Post by Queen Merla, the Sun-Blessed on Apr 28, 2021 1:26:56 GMT
Care to listen to this post as a podcast?
Follow Tome of Tales on Spotify to listen to this and other write-ups written and read by me.
Follow Tome of Tales on Spotify to listen to this and other write-ups written and read by me.
“Off on another adventure, are we?”
Merla turns and smiles. Then a strong sense of déjà vu washes over her and the smile brightening her face falters.
“A casual one this time,” she says to Kruxeral, turning back to her handy satchel packing. “Arkadius wants to see Fort Ettin and I thought I’d take him there. Give us a chance to catch up on what he has been doing. I’ll be gone for a day, returning tomorrow eve.”
“Ah, I see,” Kruxeral says.
Merla notes how steadier he is on his cloven feet as he makes his way over to the chaise lounge she has been using as her bed these past few weeks. She pauses in her packing as she watches him run a hand over the downy blanket and pillows piled on it.
“I should be the one sleeping here,” he says quietly. “These are your rooms…”
Merla picks up a small bottle in the shape of a pixie with fine sand in it, debates whether she needs it, then tucks it into one of the dimensional side pockets. She swings the bag over one shoulder.
“You need the bed more than I,” Merla says softly. Kruxeral doesn’t look up at her, still running his hand over the pillow she lays her head on. She thinks about how she longs to have those hands touch her again, a heat rising within her. Merla quickly inhales and half turns away, making herself push those wants and desires to the side. “Your recovery has been going well and I’m glad to see your strength is returning. If you slept out here it would take twice as long.”
“Hmmm,” is all he responds with.
Her brow furrows and Merla takes a closer look at Kruxeral. She can tell something is on his mind and she is half tempted to cast a spell that would detect his thoughts but then that would be a breach of his trust and she wants him to feel like he can talk to her.
But perhaps a little honesty from her would help too.
“With your memories of me gone, I did not want to assume anything between us.” Kruxeral finally looks up at her and she feels the weight of it. “I am a stranger to you and I can only imagine what it’s like being told who you are by someone who claims to know you. But I am here for you Kruxeral, for whatever you may need. I hope that these past two weeks have proven that to you, even just a little.”
Merla’s heart is racing as she looks into Kruxeral’s eyes. She finds no sudden recognition there, no warmth, and certainly no mirth either. What she does see is uncertainty, but if that’s because of her or the situation as a whole, it is hard to tell.
“Merla, Arkadius is waiting,” Astra tells her. The small woman glances outside the double doors and sees her best friend loitering by the edge of the terrace.
“I will be there in a moment,” she tells her partner. Merla looks back to Kruxeral and his brow is furrowed, green eyes dark with thought.
Merla steps towards him. “There is something I have been meaning to ask you,” she starts. “The Queen asked if you were ready to return, to start planning Revels for the Court again.” Kruxeral tenses, taking a half step back. Merla anticipated this and lays a calm, warm hand on his arm. “I told her not yet, that you still needed time to recover.”
“So she does not know?” Kruxeral asks, looking from Merla’s hand on his arm to her face. “You have not told her what it is I have done?”
Merla shakes her head. “Only that you were trapped in a magical slumber from helping me defeat the Black Heart Cabal and that when you awoke you had suffered severe memory loss.”
His eyes widen. They stand there a moment as Kruxeral’s mind races and Merla waits patiently for him to say something.
“What is this question you would ask of me?” he finally says, his voice measured.
Merla takes her hand back, seeing Kruxeral’s brilliant mind already trying to figure out what her next move may be, how she could use this information as leverage against him. It cuts at her heart to see it.
“Will you return to the Summer Court with me and help spread the love of Summer to those that join us?”
Kruxeral looks at her, clearly not expecting the question. He half opens his mouth to speak but then stops, his throat catching. Taking his hands, Merla holds them close to her, softly smiling up at him.
“Think about it. You can tell me your answer when I return.”
She lets go of his hands and turns towards the open stained glass double doors, stepping out into the warm spring sunlight of a late morning. Merla pauses and looks back, her face catching the sun. It gives her a warm glow as she smiles at Kruxeral.
