Once

by Alyson Serena Stone

  The king's eyes flickered over to her. "If you really do kill me, the world will know it was from Xandria."

  "They already know that Xandria did it."

  "Are you trying to start a war or something? Trelia will retaliate. You're forces surely must know that."

  "Do you know how much time has passed since the curse? A hundred years. Your nation may have once had one of the strongest militaries around, but times have changed."

  The king smiled. "And judging by your lack of guns, your lot still hasn't figured out the secret of gunpowder." He reached into the folds of his clothes and had the gun pointed at Ryanon's chest before she even had time to react. "I think you were the one sent here to kill me and a guilty conscience got in your way."

  Ryanon's eyes shifted down to the gun. She had heard of Trelia's legendary ability with gunpowder, about how it could kill a man from a great distance. "And if you kill me, the Xandrian legions will be down here so fast that your head will spend and they will know you are not lying in the throne room dead. They will kill you on the spot."

  The king didn't remove his gun; his finger hovered right over the trigger. "We cannot allow assassins to walk through our walls."

  "And, yet, by killing me, you will bring them right to you. If they kill you, then they will kill Queen Amberfall's friend. By killing her friend, you will lose possibly your only ally." Ryanon had to keep thinking. The king did actually seem to be considering her words. "If you let me live, you will allow me to free an enslaved people, who have no way to get away from a mad king."

  To her surprise, the king actually lowered his gun, but didn't tuck it back into his folds. "I am not doing this for you; I'm doing this for Amberfall. She's done so much for me and this is my way to repay her." He looked her over. "She is a good judge of character, so there must be something about you that is good."

  Ryanon picked up the pace. "I think you are making a wise choice."

  Their footsteps echoed off the walls. A little bit of water covered the floor, but not enough to be more than a nuisance. She didn't slow down nor did she look over to see what the king thought about the water. She didn't like the idea of him still having the gun out and didn't want to be around if he changed his mind about her. A gun versus blades was not going to end well for her.

  She had to find out the secrets of gunpowder. That would make her job so much easier...

  They rounded a corner. Ahead, she could make out what she hoped was an exit. There was a green and pink glow at the end of it. It didn't seem to be from the dragon...It had a warmness to it, like it was tied into the sweetest things that nature had to offer.

  The king slowed up as he stared at the glow. "I see the fairies have survived. They gave my daughter such wonderful gifts." His voice softened at the mention of the princess. Ryanon could actually feel her heart melt. What was it like to have someone think that fondly of you?

  Ryanon nodded. "I guess they did." She looked toward the light. "Should we go and see your friends?"

  The king stared at the light for a moment. "I guess. Besides, if you attempt to kill me now, the fairies would make sure that you had a very painful and long death."

  "Yes, I suppose they would."

  They slowly made their way toward the light. Ryanon could feel her very soul warming as they got closer. She hadn't realized just how nice Nature Magic actually. Unlike the Iron Fairies, she could see the happiness in the world, see just how good things actually were.

  The king smiled as the light bathed his face. She had never seen a leader look so at ease with himself; it was as if he truly believed that nothing was going to do wrong.

  Two fairies hovered at the end of the tunnel. One of clothed in a brilliant of green and the other in pink. As Ryanon looked closely at them, she could see that they actually looked somewhat like Amberfall.

  "Purpleflash, Honeylashes," the king said in greeting. "I'm so happy to see you have fared well."

  The fairy in pink smiled. "And you are looking good as well, King Rauffe."

  The green fairy looked down the tunnel. "We should go before everyone has time to get their act together." She offered her hand out to the king. "Would you mind?"

  The king took the fairy's hand, casting one final look at Ryanon. "I hope Queen Amberfall was right about you."

  Ryanon smiled. "I hope she was too."

  She took a step back as the fairies' wings burst out of their backs. With a few hard pumps, the fairies and the king rose. Within a few seconds, they were out of sight."

  "Mission complete," Ryanon muttered as she turned back down the tunnel.

  Now, all they had to do was get rid of King Teodric Morninghelm.

  Chapter Thirty-Two: A Meeting of Two Queens

  Amberfall flipped through her books. Soul Reaper, Longblade of Truth was safely hidden in the false button of her trunk. She just had to find out more about it. She already knew the basics about it, but she didn't know the extent of its power. The only thing she did know it was meant to be used to kill King Teodric.

  Of course, there was still the matter of getting Captain Morninghelm back in one piece and figuring out what was killing and eating people. She sighed. Her time in Xandria just kept getting more and more complicated.

  There really wasn't any doubt in her mind that he would survive the mission, but she couldn't let herself fully believe anything. There was so much that could go wrong.

  She got to her feet, peering out at the courtyard. The early morning fog had yet to completely burn off, making it seem as if they were stuck inside a cloud or a very scary novel. Every once in a while, she would see a guards member patrolling the walls, but other than that, it was completely empty. The troops left must be taking advantage of Captain's Morninghelm's absence.

  Or maybe they were investigating that poor girl's murder....

  The sword still lingered in the front of her mind. Why had it shown itself to her after all this time? Where did that tunnel come from? She had been searching the castle for any signs of it, but had not managed to find any trace of it.

