Chapter 11: The Plight of Light
After a night of odd events, morning, with its golden rays of sunshine, begun once again to rise over the Crystal City, Deningrad . A knight, the head of the fourth guard, approached the crystal palace with two knights behind him leading a hysterical prisoner whom was babbling incoherently. As he approached, he bowed to the two entry guards, who parted aside to open the large, magnificent doors of the palace and allowed them inside. The atrium hall was absolutely breathtaking with its grand crystal chandelier, white marble floors, and black and white marble walls mixed in with thick, opaque layers of crystal . The atrium was large as well, spanning over 300 feet in length, 100 feet in height. A large stair lie in front of the room, leading up into another annex of the original, just as stunning.
A woman in a white shirt with puffed shoulders and a thick, brown leather skirt decorated with a golden moon emblem came gracefully, yet powerfully out of the crystal hall, and down the stairs towards the newly arrived knights. However, beautiful though she was, she also commanded authority and respect merely through her presence. Her assertive blue eyes darted over the knights and prisoner.
"Sister Miranda," the head knight addressed her and along with the rest of the band, bowed respectfully to her.
"I heard there was a serious fire last night. Was anyone hurt?" the first scared sister asked.
The knight merely turned to the hysterical, blubbering man. "Well, I don't know exactly. . . We arrived on the scene with this fellow here being chased by---"
"B…BLACK…MO….MONSTER!" Donaven yelled.
Sister Miranda's eyes immediately widened, like expanding pools of cerulean water.
"What did you say?" she asked quickly.
"D…DEMON! BLACK, BLACK FIRE! GOING TO KILL ME!" he shouted.
Miranda turned hastily back to the captain. "What exactly did you see?" she demanded.
"Like I said m'am, we only saw a small part of what happened and I'm not sure I believe it . . . . We saw fire, and ran to check it out. When we got there, there was this guy," he said gesturing to Donaven, "was pinned at the throat with a sword that was burning unnaturally black! I mean, the thing holding that blade wasn't, no it couldn't have been remotely human at all. It was way too big. The whole creature was covered in a black blaze, so I didn't get a real clear look at it. It was on fire yet it wasn't burning! I heard about the black monster from Sister Luanna m'am. That creature fit the description perfectly," he explained.
"You are mistaken, the Black Monster is dead and her spirit destroyed. There's no way that could have been the black monster you saw. A demon maybe, but not the black monster. Besides, why would the black monster bother with street scum?" Miranda asked.
"I'm sorry m'am, but I don't know why. I've told you all I know. What should be done with this man?" the captain of knights asked.
"He's a KnightDodger. I can tell by the mark on his arm, or what's left of it. He won't be escaping justice anymore. As by law, lock him away to serve his jail sentence. And captain--when you go out, keep your eyes open. You're dismissed. I'm late for an archery lesson with my daughter," Miranda informed.
The knighthood bowed and simultaneously left. Sacred Sister Miranda went back up the stairs, with odd thoughts in her mind that refused to settle. Rose was dead, she and Zieg died to save Miranda and her friends from the final rage of Melbu Fharma. There was no way anyone could survive that blast . . .could they?
Miranda exited down a hallway made purely of gold and crystal after she passed behind the throne room and several guards. This hall contained all the bedchambers of the Sacred Sisters, their children, and queen Theresa. Miranda turned into the third room on the right, the door had been left open.
A girl, eighteen years old stood out upon a marble balcony, leaning on the railing gazing out upon the tiny houses and people on the streets far below. Her back was to Miranda and the girl's pure white summer dress and golden blonde hair where blown towards the sacred sister by the prevailing winds.
"Liora, are you ready for your archery lesson? I would have thought you'd be down there already," Miranda called out to her.
The girl turned away from the balcony to face her mother. She was truly and stunningly beautiful to her mother's eyes. Liora appeared as a delicate flower in spring, her skin was fair, and her body held a thin, hourglass frame. Her features were small and rounded, cute in Miranda's eyes. Her golden hair fell down to her shoulders, slightly wavy and full of volume.
"Not quite," her gentle voice answered. Liora's deep brown eyes betrayed that she was concerned with something. "Mother, what's going on? Everybody's talking about a fire that happened last night and something about a demon in Deningrad. Then queen Theresa falls ill. . . Please don't tell me it's nothing, because I know it's not. Things rarely happen by accident . . .you shouldn't have taken her to that tournament yesterday. Queen Theresa is already sick mother," Liora said quietly with worry.
Miranda sighed. " Well, there was a fire, I don't deny that. According to the report I just received, there was no one killed though. And as for demons, I severely doubt that. And Queen Theresa is doing much better. The doctor says he expects a full recovery within the week," Miranda explained.
Liora looked slightly relieved but not completely. "Did they find out what was causing the illness?" the teenager asked.
"That's the part nobody knows," Miranda answered.
Liora breathed deeply. " I don't see why you don't just use your dragoon spirit to heal Queen Theresa completely," Liora suggested.
"The power of the White-Silver Dragon isn't to be used lightly. Queen Theresa just has something like a cold. I really don't think I should invoke the power of the dragons every time somebody sneezes," Miranda joked.
Liora giggled, then sighed again. "I know, but I can't help but feel that something is wrong." After her last statement, Liora walked over to her crystalline closet and removed her bow and a quiver full of arrows. It had been a gift from her mother for her 8th birthday and used to belong to Miranda herself. The bow was made of strong, study pine wood and was a long bow by category. The whole shaft of the bow had been inlaid with diamonds at regular intervals, except for the grip, which was made entirely of crystal and bore a golden moon emblem embellished in the crystal front. Her mother had often told her many bedtime stories about her adventures with that bow.
Liora slung her quiver across her back. "Okay, I'm ready now," Liora said softly.
Sister Miranda gave her daughter an odd look. "Archery? In a dress and sandals? Where's your armor?" the Sacred Sister asked.
Liora sighed. "It's too bulky and hinders my movement," she confessed.
