Arcane Journey

Chapter 236 The Lost Lady's Plan

"The thorn rose blossomed..."

High King Telamant Tanshul of Shade commented in a weary voice.

The gazebo, the heat, the scent of flowers, the heavy and monotonous buzzing of bees.

He sat on a wicker chair upholstered with goose down, and on the hand he had plucked the thorn rose was a ring set with emeralds and rough emeralds.

Amidst the emerald green, amidst the aroma of berries, under the heat wave and the buzzing of bees, he fell into silence, and did not speak for a long time afterwards.

He was right about the thorn rose, thought Hajhorner, Hand of the High King.

The thorn roses are in full bloom, most of which are pure white flowers dotted among the green leaves, just like a little bit of unmelted white snow, pure white and flawless, extraordinary and refined.

The fragrance overflows from the pistils and petals of the thorn rose, which makes people feel comfortable.

With every breath Hajhorna drew, a rich, fresh fragrance filled his nostrils, and the High King no doubt smelled it too.

For hours, the only sounds were the rustling of flowers in the breeze, and the occasional sigh of the High King, lamenting why the blooming petals withered.

Then Hajhorna faintly heard the trampling of marble on the other side of the palace, like the beat of a drum.

Here came the shadow princes Matik and Vatik, who knew the way the brothers walked: striding, jerky, and irascible.

In the stables outside the palace, smoke must have billowed from their nightmare mounts, with flames lingering on their hooves and manes that would never die down.

Matik and Vatik are twin brothers. Matik was born 2 minutes earlier than Vatik. The two of them look very similar, just like replicas of each other.

In fact, no one other than their parents could tell the two brothers apart.

The twins have used their identical appearance to engage in countless intrigues and jokes at the Arcane Academy since they learned to cast their first spells.

The two princes devote themselves to researching at the Academy of Alchemy, or helping their younger brother Breenus find the location of the ruins of Netheril.

They serve the High King and support the swift defeat of those who threaten the Shade's rule, including anyone who would challenge the High King's authority.

For example: Grand Prince Revaran Tanshul, who is in charge of the affairs of the Lost Temple.

"The Supreme King." The two princes stepped into the back garden of the palace and said in unison in a respectful tone.

They were tall with black hair and black eyes, wearing mottled dark golden magic silk cloaks.

The riding clothes are old brown leather armor, with their respective identities embroidered on the chest.

Prince Matic's personal mark is a pair of interlocking gold rings outlined in purple on a charcoal gray ground.

Prince Vatik's personal mark is a pair of interlocking silver rings outlined in purple on a charcoal gray ground.

This is also the only mark that allows Haj Horner to distinguish the identity of the two brothers.

"I can tell from the sound of your footsteps that you are too anxious." The High King sat on the wicker chair with his back to the two brothers, and said softly without any emotion, "You always walk too fast, Always chasing something that can never be caught up."

"Supreme King, you didn't always teach us." Prince Vatik replied, "The essence of human heart is that the more decisive you are in doing things, doing things your own way, and doing things against your will, the more people appreciate you, the more honest, kind, and soft-hearted, the more Someone is bullying you."

He also said that when a person's rationality reaches the extreme, he can bear any price, stop the loss in time without making a sound, and even destroy everything he once cared about with his own hands. Standing aside, Hajhorna saw that Prince Matic was Winking at his younger brother, he thought to himself.

It was a warm and calm afternoon, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and plants, and everything was peaceful and peaceful, except for the buzzing of bees and big beetles from time to time.

"The High King." Prince Matik broke the quiet silence.

"We are ready. Thousands of people are crossing the desert, heading east along the Black Road, in Sultanza, in the Scimitar Peak Mountains, along the Shadow Sea, in the depths of the desert, everywhere , throughout the Ennook Desert, our army is on standby, just as you said, our task is to wait and observe, and finally cooperate with the Lost Lady to complete the great plan of the Shadow Magic Web to replace the Magic Web."

"Then continue to wait and observe patiently." Supreme King Telamante said softly, "I have a very important task that I need to entrust to you two to perform."

Upon hearing this, the twin princes exchanged glances and listened quietly.

"Do you know the detailed information about the Damofeier family." The High King asked in a soft voice.

"The two of us are in charge of the Comanthor Forest. Naturally, we have done a detailed investigation of the surrounding forces, High King." Prince Matic said respectfully.

Hajhorner on the side recalled the information of this golden elf family in his mind.

This is an ancient golden elf family, also known as: Da Mofeier half-purgatory elf family.

6000 years ago, they used to be a branch of the Cormanthor nobles. Later, they gained power through trading with the devil in Baator Hell, and firmly believed that mating with the devil could strengthen their bloodline.

No matter how enlightened the elves of the Cormanthor Kingdom were, they could not tolerate such a horrible behavior.

