Sodina gave a wide grin to Bridget. "We are lucky to have someone as powerful as you on our side."
Bridget stands up and puts her hand on Sodina's shoulder. "We will leave at dawn to see if a connection I have in a nearby town knows anything about poison removal. Best we get some rest."
Bridget walks out of the hotel room to her room across the hall.
Sodina looks at Slash and walks over to the bed. "Come join me sweetie, to rest."
Slash changes into his pajamas and lays his sword by the bed. "We have to be on watch. Someone could break in and try to kill us."
"Don't worry, honey. I'm a light sleeper. Anyone who tries to get into the door will be met with a dizziness spell."
Sodina walks over to the door and reaches out her hand.
"Goddess Astra, grant us thy protection."
A ray of light flashes out of Sodina's fingers, hitting the door before seeping into the wood.
"There we go." She smiles tenderly at her husband. "Anyone who touches the doors will instantly be paralyzed."
Sodina walks back to Slash, lying on the bed then snuggling beside him.
"Time to rest, Slash," Sodina whispers as she grabs him from behind.
She closes her eyes and soon falls asleep.
Slash looks out the window into the moonlight, thinking about today.
"I am not much of an individual who prays, but hopefully, Bridget knows someone who can help us. I will save you, Sodina," he whispers to himself as he closes his eyes. "I will travel to the end of the world just to see you smile in the future, smile with life and health. This I swear."
Month of Dragons
Day 13
The thick fog covers the Uncharted Lands on a windy summer's afternoon The castle built by the Exalted One stands tall amongst the small wooden houses.
This land is full of strife and is home to the forgotten, housing the generations of demons that were sealed away by the Heroes of Old.
A woman in a purple dress flies toward the castle, her black wings blending in with the darkened clouds. It is always cloudy in the Uncharted Lands that lie above the Eastern Kingdom. A curse from the exile that occurred hundreds of years ago still has a profound effect on the current demon population. Exhausted from her journey, the woman slowly descends from the sky onto the steps of the castle. She walks into a long, narrow hallway, making for the large horn-covered door at the end.
The door bursts open for the woman, and she ascends a flight of stairs to the second floor of the castle. After a short walk down a dimply lit hallway she heads into the throne room. She is immediately greeted by a smartly dressed man, towering above her. Today, he smells of cedarwood and expensive oranges, she notes.
"You have returned, dearest Lisha!" the man exclaims, rushing her into the room happily before taking a seat on his golden throne. "Have you located my daughter?"
"Oh, Exalted One." Lisha bows on one knee, her body shivering with delight. "I am so pleased to see you."
"I hope that you are well, Lisha," He gestures for her to stand before him. "You may stand and call me by my real name, Gareth."
"I will do no such thing, my lord." Lisha gasps and blushes, tucking a piece of her black hair back behind her ear. The Exalted One always makes her feel as if she is a schoolgirl again.
"One day, I hope to hear you speak my name," Gareth says, rubbing his hands together suggestively.
A sadistic smile dances across Lisha's face as she raises her head to meet his gaze.
"I have yet to locate your daughter, my lord," she admits. "It's been some years, my lord… She could be…dead. The power we sought from the Gospel of Helion years ago to aid us was an error."
"Do not speak such things." Gareth raises his voice, darkness filling his stare.
Lisha's voice shakes, her body quivering with fear. "Yes, oh Exalted One."
"You are forgiven." Gareth huffs. "That is our child you speak of!"
Lisha nods sadly, trying to keep the tears from welling up in her eyes She cannot show weakness to the most powerful man she knows, even for a moment.
"Do not lose hope, dearest." He raises his hand as if to touch her face.
"Why will you not make me your queen, my lord?" Lisha sighs.
"If the humans were to hear that the Exalted One were to be married, they would try to exploit that weakness by capturing you." Gareth chuckles adjusting his coat. "I could not bear to see my beautiful lover trapped and tormented by humans."
