It was an hour later that Geoff was ensconced in a bed inside of the castle, with Iona to stand over him and keep an eye on him. With the way the burrs were in there, AJ didn’t want anyone else messing with them, so he placed orders that no one was to magically attempt anything on Geoff without AJ’s express permission. A spell had been placed over his friend to keep him asleep. Hopefully that would make things easier. When AJ went in for the healing sessions, he would also make sure to wake him long enough to feed him and give him water before he put him back to sleep.
This left him feeling tired when he settled cross-legged on a stump near the edge of the forest. Magically, not physically. His eyes scanned the area and he couldn’t help the smile that slid over his lips. Even with the tension that had come from the attack on Geoff, it was obvious that the return of the dragons was too good a moment for anyone to feel dreary for long. Even Richard looked more cheerful.
Everywhere he looked there was a dragon surrounded by no fewer than three elves. Thank God the dragons had shielded this area. Wouldn’t this be interesting to have a human walk in on? He couldn’t help but chuckle.
There was so much that needed to be done, and the daylight was half gone. AJ looked around, scanning the elves nearby, until he found who he wanted. “Nifar!” he called out, catching the attention of a night elf that stood nearby. Jet black hair shining straight down to the ground, so black that it looked purple in places and with black eyes that were rung in dark purple and blue, Nifar was a handsome elf. He was also the most talented bladesmith in the area.
Smiling, Nifar jogged toward him. He gave a small bow when he came close. “Yes, Alyck?”
“I need a favor. Brian needs a weapon, but he’s a novice at this so neither him or me know quite which weapon would work for him. I was hoping you might steal him away while the castle is empty and go through some that might fit him. From watching him move, I wouldn’t be surprised if he liked a broadsword, or a style of claymore.”
“I have quite a few made in preparation for what’s coming, trulion. I am sure we can find something that fits him.”
Already AJ’s eyes were turning introverted as his brain went back to thinking. “Yes, I knew I could trust you, Nifar. My baka must be armed. Please, continue to make more weapons. I appreciate that you’re thinking ahead. It’ll help a lot.” AJ’s gaze drifted further inward. “That’ll be all.”
Nifar bowed lower this time before scurrying off to find Brian. AJ wasn’t even paying attention. His brain couldn’t stop thinking of what was coming. What he had to do. He trusted Nifar to take care of the weapons, and he knew that every elf had armor. Some would have to be made for his friends when they returned. Yet, that would be something better left to the dwarves. Their magic was strong when it came to smithing and it would also give them something to do that would make them feel useful as they waited.
Speaking of the dwarves…AJ snagged an elf that was running past. A female, though he had to admit he didn’t know her name. But he saw the single ring in her eyes. “Pardon, child. Who would know if the caves have been cleared for the dwarves to arrive?”
“My father helped with that yesterday, trulion.” The girl said respectfully. “They’re all ready to go.”
“Thank you.”
The girl ran off and AJ went back to thinking as he watched them all. They needed to make a plan soon. How would they manage to stop Roth from doing what he was going to do? Would they wait around for the celebration to come and destroy him before he could succeed? Though that was often how stories went, it was cutting it a little too close for AJ.
But Roth wasn’t stupid enough to stay at his castle, so they couldn’t go there and attack him. He could try to scry for Roth, but most likely the mage had placed the same precautions on himself that AJ had, making sure that no one could scry locations.
So if they wanted to take the fight to Roth, they would have to find him first. But if they waited until the day of the celebration, Roth would have to come to them. This was where the veil grew the thinnest. It was why Flreu and his people lived here, to guard it. It was the same reason that Twyla had wanted to be here. There was power for a blood mage in the areas that the veils between worlds were thin.
Much as he hated to admit it, their only option was shaping up to be just waiting around for Roth to show up. AJ didn’t like that, not in the least bit. It felt too much like lining up the people for a slaughter.
Yet, couldn’t they find ways around that too? AJ laced his fingers together and rested his elbows on his knees, and his chin on his fingers. His sharp eyes kept up the scan over the area while his mind continued to run at top speed.
If they waited here, there were so many different ways to prepare. From the water the merfolk could get themselves prepared. They were talented at shielding so that no one noticed them. That would give them an element of surprise from the water. The dwarves could stay in their caves until Roth was close enough, and then work as the rear guard, coming up and closing him in.
