Bordering the Kingdom of Vanura on the northwestern side, nestled deep within the Starspire Peaks, stood the ancient city of Starhaven, the capital of the Elves of Lundale. Starhaven was built incorporating the very mountain itself, massive walls and spires linked the jagged finger-like mountains together to form an unbreakable barricade against any would-be invaders.
However, the famed walls and spires of Starhaven were not the first line of defense for the Elves. Their first and only defense they truly needed was the Dreamwood, a forest of eminence size, and age that covered the whole Elven Kingdom, from Starhaven to the border of their lands. Any hostel army that passed through the Dreamwood would vanish, never to be heard from again.
Sitting in a tiny village just a day's walk into the Dreamwood, Hector curiously studied the interior of the inn he was in, the hood of his cloak covering his face. Usually, when anyone from Vanura’s Royal Family traveled to a neighboring Kingdom, they would be met with lots of fan fair and cheer, the Kingdom they were visiting setting up appropriate accommodations for the occasion. But this time was different—this time, Hector was hiding his status. In fact, it was the first time he had entered Lunedale without a procession.
Studying the human patrons of the inn, Hector brought his hand to his chin, feeling the small beard on his face that had grown during his travels. He hadn’t expected to see so many humans in the village—actually, he was quite certain he hadn’t seen a single elf. As he sat there wondering, his body was overcome by silent coughing, his chest moved up and down. Quickly, he covered his mouth with the hand he had just been using to touch his beard. Ancestors, he muttered to himself as he tasted the metallic tang of blood. Looking down he saw specs of red on his palm. This wasn’t good.
Grabbing a handkerchief from out of his coat, he roughly wiped the blood off his palm and lips before reaching for a cup of water. Bringing the cup to his lips he took a sip, letting the cool water trickle down his raw throat—the water a momentary relief from the pain.
Glancing around the room to make sure no one had taken notice of him, Hector leaned back in his chair, letting the warm sunlight dance on his face. The travel from Vanura to Lundale was not eventful, but his body had withered away faster than he had expected, the poison wreaking havoc on every part of his body. By the time he had reached this village, he was on his last legs.
Finishing his water, he noticed a shadow covering his face.
“You look sick. Is that why you are here?”
Looking up, Hector saw a tall elven woman standing next to him, her figure blocking the sunlight that had been warming his face. She was strikingly beautiful, with long brown hair, several of them braided into strands that framed her narrow face. Her toned body was clad in a dark green shirt, brown leather pants, and an old dark cloak that seemed to change colors as she moved. Strapped to her side were two long knives, forged by the finest blacksmith of the elves. She was Queen Ilistina of Lundale, Queen of the Elves.
Queen Ilistina was the youngest crowned monarch to the elves, her age causing controversy during her coronation. Elven tradition dictated that she should have taken the crown when she was over five hundred years old. However, her mother, Queen Kathrielle, had lost all care of ruling after her eldest son had mysteriously vanished. Dark rumors suggested that humans were responsible, but these rumors were never substantiated. One day the prince had just vanished without a trace, leaving Queen Kathrielle heartbroken. Ilistina had no choice but to step into her mother’s role.
Before her coronation, Ilistina had been betrothed to Hector’s nephew, King Alfred’s eldest child, Prince Perseus. Many at the time had protested, citing the vast difference in elven and human lifespans. With Ilistina’s elven blood, she would outlive Perseus by hundreds of years, even if he became an Arcane Master. These protests, however, dwindled when it became apparent how happy the couple seemed. In Hector’s mind, Ilistina should have been the Queen of Vanura. Tragically, Perseus had become sick, passing away before the wedding.
“You changed your hair color,” Hector noted, not wanting to voice anything important out loud.
“Dye from the bark of the elderwood,” Ilistina replied, touching her hair. “It’s better if people don’t recognize me.”
Nodding in understanding, Hector placed the cup he was still holding back on the table and stood up, pausing momentarily as a wave of nausea hit him. The poison seemed to act up every time he moved. Taking a slow steadying breath he turned to Ilistina.
“Do you know a place where we can speak without anyone hearing us?”
Grimacing in concern as she studied Hector, Ilistina beckoned him towards the door. “There's a place deeper into the forest. The rangers use it when they patrol the area. We will be secure there.”
