A King's Betrayal (Open to any who apply)

[Brenton]

The day was nearing her end, casting a beautiful red glow over all of the land before all who cared to look out at it, while a lone horseman galloped toward the edge of the trees. His head was bowed over the neck of the stallion colored white as purity should be, while his cloak flapped in the wind rapidly. The horseman had his hood up but the slight signs of an elf in his posture were still evident so it was no surprise when he simply rode straight into the trees still at a full gallop that would have been suicide for any other race.

He rode hard, the sun sinking below the horizon as he did, until the horseman burst from the narrow paths and into a great city created from the very trees it rested in. He halted the horse at a grand building in the center of the city and jumped down from the saddle before shoving the hood back from his head to reveal his face. The man was rather handsome, able to make woman who claimed to be pure of heart faint at his feet, with his golden eyes and pale skin that looked to be smooth. His lips were full and a pale pink, resting just below a medium nose while a full beard of black covered his angular jawline, giving him a gruff appearance. Falling from his head in a mane of perfectly taken care of hair, was his black locks that were long enough to brush the bottoms of the lobes of his pointed ears and cover his eyes.

The man wore a golden crown on his head, holding his hair back just slightly, while he also had a silver dragon necklace around his neck that was barely showing from under the collar of his silk shirt. He wore a green wool riding cloak over the silk shirt with dark green wool pants and a brown leather sword belt that held two swords in place, a silver short blade and a blue long blade.

This was none other than the king of the elves, Brenton Bromsson, who was only half elf and currently king only because his sister had been missing when the queen died. Yet from the purposeful stride toward the hall in front of him, it was obvious that Brenton was agitated about something. That something had to do with how he had no right to the throne and his people deserved a better ruler than him. So he would do something that Brenton had never thought he would ever do and step down. He would betray the elves by leaving them in their time of need just so they could one day live with someone who deserved the title.

On top of that, the youngest child of Islanzadi would renounce his bloodline and leave his home forever, never turning back to see if they needed help. Of course if word reached him through whatever means then the king would help the elves but he would not return to the city to live there. This was his choice and hopefully everyone would understand. As the door opened, Brenton stepped inside and unstrapped Argetadurna from his belt as well as removed the crown atop his head. He laid them down on the throne and then turned to his bed chambers to grab the supplies he had planned to take. They were all in a satchel that he'd enchanted to hold an unlimited amount of things. That and his stallion would get him to where he needed to be one day.

[Emiryal ♕]

More than one pair of eyes had watched Brenton enter the city. A few paid little notice and went back to their tasks but others let their interest linger. Emiryal was speaking with an elven woman who was older than him but seemed very close to him, his mother. He hadn't seen her in decades and she'd come here to see him only a day ago. But as Brenton went by he excused himself promising to finish speaking to her later. His dragon, Firern was off hunting so he followed after the king alone.

He entered the thrown room and paused seeing the crown there and the sword. This wasn't normal. Something about the way he had come in and struck him as a bit off, and he hadn't seen Brenton for a while now. "Brenton?" he called. Then on second thought reached out with his mind to find him. "Brenton, is something wrong?" he asked. Of everyone here except his dragon of course, Brenton was really the only one who could understand him after they'd been through nearly the same thing with the Empire, but after that they diverged.

A boy stood at the edge of the clearing watching other youth play with each other in games he didn't know. He wasn't an elf but a human boy though more accurately a teenager. Unlike most humans Lyserg could match the elves speed and strength, it wasn't that he couldn't play with them. He just felt out of place. He wasn't really human, he was a shade. Drayden had allowed him to stay and prove his loyalty, and he had as best he could. He trained and helped as much as he could. He hadn't left the forest since the day he had fled the Empire. And equally strange his other half, the shade side of him had not spoken since. The silence was almost scary to him, he hadn't realized how used to it he had become to have someone else in his head. He watched a Brenton came and then Emiryal followed him inside. After a moment he wandered over to Brenton's stallion and stroked it on the neck, it brought a slight smile to his face, something that he rarely did.

[Brenton]

Brenton spun toward the sound of someone entering the hall, already getting ready to draw Undbitr, but he recognized the presence of Emiryal Nyteshaed. Emiryal was a former ally of his from the Empire and now he was a friend that Brenton went to in times of need. Unfortunately this wasn't a time for him to talk to Emiryal and try to be persuaded to stay so the king simply grabbed the satchel and drew Undbitr with haste. He stalked out of the bed chambers and stared at the other elf with a look of utter disbelief.

