“I wish you would stay at the castle, Father. It is really safer for you here,” I said as all the soldiers gathered at the South gate. I had been planning this battle for six months and was still unsure it would go as well as we had come to expect, but the troops were getting restless and my father had raised his voice a bit more than normal last night while telling me that I'd had plenty of time to plan and that I was just worrying for no reason.

“There is no senisble reason for me to remain in the city doing nothing when I can help with this battle.”

"You cannot rule the city as a king if you are in battle as a soldier or if you are dead."

"Enough, Faylen. I am joining this battle. Lanquar will take my rule until my return and you are ready to become queen if I meet my death during this battle, so there is nothing to worry of."

"I have yet to make my decision of whom I will bond with," I said quietly to him. He took my arm and walked me to the side, away from all the other soldiers.

"Yes you have, my dear. I know you have sensed the end of the time of elves and I know whom it is that your heart wants. There is something you must know about the people of Tebury. They are not human, but neither are they elf. They are a mixture of our two races. They have the best qualities of both races in them. Bonding with a Tebury Hybrid is allowed. Part elf is better than full human, and Collen Timms is part elf."

"How do you know all this?" I asked as I searched his eyes.

"There are scrolls in my private library that show this. The forest elves which used to live in eastern Dragon's Veil were your mother’s home clan and they began bonding with the humans in Tebury. This bond was to create a peace between the races as humans settled in Inyarel. Both sides would aid the other when in need, but Eliysen, the last full elf from that clan, died just 90 years ago. With her knowledge, the Tebury bloodline scrolls were updated. I have not been able to have them updated since her death so you must learn true bloodlines before fully committing to a Hybrid from Tebury. The last that Eliysen said to me was that she had seen the time of elves was drawing to a close and that we would be wise to follow in their footsteps so our race lives on in some form." I sighed and looked to the side into the forest, already knowing that the time of elves would end shortly after my rule did.

"But what about the law? The one that says we may only bond with an elf or must go to prison."

"That law was put in place to protect the bloodlines of our people when this war started, but there are so few of us now that by the end of this war, everyone will have seen that the time of elves is ending. Whether we win this war or not, we will ultimately lose. There are too few of us to recreate the numbers we had. Inyarel will fall to the humans eventually. Striking that law may be the only way for our clan to survive, my daughter. Make your bonding choice with this knowledge. Your people will follow you," he said softly as he cupped my cheek. He started walking off to go back to the gate and I knew I should be following him, but I couldn’t get myself to move.

"We are ready for your orders, Faylen," said Thydune. I nodded and pushed the new information from my father to the back of my mind.

"Let us go," I said as I turned around to head back to my troops. For the next four weeks, we marched to the Fallen Spires, then crossed them. As we arrived at the base of the mountains, some troops hurried to set up the healing station and our weapons station while others set up a command station. I watched the soldiers scurrying about and smiled as I saw Desmond helping set up the weapons station, getting a thank you from the soldiers he was helping.

"Faylen, the command station is ready for you," said Akkar as he came towards me.

"Thank you." I headed towards the command station and looked back at the camp's progress one last time, seeing Desmond hurry over to help Adrella and Tsarra finish setting up the healing station.

Desmond's View

I helped Adrella finish setting up the healing station as Tsarra headed in to set the healing supplies in place, then I hustled over to help some soldiers move large boulders into a makeshift wall to protect the camp as Adrella headed somewhere else. The sky was turning colors by the time the wall was finished, so we all headed over to the command station to find out what our new orders were. "What is set up?" Faylen asked as I walked in.

"The healing station, the weapons station, and a wall of boulders have been placed in front of the camp. There's an opening to allow soldiers to travel through, but only one at a time can fit through the opening." She nodded and I saw King Delsaran sitting in the back of the tent, watching Faylen closely.

"Good. Thank you, Desmond. I want four troops patroling the wall all night to ensure the safety of all inside. These troops will be changed out every night to ensure the freshest eyes are protecting us. One soldier from each group is to patrol every night."

"I will go send four on patrol now, Faylen," Akkar said, getting a nod from Faylen. He left the tent and Faylen looked down at her map, seeming to forget the rest of us were still waiting for orders.

"Anything I can help with, Faylen?" I asked quietly. She stayed silent for a minute before bringing her gaze up to mine.

"If soldiers from Giwic Keep come to join the human king in battle, which way will they come from? Through the mountains or through Dorione?"

"Most likely they would come through Dorione to refill their food and water supplies and rest before the battle."

"Good. Our backs are protected by the Fallen Spires. All that are not joining the battle will begin to return to Gulonde when the sun rises. That includes Tsarra and Desmond." I made sure my jaw didn't drop, but nodded in agreement. She gave a few more orders to the commanders but I didn't bother listening to them since I already had my orders. Tsarra and I remained at the table as everyone left the tent. "Yes?" Faylen asked without looking up at us.