“The rangers don’t stay in the village when they pass through?” Hector asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
“They feel uncomfortable around humans,” Ilistina murmured leading Hector outside. “You know how Humans who can't draw Aether age rapidly? To many of us, it feels as if every time we come here, someone we know is either dead, dying, or aged decades. It's hard to form attachments to something so fleeting.”
“I see,” Hector muttered as he stepped outside. Immediately, his body started to shake as the temperate temperature enveloped him.
Turning her head to look at him, Ilistina frowned, her eyebrows moving closer to each other in concern. “You look sick… Very sick. How are you sick? Is it the same illness as Perseus?”
“No. No, it's not. And not here. Too many ears,” Hector quietly whispered, turning his head around to see if anyone was nearby.
Locking eyes with him, Ilistina paused before nodding once. “Follow me. The patrol station is around a thirty-minute walk from here.”
The patrol station the rangers opted to stay at instead of the village was built amidst the lofty canopy of a massive tree. Concealed from the ground, the structure remained invisible to all but those who knew of its location. Climbing the tree had been an ordeal Hector barely managed, but from up here, he could survey the entire expanse of his surroundings, all the way to the village he had just talked from and beyond. I never knew how much Aether I subconsciously use, he thought to himself as he tried to breathe, the stress on his lungs causing him to wince. After I recover, I need to train my physical body.
Taking a couple of minutes to catch his breath, Hector caught himself studying the surroundings, his mind planning different ways to attack and defend his position. Fool, this is not the time or place for such thoughts, he scolded himself when he realized what he was doing. Lunedale is an ally!
Turning back from the view, he made his way over to a large bench and sat down, his eyes widening slightly as he realized the bench he was sitting on seemed to be part of the very tree they were standing on, its legs seamlessly merging with the floor.
“Is it the first time you’ve seen Voiced-wood?” Ilistina asked.
“Voiced-wood?” Hector repeated, the word unfamiliar. “No. I’ve never heard of it.”
“Some of us can sing to the trees and convince them to turn into different shapes,” Ilistina explained, sitting down and staring Hector in the eyes. “The art is fading. It takes months to convince even a little movement. I suspect that bench took years of singing to make. Only a scout who was stationed up here would have the time or boredom to attempt such a thing. Now, tell me how an Arcane Master can be sick. I sent all the scouts away, so we are alone. Don’t leave anything out.”
Hearing her firm yet strong voice, Hector could not help but feel a flicker of jealousy and regret. Before him sat a true monarch, a true ruler of a nation, someone who emanated strength and respect even when sitting on a wooden bench. She was the complete opposite of his late brother.
“Not sick,” he coughed. “Poisoned.”
“Poisoned?” Ilistina’s tone betrayed her astonishment. “What kind of poison can affect you? How did this happen?”
“I’m sure you heard that we were attacked during the thunderstorm,” Hector said, his hands tightly balled into fists, anger, and humiliation held back by sheer will.
“Yes, word has reached us that there was fighting at the castle. But I heard that it was suppressed quickly.”
“Well, it was worse than we let on,” Hector reluctantly explained, his voice weighed with the burden of the revelation. “My tea was poisoned just before the fight. I was barely able to fight them off. But that’s not the worst of it. What I'm about to tell you is strictly confidential. I need you to promise to keep it a secret. Even from your mother.”
A heavy silence filled the air as Ilistina studied Hector, her eyes narrowing slightly. Asking a queen to keep a secret from anyone, much less the former queen was unbelievable. Seconds passed before she blinked. “You have my word,” she finally uttered.
Swallowing hard, Hector began to speak, the shame of the incident causing his stomach to sink. “The King is dead. We were not able to save him.”
“How… How can this happen?” Ilistina whispered, her disbelief causing Hector to feel even more shame.
“Someone on the inside let the assassins in. Gave them all our patrol patterns. They even secured a poison potent enough to incapacitate me. I can’t draw Aether without spreading the poison through my body.”
“And you came here looking for an antidote.”
“Yes.”
