by Gene Rager
“Again you hesitate!” She shouted, “Men have crawled to me on their open bellies just to touch me before they die, and you still hesitate!”
The moment she said it she realized it was a mistake. A flash of memory assaulted Nathan’s mind. Men in graves clamoring over each other racing to the top of an altar where Tirana was sitting on a throne of bones! Nathan gazed in horror as he saw men and women willingly allowing her to twist and change their forms until they emerged as orcs. A revelation hit Nathan, her army followed her not because they wanted to, but because she had used potions to seduce them and cause them to fall in love with her!
Nathan backed away in horror at what he had just seen.
“Don’t look at me that way!” the slutty princess screamed. The form fell leaving Tirana once again facing Nathan. “So you reject me? The one who could make your most fevered dreams come true! Why do you resist?”
“I don’t know why!” Nathan said.
Tirana looked down at Nathan. She shook her head, how could this mage resist her, she decided to change tactics. In a calm voice she began again.
“We don’t have to be enemies Nathan, it’s not my fault I am the way this world sees me. I will show you my past.” Tirana waved her hand and a mirror appeared. “It is a window to my past, please watch, and know me for the person I once was.”
The window fogged up and then cleared. It did not reflect Nathan’s image, but showed him a small thatched hut, barely big enough for the occupants. Inside there were three people hard at work the father and mother were both busy grinding herbs and mixing different colored formulas. The young girl who looked to be about seventeen began talking, suddenly Tirana spoke. “I wish I had only listened to my parents and tried to be happy with the lot life had dealt me. The sound came in on the image.
“There is no shame in being a potion maker. We live a humble life, but a good life. We sleep well at night, we have food on the table, and clothing on our backs. Anything more would just be excessive.” The mother chimed.
“Mom, do you not wish for grander things than just the necessities? What of great feasts, ballrooms, noblemen and women and their beautiful clothes?”
“These are fanciful things, and yes they all seem very alluring, but beware the entrapments of these fanciful things. Have you not wondered why most of those who come here for love potions keep their faces covered with dark hoods? It is because they are the very people that you envy so. They pay us to deliver them a potion for something that even the poorest couple is capable of. Yet they need to try to snare a mate as if they are some sort of animal. It is a disgraceful state to find yourself in, when no one can return love to you! They find themselves in this dark place because, they are too worried to see if you are more interested in the amount of coin in their purses, instead of the love in their hearts.”
“The young girl is you Tirana?” Nathan asked.
“Yes, but I didn’t listen to my mother’s words. I did not realize the day the Duke came to town that it would be my descent into a prison of my own devising. He seemed so elegant, so handsome, but he was cruel. I fell for his trickery and was sold as a slave girl to the Dark King. It was bad enough that I had my heart broken, but to be sold into slavery was too much to handle. So I made a vowel to manipulate my way to the king’s court, I had enough experience with making love potions that I could make the king fall in love with me and become queen. My plan worked, too well. “
The image changed, a slightly older Tirana appeared in ragged clothing holding a tray with a goblet on it.
“Your majesty, I have brought you a special drink for you to try for the next gala you have planned.”
“Leave it on the table slave, and be gone from my sight!”
“As my king wishes.” The image faded, and Tirana began to speak again.
“What was supposed to be my way out of slavery and poverty only became my newest prison. The potion was given to the royal taster to see if it was poisoned, but the potion was made for the king only. Anyone else who drank it would not feel its effects. The king drank the nectar deeply and fell under my love spell. The potion worked to well though. What should have been infatuation, became blinding obsession. The king had me pulled from the slave quarters that night, and ravished me over and over. If he was a man drowning at sea, then I was the air he so desperately needed to live.”
“Night after night we had sex over and over. Then it happened, the king’s heart stopped beating. The stress had been too much. The king was dead and I his queen was expected to take another to replace him.”
“What mom said all those years ago was true, how do you know if the person loves you for you or if they are just after power and money? Then it occurred to me just put the kingdom under a love spell, it would solve all my problems. Once again I was wrong. No one wanted me to marry after the spell.
“I thought about removing the spell, but then I found the prophecy about the mage that would bring my downfall. After that all I could do was defend myself from my unknown assassin. In order to do this great feat, and protect myself from this terrible threat I created the orcs. I used dark magic to twist my soldiers into a visage of evil, something that to look upon one would freeze a person’s blood.”
“The prophecy wasn’t the end of my troubles; King Ackerios had cursed me on his death bed. If the empire did not keep expanding the curse would kill me. At first, I did not believe the curse existed. Three months went by without expanding the boundaries. It started as an annoying headache, but then the real pain came. It felt as if my entire body was on fire. The burning sensation only relented when the small village of Tien was captured. The curse was real!” Tirana said in a subdued tone.
“You see Nathan, I must conquer the lands or I will die.”
Nathan didn’t know what to think now. The elves were not as good as the stories he remembered as a child. The Dark Queen had tried to seduce him, and then showed him her past. Tirana was a victim of her own bad decisions, but now how could he kill her? The sides of good and bad were blurred by what each side did for survival!
