Chapter 3.5: Meeting With the Queen
Due to the celebrations in each village, it took Dane and Menodora an entire week to reach Arentia. After talking to the residents of each town, both began to see how badly the queen treated her subjects: there was no doubt she contributed to these people's suffering.
Upon reaching the desert city, throngs of beggars skirting the edge of the market delayed their arrival at the palace. Mothers, Fathers, and children sat on the sides of the road, holding out clay bowls to passers-by. Menodora's heart ached as people hurriedly ignored them or dropped only a few copper coins into one person's bowl and quickly walked away.
"Menodora?" Dane asked, realizing she had stopped, staring at the people lining the roads.
"Their Darkness, it's consuming them," She said in a shocked whisper.
"Our mission at this moment is to speak with the queen about her subjects."
"But these people need our help too. Can't we spare a few minutes to-"
"We will, but we must first complete our task," Dane said with a stern but kind smile.
"I'm going to hold you to it." Menodora scolded, reluctantly walking with him, trying to keep her mind focused despite seeing dozens of poor. As they were to meet the palace guard and request an audience, Menodora heard the pleading screams of a woman in the distance. Immediately, she left Dane's side, running in the direction it came from. As she turned the corner, she saw a young woman shielding a child from a rough-looking man.
"I told you that payment was due today! And that if you had no coin, it would be your brother!"
"No, please, Gelan! I just need a bit more time—a day at most—and I will have the money!" the woman shouted.
"Says the tale spinner! I have already granted you until sun-up today, yet you still didn't have the money." Gelan threw her to the side, reaching for the boy and gripping his arm hard, dragging him along as they left. The woman got up and tried to free the boy, but Gelan struck her hard, throwing her to the ground.
"Someone, please! Help me!" the woman sobbed. But those watching the spectacle turned away, pretending to be busy with something. Menodora could see Darkness settling into the area, dimming the square as the woman continued to beg for help, her cries slowly losing their volume. As she strode into the square, Menodora wondered if Dane's theory about darkness being a selfish desire was the only cause of its appearance.
Thunder crackled off the street walls as she released a pulse of magic from her being. Her magical abilities blossomed, and she was considered one of the most powerful mages in Usoria. The pulse kicked up dust from the roads, giving everyone within the square a hard shove. Gelan turned around and saw Menodora walking confidently into the square. Her dark blue and gold dress made her appear almost otherworldly.
"Let the child go, " she demanded, her voice echoing off the sandstone walls around her and forcing everyone into silence. Gelan's mouth felt dry, and his strength faltered before he regained his grip on the boy's arm.
"And who are you to demand things of me? What you see here is a simple business transaction taking place."
"Let. The child. Go." Menodora repeated, her voice growing in authority and weight.
"Listen here, little girl. I gave Scheherazade plenty of time to come up with the coin she owes me for making sure she and her brat brother had enough to eat after their parents died. I set her up with a good-paying job to sustain herself and pay me back. It's been three months since then, and honestly, I'm growing tired of waiting." Menodora looked to the woman behind her, noticing a large but faded bruise on her wrist and a defeated look on her face as if she had given up the will to live. Gelan stepped closer to be better heard.
"So, instead of the coin, I have taken her brother. He should be able to work off their debt to me out in the dunes collecting Lidium." Menodora snapped her attention back to Gelan. Margata used literal tons of Lidium in many alchemical experiments. She heard that mining and even handling the gem-like mineral was detrimental to anyone's health over time.
"How much does she owe you?" Menodora asked sternly, reaching to her waist for the money pouch hidden under a cloth flap.
"What does it matter to you? Is she related to you or…"
"How much?" Menodora repeated with emphasized force. The man seemed taken aback by this, stroking his beard as if thinking very hard, then looking Menodora over.
"Well, between food costs, my time searching for a job, and other expenses incurred over three months… I'd say about… oh, twenty thousand gold Meso." Menodora heard a shocked gasp from behind her, realizing the amount must have been far above what Gelan had told the girl.
"That is unacceptable." Menodora fired back, her expression becoming stern.
"I have come to Arentia many times and have never heard of something so absurd. Even purchasing a house in this city costs nine thousand silver Meso, even the most expensive. Since these siblings already have a home, only food and your time spent finding her a job remain. Since you seem the kind of person who would only spend what they need to, even the most basic food costs roughly ten copper Meso per day. Throughout three months, that total comes to ninety silver Meso at the very most. As for your time, I would only offer you an additional ten silver Meso." Reaching for her pouch, Menodora counted the appropriate amount of gold coins and held out to Gelan.
