Introduction
Long ago, in the lands of Farlaan, there was once a young, ambitious Human, who played in the forces of darkness, and established a dark domain, calling all manner of denizens of the shadow to his beck and call. Thus began his first attempt at building an Empire. He was at the cusp of taking the entire realm for himself. However when the final battle to do so occurred, an unlikely thing happened, that destroyed his body, and banished his soul. A defeat at the hands of another, a brave soul who helped those the King had repressed drive back the evil he conjured. The victors then simply called the defeated soul the Shadow King. But to the one who defeated him, he was called by the name the Elves gave him at Birth. Maelthra.
Over 400 years had past since his fall, and only a small vestige of Maelthra’s once powerful domain had remained. The lands of Farlaan were happy, content in their own politics, Wars, and other things. But they were all deceived. For every Dark Lord has a contingency plan. Through an illegitimate offspring, The Shadow King had waited and planned his rebirth through his descendant, and regained control of his domain, and built his armies once more.
Maelthra has returned. His vengeance unfolds, swift and unyielding. The Western Kingdoms Of Meiran and Kirrel fell swiftly to his vengeful conquering. The Eastern Kingdoms, Orina, Valinar of the Elven woodlands, and Valsir, the Northeastern Land where the foe that bested him, have called upon an emergency council to determine how to destroy him. But every minute of negligence passes, Maelthra establishes his foothold on his newly conquered lands.
Now several questions remain. How long will his reign last this time? What shall he do? Shall another so called “Brave” Soul stand in his way again? One of his followers said the last question to his face once. The poor goblin was flung from the highest tower. This most likely means, no one knows the answer as he thus begins anew his assault upon the Realm.
The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 2 authors
“We have come this far my fine Army!” Maelthra shouted proudly to his army. The submission of Kirrel had cut off Meiran from the Eastern Kingdoms, from hope of aid of Orina. Now all the Newly Reborn Shadow King had to do, was charge with his army of orcs, dark elves, goblins, and men and overpower Ramsay Allyrion, King Of Meiran. “Today, we will defeat Ramsay, and take his land for the glory of our Empire! You will do it for the honor and glory that I, Maelthra, will reward you upon our victory! Our numbers outnumber Ramsay’s 30 to 1. I wonder if his peasants can count that high.”
The laughter of the men was like music to his ears as the Shadow King gave a chilling smile and drew his sword.
“Now, let us claim our new province from those who have it! Charge!” With that, he rode with his Horsemen leading the charge of his army, and honed in on the King leading his charge. His eyes turned yellow as he smirked. “So, it’s a joust he wants then. I’ll gladly give it to him!” He shouted in glee as he swung madly, but with precision as the Battle for Meiran began.
———
Within two hours, It was over. Ramsay Allyrion was defeated. Slain on the battlefield along with a majority of his forces. The Kingdom was Maelthra’s for the claiming and cementing of yet another province in his Empire, and securing at last his foothold in the West. With this his Empire once more is coming together. He now sits on the throne inside Ramsay’s castle, admiring several treasures his goblins found in the treasury. But he felt the need to complete his collection with Ramsay’s daughter, the famed Golden Princess Of Meiran. If he captured her, then he would have the Eastern Kingdoms’ attention.
”Then,” He thought in dark reflection, ”Any descendants of my Foe, Will I have your attention? Will we face each other in single combat again?” Maelthra shook out of his dark reverie when he heard laughter and a bottle cork popping and observed a goblin having fun with a wine bottle.
“Cease that!” He declared, using his magic to make his voice sound darker and demonic for a brief second. “That’s a waste of good wine. A pity I have no company to drink with it yet.” He smirked as the goblin stopped and laughed at his humor.
“You wish us to find some?” The goblin asked.
“No, with luck company will come to me. I am counting on that.” Maelthra tossed the treasure he was holding onto a small pile of gold and laced his fingers together in wait. Whether it be for the princess, or something else, the goblin wouldn’t know. “Counting on that...”
"Prinnncceeesss," Something hissed behind. Clara's back stiffened with start but only for a moment as she looked down found a large fallen branch and heaved. It didn't budge. She tugged narder before large hands grabbed her by the shoulders and pressing her against itself. She screamed, fighting like a beast from the Darklands but too no avail. She bite the arm of the creature, an orc with pale skin, white as fresh snow, that was covered in blood and other things and it howled. She thought it was in pain but no, it was a howl of laughter. "Goooodd trrry, Prriimnnceesss." It said before something hard hit her, and darkness took her.
When she awoke next, she was in her chambers, dressed in the black and gold of her people, she frowned. She couldn't believe it, it was all a dream. She sat up slowly, her head swam and it all came rushing back to her. No, it wasn't a dream, a nightmare perhaps but one that was very real. The kingdom was taken, her father was dead and now, she was a prisoner of this Shadow King.
