by M. E. Thorne
Vexile reared up and kissed me on the cheek, “It seems there was more than one miracle today.”
Vexile decided to stay in my room for the time being. She was still adjusting to the changes the goddess had wrought, and she wanted to be in perfect form when I announced her as my first ascendant and queen.
“Go,” she encouraged me, ”be amongst your people. This is a sign from Revina that she has blessed you. She will renew this land, with you as her Dark Lord and conduit for her blessings.”
Carefully, I put on my black mantle and circlet, the metal feeling warm against my brow. Vexile kissed me again, then ushered me out the door.
Emerging out into the morning air, the people in the courtyard grew quiet at my approach, with only a few children still splashing happily in the water.
I climbed onto a small block of broken masonry, then addressed the crowd.
“Revina, bountiful Goddess of Darkness, has made me her Dark Lord.” I was happy to hear my voice didn’t tremble or break. “This small miracle this morning will be just one of many to follow. Water shall flow once again, fields shall bloom, and we will rebuild this kingdom.”
I swept out my arm. “You are the first citizens of a reborn Duskhaven. Rejoice today, but be ready for tomorrow, for we have an entire kingdom to rebuild!”
The cheer of the crowd was almost intoxicating.
Leaping down, I walked amongst them, thanking them for their faith so far, their resilience, and promising better things were to come.
Riggs, to my surprise, was the most grateful for the fountain’s water. He introduced me to all his children, ranging from teenagers to little toddlers. I made sure to publicly thank him and all the other hunters for their hard work, declaring that without their aid we would have perished. The man beamed with pride, and I hoped I had won him over to my side; I would need him and the other hunters desperately in the coming days, till I was able to establish the next part of my plan.
I made a show of kneeling next to the fountain, and once again offered praise and thanks to Revina, before cupping the water and taking a deep drink. The water was surprisingly cold and clean, with only a faint tang of earth present.
It must come up from some old spring or aquifer, I thought.
I called some of Vexile’s acolytes over and bade them to fill a vessel with the fountain’s water, so we could offer it up to Revina at the temple.
When they asked where the high priestess was, I let them know she was resting but that she would make herself present when ready.
Together, with the crowd, we carried the water to the temple and thanked the goddess for her blessing.
If this all works out, I told her, I’ll be sure to not only rebuild this temple but your statue as well.
If Revina had any response to that, she did not choose to share it with me.
It had grown late by the time I was finally able to retire to the royal quarters.
“You were wonderful today,” she told me, as she hugged me tightly. “I was out, pacing along the hall, getting used to having a tail instead of legs, but I was able to watch you. You really brought hope to those people!”
“I certainly hope so,” I said, embracing her back, “because I’m going to need their help, and yours, for the hard parts that will come next.”
She slithered back, looking confident. “I’m sure together, we can do it.”
We ate a quick meal, then gathered around my table. Vexile couldn’t get comfortable in a regular chair, but I found a stool in a nearby room that she was able to settle on. She still had the hips of a human woman, as evident by the swell of her figure around her waist, but her new tail made a backed chair uncomfortable for her.
“So strange,” she said, as she curled her tail around the base of the table. “This new body is alien to me, but with only a few hours of practice I can move it almost as well as my old one.”
“Maybe it’s part of the gift from the goddess?” I suggested. “I doubt she would give any of her ascendants a body they couldn’t use or be comfortable with.”
I glanced down at my palm, the one I had sliced the night of my coronation. The wound was already healed, with only a faint scar running along my hand. Though I looked no different, I was sure the goddess had changed me as well, modifying me to be the conduit for her power. I felt a faint echo of it, diminished since laying with Vexile, but still potent and eager to be used.
It felt stronger when the two of us were together.
After the trip to the temple, I had worked with Riggs and his children to map out the keep and the immediate area around Gloomglow. We had marking important landmarks, including the other ruins that spread out from the fortress.
“The people are happy with the miracle of the fountain, but unless we do something about our food situation, they’ll soon grow despondent and angry again,” I explained to Vexile as I smoothed out the paper.
And anger is quick to turn to hatred, especially against those that promised so much.
The one lesson Machiavelli had hammered out, again and again in his lessons, was that you never wanted your citizens to hate you. Rulers should be loved, respected, and feared, but never hated, because hatred breeds rebellion and disloyalty.
If we wanted to avoid that, we needed a plan, and fast. “We need to find a way to grow our own food.”
I pointed out several spots on the maps. “Riggs mentioned these places had the ruins of wells and low-lying walls, which I assume meant they were once fields and farms. If we can get the wells operational again, we can hope Revina blesses the land with enough life and vitality to grow crops.”
I didn’t like the idea of leaning on divine intervention, but with everything that had happened, I had to hope for the best. Once again, I’m sure that old Italian would be furious with us for depending on Fortune, but that’s all we have right now.
“Vexile, do you know what kind of crops were traditionally grown around here, or what the growing seasons were?” I was suddenly concerned about my lack of knowledge. Are we just about to hit this place’s version of winter?
“Seasons?” Vexile’s tongue flickered, “I don’t know what you are referring to, Robert.”
