Dark Snow White (Grimmoire Series)

Part XII

20 years ago… The Serpentine War continued…

“Dragon’s Blood? Isn’t blood supposed to be runny?” asked Orion, feeling a bit silly not understanding the name. “It’s a special name given to this stone. Blood from a dragon, the kind that runs out on the battlefield is useless. Dragon’s Blood, the kind you can use in magic is fossilised, harvested from very old Dragon’s,” explained Eleanor, “You hear of Dragon’s dying simply of old age - it’s because all their blood has fossilised and those dragons are as rare to come by as they are valuable, since so many die young.”

“How does it work?” asked Orion, looking at the Dragon’s Blood in Eleanor’s hand.

“Well, the short answer is, you take this solid fossil, say some magic words and it will turn into liquid,” said Eleanor, quietly. Even though it was just the two of them in the tent, people outside might overhear.

“Magic? Your Highness, I don’t know about that,” said Orion, backing away from the stone. “Do you have a better idea?” asked Eleanor, Orion remained silent, “And have I ever given you any reason to doubt me?” she asked, moving closer to him.

“Your Highness, it’s not about that. This sounds dangerous. You could get killed,” said Orion, looking intensely at the Queen. “Please, in here, call me Eleanor,” she said, “I will admit it is one of the more dangerous things I will do during this war, but my Kingdom, my people - they are worth dying for.”

“You’re not like other women,” said Orion. He ran his hand over Eleanor’s shoulder and gently, pulled her closer. El instinctively put her hands on his chest. His body armour barely contained his muscles. Orion leaned in and kissed her. He was ready to stop at any moment, had he read the signs wrongly, but to his delight, Eleanor wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. Then suddenly she pushed Orion away.

“Orion, I’m married,” said Eleanor, apologetically. “Do you even love him?” asked Orion. “We have a son together,” explained Eleanor. “So that’s a no, then?” answered Orion.

“My husband is sick. Your King is so sick I came to this war in place of him,” began Eleanor. “And what a noble thing to do indeed,” said Orion.

“Listen, this, whatever this is, has to wait,” said Eleanor, moving back from Orion, “We have a window of opportunity to strike the enemy and it must be tonight. “Understood. So what’s the plan?” asked Orion.

“I do everything, then you all hang back in case I miss anyone,” said Eleanor. Orion chuckled. “You’re going to wipe out their entire enemy camp with that tiny stone?” asked Orion. “Yes,” said Eleanor, simply.

“Okay,” said Orion not completely believing that to be possible, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Actually yes,” said Eleanor pointing at him, “Find me a white flag.”

 * * *

The Serpentine War… The Enemy Camp…

Eleanor watched the enemy camp from the forest. They were dancing and yelling about how RedCrest had surrendered. 

“We scared ‘em off good.” 

“Take their Dragons and take their women.”

“RedCrest is ours, woo hoo.”

One man was waving about the white flag Eleanor had instructed Orion to find. The flag, a note of surrender signed by the Queen and a carrier pigeon were all that were needed to set this plan in motion.

Eleanor waited and waited for her moment. A man walked away from the celebrations into the forest to relieve himself. The Queen followed him.

As the man positioned himself, he heard a twig snap. “Hello?” he asked. BAM - Eleanor whacked him straight across the back of the head with a rock and he was down. She rolled the man over and studied his face.