The Adventures of Tanis Thalin: To Rule a World
Chapter Twenty Three

The envoy of the elves had found Tanis in the training yard practicing the sword and short spear with Athinina. Rapid movements back and forth between the two were barely able to be followed by those watching. The two had fought in this manner so often that one knew what the other would do three steps before the other moved. Tanis would strike with light of the moon only to find the eagle flies waiting his blade. Athinina would strike with the glass shatters to be blocked by the boar rushes. The two were so evenly matched that these mock battles would continue for hours before either ever landed a strike on the other.

The elven envoy moved to the edge of the circle and called loudly to Tanis, “My Lord! I must speak with you!”

Tanis turned ever so briefly to see who had called him and it cost him as Athinina slammed home a strike to the abdomen. Raising his blade Tanis called for a halt. “Please dear lady, mercy. I appear to have some business to tend to.” He laughed “How can I help you my dear Elf? What brings you here in the stead of my father? He usually bears messages from your people to me. All well, tell me my friend what brings you so far from your precious wood?”

Tanis’s laughter stopped short as the elf recounted the battle and the death of his father. “Dear elf, join me inside. Athinina summon your war council. Did you bring the elven generals with you? Artitous! Now where did that druid get to.” Tanis screamed. “Find the druid and bring him to me. Also send people to Perrick. He must also come here with the dwarven war council.”

To Athinina he spoke gently “My dear Lady, it would appear that our private battles here are at an end. It is time now for the real battles to come into our lives. The time for play is at an end. Forgive me the lack of time I will have for you in this time for now I must face the unbeatable. I now go to face demons.”

“You do not face them alone” replied Athinina as she turned and left the practice yard to gather the Tyris war council.

“A wise woman,” said Artitous to Tanis as he watched her leave. “She may not be your Charina, but she still has the fire and the will to be as great at your side. You linger with her more and more. I think it will not be long before I hear church bells, hmmm”

“All those close to me are murdered Artitous. My father is dead. Murdered by demons. Again and again, I allow people close to me and they are killed. I can not take it anymore. Why am I tortured so? I just wanted my life to continue as it had. I was happy. Things were over. I had defeated all those who came upon me. Again and again fate throws these things against me when all I want is to live unmolested by the forces that control the world and universe. Why would they not leave me be?” he asked the druid.

Artitous smacked Tanis in the back of the head. “Artitous why did you do that?”

“It feels good when that is not happening does it not? Fate has a way of teaching us things, like how can you truly be happy without knowing the occasional anger and sadness? How can you ever rule without first being ruled? How can you control events without first submitting to them? I once told you that fate has a purpose for the things that it does. I say this again. We may not see the reason fate does what it does, but we must trust in it. It will always see that what must be done is done. Remember we are but pawns in an ancient game. Fate knows what it is doing! Your father would not want you to mourn him. He would not want you avenging him. You move on emotion. Let your logical mind control you for a moment.” Said the druid.

“Right as always my friend, but I can not follow your council. This time it has to happen this way. I must go and face these creatures. Some one summon Ruark. I will need the gargoyles in this coming battle. Also someone find me the old dragon. I have need of him and his people.” Said Tanis as moved toward the keep and the council he knew waited there for him.

“Even dragons have names” boomed a great voice over Tanis’s head. “And mine is Mastol. I wish you to know that and please call me by it. I feel you have earned the privilege of having my name. So what do you need from the dragons? Is there a problem here? Speak little friend and we will see it fixed. Please, why do you seem so tired and in so much pain?” whispered the dragon. Even

the dragon’s whisper sounded like hive of bees buzzing. Bees the size of buses.

“My father’s dead. Killed by demons. I seek to destroy them. They will know what pain is when I am through with them. I need all the dragons that are available to help, for I move as soon as possible on the lands of darkness and the Heart of the World.” Said Tanis.

“Toirin was a good man and father. He will be missed by all who knew him. I will summon my brethren but it may take time for them to gather in number sufficient for your purpose. In the interim think of a means of protecting yourself. If they attacked him, then an attack on you will soon follow. I propose that you join me in my lair. None will come for you there. At least none with sense.” Said the great wyrm.

“I have an idea for that as well, old friend. I will discuss it with everyone inside. Will you take your place at the window as usual?” asked Tanis.

“Of course I will. This I would not miss. I have said you needed protection more than the few you have gathered for years. Now I see the great thoughts of the great King.” Laughed Mastol.

The groups gathered quickly in the keep of Tanis’s palace. The gathering took some time as they had to await the dwarven and elven envoys. Tanis’s eyes lit up as he saw Perrick riding at the head of the dwarven column. “Welcome back old friend. Good to see you well.” Said Tanis.

“Almost wasn’t well. I took on a dwarven wife. When I told her I was summoned to you, let us just say that I had to do some fancy footwork to keep from being in multiple pieces. She is a great cook and wonderful woman, but a little on the controlling side. She told me that I had better come home straight away from this war because she was not going to act in my stead for too long. Typical women huh. Still mooning over that dangerous one of yours? She would be even worse than mine I wager. At least mine can cook.” Laughed Perrick.

“Still can’t shut you up huh Perrick? Married huh? You mean some woman decided she could handle you? She must be some saint of a woman. Come we have a great deal of business to discuss and already you are the last to arrive. Even the gargoyles are here already. Ruark sends his regards. He did not know you would be here. You can return them yourself.” Replied Tanis as he led everyone into the great hall. As promised the dragon’s snout could be seen peeking into the keep window as they all took their seats.