Taking a deep breath, Ilistina rose from her seat. “I doubt we can help you,” she finally uttered, her face crestfallen. “You see, our ability to heal wounds and illnesses is next to none, but we are woefully ignorant when it comes to poisons. We elves are immune to most poisons, and the ones that can harm us, kill in seconds. We never had a reason to create antidotes.
“There must be something you can do!” Hector protested, jumping up. “Even if you can’t heal me. There must be some way to extend my life! I need just enough time until Milina is strong enough to lead!”
A wave of nausea surged through Hector, followed by intense coughing that caused him to bend over. Struggling to stand, he felt his legs giving way as his knees struck the floor with a heavy thud. Kneeling there, he clutched his chest tightly, specks of blood spraying out as he tried to breathe. Ancestors! he cured. In his agitation he had moved too much, he could not keep his composure. Frustrated and fearful, he struggled to breathe.
“Help! We need help now!”
Ilistina’s amplified voice sounded distant to Hector, but within seconds, gentle hands lifted him and carried him to a cot tucked away in a corner. Laying there, surrounded by pain and darkness, Hector fought every instinct in him to draw Aether. Do not draw Aether! You know it will only make it worse! Stay strong! Even knowing this, it took every ounce of his will to stop himself. After what felt like hours, but was most likely minutes, he felt the same gentle hands bring a cup to his lips.
“Here, drink this. It will make it better.”
As the liquid trickled down his throat, the pain slowly faded, leaving Hector feeling weak and exhausted. Opening his eyes he saw an unfamiliar elf standing over him.
“Your Majesty! It worked!” the elf called over his shoulder before stepping away.
“Thank the Stars! How are you feeling?” Ilistina inquired, walking over and scrutinizing Hector’s complexion.
“I’ve been better. I’m sorry I caused you so much trouble,” Hector wheezed, trying to prop himself up on his elbow. Even in this state, there were rules of etiquette.
“Stay down,” Ilistina ordered, her sharp eyes never leaving him. “You’re lucky that Eldrin is a Healer. He says that you need rest. It’s a miracle you’re still alive. You should have told me how serious it was.”
“I didn't want you to worry,” Hector lamely apologized, sinking back onto his back. “What did I just drink?”
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“A potion that strengthens the body.”
“Can I use the potion to heal myself?”
Hector flinched as a calm anger settled over Ilistana’s face. “No. It will not cure you. We don’t even know what is poisoning you. How can we cure something we do not know?”
“Is there really nothing you can do?” Hector asked, closing his eyes and putting his forearm over them. If even the elves could not help him, he was as good as dead!
“We can’t cure you, but that doesn’t mean we can't slow down the poison,” Ilistina said, her words causing Hector to peer at her in hope. “We have a few rare potions, like the one you just drank that can strengthen your body. They will not get rid of the poison, but you will be able to move around. Once you stop drinking the potions the poison will come back.”
“How long can I keep drinking the potions?”
“Less than a year, a little more if you're stubborn. It took ten months for the effects to stop helping your brother. You see, the potions have a diminishing efficacy. The more you consume them, the less effective they become. Ultimately, whatever is hurting your body will outpace the strengthening properties of the potions. The potions were never meant to be drunk daily.”
“Is there no other alternative?”
“You can strengthen your physical body. The stronger the body, the slower it will take the poison to break it down. Fortunately, you already possess a strong body. Regrettably, strengthening your body now will add only a couple of months to your life.”
“So, I have around a year left.” Hector’s voice assumed an unexpected calm. With the time he had left, he did not have the luxury to feel sorry for himself. He had to make calculated decisions. He had to keep Milina safe. He had to surround her with people he could trust.
“There is one more option. It is less of an option and more of a fool's errand,” Ilistina reluctantly disclosed, her expression twisting slightly. “If I hadn't promised Perseus to aid your family before he passed, I wouldn't even have mentioned it.”
“What is it?”
“The Serpentine Bloodstone.”
“The Serpentine bloodstone?” Hector furrowed his brow, unfamiliar with the term.
