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The day had finally come. Alina was worried, because her wedding to Price Tsar was today, and Raven still hadn’t shown up rescue her yet. She was still thinking about the blood rain that had happened yesterday. The legend of the blood rain was well known throughout the Five Kingdoms. Everyone one knew that the blood rain meant the Lady of Death had big plans, and Alina knew that it had something to do with her wedding”

“Milady,” a voice said from the other side of the door, pulling Alina out of her revere.

Alina got up and let the handmaiden in with her bath. After the girl put the tub in the corner of the room, she was quickly rushed out the door.

“That will be all, I’ll pour my own bath,” Alina said to the girl,” tell no one to bother me till it is time for the ceremony.

A few miles away, hidden in a tiny inn sat the reason for the blood rain. Raven paced trails into the floors, waiting for the assassins to return from their mission. He had sent them to the Lord Dragomir to report his death. Alina would take it hard, and he only hoped she would forgive him when all was said and done. He also had sent them with a message for Nightwolf and Angelwolf, who had concealed themselves in the forest near the castle. Nightwolf was going to use his status as royalty to get into the wedding, while Serwin and Iroth were going to show up with Raven’s dead body. Lord Dragomir and his son would never see it coming. Nyorex swooped in the window behind Raven and landed on the end of the bed.

<She is fine there’s no need to worry, by tonight she will be in your arms.>

“I understand Ny, But I still picture the prince’s filthy mitts all over her, and it makes me sick.”

<He hasn’t touched her, ever since I burnt his face; he is too scared to go near her. But the princes patience is getting thin, And want is replacing fear.>

“And that will be his doom.” Raven states quietly. “For mother tried to warn them and they ignored it. Not knowing it was heralding their deaths”

<As you know, with absolute control, comes absolute ignorance.>

“That is true Ny, That is true” Raven responded. “How is his highness doing?”

<They were heading for the wedding as I left, by now they should be in the gates.>

“Then all is fine and ready. Serwin and Iroth should be here any moment.”

A few moments and a knock later, Raven opened the door to let the assassins in. Iroth started his report.

“My lord we have reported your death to the lord Dragomir. He is very please and can’t wait for the ceremony to prove his power.”

“The lady Alina was crushed milord. But I’m sure she will be happy with the end result.” Serwin Added.

“Did she look well and untouched otherwise?” Raven inquired.

“She did milord.”

Raven smiled. “The let the killing begin.

Alina stared out the thrown room, all decked out for the wedding. Streamers of the lord’s colors flowed through the air. People all done up in court attire were sitting being joyous while she was dying inside.

“Today is not a happy day; I must truly be damned to be the only woman to want to die on her wedding day.” Alina whispered quietly to herself.

She walked to the chambers where her bridesmaids waited. As she started to walk out, tears started flowing down her cheeks. Prince Tsar stood at the altar smiling because he had finally won. Raven was dead and Alina was marrying him. He probably thought that he was king of the world. She didn’t even look at him when she arrived at the altar.

“Are you ready my sweet? You’re mine forever now; your little boyfriend can’t save you.” Prince Tsar whispered to her.

“Burn in hell you arrogant impotent bastard.” She snarled back.

The lord to the podium and cleared his throat.

“Before we begin the wedding, we have a gift for the bride and groom. “

With that he motioned to the doors as the two assassins’s wheeled Ravens dead body in. Alina ran to the casket and starting crying over her loves body. The prince grabs her and pulls her to the altar.

“The real reason we are all here today, is to join my son, the prince Tsar and Alina Halveose in marriage. The heir to my throne now has the fairest maiden in my kingdom. If any one objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“I strongly object milord, because I do believe the lady’s heart belongs to me”

Alina turned around in disbelief to see Raven standing in the Aisle. Reavers out, with Nyorex in full draconic form behind him.

“But your dead?!?” the lord Dragomir screamed with confusion in his voice.

“I am deaths son you fool. Do you really think assassins would succeed in killing me or stay loyal to you?” Raven said.

With that Serwin and Iroth shot out from behind a pair of pillars and took out all the royal guards near the door.

“You see, they work for me now. And you fell right into my trap. I told you when I left, that I would be back if you forced her into it. And her running to my casket sealed your fate. Now you, your son, and everybody else in this room, are dead.

With that, the killing began. Nightwolf and Angelwolf started to wipe out the guests around them. While Serwin and Iroth, started to kill the ones that tried to run away. A platoon of guardsmen tried to get between Raven and the lord. The reavers started to swing and blood started to spray. The guardsmen’s bodies fell to the ground headless. Raven slowly made his way, to where Alina and the prince stood. At this moment, Alina felt cold steel against her throat, as the lord put a blade to her throat.

“If you keep coming this way, she dies. And all you’re planning will go to waste. There are many beautiful maidens who would kill to marry the prince” the lord yelled triumphantly.

No sooner than the words that left his mouth, did Alina feel a warm spray on the back of her head, and felt the lord’s sword fall. She turned to see the lord’s body lying on the ground with one of Raven’s reavers protruding from his forehead.