“No one else can make music like us.”
Then she turns, hair shimmering like brilliant fire as Merla makes her way over to where Astra and Arkadius wait for her. Kruxeral watches her leave, still standing there long after the three take off into the spring sky.
When Merla woke up that morning she intended to show Arkadius around Fort Ettin, highlighting how many amenities it has – perfect for any of their adventuring friends. She hoped, if she sold it well enough, he would look at staying there instead of returning to Port Ffirst.
But then she heard it, unmistakable music that could only be from the Summer Court. Not the Song, but something inspired by it. A squadron of sprites, armoured in gold and vermillion coats flew into the open area beside the Training Yard, a herald flying a little in front of the ranks to speak so all could hear.
“Friends of Summer! Queen Titania, rightful ruler of the Feywild, is calling for volunteers to join her mighty effort to banish terrible Winter from this land! Join her glorious armies and ride to battle – for honour and treasure! All who choose to stand with the Queen of Summer today will be called her friends and allies. To war, my friends! Honour and glory await!”
Arkadius groans beside her.
“It’s bad enough you woke me up so bloody early, now there are people from your home shouting at me,” he grumbles.
Merla grins at him. “Why, Arkadius, those are the first words you have spoken besides, ‘Ugh’ and ‘Hmmm’. Clearly my tour was keeping you asleep. This,” she nods to the sprites, “will certainly wake you up. Come.”
Astra exhales a laugh beside her as Merla steps forward, a grizzled sprite already catching her eye and nodding a warm welcome to the Daughter of Summer.
Leaning on a sword that is taller than Arkadius, Queen Titania’s great Seelie form looks down at them.
“You are the ones who have answered my call. I welcome you to my realm.”
“Uh, I’m sorry,” an elderly tiefling man by the name of Faust says haltingly, “You’re the Queen of Summer? I don’t want to make any assumptions but you weren’t quite what I was expecting when those little flying creatures mentioned you.” He bows. “I’m Faust Greyheart, it’s a pleasure my lady- ma’am- or whatever your appropriate title is.”
“‘My Queen’ will suffice.”
Merla tries to hide a giggle.
“Ah, yes, lovely,” Faust says, smiling.
Titania sweeps the group with her piercing gaze, centring on Merla, who turns the giggle she felt bubbling up into a pleasant smile on a determined face.
“Ah, my daughter. I see you have gathered a band of warriors to accompany you,” says the Great Seelie Queen.
“Yes, though unexpected the call was, I believe they will be up for the task. You remember my friend, Arkadius?” Merla says, gesturing to the tall tiefling standing beside her.
Titania nods. “I do indeed.”
“This gentleman here is Osborin,” Merla continues, gesturing to the aquatic half-elf bard, still in his silvery pyjamas. He does his best to stifle a yawn. “He is also a singer of verse, though he is still learning.” She drops him a wink as he squints at her indignantly. “This lovely lady here is a shopkeeper – or so she claims – by the name of Celina, but she lives in Fort Ettin so she is familiar with the adventurer ways.”
The young tiefling woman smiles and waves at Queen Titania and the other Summer Court warriors gathered around. “Hello! Yes yes, just a little shopkeeper, ready for adventure!”
The Great Seeilie Queen looks at each of them in turn as Merla introduces them all, her gaze appraising them beyond what could normally be seen.
“Yes. Maybe this group is just what is needed at this pivotal moment.”
Titania points and begins to walk in that same direction, expecting them to follow. As she does, the Queen shrinks down to a more comfortable but not less imposing six foot tall height. Astra carrying Merla, falls into step on her Mother’s right side as the others do the same on the other. They do not walk for long.
At the next crest, the Summer Queen gestures out over the rolling green hills and the sight they behold is both awe inspiring and daunting. It is a massive war camp. What seems like hundreds of tents interspersed with grand pavilions and banners of the Summer Court and its vassals, can be seen over the endless, undulating emerald sea of grasslands. Among them are formations of soldiers, all with different colours and coats indicating they are not of the Summer Court directly, but are aligned with them. Merla recognises the largest group right away as the se’akhrua, the sunflower warriors.