Of course something is wrong. I am king when by all intents and purposes it should be Arya who leads the elves right now. Even in blood I am only half elf and not loyal to the elven nation fully because of my time in the Empire. The elves deserve someone who can lead them better so I am leaving and going somewhere else. I'll possibly go to the Spine and start some life there but for now I'm not sure what I'll do. Sorry, Emiryal, but this must be done if the elves are to survive.

Brenton blinked slightly and walked by Emiryal, barely letting his shoulder brush against the other elf's, before he stopped and saw Lyserg rubbing his horse's mane. Did anyone have a life these days instead of staying near him? Whatever, it wasn't his job to tell Lyserg to go somewhere else so the king would talk to Emiryal for a little bit longer about whatever. It was, after all, the last time he would see his friend unless the elf could find him in the Spine in the future.

[Emiryal ♕]

Emiryal was rather surprised by his friend's words but he knew better than to persuade him otherwise if he had made up his mind. But he found himself speaking up anyway. "Brenton, this is foolishness. That maybe true that Arya was more in line for the thrown than you, but deserting them now will only be a demoralizing blow. The whole kingdom is waging for war, many expect you to lead them. Survival is not dependent on only the king if anything you leaving could demoralize the elves and loose the war," he said pausing a moment.

"But I know how you feel. I am an elf but I don't belong here any more than you do, I never have and aside from you no one trusts me because of my time in the Empire as well. I won't stop you if this is what you wish, but if you are doing it for the good of the elven kingdom then their king vanishing won't help accomplish that very well," he said. "But I won't stop you if you do leave, I understand but this isn't a good idea. I don't belong either even though I'm an elf I never have belonged here even as a child. But the battle against the Empire is on the horizon and I can't abandon them now. This is my only chance to fight back against the Empire that did both of use wrong and to prove my loyalty is not to the empire. Otherwise I would go with you if this is your choice.

Lyserg didn't notice the king and rider come out he seemed distracted but soon their voices drew his attention and he watched them for a moment. He didn't know Brenton well nor the other rider, it really wasn't his place to say anything nor should he be eavesdropping on the conversation but he had never really been taught not to do that. If anything he'd been taught to remain alert and ready at all times. It was harder to do that here, this forest made him feel at peace and safe.

[fëanàro]

Feanaro was out for a night time stroll in the Forrest of Du Weldenvarden. Jarkore Feanaros dragon was out hunting for dinner and would not be back for a time. The Forrest at night was always something feanaro enjoyed for it always came to life when the sun set. The hunters of the night moving along the shadows in search of the evening meal. Walking along in silence keeping his mind open to the surrounding area and its inhabitants feanaro started hearing mental whispers about the king of the elves riding hard towards the capital.

Being not to far from where the Elven king was feanaro decided to investigate why he sensed worry from the animals. It took feanaro 5 minutes to reach the palace where the king was now talking with a fellow elf. Feanaro felt overly cautious since he suffered short term memory loss he did not remember many faces even with the help of jarkore feanaros memory was progressing slowly. But he got feelings of familiarity when he was around certain people,places and things.

The two elven men feanaro was watching seemed to be deep in conversion for neither noticed him forty yards away from where they spoke until feanaro cleared his throat loudly as he approached the two elves. His trade mark twin eleven long knives hanging from his back feanaros his hands gently folded behind his back as he walked "My king " was all he said for he was not sure witch man was the king..


((First post in 2 yrs sorry. get back into the swing of things ))

[Brenton]

Brenton sighed and shrugged in defeat at Emiryal who was speaking about how abandoning may be something that could harm the elves more than it could benefit them. He was gathering his thoughts when suddenly the king heard another elf, one who was very familiar to him, speak close by. Without really looking up, Brenton spoke softly but firmly to the elf who had just walked up. Feanaro, it is good to see that you are back from your journey but please, do call me Brenton. After all it was Vaentr and I who trained you and Jarkore in the training grounds of the Crags where you taught me to avoid pitfalls. Anyone who can teach an Empire rider such as myself deserves to call me by my name. My companion here is Emiryal Nyteshaed, a friend and ally from long before I ever met you. We were just discussing how I might be leaving the forest and not returning because it is not my place to be here. Apparently we were also giving a certain shade some entertainment over there for he has stopped doing other things and is instead spying on what we are saying.

