Dracon and the Edge of the World

by Michael T Payne

  “You don’t need to yell. We understand you just fine.” Prince Charnio informed him.

  “Which of you represent,” The man in green again, yelled slowly. The Golden Warrior looked at him, making him stop talking, “Yes, uh, which of you,” He started again, in a more appropriate tone.

  “You stand before Urixis, the capital city of Ganlin, home of her highness, Queen Menina.” Prince Renic announced before the man in green could begin again.

  “You will drag your pompous ass back from where you came…” Prince Charnio added but stopped talking when the Golden Warrior removed his helmet. He had closely cropped black hair and steely blue eyes.

  “Please forgive, the Lord Ambassador. He meant no disrespect. King Harold is eager to hear news of you and your people. We come in peace; we wish only to introduce ourselves.” The Golden Warrior said then glanced at the man in green.

  “That is correct, forgive my impertinence, my lords.”

  “We are the Princes of Ganlin, our sister is queen, Queen Menina.” Prince Renic announced.

  The Lord Ambassador dismounted and walked on the road to the four princes on horseback. When he reached them, he knelt.

  “I am here to serve my king and make way for a meeting between our two peoples, if that would be acceptable to your highness’s?” He asked.

  “We’re going to have to take him to Menina.” Prince Torak whispered to his brothers.

  “Yes, she will want to meet them at least.” Prince Renic agreed, “Rise, Ambassador, we will take you to Queen Menina where she may or may not give you an audience.”

  The Lord Ambassador rose and dusted off his knees.

  “Your men will not be able to enter the capital. No foreign army will ever be able to enter the capital.” Prince Charnio declared.

  “Is it permitted that I alone join the Lord Ambassador? I have business not on behalf of King Harold?” The Golden Warrior asked.

  “Your men remain here.” Prince Charnio answered.

  “That will be acceptable.” He replied.

  The Lord Ambassador mounted his horse and the two men followed the princes through the city gates and into Urixis.

  In the palace great hall, Queen Menina sat atop her throne, flanked by her aunt, Tamina and Glyna, the wood nymph, her two advisors. Queen Menina liked to refer to them as her conscience. The palace was abuzz with the news of the new arrivals to Ganlin. Trade had been very prosperous for the kingdom, and Dracon’s foresight made Queen Menina and Ganlin rich beyond measure. The platinum he turned to coin and mined was a commodity that no other nation they traded with seemed to have, but its value to them was a hundred times more than gold. Even the poor of Ganlin became instantly rich because of it. All Ganlin prospered from trade. Peace ruled the realm. Queen Menina and her brothers were family again. The entirety of Ganlin attributed everything to Queen Menina, quickly forgetting Dracon and all he had done to lay the foundation for the future that came to fruition on the toils of his tribulations. He was now regarded and hated more so than the dreaded Terrax that haunted the lands for a century, he who Dracon alone killed, ending the war of generations.

  “Has there been any word from my brothers yet?” Queen Menina asked the captain of the guard near the base of her throne.

  “No, my queen.” He quickly answered.

  The great hall was almost full to capacity with nobles from every house in Urixis, each wanting a glimpse of the new potential trade opportunity. Queen Menina however was not so welcoming. She was paranoid, her ever present worry that Venalina would return to make good on her threat, kept her suspicious that every new arrival was a plot, somehow related to Venalina, Queen of the Vordalyn.

  There was a commotion at the other end of the great hall, near the entrance. The crowd parted from the center of the room lining up on either side of the walkway that led directly to the single throne where Queen Menina sat while her two advisors stood on either side of her. At one time, there were two thrones, Queen Ayana’s and King Treska’s. Queen Menina had them removed and embraced her own legacy as queen, looking forward instead of remaining lost in the past. As much as she missed her mother, she did not miss sharing the throne with anyone’s memory. She had come into her power completely.

  At the other end of the hall she could see Prince Renic and Prince Charnio flanking two men they were leading to her. Glyna put her hand on Queen Meninas forearm and leaned forward to her ear.

  “Listen,” she said, “do not speak. Consider, do not act.”

