Post by milicia on Jun 16, 2009 6:45:18 GMT -5
*NOTE: This takes place only a day before the events of 'Warning the Heroes', just for chronology's sake.*
Night hung over the sleepy castle of the Twilight Kingdom, save for what few guards patroled the endless corridors and walkways in a mindless daze. Thanks to the bizarre habits of their queen they were safe from attacks in the night. Though her men never questioned it, there was only one time the Sumata had dared to strike during nightfall and the attempt ended swiftly by the queen's hands. Yet amongst the tired repitition of the soldiers' patrol and the few who escaped in leisure play and banter, one boy raced with purpose and dread towards the queen's bedchambers. To him the night was far from ordinary, and something far greater than an attack was imminent for their kingdom.
"My Queen my Queen I have urgent news of the utmost importance! I pray thee answer." He stood shouting outside the double doors that lead to her private room. For a moment he feared she was deep asleep and dared not venture inside. Yet a moment later the door opened as Queen Lunestice stood before the messanger. She appeared before him in her regal gown, with a look of mild contempt for the man who had just disturbed a quiet moment of peace with her, a cup of strong tea and a fascinating war drama novel the archives had kept hidden from her till only today.
"I trust this is important, for you should know the consequences elsewise."
The messanger kept his head down, afraid to meet the eyes of the queen. He'd only heard stories of what she was like in the night, and feared the fate he'd incure should he meet her eyes. "My queen, our spies have come back with urgent news and the warlord asks your presence in the battle room at once."
The Queen's eyes narrowed at the vagueness of the info, but decided the boy likely knew no more than what he said and with a word and a gesture the boy ran off, his errand complete.
As Queen Lunestice entered the room she saw only her current warlord, Fairfaux as well as her two highest generals and one of her spies. She sat down as the men tried to engage in light conversation. "Down to business Fairfaux, I want to know what's going on and why this is so important you had a simple messanger boy rouse me from my bedroom at this hour." She spoke curtly, her left hand drumming slowly against the wooden table which held a large scale map of their world under a thin glass frame.
The generals started with a lengthly debriefing, using words like 'intel', 'tactical strike' and 'preemptive attack', but Lunestice only grew more irate at the same speech she'd heard a dozen times before.
"I've told you once and I'll say it again! We will not send our troops out to war with another kingdom. I'm not an expert on war, but I know enough not send our men to antagonise a force that outmans us thirteen to one! Now who was the idiot who decided to try and pitch this moronic plot to me, in the night, when I ask not to be disturbed!?" Her eyes darted around the table looking who to blame.
Yet the plot was far from moronic, and details had changed such to the point that Fairfaux knew not only would the queen come to understand his plan, but commit to it to. That is, the queen who existed during the night.
"My lady," He chimed in with a quiet and passive tone. "My men are relaying the facts, yet their words are too stuffy with military jargon. What they are trying so desperately to explain is that the information our spies have just brought us has revealed a crucial weakness in the Sumata that we must exploit now while we have the chance."
"Which is?" The queen calmed down slightly, now somewhat intrigued by Fairfaux's words.
"Why my lady, the Sumata leaders are no longer on our world." His teeth flashed a devious grin as the Queen's expression changed from anger to sudden realization. He circled slowly around the table. "The only one who remains is King Volkanon my lady, while the rest of the kingdoms try with all their effort to keep up appearances as best they can. You can see my queen what we could do. No Trucido, no leader to unite the other kingdoms. No unity, no fear of a mulit-directional counter."
Lunestice looked on almost entranced as he elaborated on his plan to strike at Ignis and establish a colonial base in the other continent while the rest of the kingdoms were confused by the attack. The circumstances were almost too perfect, she thought to herself.
With this one act we could set in motion the downfall of the Sumata. Once our campaign against them begins to work, we might even have some of the kingdoms unite under our banner. We could even gain the allies neccessary to battle Trucido on even ground!
With Fairfaux's speech complete, Lunestice stood up and looked him directly in the eye. "We can't go back if we do this Fairfaux. Once I give the orders, we fight till we win or till Crepusculum falls. Are you ready to take that weight on your shoulders?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way m'lady. And we will triumph." The other men clamoured in agreement.
"Very well Warlord, send out the orders. In three days we set out for Ignis' capital. Be sure your men are prepared for it." Not waiting for a response she turned and left the room, heading directly for the archives. It would seem her novel would have to wait till another day. The gears had begun to move, and there was research to be done.
Deep inside she knew Milicia would not approve of this, and maybe it was best in the end that it was she who made the call on this war instead of her softer, diplomatic side. You'll see this is the right way to do things Milicia. You may not like it, but I'll show you this is the only way we'll save our world.