The allied forces of the elves destroyed the Damofeier family, and the few surviving people were also imprisoned.

They escaped successfully until the "Arcane Catastrophe", and summoned the exiled ancient great devil on the ruins of Myth Draenor, and began to launch a war against the elves, announcing the recovery of this ancient family.

It is said that they captured a large number of gold elves captives and used them to interbreed with devils to create a more powerful army.

Afterwards, the Queen of the Elves' Holy Land of Ever Gathering Island organized an elf expedition to assist the elves who stayed in Comanthor and the Supreme Forest. While helping them conquer their homeland, they are also doing their part for the elves to re-emerge on the stage of the kingdom. Prepare.

"Far Mountain City, the Zhentarim Society, and the dark elves of Cormanthor have united with the Damofell family." The High King said, "try to expel the elf expedition from the Isle of Evermeet."

"What about us?" Prince Vatik's eyes flashed with fire, "Do we also need to take this opportunity to catch them all?"

"No." The Supreme King shook his head slightly, and a cold smile floated on his lips:

"The ruins of Myth Draenor, the Elven Expeditionary Army, the Zhentarim Society, including the Demon Elves and Dark Elves, do not pose any threat to us for the time being. For the great plan of the Lost Lady, we need to unite them and fight together The chosen ones of the Goddess of Magic who have lived in the Valley of Shadows for a long time."

The High King is finally making his move on Shadowdale!
Hajhorner looked startled, unbelievable.

Shadow Valley is located in the east of the Mokou Mountains. Apart from Elminster, who is known as the most powerful mage among mortals, Storm Silverhand, the leader of the Harper Alliance and the elect of the goddess of magic, also lives in seclusion here.

And Storm Silverhand is one of the Seven Northland Sisters, if she is hurt, her surviving sisters will definitely come to support them as soon as possible.

Hajhorna did not believe that their high king, Telamante, had the strength to stand against the Chosen of Shadowvale.

However, as a ruthless leader who is extremely rational, he knew that since the Supreme King dared to speak out, he must have sufficient confidence.

This reminded him of the scene when the High King summoned the twelve princes a few months ago, and he claimed that he needed to meet old friends he hadn't seen for thousands of years.

Laroque, Owo, Iolum...

Hajhorner thought of the Nether elders he knew well, and vaguely guessed who could help the High King deal with the voters of Shadow Valley.

"Then what is the mission of the two of us?" Prince Matic asked.

Hajhorner also looked curiously at the High King's back.

"I need you two to stay in Misty Town in the Vale," said the High King. "If we launch a surprise attack on the voters of Shadowvale, Dove Hawkhand and his wife, and the knights of Myth Drannor under their command, will definitely They were the first to notice it, and the first to come to support them, and under the premise that the space barrier is blocked, Misty Valley is the only way for them to pass through."

"I need you to keep this group of Myth Drannor knights and rangers in the way in Misty Town forever." There was a trace of chill in his last words.

Dove Hawkhand is one of the Seven Northland Sisters, not only the chosen one of the goddess of magic, but also a legendary ranger.

And Dove Eagle Hand's husband, Florin, is a voter of the forest goddess Melika, and Hajhorner does not think the twin princes are the couple's opponents.

But he believed that since the Supreme King dared to make such an arrangement, he definitely had at least a [-]% chance of winning.

"I will ask Desud's daughter, Krisanna, to assist you in completing this mission." The High King said to the silent twin princes:

"This child has already comprehended the true meaning of the shadow, obtained the love of the lost lady, and successfully stepped into the legendary realm. With the assistance of the Walker's Blade in another dimension, your task is not difficult to complete."

"Don't worry, the High King." Mattik said, "We will definitely do our best to complete this mission."

After the twin princes finished speaking, they saluted respectfully and turned to leave.

As they passed under the triple arch, they met the Grand Prince Rivaran head-on.

The eldest prince in charge of the Lost Temple snorted coldly and walked over.

He seems to be becoming more and more rude... Hajhorner glanced at the eldest prince calmly, thinking to himself.

After all, in the city of Sultanza, the only one who can shake the position of the Supreme King is the eldest prince.

As the spokesperson of the lost lady and the spiritual leader of the ghosts, his influence is expanding at a speed visible to the naked eye, especially after returning to the material world.

The most important thing is that the eldest prince has established a relationship with the Church of the Lost Lady in the material world.

Hajhorner once witnessed the Grand Prince inviting the High Priest of the Lost Lady, Ms. Eswell Greycastle, to visit the Lost Temple in Sultanza in his Wizard Tower.

as usual.

The eldest prince was dressed in a luxurious purple priest's robe, and he carried a majestic and superior temperament in every gesture.

On the droop of his priestly robes was embroidered the emblem of Shar, the Lost Lady: purple outer ring, black disc.