I looked at her, perplexed, “Don’t you have spring, summer, winter, and fall? I have to assume there are parts of the year that are colder, hotter, drier or rainier than others?”
She shook her head, “We have nothing like that. The weather in Duskhaven is usually dry and hot unless a big storm blows down from the north, which can bring a lot of rain and flash floods. But those are uncommon. Back in the empire, crops were grown year-round.”
This shook me. On Earth, the seasons were determined by the tilt of the earth’s axis and its rotation around the sun. I had come to slowly grasp some of the differences; Turmont days were slightly longer than the ones on Earth, with six days per week and four weeks per month. A Turmont year was fourteen months-long based on Duskhaven’s lunar calendar. But clearly, things were even more different on Turmont, on a fundamental level, than I had initially believed.
That, I reminded myself, and you’re now a king married to a sexy snake woman and beholden to a powerful goddess.
I laughed to myself.
“Robert?” Vexile looked concerned, placing her hand across mine.
I leaned over and kissed her. “I’m fine, I’m just realizing how different things here are, compared to Earth, and how far I have to go.” I tapped the map again. “Tomorrow, let’s present you to our people. If you are ready.”
“I am,” she hissed, sitting up straight. “I will make you and the goddess proud.”
“I imagine that will take up most of our day, but once we’re free, I’d like to take Riggs and some of the hunters on an expedition to explore these sites, to see what it would take to begin using them as farms again.”
She nodded. “Several of the citizens used to work on the empire’s farms. I’m sure they’ll have knowledge that we can put to use once we find an appropriate s
pot.”
Reaching up into my mantle, I pulled out my copy of The Prince and thumbed through its pages. Most of them were marked up with notes I’d written ages ago, but I’d taken to making new ones as my situation on Turmont unfolded. I was grateful I had left several ballpoint pens in my jacket pocket before I had left earth.
“We need to make sure the people are well cared for, including stocking up food and supplies for any misfortune that comes our way,” I thought out loud. “So not only do we need to build farms, but we’ll need warehouses and larders.” I tapped my teeth with the end of my pen, “Though I might be getting ahead of myself.”
Slithering over, Vexile rose above my shoulder. “That’s the book you brought from Earth? I’ve seen you consult it several times.”
I nodded, handing it over. “It was written several centuries ago by Earth reckoning, but the advice the writer provides is timeless. I was thinking of his words just now, so I figured I’d pull it out and see if it provided any additional ideas.” I chuckled, “Based upon his definition, I am most definitely a prince who gained his kingdom by Fortune.”
“Fortune?” she asked, picking up on my emphasis.
“Fate is another name for her,” I answered. “I suppose, in this scenario, Revina is my divine patron, not the fickle love of Fortune.”
Vexile flipped through the pages, her eyebrows arching, “Sforza, Medici, Borgia? None of these names here make any sense.”
I took the book back. “The author’s work is heavily influenced by the time and place he lived, he often used real-life examples in his lessons.” I stopped, then thought. “I’m actually more surprised you know how to read English.”
“English?” she gave a long hiss, which took me a second to realize was her laughing. “Robert, do you not realize that the goddess has blessed you and me with the gift of tongues? How do you think you and I can understand each other?”
I paused, thinking. Up until that point, I had been taking for granted the fact that I was able to understand and converse with everyone, and to read the books Vexile had provided. Of course, none of that is in English. Why would it be, this is a completely foreign world?
Feeling like a fool, I joined in and laughed with her.
I was relieved when the next day’s events went well. Though I found Vexile’s new form utterly captivating, I was unsure how our citizens would react. She had the body of a monster from Earth’s mythology. but I had to trust that the believers of Revina would see her as an ascendant champion, chosen by their goddess.
Gathering everyone in the keep’s main hall, I stood at the top of the stairs as the citizens came inside, clearly curious about the announcement. They were still in awe of the water that had miraculously appeared in the fountain, and I could tell they were eager for more signs and portents. We had begun to fan the flames of hope in them, and I was determined to bring those fires to blazing heights.
We needed their hope, their belief, to succeed.
“Yesterday,” I called from the top of the stairs, “you were given a miracle. For the first time in hundreds of years, water once again flowed within the walls of Gloomglow.” I raised my arms, hoping I seemed more majestic and powerful than theatrical and silly. “But that was not the only miracle that Revina blessed us with. Today, we bring you here to present your First Queen and ascendant of the goddess.”
I waved to the doorway behind me. “Vexile, High Priestess of Revina, and First Queen of Duskhaven.”
Head held high, Vexile slithered up next to me, to stand at the top of the stairs.
We had spent the night before preparing for that moment. One of her acolytes had delivered her best robes, which we’d spent the night cleaning, mending, and adjusting to fit her new form. It now hung loosely around her shoulders, combined with a shaw of ephemeral fabric that had been scavenged from the temple’s depths. One of her skirts had been modified to become a short wrap, which wound around her hips.
She flicked her tongue nervously, her eyes wide and full of fear as she glanced at me.
The hall, which had been absolutely silent, erupted into fierce cheers.