  Tamina immediately scoffed, hearing every word. Glyna ignored her but Queen Menina did not, clenching her jaw and giving Tamina a glare.

  “Aynisa, you must show strength to these invaders, show your power! Make an example, bring them to heel, then, you can afford to show mercy.” Tamina growled.

  Queen Menina returned her attention to the approaching men.

  “The Lord Ambassador, Clovis Rotherfield and his escort.” Prince Renic announced then the four men took a knee before the queen.

  “Rise Princes of Ganlin.” She said almost immediately after their knees touched the ground. She never wanted her brothers to be treated other than family and even when protocol insisted, she made it as brief as possible. It kept them loyal to her. It was a small thing, she knew, but she also knew it carried weight with her brothers. Respect. “You come from beyond the outer region, your journey must have been fraught with danger to bring so many men into my kingdom unannounced?”

  “Actually, your highness, the way was a rather enjoyable trip. I dare say we overestimated the dangers of the gaseous realm. It seems that since the gases have dissipated, so too has the danger. It is a very beautiful countryside; one we will be pleased to annex.” He bowed his head.

  “Annex?” Queen Menina repeated, “Tell us, for maybe it means something else where you are from, but annex, is to fold into your own kingdom?” She asked.

  “That is correct.” The Lord Ambassador said.

  Tamina burst out laughing.

  “Control yourself!” Queen Menina growled low, for only Tamina to hear. She immediately stifled her laugh. “My lands extend beyond the gaseous region, as you call them, to its very edge. Do you understand that?” She asked The Lord Ambassador.

  “I do, your highness, however, King Harold the bold, is heir to the kingdom that once called these lands part of his realm. It is well documented, the events around its loss, within the gases. Now, with the gases gone, he means to reclaim his lost lands.” The Lord Ambassador looked at her awaiting a response.

  The longer it took for her to say anything, the more nervous he became. The entire great room was a din of murmurs. Prince Charnio wanted so desperately to speak, but he knew there was nothing he could say that was going to rival his sister’s words. A sword leaving its sheath could be heard clearly by those closest to the emissaries of King Harold.

  “Stand down.” Queen Menina commanded calmly, then smiled, “How old is this King Harold?”

  “I beg your pardon, your highness?” The Lord Ambassador asked unsure why she was asking the question.

  “His age, Lord Ambassador?” she asked again.

  “He is a virile twenty-seven years old, your grace, I imagine not much older than you?” the Lord Ambassador answered. It made Tamina laugh out loud then stifle herself before Queen Menina could look at her.

  “This kingdom you hail from, is it in the midst of war that knows no end? Are your people suffering, yet flourishing none the less?” Queen Menina asked.

  “Your highness, our kingdom is a veritable paradise, you would never know war again, we ourselves have never had such hardships and you would find great peace under the banner of King Harold the bold”

  “I imagine this king, King Harold, has fifty legions at his disposal? Able to swallow us whole in its vast reach, all shiny and new, polished, as your man here.”

  “I am not his-”

  “Silence!” Queen Menina yelled and a burst of magical energy emanated from her throughout the roo
m, everyone felt it and feared it. Even the princes feared what their sister could do, given to a fit of rage. The Golden Warrior did as he was told and shut up, everyone did. Queen Menina stood from her throne and walked to the edge of the raised platform the throne sat upon. “We are a people bread for war. We have fought for a century before this respite of peace we endure now. It would be nothing new for us to wage war once again. It’s in our blood!” she said, “Return to this, this king of yours, and you tell him, Ganlin awaits, if he has the stones, come and take it! We are war ready!”

  The Lord Ambassador bowed his head fearful and respectful then turned to leave. He took a few steps and looked back at the Golden Warrior, then paused to wait for him. Queen Menina also gave the Golden Warrior her full attention seeing he did not leave with The Lord Ambassador.

  “Is there something else?” she asked.

  “There is.” He said. Queen Menina nodded her head for him to speak, “I do not represent King Harold and have sought you out for another reason. We agreed to escort the Lord Ambassador here because it was a common destination, nothing more.”

  Queen Menina looked at the Lord Ambassador, “Then you needn’t wait.” The Lord Ambassador bowed again then was escorted from the palace. “Your business then?” she said to the Golden Warrior.

