signal Rashter comes in for the landing to. Until we pierce the canopy I think Sha'iva must have made a mistake. Then I see the trees are the Elven Kingdom. This is why it is called the Emerald Kingdom.

Emerald green leaves form a roof above houses grown from the trees as far as the eye can see. Pathways are lined with lanterns and other light sources. From atop of Rashter I can see a large crowd of Elves gathered around us. The crowd soon splits and the queen approaches us, though even she is held back by the female Ork and Oruk. Then when I dismount I give the order. 'Let her pass. That is the queen.'

As the queen passes we exchange greetings. Then she speaks. 'You made it on time, Wing Leader, and I must say your dragon looks glorious though a bit beaten up.'

I nod. 'This is what happened before we became bonded. I'm somewhat surprised it hasn't gone away, either because scales get replaced or because it gets worn down.'

Rashter speaks to. 'Yeah, my Rider is lethal with a bow and I have surely felt that the first time we met.'

The queen softly lays a hand on one of the gashed scales and then turns to me. 'You draw your bow back a bit hard it seems. Your arrows went deep. Maybe in time it will go away but with how old your dragon is, it won't be within this year.'

Rashter looks away then. Now Sha'iva walks into the circle. 'So as you wished we arrived in time, mother. You could use us for your symbolic stuff of how the first bonded dragons showed up here, now can we go and rest for a moment?'

The queen turns to her daughter. 'This was more than just a symbolic gesture. This is our history, Sha'iva. However go and rest. Tonight the celebration starts and I would like you to be there in good condition. All of you are invited. Wing Leader, please follow me.'

The queen leads me to another part of the Emerald City where larger trees seem to form a seamless palace. It is an object of beauty and majesty to behold but also quite the size. As the queen approaches the guard stand at attention with raised shields and the spears aimed to the side to give a clear path. Inside the queen walks over a woven red carpet to a throne, flanked by huge trees that are grown to look like carved pillars. As she sits on the throne she speaks. 'As my daughter said and probably also explained in private to you, it was more than coincidence I invited you this day. Today is a once in a millennia celebration of the Riders union. You are witnessing a celebration of the peace and prosperity that came after the dragon raids ended.'

Sha'iva, who apparently also followed, chuckles. 'Well, ended... Shirley and her dragon are the sole two survivors of a raid that her dragon did on her own village.'

The queen leans forward. 'So... a survivor. That is unexpected. Tell me, what reason did you forgive him for?'

I look at the queen. 'Because I understood him and his reasoning. I knew why he did what he did and he never meant to kill them. To kill him in vengeance would make me no better.'

The queen looks at Sha'iva. 'Watch her back. And show her the Royal Wing of the palace. That is where she will be staying. She deserves it.'

Sha'iva puts a hand on my shoulder and beckons me to follow her. As we walk through the palace many guards greet Sha'iva with either a nod or a smile. Eventually we reach the Royal Wing of the palace and as I follow her two guards stop me. 'Halt. You have no admittance to this part of the palace.'

Sha'iva turns back and gives the guard an angry look. 'The queen ordered me to bring her here. She is to stay here.'

The guard keeps blocking my path with the spear. 'I have my orders. No one is to pass here.'

Sha'iva puts her hand on her blade. 'Then go ask the queen about her orders to me. At least, if you wish to clean toilets for the next hundred years you should do that. You know she is busy with the celebration today especially since this is the Wing Leader that was invited for said celebrations today.'

The guard raises his spear. 'Excuse me, princes.'

After that he lets me pass.

Later in the evening Sha'iva picks me up from my room and leads me through the halls. Eventually we reach the outside and she leads me to a ceremonial ground of sorts where many Elves are already standing. At the far edge I see one Elf draped in furs, though he is an older Elf. Then I see the queen standing in the center. 'Welcome all, at the celebration of the Riders Union. Today we celebrate the peace between the Dragons and all the other races with both new riders and old. We are also honored today with the presence of the Princess and her new Wing Leader.'

The queen points at us and the Elves step aside to form a path for us to walk down. I feel uncomfortable with so many people looking at me but I don't show it. As Sha'iva and I walk towards the queen people stare at us, both dressed in some of the fine Elven dresses. Sha'iva has one with what I recognized as a royal marking. Mine has some symbol on it as well, however I have no clue what it means. When we stand in front of the queen she turns to the crowd. 'A new generation of dragon Riders is coming. One more diverse and powerful than all previous generations. It is our pleasure to see this new generation and contribute to it.'

I turn to the crowd and put one foot on a rock at the bottom of the raise the queen is standing on. Then I look up at the night sky getting lit up with millions of fireflies as if the sky is on fire. It is a sight to behold for sure.