Chapter 2
Althegia was the home of the royal family and acted as the largest temple dedicated to the gods worshiped by the people of Izberhan. Only the highest- ranking priests, nobles of high birth, and citizens of the most honorable reputation were allowed entry into the golden halls of Althegia. It was a veritable paradise of exquisite hanging gardens, glass greenhouses of rare plant specimens, and a reserve for endangered animals found throughout the world.
Unknown to most, the floating palace Althegia was Izberhan's greatest weapon against any outside force. It was a depository for the most secret of magic's and treasures. A mythal of great power had been erected at the birth of Althegia, and it that same force that enabled the palace to drift along it's set course, protected from the outside elements.
The mythal kept out all unauthorized entry into the palace and provided the occupants with certain attributes: those that lived there, namely the royal family, did not age past a certain point, people who incurred injuries were able to heal much faster than normal, people touching certain glyphs could be transported to the other side of the palace in the blink of an eye, and many other strange attributes were set in place. This was the work of the most powerful priests and wizards of the land, who put aside their differences to create a virtual powerhouse that could govern the peaceful human nation and protect it from the influence of neighboring continents.
Dharimihr Wrycroft was the new king of Izberhan. Standing some six feet in height, he presented a stout physique that helped him present the image of a worthy ruler. He was broad shouldered like his father and had developed a cunning, witty sense of humor that his mother had been cherished for. He had a bright smile that was innocent of the ulterior motives that most of the nobles hid behind. His eyes were a swirling canvas of blue, green, and brown that released the emotions the prince wouldn't readily admit. His thick brown hair was normally tussled as he spent a lot of time outside basking in the glory of the sun and the cooling breezes of the high altitude. He had reached the age of majority and was ready to accept the crown. Although he received a formal education and had the best tutors in the land, he had his doubts about his ability to govern the land and lead his people wisely. His grandmother, dowager Queen Jemmalaine, had bestowed the ancestral crown upon him endowing him with the respective power and authority of ruler of the kingdom.
Dharimihr's parents had been the former rulers of Izberhan, but met with a tragic accident on a peace mission to Ildraphan, the nation of faerie elves. They were passing the Isle of Zaoul'tara, the nesting grounds of dragons, when a dragon turtle attacked. She had lost her eggs to a troupe of marauders, who had most likely taken them to the mainland of Lyonsbane. Blinded by rage, she smashed gaping holes in the royal vessel and those that didn't drown she boiled alive in the water. There were no survivors.
Lyonsbane was the trade capital of the world. It also sported one of the strongest navy fleets, this side of the equator. Anything from elvish chainmail to exotic foods could be purchased in the bustling seaside bazaars. The locals were loyal to the crown, in return for the garrison's that patrolled the streets and enforced the laws set by the elected officials of the island.
Dharimihr was nervous about addressing the Royal Court. If not for his cousins, the fair-haired twins Joser and Serra Azel, and his grandmother, he did not believe he would have the voice required to commandeer the gaggle of socialistic nobles. Here on Althegia, the floating palace of Izberhan, the nobles congregated to discuss the political positions of the country's cities'. This would be his first time addressing the issues that plagued his people.
Boldly, he stepped through the archway and the trumpeters bugled his arrival. The masses parted and he walked to the throne, dignified and proud. The ladies of the court quietly whispered amongst themselves, commenting on the new kings handsome ruggedness. He reached the throne, did an about face and leaned back into the comfort of the cushioned throne. He looked to his right, signaling the chamberlain to admit the first person in line for a royal audience.
A small girl entered the throne room. She was dressed as a commoner. Perhaps, she was a child of the head cook or one of the other commoners that comprised the castles staff. She was timid and obviously shy about approaching the king. She stopped in the doorway and looked down, unable to complete her mission. A few nervous seconds passed, when one of the noble ladies parted from the congregation and walked to the little girl's side. She was a remarkable beauty, poised and graceful. Reaching for the girls hand, she spoke quietly," Do you want me to walk you down the aisle? I'll help you, if you are nervous." The child looked up into the green eyes of the Duchess of Izberhan. The duchess was known by all the people of Izberhan as "the Queen of Hearts". She worked diligently in the villages helping the elderly and sponsored hospitals and schools alike. Her voice was soft and melodic, and was able to work strange magic when she sang, which she did often. The girl brighted with recognition, "Duchess Serra!" King Dharimihr smiled, he visibly relaxed seeing that his cousin was ever present.
The girl curtsied for the King as best she could. She smiled her best smile for him and began, " Your Majesty, I am wepwesent the thurd grade class of Althegia Commons Elementawy. We have put together a play for the new king and was wonderwing if you would gwace us wid your pwesence.um, your Majesty." She shrugged her shoulders and glanced over at the duchess, unsure of what to do next. The duchess was beaming with pride at the girl, proud of her courage to speak up in front of the crowd. She nodded for the girl to turn back to the king.
" I would be honored if you would allow me to see your play. The children of Izberhan must never be afraid to ask their king for anything. If you would, I would very much enjoy the company of you and your classmates for dinner that night to celebrate the success of your performance!", replied the king. He looked over at his cousin whose smile was infectious. He grinned. He loved his people as much as she did. This was to be a great start, to a new beginning.
