Karwyn watched as the Ranger silently killed the six guards with a single arrow. An impressive sight, to be sure. But it was ultimately a setback; Karywn would have to find another way to the Dark Queen.
However, now that Prince Erick's mask was thrown off and he revealed his unnatural power, Karwyn would not be taken by surprise when she inevitably faced him. The ranger had sacrificed herself for this information, and the pixie would ensure it would count.
But the pixies 'sister' was of little use now. Sir Jon first had to face the betrayal of his brother, now the loss of his love.
"Have heart, warrior." Karwyn said, kneeling, "the princess' fate is not yet sealed. I promise to return her to your side as fast as my wings carry me."
"No. I will find her and cut of that traitor's head." The pink-clad pixie got onto her feet.
"My lord, your place is here on the battlefield. I will go to Queen Zophina's fortress and stop the fight there." With that, Karwyn took some of her pink dust and rubbed it onto one of the bars. Once she threw another pinch into the air, the bar exploded away from the two pixies and they easily got out of their prison.
Karwyn threw another pinch onto Sir Jon, and he was suddenly restored to his previous form. The pixie fluttered up and around him, "Trust Mikalon's judgment, my lord. Allow him to plan the coming battle." She placed some dust on Sir Jon's breastplate, which was suddenly marked with the symbol of the sun.
"Come morn find an overlook to the east of the battle." She instructed, "Celeste will do the rest."
"I don't understand."
"You're dead, my lord, to your troops. Come morning, resurrect yourself." The pixie smiled coyly as she sprinkled pink dust about her and vanished to a place only she knew.
"Have the women and children move closer to the city gates and away from the battlefield" Mikalon ordered, "And try to get at least some within Sanado's walls." He surveyed his multi-racial force. Footmen sharpened their blades. Archer's tested their bows. Mages and sorcerers prepared incantations.
"Dame Valereen, get together all the cavalry and find a location from which to flank. Something away from the main field of battle. The hills to the east, perhaps." The female elf silently bowed and searched out mounts.
"Dunaria, has everyone been given a taste of the potion?"
Of course, my lord."
"Good, then spread the word. If the Dark Queen shows her face and attempts to enchant our armies, the men are to act as though she has won them over. Tell them to make it convincing, then wait until her army gets close. We strike then and no sooner."
"We have not the time to chase after coward rangers!" Zophina yelled to one of her generals through a mystic globe. "Tell your men to move double time out of the forest if they wish to survive."
The sycophant bowed. "I shall, my Queen."
A green flame suddenly lit up the throne room. Erich had arrived, and he brought with him the Stone of Genia. The night-clad warrior handed over the stone.
"And who is this darling you brought, Lord Erich?" The green clad ranger appeared unconscious.
"A plaything, Dark Lady. Her screams will bring you joy."
"Not right now, I am afraid. We must both be getting to the battlefield. Have the guards place her in the dungeon." Saraya quickly shut her eyes and went limp as the two gargoyles came and lifted her off the ground.
Another set of eyes watched, too, as the Dark Queen smiled in glee at the stone. But the pixie knew that Zophina wouldn't use the stone; not yet. And if she tried, well, Karwyn had already taken steps to prevent that. Now, she took a pinch of pink powder and directed it toward Zophina; she magically bound that spell to the one she had cast upon Sir Jon.
As his sun would rise, so would Queen Zophina's moon fall. . .