“There is a legend from back when we were still considered High Elves, before our integration with you humans. Thousands of years ago, the High Elves embarked on a quest to find a new homeland, running from a terrible war. They sailed across the known sea and discovered the continent we now inhabit. Upon making landfall they encountered an enormous swamp, one that seemed to stretch on forever. The High Elves had never seen such a sight, our ancestral lands were rich forests comprising four seasons. As you can imagine the Elves struggled, the poisonous swamp refusing to communicate with them. From what I know it was the first time the High Elves realized that nature could be deadly.
“As the High Elves struggled, they encountered a race of Humans that lived within the deadly swamp. To their astonishment, these humans seem to not only survive but thrive within the swamp. Determined to understand how the humans were able to live in the swamp, the High Elves sent a peace delegation hoping to forge a friendship with them—they never heard back from the peace delegation. In anger, the High Elves sent a raiding party into the human settlement to rescue the peace delegation and punish the humans. The raiding party ventured deep into the swamp, where they found the humans living near a large hole, surrounded by towering stone temples and buildings.
“More startling than the fact that the humans had an ancient city, was the revelation that the humans worshiped an enormous serpent. A serpent that they were offering food to. The peace delegation had been sacrificed to this snake. In retribution, the High Elves burned the whole city to the ground, killing every human they encountered. They even went so far as to drag out the serpent god and behead it. Within the dead snake, they discovered a tiny red stone, a stone which turned blue when submerged in water. This stone was believed to possess the power to cure any poison.
“After the massacre, the High Elves conceded that they could not live in the swamp, so they returned to their ships, following the coastline until the swamp ended. Guided by the stars and visions from their priests, they eventually arrived here, in the Dreamwood.”
“So, this red stone from the snake is the Serpentine bloodstone? And it can heal any poison?”
“Yes, if the legends are to be believed. However, we do not possess the Serpentine bloodstone here.”
“So, what can we do?”
“A journey to the swamp,” Ilistina replied, the smile on her face never reaching her eyes.
Back in Castle Silizia, the four generals Calahan, Zacheri, Khan, and Tamza sat around the council table, their expressions reflecting the kingdom’s current situation.
“This is unacceptable!”
General Calahan could not stop the rage in his voice, his hand stinging from how hard he had slammed the council table. Quivering with anger he felt blood rushing to his face, his mouth opened in shock. “How dare you suggest moving our God’s statue!” he shouted looking around at the men around him. “Khan, Zacheri, as fellow followers of Alumus how dare you side with Tamza!” he yelled, pointing his finger at Khan in accusation.
“Although I am a follower of Alumus, you and I are from different denominations,” answered Khan, a small apologetic smile on his face. He was trying to calm Calahan, but it was evident that he did not see the issue as a big deal. Shifting his massive frame that took up enough room for two people he continued. “We worship the essence of Alumus and not some idol made of rock. Moving one rock for another will not upset Alumus. In fact, we should feel pity for the believers of Gera, they do not know they are stained by sin. Let them have their rock.”
“Essence of Alumus? Some rock?” Calahan screamed, his wavy brown hair dancing crazily in front of his face, eyes flickering between Khan and Zacheri. “They are assaulting Alumus believers in the streets! And you want to punish us by removing our God’s statue from his temple and replacing it with one of Gera!”
“It is not a temple to Alumus,” retorted Tamza, standing up and shouting back at Calahan, spit escaping his mouth and covering his graying beard. “It was originally a Temple of Gera before Queen Kina removed our statue and replaced it with one of Alumus. It is only right we bring the statue of our Goddess back to her rightful place!” Turning to look at the three generals, Tamza scowled, caterpillar-like eyebrows coming together. “You Alumus believers oppressed us, using the Queen to set up a religious tax on only Gera believers! The majority of the capital’s people follow the Goddess, yet, since the Queen came to power only Alumus believers are given government positions. This is blatant favoritism and goes against everything our Kingdom stands for!” Putting both hands on the table he looked Calahan in his eyes. “It is only natural for us to retaliate when pushed too far!”
“Pushed too far!” Calahan shouted, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the table. “We followed the just laws that the Royal Family passed, and you have the nerve to blame us? Gera has resorted to violence when they didn’t get what they wanted, yet we are being punished! You dishonor the laws set by House Salizia!”
“Dishonor the laws set up by House Salizia!” Tamza yelled back, his nostrils flared with fury. “With the King executing that Witch and her devilish family, all laws passed under them should be repealed! We all know she was the one who poisoned our King!”
