Chapter 5:
Uprising
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Several weeks had passed, and during that time, Theena would continue to try and talk about it, but would break down at each attempt.
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During this time, Kameo began using more and more of Kalus' ideas and the kingdom and tribes began thriving. The markets were under construction and Kameo was invited to view it's current progress.
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Any excuse to be outside was more than enough for her. She reveled in the sunlight, enjoying the warmth on her skin and the fresh air in her lungs. Being inside was not good for her soul, she craved the outdoors and had began to despise work as a queen.
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The few moments that she could be outside, she enjoyed every once of it. Currently riding on horseback, Kameo breathed in deeply. The freedom of outdoors. No paperwork, no tight schedules, she could enjoy this brief break from being Queen.
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"Should we perhaps prepare some notes for the meeting while taking this long voyage?"
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Or so she thought.
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"I suppose so. What did you have in mind, Seraph?" The new Advisor to replace The Mystic. He rarely accompanied them on these external outings, but wanted to oversee the market's progress as well, so he could document it.
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"Well, with these new Markets, we will have to establish resources to not only build but maintain these structures."
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"What we have now are excess from rebuilding the lands from the Troll Wars, but once those are used, we will have to find more trees to replace the timber, more food and water for the workers, as well as a more permanent place to keep the trolls and their offspring."
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"I'm sorry, could you repeat that last part Seraph?"
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"Of course your majesty. We will need a more permanent place to keep the trolls and their offspring locked up, away from any valuables and-your majesty?"
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Kameo was lost in thought. She had never thought about trolls having children, the thought never even occurred to her. Obviously they weren't born adults but still, the thought of doing that didn't seem right. They were just kids.
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"...don't you think it's a bit cruel to lock children away, for what their parents did?" Seraph raised an eyebrow.
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"Perhaps, but these are trolls we are talking about, my Queen. Their savagery runs through their blood. It's not as if you can take them while they are young….though we could perhaps try." Kameo wasn't listening, she was lost in her own thoughts.
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She didn't want to let the trolls go, since so many had killed innocent people, destroyed property and ruined countless lives, but she did recall the rare instances where some had chosen not to fight her, or even attack each other so she could escape whenever she was badly hurt.
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She wasn't sure what to do about it. Seraph had continued talking about something, before asking her approval.
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"Would you approve of this idea, your majesty? It would obviously need more refinement but perhaps it could work."
"What was that, Seraph?" Seraph cleared his throat.
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"We could send troll offspring to our schools. Create a fresh start for them-"
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"I...I don't know. Give me more time to think about it."
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"Of course, my Queen. Ah, I believe that is the construction site, just around the corner!" Kameo looked up with a hopeful smile, but it faltered.
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The construction was underway. The base framework was done, with some being built up to the second floor, while others were up to the roof. A lot of hard work was done, but it looked like there was still a long way to go.
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Multiple trolls were working hard, but their familiar uniform was gone, replaced with rags and thick metal chains to their necks and a heavy ball to the ground. However it was their state that shook Kameo.
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They appeared very sickly, the familiar muscle mass was gone, they were pale and looked malnourished. There were bruises and Kameo felt her stomach turn. They didn't even look like trolls anymore.
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"Seraph, what is this?"
"The construction of the marketplace, your Majesty?" He asked, uncertain of what was wrong.
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"That's not what I'm talking about! Look at them, does that look 'okay' to you?!"
She whispered quietly to her advisor.
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"The trolls will never want peace after seeing what we're doing to their people! These aren't even the ones who caused the damage!"
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"Your Majesty, I understand you have a big heart, but to let the trolls go free after so much destruction will make us appear weak and they will take advantage of that. They did so with king Solon."
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Kameo frowned.
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"If we are to have peace, it certainly won't be by enslaving and starving them. Thorn was their ring leader last time, but he is no longer around. If we are to have peace, we have to make a genuine effort as well." Kameo rode ahead, reaching the construction site.
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The trolls looked worse up close. She could see their ribs. When they noticed her, some trolls scowled, others looked fearful but she noticed one approaching her.
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He was missing an eye and had multiple scars on his chin. Part of his right ear had been torn off and had multiple scars and bruises. They looked recent. There was no anger, the Troll slightly bowed his head.
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"...I know lotsa elves hate us cause of the war. Don't blame ya for it. But don't take it out on the kids. They got nothin to do with what happened."
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She glanced past him, seeing troll children for the first time. They were not what she was expecting. They had hair on their head, were than the adults, shorter and stubbier. She also noticed they had bruises on them too.
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"...the bruises, how did they get them?"
The troll didn't answer, but glanced at the guards. It was all she needed to hear.
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"...I may not be able to help you right away, but I may be able to help them."
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"As long as they're alive and safe, that's all we ask." He nodded, turned and returned to the group. Kameo turned and walked towards the guards.
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"Have you harmed them?" Her tone was fierce. The guards stood upright.
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"Only when there was a threat made towards us."
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"Even by a child?" One of the guards leaned forward.
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"Troll offspring are a lot stronger than they look your cannot allow the crew or guards to be put in danger when the brutes turn feral."
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"If we want peace, we cannot use stereotypes. You have a look at them and tell me how much of a threat a malnourished child is?"
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"Not all of us have a legendary power to protect ourselves from savages." A younger guard scoffed until his supervisor shoved him harshly in the ribs.
