Breaking into a run, Sebastian dashed for the gates to the palace with Krystelle close on his heels. Emerging from the palace, she took the lead. As they ran, they collected palace guards and Gabirelean Knights. By the time they reached the center courtyard where the mercenaries guarded the Krenon leaders, they had gathered a strong force behind them.
Rather than a battle, they found the mercenaries fleeing, scattered before the threat of two dragons. Caddo and Fergus circled the perimeter of the courtyard, growling at the Krenon crouched in the center. "It looks like you didn't leave us anything to do," Sebastian called to the dragons.
In quick order they contained the Krenon, lining them up at one end of the square.
The captain of the palace guard approached them, kneeling, "What are your commands?"
Krystelle blinked, looking at him in puzzlement, "My commands? Find the queen. My mother is the one who will be giving orders around here."
His face dropped, "You don't know?"
A sick feeling rose in Krystelle's stomach, "What is this thing I do not know?"
Daciana stepped up, laying a hand on her arm. "Your mother was killed. Tanjia Lorredonna stabbed her before fleeing.”
#
A week later, Krystelle found herself overseeing her own coronation feast. It did not seem real she was now the queen. This was a pathway she had not expected her life to take. But there it was. Looking over the assemblage as the night went on she felt more alone than ever.
She felt herself blush slightly when Jeffry Tedosian made his way to the head table and appropriated a seat next to her. With Sebastian's help, and Caddo's, they had worked out what happened in Hallvard, and Cenric's manipulation. She and Jeffry had spent a lot of time together since the battle, and the more time she spent with him, the more she found herself seeing him in a new light. A shrewd businessman, passionate negotiator, and warm personality.
More than once, she caught Jeffry’s father gazing at the two of them with a shrewd look in his eye. Her mother had intended to make a match between she and Jeffrey, sealing an alliance between the crown and the Tedosian’s. Krystelle found herself considering a closer tie to the merchant family. Daciana smirked at her from across the room. Krystelle hoped to enlist her to help train a new generation of guardsmen and women.
Late in the evening, she tore herself away from Jeffry's company, asking him to find her later. She set off in search of Sebastian. Shrugging off well-wishers, she made her way to a balcony just off the banquet hall. She thought she had seen him heading that direction. She found him there, looking up at the stars.
He smiled at her approach, "My queen..."
"Not you too. We have been through too much together for that. At least in private."
They stood in silence for a time until Sebastian broke the quiet, "You and Jeffrey then?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Only to anyone who cares to look. I'm glad for you."
"You're not jealous?"
He paused before answering, "Jealous? Well maybe a little bit." They shared a smile and stood for a while longer, enjoying each other's company.
Krystelle broke the silence this time, finally asking the question she came to ask, "What will you do now?"
Sebastian looked out over the city, "There is still a lot to do. I can feel the last vestiges of the Ban dissipating so the elves will be returning. I think I'll go find my grandfather to get to know him just a little bit, beyond what I learned in his journal. Before that though, I'm headed back to Taleros. To say goodbye one last time.”
"Will I ever see you again? Cynneweald may have need of you in the days ahead. We have the Krenon to deal with and there has been no word from Valeria and the other wizards."
He winked, "Tell you what. I'll come back in time for your wedding."
She shook her head, laughing, "I will hold you to that!"
"I'd expect nothing less. Goodbye Krystelle." Without waiting for a response, he turned away and disappeared into mist.
Krystelle stood for a while, preparing herself to go back to the feast and the new challenges facing her. "Goodbye Sebastian," she whispered.
#
Riding through the sparse forest, Queen Mora relished the opportunity to set aside the responsibilities of state. The mysterious request to meet with the elves came at an opportune time for her. The minutiae of leading the kingdom was overwhelming.
She chose to ride ahead of her party, much to Captain Alboin’s dismay. She wanted to enjoy the solitary ride through the forest to collect her thoughts and prepare herself for the upcoming rendesvous. Her one regret was that Jeffry had not been able to join her. Someone had to stay behind to keep the machinery of government going and his trade negotiations were at a critical juncture. His work with the marginal elements of the trading world had paid rich dividends into the struggling royal coffers.
Approaching the familiar clearing, she slowed her pace to allow the rest of the party to catch up to her. She wanted to see their faces as they passed the border into the Ansetl Lea and experienced its refreshing atmosphere. Watching their faces, she was delighted to see that even the stoic Arch-mage Valeria felt the effects.
Dismounting, she handed her reigns to a page and pulled off her riding gloves. The Ansetl Lea looked and felt much as it had during her previous visit. She wondered briefly where Sebastian was, and if he would be at this rendezvous. The night before, as they prepared camp, she caught a glimpse of a dragon trailing them high in the air, so perhaps he would show himself.
Alboin joined her, inclining his head in deference. "My Lady, we've left the escort out beyond the borders of the Ansetl Lea as you instructed. I will join them as soon as I've established this area is secure."
She smiled, "Thank you, Captain. I am certain you will find everything is in order." Turning away, she gestured for Arch-mage Valeria to join her.
“You’ve done well thus far. You know that don’t you, Krystelle?”
Krystelle sighed. “I want to believe that, Valeria, but it still seems like there is so much to do.”
“Consider your victories. The Wizard Council stands behind you, while Gabirel and the Dragon Guard have reformed into a single fighting force loyal to the crown. The last remnants of Sterling Lex’s vile band of sorcerers have been put down.”
“The last is thanks to your efforts, Valeria.” Krystelle waved a hand dismissively. “Gabirel and the Dragon Guard were both shadows of their former selves. Bringing them together did not take much effort. Meanwhile the dwarves are insular as ever and the Krenon still haunt our southern borders. Not to mention the pirates who seem to be growing even bolder along our coastlines.”
