by Pedro Urvi
“If it survives…”
“We’ll save it, Aliana, together, all of us. Rogdon will survive and someday I’ll be King. You are the Queen my heart has chosen. Come with me, and rule beside me.”
“You offer me too much, Gerart: your heart, the Kingdom… so much that I feel overwhelmed… I don’t know what to say…”
“Don’t say anything then…” and Gerart bent over Aliana and kissed her, so passionately he left the girl breathless.
At that moment, while Gerart was kissing Aliana, two figures appeared behind them climbing the stairs towards the Castle. Hartz saw the scene in surprise and immediately glanced aside at his friend. Komir had stopped and was staring at Aliana, his emerald eyes shining with the intensity of a summer sun in the middle of the night. Hartz was about to say something, but Komir motioned him to stay quiet. He felt as if a dagger of frozen steel had been plunged into his back, He felt the blood of the treacherous blow trickling down his spine, and in each drop he saw Aliana’s face reflected. The one his heart loved and who had betrayed him that night. Without letting Aliana see his pain, he motioned to Hartz and went into the castle, leaving behind dreams and hopes which would never come to fruition.
Aliana tensed and moved away from Gerart.
“I need time… it’s not the right moment…”
Gerart nodded his assent.
“If you need time, Aliana, you can have it,” he said, and turning on his heels he went inside the palace.
Aliana closed her fists and cursed inwardly. Three paths, three loves, three destinies: Komir, Gerart, the Order. Her heart was divided, her soul squeezed dry by the decision she must make. She raised her face to the moon and pleaded:
“Help me to choose the path I must follow.”
But the moon remained silent.
The three days the King had given Haradin were up, and they were all summoned to his Majesty’s presence. In the throne hall, King Solin and Queen Eleuna once again received the diverse group of adventurers. Prince Gerart and Royal Counselor Urien were chatting animatedly with Haradin at the foot of the throne, when Aliana walked in with Asti. She had not seen the others the day before. For some reason Komir had been evading her and instead, with Hartz and Kayti, had been going through the city purchasing equipment and supplies. The redhead had been sending messages to her distant eastern land, according to Kendas, who had been assigned to Prince Gerart’s service.
The Prince, very courteously, and worried for her wellbeing, had come to see her several times. Aliana had been left deeply impressed by the Court and by several families of the nobility Gerart had introduced her to. The Royal Palace of Rilentor was impressively magnificent, and the nobles and royalty had impressed the Healer. She was not used to dealing with people of such high rank. On the other hand, Asti seemed absolutely indifferent to them, as if she did not even notice their presence. Aliana looked at Komir, but he did not seem to see her or try to greet her.
“Thank you all for coming,” the King greeted them. “The first thing I wish to do is congratulate the Healer Aliana for once again working a miracle.”
“There’s no need, your Majesty…” Aliana began.
“There certainly is,” the Queen interrupted. “You’ve saved Mirkos’ life, and we are all indebted to you. The Kingdom is indebted to you.”
“Thank you, your Majesty.”
“Fantastic news,” Urien said. “We’re going to need him and all his power to fight against the Nocean Sorcerers and the Norghanian Ice Mages.”
“My old friend is making good progress, I’ve just seen him,” said Haradin with a smile.
“And after such good news, let’s turn our attention to the problems at hand,” the King said gravely. “What course of action do you advise me to take, Haradin? The situation is extremely critical…”
“Thank you for placing your trust in me, your Majesty. You honor me. From what I’ve gathered about the events, and based on my own studies about the Ilenians, I believe we must find the other two medallions right away.”
“Why, Haradin?” Gerart asked.
“For two reasons. First that these medallions must not fall into enemy hands. They’re extremely powerful, and the Nocean Sorcerers, Zecly in particular, would find out how to use their power, with or without the Bearer’s consent. That could be disastrous for our interests. For that reason, we must find those two Chosen and bring them here with us. Out there they pose a danger to all of us.”
