Lucian was elated; finally, his son had done something right. He had just received word that his brother had been elected as the Chancellor of the Draconic Confederacy. This was Lucian’s chance to finally put those meddling dragons out of action. He had called his brother back to Elysium; that letter had been sent two days ago and Lucian knew his brother would make all haste; Celore had never let Lucian down before.
Just then one of the guards approached him and said, “My Lord, this letter was just delivered by a messenger from the Draconic Confederacy.” Lucian took the letter and opened it; the further he read, the angrier he became.
Dear Lucian,
Thank you for your congratulations. This is an exciting step up for me. As Chancellor of the Draconic Confederacy, I feel that I can really effect some change that is necessary for the betterment of all Draconia. Unfortunately, I am writing to tell you that I cannot return to Elysium. For me to meet with you in private as I did when I was your ambassador would be unethical of me now. I am the Chancellor; I am only supposed to act in the interest of the welfare of the international community in general. The Chancellor is a unique position, and I can no longer serve as your ambassador. I would urge you to make a new appointment to take my place.
Yours sincerely,
Celore Xiloscient
Chancellor of the Draconic Confederacy
Knight of the Feather, First Class
P.S. Laucian would make a great Ambassador.
Lucian was furious. His own brother. Celore was a Knight of Elysium and yet he had left that title off his signature. He suddenly felt he was above allegiance to his country, did he? And telling Lucian what to do; Lucian had never been so insulted. Celore thought Laucian would make a good replacement; that was ridiculous. Lucian didn’t need another way for Laucian to embarrass him on the international stage. Lucian began wondering if Laucian had turned Celore against him. Lucian began writing his next letter to Halinor, king of Gionegrast, to tell him the bad news.
Laucian awoke; he was laying on the ground next to Ulceaon. For a moment he didn’t know what had woken him. Then, he heard it again. A soft crunching like many feet moving across the gravel road. He shook Ulceaon awake and gestured for him to keep quiet. When Ulceaon heard the noise as well, he became suddenly alert, his paladin’s sense kicking in. Laucian quietly awoke the others, and they reacted in much the same way as Ulceaon. Aya held her sword in one hand and held the other hand out, ready to cast a spell. Galdore readied his staff, which Laucian had come to realize could be used to bludgeon as well as cast spells. When the intruders came into view, it was immediately apparent they were elves. On their armor, they wore the emblem of an all too familiar noble family; it was the Xiloscient Family Crest. Laucian relaxed a little; there was nothing to be afraid of. Laucian thought they must have been on their way to assist the Supreme Republic, as they themselves were not too far from that nation’s border. The soldiers stopped upon seeing them, and the captain spoke up; “Identify yourselves, immediately.”
Laucian spoke up, “I am Laucian Xiloscient. These are my companions on the quest that has been assigned to me by the Lord Horus. I see you are soldiers of Elysium. We will not hinder you so long as you do not delay us.”
To Laucian’s surprise, the captain did not react well to this declaration. “Laucian, I see that it is you. In that case, you’re under arrest.”
Laucian was shocked; “Under arrest? What for?”
The captain continued, “You’re under arrest for treason against his majesty, King Lucian.”
“What treason?”
“The charge is that you knowingly and with malice aforethought, did facilitate the betrayal of Celore Xiloscient, who has been newly appointed as Chancellor of the Draconic Confederacy. If it were not for the immunity accorded to the Chancellor by the Draconic Confederacy, he would also be under arrest. Your so-called companions are under arrest as accomplices.”
Laucian was angry now; he couldn’t believe his father. “And so, my father sent you to find us, did he?”
“No, we were on our way to the Supreme Republic, but the king will be most pleased if we bring you back instead.”
Laucian said, “Just you try. I am serving the Lord Horus now. My father’s orders mean nothing to me.” And with that, the group launched a synchronized assault on the soldiers. Galdore caused the roots of the trees lining the road to grow and entangle most of the battalion, pulling them to the ground. With just a few left, they made short work of the soldiers, Ulceaon proving his skill with a sword, taking on two at once. Aya had engaged the captain directly, who found he was no match for her. Laucian quickly helped Ulceaon with the other two soldiers. The rest of the soldiers not entangled in the tree roots, readied to attack, but Galdore quickly transformed into a large bear and he and his wolf began charging the soldiers. The soldiers grew afraid and started to run away, several of them tripping over their entangled comrades. Most of them surrendered to the bear that was Galdore and those that didn’t were quickly dispatched.
Meanwhile, Ulceaon and Laucian had made quick work of their fights, Laucian finishing them both off with a blast of fire from his hand. Aya and the Captain had both lost their swords and were now fighting hand-to-hand. She grabbed the captain’s hand when he took a ferocious swing at her, twisted him around and pushed him to his knees. In a flash, a dagger was in her hands and was being placed at the captain’s throat. Nobody ever knew where she had been keeping that dagger and later, they thought it best not to ask. Laucian said, “No, Aya, wait. He may be useful. We may be able to get answers out of him.”