“Yet, the core of the parties to the Ban are coming together. You are forging something new and you must be patient with the process.”
Krystelle laughed, “Well, patience never was my strong suit. Everyone is just so…stubborn.”
The two women lapsed into silence as the sun dropped low over the horizon. Captain Alboin kindled a small fire for them and retreated back into the surrounding woods. Twilight passed into dark as they waited, knowing that those who summoned them here would not be rushed.
Abruptly they became aware that they were no longer alone. Another figure sat with them, the light of the fire illuminating his narrow face and sharp ears. Krystelle caught her breath, startled at his sudden appearance.
“Well met, Queen Krystelle Mora. Well met, Arch-mage Valeria. Welcome to the Ansetl Lea,” said the man in ringing tones. The tinkling of his voice bringing to mind a song.
Valeria recovered first, “Well met, friend. You have us at a disadvantage.”
“My name is Nynniaw. The Sylvanric asked me to meet with you.”
“Sylvanric?” wondered Krystelle.
“Think of it as an Elven High Council,” said Valeria.
Krystelle frowned, “We had hoped to meet with the council directly.”
“Patience, young queen. We Elves take a longer view of things than humans an
d have barely returned to Ha’vehl’on and our other dwellings in this world. It will take us some time to acclimate ourselves. Nevertheless, we felt it time that our bonds with the other races were reforged. Before the Dragon Wars, the races worked alongside one another. Not always in complete harmony, but seldom in open conflict. Sterling Lex disturbed that delicate balance and we came together to create the Ban in response. It was, in many ways, an over-reaction to the destruction of the Dragon Wars. We want to work with you to create a new way. An Alliance, if you will.”
A stirring in the woods evolved into a short, green-robed dwarf. “Caddo!” exclaimed Krystelle. “I did not think to see you here.”
Caddo settled in with them at the fire, “This is a momentous occasion. The first meeting of human and elf after so many decades. I came to say that Dragon-kind is with you Krystelle Mora. We will be part of this new Alliance. Too long have the dragons stood apart, and caused much ruin as a result.”
Krystelle knew that it would not all be this easy, but to hear the elves and dragons both commit to the vision she held in her heart gave her new-found hope.
“There. You see, Krystelle,” said Valeria. “Progress.”
“Indeed,” said Krystelle. “My heart warms to hear these words and I look forward to coming together with both the Dragons and the Elves to create this new Alliance.”
Valeria leaned in, “The Wizards of Uriasz are behind you also. You knew that, but it had to be said.”
“I can see that Gabirel has finally merged with the Crown, healing a rift that never should have been,” said Nynniaw. “What of the dwarves, where do they stand?”
“Finnguala, Highest of the Gundarian Council is resisting all my overtures,” said Krystelle.
Caddo pursed his lips, “It is no wonder. The dwarves fared worse than most during the wars.” He smiled. “I believe I can bring them into the fold.”
Valeria sighed, “That leaves only one last party to the Ban that must be dealt with. The Krenon.”
Krystelle’s face hardened, “The Krenon must be brought to heel. I will not negotiate with a people who tried to overthrow the entire kingdom.”
“No,” said Caddo sternly. “The Krenon are misguided, but a better sense of their history may help you see a different way.”
“I do not care to know their history. The only thing I need to know is that they are no longer a threat to my rule.”
Valeria laid a hand upon her arm, “At least listen to what he has to say. You’re the one who keeps saying we must let go of past prejudices.” Valeria had a point, Krystelle realized and nodded for Caddo to continue.
“Of all the parties to the Ban, the Krenon faced the greatest trials during the Dragon Wars. Once they were a peaceful people, skilled in arts of all kinds. They ministered to us as caretakers at Daguranso and excelled in the creation of magical artifacts. Sterling Lex made their people a particular target, envying their wisdom and coveting the works of their artisans. He broke them, and in the process perverted their kind. Perhaps the release of the Heartstone will begin a healing process to restore them to their former glory, but only if we now show patience and forbearance.”
“I hear your words, but I do not yet have that kind of forgiveness in my heart,” said Krystelle. “I will have to consider what you say.”
Caddo nodded, “That is all I can ask.”
The group continued long into the night, laying the foundations of a new society and outlining the principles of their partnership. An Alliance based on trust, partnership, and the good of all. Each member of the council knew the hard work was yet to come, but felt a commitment to making it work. At long last, the first light of dawn crowned over the hilltops and the council fell into silence. They would go back from this place to speak with their respective people and begin to make the vision a reality.
Before they parted, Krystelle had one last question for Nynniaw, “What of Sebastian Pwyll? He was coming here to find you.”
Nynniaw smiled, “Sebastian is well and is here in Ha’vehl’on. I am sure you will see him soon.”
“It was your journal that gave him the last thread he needed to claim the Heartstone. Why? What was in that journal?”
“Many things,” said Nynniaw. “My thoughts and dreams as I courted his grandmother mostly.”
Krystelle’s jaw dropped, “His grandmother?”
Nynniaw laughed, “Yes. I thought you knew. Sebastian is my grandson.”
Krystelle shook her head in amazement. “I never would have thought…but what is he doing?”
“Sebastian is the first of a new order. Our hope is that they will be the guardians of this new Alliance. We’ve even come up with a new name for them. We’re calling them Paladins.”
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A Note from Jake
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ELIGIUM
The Complete Series
Jake Allen Coleman
Sunstone Copyright © 2016 Mark Coleman
Moonstone Copyright © 2017 Mark Coleman
Dragonstone Copyright © 2017 Mark Coleman
Soulstone Copyright © 2018 Mark Coleman
Heartstone Copyright © 2019 Mark Coleman
Cover “dragon” Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay
All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the copyright owner and publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously.
Eligium- The Complete Series Page 59