//------------------------------//
// 6 years later 
// Story: Ekre'als' equestrian adventure. 
// by RC 
//------------------------------//

	--*-- 6 years after the locating and founding of the crystal empire --*--

As I stood atop the roof of the home we had made I stared out at the fields where many who had been forced from their homes gathered before me, wandering and trying to create a town center before our house. They also were attempting to create farmlands and reservoirs for the river in case of storms or other situations. Not to mention all they had done in turning some of the plains between the mountains into a sustaining plot of farmland that was beginning to flourish.

I realize when one looks to me with a look of hope that they found our home as a refuge for themselves. I had heard muttering about how "a stallion who could breathe flames, and a mare with eyes as dark as sin" had been leading a crusade across the land in hopes of "cleansing the impure from this world of peace between the true races of eques."

I hoped I was wrong about who were said to lead it...

I heard a voice close to me while I was thinking about what was happening. I turned and saw Twilight alongside 'Tia and Lulu. In the background, I saw Shade's shadow from the window and Ice was trying not to fall. With a slight laugh and a small smile, I walked to ice and helped her balance before I returned to my resting place, Twilight and Luna came to my sides and 'Tia sat beside luna, her wing wrapped protectively around her younger sister.

"Girls, we came here as an escape, and it seems we became an outpost of hope." I start, as I continue to look over the land I rest my hand on twilights haunches, "We need to show them that we won't let the light of hope fade or fall."

"Do you think we can keep that true?" asked Luna curiously, attempting to get her back scratched with my free hand.

"We can try, little moon. We can try."

--*-- 7 years later, third person pov. --*--

"Sir, we have built a suitable border around the farmlands should they attempt to come from that direction, the fortifications in the north are also well built to withstand the assault when they come. Our trap spells are set alongside the volatile vials of calm-ness the alchemists created. currently, our greatest threat is the elder drake they awoke and bound to attack us." said Primus Pilus, Hic Manere

"Good, my herald, we cannot underestimate them, they have conquered most of this continent and killed too many to let live unpunished." Legatus Propraetor Ekre'Al said while overlooking the map of their home. "We will need to create some defensive fortifications upon the mountains, lest we allow our enemy to trap us within our own peaceful home." he continued.

"Sir." saluted  Hic before he went off to speak with the engineers of those who lived here.

After the legionnaire left, Ekre'Al walked back to his study where he tried to calm down and relax, his former friends would be arriving at the gates of the town to "cleanse the filth that lies in these soon to be beautiful streets". He wondered how Dragon could have fallen so hard that every word out of that witches mouth was the undisputed truth to him. He wondered what had happened to Rain, that changed him from the carefree youth he was to the slayer he was now known as. Through all this, a song returned to his mind, from a life he had lost in a time before. As he thought about it, he continued to walk.

He walked to his one true refuge, the roof of the central palace, and the most fortified location in the valley. As he reclined there, he heard some familiar steps come towards him, but he didn't open his eyes or look at who had come. No, instead he began to sing.




"The stars are very beautiful above the palace walls,
they shine with equal splendor still above far humbler halls.
I watch them through my windows, but there bright entrancing glow,
reminds me of the freedom I gave up so long ago.

The royal circlet of bright gold rests lightly on my brow,
I once thought only of the rights this circlet would endow.
But once I took the crown I had been schooled and breed,
I found it weighs heavy on the heart though light upon the head.

Although I am the head of state, in truth I am the least,
a true king knows his people fed before he sits to feast.
The good king knows his people safe before he takes his rest,
thinks twice and thrice and yet again before he makes request.

For they are all my children, all, that I swore to defend,
it is my duty to become both king and trusted friend.
And of my children, high and low, from beggar to above,
the dearest are my herald's who return my care with love.

The dearest are my heralds, swift to spring to my command,
who give me aid and fellowship, who always understand.
That land and people first have needs that I may not deny,
so I must send my dearest friends to danger and to die.

A friend, a love, a child, it matters not I know indeed,
that I should sacrifice them all if there should be a need.
They know and they forgive me, doing more than I require,
with willing minds and loving hearts, they go and grasp the fire.

These tears that burn my eyes are the tears a king can't shed.
the tears I weep in silence as I mourn my heralds dead.
Oh gods that dwell above the stars, if you can hear my cry,
and if you have compassion, let me send no more to die."

As he sung twilight sat beside him resting her head on his arm as a sign of comfort to the one she loves, while he began to weep over the travesty that was soon to begin.