“And the second reason?” Solin asked.
“My studies. As far as I’ve been able to learn and understand, five medallions and their peerless power are spoken of. Reference is made to the end of days, to an unparalleled power which might be attained through them. That unbelievable power, if we’re capable of puzzling out how to use it, might be our last hope in the fight against the enemy hosts and mages.”
“You speak of hope, of a chimera, Haradin…” Urien said skeptically.
“Even more, that same power might destroy us all,” the King pointed out. “Who will protect us? You, Haradin?”
“There are no guarantees with magic, your Majesty. The greater the power, the greater the risk. This is a universal maxim when it comes to arcane and mystic power. It always has been. That’s how wise Nature balances the power which exists in the universe. Could this mighty power destroy us? It might. But in my opinion it could also save us. Whatever the case, we must stop the medallions from falling into the hands of either Zecly or the Norghanian Ice Mages. That much is clear to me.”
All began to comment on what Haradin had told them, and an uneasy murmur filled the throne hall.
“Now then. Silence,” King Solin said at last. The murmur stopped at once. “What do you propose, Battle Mage?”
“I believe we should send someone to look for those medallions immediately.”
“I’ll go,” Komir said.
“We all will,” said Aliana.
“No,” Komir said curtly. “I’ll go. You won’t come with me.”
Aliana was left shocked, looking blankly at Komir.
Haradin stepped forward.
“Komir is right, we can’t afford to send more than one Chosen. The risk is too great; we might lose them all, and then the catastrophe would be unimaginable.”
“But ‒” Aliana tried to protest.
“I’m sorry, Aliana, that’s how it must be. My contacts have already located them. Using the Ilenian underground portals, Komir can reach them and bring them to Rilentor without running too many risks. Sending more than one Chosen would not be wise, my dear Healer. I’m sorry.”
“Then so it shall be,” King Solin proclaimed. “One Chosen will set off. Let his companions go with him if they so wish, and let anything they want be given them. You have ten days. After the tenth day the city will be under siege, and it will be impossible for you to come back in.”
Komir nodded to the King.
“I’ll return within ten days with the two Bearers.”
King Solin rose from his throne.
“The rest of you, make yourselves ready, we have a war to fight. I will not see my house disappear or my people die. Rogdon shall not perish. I will defend my Kingdom, the elderly, the women and the children under my protection. We will defend Rilentor to the last man. This is the decision of the King.”
Past Failures
Isuzeni entered the Dark Lady’s command tent in the war camp. His presence had been requested urgently. He had spent all day preparing the Empress’ army for the march. A thousand minuscule details required his attention and he had been as busy as an ant serving his queen. The preparations for the assault to West Tremia were almost ready and the army would soon set out.
Yuzumi watched him bow before her with eyes filled with impatience. “And now, Isuzeni? Time is pressing.” She said in an icy tone.
Isuzeni crossed his hands behind his back and reflected.
“Now that we have taken the two mid-eastern kingdoms, the Thousand Lakes will soon be in
our hands and passage for the army through the maze without the risk of treacherous ambush will be secured. The White Tigers will be back tonight, with the information I need to plan safe passage. The fourth army has the lesser kingdoms of the south of Tremia in check, those bordering the Nocean Empire. They won’t obstruct the advance of the greater part of your seven armies. Everything is working out according to the planned strategy.”
“We should advance without delay, Isuzeni,” she said, her face somber.
“Yes, my lady. We shall cross the Thousand Lakes bordering the Forests of the Usik and reach the Masig Steppes. Once we cross the plains we’ll reach Rogdon.”
“Time is running out, High Priest. I feel it inside, and every day the certainty is greater. What I’ve been fighting against with all my might, the premonition which has been following me and tormenting me for nineteen years, is approaching like an unavoidable fate which I can no longer either escape nor defeat. But defeat it I will! I’ll change the Premonition and come out victorious! Do you hear me, Isuzeni, I’ll win! Nothing will stop me, nothing!”
