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| Messenger to Jade By LLTamra |
| Uneasiness settled over Tamra as she walked through the castle. Pausing, she looked out toward the mountains and her thoughts drifted to Toul. During the night she tossed and turned and had one unsettling dream after another. Visions of Toul came to her in the dream. Looking up into his eyes she could see sorrow that went to the soul. It could only be described as the sorrow felt with the loss of a loved one, a pain that cried out to the Heavens, WHY???. But at the same time she felt anger and a need for revenge that she rarely felt around Toul. There was a rage building inside him that frightened her. When she woke up the feelings of dread and the visions of Toul’s eyes haunted her. It was like an omen, something had happened. She could feel it. Tamra had been sitting with Jade discussing Drax being sent to “watch over” them. Tamra had been furious and could have strangled him with her bare hands. Tamra calmed as Jade told her about the creature Drax had killed inside the castle the previous night. Even though Jade herself was not pleased with the thought of Drax having been sent, it worried her more that he had left and gone to Emani. After all, Bane felt a need to have him there. She had no right to be angry with Drax. As she tried to calm Tamra down a messenger was announced. It was one of Lord Erix men. His name was Jion. He hurried into the room and quickly bowed before Jade. He had to catch his breath before he began. As he looked up at Jade, you could see that he dreaded this moment. No one wanted to be the bearer of news like this. He gathered his thoughts and began. “Empress, I have urgent news from Lord Erix. It grieves me to tell you that Wurmsteeth was attacked by ungodly creatures and there were many casualties. The city is in ruins. Many of the dragons and Lycans were slain. The eggs were all destroyed and the Queen slain as well.” He paused and looked into Jade’s eyes. He closed his eyes for a moment then continued. “M’Lady, Lord Bane was stuck down in battle. The wounds made by the silveron weapons were not healing. Lord Erix believed that his only hope was to send Bane to the elves at Glenmalden. He is at this moment being taken there.” Tamra realized in that instant that the dreams had indeed been an omen, a warning of sorts. She had known that something was wrong. All the dragons dead, how could this happen? What form of evil could do such a thing? Her eyes widened as she thought about Toul. Tamra’s heart pounded in her chest. Without even realizing it, she and Jade had stood at the mention of Bane being wounded. Already she could see by the look on Jade’s face that Jade would be leaving immediately to go to Bane. With a calm that only Jade could pull off and that Tamra marveled at, Jade looked at Jion and asked, “And what of the others. Where are they now?” Tamra held her breath and listened. “Erix and Toul have taken the men and gone back to Emani. The same vile creatures have attacked there also. I have not had word from them since I left them in Wurmsteeth but plan to go to Emani from here.” Jade thought for a moment. “We will send men with you. I am sure Lord Erix will welcome any help he can get.” At the mention of Toul’s name every nerve in Tamra’s body became alive. He was at Emani. She said a silent prayer and thanked the Gods that be that Toul had survived. Relief poured over her. An overpowering need to see him with her own eyes engulfed her. Jion would take her to Emani. Jade motioned for servants and told them to prepare Jion something to eat. “Jion, eat something and rest. You have done us both a great service. I will send word and have the men prepare to set out to Emani with you. I must go to Glenmalden, Bane will need me there.” Tamra started to follow Jade from the room, when Jade stopped and turned to her. “Tamra, I will need you to stay here. I will send word once I am with Bane and let you know how he is doing.” Tamra looked at Jade in disbelief. “Surely you don’t think I am going to stay here with all that has happened? I have been too long away from Toul. My place is at his side. He has lost all of his dragon family. I need to be there with him.” Tamra’s brow furrowed and her fists tightened. “I am going to Emani. You are dispatching more men to join Erix and I can travel with them. There is nothing going to stop me.” Jade saw the look in Tamra’s eyes and the all too familiar set of her jaw. Tamra was as willful as her father. Once her mind was made up there was no talking to her. Jade sighed and looked at Tamra. Toul had been away a long time and Tamra missed him terribly. Having been