"Take this, and let the boy go," she commanded. Silence filled the streets for a long while, everyone waiting with bated breath. Finally, Gelan tossed aside the boy and roughly took the money from Menodora, huffing and seething under his breath as he left. Within seconds, the woman and the boy ran to one another, hugging each other tightly.
"How can I ever thank you?" the woman asked. Menodora grinned and knelt to her level, holding another few silver Meso coins for the girl.
"What is your name?" she asked as the woman pulled away from her brother and wiped her eyes.
"Scheherazade. You can't know how much I am in your debt." the girl whimpered. Menodora helped her to her feet as Scheherazade beat the dust from her dress and sheepishly took the coins.
"I heard that man call you a 'tale spinner.' What does he mean by that?" Scheherazade sighed, her shoulders slumping as she produced a longing smile.
"It was what my father used to call me. I love to tell tales, especially to children. But, to pay that man back, I had to put away my stories to work as an oil press maiden. No one wants to pay for tales." Scheherazade listed off a few of her favorite tales, some of which she had created, enthralling Menodora. In the distance, Menodora spotted Dane leaning against a nearby building, impressed by her initiative but silently urging her to finish so they may complete their task.
"I have something to take care of, but I will return soon. I hear some people would pay well for tales like yours." She smiled, patting Scheherazade on the shoulder and returning to Dane.
"Do not give her false hope, Menodora. Remember, Darkness born of such things is quite powerful." Dane said as they walked back to the palace entrance.
"It isn't false hope. In our travels, I learned of someone called the Keeper of All Stories. He is always looking for tales to add to his collection, even if they are repeats of the same story," Menodora grinned with an almost devious smile.
"Do you know where to find him?" Dane quipped.
"I do: he lives in a country East of Oreyon called Krak in the Al Neth region. Getting him a message is as simple as carving this sigil." Menodora grinned, holding up a small steel plate with a stylized magic rune etched into it.
When they neared the Palace, the guard was reluctant to grant them entrance, but after much reasoning and some pleading by Menodora, he relented and escorted them to the throne room. Inside the opulent chamber was a curious sight: a hall with ten pairs of pillars and guards standing beside the main walkway led up to the throne where a woman sat, fanning herself, who seemed to have an inhuman but pleasing quality to her features.
To her right reclined a man fast asleep, whom Dane and Menodora assumed to be the king. To the queen's left was an enormous pile of coins, gems, and fine jewelry, which she counted with bewitched hunger. Halfway to the throne, Dane reached for Menodora's hand and slowed their walking, falling behind the guard.
"What's the matter?" Menodora whispered.
"I'm not sure. Stay close." Dane whispered back, adjusting his grip and lacing her fingers with his as they neared. The guard knelt at the foot of the throne, where they both could hear an audible sigh coming from the queen.
"What is it now, Tigun? Did I not make it clear I was not to be disturbed today?" she said with a malicious groan.
"Yes, Your Highness, a thousand pardons, but two people insisted on speaking with you," Tigun answered nervously. The queen huffed, pulling her gaze away from the coins, facing her palm towards the guard.
"I will not accept your incompetence. When I command that no one disturb me, I expect my word to be followed," the queen spat as Tigun fell to his face, begging.
"Please, Your Majesty, I beg that you overlook my actions and let me have a whipping instead of execution," Tigun pleaded. Silence filled the room as Dane could sense tension from the other guards rising. Menodora clenched her free hand, a spell sizzling to life in her grip. The queen grinned darkly, answering Tigun's pleas with a single word.
"No." she almost laughed, a spell blasting from her palm like lightning. Thunder echoed through the room as smoke covered the guard's existence. The other guards flinched, trying not to think about their comrade's obliteration. But as the smoke cleared, it revealed Dane and Menodora standing behind the guard, a barrier spell humming from Menodora's palm. Tigun blinked, looking over himself in disbelief.
"WHO ARE YOU AND HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE PALACE!" the queen screeched, slamming her feet down as she stood.
"We are the two people insisting on meeting with you, Your Highness," Dane said calmly but clearly as they bowed in greeting and the barrier lowered. The queen was about to unleash another spell when Dane's icy blue eyes looked up from under his brow. The rage boiling under the surface of his gaze made her hesitate, dismiss the spell, and sit on the edge of her throne.
"I see." She stammered. "Then speak your mind; I have much to do." Dane and Menodora stood, still clutching one another's hand. As she glanced at the queen, Menodora could feel what Dane warned her of: a mass of Darkness had gathered around or near the queen.
