The Dark Lord's Commands

by M. E. Thorne

  “I discovered a few interesting things this morning,” she said, over the din of her work. “Like the fact that I have four arms and that I’m ambidextrous.” She beat a quick rhythm with her tools, shaping some detail. “Also, despite how it appears, my hair isn’t actually on fire, or at least it didn’t burn me when I touched it.”

  “Having burning hair would make certain things, like dressing or sleeping, rather difficult,” I commented, still feeling somewhat shocked by her new appearance.

  “But this is the best part,” she said, as she picked up the red hot piece of metal in her bare hands.

  As she held it, the metal reshaped itself. The surface of the breastplate suddenly changed, the material flowing and moving as a series of whirling channels and ornamentations were laid into its surface.

  “I can feel it, singing to me, as I work,” she said, her expression divine. “I can feel all the stone, rock, and metal around us, just begging to be reshaped, to be transformed under my touch. It’s amazing.”

  She went through the last few steps of tempering and quenching her new cuirass, before she stepped over to me, taking my hands into her own. I didn’t say anything, but I saw that they were fully functional, all twenty of her fingers appeared to be pristine and perfect.

  Though she towered over me now, I felt no fear, no intimidation with her standing so close. We had been bonded together by the divine, and I knew she was my queen.

  “Thank you,” she said, her voice surprisingly small. “Last night, I was so full of rage and hatred. I thought by becoming strong enough, I could crush the Luminark and make them pay for what they’ve done.”

  I squeezed her fingers. “I assume you still want to do that?”

  “Of course,” she said, her voice going hard. “They will pay, and dearly, for what they’ve done. I will see that bastard Sanderson dead, I swear before Revina on that.”

  She released her upper arms from my grasp, but just to put them over my shoulders, hugging me closer. “But now I see I’ve been given a gift, meant for more than just destruction and revenge. I can feel the world calling to me, and I intend to answer.”

  Resting her chin on the crown of my head, she whispered. “I’m still going to be terrible with people, even becoming an ascendant won’t change that. I’ve always liked problems and solving them, more than interacting with others. But I swear I will be the best queen I can be, that I will use this gift not just for myself, but for everyone. I can hear the earth around us, begging to be forged into tools, to be put into people’s hands, to help rebuild this kingdom.”

  I drew her back and raised onto my toes to kiss her. “Thank you.”

  She blushed, her cheeks going bright red, before she suddenly pushed back, covering her face with her upper arms while her lower ones covered her breasts and sex.

  “Anyway,” she muttered, “your clothes are hanging by the fire. I decided to wash them since they got a bit soiled from our activities last night.”

  Smiling, I went to retrieve my clothes and dress for the day. We have a camp to liberate.

  As we made our way back to the abandoned mineshaft, Nichessa and I talked, and I filled her in about the role and attitude of a proper ruler.

  “We?” she scoffed, “why would I use that?”

  “It’s the Royal We,” I explained. “It's to mark that you’re speaking as the ruler, as the representative of the kingdom, rather than just as yourself. You’re not Nichessa, you are Second Queen Nichessa, ruler of Duskhaven.”

  “I’ll never get used to this,” she sighed.

  “It took me a bit to get used to it too, but it’s important,” I told her. “The people need rulers that they trust and respect. They need to believe that we’ll always act on their best behalf, even when tough decisions need to be made. It’s not just all pomp and show, there’s a reason for everything we do.”

  I thought back on Machiavelli’s words of wisdom. Eventually, we would be forced to make decisions for Duskhaven that wouldn’t be universally accepted. We would incur the wrath of the people, even as we took actions for their greater good. Setting the groundwork now, to build love, respect, and loyalty, would be crucial.

  As we got close to the camp, we went over the next few minutes, and how we needed them to play out. I wished we could pull in Vexile, so the three of us could confer, but I trusted that she would know the right things to say.

  Approaching the clearing in front of the mine, I used my power to announce, “The Dark Lord has returned.” I glanced at Nichessa, then continued. “We are with the Second Queen, Nichessa.”

