Sorry for the delay, I got buggered by some stuff. On the flipside book 2 is getting really close
It did not take the trio long because they came across an entry that froze them.
Queen Ulania wants to exterminate the humans and she might have just convinced King Thorgoth.
I’m still not sure if I believe it, even after I’ve written this, but she wishes to exterminate every last human being on Durannon, on the planet.
Well, if that was only that.
Over the last few months, I have discovered this by chance and tragedy. I have written other entries, recording what I’ve seen, heard and what I’ve decided. I’ve since burnt and destroyed those entries. This…this shall serve as the only account to the horror I witnessed.
Once, I had a former human student at the Academy of Magic named Jane Yalen. She was only moderately bright, but she was a hard worker. I never apprenticed her but we kept in contact by letter. With the Strife however and all the chaos that had been happening I lost contact with her.
Four months ago she met by chance Antigones and he, bless him, delivered a letter to me for her. She wrote of how she was hoping for a job, any job and that with all the discrimination occuring in Alavaria against humans, she hoped I might offer her one.
I agreed, and went to her home, in the human ward of a town not too far from Minairen. Only…when I arrived there was no humans there.
Timur swallowed. “Human ward?”
“Places where humans tended to live in in larger towns.” Antigones’s eyes widened and his fingers tightened around the journal. “They no longer exist.”
It was as if the ward had turned into a ghost town. There were some belongings left, but even as I searched, folk were rummaging through the houses, ransacking wardrobes, breaking in chests. Among these blackhearts were city guards. I demanded to know what was going on and who allowed this.
I was shown orders for removal of all humans, stamped by the Queen’s Seal.
At the time, I was so certain they were a forgery so I rode straight to Minairen and requested an audience with Ulania.
I should have realized something was wrong when after I told Ulania what was going on and she said she’d look into it. I trusted her.
Days turned to weeks and the letters I received from Ulania, saying that nothing had been found started to become less believable. At first I thought something was preventing the queen from acting, so I looked into it and slowly I began to realize something larger was afoot.
Human wards all over Alavaria have been vanishing. Quietly, often in the dead of night and if anybody asks, they’re shown the Queen’s Seal.
Eventually I followed one of the parties with a group of my loyal guards and I discovered what I could only describe as a nightmare.
The thing was, Queen Ulania was always an amazing magic researcher before she became queen. Most people don’t know that.
Titania frowned. “This is certainly the first time I’ve heard about this.”
“She used the pseudonym Lady Alunai if I recall. She wrote our textbook on storage crystals. She published a book on Named Wands as well,” said Timur, scratching his chin.
“Shh!” Antigones hissed.
Somehow she figured out two ways to build a Mana Battery, true ones. I…I would have celebrated her invention, but the cost and the method she found was too horrific.
The first method she found was to embed crystals into a person to form a sort of matrix which I’ve made sure to destroy the formula to. It’s an exceedingly painful process and because the host is living, they…they made sure these hosts were incapable of casting magic by themselves. Jane had been turned into one of these, or should I say, what was left of her. All that was left was a poor, tortured, broken woman who begged me to kill her.
I…I had to oblige. Galena forgive me, but I had to oblige for all of them.
“Incapable of—” Timur stood up and took a deep breath, trying not to think of the images that flashed into his mind. Yet no matter what, he couldn’t push those thoughts out. Nor could he stop wondering if that was what the humans had planned for Morgan.
“Galena,” whispered Antigones.
Titania nodded and froze. “Wait, she mentioned a second version.”
“A second—” Antigones narrowed his eyes and read on.
According to the notes I found, though, the problem with these versions of the Mana Battery were that they provided limited power output. It was near infinite, so long as you kept the “battery” fed and mobile. However, what if…what if you sacrificed mobility to create something more permanent?
This is where I found the second version of the Mana Battery. It was made from countless humans, their cores linked with magic and wire with gems hanging from them. It was a horrible construction of flesh and metal wire. It would have been bad enough if they were dead.
But they were alive.
Timur turned, away, one hand clamped over his mouth, the other wiping away tears. Desperately he searched for a bin of some kind as his stomach heaved, hating that he was reacting this way.
Only, he wasn’t alone. Titania had used Second Chance to yank one of the small cauldrons from the wall and handed it to her. She looked utterly miserable, and her arms were holding herself as if she was freezing.
Timur heaved the meal he had into the cauldron and wiped his mouth. He accepted the water that Antigones handed to him and used it to rinse out his mouth.
“What the fuck? Also, I’m sorry.”
Titania took a deep breath. “No brother, that’s an appropriate reaction. Don’t be ashamed of that.”
