Chapter 48: Chapter 48

Chapter 22

~Elder Rani POV~

Hearing banging and loud crashing sounds outside I stood up attempting to leave my throne to check on the chaos. “Elder Rani! Quick… our kingdom has been infiltrated!” my trusted advisor shouted as he ran into the throne room at the exact moment I started to check on things.

“Do we know who they are? Or what they want?” walking with my advisor Truni out the back door behind my throne. I could feel my people leaving our family link as death started causing my heart to clench in pain.

“No Elder we do not. But they are wolves. Rogues I think… they stink like death and sewage.” shock and determination ran through my mind as his words. Still pulling me with him as he tried to help me escape as another wave of pain ripped through my heart.

“Wolves!?! What pack would dare come to the Dragon Shifters territory?” Stopping him as we went through the hidden door panel.

“It appears it was the Lycan Queen Shamira and Jonas my liege.” bowing his head in respect, stopping briefly after waking into a safe place.

“Could we not detect them at our borders before they came through? What happened to our protective shield? What about the air patrollers?” She questioned in disbelief that our kingdom could be attacked without any knowledge. “How can they be from the Queen and King and smell like wolf rogues?” things were not adding up in my mind, something was terribly and seriously off by this attack.

“I do not know my liege. Maybe a witch? What do you wish for us to do?” Advisor Truni asked, trying to get s strategy out to the warriors who were already doing their jobs fighting off the unexpected attack.

“So… they dare to bring war on our land! Get notice to everyone! If it’s a war they want then let’s show them who they are fighting against.” Stopping just outside the doors behind my throne room crossing my arms over my chest as I smiled mischievously.

This little so-called Queen is power hungry and will NOT be taking over my kingdom today. “Advisor Truni. Please have a trusted messenger go see Elder Selene and Elder Maira. Tell them what is happening and to send word of next steps for uniting with the Royal Luna of the Graves Pack.” he nodded and left shifting in mid air as he jumped up tearing his clothes while his beautiful wings sprung free to find the trusted messenger she asked for.

Looking around I saw not only wolf rogues everywhere but also some dragon rogues. Dragons normally do not go rogue, but for those that do it is normally for committing serious crimes. Most dragon shifters receive their punishment of said crimes by death or having their wings clipped. It is a very painful experience as the wings are cut diagonally upwards from the bottom leaving gaps in their wings. It usually leaves them unable to fly, however some shifters have been known to learn to fly again. Although their strength is not as powerful as before.

Shifting into my dragon lifting myself into the air high above the ground, I let out a monstrous battle cry to let all the dragon shifters know a fight we will give. Being an elder I had advantage over a regular dragon as I had the ability to breathe both fire and ice. Most dragon shifters could only breathe one or the other. Mostly fire though. Only a special few were blessed with the breath of ice. Those that were… well they usually became part of an elite group of warriors who protected me and my immediate family. That’s how rare and significant it was to breathe ice.

My wings were long and wide, flapping strong in the sky as I flew with the others who were already so bravely and gallantly taking out the attacking rogues. That’s when I saw it. Or should I say HER. It was a witch trying to cloak herself in the dense forest. To an untrained eye she may appear invisible but to me an elder dragon shifter… her silhouette gave her away.

What a coward to hide in the trees while others fight around you. I thought to myself. She must have been the reason they got in undetected. Only another magical creature like herself could uncloak our kingdom.

What does she have to gain from all this? Why is she helping them? This all didn’t make sense to me as I swooped down to get a closer look and to catch her off guard. Blowing fire and ice over the mindless attackers as I got closer to her.

My warrior dragons were fighting bravely in the air and on the ground. I could tell once the alarm had reached everyone that a battle was indeed here they swiftly moved in and took control. I don’t think those rogues knew what hit them once they did.

Rogues are, any kind of shifter or supernatural rogue actually, only fight when they think they can sneak attack their opponent for victory. Little did they know dragon shifters adapt well during battle. Today showed this was no exception.

I saw one of my foot warriors getting ambushed by three rogue wolves. He looked as though he was about to get sucker attacked by a fourth unaware. Leaning back to redirect myself in his direction, whipping my large wings I dived down to him, flapping them harder in their direction blasting off the attackers to give him a fairer chance. Once given it, he opened his mouth and fire sprung forth on two of them, at the same moment I froze the other two behind him. With one swift movement of my tail they shattered into a million pieces.

He nodded as if to say thank you, before running out to fight off another trying to get into someone’s home. Leaving him I flew back and up before turning around to find that mysterious woman still looming in the tree lines.

I was almost there when I saw her body tense and look up in my direction. Did she sense me? I wonder. Who is this woman? It cannot be a coincidence that we are attacked, there is a request for our help with an impending war and her being… here. The thoughts bothered me as to what is to come seeing her.

Diving closer I inhaled deeply by my nostrils then to release it trying to blow ice on her so she could be interrogated later once defrosted. A strategy we use to get information from prisoners caught.

My efforts however were futile as she had some sort of field around her. Knowing I couldn’t touch her, she just stood there. Arms folded across her chest. Mocking me she smirked before turning into a whirlwind of air and disappeared. I searched for her intently but she was nowhere to be found. She was gone, without a trace.

Going back to the fight I saw my dragons fighting brilliantly and valiantly. They had finally succeeded in pushing them back from our kingdom.

Landing back on the earth I shifted into my human self. Others quickly followed suit and bowed down on one knee in reverence placing one arm across their chest a fist over their hearts. Once I started addressing them they relaxed resting that same arm on their leg.