  Garnet and the soldiers boiled out into the open, shocked by the sudden turn of events. Nichessa, clad in her new armor, with a reforged hammer on her back, looked like a titan of war, coming to bless our endeavor

  Despite our bluster, she gave me a nervous glance, and I shook my head. We had rehearsed that she’d go for the silent by powerful route option and for me to do most of the actual talking.

  “Dark Lord,” Garnet sputtered, before correcting herself, “Your Majesties!”

  “Revina has blessed us with a new ascendant queen,” I told them, “The goddess has seen the plight of our people, the evils we struggle against, and has granted us the power to fight back and to free our people!”

  The soldiers cheered.

  As I spoke, I saw Vexile exiting our tent. She stood rigid, her hands clasped to her chest. For a moment I was afraid something would go wrong, but then our eyes met. I watched as she took a deep breath, steadied herself, and then came forward.

  She came up and gave me a small kiss on the cheek, “Welcome home, Dark Lord.” She then turned and gave a small nod to Nichessa. “The First Queen welcomes the new, Second Queen. Let us work together, in harmony, to restore this kingdom.”

  Despite myself, I reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tight. Magic arched at our touch. I was so proud of her.

  Nichessa, flustered, let some of her power seep into her voice as she repeated the line I had suggested to her. “The Second Queen greets the First Queen. We look forward to working together to rebuild our kingdom.”

  The ground trembled at her words. The soldiers, stunned for a moment by the aftershock, roused themselves and cheered again, the words Duskhaven Returns! on their lips.

  We eventually encouraged Garnet and her soldiers to go back to their tasks; scouting our perimeter, mapping the mine passages, and the other chores needed to keep a small military camp running.

  It wouldn’t do us any good to have brought the Luminark down on our heads because of our spectacle. We had seen no sign of their presence since abandoning the area, but I felt like we had risked enough as it was.

  Nichessa retreated to a nearby hilltop, stating she wanted a moment to think. I personally thought she wanted some time alone, to settle her fluttering heart.

  I took the time to find Vexile, pulling her into our tent. We spoke briefly, I wanted to make sure she was alright with everything that had happened.

  “I am,” she assured me. “I knew what was going to happen. Nichessa spoke to me about it yesterday.” She wound around me, her scales pressing against my skin. “I was afraid that when I saw the two of you returning to camp this morning, I’d be struck blind by jealousy.”

  I ran my hand down her flank, “And instead?”

  “There was a small sliver of jealousy,” she admitted, “but then I saw that your eyes instantly locked onto mine. You weren’t looking at anyone else, you were only looking at me.” She slithered around, bringing us face to face. “As we agreed, this might not always be easy, but the three of us, and however many more come, will work together, for the good of Duskhaven.”

  She blushed, before moving even closer, “You love me?”

  “With all my heart,” I swore.

  “And Nichessa?”

  “The same.” I knew that was a paradoxical statement, but it also struck true.

  Vexile kissed me, magic crackling between us. “Then that’s all
I need to hear.”

  Returning outside, we gathered up Nichessa and decided to head underground. “We need to move, and quickly. Our goal for today is to confirm if the cavern entrance we found connects with the mines and if we can make contact with any of the prisoners.”

  Garnet and her soldiers would hold the camp and continue to scout the foothills while the three of us went exploring. We still need to fully map out the Luminark patrol routes if we were to successfully strike at the camp.

  Nichessa had to hunch to fit down the tunnel, her head barely avoiding the ceiling.

  “Okay, something else I discovered,” she grumbled, “my old clothes don’t fit, and I’m going to have issues with doorways for a while.”

  “We will adjust the ones in Gloomglow to fit your stature,” I assured her.

  She paused for a moment, realizing the meaning of my words before she nodded. “We'll talk after this is over. If I’m going to be living there, we’re going to have to rebuild that forge, and bring it up to my specifications.”