Night hung over the sleepy castle of the Twilight Kingdom, save for what few guards patroled the endless corridors and walkways in a mindless daze. Thanks to the bizarre habits of their queen they were safe from attacks in the night. Though her men never questioned it, there was only one time the Sumata had dared to strike during nightfall and the attempt ended swiftly by the queen's hands. Yet amongst the tired repitition of the soldiers' patrol and the few who escaped in leisure play and banter, one boy raced with purpose and dread towards the queen's bedchambers. To him the night was far from ordinary, and something far greater than an attack was imminent for their kingdom.
"My Queen my Queen I have urgent news of the utmost importance! I pray thee answer." He stood shouting outside the double doors that lead to her private room. For a moment he feared she was deep asleep and dared not venture inside. Yet a moment later the door opened as Queen Lunestice stood before the messanger. She appeared before him in her regal gown, with a look of mild contempt for the man who had just disturbed a quiet moment of peace with her, a cup of strong tea and a fascinating war drama novel the archives had kept hidden from her till only today.
"I trust this is important, for you should know the consequences elsewise."
The messanger kept his head down, afraid to meet the eyes of the queen. He'd only heard stories of what she was like in the night, and feared the fate he'd incure should he meet her eyes. "My queen, our spies have come back with urgent news and the warlord asks your presence in the battle room at once."
The Queen's eyes narrowed at the vagueness of the info, but decided the boy likely knew no more than what he said and with a word and a gesture the boy ran off, his errand complete.
As Queen Lunestice entered the room she saw only her current warlord, Fairfaux as well as her two highest generals and one of her spies. She sat down as the men tried to engage in light conversation. "Down to business Fairfaux, I want to know what's going on and why this is so important you had a simple messanger boy rouse me from my bedroom at this hour." She spoke curtly, her left hand drumming slowly against the wooden table which held a large scale map of their world under a thin glass frame.
The generals started with a lengthly debriefing, using words like 'intel', 'tactical strike' and 'preemptive attack', but Lunestice only grew more irate at the same speech she'd heard a dozen times before.
"I've told you once and I'll say it again! We will not send our troops out to war with another kingdom. I'm not an expert on war, but I know enough not send our men to antagonise a force that outmans us thirteen to one! Now who was the idiot who decided to try and pitch this moronic plot to me, in the night, when I ask not to be disturbed!?" Her eyes darted around the table looking who to blame.
Yet the plot was far from moronic, and details had changed such to the point that Fairfaux knew not only would the queen come to understand his plan, but commit to it to. That is, the queen who existed during the night.
"My lady," He chimed in with a quiet and passive tone. "My men are relaying the facts, yet their words are too stuffy with military jargon. What they are trying so desperately to explain is that the information our spies have just brought us has revealed a crucial weakness in the Sumata that we must exploit now while we have the chance."
"Which is?" The queen calmed down slightly, now somewhat intrigued by Fairfaux's words.
"Why my lady, the Sumata leaders are no longer on our world." His teeth flashed a devious grin as the Queen's expression changed from anger to sudden realization. He circled slowly around the table. "The only one who remains is King Volkanon my lady, while the rest of the kingdoms try with all their effort to keep up appearances as best they can. You can see my queen what we could do. No Trucido, no leader to unite the other kingdoms. No unity, no fear of a mulit-directional counter."
Lunestice looked on almost entranced as he elaborated on his plan to strike at Ignis and establish a colonial base in the other continent while the rest of the kingdoms were confused by the attack. The circumstances were almost too perfect, she thought to herself.
With this one act we could set in motion the downfall of the Sumata. Once our campaign against them begins to work, we might even have some of the kingdoms unite under our banner. We could even gain the allies neccessary to battle Trucido on even ground!
With Fairfaux's speech complete, Lunestice stood up and looked him directly in the eye. "We can't go back if we do this Fairfaux. Once I give the orders, we fight till we win or till Crepusculum falls. Are you ready to take that weight on your shoulders?"
"I wouldn't have it any other way m'lady. And we will triumph." The other men clamoured in agreement.
"Very well Warlord, send out the orders. In three days we set out for Ignis' capital. Be sure your men are prepared for it." Not waiting for a response she turned and left the room, heading directly for the archives. It would seem her novel would have to wait till another day. The gears had begun to move, and there was research to be done.
Deep inside she knew Milicia would not approve of this, and maybe it was best in the end that it was she who made the call on this war instead of her softer, diplomatic side. You'll see this is the right way to do things Milicia. You may not like it, but I'll show you this is the only way we'll save our world.