Dawn of Everdale

**** Twenty-thousand years before the Princess of Everdale & Witch of Aggodar series ****

"How long before the attack?" Rholand asked wearily.

His advisors looked at one another before Sir Herrod finally spoke up.

"The orcs will be here at dawn, my Liege," he said. "No later."

The King swore under his breath and pressed his palms against his eyes. What good was being the first King of Everdale if he was also the last? Less than a year into his reign and already his new kingdom was on the verge of collapse. Cities had fallen, huge swathes of farmland had been burned and thousands had been killed. The orcs had driven a knife deep into Everdale's heartlands and now the tip of their onslaught was pointed firmly at the capital.

He looked around at the nobles assembled before him, those Lords and Ladies who had trusted him above all others to lead their newly united kingdom into an age of peace and prosperity. He had failed them all. He could see it in the grim lines of their faces, the dark circles beneath their eyes and the white knuckled grips with which they held their weapons. He was surprised that any of them were still prepared to stand by him. He did not think he deserved such loyalty.

Sir Cedric, the King's Prime Advisor, moved beside him and pointed to the map laid out on the table in front of them that displayed the various trenches and fortifications that had been hastily constructed around the new capital.

"Discipline and training are on our side," Cedric stated confidently. "Archers positioned here and here," - he pointed to two large earthworks leftover from the construction of the city's newest curtain wall - "will punish the enemy's advance. They will be funnelled into a choke point where we will break them upon our shield walls."

"Aye! The orcs are brutes, Sire," Sir Borrich said firmly. "They have outnumbered us before. aWe defeated them then, and we can do it again tomorrow."

Nods and growled words of affirmation rippled through the gathered nobles and for just a moment, defiance shone through their weary expressions. The King responded with a smile that did not quite meet his eyes, knowing in his heart that Everdale was already doomed.

"You do yourselves credit, my friends," Rholand said when the cheering had quietened down. He kept his voice neutral, his face a placid mask that hid the despair infecting his mind like a cancer. "But it is late, and we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Go. Get some rest, spend time with your families. Tomorrow, we fight for Everdale and everyone who has put their faith in us."

"For Everdale!" came the unified reply, braver and bolder than any Rholand thought he deserved.

****

The two soldiers stood a short distance from the King's field command tent, each of them huddled around a large brazier, warming their hands over the glowing coals. It was unusually cold for mid-summer, a fact that was blamed for one of the reasons why the orc tribes had ventured south in such great numbers. The soldiers were cold and nervous of what lay ahead come the dawn. They chatted about whatever came to mind and told jokes to keep their minds off the impending battle that they both knew was coming.

"'Ere," one of them said suddenly as he saw a figure stride out of the darkness towards them. "Who's that then?"

The woman that approached them looked like an angel plucked straight from heaven. Her snow-white hair was swept back behind her head and fell in a single, neat braid down her back. Her skin was lightly tanned and sparkled like starlight whilst her eyes glowed a pale turquoise even in the darkness of the night. She wore a white, strapless leotard that sat high upon her hips and a pair of silvered, thigh thigh, armoured boots trimmed in gold. Matching grieves protected her arms whilst flared pauldrons guarded her shoulders and neck. A silver circlet rested upon her brow and she carried a trident of pure gold in her left hand. Tucked behind her back, their tips trailing the ground like a cloak, were a pair of golden wings that dazzled in the faint light given off by the brazier.

"Fuck me!" hissed the second soldier. "That's a White Angel!"

"Nah," grunted the first man. "That ain't just any White Angel! That's the fuckin' Saint of Everdale!"

If the woman heard the soldiers discussing her, she gave no outward sign. She strode past them towards the King's tent and waited patiently for the voices within to fall silent. A moment later, the tent flap was pushed aside and she bowed her head respectfully as the nobles filed out in ones and twos in search of their horses. When it seemed that the tent was empty, she slipped silently inside.

The King seemed surprised when he looked up from the map table in front of his but she knew well enough that the smile that pulled at his lips was genuine.

"Alyss," he breathed.

She bowed her head. "Good evening, Sire," she replied softly.

He moved as swiftly as he was able around the table towards her and embraced her. "I thought I might not see you tonight," he said.

