Chapter 17

The throne room of presidia

Dracyr

Dracyr sat in perfect stillness, not another noise, not another breath, not another heartbeat I the throne room. She waited for a call that she knew all too well was coming. Her divination had already told her of parts of Emeria’s plan, but the details were murky at best. Divination is far from a perfect practice, which was something that had long irritated Dracyr. Of all the skills she could have, she had to have such an imprecise instrument. She knew that Chirock was somehow involved in Emeria’s plot but was not sure of how. The end goal had to be the downfall of Draeton of course, but the steps weren’t clear. She racked her brain, recalling the visions she had, but no greater clues emerged. “It’s like fishing without knowing what fish even live in the lake,” she muttered. “Why of all places Chirock?” The mountain keep seemed rather odd, it was so well secured and offered little strategic help to attack Draeton. It was no closer than Sacrotia was. She continued to mutter and question as though some voice would eventually answer her, but no reply ever came. For all of the wisdom Dracyr had, she was truly blind as to the next move and that was a very uncomfortable feeling indeed.

At last, a hum began to fill the air, and the outline of a window crackled into life in front of Dracyr’s throne. Dracyr snapped her fingers and a fog cleared from the mirror, replaced by a glowing yellow image of Emeria. Her sadistic grin met Dracyr’s confused gaze. “Emeria, my dear cousin, to what do I owe the pleasure? Might I also ask why you are contacting me from the Chirock throne room?” Emeria let a simple chuckle out in reply. “Was there a gathering I was unaware of? I did not think we had a summit arranged anytime soon.” Despite the fact that she had long been known as Dracyr the wise she had perfected the art of playing the fool. At a young age, she found that it had helped her to gain the upper hand over far more experienced senators and political adversaries. In her mind, every conversation was a game of strategy, a chance to gain the upper hand regardless of whether it be in the short or long term. In this respect, she had always enjoyed her conversations with Emeria. Where most simply cowered in Dracyr’s presence Emeria had a brash aggressiveness that was refreshing. She was a totally different style of opponent.

“Well, I suppose you could call it a meeting,” Emeria said playfully, “Though it wasn’t on anyone’s schedule but mine.” Emeria moved her hands and the focus of the window shifted to her side. There, kneeling in Submission was Graclose weakly sobbing. “I was really in the mood to party and I decided that I really wanted to have the party in Chirock. It took a little bit to convince ol’ Gracky here though. Turns out that when you don’t know you’re hosting you can get a little defensive. It’s ok though, being the exceptional guest that I am I just decided I would take care of everything. My men and I took care of this place quite well, we decorated it with some blood, brought in the proper attire, and took all the responsibilities off of Graclose’s hands.

“Ahh yes, decorating with blood, I do suppose that one will never go out of style with the Sacrotians will it?” Dracyr replied.

“It’s just the best, it really gives a wonderful feeling to a party, you can’t mistake it,” Emeria said playing along.

“I do have my doubts about this party though, it certainly doesn’t look like Graclose is having a good time,” Dracyr said dropping the playful tone. “What have you done to him?”

“Well you take a look,” Emeria said as she strolled around Graclose, bringing the magic window with her. “See, not a scratch on him actually. I haven’t done a thing to him.” She put a hand under Graclose’s chin and made him look directly into the window. “See, he’s still alive or as close to alive as he’s been in the past couple hundred years.” She gave him a slap across the cheek. “Turns out that this stoney old hermit actually has a heart. He cares so much about his subjects that he didn’t even put up a fight, who would have thought?”

“I do suppose caring for one’s subjects would be a truly foreign concept to one such as yourself Emeria,” Dracyr snapped back.

“Hey now,” Emeria said with a pout, “I do care an awful lot about my subjects. They’re like my toys. I get to play with them until they break and then I throw them away for a new one. Who could ask for more?” She leaned in close to the window and grinned letting out a maniacal laugh.

“Any real ruler cares as much for their subjects as they do for themselves. It is our right to rule, but it is the people that give us that right. They rely on us to know better than they do. Though I wouldn’t really expect an abomination such as yourself to understand that.” Dracyr smirked, there was her one little word, the only one that she knew would get a rise out of Emeria, “abomination.” It never failed to draw Emeria’s rage whenever they spoke. She waited for the enraged reply she desired. Angry Emeria made mistakes, calm Emeria did not.

