The Runic Alchemist

The clash of swords, the battle's cry,

Beneath the ashen, storm-lit sky.

She stood beside her noble king,

A shield of love 'gainst fate's cruel sting.

"Hold fast!" she cried, though fear did swell,

For in her heart, she knew too well.

Oh, love, my light, my kingdom's flame,

Your throne will stand, but not my name.

For what is flesh but fate's cruel art?

My sword defends, but tears my heart.

Through chaos red, the lines broke thin,

A shadow whispered, "You can't win."

Yet still she fought, her blade held tight,

For vows of love, for wrong and right.

An arrow flew, it found its mark,

And stole the breath from her mortal spark.

"Go, my king," she said with pride,

"My life is yours, for you must guide.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Our people wait, their hope's in you—

A crown's great weight, a love so true."

And now the wind carries my song,

Through halls where you must still be strong.

My sacrifice, your kingdom's breath,

I loved you well, through life and death.

"Who is that boy?" Evrin asked, her sharp eyes fixed on Evante.

"I have seen him in the hallways, always playing that lute," Einar added.

Well, she would certainly be interested. It was the Song of Lady Elsinore—an elf who had loved a human king and fought a losing battle against 10,000 men with her 500. Though the end was tragic, the king sought revenge against the invaders when he learned of his lover's fall and perished in the same way on the battlefield, there was another version of the song from his pov—not before plunging two kingdoms into a war that lasted decades.

Guess which two..? Dawnstar and Ashenvale.

She was rumored to be related to the Eldorian family, but there was no definite proof of the story at all - it didn't even mention the king's name, just called him a human king. It was a tale from long ago, surviving through folk songs. Judging by the princess's reaction, there seemed to be more truth to the lore than Damian had given it credit for.

It was an interesting story, but Damian's focus wavered. He wanted to leave the place filled with teens, yet since Reize was engrossed in the song, he let her be and walked outside onto the balcony for fresh air - his drink in hand and Toph on head. The water, cloaked in darkness, looked both beautiful and ominous. The moon's full light softened its mystery, tipping the scale toward beauty rather than fear.

He was halfway through his drink, savoring it slowly, when he sensed someone joining him on the balcony. It was Sam. He looked dejected. Before Damian could ask what was wrong, he felt another presence approach. This time, he turned and saw Lucian. She held a glass, her two usual companions nowhere in sight. They exchanged glances but said nothing as she stepped forward, stopping beside him at the stone railing. Sam, too, looked at her with curious eyes for a second.

Since she seemed content to stand in silence, Damian let her be and turned to Sam. "What happened? Why do you look like you've eaten poisoned mushrooms?"

Sam sighed heavily. "Grace. I asked her out, and she said she couldn't do it. I asked for a reason, but she wouldn't give me one."

"Don't you think that was a bit too soon?" Damian asked, taking another sip.

"I want to be with her. Here, not after she and we.. I thought I had no time to waste." Sam's voice faltered.

"You shouldn't pursue her," Lucian said suddenly.

"Huh?" Sam's tone grew sharper, tinged with hurt. "Why?"

"It's a known secret among the upper nobility," Lucian explained evenly. "She's to be engaged to the Second Prince of Dawnstar once she finishes at the academy."

Well, just great. Bad luck, Sam.

But Sam remained unflinching. He simply nodded, staring at the vast ocean below them.

"That's not the look of a lost first crush," Damian remarked cautiously.

"Why would she be lost? It's a secret, right? That means it's not a done deal. A lot can happen in a year. All I needed was a reason.."

"Oh my! Stealing fiancées, are we? Haha!" Damian chuckled. "Well, you do you." Maybe he should have waited till morning to give advice on romance, the drink might have been a bit too much for him tonight.

Sam grinned determinedly as Damian patted his back. "Ah, thanks. Lucian, was it?"

She nodded, and Sam strode back inside with renewed determination.

"You should stop him," Lucian said once Sam was out of earshot.

"And why would I do that?" Damian asked without looking at her.

"People like Grace don't have much say in whom they marry. The Duke… her family expects her to follow through."

"The Duke or the Baron? Tell me, Lucian, are you secretly engaged with the prince righteous too?" Damian's tone was sharper than he intended.

"My father went to war against the Empire to give me this chance—to elevate our house beyond what it is," she retorted defensively.

The Baron went to war? For real? Quite the gamble for his schemes this time. Perhaps not a winning one. The Empire had started consolidating supplies along the Dawnstar border-they had big plans for it, as Damian recalled from the latest report delivered by the Eldorian butler.

"A great house, huh? Sacrifice everything for it.. But tell me, is your father better off at the border because of it? Are you, clearly not giving two bits about the prince, better for it?" Damian turned to meet her gaze. Perhaps the drink was affecting him a bit too much, maybe he should stop.

"Not everyone has the privilege of packing up and choosing their own path, Damian," she said, her voice steady, her gaze unflinching. It was the first time anyone had used his real name in years.

'Hmmph.. That is so stupid. Tell her it's all meaningless..' A voice echoed in his mind.