The door to her chambers opened a girl, not a Merian girl, approached her. Her too large eyes widened and she ducked back out. She was an elf that girl, she realized and before long too orc guards came in grabbing her by the arms, while she fought and flailed before she stood before Shadow King, seated on her father's throne. Her throne, she realized darkly, her father's only heir. She glared daggers at this man...no, demon who ruined her life. She struggled against the hands of the Orcs, not that should would or could do anything to this invader but still, she wanted to. She took this time to appraise him. He looked like an other man and even had the audacity to be handsome with his cool eyes, sharp features and long dark hair. "That does not belong to you," She said, glad her voice was as strong as it was.
Granted, he did kill her father no more then two hours ago. So that anger was well founded. He wouldn’t hold that against her.
Amused at the statement however, he gave a small hearty chuckle. Albeit it sounded more darker then needed, but it let off the aggression he felt by being spoken to so bluntly. The Orcs holding her began to laugh too, before a glare from Maelthra made them stop.
“I trust you are undamaged. The Eastern Kingdoms would not like it and whatever Council they form will debate even less than anticipated.” He states as he then drew to his full height, staring at her before making a gesture to the Orcs, “Let her hands free. She has no weapon.”
He rubbed his hands silently for the next few moments. “You are partially right. This seat is not mine. It was your Father’s. Now it is yours, but you will answer to me from now on, like it or not, to keep your head Golden Princess.” His charming smile slowly faded to a frown. He then looked at her eye to eye as he allowed his grey eyes to turn yellow, to intimidate her. “Because your life now belongs to me, and that makes your throne, mine.” The last words he once more used his magic to make it as evil sounding as possible.
But both eye color and voice faded to normal, as his body couldn’t allow him to use his magic so frequently as he had in days long past. “You will be my magistrate to your lands to discourage rebellions, and my hostage to ensure Orina and the Other Eastern Kingdoms, including Valsir, keeps their attentions to their western borders.”
“Why speak of Valsir Lord? They’re just foolish Dragon worshiping barbarians, and fairy touched to boot.” A goblin spoke out as Maelthra stopped in his talking, angered at the interruption. His fist clenched, and dark tendrils grabbed the poor little green skinned being by the neck and hurled him out of a window.
“Is there any other complaints of my negotiation speeches from the dire wolf gallery!?” He asked harshly to the Orcs and they said nothing, allowing their master to calm himself.
“Forgive that rude interruption to our conversation Princess Clara. We were discussing your new role in my Empire.” Maelthra grinned a seemingly friendly grin and snapped his fingers. “A chair for her highness, and a table that’s not broken. I want supper, and that wine bottle.”
“You threw out Grunder. He had the bottle.” An elf in servant clothing stated.
“Well. I suggest you find a bottle that matched that year.” The Shadow King stated coldly, as the elf bowed and ran. “Now, do you have any statements or queries?”
Behind them, where the throne sat, was the crest of her people, hanging down on a banners on either side of the throne, the banner was gold and embroidered in a stark black was a cresent moon sitting atop a sun beneath it were the words. Day will rise was her family's credo, the words of her people. A promise that even though the night was long, day would come, they would see the light again. Things would get better if only they just wait it out. She swallowed, Day will rise. She told herself...and so will she.
The Golden Princess eyed the Shadow King, his grey eyes were no longer the otherworldly yellow they'd become when he used his magic on the goblin and frowed. "I may be your prisoner, Your Grace" She said icily. "But I refuse to be used to placate my people for your benifit," she said narrowing her eyes as something occurred to her. He might be an invader a conqueror but he was nothing without people, that's why he seemed to have no plans to kill her. "I may be at your mercy but I will never belong to you." She said just as a table and chair was place for them to sat. She sat, defiantly, arms folded over the bodice of her black and gold dress but mostly because her feet were still tired from all the useless running she'd done. She looked out at the large window off the throne's dais and saw the moon had risen she folded her arms. This would be a long night indeed.
”I may be your prisoner, Your Grace" despite him keeping his confident grin during that cold statement, Maelthra’s eyebrow twitched visibly as she continued, "But I refuse to be used to placate my people for your benifit, I may be at your mercy but I will never belong to you.” The chair was brought and she sat with a defiant air and folded her arms, The Shadow King lost his smile. He clenched his fist in anger, he felt tempted to just summon a weapon of shadow and exterminate her soul then and there. But, there was something about her. He couldn’t tell if it was her beauty, her skill in defying his wishes. Or some desire stemming from the body he now wielded to not kill her, but to make her his completely.
