In the far north of the Arumar Continent, beyond the borders of the Middle Kingdom, the Iron Kingdom, and the Virscent Elves, lies the kingdom which can rival the power and might of the Trasidar. Dominating the northern skies, the High Eagles fly and soar through heights not even the falcons can achieve. Here lies the High Kingdom of the Eagles. The terrain is very rugged and steep, a mountainous territory with only one mountain that dominates everything else, Mount Aternor. Covered by snow, the city of the eagle’s lie’s here, the city of Taloria. Where the eagle-kind live peacefully. They grow some crops in their lands which can use for crops, but it is not enough for the eagle-kind is thriving. Trade flourishes for food from the fertile kingdoms, in exchange for their metals. And they have a healthy relation with the Kra’en and a bit at odds with the Tigris, but still the two can manage to come into terms from time to time.

The High Eagles are considered as the second strongest amongst the eight kingdoms. Just behind the Imperial Trasidar because of their Imperial Trasidar Phalanx trained by the Prince himself, Prince Tamiron Lluch. And the High Eagle Legion led and trained by the High Prince and heir to the talon throne, Prince Aderon Azure. Considered the strongest among his kind, and surpassing his own father, King Aeros Azure. After defeating the mighty Black Eagles in the Old War, they occupied their territory which now belongs to the Azure family. King Aeros was made ruler and his family treated as Royal. During that time, the Eagles where the strongest until they aided the Trasidar with their war against the dreaded Trodonar Empire. Due to that they are also threatened by the sheer size of the Trodonar, they helped them into winning their war but caused the eagles half of their strength. Ever since that time, the eagles were having trouble in recovering their old strength. King Aeros during the time, met with the council of landlords, Composed of the rulers of the eight kingdoms of early times. He demanded the disarmament of the Trasidar for they are threatened of their sheer strength, even putting that the Trasidar doesn’t differ with the Trodonar. The young King Madarick tries to reason out with the argument reaching to the point on casting a vote to disarm the Trasidar. As the other kingdoms voted, feeling that they are also threatened by the strength of the Trasidars, voted on disarming them. The king stood up that time, and delivered his message of the impending attack, the High King along with the other kingdoms except for the Orderians and Falcons. The remaining laughed and told that the Trasidar King is mad, leaving the King with no choice but to leave his post as the council leader and made King Aeros the ruler of the council. But now they will soon find out that the warning brought to them by the Trasidar King is in fact true.

Deep in the barracks inside the city, soldiers where all over the place training, blacksmiths making weapons and improving them. Some takes flight, some just landed and headed to their tents. And in the middle of the barracks, the Legion Quarters, where the strongest division of the Eagle Conclave is assigned to train, known as Legionnaires. In the middle of the quarters, Legionnaires, fully armored and armed with swords are encircles another legionnaire, also fully armored with his helmet that resembles a head of an eagle. With its large beak covering his face, and armed with two long swords. His wings appear in his back and he flaps it around, and then prepares himself for battle. Visible the characteristics of an Eagle-kind, their enormous wings, larger than those of the Falcons’, and their eyes, like a gem of Blue Ocean.

The other legionnaires quickly follow and summons their wings and prepares for an attack. The one in the middle looks slowly on both his sides. A moment passes, hearing a small footstep, he curled up and covered himself with his wings and the men attack him. They were close enough when he suddenly opened up his wings hitting some legionnaires and throwing them away. After that, the others began to attack. The one at middle was able to deflect and defend himself from a sudden surge of foes. Some tried going under, but ultimately failed. Another attacks from above but he deflected it with his sword.

Slowly, their numbers are no match to this one, as he completely fends off his enemies. The last man standing in front of him, just staring at him and seems to be waiting for something. He stretches his left arm, opens his palm, dropping his sword, and calls the last legionnaire with his hand. The legionnaire shouts his battle cry as he launched a final attack to the man. He deflects the attack and as the legionnaire continued to move forward. The man spins to the legionnaire’s back and sliding his sword between the legionnaire’s right arm and his head, putting the sword to his neck.

The legionnaire surprised and clearly exhausted, stopped his tracks and drops his sword. All the legionnaires that lie on the ground de-summoned their wings including the last legionnaire standing. He pulled the sword and puts it to its scabbard tied to his waist, and said, “Now, since all of you lost and this one, the only one dared to stand in front of me,” points to the legionnaire that was lying on the ground and him looking at the man, “every one of you will have to bring a large log and dare no one comes back without one!” the men quickly scrambled and grabs their things as they summon their wings and takes flight to follow the orders made.

