The Feast of Maekrix came and Lucian was busy preparing. This feast was special because it also marked Laucian’s 110th birthday. His son would come of age and, if the quest succeeded, would come into his birthright. Lucian was remembering his quest. It was a noble adventure; he recovered an ancient scroll for the University Library of the Grand Temple of Thoth. He remembered how proud he was upon his return when he knelt at the feet of his father and was made Crown Prince. He hoped Laucian would bring him the same pride his father had for him; although, a part of Lucian didn’t feel that was possible for his son. Laucian would find a way to disappoint.
That night, the Elven Priest of Horus arrived at the palace and went straight to the chapel to prepare. His entourage was being entertained in the Great Hall where the feast would start later. Unbeknownst to Lucian, Ulceaon snuck away from his paladins and made his way through the castle to find Laucian’s room; he didn’t know where he was going, having never actually been to Elysium. As he passed a woman walking the other way, he decided to ask “Excuse me, miss. Can you direct me to Prince Laucian’s room?” Ulceaon tried but couldn’t think of an excuse for why he would be going there.
Luckily for him, the woman he had stopped was Aya; she said “why certainly. You must be Ulceaon. Laucian’s told me about you. I’m Aya, his sister.”
Ulceaon bowed and said, “My Lady. Forgive me, I did not know.” Then straightening up, he said, “What do you mean he’s told you about me?”
“He’s talked about you quite a bit. Our father knows, too. Well, sort of knows; he doesn’t know any details. Laucian won’t tell anyone but me. His room is straight up those stairs; at the next floor, turn right and it’s the second door on the left.”
Ulceaon thanked her and continued his way; he was a little upset with Laucian: why had he told his sister? He thought they understood that their relationship needed to be secret. Also, Laucian’s father, the king, knew? How could this get any worse?
Ulceaon knocked on Laucian’s door and was told to enter. When Laucian saw who it was, he lit up; “Ulceaon, I wasn’t expecting to see you. What a surprise.” Laucian strode over and was about to kiss Ulceaon when Ulceaon pushed away. It was hard to contain his anger. Laucian sensed there was something wrong and inquired, “What’s the matter?”
Ulceaon blurted out, “I ran into your sister downstairs, and she said that you had been talking to her about me. Why would you do that? Also, why does your father know?”
Laucian started laughing, hard. He had been worried it was something serious. He replied, “Ulceaon, I tell Aya everything. There are no secrets between me and her. She’s okay: you don’t have to worry about her. As for my father: well, he is a piece of work. He doesn’t know anything really; he doesn’t even know your name. He just knows I’ve been seeing someone.”
Ulceaon turned and said, “Oh, well, I guess everything’s okay; I really don’t like being angry at you. I wish your father didn’t know anything, but some things cannot be helped. Now, where were we?” Laucian smiled and kissed Ulceaon. Laucian was already shirtless, but he managed to help Ulceaon out of his armor and take off his shirt. Soon they were both naked, rolling around on Laucian’s bed. Laucian was so happy; he hadn’t been this happy since his father had hit him.
Laucian was sitting on the edge of his bed, putting his ceremonial clothes on. It was time to get ready for the quest giving. He looked at Ulceaon lying on the bed, curled up asleep with a smile on his face; he looked so comfortable Laucian could not bear to wake him. Laucian left the room and made his way to the chapel.
The chapel was a large space, not dedicated to any deity, but was used for various ceremonies whenever necessary. Two paladins guarded the door. Laucian waited outside until the paladins opened the doors and the Priest called for him to come in. Laucian entered and approached the alter. He knelt at the alter and the Priest stood across from him. The Priest began to chant, calling upon the Great Warrior, the Highest King, Horus to come forth and bestow the quest. Laucian was in silent meditation while the Priest chanted.
After a half hour, the chanting suddenly stopped. Laucian opened his eyes enough to see the Priest had fallen to his knees. He was convulsing wildly and Laucian couldn’t help but wonder if he was okay. Then, the convulsing stopped, and the Priest opened his eyes, one of them now gold while the other was now silver; the Priest had become a host for Horus. When the priest spoke, it was Horus’s voice. Horus said, “Blessed art thou, Laucian Xiloscient, for you shall be a great king among the elves and all, even the dragons, shall revere you. You shall become even more famous than the President Riffin Wayfalls, who helped found the Supreme Republic of Talle. Before I bestow upon you the quest I have chosen, it is customary that you be allowed to ask questions of me. What questions do you have?”
Laucian knew what he wanted to ask but had been too afraid to ask it; however, seeing Ulceaon had made him desperate to know the answer. He said, “Oh Great One, I have fallen in love with one of thy young paladins; is it wrong for me to pursue a relationship with him?”