  “Of course,” I demurred, my mind already whirling with the possibilities.

  Once we reached the entrance to the caverns, we realized we had another problem.

  “I won’t fit,” Nichessa stated plainly.

  I could fit, and Vexile could slither through, but Nichessa was now so broad around the shoulders that she would never fit through the narrow opening.

  “Maybe we can widen the hole?” I glanced around, hoping to spot an abandoned pickaxe or tool we could use. “Maybe you can use your hammer to break up the stone?”

  She knelt, bracing her four hands against the walls. As she did, the earth shook again, and Vexile and I watched in shock as the stone flowed under the blacksmith’s touch. The opening widened, and a ramp of stone flowed down to meet the cavern floor.

  Nichessa stood up, blinking in surprise. “I kind of knew I could do that, but I still can’t believe it.”

  “Revina be praised,” Vexile hissed.

  We used the newly formed ramp to head into the cavern. The stones around us were completely smooth, the earth having been eroded by a long-gone river.

  Nichessa reached for her pack, to grab a torch, but then stopped herself. “I can see just fine down here.”

  “Same,” I agreed. The colors around me were washed out and grey, but I could see shapes just fine, even in the absolute gloom.

  “Revina is the Goddess of Darkness,” Vexile laughed, “it makes sense that her chosen can see in her natural element.”

  “Still, it’s good to confirm,” I said, waving my hand in front of my face.

  “Follow me,” Nichessa said, as she began to walk. “This was once an underground river, but it must have dried up centuries ago. It runs to the northwest. If we follow it, it should connect with the lowest shaft of the mine.”

  “Is there anything we should be careful of?” I asked.

  She thought, then shook her head. “There are pitfalls and holes, but considering how well we can see, just be careful where you step and you should be fine. Despite what Jeanie might have said, there are no monsters down here.”

  “And the dragon?” Vexile pressed.

  “I’ve never seen one,” the blacksmith said. “There have been rumors about it for years, I remember hearing about it since I was a child. It’s more likely the guards disappeared or died due to accidents or falling down unseen holes and pits.” She paused, thinking, “But in truth, I wouldn’t be surprised if something lives down here, beyond the mushrooms, funguses, and cave rats.”

  “Rats!” Vexile hissed.

  We both turned to look at her.

  “I’m scared of rats,” she admitted timidly.

  Nichessa was completely flummoxed, “You’re a giant snake, for crying out loud! How can you be scared of some tiny rats?”

  “It's their beady eyes,” Vexile insisted, “and that awful feeling when you’re asleep but you can feel their little claws run across your skin!” She shivered in disgust.

  Deciding to change the topic, I cleared my throat. “Vexile, what do you know about dragons, is there anything about them in your history books?”

  “They’re only mentioned in a few places,” she confessed, looking more at ease talking about something other than vermin. “Supposedly they were Revina’s first servants, created even before the Godsfall. She tasked them as the protectors of the earth, guarding the dark, secret vaults and caverns, where Her worshipers built Her first temples.”

  “Which explains why the prisoners feel it would be on their side,” I nodded. “That would also explain why the Luminark fear them and blame them for unexplained events. Everyone needs a boogeyman.”

  We walked in silence for a bit, but Vexile kept looking around, apparently afraid a rat would sneak up on us.

  Deciding to get the next topic out of the way before it became too late, I cleared my throat. “Nichessa, I think Vexile and I should talk to you about some of the rules we’ve been discussing.”

  She paused, “Rules?”

  “None of us are experienced in this kind of relationship,” Vexile confessed, before adding, “or even relationships in general, in my case. Robert and I agreed to be honest and upright with each other and to communicate how we feel.” She lowered her eyes, then glanced up at the titaness, “I don’t know how to be a wife, let alone to share my life with my husband’s other wives, but I think if we’re honest and speak our minds, we’ll make it through this.”

  Nichessa grunted, turning her head away. “I’m in the same boat, you know? I don’t know what the hell I’m doing either. But I think you’re right.”