Instead, Dracyr was met with a most unnerving reaction, laughter. Emeria burst into laughter for several seconds before at last deciding to reply. “Oh Dracyr, I do love our little talks. They are such fun. You are the only person with the gall to try and provoke me with such calmness. If I were by your side, I would show you what a stupid idea that is, but for now I suppose this heap of stone will have to suffer for your insolence.” Emeria turned and kicked Graclose in the chest sending him toppling over. She pressed her heel to his temple and pressed down. “Dracyr was quite stupid to insult me, wasn’t she Gracky?”

A weak reply of “yes” streamed from Graclose lips.

“Graclose and his people have done nothing to deserve your contempt Emeria. If you have an issue with me then you should be so direct as to take it up with me, not to take it out on him. What is your real purpose here?” At the very least Dracyr was hoping for a little spill of information, a tiny drop could help her to discern the next steps. Any more than that and her divination would be able to show her the correct path. A simple slip of the tongue was all that was needed.

“Oh, my purpose, that’s quite simple actually, I’m calling to explain why you will surrender and join the glorious Sacrotian empire. Then I will have the joy of marching into your kingdom to watch you bend the knee in person.” Emeria was excited and certainly seemed to believe what she was saying.

Dracyr raised an eyebrow, this was clearly some sort of trap, but she wasn’t sure what kind yet. ‘Well, I shall play along for now Emeria. Why exactly would I surrender to you then? You can’t honestly believe that you could breach the walls of Presidia,” Dracyr smiled as her eyes narrowed. For all the training and brutality of the Sacrotian army and Emeria, there were still the great seemingly impenetrable walls of Presidia in their way. There had yet to be an army capable of breaching the walls.

“Well that part is true; those big walls do defend you quite well. On my own, I certainly couldn’t bring down those walls. Why exactly would I bother trying to get in those walls when I can just make you surrender at the might of my weapons?” Dracyr laughed uneasily as Emeria continued. She grabbed Graclose by the hair and held him up to the window a wicked, hungry grin coming across her lips. “Now you don’t have to believe me, but I have this feeling deep in my stomach that you know exactly what Graclose is capable of, don’t you? You are the wise one after all.” For a brief moment, Dracyr lost her composure and terror flickered across her face. Emeria noticed and it was like blood in the water. “Well, I will take that as a yes. You see I can actually play the long game, I know, unexpected for me. I don’t even need to attack you; I can just simply starve you out. If I surround your city with Graclose’s help I can make sure no one gets out and then it is just a matter of time before the food and water sources run out. At least that’s the simple version, I’m sure I could find some ways to make it more fun. That would leave you with the choice to surrender or die a pathetic, weak death. The choice is yours.”

Dracyr tried to compose herself and play the fool once more. “I do not know what you mean Emeria. Graclose is just a paranoid old hermit, what could he possibly do to us? His people may be great smiths, but I doubt anything they make could hold us in the walls like that.” Dracyr had to hope that Emeria did not understand the full extent of what Graclose could do when motivated. Draeton had long been afraid Graclose himself would get greedy, but his insular nature had proven to be a benefit to all the other kingdoms.

Emeria laughed madly and licked her lips. “That act won’t work now dear Dracyr. I know you understand exactly what he can do. He can shape the very earth. He can divert your rivers and streams; and make the very soil you need dead and rocky. He would turn the very stone of your city against you!”

That was it, Emeria had managed to corner Dracyr. Graclose’s neutrality had benefited both Sacrotia and Draeton for years, but whatever Emeria had done to take Chirock had tipped the scales significantly in her favor. “the game isn’t over yet Emeria,” Dracyr responded. She was scrambling, she knew very drastic measures needed to be taken and needed to be taken now. “I was certainly hoping that we would never come into such conflict, but at this point, with such threats as starvation and death on the table I do believe that a peaceful resolution is not an option. Clearly, the time for negotiating has passed without even an attempt.”

“You have only yourself to thank for that. Any chance of peace died along with that man you sent to kill me!” Emeria stamped her foot angrily on the ground. “You don’t have long Dracyr. Graclose and I will be heading out quite soon. If you are even a tiny fraction as wise as you claim to be there will be a white flag waving atop the walls of Presidia when I get there. I look forward to adding another throne room to my increasing collection!” With that, the window flickered shut.