The centaurs and the satyrs would prefer to stick close to the forest, sheltered there until the last minute. They would fight as fiercely as any, though. The pixies would be easy enough to hide, as would the faeries and the Imps. Other would come into the castle and stay there. Roth wouldn’t be able to sense the difference in races and magic through the protection of the castle. Oh, man. So much to think about, and it didn’t feel like near enough time!
“Your thoughts are long.” Tripha’s voice was a soft rumble behind AJ. Even with as deep in thought as he’d been, AJ had sensed the dragon coming up and stopping behind the stump AJ sat on. He didn’t turn to look, feeling that Tripha was bringing his head around. The large dragon lay down, twisting his body so that his head could turn to look at AJ. “I see the mantle of authority wears on you slightly, Alyck.”
“It does.” AJ admitted softly. He looked around at everyone again. They were still celebrating the joy of discovering the dragons alive. “Their fate, everyone’s fate, rests in my hand. I can’t help but feel the weight of that. They laugh and celebrate, and I can’t bring myself to take that away from them. So I sit here while they let their joy free, and my mind plans for war.”
“So it is with all great leaders. Duty before pleasure. You have the heart of a dragon, I think.”
Tripha’s words had AJ turning to smile at him. Very lightly Tripha bumped his nose against AJ’s shoulder, a love tap that could have knocked a human to the ground. “You strive to get done what is needed to do. You take pleasure from doing your duty. Above all else you put the safety of those you love, and even those you don’t know. You have a strong sense of right and wrong. There are many qualities that you share with the dragons. It is right, then, that you would be the one to become our master, our leader.”
“I master no dragon, Elder Tripha.” AJ told him softly. Here he looked straight into one of Tripha’s eyes. “I’m fighting for the freedom of everyone, not to make those around me my slaves.”
“That is what distinguishes you from the rest. I would rather serve a man who feels that none should serve him than a man who says that being served is his birthright. You have grown and changed because of this, Alyck. You have accepted yourself and your place in the world. Do not go back to fighting it. You accepted it by the water, as you spoke to us, and as you gained the second rings that brought you to adulthood.”
Yes, AJ had noticed that through the images in Brian’s mind. He wondered if Brian realized that his second rings were starting. Very faint right at the moment, but growing a little stronger and a little stronger each day. Soon he would be considered an adult as well. “Yes. My baka is starting to gain his as well. Amongst the elves he is gaining his wisdom, and I am considered an adult.”
“But you are more than just elf, Alyck. You are of not of one clan but of all with the elves. You are of one race and of none. You are the trulion, and the a’anish, our master. We can all be no more, no less, than what our life is meant to be. Do not forget that.”
The great head lay down beside him, and AJ found himself leaning against the side of Tripha’s head. Absently he lifted his hand to scratch along the spine running on the back of Tripha’s head. There wasn’t as thick of scale there, and it made it easier to scratch the spikey spines anyways. He felt Tripha growl in pleasure. Most dragons loved to be scratched in the right places.
“I feel like the only time I get to be me, that I get to put off the responsibility for just a short time, is in my privet moments with Brian.” AJ said softly, sighing out a breath. “If it wasn’t for him, I think I’d go crazy. It’s good to have someone look at me and still see just me. To look in his eyes and see love, and respect, but not the awe or admiration that others show, or the slight sense of worship some give me. I don’t want to be worshiped.”
“Your young one has his heart in his eyes when he looks at you. This is good. This is what a baka should be to the true trulion. One is not complete without the other. His is meant to ground you, and to remind you that you are only one person. Though your burdens are great, you do not have to bear them alone.”
“He helps me remember that. He teases me, when no one else will. When I’m hurting or stressed, he helps me make it out the other side. When he looks at me with that little smile on his face, my heart flutters.” AJ closed his eyes and smiled lightly. “When he looks at me with lust in his gaze, with that look that he only gives me, my blood boils. Being with him is like being whole. Without him I’d be lost.”
A rumble moved through Tripha’s body, a sound that AJ recognized as humor. “Your loved one is coming now, with the blade elf behind him carrying weapons. You are to teach him to spar, then?”
Sighing, AJ opened his eyes and straightened his body up, giving Tripha one last scratch. “Yeah, I’ve got to teach him. He’s great at magic, but the times don’t call for weapons anymore. A gun won’t do any good against Roth, but engaging in sword fighting might be the only thing to save him up close. I’ll teach him forms first, and if we’re lucky, I’ll have enough time to teach him how to fight with sword and magic together.”