“You, surprise me. I’ve not seen such ferocity, such beauty... and insolent defiance, in a woman in a long time. Even in the interim of my wait for rebirth.” Maelthra said slowly, as he snapped his fingers, signaling his personal dark elven servants to bring food to the table. “Perhaps a different approach to make you understand the gravity that you and your people are in. Because, you have the choice in saving hundreds of lives from needless slaughter in their attempt at rebellion, or don’t, and be branded by the survivors as weak. I had learned long ago that weakness is not tolerated in a leader, Lady Clara.” He stood from hi— ahem— her throne.
He walked calmly, putting a hand on the table and ran his fingers through it, as he walked towards her. He closes his eyes and took a deep breath. “Ahh, the many things I have missed in my centuries of absence, quality furniture, the sensation of human touch, a body.” He looked straight in her eyes and began to chuckle. “I jest dear princess.”
He suddenly leaned close to look at Clara up close in the face with a hard glare. “Say such insolence to me like that again Clara, and I will show you true pain, like the which you never have seen nor feel again.” He breathed through his nose after saying that and took a cup of wine from a tray one of the dark elves was carrying and sat on the throne again. He took a long sip from it. “Valinar Red, perfectly aged, perfectly chilled. So many memories can be made, so many remembered.”
“Indeed your grace.” Said one of the servants. “Shall we proceed with the main course?” Maelthra merely waved his hand in a signal to do so, taking another long sip as he turned to look at the stars, as if watching for a sign, a hint of something that remains to this moment elusive, out of sight.
”Show me, O stars, tell me my fate this time. And please, let it be in my favor.”
Aftera long moment, a cup of wine for him, she sighed. "What for you want from me?" She asked harshly. "What do I have, what can I do?" She asked. "You've taken everything from me, what more could you want?" She said and then thought back to his words. Rebellion, he'd mentioned. If she lived, the less likely for the people, her people to stand up against him and while yes he could kill them, most likely singelhandedly, he wanted to amass his empire, grow it. and he couldn't very well do that,without a people to lord over. Still, what could that have to do with her 'role'? Magistrate? He'd mentioned that but that wouldn't show her people anything. She looked at the difference races in the room, elves, orcs, men, goblins. A dark elf set the main course on the table. What could he need that only she could provide? This thought caused her to breath quickly and coughs suddenly racked her body and she had to take a long moment to get it together. Damn it all, not now, not in front of him. She thought as she gasped for air. "Tea", she gasped out, "I need my tea" She didn't know if any of her staff survived the usurpation but she had to hope. she hadn't let this illness take her when she was young and she certainly wouldn't do it now.
“Have one of the Local Staff bring her tea. I’m sure they’ll know what it means.” Maelthra ordered with a snap of his fingers. One of his more trusted servants sped out the room as swift as possible. Thus he waited, but watching the girl cough made him curious of her illness that ails her.
”No, this isn’t my curiosity... His. My body’s. Some residual effect maybe. I’ll have to look into it later.” he thought. He then watched as a local servant arrived with a tray with a tea set on it. Then he began what he wanted to touch base on as far as her questions go.
“What I want from you is what you give to your people. Something they can’t live without yet I will not allow an abundance of.” Maelthra rubbed his hands together. “Hope. Not a lot of it, but enough for them to stay docile, obedient, watchful.”
Maelthra leaned forward towards Clara. “That is your role as a magistrate of My Empire Clara. You keep your populace under control by your grand standard of your Clan Motto.”
“House Credo sire. What you said is the Valsirian term.” Said a Servant.
“Same thing.” The Shadow King retorted. “You tell your people eventually things under my rule will get better, whether you mean it my way, or your way is up to those peasants to decide. But knowing your still alive, and your continued survival, shall make it all the better that I am a reasonable Emperor, if not benevolent.” He felt himself gag from the last word.
“That’s what you get for saying such things.” Cackled a brown goblin.
“Hold your tongue Gubbin, or I’ll look for a new quartermaster. Also, for the time being, get back to my castle and fetch me a change of clothes, and my quintessential items. I’m going to live here awhile.” Maelthra ordered the Goblin who left in a flash. He then shot a playful smirk to the princess. “You don’t mind me spending a holiday here do you?”
The Shadow King then began to continue their conversation by answering her questions. What I want from you is what you give to your people. Something they can’t live without yet I will not allow an abundance of.” He paused and she arched a single dark brow."Hope. Not a lot of it, but enough for them to stay docile, obedient, watchful.” He said and she fought the urge to scoff. Hope? What did he know of hope? This hateful creature knew nothing beyond conquests, she knew it. "That is your role as a magistrate of My Empire, Clara. You keep your populace under control by your grand standard of your Clan Motto.” He said and she knew what he meant but she still frowned as if misunderstanding. Those weren't the proper words for what he was referring to but she found a small delight in leaving him with an error. However a dark elf piped up.