A deep silence fell in the tent, The Dark Lady leaned back in a black throne covered in red velvet and closed her eyes.
“Cursed be the day! Cursed be the Oracle! Cursed be his vision!” she burst out suddenly with such violence that the air itself seemed to be consumed in a single sigh. “Why did you take me to him, Isuzeni? Why?”
Isuzeni remembered the moment and the fateful outcome of the meeting.
“The leaders of the Cult wished to know how great your power would be, my Lady.”
“And they paid for it with their lives.”
Isuzeni nodded. At fourteen Yuzumi had calmly walked into the Council Hall, closing the door behind her. The agonized screams of the leaders as they perished had been heard for leagues around. The nine, the hierarchy of the Cult, ceased to be. Yuzumi assumed the leadership, and nobody dared oppose her.
“It was that crazy old man who cursed me with his vision of my destiny. Not one day of rest have I had since I was eight. Nineteen years I have suffered the curse the Oracle laid on me!”
Isuzeni stepped forward and modulated his voice to give it a softer tone.
“Two destinies did the Oracle see in your future, my Lady… First the Destiny of Glory: you would conquer not only Toyomi, but all of Tremia, the kingdoms would fall at your feet, kings would kneel before your power. You would become the most powerful woman in the known world and reign without opposition, since your enemies would all be dead. The second… the Destiny of Death… which establishes that you’ll die in a battlefield on this continent, shortly after turning twenty-seven years old.”
“And tell me, High Priest of the Cult of Imork, do you know what day this is?” Yuzumi asked in a voice so cold it froze the air.
“Today is that day. Today you turn twenty-seven springs, my Lady.”
Yuzumi gave Isuzeni such a somber glance that it seemed to him as if all the lamps in the tent had gone out.
“I shan’t die, the prophecy of that crazy madman will not come to pass. Do you understand? I must change destiny, make sure it is the Destiny of Glory that is fulfilled and not that of Death. I’ve been fighting this war almost twenty years now, and I’m not going to be defeated now, at the last moment.”
Isuzeni swallowed; what he was about to propose might very well cost him his head but, even knowing what was at stake, he risked it.
“You could leave… abandon Tremia and go back to Toyomi… The Destiny of Death wouldn’t come to pass, as it states that you will die here, in Tremia…”
“Flee? Are you suggesting I flee? Have you lost your mind?” the Empress exploded. For a moment, Isuzeni saw his own guts leaving his body and spilling all over the floor. “I shall never flee! Not now, not ever! I am Yuzumi, the Dark Lady, Empress of Toyomi, and very soon, conqueror of Tremia. The whole known world will fall under my power. I shall reign over all men. That is my true Destiny, and nothing and no one will be able to stop me. I’ll destroy anything that dares stand in my way, and the suffering I’ll unleash upon my enemies will be on an unimaginable scale. Nothing and nobody will come between me and my destiny of Glory! I will not be denied!”
Isuzeni swallowed hard and bowed his head.
“It wasn’t my intention to upset my Lady. I am your most faithful servant.”
“I know, Isuzeni, and that’s why you’re still alive. But doesn’t my Counselor and Strategist see that both destinies are really two sides of the same coin? That it really is one and the same? If I win, the Destiny of Glory will be fulfilled. If I’m defeated it will be the Destiny of Death. That foolish senile Oracle conveniently forgot to mention that fact.”
“Without wishing to provoke my Lady’s anger…”
“Speak up, Isuzeni.”
“If that’s the case, all the more reason to retreat now and evade the Destiny of Death. Let’s go back to Toyomi and come back here again in two years’ time. With this army and your power, we can conquer Tremia any time, and the fateful destiny will never come about because we will have evaded it.”
The Dark Lady sat up on her throne.
“Can you guarantee such a thing, Isuzeni? Can you guarantee that if I retreat now that I’m so close to the final victory, and attempt a new conquest in the future, I will come out victorious?”