Dracyr put her head in her hands and began to cry. The illusion surrounding her face began to fade as bloody tears streamed down. She slammed her fists down on the arms of her throne. She was determined that this would not be the way Draeton ended. She would not be the last queen of her kingdom. There had to be a way out. If she tried to scramble everyone in Presidia now, they might be able to evacuate to Lazzure or Morenseo, but that would only be a stay of execution. It would not stop the axe from falling. That was also assuming that she would be able to get refuge in either of the other kingdoms. After Draeton Emeria would just move on to the next kingdom and then the one after it. Draeton was the key to the whole continent. If Draeton fell, if Presidia fell, if Dracyr fell, that would be it. The whole of the continent would fall to Emeria and Sacrotia. She slammed her fist down again and screamed out, “I will not lose!”

Dracyr walked to the mirror behind the throne and wiped away the blood and tears. With a wave of her hand, the illusion was restored. She walked back in front of her throne and sat down. She collected herself and made sure she was as composed as she could be given the situation. She waved her hand and a large purple screen appeared in front of her. She cleared her throat and began to speak. “Citizens of presidia and the greater kingdom of Draeton, I urge you to listen now.” She paused for a moment hoping to gather any and all available ears. “It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that we are now in a state of war with the sanguine queen of Sacrotia. I have just learned that her armies have taken the mountain keep of Chirock and it is her intent to continue on and to take Presidia next. I for one will not accept surrendering to such a tyrant and I know that we are strong enough to push her back. I urge each and every able-bodied citizen to head to the nearest barracks to help us prepare the defense of our great city and our great kingdom. I will disperse further directions as we have them. I promise you that we will persevere. This will not be the end of Draeton or Presidia. It will take more than a greedy child’s tantrum to bring down these mighty walls!” With that Dracyr put a fist into the air, a far more agitated motion than her citizens were used to seeing from her, but the reply was audible even from the throne room. The window blinked shut and Dracyr took a slow, deep breath.

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As tried to calm herself Grayston burst through the throne room doors. “So, war it is then?” Dracyr nodded in reply, still attempting to collect herself. “Well, I have the orders prepared as you’d asked my queen, but I do have to ask. What is she going to do? What could she possibly have threatened that would give you this much concern?”

“She threatened what appears to be our very certain destruction, my general. She can take us without using any force. She can starve us out and crush any who try to escape, using our very walls as a cage to keep us in. She has a weapon of unimaginable power. Dracyr stood and put a hand on Grayston’s shoulder. “The hour is quite grim I fear.”

‘What weapon could she possibly possess to do that? We have so many tunnels out of the city,” Grayston replied.

As confusion began to wash over Grayston’s face Dracyr answered. “She has captured Graclose and somehow is forcing him to do her bidding. I do not know what hold she has over him, but it is of great concern.”

“So, he is just an old man, a recluse. I daresay he doesn’t look like much good in a fight.”

“Well, he is the weapon Grayston. He has an old and powerful magic that allows him to change and shape the very land beneath us.” Grayston looked at Dracyr in disbelief. “Much like I have my divination, Graclose has this. Hadn’t you ever wondered how the people of Chirock managed to mine the same mountain for so many years without end?”

“Well yes,” Grayston replied, though Dracyr could tell that he was beginning to be overwhelmed. On a battlefield, few had a calmer head and better mind, but history on the other hand was not his strong suit.

“They have been able to do so because of Graclose. He is able to refill the earth; and replenish the ores and minerals they need so that the mountain never runs out. His power is a great and terrifying one. If he had ever had the drive to do so he could have conquered this whole world hundreds of years ago.”

“Pardon me my queen, but you are talking nonsense,” Grayston said beginning to lose his normally respectful tone. “You are not making a lick of sense. I know magic makes the unbelievable happen, but I have never in my years run into the sort you speak of. You are making it sound like the man is hundreds of years old, no magic can do that.”