It didn’t take long to get the captain to tell them everything. Galdore was still in bear form which came in very useful. The captain told them that the king was angry at Laucian because Celore had renounced all supervisory authority of the king after becoming Chancellor. Laucian didn’t understand this; it was perfectly true that the Chancellor was only responsible to the international community and the Council of Dragons; it was clearly laid out that way in the Charter of the Draconic Confederacy. The other thing the captain told them was that they were going to the Supreme Republic to aid the forces of Gionegrast. Laucian was upset by this; the Supreme Republic had never done anything that caused hardship to another nation.
After the Captain had told them all he could, Ulceaon said, “Now, what should we do with him?”
“Let him go,” said Laucian.
“But” said Aya. “He will surely return to our father and tell him what we have done.”
“I don’t care,” Laucian affirmed. “I will not stoop to the level of my father. I don’t believe in needless killing.”
Aya looked uncertain but made no more objections. The captain and the subdued guards ran off back the way they had come. The group stood in silence for a while until, at last, Laucian spoke up; “Well, how do you like that? Father is in league with our enemy. This is why Horus didn’t want me to tell him about the true nature of the Staff.”
“You know what, Lau,” Aya said. “It’s a good thing Horus didn’t tell you the reason; you don’t need another reason to hate our father.”
They all laughed at this; they decided to get some more sleep. In the morning, they would continue their journey. Galdore volunteered to take watch and Laucian nodded as he gave Galdore a fleeting glance. Ulceaon was again made uneasy by the expression on Laucian’s face, though he could not tell exactly what it was. Ulceaon said, “I’m going to stay up for a while as well.”
When the others had fallen asleep, Ulceaon went up to Galdore, who was standing a little way off from the camp. “There’s something we need to discuss,” Ulceaon said.
“What?” Galdore inquired.
“What exactly,” Ulceaon proceeded. “Do you and Laucian have? Why are you two so close after all these years.”
Galdore did not look angry; on the contrary, he looked like he wanted to laugh but was trying to stay quiet. “Ulceaon, there is nothing between me and Laucian; nothing in that sense. We told you we’d grown up like brothers. We’re just happy to see each other again.”
“Then why,” Ulceaon continued, determined to get to the bottom of everything. “Have you been going out of your way to get Laucian alone with you?” Ulceaon thought he had Galdore with this question, but Galdore simply responded, “Because I know something that he doesn’t. Something about us; something private.”
“Tell me,” Ulceaon said.
“I can’t. It doesn’t concern you.”
“So, you are in love with each other. I knew it; I was afraid of this. I can’t compete with…”
At this, Galdore started laughing. Ulceaon was so annoyed at this, he wanted to hit Galdore. When Galdore finally calmed down he said, “Ulceaon, I’m not in love with him. I mean, I love him like a brother. Which makes sense, as he is my brother.”
“What?!” Ulceaon exclaimed, unable to keep his voice down.
“Quiet,” Galdore told him. “Yes. That is what I’ve been trying to tell Laucian alone. I only found out myself a few weeks ago after I came of age. My uncle gave me a letter that my mother had written just before she died. In it, she explained everything: the secret affair she was having with the King, my conception, and that the King had threatened to have me and her killed if she told anyone the truth. I was shocked; the friend I had grown up with all my life was actually my half-brother.”
“But then, you’re older than Laucian.” Ulceaon deduced, still trying to find something else in Galdore’s motives. “Are you trying to discredit Laucian so that you can take the throne?” Ulceaon knew it sounded ridiculous even before Galdore’s response.
“No, of course not. I don’t care about the throne. Let Laucian rule; he’s the legitimate heir to the throne.”
“Oh, well,” Ulceaon said, completely at a loss for what to say next. “I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”
“Not at all, Ulceaon.” Galdore stretched out his hand and Ulceaon took it. The next thing that happened was something that Ulceaon was not expecting and could not have prepared for. Galdore pulled Ulceaon in close and whispered, “I’ve wanted to do this for a long time.” With that, Galdore kissed Ulceaon. Ulceaon was horrified; he started pushing Galdore away, finally managing to pull himself away, Ulceaon spat and said, “What was that?!”
“I’m sorry Ulceaon,” said Galdore. “But I too have feelings for you. I can’t deny it. I had to tell you. I’m in love with you.”
Ulceaon was dazed; he didn’t know how to process all of this. Weren’t they just discussing Laucian and Galdore’s relationship, then the news of their siblinghood, now this? The only thing that Ulceaon could think to say is, “I’m already in a relationship. I love Laucian, not you; I can’t love you.” Ulceaon stumbled back to the camp, leaving Galdore alone to deal with Ulceaon’s final words. Ulceaon laid down next to Laucian and curled his body as close to Laucian’s as possible; he wished Laucian didn’t sleep in his armor; Ulceaon really needed to feel Laucian’s warmth.
