Visions

"My Lord."

Sheba bowed deeply as she entered the room, her presence reeking of importance and mild urgency.

I looked out the window, observing how swiftly the guards flew about, each in their original form. The Sun shone brightly, and the clouds fluttered joyously. There were a few birds in the sky.

"Speak."

"The troops are ready to move, my Lord. They await your command-"

"How is my son?"

"Huh-", she paused momentarily in mild shock. She had been caught off guard.

"The healers say-"

"I did not ask you about what the healers say, Sheba!"

I knew the answer, and it wore my heart down. For eight months, my son, the only heir to the throne, had been hanging on the thin thread that stood between life and death.

I sighed.

"Tell the troops that I shall come sooner than they can blink."

Sheba bowed again, and exited the room. I slumped in my throne, my fists clenching. There was no herb we did not try, no healer we did not imploy. Yet, it seemed my son was destined not to live.

It had been in this moment of affliction and weakness that I had met the witch.

The covens had signed a treaty with the Dragons, and as such, amicable transactions existed between the two races. We offered protection from the sky against creatures that roamed at night- people that transformed into beasts, and the undead. In return, the witches offered their knowledge of herbs and divination.

My wife had fallen into the state of depression after the fifth month of our son's illness, mumbling to herself all the time. She refused to leave his bedside, not even to eat- she would lie on the same bed he lay, chewing her fingers as she watched him struggle.

Her name was France-lyse.

She spoke, often, about a tree whose leaves granted whoever ate it, immortality. Her words seemed strange and surreal. If such a tree existed, surely I would have known about it. She told me that my son would die and there would be nothing I could do if I did not get the tree.

I gathered the sages of my kingdom, and questioned them on the reasonability of this solution. They all seemed to be as surprised as I was, except Gerald, the oldest dragon in the kingdom. He said he had heard, once, about a tree whose leaves shone as brightly as the moon. Legend, he had said, told of how it had to power to give everlasting life. That was all I needed to hear.

I called the witch, inquiring about the whereabouts of this mystical tree. She told me that no one in the whole of the lands knew about it's location- not even the witches. However, there was a race she had heard of, whose kingdom contained all the knowledge of the world.

I stood, stretching my arms and legs. The troops were waiting for me. I looked, once more, out the window and breathed in.

"His Eminence And Lordship!"

The battalion of soldiers all fell to their knees, bowing deeply as I came out of the Palace. Their bodies were clad in unnecessary armour.

"These common creatures have insulted the throne- and have disregarded the life of the heir! They have refused to give to us that which is meant for us! We will not let this act of treason go unpunished! Ride, my dragons, and burn them all to the ground."

The soldiers shape shifted, all taking off to the sky in batches. They stood in readiness.

"The one they call the Seer is there.", France-lyse spoke, emerging from the shadows. She was clad in black overflowing robes.

"For a long time, Dragons have refused to associate with the world below, becoming a myth to the humans. We have interacted only when necessary with your kind. But, I would not tolerate the disregard to the implorations of the throne from such lowly creatures."

"Crush them under your might , victory is certain."

I turned to my true form, observing the look of shock, fear and awe written all over her face. The dragons roared in mystified honour and respect. I bent down my neck, allowing France-lyse climb onto my back. I took off.

We glided through the air, hovering highly above the clouds. The battalion of dragons flying behind me. The Kingdom of Knowledge was protected from the access of other creatures, but was not immune to dragonfire. It's magic shield melted underneath our flames, as tiny creatures rampaged about, seeking shelter and weapons.

"SYLVIA!!!", I roared, landing fearsomely in the open space of the town. Smoke escaped my mouth.

France-lyse climbed down my back, her eyes glinting with unfathomable evil. I dodged, barely, the blast of mystic energy hurled at me, leaving in it's wake, smoke and dust.

It was the Elf Queen.

Her eyes were blue and hardened.

"I am Queen Sylvia! Ruler and Guardian of the Kingdom of Knowledge! Leave at once whilst you still breathe, Lizard."

I received an urgent telepathic broadcast from Sheba- my son was dead.

I smiled, my eyes suspiciously calm. A pause. Before anyone took another breath, I leapt up to the sky with such great speed, burning down every building and Elf. The shrieks of combusting people filled the skies, their smeared skins nothing but instant ashes. The dragons followed suit, burning down everything in the path.

Sylvia crumbled to her knees, her eyes widened in shock. She willed the tears to come, but nothing came fell.

"The lives lost here today is on your head.", I heard France-lyse say to her with a sadistic smile on her face.

"You may manipulate others to do your bidding, Witch, but whatever shortspan of life you think you may have lengthened is all you will ever have.", Sylvia spat back at her.

None of what they said made any sense. My son was dead- the only heir to the throne. The Queen would not be able to handle the loss.

"Where is the Seer?!" I roared, coldly.

No response.

I opened my throat to roast her up in my anger, but France-lyse stopped me, saying there were worse punishments than death.

"Goodbye, Sylvia."

I watched as France-lyse engulfed the Queen of the Elves in emptiness, binding her in chains.

I fell to my knees.

*******

I opened my eyes, readjusting to the night. The curtains flapped as the wind blew in softly. It was a dream.