by Frank David
Malcolm watched, helpless, as Edmund raised the sword again. It was over her heart. There was nothing he could do to stop this. “Stela!” he screamed hoping it would stir her from her sleep. The Empress did not move.
Edmund lowered the sword. Malcolm could see the eye of the sword change. The sword plunged into Edmund’s stomach. He collapsed, dropping the sword. “How is this possible?” He put his hand over the wound trying to keep the organs inside. “Where is your girlfriend? Bring her to me at once! Your Emperor Consort is wounded and needs her healing gift.” Edmund tried to stand but it was no use, his legs would not support him. He could feel the warmth of the blood flowing down his stomach, over his legs. “Mystic, why have you done this to me?” he cried out to Braynard who did not come. “Heal me, Mystic. You promised me a victory!”
Stela heard his cries, waking her from her sleep. She sat to see him next to her, his sword at his side. She saw the wound. “Edmund, what happened?”
“The damned sword turned on me. I was about to plunge it deep in your heart. I was about to end this and take my place in Hulsteria. Your mystic cursed me.” Edmund was becoming weak from the loss of blood.
Stela stood and looked at him. She looked at her sword. She knew Braynard expected her to make the death blow, but she could not bring herself to do it.
“You must!” Braynard appeared. “You must end him. If you do not end his life now, he will recover from his wounds, and this battle will never be over. He will haunt you the remainder of your days.”
Stela raised the sword.
“Stela, you can’t do this. I am unarmed. I have conceded. The victory is yours. Malcolm is a witness. If you strike me down, you do so unjustly. The truth will be known.” His eyes grew wide as the sword came down, separating his head from neck. His head fell to his lap. For a moment he was still alive, his eyes fixed on Stela.
Stela dropped the sword. She was not sure if she felt relief or pain. It was as if a numbness had settled in.
Braynard approached her, providing some comfort. “I am proud of you, my dear. You have proven your strength and resolve. I know it was difficult, but it was the only course that would free you and Hulsteria from his grip.”
“Why did his sword turn on him?” Stela asked, still numb.
“Do you know much about dragons?” Braynard asked.
“You know I do not.” Stela had no time or desire for his games.
“Malcolm’s gift was the key to your victory. He tried to remind Edmund of his love for you, while Edmund was unmoved the same could not be said for the souls within your blades. Dragons are monogamous creatures. They love and mate with only one other beast. The dragon soul contained within Edmund’s sword was Ellianos, mate of Dagonus, the dragon soul of your sword. When one of you stood victorious not only would the other die but the soul of the blade would be released to die a second time,” Braynard paused.
“When Declan faced the barbarians, Ellianos fought by his side. Ellianos protected Declan well in battle. The leader of the barbarian army also commanded a dragon, Dagonus. The barbarian ordered Dagonus to kill Ellianos so that Declan would be unprotected. Dagonus’ dedication to Ellianos was stronger than the hold the barbarian had on him. Dagonus turned on the barbarian and killed him. He sacrificed himself to protect his one love.” Braynard paused, looking at the sword lying next to Edmund’s body. “Ellianos repaid that debt today. All these years, the love the two shared was stronger than any magic that tried to control them. She gave herself to save Dagonus.”
Stela stood there, unsure of what to say. “Malcolm forced memories into Edmund about our love. Could he have played a part in all of this?”
“I am sure. The two dragons have not seen each other in over 200 years. Love is great, but I do not claim to know if it could withstand 200 years apart.” Braynard liked to believe love could last so long an absence but he doubted it.
“So, we cheated,” Stela said. She worried Braynard would lash out against them both.
“Technicalities, my dear.” Braynard smiled. “Malcolm may have put the memories in his head, but he had no way of knowing the souls of the dragons were intertwined.”
“What is happening in the city?” Stela realized she still had the army to deal with.
“Take your trophy,” he knelt and picked up Edmund’s head. He held it out to her. “Show them their Regent has fallen. With their leader disposed of, they will retreat and return to Xasha. Once they have returned, I will restore Megdalina’s memories. She saw Edmund’s betrayal of Victor and you. I had to erase the memories otherwise she would have stopped him from his attack. Once the memories are restored, you will have peace once again with Xasha.”
Stela looked at the head, his eyes still wide, staring at her. She left the garden, leaving Edmund’s body behind. She would send one of his men to retrieve it. She wanted it taken back to Xasha. He was a beast but deserved a proper burial.
She entered the courtyard. She could hear the screaming coming from the city. Her pace quickened.
She stood at the top of the road, watching the swords swinging through the air, through flesh.