"Oh Liora, we make you wear armor for a reason, you know. Anyway, come on, we're already late for the session," Miranda said disapprovingly.
"Late? I thought it was just the two of us," Liora remarked.
"Bandie and Luanna are joining us," she stated and lead Liora out into the hall.
Liora was in a good mood. Not only did she love archery, but Bandie, Sister Setite's daughter, was her best friend in the world. Liora guessed that Sister Luanna, whom was blind, was just going to keep her mom from getting overzealous in her shouting. Liora giggled silently, her mother, even though she was a Sacred Sister, loved to fight.
Rounding the bend, they entered a large room lined with wooden poles in the center. Bull's-eye targets were hung randomly around the walls and ceiling. Various obstacles and gym equipment had been neatly put away. This room, Liora had become quite familiar with. In fact, she knew this room better than any in the entire palace, because every day since she was old enough to hold a bow; her mother had given her archery lessons.
It wasn't that Liora didn't enjoy the lessons or the art, but her mother had always been bent on her using her archery in actual combat. In Liora's heart, it wasn't what she wanted. Sure, being a knight or a commander that defended the country was noble enough, but Liora always felt that the greater good lie in healing rather than fighting. To her, all the glory found in striking an opponent down was returned ten-fold when a single pain was eased or a life saved. She knew what her mother expected of her, by giving her these lessons everyday, and she knew that some things were worth fighting for, but on the whole, she 'd rather help than hurt.
"Sister Miranda! Liora! A girl's voice called out in greeting. Liora's best friend, Bandie came through the door waving her cedar longbow. Bandie, fourth Sacred Sister Setite's daughter, was the same age as Liora. Bandie had long, lavender hair, fairer skin than Liora, grey eyes, and was slightly taller to boot.
Liora grinned. Bandie would usually brag about being the taller one.
"Bandie where's Luanna?" Miranda asked.
Bandie suddenly got the shocked expression of someone who has just remembered something forgotten. "Oh that's right, I forgot. Sister Luanna is talking to Sister Wink. She says she'll be along in a minute," Bandie informed.
Miranda nodded. "Very well. Okay, you girls ready to begin?" she asked.
Liora and Bandie both agreed and Sister Miranda pulled a golden-feathered arrow from the quiver at her waist, stringing her bow.
"Okay, the object of this exercise is rapid fire. When you're in a battle with multiple enemies, rapid arrow fire can save your life. Watch," Miranda explained. With lightning speed and poise Sister Miranda let her arrow fly strait into the center of a bull's-eye. Then, with equal speed, Miranda's hand became a blur as a second arrow was drawn, strung, and fired strait through the middle of a target on her left. All this motion, had occurred in under ten seconds.
Bandie blinked. "Whoa! That was fast! How did you do that?" she asked, bewildered.
"It's in the motion of the hand. Your arm has to circle backwards and as the circle comes round you're back at the grip. You girls wanna give it a try?" Miranda asked.
Bandie turned to Liora. "Come on! I'll take you on! Sister Miranda, are you going to use the target system?" Bandie asked.
Miranda nodded to her, and Bandie turned back to Liora. "What do ya say? Come on! I think I'm gonna beat ya shortie," Bandie teased playfully.
Liora smiled. "I don't think so," she replied in response to the challenge.
Bandie and Liora both drew arrows and stood back as Miranda walked over to a panel of levers on the wall.
"Ready?" she asked, and both girls steadied their bows. "GO!" Miranda pulled the first lever and a target dropped down from the ceiling to Liora's left. She fired an arrow that hit the mark perfectly. Another target appeared further left, and after hitting that target another one appeared far to the right. Liora expertly bridged over to shoot behind her. A target appeared to her side and Liora twirled to face it, firing as she spun. Tow targets then dropped down in front of her and Liora used the technique that her mother had taught them to nail them both.
Over her shoulder Liora could hear than Bandie was very busy as well; the hum of her bowstring's vibration was nearly constant. Immediately as her mother was about to call time three more targets dropped down vertically in front of Liora. As quick as she could, Liora grabbed three arrows from her quiver and lined them upon her bowstring each at a forty-five degree angle from the others. She turned her bow horizontally and released her arrows, all of which found their way into the targets just as time was called.
Liora turned around to face Bandie, whom had already finished her exercise.
"Wow! That was impressive! Three at once . . .you're getting really good!" It would happen that Liora beat Bandie by a long shot, however she didn't take it personally. "Ah well. That's okay. I'll beat you next time for sure."
Liora chuckled. "If you say so," she taunted good-naturedly.
Bandie playfully stuck out her tongue. "Well you may be better at archery, but I'm way better at swordsmanship, so there," she said.
Bandie and Liora both looked at each other, then broke out laughing. Sister Miranda shook her head.
"Alright you two, Sister Setite is probably already in the library room waiting for you. I'm going to go find Luanna and make sure everything's okay, seeing as how she didn't make it to our practice. By the way, great job today you two." Miranda walked over to Liora and gave her a pat on the back.
"That's my girl! Someday soon you'll be one of Deningrad's finest knights," she said proudly before leaving.
Liora sighed as her mother left. "But that's not what I want . . ." she whispered into the air. Bandie put a hand on Liora's shoulder.
"You ought to tell her soon, Li. I mean, she's your mother, she'll understand. Better you tell her soon than she set up your knighting ceremony and you tell her then," Bandie advised.
"I know," Liora replied, "but . . . I guess it's just that I don't want to disappoint her. She always seems so set in me following in her footsteps, but I don't think I have it in me to be a great warrior like her. I don't want her to be ashamed of me," Liora said sadly.
Bandie gave her friend a hug. "It'll all be fine Li, trust me. We'd better get going now, or we'll be late for our lesson. Soa knows how horrible that would be," she added sarcastically. Of all things, Bandie hated their daily history lessons the most; Liora, however, found them quite enjoyable.