  “I am Brother Kane, first seated of the Order of light.” He introduced himself.

  “The Order of light?” Queen Menina asked, “And your business?” Glyna began to get agitated, her wings fluttered, lifting her a few inches from the ground. Tamina snickered at what a timid creature Glyna was, always ready to flee in fear. Glyna did not flee however and flew close to Queen Menina and whispered in her ear.

  “He is a pious man, a man of goodness, like no other, in all Ganlin, such a man does not exist.” Glyna said, “You must hear what it is he has to say, he is a holy man, his intentions serve a greater good, a warrior of light. You must-”

  Queen Menina snapped her head to look at Glyna, who recoiled, knowing that telling the queen ‘she must’ too many times was not something Queen Menina would appreciate. Glyna almost flittered away but stayed close to Queen Menina, knowing that she would never harm her, even in anger. Queen Menina looked back at Brother Kane and waved her hand at Glyna, shooing her back to the thrones side, to where she quickly flittered.

  “That the fairies of the forest stand at your side, tells me you are a woman of great goodness. A queen indeed. I am here on a most urgent matter that concerns all good creatures.” He said.

  “She is known to us as Aynisa, the child of light.” Glyna offered.

  Queen Menina turned her head and stared at Glyna, angrily surprised that she revealed such an intimate thing to the foreigner. It made Tamina snicker at Glyna’s stupidity, further infuriating Queen Menina.

  “Surely, this cannot be a coincidence, but divine intervention, your highness?” The Golden Warrior surmised.

  “Go on, you have my ear, Brother Kane.” Queen Menina said still looking at Glyna.

  “My order ensures that evil does not overtake goodness. We hunt down and destroy any threat too great for the common man to stand against. When evil finds a champion, it is we who take up the fight. Creatures with power beyond reason, that serve the dark, the undead lich they become. We stand and fight, hunt it down and destroy it. We recognize when such a creature, first a dark lord who rises to power, causing a blight upon the land, and then upon its never-ending days becomes a lich. A creature, that even in its early stages, rallies other creatures of darkness, of evil, to its side. Serving its wicked designs. None are safe. I am here because such a creature is rising, first to become a dark lord, then eventually, a very powerful lich. Everything about this man will fly in the face of goodness, an anti-paladin if you will.” Brother Kane’s words mesmerized the room.

  “You fight evil, in the name of good?” Prince Charnio asked breaking the silence.

  “We do.” Brother Kane answered and turned to face Prince Charnio.

  “Where were you and your Order of Light, when Terrax and his hordes of demons waged war on our people for decades? Where were you when that dark lord haunted us?” Prince Charnio asked in an angry growl.

  Queen Menina smirked and raised an eyebrow, curious to how he would answer her brothers most intriguing question.

  “Your lands have been unreachable until only recently.” Brother Kane looked from Prince Charnio to Queen Menina.

  “We have since discovered, our tormentor came from outside our unreachable lands, lands you come from?” Queen Menina added.

  Brother Kane was visibly unnerved and struggled to find the right words. It was clear he was unaware of their plight. Queen Menina stepped down one step, looking around the great room at her subjects in attendance.

  “Your men can set-up camp in the forest outside the city, to the west. You, however, will come speak to us in more detail. You will enjoy the hospitality of our palace while we hear more.”

  “It would be a great honor, your highness. I will get my men sorted and return to you with haste.” Brother Kane said.

  “We anxiously await your return, Brother Kane.”

  Brother Kane bowed low, then left the palace, escorted by both Prince Renic and Prince Charnio. It didn’t take long before Tamina started speaking.

  “We need to speak in private Aynisa, there is much at stake and much to be gained.” Tamina said.

  “I agree.” Glyna said fluttering nearby.

  “When this Brother Kane returns, bring him to my garden.” Queen Menina ordered the Captain of the guard.

  Queen Menina vanished, followed by Glyna then Tamina, each reappearing in the queen’s garden.

  “Word has spread far of my brother’s descent into darkness.” Queen Menina said.

  “What of this King Harold, Aynisa?” Glyna asked, “What will we do about him?”