"What of Adrella? Will she be remaining?" Tsarra asked.

"Yes. If this battle goes poorly, she will need to tend to our wounded before we return home. She said you are ready to take her place as the eldest healer if she meets her end, so you must return. There are some final things she wanted to tell you of, so please ensure you speak with her before the sun rises." Tsarra nodded and left as I noticed King Delsaran still in the back of the tent. He didn't move or say anything, just sat there watching Faylen and I. "And you, Desmond?"

"I wish to stay and help however I can with this battle, Faylen. Please, let me stay."

"No."

"Why not?"

"You are not trained in battle and would therefore be a hinderence and in danger if you remain here. You must return to Gulonde for your safety."

"I'll train with a weapon every day until the battle begins. You know how quickly I learn. I can learn to be useful in a battle."

"You will not be able to obtain battle ready status quickly enough to join this battle, I do not want the human king to know you are still alive, and I need you to be my voice in Gulonde during this battle. We have had this conversation before, Desmond. My answer remains no. You need to get a full rest before your return so you should go to bed." I sighed and felt my shoulders slump in defeat.

"As you command, Princess Faylen," I said softly before turning to head out of the tent. I heard her sigh and hoped she'd change her mind, but she never said a word out loud or in my mind.

Faylen's View

"I know that hurt, my daughter, but it is the correct decision," my father said quietly as the curtain closed behind Desmond.

"How can you be so certain of that? He is correct that he learns quickly. We have both seen evidence of that."

"Yes, but you also know that no battle training is ever truly complete. And if the human king were to learn that his most trusted servant is still alive and helping the elves, he would instantly seek to retrieve his head. There would be attacks on Gulonde consistently, and we both know the human king would stop at nothing to get Desmond's head." I nodded, knowing my father was right. "I know that reasoning does not make the pain any easier, but his safety is certain in Gulonde. Would you prefer to be worried for his safety while battling the largest number of human soldiers we have had to face or would you prefer to know he is safe while you are in this battle?"

"Knowing he is safe will ease my mind and allow me to focus on the battle," I said softly, nodding my head. "How do you live with the pain of not being able to give the one you love what they desperately desire?" I asked as I turned to look at my father. He gave a soft smile and stood, walking to me and wrapping me in a hug.

"You live with it by remembering what is more important." I nodded and drew in a deep breath, slowly letting it out to keep any tears from forming in my eyes.

"May we speak of the scrolls you told me of back in Gulonde, Father? The ones that show the Teburians are Hybrids," I said as he released me from the embrace.

"Of course. What are you wanting to know of them?"

"I have seen evidence that Collen Timms is truly Desmond's father, but is there anything in the scrolls that can be used to prove Desmond contains both human and elven blood?"

"There is a list at the end of what I have. It shows the traits of Hybrids. Desmond can speak with his mind without first being spoken to, which is an elven gift that you discovered. He has elven speed and stamina, which you discovered. He learns quickly, which we have all seen," he said with a chuckle making me smile. "There are many other traits that are listed, but those are the only ones I can think of at the moment that relate directly to Desmond. It is recorded in those scrolls as a Hybrid being at least 50 percent elven if they can speak with their mind."

"That would mean that Desmond is at least 50 percent elven," I said, slightly shocked. My father nodded, but spoke up again.

"If you follow your heart to bonding, show Lanquar the scrolls and have him discover the exact amount of elven blood Desmond contains. Although he will most likely require Collen Timms be verified as a Hybrid as well. Know this, my daughter. Eliysen of Dragon's Veil told me that she would prepare Collen for his verification and that it could be easily discovered if he is given the chance. She never told me how she was going to prepare him, but I am certain it was something that no human would be able to do." I nodded and pushed all the information to the back of my mind again so I could fully focus on planning some more for the coming battle as my father left to go be around the fire and the troops.

King Delsaran's View

"Father, wake. We are under attack," came Faylen's voice in my mind. I'd never heard her so surprised and my eyes flew open. Sitting up, I reached for my sword and looked out of the tent. Humans were everywhere as our tents were set ablaze. "Do not worry of the fires! Attack those you can! To those from Tebury and Defalls, stay together and between the fire and Fallen Spires. No elf is to attack there!" Faylen hollered in my mind. I darted out of my tent and toward the field, seeing a group of humans rush by to the area Faylen mentioned. I swung my sword at the first human I could and got him across the chest, but instead of falling, he swung back at me and nearly got my throat.