When the duo reached the library, they were greeted by Fourth Sacred Sister Setite, Bandie's mother, whom motioned them over to a table piled high with books. It appeared that today's topic was the origins and lineage of dragons.
Liora read the text books with interest as she discovered that the potency of dragon's poison was actually passed down through the male line, from father to son. Fathers . . . Liora glanced over to Bandie, whom was obviously bored, and trying her best not to fall asleep while staring at the text in front of her. Ironically, another similarity between Liora and Bandie was the loss of their fathers. Both had lost them to death while they were still babies. Neither Miranda nor Setite liked speaking of it, but it seemed that both of them had died in a mysterious accident in the forest many years ago. Liora never really knew her father, just that his name was Reed. She often wondered in silent times like these, just what he been like. Liora glanced to the sundial near the window. The lesson was almost over.
As her daughter studied, Sister Miranda had found Luanna and Wink talking in a nearby room and she addressed each of them appropriately.
"Hello, Luanna, Wink," she said politely.
The woman in a blue dress and a long blonde braid, known as Sister Wink greeted Miranda back with a friendly smile, but Sister Luanna dressed in her fur-rimmed blue dress and navy blue hat seemed less cheerful. Luanna's blank stare turned to Miranda. It had been many years since Sister Luanna had lost her eyesight to the demon flames of the black monster, but in return she had gained ethereal sight. She held the ability to see souls.
"Forgive me for not making the lesson today, Miranda. Sister Wink and I have been discussing a serious matter. The children are with Setite, I trust, before I fill you in? I wouldn't want them to hear this, especially not Liora. She has such a tender heart. I'm afraid this matter has all of us worried enough," Luanna explained.
"The children are with Setite. Is this about the supposed demon in Deningrad?" Miranda asked.
Sister Wink shook her head. Miranda felt her eyes well with tears, she knew what it was.
"It's Queen Theresa isn't it?" she asked.
Luanna nodded solemnly. "Her health is failing Miranda. You know as well as I do. Although Doctor Nigel has done all he can, it's still not enough. Queen Theresa's condition is slowly declining. I see her energy fading," Luanna said, herself on the verge of tears also.
"Does Doctor Nigel have any idea what's causing the sickness? He, himself said that she shows no symptoms of a physical aliment. And I wonder why only Queen Theresa is being affected and not the rest of us?" Miranda asked quickly.
Wink shook her head. "Doctor Nigel has no clue, he's tried everything."
Miranda clenched her fist tightly as she allowed a single tear to fall. Queen Theresa had been like a mother to her all her life after her own had run off.
"Not everything," Miranda replied, "the power of the white-silver dragon has laid dormant long enough. I'm sure I can cure her," Miranda vowed, clutching a diamond-like ball at her chest.
Luanna nodded. "I'm probably just overreacting. You will most likely cure her. However I do have something to say in regards to the Black Monster," Luanna announced.
Miranda glanced to her.
"I have seen this young man that the knighthood brought this morning. There is no falsehood in him. I believe that the Black Monster has returned."
"But Rose is dead! She died and her dragoon spirit was destroyed, Luanna. There is no way that Rose and Zieg could have lived through that!" Miranda exclaimed in disbelief.
Luanna turned her head so that she appeared to be staring out into nothingness. "I don't know about Rose, but the Black Monster lives," she repeated.
"It's about noon, the girls should be coming soon," wink observed.
Luanna sighed. "Ah yes. Another matter I must speak on. Wink would you please leave us? I'd like a word alone with Miranda," Luanna requested. Wink nodded and departed from the room.
"What's wrong Luanna?" Miranda inquired.
"Nothing yet," the blind sister replied, 'but there will be if you aren't careful. I just wanted to tell you that it's not in her heart, Miranda. The desire is not there. Liora loves you, Miranda, but she is her own person," Luanna said gently.
Miranda was confused. Just then, Liora poked her head in the doorway.
"Mother, my lessons are over." Noticing Luanna also, Liora swiftly apologized. " Oh hello, Sister Luanna! I'm sorry mother, I hope I didn't interrupt anything," she said bashfully.
Luanna smiled. "Ah, no. You haven't interrupted anything, Liora. Where's Bandie? Aren't you two always supposed to be up to something?" Luanna answered good-naturedly.
Liora managed a shy smile back. "Sister Setite wanted her to stay behind so she could help her understand today's lesson," the teenager answered.
"And well she should. Lessons are important. Speaking of which, why don't we go for a walk Liora? It's a beautiful day," Miranda suggested. Liora appeared contemplative but then joyfully agreed. She loved nature and the outdoors, it always seemed to give her a sense of serenity; especially flowers.
The palace greenhouse was a large courtyard encased by crystal that housed arching trees, thick bushes, and numerous flower beds. The whole place was like a blooming forest, only indoors with cobblestone pathways. Liora had always felt at ease here. She remembered how as a child, she used to run and hide among the bushes whenever her governess would demand upon a boring lesson that Liora already understood. She would lie there, in the soft clover, underneath the bushes on her back, and sleep under the warm rays of the golden sun.
Liora came out of her reverie. "You wanted to talk to me, mother?" Liora rephrased lightly.
A smile crept across Miranda's middle-aged face as she brushed her short, golden hair out of here eyes. "Yes. You did very well in your archery today. I was very impressed. In fact, your skill is becoming so great that I don't have much more left to teach you. I guess what I'm driving at is when you would like your knighting ceremony," Miranda asked proudly.
Liora cringed involuntarily. She knew it was time to tell her mother how she felt. Bandie had been right, she should tell her. Liora stopped walking and stood by a bed of red roses.
"Mother, I don't want to be a knight," she announced.
Miranda turned to her, surprised as she eyed Liora. "What?" she asked hesitantly.
Liora cleared her throat. "Please don't arrange a ceremony, I do not wish to be a knight," she repeated.
"Why?" Miranda asked quickly.
"Because it's not in my soul mom, I have to be true to my own heart."