“Best of luck.” Tripha rumbled out, settling his head onto the ground as AJ rose to meet his lover. Surprisingly, AJ found himself grinning. The next few hours were going to be fun.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Brian had thought that, being immortal, he wouldn’t be able to become physically exhausted without using strong amounts of magic. He had thought that he was beyond that feeling now. But every muscle in his body ached worse than it ever had after any concert or rehearsal. If his body didn’t heal so fast, he knew he would be a mess of bruises and cuts. Sweat dripped from his skin even as he moved back to the basic stance AJ had taught him.
That was another thing he’d severely miscalculated. He’d thought that maybe, just a little bit, that AJ might take it easy on him at first. Seeing as how he was new to this. God, had he been wrong about that!
AJ had showed him the basic forms, flowing through them like they were a dance. Then, when he figured that Brian understood the basics, he’d grabbed his own scimitar and given him a huge smile before moving into an opening stance. “Ok, baby.” AJ said, still grinning. “The only rule is, try to kill me before I kill you.”
That had started the most grueling training session that Brian had ever gone through in his entire life. The bladesmith had helped him pick out a basket hilt claymore, and it felt comfortable in his hand. Not too light, not too heavy. But it quickly grew heavy as he tried to defend against AJ’s attack. His lover wasn’t coming at him soft and easy. AJ scored plenty of hits against Brian’s skin with the flat side of the scimitar.
As much as he loved AJ, right at that moment, Brian was cursing him steadily inside his head. When the flat side of the blade slapped against his hip he almost lost his footing. AJ followed it with a steady tap to his shoulder and then to the side of his head. Brian lost his fight with his balance and ended up dropping down for a minute. He rolled sideways and hopped up, still panting, sword held in a defensive position.
AJ’s grin was as sharp as his blade. “Nice recovery, babe.”
The thought that sprung to Brian’s mind in reply wasn’t exactly nice. He managed not to say it. Their bond was closed tightly, so AJ didn’t hear it either. When they’d started the training AJ had closed off their bond as best as possible so Brian would be forced to move on his own skill, not a mental prediction of what AJ would do.
“Again.” AJ called, moving in with a deadly grace. If the situation hadn’t sucked so much, Brian would have admired the way that AJ moved. As it was, all he could think was ‘shit’ as AJ came at him.
Somehow Brian managed to make his achy muscles move. But he was beyond tired by now, and it didn’t take long for AJ to lay him out again. This time Brian just laid there, staring up at the slowly darkening sky. He took a deep breath, calling out “I yield.”
His chest heaved as he lay there and contemplated murderous thoughts. Sweet Jesus, but he hurt! He stared at the clouds and tried to relax his body. A shadow fell over him, blocking out the sun for a moment. Brian turned his head to see AJ squatting there, his scimitar sheathed at his hip, a small smile on his face. “You did good, Bri. Better than most do their first time around.”
Brian licked his lips, thinking about what he wanted to say for a minute. Then he sighed and gave up. “Go to hell, Alex.”
Laughter danced in AJ’s eyes and bubbled out of his throat. “I know it seems harsh, but I promise, you’ll learn faster.”
“I ache in places I didn’t know could ache.” Brian grumbled. He glared at AJ. “I thought I’d heal quickly? Why the hell am I aching so much.”
“You’re more elf than immortal. The elvish genes are overpowering the immortality. Pretty soon you’ll be a full elf, and you won’t really be a magical immortal anymore. It’s a bit complicated. I’ll explain it more when you’re a little more alert.”
“Mm.”
AJ stood up, extending his hands down to him. For just a split second Brian thought about stubbornly refusing the help. But his mind was already relaxing, and another idea occurred to him. He took hold of AJ’s hands, but instead of climbing up, he yanked for all he was worth and brought AJ thumping down on top of him.
Laughter echoed around them, from the dragons and the elves nearby, as well as from AJ himself. With a small smile, Brian wound his arms up and around AJ’s neck. “You’re a real bastard, you know?” he told AJ conversationally.
AJ laughed and kissed him briefly. “So I’ve been told.”
“Ok, just so we’re clear.”
Smiling, Brian lost himself in AJ’s kiss.