The Priest’s face turned into a scowl and Horus responded, “Why dost thou ask me this? Will my answer affect thy actions?”
“Great Lord, I just need to hear from someone that I am not wanting after something that is wrong.”
The Priest’s face turned into a smile; “Oh, young one, to seek affection is never wrong. My paladin and thou have my eternal blessing. Any other questions?”
Laucian thought, then asked, “Why doesn’t my father love me?”
Horus responded cautiously, “Your father has lost much throughout his long life: his parents, his wife, his brothers. He is angry with the world. He wants you to be like him, but he fails to understand that that is not your purpose. It’s not his fault. A great seer though he is, that truth is not for him to know.”
Laucian nodded and said, “I’m ready for my quest now.”
Horus nodded the Priest’s head and continued; “Your quest shall be the most important I have ever given. The Draconic Artifacts, given by the Order of Dragons 110 years ago, are in danger. Some wicked person of your world is trying to collect them unto himself. If he succeeds, I fear what he will do; those artifacts, together, have the power to send the dragons back to their home planes. We gods have neither the skill nor the knowledge to bring them back; such knowledge was lost with Ra’s ascension. You will be too late to save all the artifacts, but my plan is for you to save the most dangerous: The Staff of Divine-Arcana. When you find it, bind it to yourself; no one will be able to take it from you. The staff was lost a quarter of a century ago, and I fear what would happen if it fell into the wrong hands.”
Laucian asks, “would I have to undertake this quest alone?”
“Glad you asked: no. I do not expect you to be able to succeed alone though I do not want too many people knowing. You will be allowed to select three companions for this quest. They should be only people you trust with all your secrets. You may also find it necessary to inform the Council of Dragons. Do so only if required. I can feel my connection breaking; my presence is becoming too much for this priest. Last thing: do not tell your father the specific nature of your quest, especially the truth about the Staff. He would want to claim it for himself, and I mean you to have it. I must go. Good luck” With that the gold and silver light in the Priest’s eyes left and the Priest collapsed. When he recovered, he asked “Did you get your answers?” Laucian nodded. They walked out of the chapel where all the paladins were standing now, waiting for their Priest; Laucian saw Ulceaon standing at attention; he was all business now and Laucian loved that about him. The paladins flanked them, Ulceaon trading spots with one of his comrades to stand close to Laucian, and they all made their way to the Great Hall to report and then for the feast.
Laucian told what had happened with Horus. Of course, he didn’t share his questions or Horus’s answers as those were private. He did tell that he was to look for an ancient magical artifact and find it for Horus.
“Also,” Laucian continued. “Horus said I am to select three companions to go with me on this quest.”
“No,” Lucian said sternly. “You are to do this alone and unaided. That is how it is done.”
“Father,” Laucian replied. “That is not what Horus said.”
“I don’t care what Horus said. I completed my quest unaided. My son can do the same. If you don’t, how can you expect to prove yourself worthy of the throne?”
“Father, I can’t disobey Horus.”
At this point, the Priest stepped in, “Sir, with all due respect, the will of Horus must be obeyed. He knows what is best.”
Lucian scoffed, “No he doesn’t. He doesn’t know a thing about what is best for my son.”
At this, the Priest became angry and muttered a spell while pointing at Lucian. Lucian tried to speak but found that he could not form words. The Priest explained, “I have bound your tongue to save you from uttering any more blasphemies. Let Laucian continue.”
Laucian continued with “I have not yet decided whom I shall take with me. I will need some time. If I could be excused, I will take my thoughts to my room.”
The Priest suddenly received some divine inspiration; “One of my paladins shall accompany you. Tell him your decision and he will report back to me. Unfortunately, I cannot stay; I have the early Mass tomorrow.” The Priest undid the binding on Lucian who thanked the Priest for his time without another word. The Priest turned to his paladins and said “Ulceaon, you will stay here and report back to me when the young prince has made his decision regarding his quest.” Ulceaon stood at attention and replied, “yes sir.” Laucian silently thanked Horus. The Priest left and Laucian went back to his room with Ulceaon. When they got there, Laucian said, “I’m glad you got to stay because I wanted to ask if you would be one of my companions on the quest.”
Ulceaon smiled and replied, “I would walk through the Twelve Hours of Night with you.” The Twelve Hours of Night was a chaotic realm, full of all manner of wicked demons and cruel traps. It was the prison of the Lord of Chaos, Apothis. Laucian was happy that Ulceaon had said yes. Now he needed to find two other companions. Just now, he wanted to celebrate with Ulceaon that Horus had blessed their relationship.