  A weapon never showed itself unless it was supposed to be used....That much was very clear.

  Still, magic just didn't disappear. All magic left traces of some kind; if not on the soul, then it left an impact on the world. So far, that was not the case. There really was nothing.

  She hadn't found anything new in the books either. It was more based on theory rather than fact. There wasn't even any mention as to who the original owner could be. Frostfire had been in the library and had even come up short there. How could there be such a legendary weapon with little to no information on it? How could that even happen?

  A servant slipped into Amberfall's room, carrying her breakfast. She had asked the servants to just directly bring her breakfast into her room without knocking. It was so much simpler for everyone involved.

  "Thank you," she muttered as the servant stepped out of the room. She stared down at her tray. In the mixture of all the food, there was an extra object. Frowning, she picked the envelope up, studying the seal. It was a royal seal, but not one that she recognized. With a flick of the finger, she broke the seal.

  To Her Royal Majesty, Queen Amberfall of the Nature Fairies of Zania,

  I humbly request a private meeting with you in my chambers this evening at seven o'clock. Your evening meal will be provided. There are some matters that I wish to discuss with you that will be of great benefit to both of us.

  If I don't receive a reply from you, I will assume that you are coming. I also request you come alone.

  I am looking forward to having the opportunity to have the honour of meeting with you.

  Queen Ariana Morninghelm, Queen of Xandria

  Amberfall's eyes scanned the letter again. She had been here for quite so time now. Why was Queen Ariana reaching out to her now? Why? She surely didn't figure out that Amberfall knew about her affair with Duke Wymond Cragshield.

  Still, everyone knew it was the women who actually fough
t the battles. They didn't go on the battle front a lot, but they were the ones who made sure there was a winner. If anyone knew how to take down King Teodric, it was his queen and Amberfall was willing to beat that she wanted to end her husband.

  She tucked the letter into her gown. She would meet with Queen Ariana and they would hopefully find a way to change the current state of events.

  At seven o'clock, Amberfall found herself standing the hallway that lead to the queen's chambers. Frostfire has insisted on coming, but she had managed to talk him down. This was a possible alliance, but Frostfire had felt as if the queen would kill Amberfall.

  What would chance would a mere mortal have against a fairy?

  Amberfall smoothed her gown down again, running her hands against any possible wrinkles. She didn't know why this meeting was making her so nervous. She had met with other rulers before and hadn't really felt like this before. What was there about Queen Ariana to be nervous about?

  She walked beneath the portraits. There were ones of past queens, as well as Queen Ariana and Princess Alse, which was to be expected. However, what through her off was the one of Captain Morninghelm. It wasn't an old portrait either. The captain appeared to be in his mid-teens and she imagined he was no older than twenty-two or twenty-three. Why would he be hanging here with all the other royalty?

  Wonder if King Teodric knows about this....

  Only a few guards lined the hall. Other than that, it was perfectly empty. The guards tipped their heads as she walked them.

  She could feel her heart pondering in her chest, the sweat forming on her hands. This was just another meeting...Just another meeting....She had been through this before. She knew how to handle herself in front of leaders. She had been doing it for years.

  Her heels clicked against the floor as she held her head up high. She was a queen and everyone was going to remember that.

  At the end of the hall, great doors greeted her, bearing Queen Ariana's seal. No guards were stationed at the door. Amberfall looked around before raising her hand and knocking. She took a small step back as she waited.

  A few seconds later the door opened. Queen Ariana smiled warmly at her. "Come in."

  Amberfall stepped through the doors, noticing that she and the Queen of Xandria were the same exact height. "Thank you for having me, Your Majesty."

  Ariana waved her hand. "No need for such formalities. I think you will find will find that we are more alike than you realize."

  Amberfall followed her into the room. A small table had set up for a meal, but it wasn't unoccupied.

  "Ah, I don't know if you know my friend, Lady Alexia Goldspire," Ariana said. "Alexia's husband was recently murdered and I thought she could do with the company. We can speak freely in front of Alexia."

  Amberfall smiled at Alexia, who did not look like she was in mourning. In fact, she looked to quite happy to be rid of her husband.

  Ariana lowered herself down behind the table and motioned for Amberfall to do so. Amberfall kept looking around the room. It seemed like Dak was everywhere in this room. Most of the artwork was not that of a queen, but of that made by a child to his loving mother. She fought back a frown. Dak was a killer and she was starting to think that Ariana was behind it.

  Alexia watched Amberfall from behind her cup. "So, you're the fairy queen. Pardon me for being so blunt, but you are not what I expected."

  Amberfall smiled. "And what do you expect?"

  "I expected you to have wings and be a nature lover."

  "Oh, I do and am, but there are sometimes that you have to put those things behind you." Amberfall shifted around in her seat. "I think you already know what I'm talking about."

  "Oh, you mean, my husband," Ariana said off handily.

  Amberfall gaped at her.

  "I think you will find that we are not all fond of our husbands," Ariana went on. "That is why I have brought you here."

  "You mean to put Captain Morninghelm on the throne, don't you?" Amberfall asked before she could hold back the words.

