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Heyo peoples! This was a collab with Jose, so be sure to check out Val's perspective :)
This challenge: do a collab with someone.
"M'am, our spies have reported urgent news."
I looked my commander square in the eye.
"This better not be a joke, what's the news?" I asked
"Well...there's been a breach in the forces, M'am."
"Hm...do what you must with as little bloodshed as possible." I said.
"Yes, M'am." Alexander started to turn.
"Oh, and Alexander? Please stop calling me 'M'am'. I do have a name you know."
"Yes m'a-I mean General Wolfie." My faithful tortoise walked away faster than any tortoise should.
As I sat down at the make-shift table we set up, the captain, Lucas, came running in.
"General Wolfie, we await your orders." He saluted.
"At ease, Captain. Have the scouts returned with the entry point information?"
"I think we're ready then. Where's Midnight?"
"He's stationed around back, anxious to get going, General"
I nodded my thanks and stood, heading to the back of our tent.
Midnight whinnied, bringing me back into reality.
"Who's ready to claim the crown, Midnight?"
"That's what I like to hear! Let's get this battle started!"
I guided Midnight over to the end of our camp.
"This is it, boy," I muttered.
"Thank you, Lucas. I appreciate your work here."
I put on a strong face, no need to show weaknesses in battle. Midnight shifted uneasily.
I looked at Val. He'd grown from the last time we met.
"So, General Val. Long time no see," I prompted.
?Thanks for pointing out the obvious, General,? he said, with a hint of cold in his tone.
"So, we have a war to fight, but it doesn't have to be this way. There is always a way out until it happens you know." I let the silence hang in the air.
?You broke my trust when you left. It was my sworn duty to look after you, but now that you're older and don't have time for me any more?? he trailed off. ?It's time I put my love into something that will love me back.?
I was shocked at these words coming from my brother, but I couldn't show that. I gave him the evil eye instead.
"Well, I guess everyone has to grow up eventually. Some take longer than others. But the past is in the past; we have a war to fight now," I said with confidence.
I turned to my troops and thought through all our battle strategies and tactics.
?Wait!? he shouted. I turned and raised my eyebrows in a questioning manner.
?Yes??
?Happy Birthday, Speedy,? he said, giving me a weak smile.
"You remembered," I mused. Of course he could remember his own birthday, we are twins after all.
I wanted to embrace him in a hug so badly. But, we were on the edge of battle, so the hugs could wait.
"Happy Birthday Val." I returned the weak smile. "Now let's go claim what's ours."
?Thanks for the birthday wishes,? he responded, briskly. He looked as if he remembered something important. ?I forgot to bring a gift,? he muttered before turning toward his army. Tigers vs wolves. Sister vs. Brother. The battle of brethren.
Everything was still for a precious moment, until it wasn't.
All of a sudden, a big roar came from the western valley, like a giant lion. My fighters were puzzled at the sound, as was I.
"Prepare to attack!" I yelled. It seemed as if Val were no longer a threat, for this new force was much more powerful than our forces combined. Then it struck me....we needed to indeed combine our forces.
"We'll never defeat them by ourselves," I yelled over my confused soldiers. "We need more help." My eyes wandered over to the flags they were hoisting, red and black. I've seen those flags before but where?
Then it clicked. The Assassins. The murderers that killed our parents. A new rage flowed through my bones.
I charged and every other thought left my mind. I could only think that they needed to go. I usher Midnight on. I see a big lion with an eye patch snarling and growling at me. I pull out my sword and stab it when I get the chance. I hear another horse coming in my direction.
?I could use some help, you know!? I yelled over to Val. A centaur joins the fight, and it looks gruesome and ready to kill. I ward the lion off with my sword while Val tackles the half beast. Fighting is happening all around us, but we tune them out and remain focused. I slashed my sword wildly as Val fought by my side.
"Some way to spend a birthday, huh brother?"
?Why wouldn't I be enjoying my birthday? Slaying baddies with you AND fighting side by side with my sister. It's just like the old days!? he said, taking down the centaur with one swipe of his ruby encrusted blade.
"Yeah, the good old days. You know, it was rather selfish of me to want to rule the kingdom. I'd rather be fighting with you instead of sitting on a boring throne all day," I said.
?My thoughts exactly.? He said.
All around us on the bloodstained battle field, the Assassins were retreating.
My eyes locked on some figure on the ground. I gasped suddenly.
?What is it?? Val asked worriedly, as he fended off a long venomous snake.
Val. I've left Val alone to fend with the snake. If that whinny was Phantom's...
"Who are what is where am-" I tried to say. My brain couldn't process this.
"Shh, it's okay, Wolfie. I'm Elena. You and your brother are in good hands."
"Where's my brother?" I asked, showing concern.
"Hang on a second...is this The Dragon's Cave? From the legends? You guys really exist?"
"Well, I'm here, aren't I? Yes, I'm as true as a lonely cloud on a sunny day."
That was a weird metaphor, I think.
"Uh okay. So when will I be 'well enough' to see my brother?"
"In time. Maybe by the end of the day." The dragon looked like she had pity on me.
"Okay, sounds like a plan."
"But plans can always get changed or interrupted, you know." Her eyes seemed distant, like remembering something long ago.
"Did your plans change, Elena?" I asked.