“House Credo sire. What you said is the Valsirian term.” it said and Clara pursed her lips.
“Same thing.” The Shadow King shot back and she rolled her eyes. You tell your people eventually things under my rule will get better, whether you mean it my way, or your way is up to those peasants to decide. But knowing your still alive, and your continued survival, shall make it all the better that I am a reasonable Emperor, if not benevolent.” He said and she audibly scoffed at that word.
That’s what you get for saying such things.” Said another goblin, and she shot the thing a dark look only for the Shadow King to speak up, not in her defense but with a similar sentiment. He then mentioned himself staying and she rolled her eyes yet again. You don’t mind me spending a holiday here do you?” He said and she glared at him. She stood, fury blooming her chest and flung her arm outward, gesturing to the throne room in frustration. "Oh no, Of course not, Please stay, enjoy the fruits of my father's labor, and his father before him and his before him, that's what a conqueror is it is not? One good battle, one swipe of a sword and another man's hard work is yours." She said and tossed her hand in his direction. "So stay, you've earned it!" She said and turned to Narissa and grabbed her hand before storming to the door, she would not leave that girl there to suffer them without her. She would not let any of them suffer and she knew just to spite her, he would hurt them. She stopped at the doors. "I will keep them quiet, but for their sake, not yours." She said. "Everything I do from this point on is for my people, understand that Shadow King, I will say it again, I do not belong to you, not now, not ever." She said and dragged Narissa bodily out of the door and toward her chambers, slamming the door behind them. Breathless and fuming, she glared at the door.
"P-princess, He'll hurt you?" She said softly. "Let him!" She shouted bitterly, at the door, as if he were standing right there. Grief had taken it's toll just then, she didn't want to hold her tongue, she didn't want to fear him, so she wouldn't, he wanted her cooperation, he got it but this is whst it looked like, she would fight him to her dying breath. She turned to Narissa and pulled her into a hug, tight and despreate and sobbed into the girl's shoulder and Narissa cried too.For their people, for the fallen, for the terrible mess they were in and what was too come. The Day will rise, but they had to survive the night.
“My lord, take care with how you say such things.” Hissed a Voice from the shadows. “Who knows what would happen. A member of the Unseelie court might find your antics to be most... intervening in their plots of mischief. It would be unwise to anger any of them.”
“I always look behind me for any shadows darker then mine, my dear advisor. Besides,” he took another sip of his wine, “The last I heard, the Fae on both sides want nothing to do with my ‘antics’ as you call them. And Dark Elves in my throng, have I angered your gods at all?”
There was dead silence at this. The Shadow King grinned at said silence. “Also, unwise? You forget my dear advisor, I am not the wisest of Dark Rulers. If I was, I wouldn’t be using my descendant’s body like a remora to a shark.” He said all this with a straight face, before smirking and chuckling in reflection to the encounter with the princess. “I admire her bravery. If she wasn’t so infuriating in her defiance, she’d make an agreeable suitor.”
———
The dawn did come, but it was the dawn of Maelthra beginning his first day of observing how Meiran is adjusting to the occupation, which is just what he wanted them to think it was. He was sure as time rolled on and the Eastern Kingdoms debates and builds its reserves, Meiran would slowly come to accept him as Emperor. The princess however was a different story. Maelthra was infuriated at her statements towards him last evening, but thought some light reading will calm his 400 year old nerves. He was now combing through the castle library, trying to catch up Of centuries of history, as well as see if he can find an elusive name and family tree.
“Those racist Orina scholars. Was it because He liked Elves and Fae? Or the fact he was originally from a barbaric clan, where is his family tree?” He muttered to himself, his yellow eyes showing his disdain and frustration with the text he was flipping pages through. “Perhaps they mean to protect it by not including it? Though that is far from those simple scholars to be biased and not pay attention.”
He slams the book shut before walking out to the hallway, carrying the offending text. “Mock me will they? No you will not!”
They exited her chambers and made their way to the throne room, but the Shadow King, seeming to be in a right mood however long that lasted a d she decided to add to it. "You're Grace," She said and notjced a book kn his hand. "What's this then?" She said and arched an eyebrow. "Reading up on better men?" It was just him, her and Narissa who was out of earshot but close enough to hear if she needed. If he decided to poster, it would be just for him and not his entire court.
“Princess.” He said in a calm tone. No need to start with heated wordplay yet.
”What’s this then, reading up on better men?”