Isuzeni pondered before answering. The matter was serious and the reply had to be well meditated.
“No, I can’t guarantee that, my Lady. There are too many variables at play. There’s a good chance, but a thousand things might go wrong. From untimely alliances of the kingdoms of Tremia to a treacherous storm which might sink your fleet, to the powerful magic of your enemies… No, there are no guarantees. It has cost us many years of the most careful and secret preparations to get here. To do it a second time, now that they know of your existence and power in Tremia, would be difficult to achieve, since they would be on the alert and waiting for us.”
“That’s why we have to go forward and reach the Destiny of Glory, now.”
“Or turn around and abandon both destinies forever… perhaps in that way we might avoid the Destiny of Death.”
“Are you suggesting I give up? That is not an option! I shan’t give up!” Yuzumi burst out again, her jet black eyes shimmering. “I’ll attain the Destiny of Glory! This is my destiny, it has always been, and nothing will stop me from attaining it. Nothing! Abandoning it now for fear of death is cowardice, and one thing I don’t know is cowardice. I fear nothing. Nothing. My Destiny of Glory has been awaiting me for nineteen years, and that destiny I will reach. No other has ever interested me, for that has always been my goal. I will not run and hide like a scared little girl, to spend my days in oblivion. Never!”
Isuzeni understood what his Lady was conveying; the nature of Yuzumi’s soul could not be changed. She was the Dark Lady and always would be, till Glory or till Death.
“Absolutely, my Empress,” Isuzeni said with a long deep bow. He knew that as far as that evening was concerned, he had overreached the limits of daring which were permitted to him.
Yuzumi was fuming inside, her head was spinning… —Besides, there is no guarantee that I will avoid death, if a step back and leave, I am already in this damned continent…! I might also die here even if I stand still. No! that is not an option! All my life I have been preparing for this glorious day, nothing has ever stood in my way and nothing ever will… Since I was a child I have been preparing for this triumphant day, for my Destiny of Glory. I shall not step back, I can only go forward, to my Destiny, my only path, that of victory, of Glory…!
Isuzeni knew what was going through his Mistress’ head. He understood her obsession for her Destiny of Glory. Now, that it was so close, she could not accept any other. There could be no other. For Yuzumi, only one was real.
The Empress came back to herself.
“Now” she said coldly, “I must avoid the Destiny of Death, and in this the Skull of Destiny will help me. It took me many
years to find it, after dragging its existence out of the Oracle, but the Skull is the key to avoiding the Premonition. It showed us the Marked, and he is the one I must find and kill. How I rue the fact that he escaped alive when he was just a baby! That was a unique chance to kill him and end this nightmare which has haunted me day and night since then.”
“We sent the three best Dark Assassins. They’d never failed, ever. Even today I can find no explanation of how they were defeated by that meddler. I can only assume it was someone with enormous power.”
The Dark Lady’s glacial face tensed.
“I wrested the region where the baby was born from that senile oracle: Rogdon. I ordered you to locate him, in the land of the men in blue and silver, and kill him. How could you have failed me? How did he manage to survive?”
“That is the shame which consumes my soul every day, my Lady, having failed you and not having freed you from the Destiny of Death. There are not enough excuses, nor greater shame than what I have suffered since then. I shall never be able to forgive myself, my lady. Never.”
“You told me, and I remember as vividly as if it were today, you told me you had the spell for locating him.”
“And so I had, my Lady. Three silver bracelets were forged with the purest silver from the mines of Toyomi, by an unrivalled craftsman. On the first full moon I enchanted the three of them with an ancient and powerful spell of location. The bracelets would shine with the strength of the moon when they were within five leagues of someone with great power, my Lady, a power like yours. They would pulsate faster when they were pointed in his direction. The assassins simply had to follow the bracelets, and I know they did. They found the trail of the baby… on three occasions…”
“And on all three, the intruder defeated them. And tell me, Counselor, who can defeat a Dark Assassin on three occasions? Who?”