Miranda was taken completely off guard. "And what's so wrong with being a noble warrior and defending your country? Are you telling me that you're afraid to fight, is that it? That's pure cowardice," the Sacred Sister reprimanded with increasing harshness in her tone.
"It's not that I'm afraid. I will defend my country and my home in war. But I just don't find the joy in fighting that you do, mother," Liora explained softly.
Miranda frowned. "And you prefer what, as to being a knight?" she asked sternly.
"I want to become a doctor and helped the injured and the sick," Liora admitted.
"A doctor?" Miranda asked, "And why haven't you mentioned this before now?" the older woman demanded.
Liora hung her head. "Because I didn't want to disappoint you. I know it's what you want for me," she said quietly.
Miranda sighed. "While doctoring is noble, it is not a suitable profession for any daughter of mine. I will not see your talents laid to waste. The country has need of warriors, not healers!" she said firmly and Liora began to cry.
"You don't understand! I don't think I have what it takes to fight all the time! And why would you deny me my dreams mother? Aren't you a healer yourself? Isn't that what the white-silver dragon does? It would break me to be something I'm not!" she pleaded.
"You have the fortitude, you are braver than you know. As for the dragoon spirit, I am a warrior before a healer. I----" Miranda suddenly feel silent as her eyes fixed upon the fragrant patch of scarlet roses that her daughter stood beside. Roses . . .how she had hated them so until only a few years prior. She despised them . . .whenever she had seen her mother when she was little there had always been a single, red rose behind her. So many painful memories resurfaced as she started at the roses . . . Liora, Miranda thought, must have those feeling of resentment towards her. Miranda had been in Liora's shoes before. At coming to this realization, Miranda softened. She went to reply to Liora and suddenly she was startled by a blinding white flash which sent an accompanying wave of dread through her body.
Liora whom rubbed her eyes in quick recovery looked to Miranda.
"Mother?" she asked.
Miranda's blank stare turned to horror. "QUEEN THERESA!" she shouted and took off running. In a state of confusion, Liora followed.
Sister Miranda ran as fast as could to the palace throne room, where she found the doors already open, many guards standing about, and Queen Theresa lying unconscious on the floor in the arms of Luanna.
"Oh my god!" Miranda yelled in horror and pushed the knights hastily aside to make her way to the queen. Liora too, was in an equal state of shock. 'What happened?" Miranda yelled frantically.
Luanna didn't look up. "She was fine and then she just collapsed. I don't care what Doctor Nigel says, it's her mind, not her body, that's poisoned. I can see it in her soul," Luanna exclaimed.
Liora was at a loss for words, as her mother took charge as she always did in a time of crisis. "You idiots! Why are you just standing around!?! Back to your posts! Someone fetch Wink, Setite and Doctor Nigel!" she ordered. The knights clattered to attention and quickly scattered about.
Liora, disregarding the commotion ran over to Queen Theresa and took the old woman from Sister Luanna. By this time, Sister Setite and Bandie came running in. Setite took one look at the fallen Queen and began to cry. Bandie ran to Liora where she knelt worriedly stroking the old, gray hair out of the Queen's closed eyes.
"Is she . . . ." Bandie breathed in fear.
"No, she's in some sort of coma," Liora explained as she hugged the old woman tightly and hung her head. "Oh God, please, Queen Theresa wake up!" Liora pleaded and began to cry silently. Bandie was terrified too. She could see it as she looked into her friend's gray eyes.
Liora was suddenly aware of a man, dressed in a white robe and a woman in a blue dress enter the room.
"Back up," the middle-aged man said to Bandie as he unceremoniously shoved her aside. "Give her to me," the man demanded, rather than asked of Liora who let him take the Queen from her. Dr. Nigel immediately began checking the Queen's vitals and performing various emergency tests. Dr. Nigel sighed.
"What is it?" Wink asked in worry.
"I don't understand this at all. In all my years of medicine, I've never seen anything like this. There is nothing physically wrong with her, her vitals are regular and her pulse is steady," the man confessed.
"The illness is not physical," Luanna stated.
Sister Miranda removed her moon brooch and took out the diamond, which started to glow with a powerful brilliance. "Everybody stand back," she ordered as she stepped forward.
Liora was blinded once again by the white light which she knew to be the power of the white-silver dragon. Liora could hear her mother's voice in the light.
"White-Silver Dragon please heal Queen Theresa." Nothing seemed to be happening. Miranda asked again. "White-Silver Dragon please heal Queen Theresa!" Nothing happened that time either, save that the glow began to die. Sister Miranda tried frantically over and over until she was abruptly thrown backwards in a final flash of light.
"Mom!" Liora shouted and ran to Miranda's side. The first Sacred Sister groaned and returned to her feet with Liora's help.
"What happened?" Wink asked in concern.
Miranda panted. "It didn't work . . . " she answered in a betrayed tone, "it didn't work . . . ."
Luanna as it happened, was the only being in the room not attending to either Miranda or Theresa. Instead, the blind sister was feeling along the right-side wall with both hands. Bandie was the first to notice her unusual actions.
"Sister Luanna?" she called out questioningly.
Luanna didn't answer, but rested her hand on a large stone in the wall. Then, slowly she pulled a sparkling shard of blue glass out of a crack. The room in the meantime, had fallen silent watching her. Luanna dropped the shard.
"This crystal is not a part of the palace and is giving off a powerful radiation. I believe that it might be a piece of the signet sphere that broke all those years ago. The energy is everywhere behind this wall. The energy is being absorbed into Queen Theresa's body, I can see it," Luanna exclaimed quietly.
"Is that what's making her ill?" Bandie asked.
Sister Luanna nodded. "It has to be. And that would also explain why none of us are affected. The ruling heirs to the three kingdoms have always been especially sensitive to dark moon radiation . . .and since we're not ruling heirs it doesn't affect any of us," Luanna continued.