The princes somehow managed a smile. “Thank sis. You’re getting better at this.”
“It’s Your Majesty.” Titania smirked for a brief moment. “You’re welcome.”
“May I continue?” Antigones asked, sitting as still as stone, one hand clenching the end of his great white beard.
The siblings nodded and the general continued.
I didn’t have Second Chance but I destroyed the site, every last trace of it, and made sure to leave no one alive, or trace of who did it. I had discovered to much. The papers and orders in the desks were clear, this was all orchestrated and authorized by Queen Ulania. This horror, this abomination to all the laws of honor of Alavaria had to be stopped. I approached King Thorgoth, using my status as Archmage of Alavaria.
And that was when I found out another truth, one that I have to my shame, been ignoring all this time.
I have always supported the Greyhammer Dynasty and King Thorgoth. I have willingly turned a blind eye to what I always suspected was the deaths of Tsarmina, for she would have been a horrible ruler. I trusted Thorgoth, my former student’s judgement and ignored whatever rumors were spread about his involvement in Tagus’s death.
That all has changed. It had to change.
Something, maybe some self-preservation instinct prevented me from bringing up my destruction of the testing site, or that there was one. I suspect I was keeping the advice of my dear husband in account. “Don’t reveal your dagger before you see the size of your opponent’s,” he has told me many times. I always thought he was being silly remembering these strange phrases, but they work.. I remembered his words before my meeting with Thorgoth and it was good that I did.
Thorgoth ignored my concerns when I asked about the humans being abducted. He informed me that this was for the good of Alavaria and explained that Ulania had reported to him about the saboteur activities occurring in the kingdom. He explained that they were merely being deported for their safety and the safety of Alavaria.
Through all of this, I could tell he had an inkling of what was going on. His reaction eventually grew hostile and I could tell that he did suspect something greater was afoot, but he didn’t care. He didn’t care that people in Alavaria were disappearing.
Moreover, he was suspicious of what I knew. We have not been on good terms since that night and I doubt we ever will. I tried not to be harsh or too questioning, but I think we both knew that we were each hiding something.
As such, I cannot act alone. So I have decided to enlist my good friend Star on a dangerous quest that is essentially treason.
Ulania’s experiments have to end, we need to kill her. We need…to kill the Queen of Alavaria.
“Oh, oh that explains a lot.”
Timur glanced at his sister. “Explains how Ulania was killed?”
“Yeah that and dad’s anti-human sentiments. It always seemed beyond simply typical speciesm. It seemed personal and something he was passionate about.” The queen adjusted Whitey on her head and squeezed Antigones’s shoulder. “Dear?”
The general had gone very still and a spiderweb of crinkles spread across the paper clutched by his fingers.
“I am alright. Let’s…let’s continue.”
Dear Diary,
Several months ago, I managed to contact Star. It seems she had been having suspicions on her own, and what I found confirmed them. When I suggested assassinating Ulania, she was surprised, but agreed and we…we did it.
I have no heart to write down the precise details. This was an act I took no pleasure in and will probably feel guilty about to the end of my days.
Ulania didn’t expect Star and I to assassinate her together. She fought back, but we overpowered and murdered her in Minairen Summer Palace after luring her there. As Thorgoth and the guards arrived, we then escaped in a secret tunnel we’d pre-built leading from the palace’s throne room to the sewers. We hid it so well with some clever trickery and illusion magic that nobody has found it.
In fact, nobody knows how or even why Ulania died and that may have been our biggest mistake.
Star and I hadn’t wanted to leave any trances of our involvement or anybody’s involvement. It would be too dangerous for the White Order and my family. Neither of us wanted to point fingers or lay false hints as to who had done it. We both had agreed that that would have been rather irresponsible.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Moreover, we were disguised when we killed Ulania, so she didn’t recognize us, but I think in her last moments she said something to Thorgoth, something that has made him completely turn on the humans.
Thorgoth had never cared about humans, but ever since Ulania’s death he’s expelled all the remaining human and half-humans in the palace staff. He’s also started to write decrees excluding humans from positions of authority and power. The language is coached in such a way that it prioritises Alavari from families of long lineages, essentially excluding humans.
There’s also been rumors at court, where Thorgoth is entertaining ideas that Tagus, Thomas and Tsarmina were assassinated by humans. His father’s death never used to be discussed. It had been something that I’d found odd, but I’d put it out from my mind until now. I hadn’t believed it when Star had suggested that Thorgoth killed his own father, but I…I cannot deny he had the opportunity and the most to gain.
