by Chris Ward
‘Revelyn is in great danger. I have had cause to consider many things over the past several winters, and despite my fervent hopes, hopes which I have shared with many in this land, there is no improvement. The land is sinking. There are reports of disasters from many places. There are slayings of innocents, the like of which has never before been known in Revelyn. And of course you are aware of the evil creatures which have appeared and which constantly elude us, right here in Ramos.’
The four were now listening intently and the Queen knew she had their full attention. She changed direction, in a quieter more reflective tone.
‘I have been tormented by a dream for a long time; for several seasons in truth. I have always known that this dream was important to understand, for it holds some clue to what is behind the great calamities and perhaps evil which befalls us. But each morning I have woken to the memory of the dream and the bitterness of it; but not what it was. It has always been beyond me. The Wisden told me that I would suffer in this manner, and it has been as they said.’ She took a breath before continuing. ‘Last night for the first time it became clear to me. At last when I woke I knew something of what it was which I so desperately needed to know.’ She paused, knowing that they would want to ask what it was, but resolved not to tell them. Not yet.
‘In order to finally understand the matters which I have mentioned and perhaps to rescue Revelyn from some evil future which does not bear imagining, I must leave Ramos today and travel to a place far from here. I also need to find someone who had been lost to me and this will involve even further journeying. I cannot yet tell you all at this time, but I wish to invite you to accompany me. You four have skills which I need, in battle, and in resolve, and perhaps in standing against fell creatures who have no good place in this time of men and women.’ Once more she paused and let the listeners ponder her words.
‘I can promise you only a hard journey,’ she finally continued, ‘and most likely, few comfortable nights. I expect to encounter resistance, deadly resistance, although on this I cannot say how it might manifest, although last evening you encountered something of what I foresee.’ Sylvion stood and walked to the windows to look out. ‘The evil of Zelfos has returned. This land is dying,’ she whispered after a time, ‘and I cannot stay here in Ramos and see it so.’ She turned to the four, dressed in her white, and fully veiled.
‘Will you help me?’ she asked. ‘Will you join me? I do not wish any here to come save they choose, and this means you too Gravyn. I could command you as my soldier but I do not want this. I want your allegiance at a deeper level.’ She turned her head to each in turn. ‘This I desire from all of you. A wilful decision. Nothing less will do.’
The White Queen turned away and once more looked out over the land; she remained silent, yet her heart was pounding and her senses seemed more acute than she could remember in many summers. Slowly she brought her emotions under control and allowed time for the four to think upon her words.
Rema looked at the Queen, at the amazing Sylvion Greyfeld. He knew she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen, and resented the veil which hid her. He knew in his heart he would do her bidding, for Revelyn, and for her alone if need be. This is my quest too he thought. I need no more thought on the matter. He stood and walked to her.
‘I stand with you My Lady. You have my allegiance whatever it brings.’
‘And I,’ said Germayne immediately, joining them. ‘You know my heart My Lady.’
Gravyn stood in a soldierly fashion, but remained where he was, as though he felt it too forward of him to approach the Queen in so familiar a manner as the other two. ‘I will serve My Lady of course,’ was all he said, his face as always, inscrutable.
Andes looked about him. Suddenly his plans for a return to the Highlands and to Fryn were upended. He wished there was some other way but he knew that he could not refuse such a request. ‘I too,’ he said quietly raising a hand, ‘I will give my pledge or whatever is required, but I know someone who will have words about this if she gets to hear of it... as she must.’ Rema smiled at this poignant remark, knowing full well the lash of Fryn’s tongue. Andes did not stand but just sat and nodded to himself, as if a little overwhelmed by the consequence of his decision. The White Queen had remained standing and looking out over her city, but she had breathed a quiet and grateful thanks for each as they gave her their answer.