"Hmm . . .Signet Crystal . . .ah yes, Senator in Serdio said King Carlo once had the same poisoning. He used opposite polarity to reverse it. Which means we need a sun crystal to undo the poisoning," Dr. Nigel remarked.
Miranda started at him. "Why didn't my dragoon crystal heal her?"
"The signet spheres were made with the power of many, many ancient winglies. It would take all the dragoons together to break the signet's power," Luanna reminded.
Miranda clenched her fists. "Damn," she swore aloud.
Shy Sister Wink came up with an idea. "Or you could just ask Dart, Miranda. The Divine Dragon alone destroyed the signet here. Maybe Dart could help," Wink suggested.
"It's no good. We're not trying to destroy a signet sphere, we're trying to heal the queen," Setite interjected among her silent tears.
"Dr, Nigel, you said you've heard of a similar case? What did they use to heal King Carlo? What type of sun crystal?" Luanna asked.
"Hmm . . .let me think—oh yes! It was a crystal from the shrine of light. It was a crystal off the top of the shrine's roof. But there's no way we can get there and back in a hurry," the doctor replied.
"How . . .how long?" Setite choked.
The doctor fell silent in contemplation. "I have an idea. The ice arms of a frozen knight might help to delay the radiation. It would act as a buffer. I do believe that I have plenty in storage; I've never used a single one. They're supposed to be used to seal up wounds, but the sealant in them, I'm sure will help the Queen," he said brightly.
"And how long will that hold?" Miranda asked suddenly.
"I should say well over a year barring any physical aliment she might gain. Plenty of time for someone to journey to Serdio and back," he answered. "Sisters, could one of you please send a knight to my clinic and fetch my supplies?" he requested.
"I'll go," Bandie offered.
After Liora watched Bandie leave, the conversation resumed.
"What about Queen Theresa during all that time?" Wink asked.
"One of you will need to be with her constantly when she awakens, and she mustn't do anything strenuous. In the meantime I suggest we find a way to remove this wall," Dr. Nigel suggested.
"The signet chamber used to be behind there," Wink reminisced.
"Exactly. Once the wall is gone we may begin removing the shards. I also suggest that I take the Queen back to my hospital and house her there, away from the radiation," the physician continued.
"That still leaves the question of who will go to Serdio," Luanna stated.
"I will go," Miranda replied quickly, "I know Serdio's King Albert personally; he's a good friend of mine. Plus I'm a dragoon. The journey will be easier on wings," Miranda reasoned. Miranda suddenly realized that her dragoon spirit was missing. She must have let go of it when she fell. Glancing anxiously around, the First Sacred Sister sighted in relief as she spotted the stone at her feet.
As she knelt down, the stone suddenly began glowing once more, but not as bright and started to mystically rise off the floor of its own accord. Miranda stretched out her hand, waiting for the stone to return. The gem had become just fingertips away when Miranda reached out to grab it, however grasp on the object eluded her. The stone began to migrate toward the fallen Queen, but fell just shy and started to descend. Miranda watched, perplexed.
Liora noticed something bright above her and gazed up just in time to find a ball of pure, white light float down and hover gracefully by her nose. She was confused. Liora opened her hands instinctively, and the radiant orb dropped into them. It was a strange feeling for Liora to touch her mother's dragoon spirit; it felt cool, yet warm to the touch, but the feeling that she could not explain was the powerfully soothing calm that ran through her body and mind.
Once the glowing had ceased, Liora walked over to her mother, meeting Miranda's stunned gaze with her own gentle one. "Here," Liora said and handed the stone out to Miranda.
The First Sacred Sister turned to Luanna, whose blank stare pierced right through her to the core. "It is meant to be, Miranda," Luanna said knowingly. Deep in her heart, Miranda understood also. The Sacred Sister looked at her daughter before folding Liora's fingertips over the stone and gently pushing her hand away.
"No, you take it. The white-silver dragon has chosen a new warrior," Miranda said half in disbelief. It could only mean one thing . . . a new trouble was stirring. Liora gazed at her mother with horrified eyes.
"What do you mean it has chosen a new warrior!?!"
"I can't always explain everything," her mother stated, "but I can say that the white-silver dragon sees potential in you, just as I always have."
"You are just giving this to me? Is that why?" Liora asked in shock.
"It doesn't work that way. The spirit has its own will. It chooses who to obey or not to obey. As it appears it has now passed from me to you."
"But who's going to Serdio now?" Setite interjected. Miranda considered to herself for a moment.
"Yes, this does present a problem . . . I might could ask a dire favor from King Albert . . .perhaps he might be able to get such a crystal."
"it would take too long for his majesty, King of Serdio to organize his kingdom's stability while he's away. He is a ruler of a country; for him to just simply leave would be improbable," Luanna argued.
Miranda nodded solemnly.
"What about Ms. Meru?" Wink suggested. "She's much closer and probably isn't ruling a kingdom," she added.
"It's Mrs. Meru now, remember? She and Guahara got married. Anyway, I'm not sure that I can contact Meru, she's always on the go," Miranda corrected.
"It's worth a shot though," Setite remarked.
"That it is. Very well, I see what I can do," Miranda replied.
Liora had fallen silent in surprise, but at last she seemed to regain herself. "Or, she started shakily, "I could go."
Miranda, Luanna, Setite and everyone else turned to her. "Absolutely not!" Miranda said quickly.
"Why not?" Liora asked. "I thought you wanted me to be a knight and go on crusades," she reminded quietly.
Miranda sighed. "While that is what I'd like for you, it's a long way to Serdio, you don't know the way, you don't know how to fly, and you're too young and inexperienced. It is way too dangerous, even for a knight," Miranda protested.
"Even for a dragon knight?" Liora asked quietly. The only thing in Liora's heart right now was the safety of her grandmother, Queen Theresa.
"Not for a fully trained dragoon like Albert or Meru, but for you it is. You don't have any experience and you have no clue what you're doing! You could get hurt or killed! Do you think I want to see that happen to you?!?" Miranda said in motherly anger.