Oh diary…I knew the assassination would have consequences with Thorgoth. I had gone to try to comfort him, but he’d refused to even see me. I do not regret what I did, what I had to do. I cannot forget what I saw. But I…I lament the change in my former student, and the revelation of if I ever knew my former student that well.
Which leaves me with but one option. I must gather allies and prepare for whatever Thorgoth has set his eyes on. Star is busy working on her newest student Edana the Firehand and trying to repair the damage from the Lapanterian-Erisdalian War. We were lucky to even have her available for the assassination of Ulania. Moreover, there are too many eyes on me, the Archmage of Alavaria, for me to act directly. So I’ve sent a letter to a colleague of mine and a friend of Antigones, Allaniel. He’s capable but not a braggart. He can act independently. I will bring him into my confidence, not with Ulania’s death, but with my suspicions about Tagus’s death and provide him with the resources necessary.
With any luck we might find something that will serve useful for what is to come.
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Ayax’s tail flicked side to side as she digested what she’d heard. Her friends were wincing or in Elizabeth’s case, looking a little sick.
Taking a deep breath, Ayax rubbed her girlfriend’s back. “Okay so…we found out how my father got involved. He was working for Archmage Zirabelle. We also know the source for Thorgoth’s hatred toward humans.”
Martin groaned. “But we’ve learnt nothing we can actually use against Thorgoth, though. Unless he somehow constructed a Mana battery from what Ulania left?”
From the lounge where she sat with her husband and brother, Titania shook her head. “Possibly, but I doubt it. Alavari mages would have been issued Mana Batteries long ago if that was the case. It seems Zirabelle destroyed the only testing facility and she and Star killed the only person who had the notes.”
Shaking her head, Elizabeth sighed. “Thank God for that.”
“So you’re going to the mountains now, Timur?”
Timur smiled at Frances. “Yes dear. I’ll be rendezvousing with my mother and a small escort.” The prince opened his mouth, about to say more about his plans when he noticed that Frances was gently massaging her temples. “Frances, is everything alright? Is there trouble with Morgan?”
“A little, but it’s fine.” Frances closed her eyes briefly and when she opened them, she was smiling again. “I’m working through it with mom’s help.”
Timur frowned. “Isn’t Edana meant to be heading to Leipmont and then Salpheron soon?”
Frances’s smile froze for a split-second, before she nodded. “Yes, but I’ll be alright. You don’t have to worry, Timur. Morgan and Hattie are being as helpful as they can.”
Ginger’s blue eyes narrowed. “Kid, are you sure you’re getting enough sleep?”
“No, but I’m working on it. Enough about me, though. We shouldn’t bother Her Majesty and the Lord General,” said Frances, waving her hand.
Titania’s eyes were narrowed, but she nodded. “Thank you, Stormcaller. In fact, there is a matter that I wish to address that will need all of your input. It regards the status of Athelda-Aoun once the war is over.”
Martin leaned his elbows on his desk. “Aren’t you being somewhat presumptive, Your Majesty? The war is still ongoing.”
Titania steepled her fingers. “Indeed, but we should not delay this topic. The fact of the matter is that Athelda-Aoun is no longer the ruin it once has been. Thanks to your efforts, in but a year, the city’s been transformed into a bustling town that is remarkably self-suffecient. You’ve even started exporting precious metals. ”
Ayax crossed her arms. “And so The Kingdom of Alavaria wants ownership of Athelda-Aoun because it’s now valuable enough to be considered important.”
Timur, eyes wide, stared at the queen, slowly shaking his head. “Sister, I understand what you want, but Erisdale will be very concerned about this. The city’s in too important a location for them to accept Alavarian suzerienty.”
“Not to mention that most of Athelda-Aoun’s population are comprised of refugees from the Kingdom of Alavaria,” Ginger hissed. Balling her hands into fists, she stood up. “If you had found a place for people fleeing your father, or bothered to do anything to help us, then maybe we will consider it, Your Majesty.”
Ayax swallowed and glanced at Elizabeth, who was grimacing.
Titania, scowling now, rose to her feet slowly, gracefully, and pointed a perfectly manicured finger at the mirror. “Listen here you uncouth moron. I’m fighting a fucking war here. It’s kinda expensive and before you accuse me of doing nothing, I’ve approved every request my brother has ever made of me with regards to Athelda-Aoun, including not staking my claim on its mines, it’s artefacts or the fact that you have a prince that I could really use leading my armies and organizing my war effort! Instead I’ve let him stay in Athelda-Aoun to take care of the civillians when I could have asked for them back!’
Ginger’s eyes widened, whilst Elizabeth turned to Timur’s image. “Wait, your sister can do that?”