“If by that, you mean seeing if I’m trying to look up my Foe’s family tree in all this historical texts of the past four centuries then yes. Problem is, the scholars who wrote it are either incredibly racist or just ignorant.” Maelthra said, keeping a straight face. “I trust sleep found you in fondness. With happy little dreams befit of a young maiden such as yourself.”
He spoke in mocking of himself. His dreams were always jumbled. A side effect of possibly being reborn in his own descendant’s body. It caused perhaps some older memory and knowledge to be dulled by the new. It annoyed him to no end. ”Would my Foe just send me to an ageless sleep, then I wouldn’t have this problem.” He thought.
“I also trust you will not disappoint me on your first day of your new responsibility.” He added as he now gave a grin. “Wouldn’t want to fully jump off on the wrong foot, now would we?”
"Oh Hardly, You only murdered my father, took me prisoner and filled my home with all sorts of dark creatures," She said and gave him a wicked grin. "But no hard feelings," She said tossing her hand dismissively. Something he said occurred to her then. His Foe. Someone he feared, or at the very least didn't want to see. Was he truly reborn? If so then she must find this Foe of his. Perhaps he was reborn too. "That book is only one volume," She told him. "Orinan scholars were thorough, always," She said wondered why he truly cared about some likely long dead person. "How old are you?" She asked, appraising him. "You don't look much older then me,"
That question caught Maelthra off guard as he dropped the book suddenly. Wincing slightly he looked down and saw it landed on his right foot. Taking a deep breath he looked at Clara. “Princess Clara Allyrion. I had no idea you were curious on that front. But flirting out of the bat, tsk tsk.” He leaned close to her ear as he gained a clever smile, “This body of mine is 21 years of age. My spirit is much, much older. It has experience and memories... to match wits with even a beautiful princess.” He whispered the last part and blew softly behind her ear before picking up the book and laughing mischeviously, moving a few feet ahead.
“But of course, you despise and wouldn’t think about courting the likes of me, would you?” As he said that, he began to get an idea. A wicked idea. A wonderfully wicked idea. He wouldn’t dare voice it now, not until she did her part in placating her citizens. Then, vengeance and curiosity would both be sated. The Shadow King had made sure the Orcs and goblins moved out of the main castle and live in the barracks, whilst the dark elves and elves remained, as they made up his servants and honor guard.
But now, the fun of watching his new subjects take the bow or bend the knee to him was a prospect he’s been craving before breakfast. He couldn’t wait to hear Clara’s proclamation.
Actively ignoring him, she turned."Come Narissa," She said and Narissa quickly made her way toward her as the girl aproached Clara glanced in his direction. "You claim my people willl not come to any more harm if I do this, you better hold to your word." She said and turned sharply and made her way outside toward the balcony overlooking the city that surrounded the castle.
It looked deserted, by this point, people would have been milling about, selling their wares, shopping, childern running around. It was what she loved about this particular balcony, she could see everyone and they could see her. She felt pressure behind her eyes. "Princess!" called an older gentlemen, a farmer. "Look it's the Princess!" He called out and suddenly, one after another people emerged, as if they'd been hiding. "Princess! Gods be good, she lives." someone said, approaching her balcony.
Soon enough, there was a crowd of people, staring up at her. Tears slid down her cheeks, as their hope filled eyes met hers. Hope that's what she represented for them and they represented for her. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came to her. What was she going to say to them? That didn't make them want to rise up resulting in their quick demise, while not sounding defeated and weak. Day will rise, she heard her father say and she took a deep breath. "My people," She called out. "Did he hurt you, Princess?!" Someone called out cutting her off and Clara had to scan the crowd to find him, it was an older man, shaking, but holding a cane aloft with fire in his eyes. Clara smiled sadly. "No, He hasn't, and he promises not to," She said and decided to simply tell the truth. "The truth is, my people, I am a prisoner but he has not harmed me, The Shadow King promises that our lives will remian the same so long as we follow his orders, mine were to keep you from rising up, and while the idea sounds wonderful, it would not bode well for anyone." She said and the crowd murmured in disgust. "You see, my people, I am a hostage for now and should you try, he will hurt me, and then you all." She said. "So for now, remain calm, go about your daily lives, and all will be well." She said and the people were quiet, she wondered if they thought her weak now. She could not, would not have that. "However, should anything happen to you, I will fight to my dying breath, and I imagine you will do the same." She said strongly and the crowd murmurred in agreement. "Day will Rise, My people, those are our words, remember them, keep them in your hearts as they are in mine and we will get through this together." She said and the crowd cheered. "Day will rise! Day will rise!" She smiled and nodded, leaving them to their cheering as she turned back into the castle and stood face to face with the Shadow King. "There," She gestured to the balcony. "They won't rise against you so long as no harm comes to me," She said and grinned darkly. "And perhaps you'll win but you won't any Merian people to lord over if it does." She told him and thought. "Your move, Shadow King,"
He had no choice but to scoff in his own dissatisfaction of being beaten at his own game in terms of the people, then again, it made his wonderfully wicked idea more of a reality. “Of course, Clara. No harm would come to you. I will not touch you, even on your wedding night should you decide to marry someone.” He grinned wickedly. “Like, me.” He teased her on that front when he opened up the book he had again and looked at the page. His eyes widened briefly before a grin came on his face. “Aha! There it is! They used his human name and not the one he-“ He immediately shut his mouth from the apparent joy he had, he wouldn’t want Clara to think he was happy to find what he was looking for.