Tirana watched Nathan closely, it looked like the second way had worked better than the first! Maybe he would join her after all!
Finally Nathan looked at Tirana, “You still killed all the mages before me, and you willingly admit that you are trying to kill me! Why should I join you?”
“The mages aren’t dead. They are locked in my dungeon working on a way to cure my curse Nathan! All of them except Zorn, he died and I still don’t know what went wrong with him!”
“You are a user!” Nathan accused. “You would have me believe you are a victim, but you still do evil things just to make your life easier!”
“Fine, you reject me a second time! Then I will take something from you for this insult!” A flame leapt from her hand and formed a blade, with a maniac scream she sliced the air causing an arc of fire to fly past Nathan.
“You will be mine Nathan or you will die! I care not which now!” The second slash was aimed at Nathan’s face. Nathan rose out of bed screaming, his hands frantically searching for the slice that surely had landed across his face. His hands landed on smooth skin. There was no pain, and no slice. He lay back down with a sigh of relief, then he remembered the first slash of flames and Tirana’s words echoed in his head, “I will take something from you.” Lela was the first thing that hit his mind.
“Oh God no!” He screamed. Nathan leapt from his bed and began running towards what he thought had to be Lela’s room. “Oh please don’t let her be dead.” He repeated over and over. Nathan burst through the door ready to see the charred remains of Lela.
The door opened to a very well kept room, so well kept it bordered on the line of obsessive compulsive. A few books on the shelf categorized by what they were for above the workbench. The workbench had stones on it that were used for sharpening blades, tools were laid out in an organized fashion and what looked like parts to a small knife were laid out with care.
Ha
nds grabbed Nathan from behind and flung him into the door jamb. Nathan turned around ready for a fight only to see Lela standing there with an angry scowl on her face.
“What are you doing in my room?” The anger slid across Nathan’s skin like razors through flesh.
“You’re alive!” Nathan cried as he grabbed the princess. He hugged her desperately, holding on to her as if she would disappear if he let go.
“Oh no, I slammed you into the door jamb to hard.”
“I thought she killed you…she said she was going to take something from me, and I ran down here and you were gone and…” Nathan began talking too rapidly.
“Who did you think killed me?”
“Tirana the Dark Queen, she tried to seduce me when I was unconscious, and when it didn’t work she sent a flaming arch to destroy something and I thought it was you, because she was jealous that I…” Nathan stopped, he was afraid to say the rest.
Tirana screamed in frustration as she came out of the trance. Her army had scattered, Mordock was dead, the Mage slayer was ruined, but worst of all the mage had rejected her! Tirana the most desirable queen in all of Orlon had been rejected not once, but twice! The mage was dangerous, but at least the first flame hit its target. She smiled wondering how long it would take the elves to discover the destruction her first attack caused. Her smile faded, what difference did it make? She could not enchant the little magic user even when she looked like the elf bitch!
Slowly her temper cooled, she would just have to regroup and attack the elves again, that was all. Finally she regained enough composure she called out to her servant Chama. Chama appeared quick as ever. The Queen smiled seductively, she knew what would put her in a good mood.
“Chama, bring me Tehara.”
Tehara stood before the Queen dressed in white robes, her eyes cast downwards. The young lady was only a few inches shorter than her ruler, yet she always felt like an infant among giants in the presence of her Queen. The other thing that scared her was the strange hold the queen had over everyone including her. It was as if no one could say no to their beautiful ruler even if they wanted to.
“Tehara look at me.” Tirana demanded.
Slowly Tehara raised her eyes, the Queen’s beauty flooded her sight and she became the Queen’s once more.
“Disrobe, Tehara.” The Queen said calmly.
Tehara refused, at least in her mind she did. She was always shy around everyone, and to be naked in front of someone would surely kill her with embarrassment! Tehara’s hands however were not listening, with three quick motions the robe slid to the floor revealing Tehara’s skin to the Queen. The Queen circled Tehara like a jungle cat waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Tirana could smell the fear coursing through Tehara’s body. The slave girl had creamy white skin with red hair that swept down to the small of her back. Tirana was pleased. This woman looked so much like she did when she was first pulled into her life as queen. With a few more passes the Queen crept up behind Tehara and whispered in her ear, “You are very beautiful my dear, your body is flawless, and you will do nicely. You shouldn’t be ashamed of your body it is exquisite indeed.”
Tirana reached around and caressed Tehara’s breasts. Tehara was close to fainting! She was naked, and the Queen was touching her breasts! Panic and pleasure were flooding her mind, she didn’t know how much more she could take before she passed out!
Tirana released the mounds of flesh with a cruel smile. She once again stood in front of Tehara. The servant girl was terrified, her eyes showed it all. The Queen’s love potion worked well on everyone. Tehara was the shyest servant Tirana had, and her modesty was almost as legendary as her own cruelty. Tehara’s body would respond to anything Tirana wanted it to do, but the girl’s mind would probably shatter if it was anything more than this.
“Tehara, you are beautiful, but my use for you would be thwarted if you went insane with embarrassment, you may get dressed.” Tirana said as she took a long look up and down Tehara’s body.
