Queen Kohra

They ran through the palace, navigating their way expertly. They hear loud sounds from behind, sounds of steel clashing. They made it safely out of the building but are surrounded the moment they get closer to the gates.

"Where do you think you're going?" A sinister voice says, stepping out from the shadows.

"Governor Marik. You're behind the rebellion!" Jeir growls.

"No, of course not. This wasn't my idea. I'm merely a pawn in the much larger game at play here. I'm going to ask you to give me the Queen and I'll let you all die peaceful deaths"

"I'll hand the Queen to you only if I'm a rotting corpse"

"Suit yourself. Slaughter them and bring me the Queen. Oh and also the head of that consort" Governor Marik commands his men.

Jeir, Sephira and Lesker unsheathed their weapons.

"What are the chances we have at escaping?" Lesker asked in a whisper.

"Very low. We're all skilled fighters but they vastly outnumber us. Not to mention they're all mercenary assassins. I know the badge of that guild anywhere" Sephira replies, also in a whisper.

"What do we do then?"

"We would fight to our deaths so you can escape. They aren't interested in killing Kohra so she'll live. You would go find Anak so he can save Kohra"

"What?! I can't let you both sacrifice your lives for me"

"Well, do you have a better idea?"

"I hate to admit it but Sephira is right. I don't like the idea of sacrificing my life for you but I'll do anything for Kohra. In the stables, look for Zoma, Kohra's horse and ask her to take you to Anak. She's a very intelligent bull-horse so you're in good hands. When we give you an opening, run as fast as you can"

"But....."

"Stick to the plan Lesker. If anything happens to Kohra and our deaths are in vain, your soul would wander for eternity, never finding peace"

"Jeir, do not curse him. Our problems are not his responsibility. If we all die, at least let him lead a good life. Release him of the curse right now"

"Fine! Inait veyi soir hori va. There! Curse gone! Are you happy Sephira?"

"I feel adequate. Now, let's fight for our future"

Lesker felt as if he deserved the curse Jeir placed on him. He hoped they wouldn't die. He really hoped they would get out of the situation alive. It was surprising to him that people would rebel against a system that had existed without too many flaws for a long time.

The current Queen was better than any Queen they had seen in a long time. Although she wasn't fond of men, she allowed them into political systems and gave them the ability to hold positions. She placed a heavy ban on slavery, something that existed for a long time, and was bringing up a clause of relative equality. She preferred to be fair rather than hateful.

So, it surprised him people would actually want to remove her from the throne and throw the kingdom into chaos. Greed really knew no bounds.

Jeir and Sephira fought a long and hard battle. Lesker fought harder to hold his own against experienced assassins such as them. They all kept an eye on Kohra who was floating solely with the help of Jeir's magix.

Sephira found an opening and used a portal to push Lesker out of the encasement. She gave him a nod and he began to run. Some of the assassins broke away and chased after him.

He ran as fast as he could towards the royal stables and broke the door down when he reached the door.

"The Queen's mount, where is it?" He shouted, trying his best not to collapse. The stable master led him to Zoma, who stared blankly at him with her beady eyes.

"Zoma, please take me to Anak. Kohra needs you"

Zoma neighed and licked his face. He smiled, got on her back and together, they rode into the night, the assassins on their tails.

Lesker urged the horse to go faster, as the assassins, even in their bare feet, were going faster than him. Magix made all the advantage and at that moment, he regretted not having magix.

A hour into the ride, Lesker caught a glimpse of a waterfall. Zoma picked up speed and scared Lesker half to death when she ran headfirst onto the lake.

She stood proudly on the surface of the water, her eyes daring the assasins to follow her. The challenge was apparently insulting to them so they charged after. It proved to be a big mistake as jets of water sprayed from the lake and pierced all four of them in the head, killing them instantly. They bodies melted into the water like it was lava.

Zoma strutted off the lake and shook Lesker off her body. She went prancing around while Lesker sat by the lake.

"You are Lesker, correct?" Anak asks, coming out of the water. He is in his human form, a tall hunky man dressed in black robes.

"Yes. Are you Anak, the dragon emperor?"

"Dragon Emperor? Haha. It's been a long time since I've been called that. Nowadays, I'm Anak, the friendly sea monster. What brings you here, Lesker?"

"There has been an invasion at the palace. Queen Kohra went into coma because her magix was attacking her from the inside so we were asked to find you"

"Sounds truly serious. However, we would solve that problem later. The royals would be fine. Never underestimate them.

Something's on your mind, Lesker. Care to share?"

"Jeir and Sephira are risking their lives at this moment. I don't know if they're dead or alive. I hardly think my problems are important right now"

"I did tell you never to underestimate the royals. The council may not like them very much but they'll never allow the three of them to die like that. The royal family of Ataliya is twisted but they take traditions very seriously. So tell me, what's on your mind?"

"Kohra's pregnant, Jeir hates me and I feel useless in the grand scheme of things. Sephira said it herself, I'm not important and shouldn't concern myself with their problems because they're not mine but they are!"

"You're awfully selfless. That's a rare trait. Most men would have run with their head tucked between their tails if they saw a powerful monarchy crumbling like this. Sephira was right, it isn't your problem. But you're choosing to stay. Even though you may die, you're choosing to stay. That's frankly stupid and also a bit admirable"

"I can't leave her. Even though I can't do much, I want her to at least know I'm here for her. I...I don't want her to die"

"Hmmm, you love her. Despite all she has done and how she has treated you, you love her"

Lesker was silent. He stared at his feet, lost in thought. Anak removed the purple flame necklace from around his neck and gave it to Lesker.

"What's this?"

"A gift. I'm giving it to you"

"Why? What's it for?"

"I don't know. It was given to me by my father. I never found its use. It isn't really essential to me. I'm giving you out of goodwill"

"I can't accept it"

"It's rude to refuse a gift from a dragon, a former dragon emperor no less"

"Fine"

Lesker snatched the necklace and put it on. The two men sat in brooding silence, one staring at the ground and the other, staring at the sky.

The bushes behind them shake fiercely and all the plants around began to die like the nutrients were sucked from them. Lesker drew his sword and tensed in the approach of the threat.

When the supposed threat came, it certainly wasn't Kohra he was expecting, drenched in blood and her eyes, whirlpools of black.