“What do we tell your troops sir?” A guard asked him. He kept his smile. “Tell them to go and set outposts at the border. We need to watch Orina and the rest of the East. And tell them to not harm the citizens.”
“Yes sir.” Said The Guard As he went to send the message to the barracks.
“This day has its surprises indeed, and most are...not unwelcome.” He said quietly as he stared at the family tree he found. He’ll not tell Clare why he cared for finding his foe’s descendants, or the fact he was curious about them at all. At least not yet. But he felt satisfied on finding it as he traced a finger along the Clan he was looking for. He smiled as he saw its credo, and it’s emblem. A blue Gryphon with red claws. “Shadow passes, Light remains. Hmph. You always were the optimist. I hope your descendant is the same if they exist.”
“Hm, yes, very well.” Maelthra responded as he looked through. He waited for her to be out of the room as he looked at the guards. “The guards who haven’t been my friend since I was a child, leave me.” The guards were confused but most, save for two or three guards, left. When they did, he finally allowed what he was hiding from the princess to come out. Small, tears of joy.
“He had a family. A real family, just like he always wanted. Just like we talked about in the honey fields of Valinar. Do you remember those times my friend?” He said softly, before finally allowing the tears to flow. “You got the last laugh, Cain Azura. It’s painful to admit that.”
He continued to research the family tree. But the book only went as far as four hundred and one years. The Child Born on that time, according to the book, was spirited away when a tragedy of the House occurred. So there was one out there, possibly a year or two older then Clara, or maybe Maelthra. But what was the tragedy, and where did the child go? He knew the person to ask.
———
The Sun began to set, as Maelthra invited Clara to dinner. He didn’t bother to tell her why, it wasn’t to tease her or threaten her people, or try to ask her hand. Instead, he wanted to get to know her. That was part of it. He was sure she didn’t want to bother answering his questions either.
But when she would arrive he said what he rehearsed. “Evening your highness, I wanted to talk to you about, recent history as far as other Noble Houses across the continent are concerned, if you wish to speak of it. I’m asking about one House in particular. House Azura perchance?”
“No no I wanted to at least learn about you. I believe it’s called getting to know you. Even though I’m sure you don’t want to get to know me, I want to know who you are behind the title of princess.” He said, tearing apart his roast chicken with his hands before wiping with the napkin and grabbing the utensils to cut and devour the portions he tore. “Mainly because it’s advantageous for me to know my subjects. Their personalities, their wants, their needs. Their desires.”
He put on a small grin. “My desire, is to rule the world.” He waved his hand in a flair. He then chuckled. “400 years ago, I thought it nearly impossible. But I was this close... and then an error occurred, and everything went to shit. So this is my second try.”
He then eyed Clara carefully. “So tell me Clara, what is it that you crave in the back of your mind, what pray tell, do you desire?” As he spoke his smile faded as he went to a straight face, as if he was going to read her next answer and contemplate it in his head.
“400 years ago, I thought it nearly impossible. But I was this close... and then an error occurred, and everything went to shit. So this is my second try.” He said and she scoffed. He was still carring on with this rebirth concept, as it were possible. Sure he has magick but there is no magic, not even Fae magic that could grant eternal life. If that were possible, she could have her father back. “So tell me Clara, what is it that you crave in the back of your mind, what pray tell, do you desire?” He said and grief bubbled up again. She locked eyes with him. "What is it that I crave?" She began. "What do I desire? what I want?" She said eerily calm. "What I want is for you to stop acting as though you are this ancient being reborn, or that you actually give a damn about what I want. What I desire is my father back, his men back, my people free, my own freedom," She said and her amber eyes glossed but she dare not let tears fall. " What I crave is for you to have never set your sights on my home and for all of this to be just a hellish nightmare, that I can wake up from, with my father there, telling all is well, that it was all just a dream."She said bitterly anger and grief fighting for dominance in her chest. "Since none of that is possible, what I want is for you to go, and possibly fall on your own blade while you're at it!" She said and nosily kicked back her chair, the legs scraping the floor, groaning in protest. She turned and stormed off before grief took her in front of him.