  “We have to move on this King Harold before he moves on us. He wants to annex us? We’ll annex him!” Tamina exclaimed.

  “This hunter of evil, I wonder if I can guide him to Venalina? Like an arrow. Bring the fight to her doorstep, far from Ganlin.” Queen Menina pondered.

  “Aynisa?” Tamina asked.

  “Aynisa, this King Harold should be our focus, not this Brother Kane and his mission.” Glyna said.

  “You seemed especially fond of this Brother Kane, good fairy of the forest.” Tamina said mocking Glyna.

  “Yes.” Queen Menina said in almost a whisper, not hearing what Tamina said.

  She was distracted, thinking how she could turn the newly arrived warrior and his order in Venalina’s direction. They talked like priests, making her wonder how many of them there were and what kind of fight they could put up against the Vordalyn. In any case, it could steer Venalina’s attentions away from her and Ganlin, indefinitely.

  “Aynisa?” Glyna was concerned.

  Queen Menina was in a constant state of alarm and thought only of the Vordalyn. It left Glyna and Tamina to rule over many of the issues governing Ganlin. Of course, they fought constantly, even over the simplest and agreed upon actions. Tamina refused to agree unless it was, she who said it first. It was tedious.

  “You two discuss this king for now, devise a plan and present it to me in a few days. Now, leave me. I want solitude.” Queen Menina said not looking at either woman.

  “After you.” Tamina offered Glyna to go first, but as soon as she made a move, Tamina rushed to be the first to walk out.

  Again, Queen Menina was too distracted to pay any attention to the adversarial dynamic between her mate and her aunt. When they left, Elmyra Ballana arrived at the gardens entrance. She waited at the glass doors watching for the queen’s appearance. She could hear her talking softly on the other side of the door somewhere in the garden but could not make out what she was saying. All Elmyra knew was that Queen Menina was still in the garden and as usual was talking to herself. It concerned her. It concerned many of the people closest to the queen. Her obsession with the return of the Vorda
lyn consumed her. As much as they all wanted to be prepared, she had begun to stifle the growth of Ganlin with her paranoia. Those who could potentially be allies against the Vordalyn, she outright accused of being in league with them. Her aunt Tamina alone was able to convince her that the Vordalyn would not be in league with others and would act alone against them. If not for Tamina the talks with Qinkas would have fell apart. It was also on Tamina’s advice the she and the queen should never meet with anyone from Qinkas as they would surely recognize them as Kina. Prince Renic dealt with all representatives from other nations, leaving the queen safely secluded in the capital where only citizens of Ganlin could enter. Elmyra came to the garden to speak with her regarding the newcomers who she allowed to see her face to face. She was growing careless.

  Elmyra waited patiently for hours, all the while, she could hear Queen Menina talking to herself. Prince Renic and the mysterious Brother Kane entered the far end of the hall coming to see the queen. Elmyra stiffened, standing tall and at attention in front of the glass doors. She heard about the arrival but was not in the great room to witness the meeting.

  “Elmyra,” Prince Renic smiled and nodded.

  “Your grace.” Elmyra bowed low.

  “Is she ready for us?” Prince Renic asked.

  “I should go in and make sure.” Elmyra said then turned and entered the doors shutting them as quick as she could so no one could hear Queen Menina talking to herself. She found her at the center of the garden near the only bench. “My queen, Prince Renic is here with a visitor.”

  Queen Menina’s face lit up when she saw Elmyra, she extended her hand for Elmyra to come closer. She smiled as Elmyra drew close, taking her hand.

  “Isn’t there a standing order of death to any who disturb me in my garden?” Queen Menina asked with a smile. Elmyra’s face reflected her fear instantly. “I suppose you think you have good cause?” Queen Menina asked cocking her head, “Of course you do. You’re not an idiot, are you?”

  “No, my queen.” Elmyra averted her eyes.

  “I know why you’re here, Elmyra, and you have nothing to be concerned about.” Queen Menina said releasing her hand. “I will keep myself distant from the people of Sumia, but these others, I will not shy away from. I will not hide from the world; I am the queen of Ganlin.”