Brenton looked over at Lyserg and grinned but looked back to Feanaro quickly just as Vaentr decided to speak from within the cruxis crystal in his right palm. "You have been gone many days and many nights, Feanaro Shadeslayer, yet there is no way to describe how pleased Brenton and I are to have you back in the capital city of the elves. Now if only you can do as you always did and convince him that his endeavor is fool-hardy and will get him killed if he doesn't stay with his allies."

Grazael, in his golden eldunari, had been resting while his mind was cast out to all who were around him without ever leaving a touch on their minds. He was merely observing when everyone began to speak and so the golden dragon spoke to Feanaro who he had never gotten the chance to meet. Well met Feanaro Shadeslayer, first student to my rider Brenton. My name is Grazael yet you won't be able to see me unless you look through our memories. I died protecting him because of a foolish behavior where he was defending a woman he loves.

[fëanàro]

As feanaro approached the two elves the one called Brenton spoke first. Feanaro felt at ease after a few moments when it felt like something clicked in his mind and bits of memory involving brenton and his dragon flashed. The mention of a shade made Fean tense up , his hands twitching ever so slightly towards his blades. Bowing his head inches towards emiryal "well met emiryal nyteshade. I am honored to meet you any friend of brentons is a friend of mine." Shifting his gaze to one of the few people feanaro remembers "I apologize brenton but you are king as well as my mentor you deserve the courtesy none the less. But alas I shall call you by your name sake if you wish." Feanaro didn't catch Brenton looking over towards lyserg before he could comment on brenton fleeing the forrest before he felt something brush against his mental barriers.

After a breif moment feanaro recognized the mental probe as Vaentr brentons dragon so Fean brought his guard down so he may speak with Vaentr. " Vaentr I am filled with joy at being back in the capital city and an happy to know my presence brings you and Brenton joy. I must apologize for my long absence but during a battle I can not remember I suffered a blow to the head that has caused me memory loss. Now I've been told out its not permanent only short term but I remember few things and fewer people since my injury. After suffering my wound I hid in exile so as not to be used by the wrong hands, you see when your memory is damaged you ache for truth an answeres and you will believe most anyone. So before I could be used for good or evil I set out to heal on my own." Feanaro knew how strange and foolish perhaps even cowardly this may sound but it was the truth and he felt it to be the right choice. "Fear not veantr I shall try to persuade brenton to stay, I'm sure with the help of his friend emiryal we can convince him to stay".

feanaro could feal a small belch growing in his chest that converted to a soft vibration up his throat. Knowing it to be only one thing feanaro reached out to the faint fealing in his consciousness that connected him to jarkore. But before feanro could speak his dragon cut him off "sorry about that brother I just finished a big meal of fish". Smirking to him self at his brother of the sky Feanaro responded "jarkore what have I told you about fish. They make you gassy not to mention the scales I have to pic or of your teeth." Fean could sense jarkore rolling his eyes at his rider "when your done hunting come find me at the capital I have literally ran into brenton and I'm sure he would love too see you". After a few seconds of silence jarkore roared mentally and gave fean his reply "with in the hour I should be back".


Befor feanaro could focus on Breton and give him the news he felt someone els touch his consciousness."well met indeed Grazel I am ashamed to say I do not remember you if we met befor. My memory is damaged as of the moment but I'm remembering more each day. I thank you for honoring me with the conversation and I'd very much like to see you as you were through memories maby I will remember you." Feanaro broke the mental link briefly, his head started to ach slightly from all the strain of different mental connections.

[Emiryal ♕]

Lyserg hadn't really been paying all that attention but at the word shade his attention snapped to Brenton and his hand froze on the horses nose. He looked maybe a bit embarrassed now. He watched wearily as the new comer, Feanaro, seemed to want to grab his swords. Maybe it was just his imagination but being introduced as a Shade usually made others instantly dislike him. "I-my apologies King Brenton, I wasn't spying or trying to listen. I didn't realize-- I'll just go," he said stumbling over his words and making an awkward half bow before darting off. He wasn't sure where he was going but just away from here. He didn't want to be rude or make the king mad when he'd been allowed to stay here despite being a shade and having worked for Galbatorix. He felt truly indebted to the elves for their kindness and wasn't about to do anything to upset them if he could help it.