Timur spluttered, “Well technically she can as they are her subjects, but anyhow, sister, you promised you would not—” In that moment, the queen turned to her brother and Timur’s voice trailed off. Titania’s lips were twisted in a frustrated scowl, whilst her shoulders were sagging.
“I have, but I also must keep Alavaria’s interest in mind. I do have a solution, though. It’s just that it centres on you and Frances.”
“On us?” Timur asked, glancing at Frances, who’s head had whipped back up. She crossed her arms, tired brown eyes glaring at the mirror.
“Explain.”
“Essentially, if Timur marries Frances, I can grant Athelda-Aoun as your personal fiefdom for him and his potential heirs in perpetuity. You can both decide what to do then and hell, make the city a republic for all I care.”
Timur’s jaw dropped open, and his wasn’t the only one.
“You’re joking?” Ayax growled. “There’s no way the city council will accept this, even if they trust Frances and Timur.”
“Don’t be stupid, Blackgale. You all are part of that council and would swing their opinion in a matter of seconds. Moreover, Athelda-Aoun lies within pre-war Alavari controlled territory! We had the north bank of the Kwent River Valley for years. Like it or not, Athelda-Aoun is in Alavarian territory and is not a private city for you all to decide what to do!” Titania opened her mouth, only for Antigones to gently squeeze her elbow. Shaking her head, the queen sat back down and growled. “Look, I’m sorry. There…there are lords and ladies clamoring for me to grant Athelda-Aoun to one of their children. Nobles that have supported me who want a reward of some kind. I’ve put them off by underplaying Athelda-Aoun’s value and implying that it will go to my brother as his fiefdom but they will be expecting something after the war and so this is the best option I can offer. Just think on it and if you have any other solutions, please, let me know.”
The a mixture of emotions were exchanged between the group of friends in a glances and frowns.
Ginger, Martin’s hand rubbing her back, took a deep breath. “I apologize, Your Majesty. That was rash of me. I think I speak for all of us that we’ll think on your proposal.”
“Apology accepted. Timur, we’ll leave you to take to Frances. Goodnight.” With that, Titania gave her motionless brother a pat on the back and left the room in silence.
“Timur can we talk in private? Everybody, can you please carry on? I’ll catch you up later,” said Frances in an odd, strained tone.
“Of course. See you soon, dear and um, thank you and sorry everybody,” said Timur.
“Don’t worry about us, cuz, Timur. We’ll update you on the siege’s progress too,” said Ayax, giving her relative what she hoped was a warm smile. Frances, reflected it, and waved, before she cut the connection. Timur waved back as his image disappeared.
“She’s not getting enough sleep is she?” Elizabeth muttered.
“No. If Timur’s not with her…I think it’s nightmares. She has nightmares far more rarely when Timur’s sleeping with her. I wonder what triggered them?” Martin mused. He shook his head and turned away from the mirror. “Let’s leave the topic of Athelda-Aoun for the moment and talk about the siege. We managed to get in contact with Ophelia and the Erlenbergian fleet. They’re all good for the plan. We just need to decide on who is going.”
“We could both go to be honest,” said Ginger with a shrug. “We’d blend in quite well with the defenders.”
Martin shook his head. “No. We need a mage and a second. It’d probably be too dangerous otherwise. Remember, Janize is likely to have Otherworlders or mages guarding her.”
“Then why don’t I go?”
Ayax’s gaze whipped across to stare at Elizabeth, who was fiddling with her fingers. However, the Otherworlder’s expression was calm, and still. “You’re the commander of this army, nobody could hold it together but you.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “That’s not true. We have Martin and Ginger. Both Erisdalian, both have the respect of our troops. Martin’s a noble and Ginger’s a commoner and someone who has proven herself as a leader of soldiers and a tactician.”
“Wait, but you’re the leader Liz. You put this army together. You can’t just abandon it,” Martin stammered.
Elizabeth shook her head, her smile widening. “This isn’t abandoning it. We need our best to try to kill Janize before she gets pregnant or has a child. We are trying to fulfil our mission the best way we can, and I know you both will be able to fill my shoes. Hell, you’ve been doing it already with the plan for this.”
Ginger grimaced. “That’s different.”
“Look, I understand what you mean, Liz, but that’s…” Martin took a deep breath. “Are you sure?”
“The problem isn’t if she’s sure or not. Liz is sure.” Ayax swallowed. “The problem is that Liz, you’re doing this because of me, aren’t you?”
Elizabeth faced Ayax, and knelt down beside her chair. “And who else should I do it for, my love?”