“What the Queen may or may not have done has no bearing on the laws approved by the late King,” Calahan hissed, his voice becoming icy. “What you people are doing is retaliating against us because the Queen happened to be a follower of Alumus.”
Calahan glared in hatred as General Khan stood up, keeping his arms tense to prevent them from reaching for his knife. The large man was starting to become worse than Tamza!
Raising one of his thick arms in a calming manner Khan spoke. “Both of you sit down! As I have said, I believe we should go back to the way it was before Queen Kina came to power. It will be best for the Kingdom.”
Hearing those words caused Calahan to see red. Khan was worse than Tamza! “If I were you, I would choose my words more carefully,” he growled. “It sounds dangerously close to implying that Gera is better for the Kingdom than Alumus.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Khan argued, bringing his arms up defensively before crossing them in front of his chest. “But most of the common people worship Gera, appeasing them will be safer for all Alumus followers.”
“Safer!” Calahan exclaimed eyes wide in disbelief. Seeing a fellow Alumus follower act this way was nauseating! At least Tamza had the decency to not betray his faith!
“Yes. Safer,” Tamza cut in.
“You! Shut your mouth!”
At this point both Calahan and Tamza blew up at each other, yelling louder and louder, both trying to overwhelm the other with sheer volume. The logic in the words was no longer thought through, only passion, rage, and volume mattered.
Seeing the reaction from the two, Khan sighed, running his hand over his temples he sat down, his exhausted eyes closing for a second.
Ever since Prince Hector had gone to Lundale, the four generals and Todo had been put in charge of the Kingdom, but to everyone’s disappointment, Todo seemed to be carrying out a special assignment from Prince Hector, leaving the four generals to run the kingdom.
Locking eyes with Zacheri, Khan willed the silent general to step up. Zacheri was a soldier through thick and thin, his weather-worn skin and scars a testament to how often he was out on the battlefield. He was a man that everyone respected. A man who always followed the unforgiving path of duty. Although he was an Alumus believer, Khan believed, no knew that he was loyal to the Kingdom. In fact, he was the only soldier personally appointed by the late Queen to survive the cleansing King Alfred had conducted after the Queen and her family had been executed.
Giving Khan a small nod Zacheri stood up, his action causing the arguing two generals to quiet.
“Gentlemen, our current goal is the safety and well-being of the citizens of the Capital. Everything else can be put aside,” he said looking at Calahan and articulating. “We must stop the violence first, once that is accomplished, we can turn to the problem of having a holy place of worship for Alumus.” Turning to General Tamza he continued. “General, I know you have some power within the Gera religion, can you guarantee that the worshipers of Gera will stop resorting to violence if we allow her statue back in the Capital?”
Smiling brightly, Tamza declared, “You have my word.”
“If it would stop the violence, I believe it is the right decision,” Zacheri firmly said, his face showing no emotion. “But I also propose that we build a new Temple to Alumus. I will personally talk to Prince Hector when he returns. Is that acceptable?”
Taking the growl from Calahan as approval, Khan announced a wide smile on his large face. “Then I think the situation is clear! We will allow the statue to be brought back. Now! Let us move on to the next topic!”
Seeing Calahan hold back his temper as he sat back down, Khan could not help but smile, it felt good to see the aggravating general put in his place.
“The next topic,” he said looking down at the list of topics he had written down, the smile on his face vanishing. “We do not know when Prince Hector is coming back from Lundale. In the worst-case scenario, it would take over a year for him to return. This puts the most important affair of our Kingdom on our shoulders—Princess Malina’s future husband.”
As Khan’s words added to the already heavy atmosphere, the room felt as if it were on the verge of exploding. Why did it have to be this topic? Khan groaned as he kept speaking. “Prince Hector publicly denounced his claim to the throne years ago, by law, the princess must find a husband within three years. We, as the guardians of the Kingdom, must make sure she chooses the correct husband. If not, we may once again face the Dark Times brought around by King Alfred’s marriage to Queen Kina.”