“We have a grave problem. The forces of evil have struck. Demons were seen at the assassination of my father. I now have taken the reigns of the elves, along with the rule of all the others that have put themselves into my rule. The list grows longer by the day. I hope I can live up to their expectations. I need to bring our troops to the West were the wizard, Marzioa, lives. He is the one with the power to summon and control demons. It must have been him that sent these creatures after my father.” Began Tanis.

“The wizard has not caused any harm or concern up until now. How can we be sure it is him?” asked Artitous. “Could there be no other with such an ability? If they are strong enough to summon and control a pack of demons, they are strong enough to hide themselves. We must also face the fact that we may not have a face to place on this enemy”

“How could it be any other? A cloaked figure was seen leaving the scene of the crime. It seemed that the demons were playing with him until he fought back. This figure has to be the wizard. He does nothing to be a part of our coalition. He has not even bothered to answer the invitation sent to him to come and speak with me.” Said Tanis. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

As he spoke the doors to the room blew open. All eyes focused on the figure in the dark robes walking into the room. Slowly it walked into the room and moved to the front of the table were all the leaders of Tanis’s people were seated. The dragon just watched in silence as the cloaked figure moved around the table. When it reached the end of the table the figure lowered the hood of it cloak revealing an elven man. “I have not responded to your requests for I have not had reason to do so. I am always very busy so I leave my home only when it is necessary. You request for a dinner visit left me lacking in desire. I heard of the passing of the elf king. Toirin was not my best friend but neither was he an enemy. I will grieve his passing when time permits.”

“You had him murdered you false ally and friend. You murdered my father. It had to be you.” Said Tanis.

“I had no hand in the death of your father. I sensed the portal open. That is what woke me from my sleep and brought me here. I am sure that your father sensed it as well. It is why he was in the stables I would wager. He probably was on his way here when he was ambushed. Did you not know he was in armor and on his way here when he died? I found this out by sending my draconians to find out what had happened. They reported rapidly on the cause of the excitement. He apparently killed three of the demons before he was killed. That is no small task. So now I am here. I hold no blame for your father’s death, but I will loan you my minions of draconians to fight along side your other allies. I too will join you on the field of battle. A limitedly trained wizard as yourself will need some help if the wizard who summoned those demons does show themselves.” Said the wizard.

“Does someone hold the power now?” asked the wizard. Looking around the room his eyes fell on all of those who could wield the power as well as a couple that until this point they were unaware of the ability including the maid of Athinina. “Clairine does not have the ability to wield the power.” said Athinina. “I would have known about it. We have no secrets. She would have told me. All of our women that have the ability are collected, taught, and placed in service to the people. None are left to learn on their own. If she had the gift she would have been taken and that is all there is to it. Your senses are wrong good wizard.”

“As you say dear lady. As you say.” said the wizard.

“I now need to assign a bodyguard for myself. It should consist of a combination of the peoples who follow us. No group left out. I suggest all of you select three men each from your armies. The best warriors you possess. This should show our enemies that we do not fear them by over protecting. Nor do we leave us vulnerable to attack. I even have a name for this group. The Hands of the Phoenix. This group will have the safety of myself and those close to me in their care. Choose carefully as these men will have complete access to me. I would not like to have to worry if I will come to harm while I bathe. Does anyone have any idea where we travel to? We must find out who caused these attacks. We must find out and eliminate them before all is lost. Anyone any ideas?” said Tanis.

“I believe I know where we can begin.” Said the wizard.

“My lord, please come to my rooms this evening after the dinner hour.” Asked Athinina. “I have something of which I wish to speak with you about in private quarters.”

“My dear lady, as much as I enjoy your company alone and in public I have no time for revelry now. But speak now and we can settle what makes you uncomfortable. Most of us present here are dear friends and will think no less of you regardless of what you have to say.” Said Tanis.

“Tanis, you misunderstand me. We must speak in private for I have something important in which to ask you. This has nothing to do with this assembly. Please, meet me later so we can speak.” Said the Tyris Queen.

“Once more I say just speak your mind dear lady. Speak your mind.” Said Tanis.

“Fine then, You will marry me. I wish it and require it of you.” Said the Queen of the Tyris.

“My lady! I had no idea. But the manner in which you present this. I don’t know….” Began Tanis.

“When I first arrived here you told me that anything I required I would have. You told me to command what I needed and I would have it. So now I stand before you and I say this. I need you. I require you. Beside me forever. You and me together for all eternity. I love you and know that you love me. So I say again I require you and by your word, if I require it you will deliver it. So do you say that you will not honor your word.” Said Athinina.

“Athinina, those near to me die. I do not wish to lose you as well. How can you ask me to allow you to place yourself in harm’s way? That is the last thing in the world I would allow.” Said Tanis.

“You placed no restrictions on your statement. I say again. I require you. So what say you before all these witnesses? Is your word good or is it worthless? The choice is yours.”

“Athinina, I will live up to my word. But I fear you may regret your request. I do love you Athinina, and I will give you what you ask.” Tanis replied.

“See I told you this was worth leaving my tower for. So now I get to attend a wedding and a war. Who says you can not get any better. Shall we go and prepare?” said Marzioa. “I know the perfect draconian for your new bodyguard. They are more then adequate for the task you are looking to perform. A wedding, wow. Not what I was expecting. Let me go and make my preparations.”

“Let us all go and make our preparations. Time is going to move quickly from here on. I suspect that we will be seeing the first battles as we move. I hope you know what you are doing Marzioa. I hope you are right in your assumption that you know where to start.” Said Tanis.

“So do I” Was the wizard’s only reply.

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