She managed to make it to the hall outside of the room, and she let the tears fall silently as she pressed herself against the wall. Her chest was tight and she couldn't breath, and at first she thought it was grief but no, it was her illness yet again. She gasped for breath, clutching her chest, her tea was in the room with him and she was not about to go back in there.
He was the problem, she could go days, weeks even without an attack but so far with him and the stress of the occupation, two days in a row. Narissa wasn't around, she'd given her time off to be wuth her family since her brothers had been in the army that fought against him.
An Elf approached her and she bat him away, though her vision grew dim with the lack of air. The elf swiftly entered the room and called for the Shadow King alerting him of her situation. Dammit all, She thought, as she tried to will the attack away. She didn't want him to see her this way.
“Another attack of her illness.” He whispered. That did it. Maelthra jumped up and stormed out to the hallway and noticed her there. He then observed where she clutched and her gasping and sighed, internally cursing himself for what he was about to do.
He approached her calmly, and picked her up and used his magic to teleport to her room and set her down on her bed, as his eyes turned yellow and his hands glow a soft purple. It was the Unseelie version of a healing spell as he targeted her chest and allowed the glow to softly ease out the stressed lungs to relax.
When she would either look at him confused or ask why when he was done, he heaved a very tired sigh. “You’re both right, and wrong about me... as far as what I am. My... Ancestor, four hundred years ago, was Maelthra, first of his name. I’m his descendant. And his spirit is latched onto mine and mixed in like bread dough to yeast, giving me his powers. Because in the end, I wanted the same thing he wanted. To not be something he detested.”
He looked down sadly, “A man, King of Nothing.” His eyes were slightly misty as he spoke. “I never amounted to anything before all that I am now. You have every right to hate me Clara. Maybe I was better off as King of nothing.” He stood up, almost mechanically and child like as if Maelthra, second of his name, was in control of his body for the first time in awhile. He began heading for the door.
Her chest had never felt this free, she'd never noticed how tight it was until now. She wondered if this would last.
She looked over at him, a little dubious. His magic was real, that much she knew but he used it to help her, not fling some creature out of a tower. She sat up, her head cocked. "Why?" She asked, her voice raw from disuse.
“You’re both right, and wrong about me... as far as what I am. My... Ancestor, four hundred years ago, was Maelthra, first of his name. I’m his descendant. And his spirit is latched onto mine and mixed in like bread dough to yeast, giving me his powers. Because in the end, I wanted the same thing he wanted. To not be something he detested.” He said and she stayed quiet and just listened.
"Wait." She called before he had time to turn the knob. "Are you telling me that you share a body--a soul with you're ancestor?" She said but it wasn't that she required an answer. "That this isn't who you really are?" She asked rhetorically. "If that is true, then I don't know you, not truly, only one aspect of you, perhaps..." She couldn't believe she was about to say this. "Perhaps there is more to you then I saw, an perhaps I owe you, now, a chance to talk." She said and sighed."You wanted to get to know me?" She asked. "Then I will give you that chance, as a thank you." She said and gestured to her chest. "Alright?"
He nodded in agreement. “Alright. Let’s talk.” He took a seat on a chair. “I know the illness is in your breath, but what exactly is it?”
———
In a Port town in the kingdom of Meiran, a small ship that seemed large enough for one or two men to use slowly come up on a pier, several Orcs looked at the ship curiously. They came aboard only to get cut down by a sword.
“Orcs, Master was right. His foothold is in Meiran.” Said the young man. He climbed onto the port and looked around, sheathing his sword. He spotted a house and headed towards it, knocking on the door the moment he arrived. When the door opened, he would bow before his greeting, as was his house custom according to his master.
“Evening, Robin Azura, at your service.” he said with a straight face. “May I trouble for directions to the Capital Of Meiran and shelter for the night?”
Taken a shaky breath, she began. "Well, no one knows for sure," She said softly. "You see, I am a Winter child," She said and when he didn't look aghast, she knew he didn't know what that meant and continued. "In Merian, while it's lovely and warm year round, we have moments of harsh violent winters. Nothing grows, everything dies, I am one of the only childern in recent history to be born during this time and I am the only one to survive". She explained and looked down at her fingers. "My mogther was caught in a storm, she was a good woman, my mother, loved by her people and she'd gone to help prepare the town for the Long Night as we call our Winter." Clara swallowed. "A storm hit suddenly, and my mother was trapped in it, and she gave birth to me out there, in the storm with a few handmaidens. Narissa's mother and myself were the only ones to survive the nignt. I was a miracle," She said and sighed sadly. The only thing she knew of her mother was her portrait hanging in the great hall. She was glad he hadn't ordered it removed.