The brave legionnaire then stands up and was about to summon his wings when the man, removed his helmet and pats him at the shoulder, “and you my friend. Have a break, you earned your rest.” the man said.

The legionnaire smiled and stands up, “Thank you your highness.” the man smiles at the man and rushes to his tent for his well-earned rest.

Then a soldier drops by and kneels behind the man. The soldier was a messenger of the King.

“Prince Aderon, the High King requires of your presence immediately.” dismay was painted on his face upon hearing the messenger. He cleaned his armlets and looked up before turning around.

“Tell the King I will follow shortly, go on ahead.” he answered with a thick voice.

“Yes sire, at once.” he stands up and flew away unto the castle.

Aderon checks his armor for more dirt and constantly looks around him. Taking several deep breaths, he summoned his wings and flies high unto the sky and then directs himself towards the castle.

Flying directly to an open terrace on top of the castle gate, then enters the castle. With the pillars on each side, decorated with the banner of the High Eagles. Flooded by light from the open windows and near the throne room lies the open dome. A whole opening on top of the castle ceiling, sunlight is allowed to flow inside the throne room. The floor painted, shining in its glory, the mighty symbol of the High Eagles. He lands in front of the King, sitting mildly sideward, holding an enormous hammer, he looks at the Prince coldy. Aderon just stares at the King, stands up and proceeds to his own throne in his father’s right side. The throne room door opens and two eagle guards with their wings resting on their back, enters the room.

“Entering, Imperial Diplomats Rowald Farzan, Oren Belzung, and Onifaide Lazzar.” the three imperial diplomats enter the room accompanied by two Phalanxs and two Magisters.

On his left side sits the adviser of the King. He stands up and slowly walked in front of the diplomats, looking very displeased, as kept his distance.

“After all these years, you have the guts to come here, armed with your Phalanxs and your pitiful pet.” the adviser said harshly.

The Phalanxs moves to a defensive stance while the eagle guards did the same. In the middle of the commotion Oren suddenly talks.

“We are here because we are once again in a predicament.” he said calmly.

The King got interested on what the diplomat said, so he paid more attention to them.

Noticing his father, the prince said, “Adviser, return to your seat.” the adviser turned his head to the Prince. Both stared at each other for a moment before sitting down feeling humiliated. Aderon paid attention as well to the diplomats in front of them. He removed his helmet, revealing his grey colored hair. He puts his helmet on his seat while he stands up before looking back to the diplomats.

The three diplomats told their guards to stand down. After that, the eagle guards followed. One of them steps forward holding a scroll signed by the Prime Minister himself. Noticing the initials on the back of the scroll, the King looks at it carefully and changes his sitting position.

“Why is it that the archbishop’s seal is there? Where is King Madarick Lluch?” the King asked as his husky voice mildy echoed.

The diplomats looked at each other before one answered, “The Imperial King is currently ill and unable to rule. That’s why the archbishop took control.” he answered.

Before the King can even reply, Rowald speaks out, “All of your questions will be answered by the message written in the scroll,”

The King sighed while the prince glanced at his father, checking his reaction every time. “Very well, you may continue.” Aeros said. Onifaide stretches out his arm while holding the scroll then begins to read the message.

“The Trasidar Empire, once again in such peril,” they all listen closely to the message, while the prince anxiously pace back and forth. “I Archbishop Menoich Anarchu appoint myself as the New Prime Minister of the Empire. I will not make this long, the Prince and only heir to the throne, has betrayed us,” the Prince stops on his tracks and the King, surprised by what he just heard, while the adviser is like a ston, “and because of this treacherous act, the King was stricken and was heartbroken so deeply that it affected his very health, severely,” Aderon stands there with his hands fisted up, and trying to suppress his anger. The diplomat continued to read the message, “leaving with him is the Intel and the very secrets of the empire that could eventually bring it down to its knees,” the Prince still troubled, walked in front of the window and looks outside, trying his best to be calm about the matter, “so we call upon the mightiest of heroes and heroines of the land, to attempt the immediate execution of the traitor prince.” everyone including the adviser and the King was stunned to hear that. Aeros’ eyes widen for what he just heard. Cold sweat runs down from the adviser while the Prince was dumbfounded.