And under the disc, a pair of dark purple curved goat horns symbolizing his identity are added.

"The Supreme King." The respect in the eldest prince's words began to decrease gradually after Sultanza returned to the material world.

"The floating city of Sacross, which was salvaged from the Sea of ​​Falling Stars, has been repaired, and the Mithr energy core has also been successfully connected to the Shadow Demon Net. As long as you give an order, we can let it fly into the sky again."

"Very good." The Supreme King was still sitting on the wicker chair, with his back to the eldest prince. He nodded slightly and said slowly, "Continue."

"With the assistance of the Church of the Lost Lady, I have successfully controlled the Kingdom of Sambia." He said cleanly:

"The vast swamp at the junction of Cormyr and Sembia has already been arranged by me to seize the magic net. I will work with Yada to assist you in fighting the voters of Shadow Valley. The Lost Lady issued an oracle, Only by killing the voters of Shadow Valley can our plan be implemented safely."

"I see." The High King said, "Go back and get ready. When the time comes, I will take my old friend to the Shadow Valley with you."

"Farewell!"

Before the eldest prince turned to leave, he glanced at Hajhorna and said in a mocking tone, "All the territory of the Kingdom of Sambia has fallen into my hands. If you still can't take the Kingdom of Cormyr, then I don't mind." Take Sacross City and go there in person."

"I've let you down, Prince." Hajhorner said without showing any weakness, "because you won't have such an opportunity."

"Really? Then I would rather you let me down completely." The eldest prince sneered, "After all, the great plan that Ms. Lost has planned for a long time must not make any mistakes. If anyone delays the plan because of this, I will personally send him to the In the lady's sacrificial circle."

After the eldest prince finished speaking, he shook his sleeve robe, turned and left.

"He's right." After the eldest prince left, the High King said slowly, "Miss Lost's plan cannot be missed."

His voice was very soft, but it made Hajhorner feel like falling into a huge boulder.

"Don't worry, the High King, I have already made a detailed plan." He quickly assured the High King: "I am fully sure that I will take down the Kingdom of Cormyr."

For the first time, Haj Horner felt so confident in what he said.

After all, before meeting the Supreme King, he had already discussed all the details of the plan with the allies of the Dragon Cult in advance.

The four ancient dragons under the control of the dragon mad lock, the red-robed mage from Thayer, the devil from Baator hell, and the people who worship the dragon, these do not include the army of the city of ghosts.

There was even a back-up Felin Mokui he arranged at the risk.

He really couldn't imagine what the Kingdom of Cormyr could do to resist this attack.

"Shadow Devil's Web wants to replace the Magic Web." The High King said to him:
"According to the "Book of Darkness", at least two large cities need to be sacrificed. Only by turning the cities of the material world into places shrouded in shadows and transforming enough shadow creatures can a crack be torn on the magic net , the capital of Sembia and Tiffanton of the Kingdom of Cormyr are just located at the node of the magic net, so it is the most suitable choice."

"I see, High King," said Hajhorner respectfully.

Silence fell again in the garden.

All afternoon the High King sat in his wicker chair and gazed at the thorn roses in full bloom, and he watched the sun go down and the night air grow cooler.

Hajhorner stood behind him, waiting patiently for his new order.

"Hajhorna." After an unknown amount of time, the High King looked up at the starry sky and said slowly, "Do you know why I only love thorn roses?"

"I'm very sorry, I don't know." Hajhorner said truthfully, wondering what the High King's words meant.

"Because it always reminds me of my hometown thorn rose." High King Telamante said in a nostalgic tone.

He lightly raised his right hand and used the simplest light spell.

Brilliant thorn roses sway gently in the breeze as soft bright light dispels the deep darkness.

"Every flowering month, a season when thorn roses bloom, I will stand alone on the edge of the floating city of Karthus and overlook the earth. They are like red clouds falling from the sky, dyeing the field red, dyeing Red hometown."

He slowly got up from the wicker chair, stood among the flowers, and muttered to himself in a very weak voice.

"In the withered petals of the golden thorn rose, I can see a clean, sharp and pure soul hidden in the delicate stamens. Maybe it is not willing to be a plaything in the hands of others, and it does not want its body to be slaughtered. So , any behavior that affects its destiny, it will resist, and would rather die than compromise. I am shocked by the arrogance and unyielding in its bones. Facing the thorn rose, I thought of myself, so let me Ashamed."

"In the past, I tore up the darkness and shattered the entanglement, leaving only the unbearable pain and the regret that couldn't be taken away." He stood with his hands behind his back, let the cold breeze blow, and stared at the deep starry sky.

"If one day, the light really shines in, then what it illuminates...is just the unwillingness in my heart."

…………

(End of this chapter)