The Chronicles of Kelor: Book One; The Boy Alpha

Chapter 26

“They don’t want me.”

“And what about those who do?”

“They’ll be fine without me.”

“I don’t believe that and I know you don’t either.”

“What makes you think I don’t?”

“Because you’re a kind man, Deven. If you’re King, you’ll find a way to live in peace with those who don’t want you as their King, but I don’t think we can say the same thing about your brother or that General of his.”

“Valark and Gunther wouldn’t hurt one of their kind.”

“I may not know much about your rules and culture but I’m pretty sure that no kelorian would leave their beloved King’s body on a battlefield. And if that isn’t suspicious enough to change your mind then how about this. What will happen to A’el? Are you going to let one of those fools marry her? Though I doubt she’d willingly and peacefully agree to that arrangement. You’re people are safer with you as their King and A’el as their Queen.”

He stood there in silence looking at the sea.

“Go back and claim you crown for the few that need ya.”

“Sif, I don’t have the strength to do so.”

“Ay. But who says you must do it alone?”

“She’s right.”

Deven and I turned around to see the fairy Queen, Naisha and Ragnar walking towards us.

“A’el!?” Deven asked and in response she ran to him and embraced him.

“I thought you were dead, when I didn’t find you at the castle.”

“You’ve been to the castle?! Did Valark and Gunther hurt you?”

“Give them some credit, my love. They are not foolish enough to hurt a Queen in broad daylight.” Cupping his face she said, “I’m glad you’re alive.”

“You should thank our Viking Chief for that. I’d be dead if it wasn’t for her.”

A’el turned to me and said, “I owe you a great deal my friend, thank you.”

“No need to thank me. I was simply doing what I could to show me gratitude. If you or Deven hadn’t been so kind to me people and me-self, well, I doubt we’d be standing here right now.”

“Do Valark and Gunther know you are here?” Naisha asked.

I shrugged and Deven said, “I don’t think they are aware of the Vikings at all. The only ones who would be are the late King and the Queen Mother.”

“Oh the Queen Mother,” exclaimed A’el. “We need to help her, Deven.”

“You’ve seen her?”

“No, but I unless I’m mistaken, she doesn’t have a good relationship with Gunther or Valark. At best she’d serve as bait to lure you out of hiding.”

“Then let’s sneak in and get her out,” Ragnar proposed.

“That would only be a temporary solution. A more permanent one would be for Deven to take back the crown and me Vikings and I are willing to help.”

“As Queen of the Fairies, I also pledge our aid to you, Deven. Just tell us when and where.”

“Thank you, my friends. I suggest we meet tomorrow and begin preparing for a fight. Hopefully, it won’t escalate into a war.”

“We’ll make it quick but you need to be ready to do what needs to be done when the time comes, Deven. I know you’re a kind creature my love, but in war, there is no room for kindness.”

“Don’t worry, A’el. I’ll be ready.”

“Good. I’ll leave for now and when I arrive at home, I’ll send a message to Leon telling him of everything that’s happened and asking him to join us here. Lay low and stay alive for the time being.” That last part sounded more like an order than a request, but I think everyone understood the Fairy Queen’s intentions.

Later that evening, Tumak made his move. As we ate around the fire pit, Tumak rose to his feet and said, “My brothers and sisters. How long must we remain on this cursed land? How many of our people must we bury in this wretched land before we move on?”

“If you’re so keen on leaving then go. No one will stop you,” Ragnar shot back.

“Ay. But I think its best for all of us to leave. It wouldn’t do me any good knowing that I’ve left me people to die in Kelor.”

“And where exactly will you go?”

“I’m going back home. We never should have left.”

“Are you mad! We’d all be dead if we hadn’t left our lands. Those big green beasts were more than we could handle.”

“Big green beasts?” asked Deven.

“Ay,” I said. “Nearly as big as you when you change.”

“Did they have teeth that came out of their lower jaws? Pointed ears as well?”

“Ay,” replied Tumak. “How did you know?”

“If what you are saying is true then they are called Orcs. We fought them a few years ago but they suddenly disappeared. We had no idea where they went.”

“You telling me that those monsters came from here? You sent them to our lands?”

“We didn’t send them-”

“But you admit that they are kelorian. We should be at war with kelor, not eating and drinking with your kind or going to fancy parties.”

Me people began to be restless. Some shouted “War” while others remained unsure of what to think. I looked at Deven and he seemed calm. He was trying to speak bi=ut no one was giving him a chance. I picked up me axe and rose.

“Listen, all of you!” Turning to Deven I asked, “Why did you send the Orcs to our lands?”

“We didn’t send them anywhere. We stormed their stronghold and found no one. We spent days searching the whole island of Kelor but they had disappeared without a trace.”

“Were they Kelorians?”

“Yes, for as long as anyone could remember, but then they changed. They became aggressive and untrustworthy. When diplomacy failed, the creatures of Kelor decided to drive the orcs away from the island and that’s how the war started.”

“If we help you gain your crown, Prince Deven. Will you help us claim our home?”

“You have my word, Chief Sif. However, I can only speak for my kind. We will aid you in reclaiming your home.”

I turned to the crowd, “I’m sure you all know of strength and destruction those green beasts are capable of, but here we have found allies who were able to force those beasts to run away and even now, they fight against a new evil and they are standing strong. Our friends have shown us no harm from the day we arrived. I say, we help them drive back their enemies and in return, they help us defeat a foe that they know. A foe they have fought against and won. A foe that beat us and took our loved ones. Stand with me and our friends and I promise you, we will see our home once again.”

“All your decisions have led us into bigger problems. I say, we have a new chief.”

“Very well, Tumak. Anyone who wishes to challenge me, step forward!”

All eyes fell on Tumak. I saw him take a deep breath and step back as a sign of submission.