“Oh godsdamn it.”
They all turn to look at Celina.
“They have flower warriors,” the young tiefling says, a mix of awe and worry on her face. “I tried to take one out last time and- Well, I mean, I tried to talk friendly down. It was very hard.”
Queen Titania gives her a sidelong glance.
“You have met one of my warriors?”
“Did I say that? I mean… yyyyyyes? Yes?” Celina looks to Merla, then Faust, then back to Queen Titania. “Maybe?”
“The shopkeep certainly talks a lot,” Arkadius says quietly. “And seems to go in circles with her sentences.”
Merla’s brow knits together as she gives Celina a thorough scrutinising once over. Her gaze must have unsettled the poor girl because Celina suddenly throws her hands up as if in surrender.
“Fine! Yes! I did encounter those flower warriors in little shop area.”
The Daughter of Summer looks to her Mother before turning back to Celina.
“Shop area? Where?” Merla asks with concern.
“Uh, in Fort Ettin,” she says, clearly wishing she had kept quiet about the whole thing. Her hands are still held up in front of her.
“I sense there is a longer story you will have to tell me at a later time,” the Summer Queen says, glancing to Merla. “None of my soldiers are deployed on the Material Plane. None are meant to be there.”
“Maybe it is knock off?”
“Hmmm,” Titania intones. It does not sound like the Summer Queen believes that.
“If something has escaped from the Feywild to the Material Plane that’s not good,” Arkadius says pointedly to Celina. The young shopkeep nods and abashedly lowers her hands.
“Ugh, who cares,” Osborin groans halfheartedly, still rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Can we just get on with it?”
“I agree with the fellow in the pyjamas,” Arkadius says. Then he realises that Osborin has no other clothes with him and frowns. “Someone put armour on him.”
“I’m pretty sure he can take care of himself,” Merla says lightheartedly. She is only half paying attention as she takes the opportunity to send a quick Message to her Mother.
“I will look into this, Femaer.”
There is the subtlest of nods from Titania before she speaks, addressing everyone.
“We do have more pressing things to worry about. As you are aware, the Feywild is in uproar and in dire need of leadership. I am meant to provide this. All others will recognise this, that there can be only one Fey Paramount. The throne is mine by right.”
The Summer Queen points into the distance where a mountain range pierces the sky. Though it is a very bright, summer day, storm clouds gather in the distance.
“The Snow Queen of the Winter Court has openly challenged me, has dared to mock my efforts, and yours by association,” Titania says, throwing a glance at Merla. “I cannot abide this and the Snow Queen must learn her lesson. We will begin our campaign today and we will teach the Winter Court that they too will have to accept the inevitable. Can I count on you?”
“Yes,” the Daughter of Summer answers, a fraction before the others do.
“For the right price,” Osborin adds.
Titania looks to Osborin.
“Fear not. You will be adequately compensated.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll just take your word for it,” the half-elf says, sounding doubtful.
“My word is gold. None can say that I do not keep my promises.”
There were many places Queen Titania was going after in this first wave of her great plan. The location Merla and her companions were helping with was a specific fort on the border of the Summer and Winter Courts, along the Coldstream River. They were to meet with the constable who would be leading the Summer Court forces that would take the military outpost. It turned out to be none other than the Amber Duchess herself.
“Ah, the reinforcements. The specialists promised! And,” Amber grins, “no less than the Princess herself. Well met again!”
“Well met, Amber Duchess.”
Merla begins to do a courtly bow when Amber thrusts out her arm and grasps Merla’s in a warrior’s welcome, her grip tight. With a grin of surprise, Merla turns her fancy gesture into a reciprocal embrace.
“And you have brought friends,” Amber notes, looking at the others. Merla does a round of introductions for all noting the energy the Duchess has is that of someone who is ready to spring into action that matches the wild look in her eyes.
“Now that you arrived we can get started. Look here,” Amber says, pointing across the river.
In the distance, at a bend, a castle rises from the rocks – Fort Coldstream. Amber explained Summer and Winter had battled over it for longer than anyone can remember. It was unclear who it originally belonged to but as with anything in the Feywild, nothing stays the same forever.
