*This is fantasy-fiction only because it is set in a world which exists only in my head - so don't expect any form of magic/mythical creatures etc.*
Chapter One
In the window the sun was setting in all of its splendour. Red and gold robed the sky and the shine left the land with an echoing brilliance. As the golden rays came to rest upon the figure working beside the window the whole sky brightened for a moment before falling abruptly into darkness.
Alyssana looked up in annoyance, commanding her maid imperiously, "Fetch me a light." As the woman hurried off to do as she was bid Alyssana gazed out of her window, over the shadowy streets lit only by the light from the houses, with a heavy heart. She could see them all. There were the parents telling their children that it really was time for bed now. From almost every street she could see teenagers sneaking out for the night. In the market place and on the street corners the trades people were packing up their goods for the day whilst the Guards patrolled the streets on high alert. Despite their vigilance they did not notice what she did; the Underworld criminals and the Loners lurking in the shadows and the rowdy revellers off for a night in the tavern. Then there were the Noble Lords and Ladies going out in all their finery. Alyssana could see all of these and more. She could see them all - and each and every one was her responsibility, hers to care for and to protect and, not for the first time in her reign, she felt as if the burden was too much.
Since her coronation as Queen of the Realm and Protector of its Peoples she had never doubted so much that she was able to fulfil her role. She was threatened from all sides. It seemed that whatever she did, whatever alliances she made, she would be sure to insult at least one of the other Realms. War was coming and she was powerless to stop it. The only question that remained was where it would come from. Would it be from Karine, where the bitter rivalries that had been tearing the Realm apart from within were over and had left the Realm stronger than ever before? Or might Tynath, where the battle-ready armies were aching for a fight, decide to test its armies strength upon her Realm, her soldiers? Perhaps Halass would choose battle for, weak as it was in numbers, the impetuous King was ready to go to war over the tiniest insult that he could imagine. Or, worst of all, would Paroncia - the noble Empire whose covetous Emperor yearned for yet more land and power - begin a war? And it would be only the beginning - for where Paroncia led all the others were sure to follow.
Once the maid returned with a candle Alyssana one again began to read the documents she had been pouring over before the sun had set. Her tired eyes strained over the tiny writing that spelt out the doom of Jainar. As she read another person entered the room. Looking up, unfazed by his sudden entrance, she smiled upon her trusted advisor, Tekmar.
"Your Majesty," he greeted her bowing low.
"Welcome Councillor," she replied warmly, "and what is it you wish to speak to me of?"
"Your Highness, the people are demanding that you deal with the problem of the Underworld People. They want to see you punish them."
Alyssana sighed. Here was yet another reminder that she was not the great ruler her mother had been, neither as powerful nor as well loved.
"What should I do?" she asked, her eyes pleading more eloquently than her words ever could.
"You must send in your spies and find out who the leaders are. Even if they are succeeded very quickly if the people see you punish the important members of the Gangs they will be appeased."
Alyssana glared at him. "Have I not been sending spies into the Underworld since I was crowned? Yes I have. And have they not all returned in pieces? Of course they have. Even my spies cannot go undetected in the Underworld."
"Yes your Majesty, I know. But you have not sent in your best spies. It is my opinion that if Sjar and Sjania were given the task they would emerge from the Underworld triumphant. I'm begging you Your Highness - please don't keep them to spy on the Nobility still. Their talents are wasted here. If only you would heed my advise you could ward off the uprising that is brewing in the streets. Please Your Highness," Tekmar begged, not for the first time.
For many moons he had been imploring his Queen to allow the so-called Invisible Twins to try their hands in the Underworld. Time after time she had refused his plea - and from the determined look upon her beautiful face he summarised that this time would be no different.
"I will not risk my greatest assets. If they were to fail - what then? The other Realms would hear of it, they would know I no longer had information on their every move - they would strike without hesitation," Alyssana replied furiously.
"We would not fail, Your Highness." A young woman stepped out of a shadowy alcove, revealing her presence. On the other side of the Queen a young man did the same.
"Give us the chance Your Majesty - you will not be disappointed," he said as he bowed.
Alyssana rolled her eyes.
"I wish you would not spy on me," she complained petulantly, "And I wish you would not gang up on me so."
The young man, who was known as Sjar, laughed.
"I wish you would not doubt our abilities, but you do so all the same," he answered with an easy familiarity that was not quite proper.
Sjania, his sister, smiled at the young Queen.
"Come on Aly," she cajoled her, "Just give us a chance."
Alyssana groaned.
"All right - you bullies. "
She laughed smiling affectionately upon the two people who were the closest she had to friends.
"You may go," she said addressing herself to her spies, "but if I want you, you must return immediately - or I'll ...I'll have you arrested."
The twins smiled and slipped back into the shadows, leaving the impression that they had vanished completely.
Turning to gaze once more out her window, Alyssana's eye was caught by the brightly glowing moon. It was in the phase of the Mother and a pale green glow seemed to emanate from it. Usually Alyssana found the Earth phase comforting, but tonight was different. Tonight the glow seemed sickly as if it were mirroring the ill plight of the Realm.