Dracyr drew a deep breath, she knew it was time to reveal herself to another person. It would be the first time she had done so in years. She waved her hand in front of her face and the illusion dropped. Grayston looked in shock as he saw the deep gouges in Dracyr’s flesh and the large shimmering pieces of gold where her eyes should have been. Even Grayston, a novice in the world of magic could tell that these pieces of gold had the most immense amount of magic only heard of in lore. “Graclose is able to do this for the same reason that I have my divination, my wisdom. It is why my visions give me far more than a simple soothsayer’s. This is why I know all that I know. Despite the stories that are circulated, I know the truth. Graclose is the one man, it is not a title that is passed from king to king. He is the original king of Chirock, the one who helped in the binding of magic with Kraevos.”

Grayston could barely comprehend what he was seeing, what he was being told. He loved his post in life because it gave him order, but this turned so much of it upside down. Dracyr continued, “There is a price we all must pay for our gifts, Graclose paid his long, long ago. I began to pay my price when it was determined that I would rule. I was prepared for this from a young age. You are only the second not of the royal line to see this Grayston. I do hope you understand that significance.” Grayston nodded in reply, not able to get out words. “The wisdom of Draeton has come through these since our kingdom began, each of the kingdoms has something similar, though different in magical capabilities. Each ruler bears some form of stone that grants these gifts. Even I do not know all about this topic as the knowledge is so many years old. I know that they are connected to the throne rooms and the thrones themselves. That these all date back to the binding with Kraevos.”

“But my queen,” Grayston interrupted at last, “You said they came with a price, what did you mean?”

“Well,” Dracyr began, “Some or very direct as mine, the stones I bear take from me one kind of sight and grant me another. The price you pay grants more power as I know. The bloodstone, the very thing that we sent Fenir after, is the stone of Sacrotia. I believe the price one pays from it is part of the reason why Emeria is stuck the way she is and why she is so warped a person. As for Graclose, I am not sure the price he has paid, but I must assume for that much power the price must be very high.”

“Grayston began to rub his temples, “I am sorry my queen, this is quite a lot to take in. I understand magic as it pertains to battle, but it is not my area of expertise. I only know how to activate magic others have put on things, not how to use it myself, I suppose I did not understand how strong it could be.”

“In all honesty Grayston you aren’t supposed to,” Dracyr said trying to calm him. “The secrets we have kept have been to try and keep the peace. The amount of panic that would happen if everyone knew such powers existed would be immense.” She sat back down taking another deep breath, explain all this to Grayston was some relief. She did care for him and hated lying to him, but she knew better. “You now know more than only a select few in all of the kingdoms, my general. I know bits and pieces of the history, Kraevos’ involvement, and the powers granted and that is why I sent Aren after Kraevos. If anyone could answer the questions we have and help us with the bloodstone it would be him. I know it is a long shot, but I have to exhaust all options as for once I am truly scared for the people of Draeton.” Dracyr paused and thought, coming to a conclusion she had hoped to avoid. “General, come here,” she said. She motioned for Grayston to stand in front of her. She locked eyes with him. Grayston felt a strange feeling in his stomach as he stared deeply into the eerie golden gaze. “Now my general I must ask something of you and I do not take it lightly at all.”

“I would do anything you ask my queen. My loyalty is eternal, you know that,” Grayston said bowing his head.

“I know, but this will test that loyalty I am afraid.” Dracyr stood and walked behind the throne, motioning for Grayston to follow. She pointed to the mural carved in gold on the back of the throne. “You see Grayston, this gift that I have now is only a fraction of what it can be. If I pay a higher price I can access far more. This is something my family has long understood, but we have tread very cautiously, trying to limit this to only the most dire of situations. As far as I know, there has never been a royal to break the seal.” Dracyr pointed to the lowest part of the throne which showed a person standing with light coming from their eyes. “The first price was my sight. Ever since I received these, I have seen through magic alone.” She reached toward the highest part of the throne where the image was brightest a city, the earliest form of Presidia sat in the middle with daggers crossed above. Dracyr waved her hand the daggers pulled from the throne and went to her hands. “It is time I break the seal and pay the full price for this gift. I need you to do this for me.”

Dracyr took the two daggers and placed them in Grayston’s hands. Grayston could feel her hands trembling as she did. It was unnerving to see her like this. Grayston had always seen Dracyr as an ideal a person of unattainable perfection and this moment had made her too human. “I need you to take these two daggers and plunge them into my eyes. That will pay the full price for my gift.”

“That is ludicrous, I will not do that. I could hurt you,” Grayston spat back reflexively.