"With that, though, something went wrong as I grew up, the healers and nurses don't know but it is difficult for me to breath, I get winded very quickly, and if I am overly stressed." She gestured to him but it wasn't accusative, just factual. "I get an episode, or an attack if you will." She said. "My chest gets tight, and it's near impossible for my breath to escape, it's worse at night." She told him, glancing behind them to the nignt sky, the moon, not yet full but creeping ever closer.
"It was worse when I was young." She said remembering how often she'd had those attacks, her father had her bedridden for most of her life until thet came up with the tea. "I have the tea, you saw, Eucalyptus and Mint, a recipe from the Orinans, the steam helps with an attack and drinking it keeps it at bay, horrible tasting thing but it works." She chuckled softly with a shrug but her smile faded.
"When I sleep though, sometimes, I stop breathing altogether, most nights, I wake up before it's too late, but I always fear that one day, I might not wake in time," She said and had no idea why she told him that much but she went on anyway. "Other nights, I sleep walk, or I don't sleep at all," She said and shrugged and looked him in the eye the first time since she began. "There, my illness." She smiled thinnly. "If you find me wandering the halls at night, like some sort of ghost, that's why," She tried to joke but she hated it, it was terrifying knowing at any moment she could leap from her tower, or fall down the stairs, killing herself while she slept. If she were to die, she wanted to die standing, fighting for something.
”There, my illness. If you find me wandering the halls at night, like some sort of ghost, that's why.” He smiled a bit at the morbid joke as he held back a chuckle.
“I was sick when I was a child. That’s the first time I felt His spirit on me. Probably was paranoid over losing his chance.” He said quietly. “Let’s talk about something else other then sickness.” And for most of that night, Maelthra, now revealed to Clara as the second of his name, The Second Shadow King, host of the First, simply talked to get to know the princess.
———
Almost three days later, it seemed that Maelthra was making progress as far as trying to make friends with his captive. He let out more of himself in the open between the two, in terms of him showing a more gentleman approach to Clara and restraining from making any dark comments or throwing his minions out windows when he was having a tantrum.
Like how he felt now, talking to one of his quartermasters. “I know it’s hard to supply winter clothes here but get it from Kirrel.” He said in slight annoyance as he rolled his eyes. “I despise logistics at this stage.” He rubbed his temples before suddenly his eyes flashed yellow briefly.
“I sense something in the city, nearing the castle, a presence I haven’t felt since...” he drifted off before turning into a pensive nostalgic like state, as he felt an older memory come to mind as he smiled wickedly. “So you’ve come willingly to your doom... unprepared even.”
——
Robin did not know that Maelthra was possibly expecting him. All he cared about for the moment was to try to infiltrate the castle just to test how secure the Shadow King made it. Keeping his hood up on a cloak he bought from a merchant on the way here, he slowly stalked towards one of the castle gates, and observed the dark elves guarding it.
“Not the best idea to go in that way.” He said to himself. Until he saw the guards moving into the castle. “Change in shift? This might be it!” Robin rushed towards the gate, only to be repelled by an purple sigil, that caused him to literally bounce a good two feet. He heard laughter from the sigil.
“Oh, oh this is funny! You, a member of a clan of Valsirian Hunters, hunters of monsters even! And you made a novice mistake!” Came the mocking voice of Maelthra.
“By all the Dragons I can name! You tricked me!” Robin yelled out.
“You tricked yourself, Azura. If the bait is obvious don’t take it.” Maelthra said.
“I’ll find another way then. When I do, your shadow will fall.” Robin stated as he turned only to bump into a guard. “I’m just leaving...”
“He’s inebriated. Dunk him in the fountain a few times.” Maelthra commanded through the sigil.
“You dishonorable-!” Before he could say anything more, the Dark elf had picked him up to do as commanded.
——
“Ooh language young man, there are two ladies who nearly caught that.” Maelthra stated as he chuckled, dismissing the sigil and leaned in his chair as he looked at the mentioned women. “Good Morrow Clara, Narissa. How are you this fine morning?”
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Robin Azura
Shadow Falls, Light Remains
Princess Clara Allyrion
"I won't show him I am afraid, even if I am."
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I have come to reclaim my Empire.
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Shadow Falls, Light Remains
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I have come to reclaim my Empire.
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"I won't show him I am afraid, even if I am."
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Maelthra
I have come to reclaim my Empire.
Princess Clara Allyrion
"I won't show him I am afraid, even if I am."
Robin Azura
Shadow Falls, Light Remains
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