“The Queen in all her Wisdom has decreed that if possible we should take the Fort in a swift, decisive action,” Amber explains to them. “We do not need to kill the Winterlings if it isn’t absolutely necessary. So I propose this: You and your crack team,” she nods to Merla, “will find a place to cross the river, ford it, infiltrate the Fort and open the gates for us. Once the gates are open we can rush in, there is nothing that can stop us. If they know what is good for them they will lay down their arms and we will let them depart.”
Merla takes a look around at those with her. She knows Arkadius can hold his own in a battle – they have fought together on many a field. But she has not seen what Osborin, Faust or Celina could do, and part of her gets a sense they are not as powerful as she and Arkadius.
“Do you know how much of a force is inside?” Merla asks.
Amber nods. “It is a heavy garrison, as the Winter Soldiers may not be quite our match but they do like to barricade themselves in and wait for Winter. This time we will reach them swiftly before they have the chance to enact any plans, fallbacks or preparations. I need you to be quick and I need you to be quiet.”
Merla glances to her companions and she winks. “I think we have some quick and some quiet here.”
“You will not be alone,” Amber continues. “The Queen has arranged some backup for you.”
“Who?”
“Yeah. ‘Backup.’ That’s what I would call it. I’d like to have your back.”
Recognising that voice, Merla’s initial confusion turns to mild intrigue as Roxane, Crios and Anthea stalk up to their mission briefing.
“Well, little princess, you called for backup I understand?” Roxane asks as she towers over Merla. “We’ll be happy to oblige.” She gives a cursory glance to the others. “My name’s Roxane. Guess we will be working together on this.”
“Don’t sound so excited Roxane,” Merla teases.
“Can barely contain my excitement, little princess,” Roxane says through gritted teeth.
“Friends of yours?” Arkadius asks her.
“After a fashion,” she says, the pleasant smile never leaving Merla’s face.
“The best,” Roxane bites out.
“Debatable,” Arkadius says doubtfully.
“I hold no grudges towards you,” Merla offers, looking from Roxane, to Crios and then Anthea. “The battle we fought in the Dust Bowl Dance was honourable, glorious even. I saw you there when we faced off against Ulorian as well.” Her expression is grateful, like she is conveying thanks for their support.
Roxane is having none of it.
“Well all the fucking glory to you then, huh?”
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” Faust says, stepping into the conversation to look up at the tall fey. “While she doesn’t like to be called ‘princess’ she is still your ‘Princess’. You seem awfully rough around the edges for how you address royalty. Do you have, what do the kids call it, previous beef?”
“Listen here, old man,” Roxane says, leaning down to look at Faust. “This one might be called a princess but only recently was called a murderer and I for one am not convinced that this really was the end of it. So pardon me for keeping an open mind, shall we say.”
“With all your weapons you’re saying you’ve never killed another?” the elderly tiefling points out. “You look like, maybe, once or twice, you’ve taken a life.”
“There’s a difference between killing in battle and killing a man in a training square.”
Silence rings throughout the group.
“I was there that day,” Arkadius says, his voice dropping low. “Merla is no murderer.”
“I’m sure most royalty has some blood on their hands,” Osborin quips. He glances at Merla and adds in a kinder tone, “I don’t think any less of you, princess.”
The Amber Duchess cracks her spear on the ground.
“Enough. We have other things to do.”
“Indeed. Like taking the Fort, which is the reason we are all here.” Merla gives a pointed look to Roxane.
They begin to discuss how they could cross the river to get to the other side. The Amber Duchess advises that they should not seek to swim across the Coldstream River as it is sentient, something that would easily drown them as soon as they stepped foot in it. Arkadius offers to be their eyes in the sky – “Almost like seeing things is my specialty.” – and somehow, just that simple boast from her best friend, makes Merla feel better.
“He really hasn’t changed,” she says to Astra, chuckling as he flips his knaves eyepatch up in a bit to show off.
“Still the same, six finger, horrible smelling-”
“Astra!” Merla chides, trying to not let her giggle turn into a laugh. Being back in the Summer Court was making Merla feel everything ten times stronger.