I finally got him to fall after my fourth strike across his chest and breathed a sigh of relief as I spun to see how we were fairing in this battle. It already looked terrible. I saw an elf fall, but before I could see who it was, a blade sliced into my sword arm. Refusing to cry out in pain, I swung back a bit more clumsily than normal, but managed to cut his throat and watched as he fell. A figure on the back of a Lechore came into my sights as he tossed a torch onto the healing tent. I saw Adrella run out unarmed, and the man quickly cut her down without getting off his Lechore. I rushed to her side to check on her, but her eyes were already empty of life. Drawing my sword and allowing anger to drive my actions, I screamed at the man as I stood. He stopped and looked over his shoulder, letting me see a smile curl his lips. He pointed his blade at me as he turned his Lechore around, and another man came rushing at me.

His face was hidden behind a helmet and he had a long sword that required the use of both his hands. I spun as he got within striking distance and managed to avoid his sword, but he was faster than his size let on. He followed my movements closely as we continued our deadly dance, blocking every strike from the other. After an hour the sun was starting to rise and he finally slowed, blocking my swing a moment too late and allowing me to slice his head clean off his shoulders. I pointed my sword at the man still on the Lechore as I tried to ignore the tired pain from my sword arm. With the sun up, I was able to make out that I was facing the human king. Hoping I wasn't too tired to win this battle, I stared at him as he made the Lechore move toward me, stopping just a few steps from me. "You'll never win, elf," he sneered. "Your numbers dwindle, you're fatigued, and you're injured. Tell your troops to retreat and leave these shores, and no more harm will come to your people."

"Elves were in Inyarel long before humans appeared. You and your ilk should be the ones to leave."

"We will never leave. We are stronger, faster, and smarter than you barbaric creatures."

"Let us not forget who was the first to draw blood in this war, human." He raised his sword above his head and swung at me, but I managed to block it. My sword arm was screaming that it was in pain, but I wanted to avenge Adrella, my wife, and all those we had lost to this war.

Faylen's View

"Surrender, elf! Name me the true king of Inyarel and you and your kind may leave these shores unharmed," the human king shouted from the back of his Lechore, towering over my father.

"I will not. Elves were on the shores of Inyarel long before humans arrived," came my father's voice. I turned to look for my father, finding him as the human king raised his sword. Before I could move to defend my father, another soldier swung his blade at me and almost got me across the stomach. It took a moment for me to kill this soldier since he seemed more capable than the others I'd been fighting, but as he fell I heard the human king shout again as my father's voice spoke in my mind.

"Rule our people wisely, my daughter."

"The battle is over! Their king is dead and they will flee through the night! Let’s return to our homes for a celebration feast!" I turned to find him and watched as he yanked his Lechore around toward Madun, speeding off with all the surviving humans following him. We all watched as the humans fled the battlefield, confused on what he meant, but realization of what he said hit me and I dropped my swords to run to where I'd last seen my father, getting greeted by a grim scene. My father's lifeless body was laying in the middle of a patch of blood soaked ground and had a large gash that started at the top of his right shoulder and went all the way down to his left hip, exposing the red and white insides.

"Father," I whispered as I fell to my knees next to him with tears filling my eyes as a portion of my mind ripped in two. "No, please. Do not die like this. Please, Father. Do not let the humans take both of my parents from me." After an hour, I noticed how silent the battlefield was and looked up. My people had gathered around my father's body and I, and all had tears in their eyes.

"Would you like to burn the bodies of our fallen here or return home with them, Queen Faylen?" Ilvarys asked quietly.

"We will return home. Collect our fallen and supplies, but leave the tents as they will slow us down." The soldiers nodded and dispersed, leaving me to my grief. By the time I mustered the strength to get to my feet, the survivors had packed all the supplies and were selecting the body they would carry home.

"Queen Faylen, would you like one of us to carry your father?" asked Thydune as he gave me a low bow. I let my gaze slide to him but forced myself to straighten my back and stop crying.

"No. I will carry him and as much of our supplies as I can." We spent the next few minutes in silence, preparing for the long trip home to Gulonde. I placed two bags of supplies on my shoulders, crossing them over my chest, then lifted my father’s lifeless body and turned to see the rest of my people.

"We will return to Gulonde and burn our fallen there where they will be among family and friends. Let us go." Everyone lifted the body that they were to carry home and followed me off the battlefield, heading up the road into the mountains as the sun fell in the north.