He seemed to tremble as he spoke and she could tell that he was exhausted. She knew how tense things had been over the last few months and could only imagine how hard the current situation was on him. She held him tightly and whispered softly in his ear. "I am here, Rholand. Everything is going to be alright."

He sighed as she stroked his hair before reluctantly pulling away from her. "No," he said sadly, "I don't think it will be."

She watched as returned slowly to his seat at the head of the table, absently touching the handful of blue and white shields arrayed against the mass of green on the map that represent the orc tribes. She had heard the reports. Even the most conservative ones put the orcs' numbers at four times their own.

"Have faith, My Lord," she whispered, placing a hand upon his shoulder. "Your men are brave and loyal. They have not lost hope yet."

"They should have," Rholand muttered. "I have failed them. I have failed you all."

"You have done no such thing," Alyss replied firmly. She placed her hand on the King's cheek and gently turned his face to look him in the eyes. There were a few more streaks of grey in his black hair and the frown lines wrinkled his brow but beneath that she still saw the charming, charismatic man that she remembered.

"You are the first King of Everdale," she said. "It was your vision that united the barons and dukes under one banner and it was you who they chose to lead them into this new age. Without you, the orcs would have picked them off one by one. Together, we at least stand a chance of defeating them."

She kissed him then, pressing her lips against his as if to make her point. He closed his eyes as their foreheads touched and she could see that that at least had made him feel a little better.

"I wish I could follow you into battle," he whispered. "I wish I was not cursed with this damned leg."

She crouched before him, resting her hand tenderly on his left leg. A defect of his birth had left the King with a limp and physical weakness. He could not ride and struggled to even swing a sword on the practice fields for more than a few minutes.

"Your strength is your mind, Sire," she said, touching his forehead. "And your good heart." She touched his chest. "Let others bare your sword for you."

Her hands moved to his waist where his blue tunic was tucked into his sleek, dark pants. He did not stop her as her fingers deftly loosened his silver belt buckle, or when she slid his pants down over his thighs. His brown eyes shone as he watched her and she could see the bulge of his cock twitching beneath his undergarments as she kissed his weak leg tenderly.

"Alyss," he began, his voice cracking.

"Shh," she whispered. "It's alright. Let me take care of you."

She slipped her hand beneath his underwear and eased his cock out from under the fabric. Her fingers curled around his shaft and she moved her hand slowly up and down his length as she continued to kiss his legs. A small grunt escaped the King's lips as he leant back in his chair and she increased her speed in response to his obvious desire before shuffling forwards on her knees and taking him into her mouth. She sucked slowly on his cock, moving her head up and down in long, deliberate strokes. Her tongue moved expertly in the way she knew he liked and she gently massaged his legs as his breathing grew quicker. He lifted his hand and for a moment she thought he was going to push her deeper onto his length, but at the last moment he seemed to think better of it and she felt a pang of frustration as his hand dropped to his side once more.

"Do you want me to stop?" she asked softly.

He shook his head, a touch of pink appearing in his face. "No," he breathed. "No, keep going."

She smiled up at him, cradling his cock in her hand for a moment before standing and straddling his lap. She held his dick upright as she pushed aside her leotard with her other hand to reveal her hairless pussy and gently lowered herself onto his shaft. The King grunted softly, captivated by her glittering wings and dazzling eyes as she began to ride him. She took took his hands and guided them to her hips before folding down the bust of her leotard to reveal her tits and pink nipples. She placed her hands on the back of the King's head and drew him to her chest, pressing his face in between her breasts as she rode him. Rholand's heartbeat was loud in his chest and she knew from the speed of his breathing that he was reaching his tipping point. She increased her speed, rotating her hips from side to side at the same time, and heard the King growl moments before she felt his hot seed burst from his cock inside of her.

She smiled as she relaxed on his lap, cradling his head in her hands and kissing his lips tenderly. "You see, my Lord?" she purred. "You have many qualities to admire."

He looked back at her with slightly glazed eyes and she knew her duty was done. She kissed his cheek again before carefully lifting herself off his limp shaft and rearranging her leotard, taking the opportunity to commit the map of Everdale's fortifications and troop deployments to her memory.

