Thread: The General and the Warrior Princess (Starlet and Vladimir)

The royal family was standing by the window facing the Fire Mountains. It was only a matter of time before their people realized they were outnumbered, out manned, and how useless their weapons would be. A stirring came through the wind to them, a feeling of anxiety, fear and regret. Zelphar closed his eyes, tilting his head slightly up as the wave hit him head on. Its time, my dear. His voice was soft as he looked at his wife, and then his daughter. Every 10th generation of Nevrath fae believes they no longer need us. That they are stronger and wiser than their forefathers. And each time, it comes to this. Now it is time for us to step in. Vanya too had felt a disturbance within the air, but it was new to her. As her father spoke, she turned her head his way and simply nodded. They all had known this day would come, and now that it had arrived, Vanya wondered if she would up to the challenge. Zelphar had trained his daughters abilities from the time she could stand, and, he had to admit, her, her powers were even beyond his, though she did not know it yet. But there were some things one had to learn with experience. The King looked at his wife and smiled tenderly. She did not possess the powers of her husband or daughter, but she knew her duty. She smiled warmly to her husband and kissed his cheek. Godspeed, my husband. she breathed into his ear. Turning to her daughter, her precious child, she hugged her tenderly and said, Be brave my daughter, for you have nothing to fear. Letting her go, she turned and left the two alone. Vanya started to call out to her mother, for her mother had not said goodbye to either of them, but her father stopped her before she could with these words, Never say goodbye when sending a loved one to war. It gives the impression you do not expect them to return. Vanya fell silent at the solemn teaching. Finally, shaking her head yes, she simply said, I am ready, my father. Zelphar took her hand and as they walked to the edge of the balcony, they disappeared into a wisp of mist. Within seconds they were at the entrance of the mountain pass, just in time to hear Argaths ominous words. Vanya was shocked at the sound of tone of this dreaded warrior. He sounded much younger than she had been told of him. But she could understand how even his voice could strike fear in the hearts of humans. Zelphar raised his arms, instructing Vanya to do the same. Together they created a force field that extended for miles and miles, through the mountain rock, through the streams far north of them until this barrier encircled the entire fae lands. So strong was this barrier that no man or beast or fae could pass through it. Only those of the line of Zandro had that power. Once the wall was set, Zelphar lowered his arms, as did Vanya and he told her to stay behind the barrier and watch. Slowly, Zelphar walked forward until he was on the other side of the wall, then he spoke to Argath the Terrible. Argath, I am King Zelphar, protector of the fae of Nevrath! There will be no battle today, or any day. Put your weapons aside and you will be welcome within our boundaries. Raise one weapon and I shall wipe out your armies with one sweep of my arm. His voice was calm, and his voice was one of pure confidence in what he said. Zelphar believed this man who had defeated so many, had to be wise in war, perhaps he would be wise in this situation as well. Vanyas eyes did not betray her nervousness, but she was, and watching her father outside the protective bubble made her nervous. There had been peace within her home for hundreds of years. She had never seen such a spectacle as she saw before her. She knew something historic was taking as her father asked Argath to put down his weapons. Her eyes narrowed as she tried her best to make out the features place. Would Argath, in his impressive war garb, who never accepted anything but domination, actually be capable of such reasoning?