married to Bane for so long, she was all too aware of the strain that put on a person. Her heart went out to Tamra. Bane would be very displeased that she didn’t do more to stop Tamra from going, especially in light of the fact that Emani had been attacked. But even Bane had seen the difference in Tamra since Toul had been away and had worried about her. He would understand. “Do what you think you must but be careful. I don’t need to tell you that there are evil forces at work here beyond imagination. I will send word to Lord Erix that the men are on the way and that you will be traveling with them.” Jade thanked Jion. He respectfully bowed and left the room. Tamra gave Jade a hug and whispered into her ear, “Bane is gonna be OK.” Tamra’s eyes met Jade’s and she tried to reassure her with a smile. Jade wanted to believe that so bad, but knew that these wounds were not like anything they had dealt with before. Refusing to get caught up in those thoughts, she left to prepare for the journey to Glenmalden. Tamra looked up as Mystice entered the room. Mystice was Tamra’s closest friend. As Mystice closed the distance between them, memories flooded her mind of all the mischief they had gotten into during the years and she couldn’t help but smile. Mystice had even been the Maid of Honor at her and Toul’s wedding. Tamra remembered how difficult it had been to get Mystice to wear a dress for the wedding. Mystice got Tamra’s attention as she spoke. “Tamra, I came as soon as I got word.” Mystice said her voice sounding worried. Tamra sat down and shook her head. ”So much has happened. Where do I begin?” Mystice stood in stunned silence as Tamra told her of the events of the past few days, including the visions she had seen in the dreams the night before. She looked at Tamra and saw the worry on her face. “You know I am here for you. Just tell me what to do.” “I want you to come to Emani with me.” Tamra said. Without hesitation Mystice said, “Let me gather a few things. I will be back within the hour.” Mystice didn’t think that Tamra had completely digested just how serious this was. Tamra was known to act before she thought. There were many times that she had had to bail her out of a sticky situation. Mystice hoped this would not be one of those times. As she gathered her things, she thought of Velen, wishing he was back. She would have felt safer knowing he was with them. Velen had been a long time friend and was very protective of her. Everything was prepared and Jade had already left the city. News had spread and quite a crowd had gathered at the gates. Jion led the army out of the city. There was a rather large army going with them and still the city was guarded and plenty of men left behind to protect it. As they were leaving Mystice saw Velen. With a loud whistle that Tamra had heard many time, she caught his attention. He recognized the familiar whistle and caught sight of her. With a flash of a smile and a smirk he said, “Hey, where you headed beautiful?” Tamra and Mystice couldn’t help but smile at each other. Mystice blushed and looked to see if Velen had noticed and of course he had. Quickly she regained her composure and told him that we were headed out to Emani to meet up with Lord Erix and Toul. Always one for an adventure, Velen fell in step with the group, his plans changed in an instant to go with us. On the way, Mystice caught him up on what had happened in Wurmsteeth and Emani. As Mystice and Velen talked quietly, Tamra found herself thinking about Emani. She wondered what Erix had found when he arrived there. Tamra prayed the damage had not been too severe and the casualties low but given what had happened in Wurmsteeth, she knew the losses would be great. Jion fell back and rode up next to Tamra. “Everything OK back here M’Lady?” For some reason Tamra bristled for a moment. Surely Jade had not told him to “watch over” her. One look at his face and she knew that was exactly what had happened. Tamra let out a small laugh and smiled at the man. Shaking her head she said,” Yes Jion, we are just fine.” He felt like a child getting caught stealing apples. Not really knowing what else to say, he excused himself and went back to the head of the group. Tamra looked at Mystice and they laughed. “I swear.” said Tamra through a smile. “You would think I had never been out on my own. Bane is forever keeping an eye on me. Then Toul always keeping me back out of harms way, and now Jade.” Mystice grinned at Tamra. “Don’t let it bother you, they just worry.” Velen looked at Mystice and gave a quick wink; he knew Mystice was always there to watch out after Tamra too, even if Tamra hadn’t figured it out yet. By LLTamra |