  Ariana's smile widened. "That is exactly what I intend to do. My husband changed the line of succession whenever he disowned Dak. It took weeks of begging in order for me to convince him to let me keep my son. Dak was meant to be king, not Vicar."

  "What about Alse?" Amberfall asked. "Do you think she can't rule?"

  "Alse is my youngest child. The throne belongs to the first born." Alexia stirred her tea. "I'm trusting you've seen Vicar. I know you think Teodric is the devil. Even though I've only been watching you from a distance, I can see that. Vicar will make Teodric look tame." She paused. "Plus, you don't seem like the type of queen to align herself with a nation that has a leader like Teodric."

  Amberfall took a peice of beard and began to butter it. "What are you saying?"

  Ariana smiled. "I paid a lot of money to make sure my husband doesn't come back from the Trelian mission. Dak tells me that there have been complications and that I must wait, but he ensures me the job will be done. My son is good on his word and I do fully expect it to be done."

  "Will the nobles back Dak though?" Amberfall asked. "You know the favour will go right to Vicar."

  "Oh, I don't think it will be easy, but I think it will happen. Dak will be king, if it is the last thing I do." Ariana looked over at Amberfall. "You have what he needs. I know Zania has troops and I know Trelia will also side with you."

  "Do you think the curse will be broken?" Amberfall pressed. "I know everyone is preparing for it to be broken, but no one seems to be talking about what will happen if it doesn't. Shouldn't we be preparing ourselves for that possibly?"

  Ariana nodded. "You make a good point. Even if we don't have the Trelian forces, I am sure we can win over some of their generals to our side. After all, the legions are loyal to the generals, not Xandria. It can work to our advantage."

  Amberfall looked back and forth between the two women. "What you are talking about is civil war."

  Ariana leaned forward. "I think you will find there is always a war when the throne is up for grabs. The game of thrones is very messy and that is not going to change. We have to be prepared to get our hands dirty." She smiles. "There's no way you've remained in power this long without having a few tricks up your sleeves."

  Amberfall looked away from Ariana's death gaze. "And what do you want from me?"

  "The magic of gunpowder is not just Trelian, is it? Something like that just doesn't come about on human power alone. We have our cameras and drones, but our military developed those."

  Amberfall shifted around in her seat. "Gunpowder is a very fine substance. It's not magic though. It's just a mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal." She shrugged. "There's nothing special about it." She looked, only to find Ariana and Alexia staring at her. "What?"

  "Do you know how to make gunpowder?" Alexia pressed. "If you do, then you just changed the course of events."

  Amberfall looked down at her hands. "You do know how dangerous that stuff is right? When you use it, you are talking about a massive amount of life lost. I warned King Rauffe about it and how it is only to be used whenever you have no other choice. Plus, there is no guarantee that it will not backfire and kill you and your army. It's too risky." She sat back in her seat, looking at the two women. "Trelia always used it as a threat and hardly in battle."

  "But it was that threat that kept them alive for so long. They are a very rich nation, but never seemed to be robbed," Ariana pointed out.

  "You are looking to win a war on a threat alone?" Amberfall pressed. "You know Vicar will not go for the bait." She looked at Ariana. "Are you saying that you don't know your son?"

  "Oh, I know him." Ariana waved her hand. "Trust me, I know Vicar. He might not take the bait, but a lot of his generals will. If we could divide his forces, then we will have him."

  "You're forgetting one very important factor," Amberfall pointed out.

  Ariana picked up a biscuit. "And what is that?"

  "Your husband is still al
ive."

  "It's only a matter of time before he is finished." Her gaze once again flickered over to Amberfall. "I think you know what I am talking about."

  There was something in her tone that made Amberfall think she knew about Soul Reaper, Longblade of Truth.

  Amberfall smiled. "But this is all theory."

  Ariana nodded. "Of course, it is."

  Chapter Thirty-Three: Dance with the Dragon

  It was much faster coming out of the tunnel than going back in. When Ryanon reached the throne room, the people were starting to move even more. She slipped through the shadows. It just amazed that Vicar was actually the one to break the curse.

  With a turn of the heel, she turned and walked out of the throne room, trying to hide her shaking hands inside the thick folds of her uniform. There was still so much that could go wrong. The dragon could see them or the Iron Fairies could attack. The legions could knock them out of the air.

  Around the corner, she joined another line of men.

  "Do you hear something?" one of the guards down the line hissed.

  "You are just hearing things," another snapped.

  Ryanon listened. There was something moving ahead and it did not sound human. No, the walking was far too loud and heavy to be human. "I hear it too."

  The guards all turned to her, and then looked away. A few of them reached for their swords, as the walking grew louder. An officer walked down the line handing out bows and arrows-heavy duty looking ones for that matter. It really was about time that they got the good stuff.

  Ryanon held her breath. Was it the dragon?

  "There's a window," a guard whispered. "The beast is on the other side of the window."

  "We have to fire," the leader said.

  "What about the others?" Ryanon asked, as she looked down at the ground. It was covered with their own legions. "How can we be sure we don't hit one of our own?"

  The leader looked back at her with wide eyes. "We don't. We just do what we are supposed to do. People get hurt in friendly fire all the time."