‘I thank you. All of you,’ she said and her words were clearly full of sincerity. ‘You will have many questions but I will not answer them now. As we travel I will say more. We will leave just after the noon. I must prepare the Palace and Germayne will assist me in this. Gravyn you will take Rema and Andes to the stores and assist them to choose whatever they desire. We will be riding and the horses are big and strong, even for one such as you Andes Blomberg.’ Her voice was now tinged with humour and they all knew the White Queen was pleased with what had come to pass.
‘Come to the table and I will give you some indication of where we first travel,’ the Queen commanded, and soon they were gathered close about the large map of Revelyn which Germayne had pinned to the solid oak table.
‘We will travel north by road to Sheldon.’ The Queen indicated the road. ‘It will be an easy trip. We will likely stay on the road and cross the Vigarn north of the Snake River either at Moraine or a little south. I plan to travel east by way of the Plains of Amrosi and we should arrive at Fellonshead in eight days, possibly less if we ride hard. I will give you further information there.’ She allowed them all time to study the map before once more taking them by surprise.
‘Two others will join us on this the journey.’ They all gave attention as she continued quickly. ‘Orcxyl will be coming along. He has no choice. I will be speaking with him immediately you leave. I have need of his skills in matters which may arise once the first part of my plan has been achieved.’ At the mention of Orcxyl, Gravyn took in a deep breath but showed no further emotion, indeed his face betrayed nothing.
‘The other?’ Rema boldly inquired. The White Queen paused as though undecided on how best to speak on the matter.
‘I will let you know when the time is right,’ she said finally, and no one spoke further, but all had many thoughts.
‘We will meet here a span after the noon. Go now and prepare. Make sure you have your weapons and all the clothing and equipment you feel is necessary for long days in the saddle and the stars our tent at night. Germayne will provide anything you require.’ As no one moved, she finished sternly. ‘Go! No further delay. We must start this quest. Revelyn has need of it.’
And so they hurriedly left. Immediately Orcxyl was escorted into the room and instructed by the huge Night guard to stand before the Queen. He then withdrew.
‘Your throat is improved Orcxyl the Hunter?’ The White Queen spoke warmly, and this took Orcxyl off guard. He had spent the night mostly awake and in pain as he reaffirmed over and over his plan to avenge his sister. His greatest fear was that he would be given his freedom and once dismissed from the Palace would have no further chance to carry out his vow. Now, suddenly being alone and so close to the one on whom his anger and hate were focused, he was unsure of his next move. He had seen the power of the Shadow Blade and knew he must now consider this in whatever came next. And her voice and inquiry seem guileless, he thought. I will wait and see.
‘I am improved My Lady,’ he replied with a small bow.
‘I have considered your case Orcxyl,’ the Queen replied. ‘Normally such a trespass upon my Palace would invite a sentence of five winters in the Ganabi salt mines, but you did as we agreed last night and so your freedom is earnt.’ She paused. Orcxyl felt inwardly despairing. I will be set free, he thought, and lose what little advantage I have gained.
‘However I have decided to delay your release,’ the Queen continued. ‘I have need of your skills and so it is decided that you will travel with myself and the same small group as before in order that I might achieve what I have planned. As my prisoner, yo
u have no choice in this Orcxyl, but at the completion of this quest, you will be freed and with a significant sum in gold or whatever you choose.’ At this Orcxyl felt suddenly elated. I will now have further opportunity he thought. This is my destiny after all. Freya... it will work out. I will make sure of it.
‘My Lady,’ was all he said, and the White Queen wondered on his calm acceptance of this proclamation. She looked intently at him for a time, as if to understand more deeply what he was about.
‘I will explain more at a later time,’ she said finally, ‘Now you must prepare. I have given instructions; you will go with the guard and return here with him at the appointed time.’ Orcxyl bowed low, but not so much that it might seem overly obsequious.
‘My Lady,’ he repeated and then at the Queen’s call, the Night Guard returned and the two left together. Sylvion sat back and thought for a moment before she too left and made preparation for a journey which she knew would change her forever.