“-friend who has your back. I am glad he is here beside you, too, Merla.”
Roxane, Crios and Anthea departed the Amber Duchess’ camp, staking a claim they would take the Fort and secure it before Merla and her companions would be able to. The Daughter of Summer was not concerned about a race, certainly not one against her own people. After they had left Merla told Amber that once they were close, she would Send a message to her to mobilise.
She was also aware of Faust and Celina, how they have been thrown into the deep end of things when neither were probably expecting much more than an easy day at the Fort. Merla was less worried about Osborin. He had somehow managed to land on his feet so far in life, despite the hardships he has faced – from what he told her of at least. Maybe a battle or two in the feywild would humble him.
“I wouldn’t hold my breath for that, Merla,” Astra says.
Merla chuckles. “Maybe not this time, but perhaps, one day…”
It takes them some time to find a ford but once they do all are able to cross in relative safety, Merla lending some inspirational songs to Faust and Celina along the way. It started to get tricky once they approached the Fort. The gates were open but the warning Amber said about if those gates close, the Winter Court garrison would be immovable and their mission – her mission – would fail.
That is why she had to come up with a clever plan.
“Arkadius, think you could fly to the east side and draw the garrison’s attention away from the gate whilst I go to the west and do the same?” Merla asks.
“Do I get to drop a fireball or two?” he asks, eyes starting to gleam with excitement.
Merla nods, “The bigger the show the better.” She turns to Celina, Faust and Osborin. “We will draw their attention away from the gate so you three can get in there and sabotage the portcullis’ mechanism.”
Merla holds out a small bottle in the shape of a pixie, fine sand tipping around inside it.
“You can use this to get close. It will make you and those around you invisible for at least two minutes, maybe longer. Plenty of time for you,” she gives the fine glass bottle to Celina, “to work those ‘shopkeeper’ skills.” Merla gives her a wink before turning her attention to encompass them all. “You’ll know the signal when it happens.”
They all nod.
“Amber, we are about to infiltrate the Fort. Prepare your troops to mobilise,” Merla says casting her spell of Sending to the Duchess.
“Excellent. We will be there.”
“Ready to fly, Astra?” Merla asks as the winged unicorn kneels down to allow her mistress to get on her.
“Like the wind.”
Merla turns, pointing her finger at her best friend as she casts another message. “Arkadius.”
He turns to look at her.
“Good luck. Stay safe. And have fun.”
He grins.
“Just like old times.”
“Well done, well done!” the Amber Duchess says, her grin wide as she looks around at the Fort. “No casualties and we have won a mighty victory here today. But, it is not yet done. The Feywild is a special place. It is not just about capturing this castle or that, it is about controlling the land.”
She begins to make her way to the point along the wall closest to the river. Curious, Merla follows her, the others trailing behind a little. The Daughter of Summer spares a quick look at Roxane, Crios and Anthea, nodding to them for their help in liberating the Fort. Roxane just turns away, completely ignoring her. Crios’ expression is stony. Only Anthea acknowledges the gesture, giving Merla the barest nod in return.
It’s not a lot, but it is a start.
Once the Amber Duchess reaches the top she stops and looks down to the rushing river below.
“Here.”
She inhales and when she speaks again, Merla feels power in her words.
“Coldstream, hear me now. In the name of Queen Titania of the Summer Court, I claim this land and as long as our blood feeds the river, we will not relinquish control.”
The river rumbles as if in answer and the water begins to rise, contorting like a snake as it bends back around the Fort whilst another part lifts itself over their heads. Merla watches in wondered awe as the riverbed shifts, cold, wet mist spritzing over her, rainbows of light blessing them all with halos. When the rumbling stops and Merla looks over the wall, she sees the land is dry on the Summer side. A new riverbed is being forged on the edge of the mountains.
The boundaries of the Feywild have just been shifted.
Amber moves down the wall. Taking out a small dagger she cuts her palm, squeezes her hand until blood runs down her arm and drops fall down to the raging waters below. The rumbling finally stops, the new Compact sealed.
The Coldstream River has now become a guardian for Queen Titania and the Coldstream Fort part of her domain.