“So we hope that everyone will join this mission because, it doesn’t only concern the Empire, but also the entire free kingdoms.” after that, the diplomat closes the scroll and backs up to the other diplomats. Aderon just sat back to his throne grabbing his helmet and putting it aside.

The High King and his adviser looked at each other, on what to do with the matter. He then pushes his hammer forward, dropping to the floor. Everyone was startled, including the diplomats and their guards pointing their spears towards the approaching King.

“After all this years, you dare to seek help from us?” he earnestly said. The prince just watched his father as he approaches the imperial delegates.

Out of the blue, the King bursts out of laughter while the diplomats were confused and so were their guards. Unknowing what to do, the guards looks at each other, trying to decide what to do. Onifaide holds the shoulder of one Phalanx, only saying to back down. The Phalanxs pulled back their spears and the Magisters retracts their short staffs.

The king continued to laugh for a couple of minutes when he finally stopped. Rubbing his eyes and still laughing a little, then clearing his throat, “You should’ve seen your faces you know,” he giggled. He cleared his throat, picks up the hammer and puts it behind his throne. Then he came down again.

“You trasidars,” shaking his head, “my adviser is right you know. After all these years, these bothersome years, you finally have the guts to show up,” he adds. The diplomats just lied low as they listen to the king, “but still, it does concern us all. We know that the Prince is the strongest besides my son. Having an almost, immortal army at his disposal is very threatening indeed,” he pointed out. While he walked towards the window, looking straight outside, “what makes you think that we will ever help you again?” his face turned sour. The diplomats clearly felt the sudden change of atmosphere with the King, “What we would like to see, is the very fall of your empire.” He said to them face to face. The High King didn’t even flinch as he looked down at them, “if that happens. The High Eagles will finally be able to reclaim our glory!” he yells it at their faces.

The Prince already knows what his father’s answer. He rubs his forehead while the adviser drinks his wine sitting right beside him. The king returned to his throne and before he sits, he turned his head looking at the diplomats, “so my answer to the call of the Golden Empire is a big and wide, no!” he shouts it to them, before sitting on his throne.

The diplomats were frustrated but they have nothing left to do. The King once again stands up and yelled, “You may now leave Taloria, and never to return again!” he shrieks at them and slams his fists to the hand rest of his throne.. The eagle guards surround them while the magisters turned toward the doors. The Prince, then stands up quickly.

“Do not leave this room!” he shouted to their visitors. The diplomats turned immediately while his father and adviser were shocked. Aderon walked in front of his father stares at him before looking back again to the diplomats.

“I will go, on behalf of the entire Eagles.” he said. The diplomats don’t know how to react. They were speechless about what the Prince just said to them. The Adviser drops and spills his wine all over his robe while the King was stunned while he is standing up.

“Are you mad!” the King yelled, the Prince only gave his father a glance while everyone is just staring at them. The Prince deviously smirks at his father further irritating him, and he looks back at the diplomats who were rejoicing inside from what they heard, “You may go at once.” the Prince ordered.

The diplomats were left to obey and they immediately exited the throne room. The King growls and it echoes through the entire throne room and as far as outside the castle. The King runs down from his throne grabbing his son and holding him up high, “What are you thinking?” he asked angrily, the Prince is still smiling and then his father threw him on the floor.

Aderon tries to stand up and said, “Father, this is the chance we have been waiting for. Don’t you see?” he stands up quickly. His father’s rage then appeases.

He breathes several times before asking his son, “What do you mean?” he curiously asked as he approach his son. Aderon just laughing loudly while the people in the room are confuse.

“Father, this is our chance to kill the prince. This is our chance to regain the glory that we’ve lost years ago. My King, it is time for them to weaken now. We will reclaim what is rightfully ours,” he sinisterly smiled at his father. The King then was pleased on what his son told him and they both snicker. His father grabs his son’s shoulder.

“Finally a good use for you, Aderon. Go now and prepare,” he then chuckled.

“Yes father,” Aderon answered and then summoned his wings and flies straight to his room.