Her cheeks warming, Ayax felt a shiver run up her arm as her girlfriend took her hand. “I mean…But your responsibilities and um…”
Elizabeth squeezed her troll’s four fingered hand and closed her eyes. “Ayax, I won’t be able to do my job properly knowing you’re in that city. I’m coming with you.”
Ayax swallowed, but her mouth still remained dry. She tried to come up with a thought, something to counter Elizabeth’s request.
But the truth was quite simple.
Ayax groaned and bowed her head. “I’d love for you to come. Even…even if it would be dangerous.”
Ginger sighed, flinging both hands in the air. “Fine, but can you both at least think about it for a little longer before we decide for sure?”
“That’s a good idea. Let’s…let’s call it a night for the moment.” Martin sighed.
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Frances swallowed as Timur’s face appeared in her hand-mirror.
“Hey.”
“Hey.” The prince smiled and reached out to the mirror as if trying to touch her. “I am so sorry about my sister.”
Knowing it was silly, but touching her mirror regardless, Frances sighed. “She’s not wrong, though. Athelda-Aoun does lie in her territory and most of our residents are formerly her subjects. I’m glad she’s trying to find a way forward.”
Timur stared at Frances intensely as if trying to peer into her heart. “So you agree with her?”
Did she agree with Titania? The question didn’t furrow Frances’s brow, but it seemed to hold her still. She wasn’t frozen, but she didn’t feel as if she wanted to move or flinch.
“I can’t see any other option, my love, and I’ve known for some time that I want to marry you and have children with you.”
His eyebrows shooting up towards bangs, Timur blinked. “I…Oh.” A brief pursing of lips and the prince nodded. “And I want to marry you too.”
“The question is if this is the right time,” said Frances, her voice quiet words falling from her lips.
“That is indeed the question. We didn’t expect it to be forced on us,” said Timur, crossing his legs. Slowly, a smirk came over his face. “I’m glad you want to marry me. I was half-expecting you to still be annoyed that I had to leave.”
Frances giggled. “I’m still annoyed Your Highness,” she said, trying to sound haughty, but unable to prevent herself from smiling. Then again, she wasn’t trying so hard.
“How do people propose on Earth, Frances?” Timur asked his features neutral.
Frances frowned. “Um, it’s a bit different compared to Alavari and Erisdalian customs. Usually the man gets on one knee and produces a ring for the woman to wear. Usually it’s quite public, but it can be in private.”
Scratching his chin, Timur nodded. “So it’s important? Huh. I know that in Erisdale, the actual proposal has less weight, it’s just an agreement between the couple. Rings are often exchanged however.”
“Yeah, and each member of the couple has to seek permission or the blessing of their significant other’s parents. If they aren’t available or won’t agree, they seek permission from the willing relatives or friends of the couple. It’s very different from Alavaria isn’t it?”
“Yes. In Alavaria, once agreed upon in private, the couple have to publicly exchange gifts. The tokens tend to vary, but highly embroidered cloaks are the usual choice.” Another slow, sly smile came over the prince’s features. “Frances, when I return, I will return with a beautiful cloak and a diamond ring.”
Frances covered her mouth with one hand, warmth flooding into her cheeks. “How—how did you know about the diamond ring?”
“Um, I may have asked Elizabeth for some pointers.” Timur scratched the back of his head. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while and well, it’s not exactly when I would have wanted, but I think it’s as good a time as any.”
Her breath catching in her throat, Frances had to force her numb lips to move. “But Timur! I love you, but what if I’m not ready then?”
Her prince blinked. “Ready for what?”
“Ready to make you happy. Ready to be your wife.” Frances wiped her eyes, forced to use both hands to try to stem her tears. “I’m not even happy with myself sometimes and even more so right now with everything that’s going on.”
Timur shook his head and sighed. “Frances, being with you for the last two years has been the happiest time of my life.” He smiled. “If you need more time, though, you just need to ask.”
Frances swallowed. “You’d wait for me?”
“For as long as it takes.”
Blinking, and forcing herself to take long, calming breaths, Frances giggled. She felt a mess and she couldn’t stop the tears in her eyes.
“I’ll prepare a cloak for you. A beautiful red cloak that will hang off your shoulder.”
Timur wiped his own eyes, and pulling out his own handkerchief, blew into it. “Frances are you sure?”
“No, but I promise even if I don’t give it to you yet, I’ll have it ready, for the moment that I’m ready.” Frances nodded. “Is that alright, Mataia?”
“That’s perfect,” said Timur, beaming, giving on trying to wipe his own tears.
Blowing a kiss, Frances pressed her hand to her mirror. “I…I’ll see you, my love.”
Timur blew a kiss of his own, and with a flamboyant twirl of his hand, he let the spell go and faded from view.