“I’m sorry my general, I understand your concerns, but it must be done and you are the only one I trust to do so. This will unlock the full power of my gift and that will allow me to better see the coming storm.” Dracyr took her seat on the throne and tried to relax her body. “My enemies have paid the full price and have the devotion to see this through, what sort of leader am I if I refuse to do the same?”

Grayston shook his head, he couldn’t argue with her. She had made up her mind and there was nothing he could do to dissuade her. Right now, he also didn’t have the luxury of time enough to do so. He steadied the daggers in his hands. He felt the leather of his gloves wrap tightly around the handles. He took a slow breath though it did little to calm him. He raised both his hands and steeled himself. With one swift motion, he plunged the daggers down into Dracyr’s eyes. Time felt like it slowed down as Grayston heard Dracyr begin to scream out in agony. Blood began to pour from the golden stones. Grayston tried to pull the daggers out but as he did a blast of magical energy flung him across the throne room. Dracyr’s cries echoed as Grayston tried to raise himself to her aide but with each passing second another wave of magic pushed him further back and he was forced to watch his queen in distress. The blood streaming from Dracyr’s eyes began to slowly turn a golden yellow and the daggers themselves began to melt. With every drip, every drop the flow continued slowly covering Dracyr. As it passed her lips her voice ceased. She sat writhing in silent pain. The pulses of magic quickened and grew in intensity. Grayston felt as though his ears were going to rupture from the sound until all at once it stopped.

There was a brief moment of nothing and then a blinding golden light filled the entire throne room. Grayston lay on the ground trying to regain any of his senses. Slowly as the ringing in his ears began to refocus and the light began to dim, he was able to raise himself off the floor and look towards his queen. He saw Dracyr standing in front of her throne. Every inch of her was gold and thrummed with magic that pulsed with a noticeably extended aura. She stepped forward off of the stairs in front of the throne and began to float towards Grayston.

Grayston began to hear Dracyr’s voice in his head, though it was cold and emotionless. “I am sorry to have had to ask you to do that general. You were the only available person I could trust to follow through. As I did not at the time know what would happen, I needed you.” Her lips did not move, but Grayston knew for sure that this was his queen’s voice in his head. “So much is clear to me now. This gift of wisdom is a truly amazing thing. I can see the possibilities, the river of time itself. I see where it can twist, bend, and split, where the different choices divide what will be. Each and every action creates a ripple a flow that diverges.”

Grayston picked himself up off the ground, “that is great my queen,” Grayston shouted out not realizing how much the magical blast had shaken his hearing. “If you can see the future, we can just predict what Emeria will do and beat her to the punch. This war is as good as won!”

“It is not quite that simple general. I see many futures, not just one. The future is never set in stone, it is yet to be determined by the variables at play. I can however see what the most likely outcomes are and help us to prepare for those.” Dracyr put a hand on Grayston’s shoulder and he started to realize the cost Dracyr had just paid. The hand was cold and lifeless truly like a piece of metal. “You are correct Grayston,” she said in reply to his thoughts. “I am sorry to pry at your thoughts, but in each ripple, you come to the same conclusion. You are right though, I do not know what I am now, but I would by no means call it human. I have lost all the senses I used to rely on. Every bit of information I have now is through magic. I cannot undo what I have done, that much is certain, but I do know that had I not paid this price our doom was certain.”

Grayston sighed, so much of his life had just changed in a flash. He was at war and the woman he longed for was now something completely different. He didn’t even know how to respond. “Then it was a price worth paying, I am sorry to have doubted you,” was all he could manage to get out. His heart sank knowing how much he had just lost.

“I am sorry too Grayston. Your thoughts are open to me now and I do feel the pain that is in your heart. I did care deeply for you, though I know it was not in the way you wished.” Grayston’s heart sank even lower. She was speaking in the past tense, as though all her feelings were gone. Never before had the concept of a private thought been so important to him. Tears began to well in his eyes as he lost control. “Do not feel sorry for me general. I have done this for the good of all. The needs of the many will always outweigh the needs of the few. My people need me to know what they cannot, to lead them.”

“Grayston wiped his eyes and cleared his throat trying to regain what composure he could. “Of course, my queen, we do what we must for Draeton. Now, please tell me of these possible futures that we can try to prepare for a favorable outcome.”