"I am Dane Altoor, and this is my beloved Menodora. We are on a mission of curiosity to find out why the world is so imbalanced. In our travels, we have come to many towns in a state of ruin and poor morale from heavy taxation. We come on their behalf to ask why you have laid this heavy burden upon them and if you will release them of this hardship." The queen said nothing for a long time, her stare drawn back to the pile of gold beside her, her fingers sifting through the coins.
"Running a kingdom takes money, I am sure you are aware." She preened, picking up a considerable gem and spinning it in her grip.
"I am sure you are also aware of the increasing difficulty of growing our own food?" the queen asked.
"I was unaware of this difficulty, and I am aware of the costs of providing for a kingdom. But the level at which you demand taxes is ruining your kingdom." Dane answered sternly.
"You would dare tell me how to run a kingdom? The money gathered goes for everyone's betterment. As the food shortage increases, so too do the costs of importing food from the Emperor's fields in Oreyon."
"Then why are there dozens of people begging on the streets of Arentia?" Menodora asked. The queen snapped her attention to her.
"Those that can't help don't deserve the food I've brought them. And what of me? A delicate flower in this parched desert: One of the last fairies in all Usoria." Dane lowered his brow, his forearm tensing as magical power flowed to his hand.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty, don't flatter yourself. The money there beside you could feed all of Arentia for nearly two years."
"And leave me in ruin?" The queen laughed, throwing her head back with an insane giggle.
"No, I would sooner watch the whole of Arentia wither away!" she howled. Dane was about to respond when Menodora squeezed his hand, catching his attention.
"What is it?" he whispered.
"I'm surprised you didn't notice, but the world's Darkness has overtaken the queen Completely. Suppose she's right about being a fairy? The Cleansing could make any fairy this resentful." Dane focused on the queen again, concentrating and instantly seeing the mass of Darkness surrounding and seeping from her. He was about to ask another question when the sleeping man caught his attention. Why did he sleep in the throne room if that was the king? Was he so lazy and uninterested that he would simply sleep away his days? Was he feeble? The king still looked young enough to be in his prime years.
"What happened to the King that he would be asleep as such?" Dane asked, gathering a powerful spell behind his back. The queen ignored his question, greedily turning back to the pile of treasure beside her and running her fingers through the various coins.
"They took it all from me. I now take it all from them!" The queen squealed, a mad smile spreading across her face as the chamber darkened.
"Your Majesty?" Menodora asked, tightening her grip on Dane's hand and beginning to back away, pulling him with her.
"You are one of them. One of them that took it all from me. AND I WILL TAKE IT BACK!" the queen shouted, throwing her hand forward. Thick black mist flooded them, becoming a gelatinous slop that splashed against the barrier spell Dane cast before them. The splash, unfortunately, washed over the nearby column guards, instantly reducing their flesh to ash and dissolving their bones. Menodora commanded Tigun and the remaining guards to evacuate the throne room.
"We can't guarantee your safety! Please, go and stand at the door!" she called. The guards reluctantly retreated, standing ready to attack should they be needed. With the guards safe, Menodora turned her attention back to the queen, unleashing a blast of bright power through the barrier and obliterating the black ooze. The queen seemed shocked, even scared to face something she couldn't overcome.
"I will not be silenced! HA HA HA!" she screeched, unleashing another wave of black ooze, which Menodora obliterated even faster than before.
"Why would you tear apart a country? What do they have to do with your pain?" Dane demanded.
"EVERYTHING! I will take everything from them and make them know my pain!" She howled, throwing another wave of ooze, pouring over the barrier and beginning to fill the room. Dane tightened his grip on Menodora's hand, who smirked as she held up her free hand, and Light gathered in her palm. Dane mirrored her gesture as they held their palms toward the queen. A glow began to grow from their clasped hands, blazing up their arms, through their chests, and erupting from their palms as a brilliant white flash. The ooze melted from existence, billowing around the queen, shrieking as the glow permeated her being. The back of the palace exploded as the light shot into the sky, causing the bright desert sun to look dim by comparison.
The queen's body remained still on the floor when the spell finished. Steam or smoke wafted from her, dancing in the sunlight that poured in through the broken wall, revealing vertical scars on her shoulder blades where a pair of wings might have been before. Dane and Menodora could only stare, unsure of what they had unleashed or what it had done to the queen. Minutes passed in silence until the king began to stir: he seemed dazed, unaware of what had transpired in the last few minutes until he caught sight of his queen lying on the floor face down. The King stumbled over to her, picking her up in his arms and gently shaking her, calling her name. When she didn't respond, he called for the guards to surround Dane and Menodora until she coughed and heaved for breath.