He entered his room and looks at the mirror for a moment. Thinking that the chance he have been waiting for finally came. The chance to kill the Trasidar Prince, killing him would be a great honor and himself getting the title of the strongest warrior throughout the entire continent. He smirks again before grabbing his finest dual swords hanging on his wall. He opened another door inside his room and inside is a collection of different looking armors. He gazes upon them one by one checking out on what he should wear. Satisfied on what he sees, he turned his attention to the one in the end of the room. It was sealed in a large glass case, his armor that was just recently made from the finest metal of them all. He opened the glass case and looks at the armor. Amazed by its design he grabbed it one by one as he puts it on.

Slowly he completely wears the new armor. With two long curled metals that dangle behind him. He looks at it in a mirror and checks if it is in a good condition. Seeing as it is, he exits that room and once again closes the door. He steps out and into his balcony with no rails. Down below you can see the very gates of the castle while seeing the entire valley from above. He looks left and right and then he put on his helmet, covered by a large metal beak, it acts like a visor to block the sun from his eyes. He crouches, and suddenly jumps upward with force as he summoned his wings. The curled metal now gone and became armor for his wings. He then flies down in front of the castle gates where the diplomats, the adviser and the King is waiting for him. He lands just in front of them and kneels in front of the High King.

King Aeros looked at his son while Aderon glance at him also, then he stands up. Oren gave him the map of the meeting place. He quickly looks at it and then looks at his father once again, while the King is heading towards the castle. He looks to Rowald when he points southward towards the castle. He nods at the diplomats while they kneel before him. He spreads his wings and leaps into the air then flies towards the meeting place. As he flies, he thinks about the opportunity that he has, the opportunity to kill the Trasidar Prince, by the hands of the High Prince of the High Eagles. He smiled with devious intent as he thought of the outcome. He leaned his head just little then slowly, he gains speed and then disappears into the horizon.

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Back at Eldemensters Temple, Sevidon and Glaivel had just arrived. They strap their horses at a nearby tree for them to graze on the grass. It was early dusk that day, they slowly walk towards the temple as they look around when they suddenly heard a falling rock. Sevidon pulls his shield and sword from his back while Glaivel deployed his bow and pulls an arrow, ready to release it anytime he saw danger. They constantly watch each other’s back as they enter the temple. Only shadows of the pillars that is inside are to see, but still they are being cautious. Glaivel retracts his bow and arrow and sets it back behind his cape, while Sevidon is still on high alert. He constantly looks up and down, left and right, front and back to watch every point of direction. Glaivel looks at the pillars then arrogantly enough he suddenly approaches them. Sevidon looking that way where Glaivel is going, notices something that he thinks that idiot didn’t see.

“Glaivel watch out!” he shouts, Glaivel swiftly looks at Sevidon when they heard a rope snapping then from both sides of Glaivel, hurls knives flying through the air, directly pointing at him. He back flips fast enough to avoid the danger that might have killed him. Stopping on Sevidon’s side, he was about to pull his bow and arrow again when suddenly they heard, “Magnum Oricais!” they look around when Sevidon saw a maroon colored bubble hurling towards them. He leaps out of the way and looks at Glaivel, “Glaivel!” he yelled. He looks at Sevidon who was on the ground and when he looks in front of him. He noticed the hurling maroon colored bubble towards him, but was too late to react for it has hit him, and it hit him hard. Dropping dead, he was knocked out and was in agony. Sevidon again checks from where it came from then stands up. He heard again another different sound. He heard a constant flapping of wings when he looks in front of him, he saw Ravaen when he was about to stab him. He pulls his shield and in the nick of time he deflects the attack but it pushes him again, dropping to the floor. Ravaen gets on top of him and his sword pointing directly in Sevidon’s face.

They were both panting as Sevidon stares at his enemy, then the light shines on Sevidon’s face and it surprise Ravaen.

“Uhm, Evangeline!” he shouts, and then out from the shadows Evangeline emerges and runs toward Ravaen. She then quickly looks at Sevidon and so shock she covers her mouth and Ravaen looking at her. The Panting General then looks at both of them when Ravaen looks at him again. Evangeline, realizing her mistake quickly runs toward the knocked out Glaivel and comes to his aid. Ravaen spins his sword a couple of times before putting it back to his scabbard. He stands up and de-summoned his wings, and stretches his left arm offering help to Sevidon. Getting up slowly he looks at the hand and Ravaen a couple of times before accepting it completely. Ravaen pulls Sevidon up. Evangeline picks up Glaivel and rests his head on her lap. Sevidon grabs his sword and shield and puts it aside. Ravaen then whistles while he approaches Evangeline while Sevidon just looking at them before walking towards the pillars.