“You my prince, I have something to say to before you die.” Raven snarled.

Prince Tsar fell to the ground as he looked at the carnage in the room. Every one was dead but him, Alina, Raven and those that came with Raven.

“You were warned you sniveling coward. If you had faced me as a man, you would have died with honor. Since you sent assassins after me, you will die on your knees. Like the little bitch you are. “

With that Raven swung the other reaver and took the princes head off with one clean stroke. Blood sprayed all over the altar as Raven put his arms around Alina.

“I’m sorry I had to make you believe I was dead, but it was the only way possible.” Raven whispered softly to her. Alina buried her head into his chest as tears washed the blood off her cheeks.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Taylor Seregel brought Glory in for a landing. He was in the kingdom of Wildmere, and the Lord Ralthias’ keep loomed over his head. The warriors of the Forest King were said to be like rabid beasts when they fought. The guard approached him from the gate.

“State your business warrior”, the guard called

“I am Taylor Seregel, First son and Heir to the Lord Marshall of Serephia, and I am here to speak to your king.”

“I will run a message to the royal hall. You stand where you are”, the guard responded.

While Taylor watched another guard run into the keep, he looked up and noticed the walls start to bristle with archers, everyone trained on him. When the Forest King came out, he did so in full splendor. He was draped in a royal robe of the deepest green, with his elite knights on all sides of him. Even though the entire splendor surrounded the king, Taylor’s eye was drawn somewhere else.

The Lady Mabyon was radiant, yet seemed dark at the same time. With all the celebration around her father, she still stood out to Taylor. Long, black hair flowed down from pale skin, framing the deepest green eyes he had ever seen.

The lord’s voice snapped him out of his daze,”What is your business Lord Seregel, and pray it has nothing to do with my daughter you are so in awe of.”

“No, milord”, Taylor replied,” I am on a quest from the High King himself, to bring back the head of the greatest warrior in the land. I heard the knights of the Forest King were beasts among men, and I wish to find out first hand.”

“Well any knight of mine will meet your challenge, but first come into the keep and rest up. You must be tired from the road, and will want to be for fresh for the battle.” The king said leading Taylor into the castle.

The king and his beautiful daughter split off, and one of the men at arms lead him to his room. He went inside and set his stuff down, Mabyon still waltzing around in his head. He couldn’t get her off his mind, and kept trying to imagine what it would feel like with her body next to his. Taylor also knew this would never be, after all he was going to be Lord Marshall of Serephia, and the Lord Marshall’s life is war, not love. No woman could ever stand being with his father, and they shied from him because of the positions notoriety.

Soon after he had got comfortable, a servant knocked on his door to let him know about dinner. He put on his court clothes and made his way to the supper hall.

“Young knight, come hither,” the Forest King called to him as he entered the hall.

Taylor looked over to see him standing next to a monster. The man truly looked as if he was carved of solid stone, and built like a living mountain. Mabyon cowered next to him, her hair covering her face. Taylor felt a familiar pull at the back of his mind.

“Meet Kastor, my personal general, and the most powerful warrior in my entire kingdom. Being my heir, its only fitting that he kills you, I mean fight you tomorrow.” The king announced as he came over.

Taylor ignored the king’s comments and proceeded to his seat on the table. The Forest King had his chefs prepare a feast, and all the delicacies the forest had to offer sat in front of him. Taylor’s eyes still went to Mabyon's face, still hidden behind her hair. The only thing Taylor did notice is that whenever Kastor touched her, she tried to flinch away from him. As the night went on, the king made jokes, re introducing Taylor to his “last” supper mates, and again Taylor just ignored it. Let them talk, he knew how it was going to end, the same way they all had, him winning, and deciding that he could find someone better. It was at that moment, Kastor tried to touch Mabyon again, and almost hit her when she flinched away from him again.

As he felt his blood begin to boil, Taylor felt the shadow reach out from the back of his brain. As the felt shadow start to envelope his mind, his blood turned to ice, and he excused himself from the table before he caused a major scene. As he got back to his room his rage had subsided to a controllable state, but the thought kept going through his mind over and over again. As he lay down to sleep, he slipped his dagger underneath the pillow. Thoughts of Mabyon getting hit by Kastor stayed in his mind as he drifted of to sleep.

Taylor shot awake in the middle of the night, immediately knowing that there was someone in his room. He tightened his grip on the dagger and watched the shadow move across the room towards him. He lied motionless until the figure was over top of him, and shot the dagger up to its throat. A woman called out as he went for the kill

“Please, don’t kill me. I’m not here to harm you; I’m here to ask for help”

Taylor lit a candle to see Mabyon standing over him, her hair enveloping her face.