Their leaving of Ramos was witnessed by many, for the sight of such a group riding out together through the Royal Gates to the north was something to behold. It was soon reported through much of the city that the White Queen had gone forth on some bold quest in the company of the hero Gravyn, a giant, and some others unknown. In the city life went on unchanged, although within the day reports of a large number of armed soldiers demolishing some old buildings by the western wall gave new fuel to the many rumours which suddenly spread as to the reason for her leaving.
They rode hard for Sheldon, on horses bred for speed and great endurance. They were all black save the Queen’s which was a magnificent grey. Rema and Andes had never seen such powerful beasts and they marvelled at their nature; so docile and yet so clearly able to endure, and Andes commented in some astonishment to Rema that his beast seemed not to even notice his great size.
‘This is a far different steed to that poor pony you gave me once!’ he chided on several occasions, and Rema could only agree.
They camped the first night at the eastern end of the Great Southern Forest, purposely avoiding the many inns which dotted the road so close to Ramos. They found a private spot some distance from the road which cut through the enormous forest oaks and gentle vales of the lands which comprised the picturesque East Hendon. The Queen’s purpose for this secluded camp was soon revealed.
‘My friends’ she said after they had eaten their simple evening meal, and they sat before a roaring fire which regularly sent up clouds of sparks into the night sky above. ‘We have ridden well, and made a good start. There is much to reveal but not all on this night.’ She paused to ensure she had their attention. She stood in the firelight dressed in her white and seemed larger than life for her gown and veil were almost painfully illuminated.
‘We cannot further travel on this quest in this same manner,’ she continued and they all wondered what this strange statement might mean. The Queen allowed them some time to dwell upon her words before continuing. ‘I am the White Queen, or so the saying goes. I have dressed this way for a reason which is now no longer important.’ At this Germayne took in a sharp breath for she suddenly understood what her Queen was about to reveal.
‘My name from of old is Sylvion Greyfeld, of the House of Hendon, and the many rumours about my nature, my age and my person must now be put to rest.’ At this moment she drew her sword and held it up before them in the firelight. ‘I wield the Shadow Blade, and with it, long ago, I defeated the evil one, Zelfos, and his king Lord Petros Luminous. These things are written in the histories of Revelyn, but much of my story is not, for I have held it secret.’ She took a deep breath and with all before the fire in thrall, she continued...
‘Until now.’ Suddenly the shadows seemed darker and the sparks hissed noisily high into the night, as if the very elements about them understood the significance of a moment balanced precariously at the point of revelation.
‘What I tell you now is the truth, however hard it will be to understand. The Shadow Blade I wear at my side gives me a great power but it has also kept me young. I have not aged since that time of the last great battles when on the field below the Vaudim I slew many men, and in its caldera won the victory for Revelyn along with a small band of heroes. I chose to wear this veil and the gown to hide this strange secret and to keep peace in Ramos; but no longer...’
And with a sudden simple flourish the White Queen of Revelyn tore off her veil and stood revealed before them.
Gravyn gasped although his face did not register any emotion. Andes stood in shock, for he was quiet stunned by her visage. Rema knew what to expect but even he was suddenly overcome with a powerful emotion and for the first time he knew he loved her, this Sylvion Greyfeld, Queen of Revelyn. Germayne just wept, and none knew why, except Sylvion. Orcxyl was thrown into complete confusion. He had carefully crafted his own image of the White Queen over many seasons, of an older woman, one of long faded beauty, perhaps of great ugliness. That she hid her face from the world was surely because it was wracked and contorted with the guilt of her vile crimes against the defenceless; a beast at the end of her days who would justify a violent end. He could not reconcile what stood before him... who stood before him...
She is as young as I, and not far from you Freya, he thought in shock, and you my sister were beautiful beyond all. What magic is this that I must defeat to avenge your blood?