"I wish things were different," Rholand said quietly.

She pursed her lips, unsure if the King was referring to the coming war or to their own relationship. They had been sleeping together for six months now, a fact that had become something of an open secret at court despite their best efforts. No one addressed their relationship directly but she was well aware of the rumours that circulated the tea parlours and bars of the city. White Angels were supposed to be celibate. And then there was the small matter of the Queen...

The opening of the King's tent was pushed aside and she cursed silently as Sir Cedric entered. The King's Prime Advisor paused as he saw her, his eyes narrowing disdainfully as Rholand hurried to pull his pants back up.

"Sire," he said coldly. "Forgive my intrusion, I was not aware you had... Company."

"What is it, Cedric?" the King asked, his cheeks as red as the cloth of his advisor's cloak.

Cedric's eyes darted to Alyss before returning to meet Rholand's gaze. "The last scouts have reported in. They have confirmed that the Black Bull is leading the tribes."

Rholand put his head in his hands, not bothering to hide his emotions from the two people who knew him best. "That is it then," he sighed. "The Black Bull is unstoppable."

"No one is unstoppable," Alyss replied.

Cedirc shot her a look before nodding reluctantly. "She's right. "The Bull is just another orc."

"An orc who has successfully rallied every tribe north of our borders into one, unified force!" Rholand retorted. "If he weren't about to destroy us, the irony would almost be amusing."

An awkward silence filled the room. Alyss desperately wanted to say something in the hopes of lifting Rholand's spirits, but the news that the Black Bull was leading the orc tribes was not something she could ignore either.

"Sire," she said. "I apologise, but I must deliver this news to my fellow Angels."

Rholand looked longingly at her before nodding once. "Of course," he said. "Thank you, Alyss. I... I appreciate all that you do."

She smiled as she bowed before locking eyes with Cedric once more and ducking out of the tent. The Prime Advisor watched her go silently before striding around the table to the King's side.

"What was she doing here?" he hissed.

"Nothing," Rholand replied. "She's my advisor, Cedric. She is as entitled to seek me out as you are."

Cedric snorted. "Please, Rholand," he snapped. "I know what she's about. I trust the royal cock is satisfied?"

The King stood swiftly, glaring at the other man who stood only an inch or so shorter than he did. "You cannot speak to your King that way!" he snapped.

"No," Cedric conceded before jabbing the King in the chest with his index finger. "But I can tell my brother that he's a damned fool! Need I remind you that you are married?"

Rholand glowered at his younger sibling before turning away. "To a woman who does not love me," he replied. "I married Meredith for the sake of Everdale's future. You know that, and she knows that."

"She may not love you, brother," Cedric said calmly. "But she does care for you."

"Then surely she would be glad that I have found some small measure of happiness after all that I have sacrificed?"

Cedric shook his head. "You are a great King, Rholand. But you are an idiot. Do you think it easy for Meredith to hear the rumours? Do you think she enjoys being made a fool of by your antics?"

"That is not my intention," the King replied.

"But it is what has happened," Cedric said bluntly. "Meredith may not be the woman that you wanted, but she has played the part just as she promised she would. Maybe its is time you considered the sacrifices that she had made as well?"

****

The Angel's Sanctum was located within Everdale's third district within sight of the palace. The temple was surrounded by gardens filled with white roses and willow trees that sighed in the evening breeze whilst high walls offered the inhabitants a measure of privacy. Alyss landed gracefully on the lawn outside the domed temple, her glittering wings folding neatly behind her back as she hurried up the marble steps towards the inner sanctum.

Since before the lands had united, the Duchy of Everdale had been served by nine Angels. Each one was taken at birth, having been born beneath the light of a falling star, and was blessed by sipping from the Holy Chalice, an ancient relic said to have once belonged to the Lord of Light. They were warriors, diplomats and symbols of faith. Their distinctive wings meant they were known throughout the lands and since the unification of the Kingdom, they had pledged themselves to the defence of Everdale's royal family.

By the time Alyss reached the glass table the other Angels were already waiting for her. Four seats were vacant; one was her own but the others belonged to the Angels that had fallen since the orcs had invaded. As far as anyone could tell, it had been centuries since so many seats had been empty at once.

