"A sky full of stars and he was staring at her."

~

(One month ago)

The iron gates swung wide open, and Daniel took a deep breath before he strode into the throne room.

Elegant braziers hung from marble columns, lighting up every inch of space, their light wrapping the hall in a warm radiance, while shadows flickered in every corner. Embellished embroideries drooped from the walls while an amber rug ran down the center of the hall. Daniel's gaze travelled higher to the ceremonial balconies adorning either side of the room, where sat four men, two in each, and the very feel of their eyes on him made him uncomfortable. Lowering his gaze, he focused on the raised platform at the center, adorned by three thrones. The throne in the middle was covered in intricate carvings. Its pillows were a dark amber, adorned with golden needlework.

On the throne sat King Hayden, lord of the Immortals.

His black, waist length hair slightly revealed a menacing face and hazel eyes, set within their sockets, watching him almost hungrily. His skin was pale as a full moon night, with granite features and a gracefully curving jaw.

Daniel curtsied, and the king spoke up.

"Welcome, son of Arlana." His voice was silky. "The last time an elf set foot in Roselea, the earth was burning, while a thousand wretched souls cried out, desperate for salvation. Since that unfortunate period, more than a decade has passed. And while a decade is nothing but a fleeting moment for creatures such as you and I, it does beg the question, what has changed for the folk who put themselves on a high pedestal, to be desperate enough to seek the help of those they loathe with all their heart and soul?"

Daniel sighed. This was going to be more difficult than he had imagined. "We may have had our differences, but to attribute them to loathing seems to me a bit far fetched, my lord."

The king smiled contemptuously.

"Do not lie to our faces. Every person sitting in this room senses your disgust. I feel the way your blood boils, you do not make an effort to hide your abhorrence. Choose your words carefully, elf."

"Or what, my lord?" Daniel tried to keep himself from rolling his eyes. "You and I both know you will not lay a finger on me, for the risk of inviting the wrath of the elves. With utmost respect, you are not my king, my lord, nothing you can do will scare me in the slightest."

It was at this moment that he expected atleast one of the several people present to lunge for his throat, but they remained seated. He shifted his gaze back to the king, who, to his surprise, bore a rather amused expression on his face.

"Arlana's favorite son, aren't you?" The king leaned forward, resting his head on the tip of his folded hands. "Then tell me, without further ado, to what do we owe this honor?"

"The hope to rekindle a long lost friendship, my lord."

The king tilted his head. "And why, precisely, would I be interested?"

"I have travelled for a long time before I reached here, and I have seen quite a few interesting sights during my journey. Mountains, rivers. Men toiling in the fields and drinking in pubs." Daniel met the king's eyes. "And birds. Dark as the inferno they threaten to bring along with them."

The temperature of the room dipped.

Daniel watched as the king's smile disappeared, but his expression remained calm as he leaned back onto the pillows.

"You saw the ravens?" he asked quietly.

"The spies have returned. Whoever or whatever the enemy is, it grows stronger with every passing moment," Daniel asserted. "You ask me why I come here? I come here, on behalf of my king, seeking an alliance. One that unites the armies of this earth, and annihilates the evil before it spreads."

"And tell me," said the king, with a hint of scorn in his voice, "how do I stand to benefit from this alliance?"

"Benefit, my lord?" Daniel echoed. "You fought beside my king's father in the last Dark War, surely you know better than any living soul the death and destruction that it brought, and the havoc it wreaked upon your people and mine."

The king smiled mockingly. "And what was the reward that your people gave mine for surrendering my help, and that of my forces? You made us pariahs. You call us half breeds, demons with an insatiable bloodlust. The volatile stench of your disgust filled the air the moment you stepped into this room. Tell me, then, why should I help you?"

"You will hide here in the shadows as the darkness takes over the earth?" asked Daniel.

The Immortal sitting on the throne on the right leaned forward.

Prince Elijah stared down with amused eyes. His stance was predatory, his tousled black hair contrasting against his pale skin and angular, handsome cheekbones. As Daniel turned to look at the prince's face, he reminded him of a vial of poison, for the most beautiful things in the world are often the most deadly.

The prince spoke, his voice smooth as elixir. "What has this earth and its people ever done for us to owe it anything? Do not take us to be fools, son of Arlana. I know precisely why you come here for help."

"And why is that?" asked Daniel.

"Galar. The disease. The last time it was unleashed, it formed the Ancients. You fear it will be unleashed again. It does not affect us, but it affects men and elves." The corner of his lip twisted mockingly. "If such a situation arises, we are your only hope for victory. So I repeat the question. What do you have to offer for us to accept this alliance?"

Daniel raised his head, looking straight into the prince's dark eyes. "If I say I have nothing materialistic to offer you, you would turn me away, and hide in this city, under the earth, while death and destruction are rampant?"

Moving his gaze to the throne beside him, Daniel looked at the king. He had leaned back completely onto his throne, and was smiling down at him. Silence filled the room, before the king finally spoke.

"You already have the weapon you need to win."

His voice reverberated across the room.

Daniel's heart seized.

Raising his head, his pulse racing, he beheld the king's eyes. While they usually held a sharp cunning, they were presently dancing with curiosity. Daniel's hands clenched into fists, a protective instinct rising inside him.

He knew?

There was no way the king could have found out, not unless there was a traitor in Arlana.

Daniel closed his eyes for a second, and exhaled. "I do not know what you are talking about, my lord," he managed, as calmly as possible.

"I see," the king's amused expression had returned. "You care for her, don't you?" He smirked. "Perhaps more than the king knows."

Daniel stiffened, as he felt his demeanor slipping.

"She is just a child," he replied coolly.

The king smiled knowingly as he studied his face. "You and I both know she is so much more."

Daniel's eyes smoldered. "It is evident that this conversation is going nowhere. My king looks forward to your answer. I'll take your leave, my lord," he said calmly, before he turned his back to the king, and strode away. Barely had he reached the iron doors that the king's voice boomed across the hall.

"Wait."

Daniel stopped in his tracks, not bothering to turn.

"Tell Lord Cadeyrn I will offer him my help, and that my forces will be at his disposal, if he can promise me but one thing."

"And what is it that you want in return, my lord?" asked Daniel.

King Hayden smiled.