Calahan felt his heart start to beat heavily as he listened to General Khan, his breath caught in his throat. He did not know they would choose the future husband! This was an unexpected but crucial opportunity! If he was able to convince the others to back a candidate who followed Alumus, the religion would flourish greatly in the future. Calming himself from his earlier emotions, he cleared his throat, gathering everyone’s attention.
“I nominate Prince Orda from the Kandula Kingdom,” he proposed, putting confidence into his voice. “I can reach out to Lord Galra, Lord Para, and Lord Bovera, as they are the Great Lords whose borders are closest to the Kandula Kingdom. I am certain that Lord Galra and Lord Para will support the prince’s nomination. As for Lord Bovera, I am confident that I can convince him to support Prince Orda.”
“I disagree with your nominee.”
Calahan bared his teeth, hearing Tamza’s grating voice disagreeing with him.
“It is a well-known fact that Prince Orda’s father, King Claudio, is a supporter of Alumus. His eldest daughter Princess Ispus even became a nun. Your nominee has nothing to do with the well-being of our Kingdom. You are trying to put another Alumus supporter in the Royal House. The population will never support this. Not after the late queen.”
Tamza was sitting up straight, his face facing Khan, the grave expression on his face causing his forehead to furrow. “I suggest Prince Mayaga of the Skilbug Kingdom. From what reports say, his Auctoritas is quite formidable, the power he can bring to our Kingdom is impressive.”
Looking over at Calahan, Tamza put on a smile. “There is another more serious problem with Prince Orda. If rumors are to be believed, he did not inherit the Great Mantis Crest from his father, he has his mother’s crest, a Golden Bat. I would never suggest anything damaging to the Queen of Kandula, but I think it would be in our best interest to pick a candidate with a more reputable crest. One whose lineage would not come into question.”
Visible veins started to throb on Calahan’s neck, and the anger he felt was starting to affect his ability to think properly. Looking at Tamza he took back everything he had just thought about Khan being worse, Tamza was much worse. Silently saying the Light’s prayer over and over in his mind he took deep breaths, in and out in and out. Keep control of yourself! As the silence lingered slightly, Calahan heard Khan speak.
“I also think we should choose a candidate with a Royal Crest, let us investigate Prince Mayaga! Zacheri, what say you?”
“I think we should obtain the opinions of all the Great Lords before we choose. This topic affects them as well as us. I also believe that Prince Hector will return to us before the year is up. I vote we wait for now.”
Thank the Light for Zacheri! Slowly exhaling, Calahan offered a small prayer, grateful to Zacheri for halting the course the conversation had been taking. The general was not that religious, but he still supported Alumus when it counted. “I support Zacheri’s decision. We should obtain the options of all the Great Lords first.”
Nodding at Zacheri and Calahan’s words General Khan scratched his chin. “I agree with this proposition. Let us first hear from Prince Hector and the Great Lords. I will send a discreet message to all the Great Houses asking for their thoughts.”
“Make sure your message does not hint at the King’s death,” Zacheri spoke up, his fingers laced together in front of him. “Prince Hector does not want that information getting out yet.”
“Naturally,” Khan affirmed, waving his hand at Zacheri. “And now, the last issue of the day. The reports of missing children in the countryside have gone up. According to this report, the incidents have increased ever since General Todo raided the black market. We can assume that Lapal, The Black-Market King, is still out there and has moved his operations from the capital to smaller villages. I want all of you to donate some of your men to form a special investigation unit to investigate the situation. Are there any questions?”
Khan looked at each general confirming that no one had any questions. “If none of you have any objections, we can conclude the meeting.”
Storming out of the meeting Calahan ran down the hallway, the sounds of his feet echoing behind him. Regardless of Prince Orda’s Crest, if he was able to acquire the support of the Great Lords his nomination would still be chosen. Time was of the essence! Luckily due to Zacheri’s speaking up, he had some time left.
After navigating the complex halls and passageways of Castle Salizia, Calahan made his way to the aviary. He had to send his messages before General Khan did. With the bright noonday sun in his eyes, he started to write four letters, the first two were to Lord Galra and Lord Para, the two he was positive would support Prince Orda. The other two were to the southeastern Great Lords, Lord Bovera and Lord Baura. They would need convincing but if he were able to secure their votes, Calahan was positive Prince Orda would be the next King of Vanura.