‘Henceforth you shall call me Sylvion,’ the Queen continued, ‘if this suits, or My Lady, for I am still the Queen of Revelyn, and whilst I do not look it, I am far older than all of you, indeed of any alive. Keep that in mind as we journey together.’ This last remark was made as she looked directly at Rema and he suddenly churned with deep emotions and wondered... are you warning me away, telling me to keep distant, or perhaps you warn me so that I should be aware of what might confuse us if we are closer? But he could not resolve the matter.
And then Sylvion, the Queen revealed, wielded the Shadow Blade in a manner which made the air sing, and for an instant, time seemed to slow and the five by the fire watching could not seem to move, so fast was her action and so swift the blade. And just as suddenly it was sheathed and the moment passed, but none were the same henceforth. They made their beds close by the fire and each chose when to retire. Germayne spoke privately with Sylvion whilst Rema noticed that Andes went off for a time by himself, disappearing silently into the night and did not return for quite some time. He wondered on this but sleep claimed him before he could come to anything on the matter.
They rode into Sheldon on the following night having ridden with but one stop at noon. Sylvion pushed them all hard and she seemed to the others, a new woman. Her white clothing was gone, tossed upon the remaining coals of the morning fire, and in its place she wore leather breeches which fitted her slim form in a manner which Rema found very pleasant to his eye. The Shadow Blade was now visible at her waist and it seemed to cling to her and not bounce about like other swords when tossed by the action of a hard ridden steed. She wore a simple woven long sleeved blouse which was tied in an overlaid manner at the front by leather thongs and her shoulder length hair was held back in a tail by a purple band, the only real colour which adorned her person. She rode easily as though part of the creature which bore her and the others all knew she was a gifted beyond them in this regard. She rode at the front; Rema and Andes behind, followed by Germayne and Gravyn, whilst Orcxyl seemed content to wear their dust for he rode at the rear and made no move to change this formation. The road was busy with traffic for it was a high road, and bore many on the move between Ramos and the second largest town in Revelyn. All about was farm land, and small hamlets and houses were a common sight. The thunder of their hooves and the speed with which they travelled announced their approach so in the main those they encountered stood aside or moved their wagons in such a manner as to allow the group to pass unhindered, but not unnoticed.
That night they took rooms at a large inn named long before by one somewhat lacking in imagination for the dirty sh
ingle which hung above the entrance bore the words, The Travellers Rest; but the place was warm enough and offered good food and clean beds. Sylvion had charged them all that under no circumstances was her true identity to be revealed. They were on the Queen’s business, that was all, and this could not be hidden, for their steeds and equipment marked them easily enough.
‘We will stay one night. Sleep well and eat your fill,’ she directed once the horses were stabled, ‘I wish to see what Sheldon has to tell me of the travail of the land. I will go alone. We will meet here in the morning. Go now,’ and then without further words Sylvion disappeared into the town, leaving the others to marvel at her energy. They were happy enough to sit by the fire after a good meal and enjoy the conversation of those around, although Rema sensed a sombre mood from many. He caught bits and pieces of sad stories of things lost and fears for the future. In a far corner he discerned a farmer bemoaning lost fields to a rising bog, and his companion whispered furtively about a gruesome death which had recently brought the town to fear some sinister person was roaming the land. After a time Rema stood and on the pretence of wanting some fresh air he left the Inn and went in search of Sylvion, for in truth his mind had not strayed far from her all that day.
Sylvion walked in the shadows. It had been two summers since her last visit to Sheldon and she knew it was not the same town. The people who moved about that night seemed weary with their lives, and spoke little. It was a far cry from the happy place which bustled with life and cheerful banter that had marked her last visit. She could not discern what was lying beneath this change, but it was a perception which persisted nonetheless as she moved about the streets and common places. It was a dark night but enough of a moon struggled through the clouds to guide her way, and in many places the lights from windows provided her with assistance. She spoke to no one and for the first time in her recent memory Sylvion Greyfeld, the Queen of Revelyn felt one with the common person; and enjoyed it.