"We saw you coming," Dianna said as Alyss took her seat. "What news do you bring?"

"The Black Bull leads the invasion as we suspected," she replied, giving the other Angels a moment to digest the news. "This confirms what we have suspected. This war will be decided tomorrow, for good or for ill."

"We are still agreed then?" Charlotte asked as she looked around the table, her piercing eyes glinting beneath her long pink bangs. "We kill the Bull, and we end this war?"

"No chief has ever managed to subdue as many tribes as this Black Bull," Dianna replied. "We cut him down, and it stands to reason that their alliance will fall apart due to infighting from the other chiefs."

"They intend to funnel the orcs between the eastern fortifications," Alyss replied. "The fighting will be thickest there and from what we know of the Bull, it stands that that is where we will find him."

"And what does the King make of this?" Dianna asked.

An awkward silence settled over the other Angels as they looked at Alyss. The idea that Angels were supposed to be celibate was nonsense. Every one of them had their own relationships and playthings with whom they indulged themselves with, but none had gone so far as to bed the very man they were sworn to protect. Alyss still wasn't sure if they disapproved of her relationship with Rholand, or if they respected her for it.

"The King wishes to take part in the fight," she said. "I have reminded him of the virtues of being a peaceful ruler."

"Lord knows we will need his guidance when this is over," Dianna said. "Keep him happy, Alyss. Keep him focused. Whatever it takes."

Alyss bowed her head in agreement. The Angels had no official leader. They were all equal in one another's eyes, and yet when Dianna spoke, everyone seemed to listen.

"We have lost a great deal lately," Dianna said to the table. "Now is the time for us to put an end to this awful war and avenge our fallen Angels. Rest well tonight, Sisters. Tomorrow, we kindle hope in Everdale once again!"

****

Dawn came bright and early over Everdale. The city, still under expansion to accommodate the new buildings necessary to run a vast Kingdom, blazed brightly beneath the orange light of the sun, whilst beyond the walls thickets of spears and polished shields glinted like diamonds upon the lush, green meadows.

The army was arrayed in tight formations. Spearmen armed with tall shields stood ready to receive the initial assault whist sword armed auxiliaries waited behind them to deliver a counter-charge. Archers crouched upon the large earth fortifications around which the army had gathered, their backs to the sun and their quivers full of arrows. Together, they would hold the orcs, and if or when they were overrun, they would fall back to the city and begin the slow process of holding out against a siege.

Alyss soared through the blue sky, her wings beating steadily as she swept over the city in formation with her fellow Angels. In the distance she could see a great cloud of dust and every now and then she heard a monstrous bellow as the wind changed direction and carried the roar of the oncoming horde to her ears.

She landed gracefully on the cobbled main street, smiling as the gathered crowd hooted and cheered for the Angels. She waved to a little girl as she increased her speed, drawing level with the knight that rode at the head of the column of cavalry towards the main gates.

"How is he?" she asked.

"Unsettled, no thanks to you," Cedric growled, waving to the crowd.

"He was more than satisfied before you showed up," she countered.

"Hey!" someone in the crowd shouted. "Isn't that the Whore of Everdale?"

She scowled as she looked around but the heckler had already vanished into the crowd. She could feel Cedric's eyes on the back of her head and resisted the urge to take to the skies once again.

"He has a wife," he said. "He does not need you."

"You don't get to decide that," Alyss replied curtly. "He is my King too. I will serve him, however he wishes."

"You pledged to serve the entire royal family," Cedric snapped as he flicked his reins. "That means the Queen as well."

She scowled as he trotted away from her before spreading her wings and leaping into the sky. She glanced briefly back towards the palace and thought of Rholand and Meredith standing on the balcony, watching the army take up their positions on the field. She clenched her teeth and swept off into the sky.

****

The orcs arrived just after dawn. Their army was a sprawling, disjointed mass, concentrated around pockets of ordered chaos where the chiefs of the various united tribes marched. Ragged banners of every colour flew over the hordes whilst rickety chariots pulled by ill-tempered boards and larger rhino mounted orcs snorted and stomped on the flanks of the army.