"First you want me to protect people and now you're angry because I want to protect someone I love? I understand that I am innocent to a dragoon, but you said I could be a knight just being me! I don't understand mother," Liora stated, with her own temper beginning to flare.
"Liora if this is your way of trying to spite me for what I said earlier I really didn't ---"
"--- No! This is not about vengeance, it's about me wanting to help! I can help! If you'd teach me how to be a dragoon, I could go and you wouldn't have to ask Mrs. Meru or King Albert. If you still didn't feel comfortable, you could send some of our knights with me," she said.
Miranda's temper reached the edge. "Liora, as much as you want to help, you can't! I said no and that's final! Let it go!" Miranda shouted.
Liora shook her head and began backing away. "You are confusing me! You're telling me you don't want to see me hurt, but that I have to be a knight! You don't understand! You've never understood me at all!" she yelled and ran out of the room.
Miranda slapped her forehead. "Of all the---"
"Easy," Luanna said.
"How can I take it easy when my mother is sick and my daughter is being difficult! She seems so damn set in putting herself in harms way!" the first sacred sister swore.
"No," Luanna shook her head. "She's not so determined to throw herself into danger than she is to please you. I agree with Liora. You are confusing her. You told her that you wanted her to fight, but when she offers to do so, you deny her. All she wants is to make you proud of her and to help where it's needed," Luanna explained.
Miranda grunted in frustration. "Oh god, I screwed up," she groaned. "You warned me. It's my temper, I should have---"
"---it's not too late," Wink said.
"That's right!" Setite answered, "go apologize, talk to her!"
Queen Theresa gave a groan from the floor.
"Queen Theresa! She's waking up!" Dr. Nigel exclaimed. As everyone rushed to the Queen's side in confusion, Luanna addressed Miranda again.
"Did you ever think that the white-silver dragoon spirit went to her because she can help?" the Second Sacred Sister questioned.
Miranda looked directly into Luanna's eyes, as if to prove a point. "I WILL NOT let my daughter enter into what I had to face! Even as a Sacred Sister I was unprepared, Liora has no idea what it means to be a dragoon!" Miranda cried.
"She doesn't yet, but she will. She can handle being a dragoon, Miranda. She cannot handle being without a mother to support her. Go speak with her; we'll take care of Theresa."
"Does she hate me?" Miranda asked sadly.
"No. She loves you more than you know, otherwise she wouldn't be trying this hard to please you."
"You're right Luanna, I'll go see her as soon as I see with my own eyes that Queen Theresa is okay," she replied.
Meanwhile, Liora lay upon her bed staring into nothingness. Just what exactly did her mother want from her anyway? Liora looked down to the diamond-like stone in her hand. Maybe that was why her mother was angry with her, but it didn't make sense. Why wouldn't she let her go? Liora wasn't exactly jumping for joy at the prospect of having to go on a long journey away from home, but Queen Theresa needed help and the longer they waited and the longer they took, the worse it would be.
It didn't take long after that for Liora to come to a conclusion: With or without her mother's permission she was going to Serdio to find Queen Theresa's cure. She had to; she couldn't just merely stand around and do nothing. She would help Queen Theresa and when she returned, she would make her mother proud. She was startled to find the dragoon spirit glowing in her hand. Liora gripped the stone tightly and felt her fears melt away. It seemed that the white-silver dragon wanted her to go . . .
Liora got off her bed and removed a white-leather backpack from her wardrobe. She glanced around for anything that might prove useful on a long journey, and ended up packing: two shirts, two pairs of shorts, a pair of boots, ample undergarments, the warm under-blanket off her bed, paper, a bottle of ink, a quill, a small oil lamp, matches, a brush, and her toothbrush. She took a bag full of crystal coins and tied them to her waist; she knew she could buy food in town. She carefully wrote a note to her mother, making sure she didn't mention anything about leaving:
Mother,
I've gone to the library, I'll be back later.
Love,
Liora
With that done, Liora went to leave, passing her bow and arrows in her open wardrobe door. Liora had made sure not to make a mess, so that no one would suspect that she had been packing. As she went to shut her wardrobe door, a strange feeling took her. She had meant to leave her bow behind, but instinct pleaded with her to take it, just for emergency protection. So Liora took her bow, arrows, and archery bracers, which bore Mille Seseu's moon emblem. Satisfied, Liora shut the door and managed to leave the palace unnoticed.
The evening air of Deningrad was somewhat eerie; a cool, melancholy drifted about as Liora walked down the crowded main street with many people casting her odd glances. What Liora had told her mother in the note was true, she was going to the library. She needed a map. She was also going to be back later, later probably being months. . . .
Liora walked up the steps leading to the Mille Seseu National Library and opened the door. The familiar sight of seemingly endless bookcases, stairs, and ceilings greeted her. Liora would often come here to read and spend leisure time. That was how she had become quite a good acquaintance to Librarian Ute, a stiff, tall, old man with baggy robes and a tall hat.
Librarian Ute hailed her from atop a ladder to her left. "Hi there, Liora! I'll be right down!" he called.
Liora took the opportunity to hide her traveling things under a table. As Liora finished Librarian Ute came down. "Ah yes. Now what can I help you find?" he asked pleasantly. While he was ill-tempered towards most people, Ute seemed to like Liora. "A history, a romance, a fable, or perhaps maybe a good old fashioned epic?"
Liora shook her head shyly. "No, actually I was looking for an Atlas of Endiness. Finely detailed, if you have one please," she requested politely.
The librarian looked at her offended. "My dear Liora, this is the National Library! It would be a disgrace if we didn't have accurate mapping!"
Liora blushed. "I'm sorry sir. I didn't mean any offense," she apologized. Librarian Ute merely waved her on.
"Quite alright, anyway, what time period do you want a map of?" he asked.
"Modern day, please," she requested kindly.