“My kingdom family!” I spoke out to each of them. “Today we were ambushed by the Lycan Queen and King’s foolish rogue army.” sounds of whispers and gasps were voiced all around me. Lifting my arms making a settle down motion with my hands a hush fell back over the crowd and I continued.

“You all fought bravely and valiantly today… Thank you for stepping up without notice or alarms to protect our home! My heart, as well as most of yours I suspect mourn for the fallen brethren of this unexpected, ruthless and senseless attack. Let’s pay our respects in a moment of silence for each of their significant yet short lived lives.” Pausing briefly as we all placed our right hands over our hearts and bowed our heads to pay respects for the fallen before continuing again.

“However!!” lifting my head high and my voice projected loudly so they all could hear. “They did not do this alone! As you all are aware our Kingdom is enchanted by magic and can not be penetrated without it.” whispers were heard murmuring throughout the crowd again at this knowledge.

And again I lifted my arms to make a settle down motion with my hands and they hushed once more. “While flying by your side in the sky I saw a cloaked witch in the forest standing by the trees watching. Before I could get to her she disappeared in the wind.” A hush fell across the kingdom at the revelation.

Placing my hands behind my back I paced slightly before continuing. “Elder Serene and her sister, Elder Maira have come recently to request our assistance with an impending war as backup. But! After today’s senseless attack I say we will fight for ourselves… for our Kingdom!” I stopped pacing and turned towards them before cheers broke out amongst the crowd at my words. “I say we fight for our fallen!” More cheers break out louder.

“For Our Fallen! For Our Kingdom!” they shouted and chanted as one. My heart swelled with pride for my people as they came together to avenge us once more. A smile plastered on my face as I listened to them with pride. Roar cries were sent out as I led them. Hushing them once more I continued.

“At the moment, a trusted messenger is on their way to reach the Elders with our situation. We will be avenged… and we will win this war as allies with the lost Royal daughter of the Lycans.” Whispers were heard once more as the mention of a lost Royal wolf.

“This Royal has been residing in Alpha Johnathon’s pack.” murmurs heard again as he is notorious for his militia ruthlessness. “She!!” bellowing out for silence so I could continue. “She has been gifted with elemental gifts being a Royal… our chances of being victorious and retribution lies with our allegiance! We will have our home back! We will… fight this war… as a supernatural community…TOGETHEEER We WILL OVERCOME!!” I shouted out. Roars and cheers ring out again over the land as one united. I stood there smiling proudly, hands crossed behind my back.

~Selene POV~

“Maira, didn’t you already speak with the dragon shifters?” I asked, feeling a tugging in my mind and heart.

“Yes sister. Elder Rani already agreed to go into alliances with the wolves of the Graves Pack. She is just awaiting word of when.” looking at me questionably. “Why do you ask, sister?” uncertainty evident in her voice.

“Well something has happened… a dragon shifter messenger has been sent and requesting permission to enter through the portal.” standing from my seated position I say while moving to the door opening it. Maira closely followed behind, her own curiosity apparent. “Enter!” I said loudly as a well dressed young woman formed before us, hands resting perfectly within the other in front of her.

Once she made eye contact with me a smile radiated off her petite features. She had black straight hair perfectly set in place falling down her back. She looked very young, no more than eighteen, however the depth seen in her gray eyes told me she was much much older than that.

She was dressed in all white with a low turtle neck top that rested on her hips atop a white pair of slacks and white shoes. She was wearing a white feminine trench coat that was left open in the front.

“How may I help you, messenger of the dragon shifters?” smiling as I nod sideways at her presence.

“Elder Selene. Elder Maira.” she greeted each of us also tilting her head slightly in respect. We nodded back for her to continue. “Elder Rani asked for me to see you in the most urgent of matters.” furrowing my brow at the words ‘urgent of matters.’

“Our kingdom has been infiltrated by rogues brought on by the Royal Queen.” her eyes saddened slightly.

“How can this be? Your kingdom is protected by magic? Only another magical creature can break its barrier?” I asked confused.

“We do not know Elders.” she spoke bowing slightly. “They infiltrated our kingdom unannounced slaughtering those living their lives normally.” a sadness twinkled in her eyes as she spoke. “Our warriors were dispersed as soon as we realized the threat. Our children and elderly were moved into the safe house… but not before they injured some.” a tear fell from her eyes as her voice softened to a whisper at the later comment.

“It must have been a witch, Selene.” Maira spoke up quietly. I nodded my acknowledgment to her over my shoulder.

“But how? Why? We have no enemies and we keep to ourselves.” her head snapping up to look at us when Maira spoke.

“What do they call you child?” I asked with compassion for her pain.

“I am called Leyla, Elders.”

“I believe this attack was a warning for Elder Rani to stay out of the war to come. She has agreed to your kingdom’s alliance.” turning to look at Maira as spoke. “Does anyone else besides me and the Elder’s of their communities know about the alliances we sought for?”

“No Selene. I asked for private meetings about such matters. The only ones allowed in the room were their own trusted advisors. I spoke to no one else besides you sister.” Maira spoke confidently yet with concern.

“Then we must warn every supernatural community immediately of their impending danger. If Shamira is working with a witch… no one will be safe until the time comes. Shamira must be getting desperate if she’s attacking other communities now.” I said more to myself than anyone else.

“I will go now to the others, Selene. You warn the Graves Pack.” with that she left through the portal to speak with the other community elders.

“Leyla. You go home and tell Elder Rani what you’ve heard. Be steadfast and ready. We will be contacting you very soon now.” I spoke clear and precise and I waved her off through the portal back to the dragon shifters kingdom.

Just as she left, I was being beckoned by the knight crawlers. Also known as… vampires. Now what do they want? The thought lingered on my mind as I put on my coat and transported to the one calling.