Desmond's View

The day already seemed odd when I woke up. There were no Xanadu Cassowarys chirping, no skittering from the Silver-tailed Darters, and even the Kinkajoo Stallions and Polar Addaxes seemed to be acting strangely. Trying to figure out what was going on, I watched from Faylen’s window waiting to see her victoriously returning from battle. It took until the sun was high in the sky, but when the soldiers came into view this time, I knew they’d lost the battle. Faylen was in front with two supply bags on her shoulders and a dead elf in her arms. Almost every person behind her was carrying one bag and another in their arms. I bolted out of her room and down to help lighten their loads. As I got out of the castle, I could see elves noisily coming out of their houses to greet the returning soldiers and offer assistance however they could. I heard one cry filled with pain and while the crowd fell silent, the mood in the air dropped to a sorrowful mourning level. I slowed my pace as Faylen approached, now empty-handed. I could see the tears still filling her eyes, but refused to wipe them for her and try to make her smile since that would reveal our feelings for each other. "Where can I help, Faylen?"

"We need a pyre built to burn their bodies and healers need to see some of our survivors," she said softly. I’d only ever heard her speak this soft once before and it was when she’d told me she had feelings for me, so I knew she was struggling to maintain her composure.

"I will alert the healers that they're needed and then begin helping with the pyre." She nodded and I headed toward the healing station. "Tsarra?" I asked as I got closer to the doorway.

"I am in here," came her voice. I poked my head in and saw her and a couple of women from Tebury working on something to the right as she looked up at me. "What is it, Desmond?"

"Healers are needed to tend to some of the survivors." Her face grew in concern.

"Some of the survivors? You mean not everyone has returned alive?"

"No. It appears that just over half survived." She covered her mouth as she gasped in shock and the women looked up, stopping what they were working on.

"King Delsaran?"

"I didn’t see him," I said as I shook my head.

"Faylen?"

"She’s alive and is the one that sent me for you. Is there anything I can help you bring to the survivors?"

"No, we will be fine. I just need to pack my supplies. Please tell Faylen we will be there momentarily." I nodded and ran to the human area, getting some people to come help, then led them to where the elves were stacking wood, seeing Faylen as I got closer.

"Tsarra said she’ll be with the wounded soon, Faylen. She’s packing some supplies and has a couple of helpers," I said as I grabbed one end of the log that she’d been reaching for.

"Thank you, Desmond." We all finished building the pyre in silence, and as the last log was set in place, someone brought over a body and gave it to Faylen. I noticed that the elf was sliced from shoulder to hip but couldn’t see the elf’s face. "Thank you, Thydune," Faylen murmured. He bowed and backed away, letting me see that Faylen was holding King Delsaran’s body as my lips parted in shock.

No wonder she’s so sad and taking this loss so hard. She had to carry her dead father back to the city after watching him get killed. Oh no. This is going to start her being pressured to bond and produce an heir. Perhaps I should go up to the castle and stay away from her. I watched in silence as King Delsaran and all the other deceased were placed on the pyre while Tsarra and the women from Tebury placed bandages on the soldiers that survived. A few of the younger elves had tears streaming down their faces, some of the elves placed kisses on the forehead or cheeks of some as they were laid on the stack, and others were sprinkling flower petals and forest leaves over each body as they were added. When the last body had been laid down, covered, and kissed, someone brought Faylen a lit torch and I watched as she lit the pyre that’d been built, seeing more people come out of the section that the humans were in with a few Quetzal Jackals following them.

"Tonight we mourn the loss of our friends and family members," Faylen said loudly. "May we always remember the sacrifice they gave. May their loss be what brings us closer together. To the friends and families they have left behind, we will ensure you are taken care of by sharing our homes and food if needed. Regretfully and sorrowfully, I tell you this promise. We will fight harder to ensure their sacrifice is not left in hopes and dreams. For if it is left there, the elven race will perish with them." She paused for a moment and I felt something in the air around her shift as the Quetzal Jackals came close to the fire and laid down next to it, refusing to move as the flames grew bigger. "I will not see the end of our race in Inyarel be on this night. We will survive as we have done for the last 304 years of this war. I swear this to all now. We will end this war in our next battle and we will win in the name of our fallen!" she shouted.

Some of the crowd around the fire cheered, the survivors raised their swords, and the ones that had lost loved ones dried their eyes and began singing a sorrowful song in Faejesh as some Wisteria Quail and Xanadu Cassowarys landed on the wall, giving sad chirps. Although I couldn't make out exactly what the elves were singing and I didn't want to interrupt it for anyone that was listening, I knew they were singing of the pain they felt and the loving memories they'd made with their loved ones. After about an hour, Faylen disappeared from the fire. I turned to look for her and saw her walking toward the castle. She paused and turned to look back at the fire, and I saw her eyes meet mine. "Let me be, Desmond. Stay there and earn the full respect of my people," came her voice in my mind. "When the fire dies, return to the castle and find me."

"I would like to comfort you, but I will stay here as you wish, Faylen." I turned back to the fire and bowed my head, showing as much respect for the fallen soldiers and king as I could.