The spell broke and Tehara was in her robe once again. The Queen was still smiling at her, and this made Tehara nervous beyond belief. The Queen smiled once more, and then with unimaginable speed she was holding Tehara’s face kissing her!
Tehara’s mind couldn’t accept this new sensation it felt as if she was getting hot and shivering at the same time! What was happening? Why was the Queen kissing her? The darkness clouded her mind and Tehara slid into oblivion gratefully, a tear sliding down her cheek was the last sensation she felt.
Tirana opened her eyes and the wicked grin split her face her plan was working, the mage would never be rid of her, and one day the mage would fall to his knees begging for the mercy she had so long ago abandoned!
Chapter 34
The castle was littered with half burnt arrows and boulders that had been meant to do severe damage. The elves were busy repairing what could be repaired and remaking what could not. The heat was oppressive, but the toils went on. Lela was wondering around the castle looking for Nathan, when he had refused to finish what he was saying to her she had tried to get him to just blurt it out. Unfortunately, what happened was he apologized for the intrusion into her room and fled without saying what he had started to. Lela hoped to find Nathan more talkative this afternoon and if nothing else she would beat the words out of him if she had to!
Lela went to the last possible place she thought Nathan might be the room he was given that contained the Candle of Resurrection, although the once mighty second chance the mages coveted was useless now that the Mage’s spell book was burned.
As Lela approached the door that was the secret entrance to the room she noticed a burn mark across the door, that hadn’t been there before. Inside she found her query. Nathan stood with his shoulders hunched. Lela crept up beside him and followed his gaze to the pool of wax and the shattered case. It looked as if a blade made of fire had sliced the case and hit the wall behind it leaving a scorch mark three feet long.
“That is what she took from me, my second chance at life if she killed me.” Nathan said gloomily.
“Nathan, I am sorry about all of this.” Lela offered.
“What are you sorry for? You only found me; I would have been brought to this world regardless. At least you didn’t pass me by and let something eat me. The fact is I am supposed to be here, and the sooner I accept that the sooner I can get to work on destroying the Dark Queen’s empire and return to being just a hazard to myself!” The last part was said with a smirk. The near death experience and meeting with the Queen forced him to understand that this wasn’t going away on its own.
“I need to talk with your father; can you get me a meeting?”
“Yes, but I don’t know what good it will do, he knows very little about the Dark Queen.”
“It’s not the Dark Queen I want to speak to him about.” Nathan replied coldly.
The throne room had been untouched by the night’s attacks. Once again the king sat upon his proud perch looking down on Nathan. The past adventure had sharpened his mind a bit, Nathan understood why they were so far apart and on uneven ground, this seemed to piss him off more. Nathan waited to be recognized by King Mordenar, when he was recognized Nathan began to stalk up the steps to reach the King’s level. Two spear tips poked Nathan in the chest before he reached the King’s plateau. Both spears burst into flames causing the guards to drop them and reach for their swords.
“I wouldn’t do that unless you want those swords permanently burned to your hands!” The malice in Nathan’s voice was apparent.
“Why do you dishonor me by approaching the same level as I grace Mage! I could have you killed for less!” Mordenar exclaimed.
“Because you have not told me the truth since I have arrived here. I was nearly killed twice by beings that would like to see the elves destroyed because of past deeds done!” Nathan had a brief moment of being impressed, that sentence actually sounded good to him.
“You are mistaken mage we have wronged no one!”
The king yelled in outrage.
“Yell, scream, and holler all you like King Mordenar, but you are still lying to me!” Nathan’s eyes began to turn black and the voice was back telling him to burn this stupid elf! The voice screamed in maniac delight “Burn the castle, and then the world let nothing stand in your fury, but death and ash!”
The eyes worried the King, what had they encountered that would have changed this timid boy into this infuriated man in such a short time? He decided to find out.
“Who has wished our destruction so?” Mordenar asked, afraid of the answer.
“The Splintered and the Sevol, and until her death when she found out the elves involvement in the destruction of Santrose the Demon Archer, all are victims in one form or another of your need to find the perfect weapon against the Dark Queen’s Army! All have suffered at the elves’ hands when they did not do what you wanted or your magic backfired! Now I ask you one time and one time only is there anymore beings out to kill the elves that I do not know about?”
The shear insolence of this one human to demand information! Mordenar began to yell for his guards when a thought occurred to him.
“You would ally yourself with these, these people against us only because you did not know of their origins?”
“I would count myself among them if someone else tries to sell me to the Dark Queen again to save their own asses! I also know, the hunt for the survivors stopped when the mages appeared. So, am I your newest weapon, or is it decoy for the Dark Queen?”
The King started laughing, “Very good Nathan, you figured out my game. You are the newest decoy. The splintered stopped killing, so it was no longer a threat, the Sevol escaped and did the same. Humans though, can always be counted on to strike first at an enemy. It is true we destroyed the town of Santrose on purpose. The idea was to get the humans upset about losing their way of life, and have them attack the Dark Queen. Strange they figured out it was our blunder and blamed the elves. I really didn’t think humans where smart enough for that. So now that you have figured it out, what are you going to do?” Mordenar sneered.