Librarian Ute nodded and then pulled a thin, but wide book off a nearby shelf and handed it to her. "What would a girl like you need that for?" he asked curiously as Liora flipped through the pages.
"Geography," she answered, which was the exclusive truth.
"Ah. Does it suit your needs then?"
"Yes sir, I'll take this one if you don't mind," she replied courteously.
Librarian Ute nodded. " Take good care of it," he said simply.
After she was sure Ute was nowhere to be seen, she retrieved her traveling gear and left the library, tucking the atlas away in her stuffed backpack. She found the stars as her hosts upon leaving. Night had already fallen. Liora sighed. It would probably be wise to book a room at the local inn and chart the morning's route there. Liora began in the direction of the hotel. It wasn't long before the teenager could distinguish the sound of hurried footsteps behind her.
"Liora! Liora wait!" a familiar voice called. The blonde turned swiftly around. She knew that voice.
Out of the shadows, running quickly, came Bandie. Liora was completely shocked to see her, how had she known? Bandie stopped just shy of Liora and panted heavily with her hands on her knees.
"Bandie, what are you doing here?" Liora asked in surprise. Bandie looked up at her and grinned.
"You didn't think I'd let you leave without saying good-bye to your best friend did you?" Bandie replied.
"But how did you know?" Liora asked in shock.
"Sister Luanna knew. And I knew the moment I heard about the argument you had with your mom. I mean come on Li, we've been friends since before we were born! I know you!" she exclaimed.
Liora couldn't help but smile. How could she not have suspected it? Luanna of course, would have known anyway, but she and Bandie were practically sisters and had been all but inseparable since childhood.
"I didn't want you to worry. Does mother know?" Liora asked nervously.
"No. Not yet. She doesn't expect you back until the library closes. You've still got two hours," Bandie reassured.
"Bandie, you're not gonna---"
"---Tell her? No way. I'd die before I betray you. Besides, I believe in what you're doing. I think it's the right thing."
Liora almost cried with joy. That was Bandie for her; she was loyal to the last. Without warning, Liora suddenly locked her friend in a passionate embrace.
"What would I do without you?" Liora asked.
"Probably be miserable forever," Bandie joked as the two pulled apart.
Liora giggled light-heartedly. "Probably," she laughed.
Although Bandie appeared happy at the moment, Liora could also tell that she felt sad. "Liora," she began, "I can understand about not telling your mother that you're going, but why not tell me?" she asked.
Liora looked away. "I would've told you, but I was afraid that you'd be upset with me for leaving. Then everybody would be officially angry with me. You know I feel terrible every time you're mad at me," Liora explained.
"You know I'm almost never mad at you, Li. We have our moments, but you're my sister! Like I said before, I understand. The only thing I'm angry about is the fact you get to go on all of these adventures and I have to stay here," Bandie said with envy.
Liora looked hurt. "You're not coming with me?" she asked sadly.
Bandie shook her head. " Someone's gotta stay here and keep an eye on things," she joked good-naturedly.
Liora raised an eyebrow skeptically. Bandie sighed and kicked the dirt at her feet uncomfortably. "Oh alright, I was gonna ask you to go, but Sister Luanna caught me. She said that this task was your alone; I was an interference with fate."
"What did she mean?" Liora asked with an odd expression.
Bandie shrugged. "I don't know. She did tell me to give you this, though," she replied as she pulled out a small bundle wrapped in brown paper. "Sister Luanna says that it's the royal crest of Deningrad and Queen Theresa. She says it will allow you to visit places like royal palaces," she informed.
Liora took the package and tucked it safely away. "It's late, and I should probably be going soon," Liora said at last with a breaking heart. She knew that if she had encountered Bandie that she wouldn't want to leave.
Bandie looked sad. 'You're right, you probably should go soon, but not before I give you this," she said at last, removing a gold ring with two crescent moons back to back on the intricate golden wire work like a dream-catcher. Beneath all the ornate gold, was a sparkling crystal attached to the band, as a backdrop. Bandie extended the ring out to her.
"Bandie I can't take this," Liora said quietly. This was the ring that Bandie had been given by her father when she was still a baby. Bandie never took it off.
'Yes you can. It's a gift. You're going to take it, so that you won't forget your best friend," Bandie protested with misty eyes.
Liora knew what this meant to Bandie and that to refuse would break the girl's heart. Liora wanted to give Bandie something equally precious of hers. Searching around, Liora realized that she was wearing the crystal bracelet that her mother had given her when she was five. Liora unclasped the band.
"I won't forget you Bandie. EVER. I'm coming back, okay? So try not to worry too much," Liora said emotionally as the girls exchanged items and a final hug.
"Go on! Before I try and stop you," Bandie whispered and Liora turned around and ran, not looking back. "GO ON! THAT'S RIGHT! GET OUT OF HERE!"Bandie yelled with streaming tears as she watched Liora out of sight before turning away herself to return to the Crystal Palace.
As Liora ran, tears clouded her vision. How she would miss everybody . . . Liora suddenly ran into something hard and was knocked to the ground. Upon looking up, a haggard, unshaven man with quite a stocky frame and a very bad feel towered over her.
"Watch it, you blind--- hey now, what have we here?" he asked as he eyed Liora uncouthly. She didn't have to force herself to scuttle backwards.
A second voice, then a third chimed in from the dark.
"Hey, quite a lovely flower eh Fascal?
"Hoa, hubba, hubba!"
The large man stumbled forward. "Now then, what would a pretty little angel like you be doin' out here and all alone?" he asked in a tone that made Liora very uncomfortable as she got to her feet.
"I'm very sorry, Sir, I didn't see you. My apologies, I will be going now," she said politely with a slight tremble in her voice.
"Ah, wait now! I don't think you'll be getting' off that easy missy. I mean, that hurts my feelin's."
Liora began to back up quickly, right into the arms of another ruffian behind her, who gripped her wrists.
"Aww. Don't wanna play?" he whispered in her ear.
