Prolouge
By Akanji
- 206 reads
Prologue
The fate of the Renoka race lays in the hands of two infant twins...
"Please, help!"
Modestus gripped the reigns of his horse, leaning his head against the hide of its saddle, squeezing harder in frustration as his mind pulsated with a million thoughts at once. He wanted to help... But he couldn't; the sacrifice he would have to make was too big. It would be impossible, "I'm sorry."
"Please! They are coming!" This was true- the Damma would be on them in only several minutes, maybe sooner, judging by their footsteps (though they are as silent as a wulf, Modestus could hear their footsteps through the Earth).
He closed his eyes, squeezing harder, not trusting himself not to cry- he had to be strong. Not only because it was his duty, but because this would be the hardest choice he would ever make. He inhaled slowly, then exhaled, opening his eyes as he turned around, "I have duties to the Queen. By helping you, I would be putting the Queens life in danger. I'm truly sorry, but I can't do anything to help. Perhaps you could hide them in a tree?"
The woman looked behind her, her arms twitching frantically as she saw the Damma stampeding up the mountain, though delayed by the terrain that their wulf- like bodies were not accustomed to, it wouldn't be long before they were on her, "They would smell them." She turned back to Modestus, her emerald eyes filled with fear, "You know that."
"I'm sorry, Miranda." Modestus felt his heart lurch, delving into those beautiful emerald eyes, knowing, if he could, he would do anything to make this woman happy; but sadly, he did not have a choice- he was the Queens personal bodyguard, and nothing came before the Queen. He looked away, wishing that his hair was not in it's respectable warrior bun so his long, blond hair could shadow his face.
"Modestus.. I've never asked you for anything in our lifetime," Miranda whispered, "I only ask one favor. The race of Renoka's needs your help. I need your help."
"If I could help you, I would. You know I would. If I could..." Modestus sighed, looking up at the grey, clouded sky, wondering where the birds were today... "If I could, I would make you my wife, and I would make you the happiest woman alive. But I have duties to the Queen." The birds didn't sing in these parts anymore.. Not for him.
"You don't even have to take care of them! Maybe the Queen could take them on as her children, pass them off as elves! I be she would be more than happy to-"
"Enough!" Modestus exclaimed, his caramel eyes glaring at her, "You expect the Queen to put her life in danger for two Renoka children? That could start a war with the Elves!"
Miranda stepped back, gazing back down the mountain, then back at Modestus with sad eyes. "You could find someone else."
His face softened and he reached for Miranda, hoping this decision would not cause danger to the future, "I might know someone."
"Oh, thank you!" Miranda handed him the basket, and although she had willingly given them away, for a better future, he could see that she still felt a pang of sadness.
"Modestus tied the basket to his horse, and turned back to Miranda, "You are one hell of a women." He wrapped his hands around her waist and kissed her, smiling as she trembled in pleasure.
"Good-bye, Modestus." She said when he pulled away, mounting his horse.
"Good-bye, Miranda."
Modestus pulled at his reigns and raced along the path of the mountain that would lead to the entrance of the gnomish kingdom, but, like Lot, he looked back to see Miranda run down the mountain to face the Renoka. Ahaha, she always was a headstrong, stubborn woman.
His smile faded as a Damma departed from the group and began to trail him; it didn't pose a threat to him, since his breed of horse was the fastest animal alive, not counting a dragon, but it did mean they might have noticed the basket. He grunted at the challenge, and sped up his horse, but not a complete speed, at an even speed with the Damma, it neither gaining, nor losing ground, that way, he would not tire his horse out too fast. Modestus looked forward, his head suddenly whirling with an idea. He came to a stop and awaited the Damma.
"Elf," The Damma said as he approached, shape shifting from it's wolfish form to a more pleasing, human form of a man, "What have ye in that basket? I saw that there wumman hand it to over; ye aint harvesting Renoka children, are ye, lad?"
Modestus flinched at his Scottish accent, and how human this one sounded, "She did indeed. And no, these are human infants."
"I smell them. These are Renoka." The Damma sniffed the air.
"The woman touched the babies. That's where the smell came from."
The Damma looked at the basket, "Let me sssee the basket. I want to look for mysself." He hissed, his accent immediately obliterated.
"Be my guest." Modestus insisted, breathing some of his magick as he did so, drugging the Damma's eyes so he saw to human children, instead of two Renokans.
"I see ye weren't lyin', lad." The Damma shapeshifted into a vulture, "I'll be on my way." He turned and followed the trail that the other Dammas had left behind.
Modestus watched as he left, and as he went out of sight he galloped a little forward, and jumped off his horse, leading it to the seemingly unaltered mountain side. It opened before him, and he walked in.
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