"Such simple creatures the humans are." Lisha snickers in reply "Though…I would take any amount of punishment to be called your wife, my lord."
Lisha bows again in reverence of Gareth's great power, and Gareth blows her a kiss.
"One day, dearest," he bellows, sitting back in his throne brightly.
"Save the affection for another time, my lord," a deep voice growls from behind them.
A large, muscle-bound shape steps out of the darkness from the corner of the room to join the two. His spiked gauntlets cover the floor with dripping blood, fresh from a kill.
"Oh." Lisha straightens and looks at the man pointedly. "When did you arrive, Neron?"
"Some time ago." He rolls his eyes. "While you were talking about making love and babies."
Neron bows as he approaches Gareth and glares at Lisha, shaking the blood on his wrists toward her too pretty violet gown.
"And that's General Neron to you, Lisha," Neron adds, puffing out his chest. "Show some respect for your superior officer."
"You're only stronger than me by the slightest amount." Lisha glares back and punches him in the arm, leaving only a small mark. How infuriating, she thinks.
"Weak punches like that will never impress me!" Neron crosses his arms and laughs at Lisha's feeble attempt at a right jab.
"Enough, both of you," Gareth says. "Neron, how was your reconnaissance mission to the Northern Kingdom?"
Neron looks up at Gareth on his throne. "Well, the Northern Kingdom is indeed the second strongest, my lord. King Leo has his men well trained."
He went on, "I did some scouting in the villages, and each of the outer ones around the capital had elite-level knights and mages. But I did run into some trouble in one of the outer towns, hence the blood. That concludes my report."
Neron winces and continues, "Forgive me, my lord. You know I hate getting blood on my clothes."
"So, why is it you fight hand to hand with gauntlets then?" Lisha giggles. "You're so dramatic for being so muscular. 'Oh, I am so strong, but blood on my clothes will bring me to agony!'" Lisha mocks his voice, and Gareth bites back a laugh.
"Give me a break." Lisha throws her head back and guffaws, "General, my pretty behind! You're nothing but a neat-freak bastard who happens to be good at killing people."
Neron turns toward Lisha, raising his fists. "You want to go right now temptress? I'd love to shove your head into that pretty behind of yours."
"I'd rather not waste time on you, fool." Lisha sits on the nearest chair, crossing her legs and looking bored.
Neron sighs and looks down at his clothes with a pout. He really hates getting bloodstains out of his garments.
Gareth looks between his two generals and sighs. "What I am to do with you two?"
When neither of them answer, the Exalted One finally laughs with delight. "Come, let's enjoy a meal together."
Gareth leads his generals to the Igash Ballroom, two rooms down from his throne room.
"I wonder what is taking Magnar so long," Gareth thinks aloud.
"Wasn't he assigned to the Western Kingdom, my lord?" asks Lisha.
"That's correct," Neron mutters as they cross the hall. He hates being the third wheel between the Exalted One and Lisha the Lewd so often.
"From what I've heard, the Western Kingdom of Tamar is the strongest throughout the land. The Eastern Kingdom of Sol is on the brink of collapse!" Lisha squeals, bouncing with glee. "That should be our first target my lord! I can kill, kill, kill all I want to. Crush and kill them all with my power! We've broken the barrier with the blood of the fairy we captured. Let me do the honors of taking Glashmere, the capital of Sol. We may find where our daughter is."
"They certainly may die when they see that outfit of yours, revealing everything," Neron says. "It doesn't leave much for the imagination."
Lisha glances over at Neron with contempt. "I like this outfit because of its functionality. And it's sexy."
She turns toward Gareth and bats her eyelashes. "Wouldn't you agree my lord?"
The Exalted One smacks Lisha on the butt firmly before saying, "Yes, I do enjoy your outfit very much, dearest."
Neron turns his head away, not wanting to see any more public displays of lust, and walks into the Igash Ballroom first.