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"I'm deeply sorry your majesty, Jarred isn't fond of trolls-"
"Then why is he here on this assignment? Everyone who has a distaste for trolls should not be working this job. They're already serving out punishment, anything else inflicted on top of that is cruelty, the kind we want to eliminate."
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"That brings up the next topic. Why are their children here? They did not fight in the war, some of them weren't even born until it was over."
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As they stumbled for excuse, Kameo shook her head in annoyance. This wasn't going to work. She had Kalus' ideas but that was it. How was she going to fix all of this?
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CRACK
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Everyone jumped as a deep rumbling came from beneath the ground, as a large chunk of land rose upwards.
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Kameo, Seraph and The guards scattered as there was screaming. She looked over, seeing the trolls were still chained.
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She raced over, changing into Pummel Weed and punched the chains. Multiple trolls flinched and cowered.
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"Quickly, go!" They picked up their kids and ran from the buildings groaned from the violent tremors.
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"YOUR MAJESTY!"
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Kameo spun around as the structure collapsed on her. Seraph flew over and tried to pry away the debris.
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"Don't just stand there, help me!"
A pair of hands lifted the piece easily and threw it aside. The one eyed troll looked over his shoulder.
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"Oi! Get over and help, you lot!"
Some of the trolls helped, while others stayed behind. The guards rushed in as well, trying to get to the Queen.
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Halfway through, the rubble shifted, falling off to reveal Thermite's shield. After it fell off, Kameo appeared once more.
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"Is everyone okay?" She asked, scanning the crowd.
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"All present and accounted for, Your Majesty. You gave us quite the scare."
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"What was that?" She asked, rubbing her head. She did get hit but had changed to Thermite to prevent the worst from crushing her.
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"Whatever it was, definitely ain't natural. No earthquake could do that." The one eyed troll spoke, glancing at the destruction.
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Kameo had a look and gasped. Large chunks of the land had shifted, exposing large craters and tunnels below the ground. Looking over her shoulder, some islands had formed in the ocean.
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The troll was right, no normal earthquake could distort the landscape so drastically. She had a bad feeling about this.
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"It's not safe here, we must evacuated to a safer place. The marketplace can wait. For now, all of us are to head to the kingdom. That includes all of you," she nodded towards the trolls. "-we can't risk anyone being killed. Let's go."
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Seraph had been checking for any severe injuries before approaching Kameo again.
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"Is that wise, your majesty?"
"I'm not leaving anyone here in this unstable land. Anyone who has any complaints, can do so later after we've reached safety-"
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There was a loud groan and everyone looked to the nearby volcano. The mighty castle gave a final bellow, before collapsing into the volcano, causing it to gurgle from the violent impact.
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"NOW PEOPLE, LET'S MOVE!"
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Everyone fled to the Enchanted Kingdom, rushing into the warp gate. The guards stationed looked alarmed.
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"THE TROLLS ARE WITH US, WE HAVE AN EMERGENCY!" Seraph barked, keeping up with Kameo.
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"Your orders, my Queen?"
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"First, send message to each of the tribal lands, make sure everyone is out of the United Forest, then send reinforcements to The Forgotten Forest Glade, they're most at risk, evacuate everyone to the kingdom."
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"Send the same warning to the Snow Top Tribe. Mountain Falls should be fine, but those two are our priority! Seraph, go notify the ancestors of what is happening!"
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"What can we do to help?" The one eyed troll asked.
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"Anyone you can spare, go with the guards to the Forgotten Forest, they may have people in trouble there. Everyone else, be prepared to receive the villagers!"
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BANG
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They exited the dungeon to see the volcano erupt.
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"WHY WOULD YOU BUILD A CASTLE ON TOP OF A VOLCANO?!" Kameo cried exasperatedly.
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"Thorn's ego was a problem. Even we said it was stupid."
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"Kameo-My Queen, why is there a troll here?" Halis asked as Kameo stood upright.
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"We have an emergency and don't have time for this, this-wait, what was your name?" She quietly asked as the Troll chuckled.
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"I am Marrskull. Marr or skull is fine."
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"Thank you-Marrskull and his people are helping to move the Forgotten Forest people into the kingdom and I do not want anyone abusing them for it, now let's move!"
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Marrskull nodded and turned to the group behind him.
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"You heard her! Move the people here, no issues, no fuss, let's go!" Halis nodded.
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"In that case, let's move! We'll need to find a way to fight the fires this will cause too-"
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"I'll handle the volcano, just make sure everyone sticks to the plan." Marrskull nodded, leading his people along the elves as they vanished through the warp gate.
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"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Kameo turned and raced to the dungeon without answering. She honestly had no idea, but she had to do something.
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Exiting the warp gate, she took to the sky, racing to the volcano. Ash and smoke began to fill the sky, making it hard to breathe. She pulled out a handkerchief and held it over her nose and mouth, flying lower to avoid it.
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As she approached the castle, old memories came flooding back, but now was not the time or place. She looked at the lava bubbling below, trying to quickly think of something, when another something caught her eye.
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In the distance, far away, was another land. Too small to be an island, not large enough to be a country. She felt...odd. A strange, unusual sense came from looking at the spec of land.
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Until a hot ash landed on her cheek, making Kameo flinch and return to the situation. She glanced down, seeing that the volcano was a lot bigger than she thought.
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As the Queen and the kingdom set into action, another group used the distraction to initiate their plans, as the sun finally fell behind the horizon, and they had the cover of night.
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Author's note:
Focus will now be on Book 1, to establish characters, plot and events.