Emiryal remained silent except for greeting the other rider with the traditional elven hand gestures. He didn't want to speak when it seemed Brenton and Feanaro were engaged in conversation. He watched as Lyserg darted away before hearing him scream, the elf didn't bother to hide his amusement as he knew what had happened. "He's fine," he said quickly to both Brenton and Feanaro. Moments later Firern, Emiryal's black dragon came into view holding Lyserg in his mouth. Lyserg to his credit didn't look scared, more annoyed than anything. He knew who Firern was. "It's rude to run off without introducing yourself, you won't change others opinion of you if you do that," Firern advised reaching out to the boy's mind. The dragon quickly recoiled though not waiting for an answer, touching a shades mind felt...wrong. It was an odd sensation and was a bit unnatural. Firern dropped Lyserg without lowering his head to shorten the distance. Lyserg twisted mid air so he would land and be able to roll to dissipate the energy from the drop. He did so without a problem, testament that he wasn't a human boy like he appeared to be. He was a shade. Despite being a shade he acted like any other boy his age.

Suddenly without warning before he could get up a wave of pain seemed to grip him as he was fighting something within himself, loosing whatever battle inside it was, he seemed to change getting a bit taller, his hair darkening and his eye color changing. Unlike most shades he had only one spirit inside him, most of the time the spirit let him be, but this time it took full control of him. The shade stood up, a wry smile on his face, but a kind smile. He held up his hands in a gesture of surrender to show he didn't intend to harm them. "Greetings, I don't believe we've met Feanaro is it?" he said. "I'm Dithel, Lyserg's other half. My apologies Brenton for Lyserg's behavior, he meant no harm he is naive, I generally don't intervene and let him do as he wishes, but what is this about leaving?"

[Brenton]

Brenton watched the situation with Firern and Lyserg with mild interest as the dragon flew down and dropped the shade to the ground. That was definitely something to be interested in but then Lyserg did what he had feared would happen. A guarded expression crossed over Brenton's face and he stepped forward, raising his hand in a calming gesture toward Feanaro. Dithel, while I appreciate your being here and wanting to find out what is going on, this is not the best time to actually control Lyserg. Feanaro is known by more names than just his own or even Argetlam. He is a Shadeslayer and doesn't like shades in the least bit. I'm sure I can get this to work in advance but...well, Feanaro this is Dithel who arrived the day that my son returned and he was spying on us. An attack happened on the edge of the forest and so Drayden allowed him to prove himself loyal while I was gone. He is a neutral territory and I would appreciate that be respected. Now if fighting ensues from either of you then Emiryal, I request your help to restrain them both.

Brenton nodded and then went back to thinking about what he was going to do about the forest and the war that was approaching. As for leaving the forest, it is because I am not fit to be king anymore. There are things I have done and the best I can think of is to get it reversed but that could be a death sentence. Maybe I'll stay until after the war and maybe I won't but either way I plan on finding a way to reverse the things I did wrong. There's just no knowing when I will lose control and Vaentr will get angry again. Those times always end badly and I never have control of what I do when they occur.

[fëanàro]

Feanaro mearly watched the boy Lyserg with a piercing but non aggressive look on his face. Before anyone could speak though Lyserg took off into the woods and feanaro watched him curiously add the boys figure was swallowed up by the darkness of the forrest. After a few moments they're was a shout of surprise that sounded like Lyserg, Feanaro raised an eyebrow with curious surprise as soon the boy that had just ran off was suddenly bright back by a dragon and dropped back at the small group of riders.

Even more surprise filled feanaro as he watched Lyserg turn from an odd boy, to a shade that called him self Dithel. Instincts made feanaro set his feet into an attacking position wile his left hand flew towards the hilt of one of his long knives. Feanaro eyed Dithel with distrust and anger, the only thing stopping fean from attacking was his honor, Dithel was un armed and had his hands up in peace. Even as Dithel was speaking Feanaro was thinking of killing him anyway but then Benton stood between the rider and shade that made Fean snap back to his senses.

Apon hearing Brentons swift explanation to Dithel that Feanaro hours by many names, one of them being shade slayer and his friends plea to keep the peace between then Feanaro relaxed his body and released his sword. He could see the obvious tension in brentons eyes, the king did not want or need a full scale duel to take place right here and now. Looking from Brenton, to Dithel, over to Emiryal and back to Brenton Feanaro placed the Palm of his right hand over his heart an looked to Brenton "By your command You have my word as a rider. I will not attack or instigate an attack on Dither or Lyserg". Then shifting his look over to Dithel " We live in a time and place were as anything seems possible, so why can't a shade be on the good side for once. I may not like or trust you Dithel but I will tolerate you. Who knows may over time a trust can be built." Feanaro thought it was odd that a shade would work against the empire but he would rather work with a shade then against it.