“Enough!” she yelled. “Your Regent is dead!”
The fighting slowed as those thick in battle heard her words. Their blood smeared faces stared at the head outstretched in her hand.
“Your Regent brought you here today to take the throne of Hulsteria. Instead, I have taken his head.” Stela looked out at the blood soaked street, the dead bodies, the wounded. She saw the bodies of her subjects who faced the enemy to protect her. She saw the bodies of the fallen Xashan soldiers who followed a mad man into battle. “All of this was pointless. Today there is no winner or loser. Today the peace that has existed between our realms for over 200 years was thrust into chaos because of one man’s diluted desire.” Stela saw Harris and Charity, the flames still burning in their hands. “We have allowed our honor to be tested today. We have all done things which can never be undone. We have taken the lives of our brothers in God. We should be ashamed.” She tossed the head toward the fighters. “Take his head, retrieve his body, and leave Hulsteria.” Stela spun and returned to the palace.
Harris rushed after her. He could sense he needed to keep his distance. She did not need him right now. She needed her time to absorb all that had transpired.
She needed to see her children. What would she say to Joseph? She knew he would ask. She needed to clean herself first. She could feel his blood on her and she wanted it gone. She raised her hand to adjust her hair, smearing her face with the sticky fluid. She gave the command to Betsy to draw a bath as she entered her chambers. She stripped out of her clothes and stood naked, staring at herself in the mirror. His blood covered her face. She realized why the people gathered in the town had looked at her in horror.
She ignored Betsy and the other maids as they filled the tub.
“Majesty, the bath is ready,” Betsy said softly.
“Thank you, leave me,” she commanded as she entered the bath.
“I am proud of you, Stela,” the voice came from behind her.
“Am I not entitled to a moment’s reflection? I did your bidding. I killed my husband, the father of my children. Can you not give me time to collect my thoughts?” She did not try to contain her contempt.
“You have but a moment. Diana is already preparing Daniella. This was a simple battle compared to what Diana is planning.” Braynard moved forward. He grabbed the brush as Stela moved forward, allowing him to wash her back. “I am afraid there are already those who have moved from supporting you to supporting Daniella.”
“I am not concerned with Diana or Daniella. I trust you will restore Roderick now that this is over?” Stela laid back against the tub.
“Antonio has the cure. I will go to him now and let him know Roderick can be woken.” Braynard sensed her emotions were waning. “You have only a few years until Daniella strikes. Do not forget all that you have learned.”
“How did Joseph know his fut
ure? Did you show him? He is too young to have received his gift.” Stela applied the soap to her face, trying to remove her husband’s blood.
“Your son is an impressive boy, Stela. Some have been known to receive their gifts at a very early age. Tripp was younger than most when his powers appeared, even before I had unlocked them. Joseph saw what lies ahead. I had no hand in his visions.” Braynard watched as she submerged herself to rinse her face. “He will be a handful. I will leave you to your thoughts. I know this means little to you, but I am proud of you.”
“One last question, why was Edmund’s sword unable to pierce my skin? I know I felt the blade but I have no wound,” Stela showed little emotion.
“I think you know why, Stela. It is one of your gifts. You cannot be harmed. Your skin is as thick as a dragon’s, but you have the same weakness, my dear. As I have said many times, you must learn to protect your heart.
****
Braynard approached Caleb and Felicia, still asleep where he had left them. “Rise,” he commanded.
The two sat up, dazed, unsure of what happened.
“What did you do to us?” Felicia demanded.
“I gave the army of Xasha a fighting chance,” he responded with a smile. “Had I allowed you to continue there would have been no one left to return Edmund’s body.”
“Stela was victorious?” Caleb asked.
“Yes,” Braynard answered. “Though I do not know if it was truly a victory.”
“I do not wish to seem rude, but I have someone I need to see,” Felicia said, running back up toward the palace.
“Yes, go claim your love,” Braynard laughed as she rushed off.
****
Felicia entered the palace. The mood was quiet, somber. She had expected the Imperials to be celebrating the victory. What had she missed? What happened between Edmund and Stela? She ran to Sofia’s room. She knocked. Not giving time for a response, she burst in. Sofia was sitting silently in front of the fire.
“Felicia!” she yelled and ran into her arms. “When you did not return with the others I feared something had happened to you.” Tears filled her eyes seeing her alive.
“You are not getting rid of me so easily. It will take more than an army of crazy Xashans to keep me from you.” She laughed wiping the tears from Sofia’s eyes. “I believe you said when this was over, we were going to make this relationship more serious.”
Sofia blushed.