  “Also,” I added, “We might use the titles Dark Lord, First Queen, and Second Queen while in public, but I consider all of us as equals. All of us have our say in this kingdom’s government, and what actions we’ll take to restore it.”

  “Even though you’re the only Dark Lord and sole conduit for Revina’s power?” Nichessa said wryly.

  I shrugged. “It’s the ideal I’m aiming for, despite the circumstances around us. I’ve learned about too many rulers who thought they were infallible, or just surrounded themselves with toadies and sycophants, who played to their whims. I don’t want to be that kind of ruler, and I don’t want to lead Duskhaven back to the grave because I refused to share power with those also chosen for the throne.”

  Nichessa sucked in a breath, then slowly let it out. “What kind of shit did I agree to join?”

  I laughed, taking Vexile’s arm, then hers. “Hey, it’s not all bad. Sure, you have the crushing pressure of ruling a kingdom and protecting its people, but you also --” I paused, trying to think of an appropriate upside to my argument.

  “You get to be family with a unique set of individuals, all aiming towards the same goal,” Vexile finished for me.

  We walked and sometimes crawled, for several hours. Nichessa often had to use her stone-shaping ability to open new passages or to remove rockfall that was blocking our path.

  “We’re close now,” she warned, finger pressed to her lips. “Normally, guards don’t venture far from the shaft’s entrance, but we might encounter prisoners sent on expeditions.”

  I asked, “How many people are assigned to Deadman’s Duty?”

  “How many people have pissed off the guards, or Sanderson, recently?” she scoffed, before speaking more quietly. “Likely some of the poor people we saw on that hillside were assigned down here before Sanderson selected them for his demonstration.”

  We moved further into the caves, and I began to understand why so many people had died while working on Deadman’s Duty. The caverns were rife with holes and openings, which yawned unexpectedly in the uneven floor. For those not blessed with our enhanced dark vision, even navigating via torchlight would be extremely hazardous.

  Nichessa also pointed out several areas where the rocks were unstable and likely to give way into a cave-in the second someone stepped near them.

  “Most of the prisoners are given a sin
gle candle, meant to last their entire shift,” she explained, as we slowly went around a massive fissure. “Of course, they rarely last more than a few hours. The guards won’t let you back up top until you retrieve something valuable, meaning you might be down here for days, completely blind, fumbling around in the dark.”

  “Sounds like hell,” I said.

  She could only nod.

  The fissure was full of black, vile-smelling gunk. Vexile looked ill, “What is that stuff?”

  “Pitch,” explained Nichessa. “Sometimes a worker will try to reach in, to grab some to make a torch, but more often than not they end up falling in and dying. There are pools of the stuff all over the place, just waiting to catch people unaware.”

  As we moved deeper underground, Nichessa pointed out mineral formations; there was sulfur, pyrite, salt, and other huge crystals that hung in multifaceted clusters along the cavern walls.

  There’s far more than just black iron under these hills, I realized, enough mineral wealth to not only deal with our current issues but maybe even jumpstart an industrial revolution.

  Gems and crystals, as big as my fist, also appeared in the gloom. I couldn’t identify them, but I imagined there was a king’s ransom within reach.

  “I spent so much time making hairpins, broaches, rings, and bracelets that I’m almost as good with a jeweler’s hammer as I am at the anvil,” Nichessa said, as she paused to inspect a milky crystal poking out the cavern wall.

  I kept an eye out for any signs of a dragon, or other underground beasts, but saw nothing. I had serious doubts that the creature even existed. Not that it mattered for our plan, we just needed the Luminark to think the dragon was real.

  But something has been attacking the guards, right?

  Finally, we entered a series of chambers, the walls rising towards ceilings so high that we couldn’t even see them. Only the tips of stalactites hanging down, like runny icicles, gave us a sign of the cavern’s height.

  “We’re close now,” Nichessa warned us.

  “Wait,” Vexile held a hand against the ground. “I can feel someone ahead.”