"Get your hands of me, you filthy scoundrel!" Liora growled and stomped hard on her captor's toes. The man howled then released her, as Liora fumbled for her bow. The third man and the first came forth into the light, all brandishing clubs.
"Now that wasn't very nice, missy. I guess we'll have to give her a lesson in courtesy, eh Thoug?" The third man grinned at the first. Liora found her bow and manged to string an arrow on it just in time to take aim and shoot through the stocky man, Thoug's, club and pin it to a nearby wall. Liora rapidly restrung.
"Stay back," she warned as she targeted Thoug's heart. Despite her warning the trio of gangsters kept coming. "I'm warning you," Liora repeated.
"Look at this Fascal, she wants to fight," Thoug jeered to the second man.
Liora frowned, she didn't really want to fight, she just wanted them to leave her alone. The gang persisted towards her and Liora's fingers trembled across the arrow's fletching. She didn't want to kill them . . .or even hurt them really. Liora saw the man, Thoug, reach for her; he wasn't going to stop. Liora closed her eyes.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" she shouted out desperately and prepared to let her arrow go.
"OWW! UH!" she heard Thoug shout and suddenly there was a loud 'thud'. Liora was afraid that she had shot and killed him . . . she killed a man . . . she was a murderer. Liora opened one eye and to her surprise she found that the arrow was still in hand and Thoug was on the ground, unconscious. Another shout made Liora turn her attention to the source of the noise. A shadow seemed to twirl in the darkness and the third man went spinning through the air and landed hard.
The second man, Fascal, was taken by surprise when the shadow jumped behind him in a lightning fast motion and shoved something against his throat.
"How many times must you people get your asses kicked before you learn?" a female voice said in a low growl. Liora was startled when her dragoon spirit started glowing.
"P . . . please . . . don't hurt me," Fascal cried. When the shadow had stopped moving, it had taken on a human shape. The man, Fascal, was thrown hard to the ground as Thoug and the third man woke up. The shadow posed dangerously, ready for another strike.
"You all have five seconds to clear out, or I'm going to start taking out the trash," the voice threatened menacingly.
The trio didn't need a second warning; all of them scrambled to their feet and took of running like scared mice. There was the sound of swishing metal, that of a sword being sheathed. The shadow's back was turned as she addressed Liora.
"Next time just shoot them. They're trash anyway," she said plainly.
Liora looked into the darkness, trying to identify the shadow. "All life is precious," Liora shot back.
The shadow scoffed. "They had real respect for your life. Life may be precious, the holders of it sometimes aren't. Goodnight to you, miss," the voice said and the woman began to walk away.
"Wait!" Liora called and the woman stopped. "Thank you," Liora called.
"You're welcome," came the reply, more gentle this time.
Liora was suddenly blinded by a flash of white light and deep blue light. "Blue light? " Liora murmured. The glow dulled to a hum and Liora could see in the darkness a glowing, Sapphire gem. The woman faced her now. That gem, it seemed was reacting to her dragoon spirit. Her mother had told her many stories about meeting the other dragoons. She'd said that both spirits glow! That would mean that this woman was also a dragoon!
"Who are you?" came the voice of her rescuer. If Liora could have seen the woman's face her guess was that she was equally shocked as she was.
"Who are you?" Liora called back uncertainly. "And what dragon do you bear?" she called. Liora could hear the woman shifting around nervously. Suddenly she began walking forward and came into the light.
The woman was a lot different than what Liora has thought. Liora's rescuer looked about the same age as Liora herself. She was about as tall as Bandie, and had very long, chestnut brown hair tied back in pigtails that dropped from two braided buns on top of her head. The woman had light skin in contrast to her attire, which was purely dark blue, except for her boots and gloves, which were black. The lady surveyed Liora with the deepest sapphire eyes, as Liora surveyed the glowing blue choker necklace the woman wore.
The two stared at each other momentarily. Liora guessed that she should break the silence and put her bow and unused arrow away.
"I'm Liora Deluvare, I am the white-silver dragoon," she said politely and held out her hand for the lady to shake.
The woman seemed satisfied with this and took Liora's hand. "Pleasure. I'm Remona Nightlark, and I carry the darkness dragon," she replied.
"Curious we should meet like this," Liora remarked.
Remona nodded. "Indeed. It's almost like this way meant to happen . . . anyway, why are you out here this late?" Remona asked.
"It's a long story. To be blunt I need to leave town quickly," Liora explained.
Remona nodded again. "I'm leaving town as well, where are you headed?"
"To Serdio," Liora answered.
"That's a long way," Remona remarked.
"Long story," Liora repeated. "And you?" she asked.
"An equally long story. I'm not really going anywhere specific," Remona admitted.
A strange feeling of déjà vu or perhaps destiny washed over Liora as she gazed at Remona. She didn't know why, but she decided to act upon the feeling.
"You're more than welcome to come with me Remona, if you'd like," Liora offered.
"You just met me and already you trust me?" Remona asked, a tone of surprise in her voice.
"You didn't even know me and you still saved me. I think it's safe to trust you," Liora replied. "Or is it that you don't trust me?" Liora inquired.
"I just met you, but I do believe you, otherwise I would have just kept walking. If you're not willing to shoot a couple of thugs, I think I'd be safe with you," Remona answered.
Liora frowned. "I . . . really don't like to fight that much."
"Well, there's nothing wrong with that, but self-defense is another matter entirely. Don't worry about it too much though, what's done is done. It's who you are apparently." Remona replied.
"Liora looked away. "My mother doesn't understand that," Liora whispered.
"Ah. Parent troubles. I understand that too well. Well, if you are truly sincere about your offer Liora, I think I'll join you," Remona agreed.
"I was sincere," Liora affirmed.
"Then we'd better get going if you have to leave in a hurry. I've already got supplies enough for three people, so we can leave whenever you're ready," Remona told her.
"In that case I'm ready now," Liora announced.
Remona grinned. "Then follow me."