Her golden eyes drifted back to me.
"Yes, yes they did. You see, long ago, my father was captured. That was the saddest day of my life. They took him away, never to be seen or heard from again."
"I understand that. My own father was killed when I was younger," I said, with a slight twang of sadness.
"Ah yes, King Charlemagne. What a king."
"So you knew my dad then?"
"Yeah, yeah. He was a great king and his kingdom will never really die," the dragon said. Her scales were a light rosy color, and her snout was long and defined. Her golden eyes were soft and full of concern.
"Why won't his kingdom die? All kingdoms die eventually, even Rome and Egypt had to fall."
"Very true, but his legend lives on in his offspring's hearts. And he was one lucky dad," she finished I couldn't help but blush a little.
"Why'd you save us anyway? You didn't have to." I said.
"What's it like to fly? Does it feel freeing?"
Elena let loose a small chuckle.
"Yes, Wolfie, it's rather amazing if you ask me. Piercing the wind, seeing everything from above."
"I'd love to know what it's like. Must be astonishing," I mumbled.
"I'll take you up soon, but first a little more rest."
"But could I at least see my brother first?" I ask.
"Yes, I suppose so."
I nearly jumped out of bed. I walked over to the door Elena had pointed out earlier. Inside was Val with a dragon that had ruby red scales.
"Oh Val! I'm so glad you're okay!" I embraced him in a gentle hug.
I stood and cleared my throat. "We should get going soon. Thanks for all your hospitality, Elena and Ember."
?Can't you come with us?? Val asked hopefully.
?I'd love to, but we already have our claws full with royal duties and all,? Ember said.
Val hid his disappointment very well.
?I understand,? he said. ?Well, thank you for your help Ember. Tell Elena the same for me??
Ember nodded, with hope-filled eyes.
All of a sudden, the tunnel began to shake.
?What's that?? Val asked, showing concern. Elena bursts into the room.
?They found us!? Elena cries out. ?The Assassinators are here.?
I could see tears glistening in Elena's soft golden eyes.
"But Ember, I don't want to lose you as well! You're the only family that I have!"
"It will be okay, Elena. I got this. Now get them to safety!"
"Come on! We gotta get out of here!" I say.
"1...2...3 NOW!" Ember shouts. We run through the blockade of animals, and in one swift movement, we hop onto Elena's back. She got a running head-start and flapped her wings frantically, gaining altitude rather quickly. The sun was setting, turning the skies beautiful shades of rose, gold, and blue. We soared high over the kingdom that would soon be ours. Grief melted off us like a melting ice cube Today is a new day, for new challenges and adventure. Turns out, it wasn't a battle against brethren, but a battle with brethren.
Val's perspective: https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/contests/96/submissions/69998/
Sir John Wethersby, for the life of him, could not recall which town he was in, nor in what quaint innkeeper's room he had suddenly awakened. The last thing he could recall, was hearing the distant mewing of a spectral cat, after partaking of a particularly bland bowl of porridge, and a rather unsavory piece of stale mutton. But why could he not recall anything from even a few days past?
Sir John reticently stepped across the golden inlay of the establishment's threshold, only to be quite taken aback by the glorious sight that beheld his eyes. There before him, in what would have been considered a quite normal Irish eatery otherwise, was instead one embellished with a mountain of intricate decorum from floor to vaulted ceiling. Every incarnation, idol and effigy of fairy, cherub, woodland creature and spirit, adorned the place, carved in everything from porcelain, to fine silver and gold, to ivory, as well as rare and exquisite wood from a seemingly enchanted forest.
John laid his hat upon the table as he stared up at the incredible and the unfathomable images before him. He rubbed his temples in disbelief at the mere thought of the handiwork, and hours of labor, that must have went into the creation and collection of such a menagerie. It was only then that he noticed the pleasant Maiden, who had been staring at him the entire time. She seemed tall for a woman, with long flowing fiery curls, as red as volcanic fire. Her ample bosom and resplendent curves were welcoming In a way that was neither fully matronly or sexual, but whole-heartedly appealing, nonetheless. Her smile shined like a beacon, and she had a bronze glow about her, like that of a pregnant woman, although she was not with child.
John was inwardly startled, at first, but something beyond him beckoned him to engage the middle-aged maiden with all of his very being. After a brief swallow, and some inner self-encouragement, he chose to speak first. His tone was solemn, as if in a church or on hallowed ground, though he knew not why he spoke as such.
?Pardon me, fair lass. But could thou tell me of what land I am in, and how far is it from the Queen's, for I am, as of yet, unfamiliar of its trappings.?
John felt himself slipping from the mortal coil, to go down a path of no return. He felt as though his body hung, now perilously, on the precipice of a large drop into the bottomless pit of the cosmos. He struggled between trepidation and curiosity, the fair Maiden's charms now enthralling him beyond simply mere carnal desires. All he needed to do was let go.
The harsh cry of a flustered feline broke John from her gaze. It had been the same cat's cry that led him to this far away land of mystery, mirth and perhaps malevolent spirits, in the first place. But this time when John awakened, he was not in a far-off land of Irish folklore, but rather the creature comforts of his own bed. Like Ebenezer before him, he laughed until he cried, as his furry feline friend licked her white and beige paws, before bathing her own ears awash, and John in her indifference.
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