“My father has a proposition for you tomorrow. He does not expect you to survive the battle, so he’s going to make a wager. If you defeat Kastor and survive, he will give you whatever you want, save his kingdom. Please take me away from here.” Mabyon whispered quietly as she pulled her hair aside to show a swelling bruise covering half her face. Taylor felt a pull in his heart as he seen the tears flow down her face. “Kastor did this to me because I wouldn’t sleep with him. My father knows how he treats me, but won’t do anything because Kastor is my father’s greatest warrior, and his personal champion.”

Taylor pictured all this in his mind and felt the rage begin to boil. Again the ice started to flow through his veins as he looked at the bruise. “If it’s the last thing I do, you will be free by this time tomorrow, to as you wish, with whom you wish.”

As soon as he finished talking Mabyon started to fade away, and Taylor drifted back off to sleep. When he woke up in the morning, he thought it had all been a dream, until he seen a lock of long black hair lying on the pillow next to him. He picked it up and thought about her being so close to him. This now felt like the biggest battle of his life, because now his wasn’t the only one on the line. Crossing the room he grabbed his sword and his grinding stone, and preceded the hone the edge to razor sharpness. He wound the hair into the hilt, to remind of the extra stakes, also hoping that if Kastor saw it, the hair would throw him off balance, especially if he realized who it belonged to.

The sun beat brightly on the courtyard where the battle was to happen. Kastor stood in the middle looking every inch the royal champion. In gleaming white armor, he looked like a warrior angel with an axe of abnormal proportions in his hand. Though the weapon was massive, it seemed to fit perfectly in the man's massive hands. Taylor had seen this showmanship before, and knew it was a compensation thing. As with most royal champions, Kastor hadn’t fought a real battle in awhile, and was out of practice, while Taylor was primed and ready. The crowd booed as he stepped out. They all wanted to see their champion destroy the royal foreigner just to prove the power of their race.

Taylor looked over as the king yelled out to the crowd,” Per the Lord Seregel's quest, this is to be a fight to the death. As you all know, all challengers are given the same offer at the beginning of the fight. Taylor Seregel, if you defeat your opponent, you may pick any prize in my kingdom, save my kingdom itself.”

“I already have a prize then. Once I arrange your champions meeting with the Lady of Death, Ill gladly claim my prize milord.” Taylor called back to the king, and with those words the fight began.

Kastor made the first move, swinging his axe towards Taylor’s neck, who nimbly dodged the blow, countering with a smashing blow to the side of Kastor's head. As the champion stepped back to dodge the blow, he brought the flat of the blade around, smashing it into the side of Taylor’s head. As he fell to his knees, he heard Kastor whisper above his head.

“And now die like they all did, on your knees. Just like my wife will be later, licking the sweat of victory of my balls, like she was supposed to last night, but wouldn’t , saying she desired you more. We will see who she desires more when your corpse is rotting in the ground.”

Those words burnt Taylor strait to his core. Mabyon wanted more than freedom with him, and now he had failed her. He was going to die and she was going to be trapped in the same hell for who knows how long, maybe forever. The shadow started to creep from the back of his mind, and he felt the familiar ice flow through his veins. If there ever was a reason for him to let the beast inside him out, this was it. He let the shadow consume him, and a new energy coursed through his body. As Kastor brought the huge axe down for the death blow, Taylor shot his sword in front of him, stopping all momentum. Shooting his leg out and twisting his body, Taylor knocked Kastor from his feet, dropping the huge man to the ground with a thunderous thud. The champion shot back to his feet, but his opponents sword was already moving. Slicing across the mans unprotected throat, Taylor brought the sword around his body with a fluid motion, spinning and driving the sword through the champions stomach, with the point slicing through Kastor’s spine and out his back. A look of pure shock crossed Kastors face. He had never expected to lose, but could now feel deaths cold hands reach for his soul. He always thought he was the best, but now had found the one better, and had realized it far too late. As he watched Kastor's dying thoughts cross the man's eyes, and listened to him breathe his last breath, Taylor felt the rage subside and a smile crossed his face. As the blood pool began to cool and congeal around the champion’s body, a hand clenched Taylor’s shoulder.

“Congratulations on your victory.” Came the king’s voice from behind him, “Now you may choose your prize. What is the thing you desire most? Is it money, power or maybe both? Your wish is my command.”

“I wish for the most precious thing in your kingdom, yet also the most over looked. A priceless jewel that you treat like a common rock.” Taylor responded to the king, a growl returning to his voice.” For I wish your daughter to be my prize, for she has found a place that few can find in a heart such as mine.”

“If that is your wish, I am a man of my word, and so it shall be, but this I also say. Watch your back carefully young knight, because these woods protect my people from more than just approaching armies. Some things in this world are a secret cause the truth is scarier than the lie. And my daughter is marked from birth to join these things, so the one you know love may become the one you hate.” The lord said as he turned to walk back to the castle.

Mabyon eyes met Taylor’s as the king walked away, and another smile broke across his face when he seen the smile on hers. A warm fuzzy feeling filled him as he looked in her eyes, and forgot what the king had said. He might truly love her, and if he did hating her was impossible.