Althegia was the home of the royal family and acted as the largest temple dedicated to the gods worshiped by the people of Izberhan. Only the highest- ranking priests, nobles of high birth, and citizens of the most honorable reputation were allowed entry into the golden halls of Althegia. It was a veritable paradise of exquisite hanging gardens, glass greenhouses of rare plant specimens, and a reserve for endangered animals found throughout the world.
Unknown to most, the floating palace Althegia was Izberhan's greatest weapon against any outside force. It was a depository for the most secret of magic's and treasures. A mythal of great power had been erected at the birth of Althegia, and it that same force that enabled the palace to drift along it's set course, protected from the outside elements.
The mythal kept out all unauthorized entry into the palace and provided the occupants with certain attributes: those that lived there, namely the royal family, did not age past a certain point, people who incurred injuries were able to heal much faster than normal, people touching certain glyphs could be transported to the other side of the palace in the blink of an eye, and many other strange attributes were set in place. This was the work of the most powerful priests and wizards of the land, who put aside their differences to create a virtual powerhouse that could govern the peaceful human nation and protect it from the influence of neighboring continents.
Dharimihr Wrycroft was the new king of Izberhan. Standing some six feet in height, he presented a stout physique that helped him present the image of a worthy ruler. He was broad shouldered like his father and had developed a cunning, witty sense of humor that his mother had been cherished for. He had a bright smile that was innocent of the ulterior motives that most of the nobles hid behind. His eyes were a swirling canvas of blue, green, and brown that released the emotions the prince wouldn't readily admit. His thick brown hair was normally tussled as he spent a lot of time outside basking in the glory of the sun and the cooling breezes of the high altitude. He had reached the age of majority and was ready to accept the crown. Although he received a formal education and had the best tutors in the land, he had his doubts about his ability to govern the land and lead his people wisely. His grandmother, dowager Queen Jemmalaine, had bestowed the ancestral crown upon him endowing him with the respective power and authority of ruler of the kingdom.
Dharimihr's parents had been the former rulers of Izberhan, but met with a tragic accident on a peace mission to Ildraphan, the nation of faerie elves. They were passing the Isle of Zaoul'tara, the nesting grounds of dragons, when a dragon turtle attacked. She had lost her eggs to a troupe of marauders, who had most likely taken them to the mainland of Lyonsbane. Blinded by rage, she smashed gaping holes in the royal vessel and those that didn't drown she boiled alive in the water. There were no survivors.
Lyonsbane was the trade capital of the world. It also sported one of the strongest navy fleets, this side of the equator. Anything from elvish chainmail to exotic foods could be purchased in the bustling seaside bazaars. The locals were loyal to the crown, in return for the garrison's that patrolled the streets and enforced the laws set by the elected officials of the island.
Dharimihr was nervous about addressing the Royal Court. If not for his cousins, the fair-haired twins Joser and Serra Azel, and his grandmother, he did not believe he would have the voice required to commandeer the gaggle of socialistic nobles. Here on Althegia, the floating palace of Izberhan, the nobles congregated to discuss the political positions of the country's cities'. This would be his first time addressing the issues that plagued his people.
Boldly, he stepped through the archway and the trumpeters bugled his arrival. The masses parted and he walked to the throne, dignified and proud. The ladies of the court quietly whispered amongst themselves, commenting on the new kings handsome ruggedness. He reached the throne, did an about face and leaned back into the comfort of the cushioned throne. He looked to his right, signaling the chamberlain to admit the first person in line for a royal audience.
A small girl entered the throne room. She was dressed as a commoner. Perhaps, she was a child of the head cook or one of the other commoners that comprised the castles staff. She was timid and obviously shy about approaching the king. She stopped in the doorway and looked down, unable to complete her mission. A few nervous seconds passed, when one of the noble ladies parted from the congregation and walked to the little girl's side. She was a remarkable beauty, poised and graceful. Reaching for the girls hand, she spoke quietly," Do you want me to walk you down the aisle? I'll help you, if you are nervous." The child looked up into the green eyes of the Duchess of Izberhan. The duchess was known by all the people of Izberhan as "the Queen of Hearts". She worked diligently in the villages helping the elderly and sponsored hospitals and schools alike. Her voice was soft and melodic, and was able to work strange magic when she sang, which she did often. The girl brighted with recognition, "Duchess Serra!" King Dharimihr smiled, he visibly relaxed seeing that his cousin was ever present.
The girl curtsied for the King as best she could. She smiled her best smile for him and began, " Your Majesty, I am wepwesent the thurd grade class of Althegia Commons Elementawy. We have put together a play for the new king and was wonderwing if you would gwace us wid your pwesence.um, your Majesty." She shrugged her shoulders and glanced over at the duchess, unsure of what to do next. The duchess was beaming with pride at the girl, proud of her courage to speak up in front of the crowd. She nodded for the girl to turn back to the king.
" I would be honored if you would allow me to see your play. The children of Izberhan must never be afraid to ask their king for anything. If you would, I would very much enjoy the company of you and your classmates for dinner that night to celebrate the success of your performance!", replied the king. He looked over at his cousin whose smile was infectious. He grinned. He loved his people as much as she did. This was to be a great start, to a new beginning.