Felicia took a knee before Sofia. “Imperial Princess Royal, Sofia Maria Onlinger, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Sofia grabbed her hand and helped her stand. She threw her arms around Felicia and kissed her passionately, “Of course I will. After you ask my sister.” She laughed.
****
Braynard entered the room, the old man sat silently. He heard no prayers. Had the Benedictus turned from his God? Had Braynard pushed his servant too far?
“Morgan,” Braynard whispered, breaking the silence of the room.
Antonio turned to face the man who had done this to his grandson, the God he served so faithfully all these years. His face contorted as Braynard approached, fist clenched. If this man was not his God, he would show him the strength the old man still possessed. “Have you come to end my life or Roderick’s?” his voice heavy with disdain.
“Neither, old friend. I have come to inform you to awaken your beloved grandson. I am sorry that I needed to subdue him. You know he would have done whatever was necessary to protect Stela from Edmund and that I could not allow,” he approached the Benedictus and placed his hand on his bony shoulder. “Do not allow this to sever the friendship we have so carefully cultivated.”
“I have tried to understand all that you have done. I know your desire and I have supported you faithfully and without question. My grandson should not have been your target. Your actions brought about his suspicions, he is guilty of no wrongdoing,” Antonio would not look at him. “Was Stelaphina triumphant?”
“She was, Morgan. She faced him bravely and rid Saaveth of an evil that would have destroyed us all,” he answered the old man’s question though he always knew she would be victorious. “You are correct. I forced your grandson’s opinions, but I could not allow him to corrupt Stela,” he looked upon Roderick. “She will need him for what lies ahead. That is why I did not end his life. Give him the elixir, bring him back to you and his family.”
Antonio was again alone with his grandson. He took the bottle and placed it to Roderick’s lips and allowed the liquid to enter his grandson. With the bottle empty, he sat back and waited for Roderick to stir.
Roderick woke with a deep breath. His coughing was heavy. He struggled to right himself, unaware of where he was. He turned and saw his grandfather by his side. “Where is Stela?” he finally asked.
“She is at Rothmar. The battle has ended. Edmund is dead.” He placed his hand on his grandson’s arm, trying to offer some comfort.
Roderick lied motionless. “What of Braynard? Is he to be punished for what he did to me?”
“I am afraid there is but one who can punish Braynard and that time has not yet arrived,” Antonio sat back, relieved Roderick had been returned to him. “You must not speak out against him again. There is much you do not know or understand, and I am not able to explain further. Please trust me.”
“Very well, I will not question you further. However, should he move to harm Stela, I would be forced to protect her.” Roderick’s teeth clenched at the thought.
“Braynard has no desire to harm your sister. He is her protector, for now,” Antonio closed his eyes. He had avoided sleep to watch over his grandson but sleep would be ignored no longer.
****
Word of Stela’s victory over Edmund reached the cave of tribe Killmire. Daniella sat by the fire as the story was re-enacted by members of the tribe with the gift of visions. A woman sat down next to her.
“Did you think she would win?” Daniella asked her.
“I knew she would win, I never had any doubt. I gave her the courage to face him. After Edmund left, she was alone and scared; hiding in her room. I filled her with the hope she needed to take on Edmund,” Courtney explained. “I gave her the words she needed at the last council meeting. Diana prepared me well. She gave me the words that would make a warrior.”
Frank David’s other books on Amazon
Making of an Empress
'Making of an Empress' is the story of Stelaphina, a woman who would command an empire. It is the story of self-discovery. It is a story about the fragile nature of relationships. A story of love, betrayal, intrigue, and magic. A story that will follow the path from princess to empress, from innocence to maturity, from a foolish girl surrounded by admirers to an enlightened woman, surrounded by no one.
Happy endings aren't always guaranteed in fairy tales.
Coming Soon
Making of a Magister
About the Author
Frank was born in Reading, Pennsylvania. An industrial town about 50 miles northeast of Philadelphia. He now makes his home in Akron, Ohio.
The characters in the Hulsteria story have lived in his mind since he was a child but remained silent for over three decades.
In his 40's he started participating in role playing sites but he couldn’t satisfy the characters that wanted to express themselves. He began his own site in hopes his characters would have a voice. When the site failed, a friend recommended he think about writing a book. She had read several of the posts he had made and believed he was wasting his stories on a website.
His first book ‘Making of an Empress’ took about eight days over a three-week period to write. The characters kept him awake at night until their stories were told.
You can follow Frank on
Twitter - @frankdavidjr
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/realmofhulsteria
Email – [email protected]
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