Evangeline looks at Ravaen with watery eyes, “I knocked him out…” she weeps. Ravaen just checked Glaivel, constantly soft slapping his face, checking if he’s conscious. Glaivel moves his head still in woe. Evangeline then held his right hand and it suddenly glows into a teal colored orb, with her hands inside. She repeatedly moves her hands slowly across from his stomach to head, while his faces continuously twitch. Ravaen just looking at them turned his attention to their other friend in the red armor. He found him looking at another pillar.

Sevidon just looks at it for he saw an image of a red colored bird, holding a shield and sword on its feet while a symbol resembling blood was above its head. He was baffled by this and continued to look down on the pillar only to find strange writing that he can’t understand. Ravaen on the other hand, not far from Sevidon stares at him and kept watch. He too looks at another pillar and saw a blue colored falcon. Different from the blue eagle he looks at it and saw an image of a falcon’s eye with five streaks of light emitting from it.

“So you are?” Ravaen asked while looking at the pillar. Sevidon just looking at the other pillar next to the other one he just saw. He saw in this pillar of a bird just like the red bird. Colored dark green but looking the other way than the previous, holding a bow and arrow and above it is an image of the air also with five streaks of light. Then he looks at Ravaen.

“I am Sevidon,” then stares at Ravaen.

Ravaen felt the chilly stare of Sevidon saying, “So you’re General Sevidon Borinvegeard of the Crimson Elves. Correct?” he asked.

Sevidon smiles and closes his eyes before he answered back, “My reputation exceeds me,” he said then opens his eyes. Ravaen then looks back at the general and they approach each other until they reach the center.

“Well, we know that because you are the head of the Crimson Templars and most importantly, you trained Prince Tamiron yourself,” he said while they both grin at each other then he adds, “and because of that, you were sent by them rather than your prince.” he smugged about it. Sevidon looks at the floor while scratching his head before he answered.

“Actually, the Imperial Council chose me over the prince,” he said proudly. With a fake smile Ravaen just listens to Sevidon, “but enough about me, who are you?” he quickly asked.

Ravaen giggles a little about that for a while Sevidon chuckled for a moment as well.

“My name is Prince Ravaen Adevok of the Falcon Assaulters,” he bombastically answered to Sevidon, he arched his eyebrows then said.

“The Prince, head of the Falcon Assaulters or I might said, uhm, the Blitz Battalion?” he curiously asked. Ravaen was flattered about what he heard and looks around him before answering.

“Well, yes I am. Blitz Battalion? Is that what they call it now?” he arrogantly answered. Both men just laugh about it and they easily gain each other’s trust. They continued to chat to know each other while Evangeline continued to tend Glaivel. She then puts his head back on the floor and then slowly turned him around. She removes Glaivel’s cape, bow and arrow quiver and putting it aside along with his other accessories. She then repeats what she did in the front when Glaivel suddenly screams in pain. Sevidon and Ravaen were surprised by the scream while Evangeline was also shocked. “Oh my. You hit your back too hard.” she said then continued to tend his back. Glaivel’s head falls back down to the floor again.

“And who is that?” Ravaen asked. Sevidon still looking at the two quickly answered that.

“He’s Prince Glaivel Numenesse of the Virscent Elves.” he said. Ravaen then looks again to the two when Glaivel screams once more. Evangeline puts him to sleep with a mild sleep spell in order for him to not suddenly scream again.

“He’s the head of the Virscent Rangers right?” he asked again. Sevidon just nods while both of them remove their attention to the two.

“Who is she?” Sevidon asked. Ravaen looked at Evangeline before he answered.

“That’s Princess Evangeline of the Orderian,” he answered.

“So that’s her.” He stares at Evangeline while Ravaen notices it.

“Yes, But I don’t know exactly why the council of the Order sent her though,” he adds.

The day continued to talk, to know each other and to heal the sleeping ranger. As three more are moving in to complete the team. A city south-east of Tamara considered now as the Gate City. Is about to have a surprise visitor.

End of chapter VII

Next Chapter: Chapter VIII: Melgrace