“All hail Dark Lord Robert and his queen!” The acolytes led the chant, which quickly rebounded off the walls.
Our citizens cheered, some following to their knees in grateful prayers, while others just stood in wide-eyed shock, their jaws hanging loose.
Squeezing Vexile’s hand, I gestured down the stairs. “Go, your people are waiting for you. Let them see you and the miracle Revina has granted them.”
Reluctantly, she let go of my hand, straightened her shoulders, and descended the stairs, the bulk of her tail slinking behind her.
We’d spent the morning polishing her scales to a mirror-sheen. They shone with a glossy radiance as the stray beams of sunlight coming down through the missing roof.
Reaching the lobby, Vexile was nearly swarmed by the citizens, clearly eager to touch her, to confirm she was real. A flash of panic crossed her face, but we had assumed that would happen. Shifting back onto her tail, she raised her torso well above the crowd, leaving them free to touch her scales without overwhelming her.
She spread her arms, “Revina has chosen us to be Her champion, just as the Dark Lord has chosen us to be his First Queen. We pray that we prove worthy of their trust.”
The acolytes, who had been kneeling in prayer, got up and escorted a young child, one of Rigg’s, toward Vexile. The young girl was carrying a crown made from dusky blue flowers. Lowering herself down, Vexile bowed her head so the child could place the impromptu crown onto the new queen’s brow.
The hall once again erupted into cheers.
I let out the breath I had been holding. I knew that would be a good idea.
I had spotted the flowers early in the morning when I had gone to fetch water for Vexile to wash with before the announcement. Rounding up an early-rising acolyte, I had hushedly suggested a child make a flower crown and bring it for the gathering that I had called. The acolyte had seemed confused but had hurried to carry out the command.
Cheap theatrics are the things kingdoms are born on, I told myself as I smiled.
Below, Vexile looked radiant, crowned by dusky flowers, and surrounded by our people.
Chapter 8
“This way, Dark Lord!”
Rigg’s eldest child, a teenager named Lita, waved at me from the top of the dusty ridge, her kid brother, Saul, right behind her. For the hundredth time that day, I was happy I had left my jacket and black mantel back at the keep, instead, I was wearing a spare shirt, the sleeves rolled up.
Panting heavily under the bright, beating sun, I joined the party on top of the hill, looking down at the ruined farmstead.
Vexile, shading her eyes, pointed to a group of jumbled shapes, which probably had once been barns and workshops. “I believe the well is back there, Dark Lord.”
I nodded towards Lita, “Please, lead the way.”
The young hunters, practically ecstatic, marched down the hill. Myself, Vexile, and a couple of workers trailed in their wake.
We had departed the keep early in the morning since as expected, the day before had been taken up by Vexile’s royal debut. I was determined to inspect all the farm ruins within walking distance of Gloomglow. With the restoration of the keep’s water supply, I was hoping the same miracle would have occurred at the outlying properties.
If one of these farms has water, we can look towards planting crops and cultivating food.
The ruins were little more than square hollows made of the same, grey stone that had been used to construct Gloomglow. The roofs, windows, doors, and even furniture had long ago decayed into dust, then blown away. Dust piled high along the walls and in the corners, lending a dilapidated, melancholy air to the place.
Pausing, I looked to our left and our right. Past the ruins, all I could see was the windswept plains that defined the outer reaches of Gloomglow. Without the telltale sign of fences and walls, it was difficult to tell where the f
ields and pastures might have once been located.
There wasn’t a single tree or sign of shade, making me once again doubt the name of our kingdom. Why is this place called Duskhaven if all we get is the unrelenting heat of the sun?
Vexile and I found the circular shape of a stone well, which was buried almost to its lip with dirt. Someone had wedged a huge stone over the top, apparently in an attempt to seal it shut.
“Fucking Luminark,” Lita cursed, before blushing, “pardon my speech, Dark Lord.”
I waved her profanity away, taking a moment to mop my brow. “No forgiveness needed. This is clearly the result of senseless destruction. When the Luminark came through they intended to leave this land uninhabitable after their victory.” Looking over my shoulder, I wondered if they had even tried to salt the fields.
Vexile wound around the stone, frowning. “I think I can move it.”
Since her transformation, Vexile had displayed a startling amount of strength. We had begun cleaning out the chamber next to mine, so she could use it as part of our shared royal quarters. I had witnessed her easily moving bits of broken masonry with her arms or with her tail, coiling and lifting stones that would have taken a group of normal humans.
Gritting her teeth, she hiked back the sleeves of her robe and grabbed the rock. Cords of muscles popped along her shoulders and neck as she strained to move the obstruction. The workers backed up, hushed by her herculean effort.
Unable to get it to budge, Vexile wrapped her tail around the base of the rock and tried again. Against all belief, the stone slowly rose, revealing the dark, empty mouth of the well.
With a cheer, our party watched as she heaved the rock aside.
Smiling, I put my arm around her serpentine body and reached for the canteen I was carrying, stretching it up to present it to her. With a demure smile, she dusted the dirt away from her hands and then took the container.