Dane lowered his brow as the guards relaxed, grabbing his journal to record the events. But as he let go of Menodora's hand, he felt a vast emptiness in his being, as if his Light were missing. But the theories about this emptiness would have to wait.
The King and Queen thanked them for freeing the queen from her overtaking. After Dane and Menodora rebuilt the palace with a few spells and alchemic transmutations, the queen explained how she had become what they had dealt with. The Queen was on a journey to Oreyon when the entourage came across a traveling family who had been attacked by something with claws while ash drifted from their wounds. She ordered her guards to dig a grave for them, but as they began, a creature made of shadow sprung from the sands, killing the soldiers swiftly. It was about to kill her but seemed to decide otherwise, driving a claw through her chest and taking over her body.
"I was aware of everything that creature did in my name: putting my husband to sleep, sealing off the palace, and ordering stiff taxes on Arentia. I tried to fight it, but I was only a passenger in my own body," She sighed, looking to where the two guards had been standing not a few minutes before.
"Your Majesty, if you were aware of everything, I trust you are aware of your kingdom's dire situation? Many towns are on the verge of collapse due to heavy taxation. The people's spirit is being slowly crushed." Dane explained, describing the many towns they had visited before coming to Arentia.
"Yes, yes, of course! I will reverse the taxation immediately and return the money that… creature… took from them." She promised, drawing up a decree she and the king signed on the spot.
"If I may be so bold, Your Majesty, to ask about your mention of being part of the remaining fairies?" Dane began until the queen smirked and turned to face him as the king scribbled his signature.
"You wish to know how I, a fairy, came to such an arid place?" she asked with a sad smile.
"I do not wish to overstep my station, Your Majesty. I am simply curious. There is another fairy living in my home city of Margata, and from what we have researched, Fairies live in temperate forests." The queen sighed nostalgically, straightening her back and folding her hand in her lap.
"It was soon after The Cleansing, an event many years before your birth, that led me here. A band of soldiers had captured me, and as a cruel joke, one of them cut my wings off and paraded them around his camp as a trophy. My home of the forest in what is now Victorani was no longer safe, so after healing my wounds and escaping, my centuries of wanderings brought me to this place 20 years ago. The king, my current husband, found me in the market one day and tried to persuade me to be his queen."
"And you didn't protest?" Menodora asked.
"Oh, I protested vehemently. I still carried all my anger from The Cleansing and from the soldiers who made me into what I am today. But after months of him coming to meet me at my grain stall, my anger began to cool toward him at least. When he learned I was a fairy, I expected a greedy shift in attitude, as most humans possess. But he didn't let that show, at least not to my face, and instead showed sympathy and compassion for me, even importing a small bunch of my favorite Orchids from Victorani so I would have a small piece of home." The queen smiled as she motioned out her window to a small garden where an array of orchids grew, surrounding a tall white variety with dark lines running up the center of each petal.
"My anger toward you humans may not be gone entirely, but he has loved me enough to see that not all humans are like the ones who destroyed my home." With his curiosity sated, Dane and Menodora left the palace, revisiting Scheherazade to tell her how to contact the Keeper of all Stories. It would be a short time before he answered her, and to sustain them for that time, Menodora left her with a handful of Silver Meso.
"So, what do you think of the Darkness overtaking the queens? Human emotion can't be that powerful, can it?" Menodora asked as they shopped for supplies to restock their cart. Dane could only shrug and shake his head.
"It is worrisome. But what the queen described was alive, sentient. It could think for itself, latching on to her pain as a fairy and using it to overpower her. How could human emotions do that? As far as I am aware, emotion is an outward expression of reacting to a situation. This Darkness is far more than that."
"True. If the Darkness can spawn avatars of itself, we must find a way to harness and amplify Light." Menodora took Dane's hand, holding it up and showing him the faint glow around their clasped hands.
"This, right here, is the Ultimate Light we've been looking for. We need to find others who can join us." She said, kissing the back of his hand as they walked.
"It will take time, but we might be able to use the Great Obelisk in Azwan as a focus to distribute the Light to the world once we have found others," Dane suggested. Once they had nearly emptied a coin pouch helping the beggars in the market, the two left Arentia with a resupplied cart, traveling the rest of the world to find those who could join them.