The Truth of Luxphalia (closed; started)

Karia L'Delacuor

I shuffled my way through the crowds, dodging each and every person tha walked past me with ease. No one touched me, and I them. They were all too scared from that mighty dragon coming to attack the capitol. What a bunch of fools. I thought. If one were a truly trained wizard or mage, they would know that ti was a just a mirage.

I clicked open the side doors to the castle and stepped inside. A servant was there, and she bowed to me. "Madame L'Delacuor." Her hand grazed the carpet as her bow took her even lower.

"Rise, servant." She did so, but her eyes never met mine. "Where is your queen?"

"On the balcony of the north tower, gazing upon your dragon." I smiled. The evil, little devil. Of course she wanted my dragon.

"Take me to here, then." I waved my hands in hurridely fashion, and the small girl giggled.

"As you wish, madame." I held out my hand, and the girl took it. We walked, well she pranced, hand in hand to the tower.

Countess Wilhelmina of Favell; In a friend's castle, on the way to the Capital

I rubbed my forehead in my hands, in anxiety and worry. What should I do? Something was happening, something terrible, but what? I needed to think....

I was staying in my friend, the Duke of Chalton's little castle. We were halfway to the Capital. My doubts were increasing. I had still not caught one glimpse of the great fiery beast that was supposed to be in the mountains. My mountains. What should I tell the king? Of course by now the rumors were probably all over the Capital of the mountain dragon. The people must be getting anxious. I was getting anxious. It was clear I might not get there in time. I needed to send a message, and send it as quickly as possible, but of what? What could I truly know? But...I couldn't trust the mail. All kinds of things could happen to a letter before it reached the King. I sighed.

Finally, I collected my thoughts into a passable letter:

Your Highness King Balik of Luxphalia:

I send this message in the hopes that it might reach you before I do. I urgently need to speak to you about the current state of affairs in Favell, and perhaps in the whole kingdom. I presume Your Highness has heard the tales of a dragon residing in the mountains, flying out every day. This is the matter of which I speak of, which is intended for your ears alone. All I can say here is to advise Your Grace to be on the lookout. Please understand my wishes to speak with you privately of this.

Your Friend,
Countess Wilhelmina of Favell,
Kingdom of Luxphalia,
31 April

Satisfied, I rolled up the parchment , picked up my skirts, and hurried downstairs to give it to the messenger boy. With a short bow, he took it. I watched his horse gallop down the road until I could see it no more. Tomorrow, setting out at dawn, I would reach the Capital.

Minchid, at a southern village

I sighed. Walking for several hours is very wearing on one’s body, and at my age and strength I can do less than most people can. The good thing is, by the time several hours had passed, I found myself in a delightful little village called Ixbidian, in one of the southern provinces.

As soon as I came to town, I, as I so often must do, had to find a place to stay the night. As I was currently journeying to the Capital City, which was in the middle of Luxphalia, and it was still about a day away, me being in the aforementioned southern province, I needed someplace to sleep.

I came upon a house which belonged to a person I knew and knocked at the front door. A little girl answered.

“Hello?”

“May I speak with your father please?”

The girl looked at me with wide eyes and ran back in the house. I waited a while and jumped when I heard a loud yell from inside.

“Who!? What the [expletive] is that twisted son of an [bad word] doing here? I moved and changed my name! How did he find me?” this was followed by a string of swearing and calling down curses involving very unpleasant things on my (mostly innocent) head.

The next thing I knew, the door slammed and I heard a heavy bolt sliding into place.

I never said he liked me very much, I just said I knew him. I don’t know why he reacted so violently; the fungus eventually came off, didn’t it?

Oh well.

I started looking for a more receptive house to stay for the night when I noticed a person running down the street yelling “Evacuate! Evacuate! Everyone must evacuate before the plague reaches you!”

I stopped him. “Now hold on, kid,” I asked the somewhat wild-eyed young man, “What exactly is going on?”

“Plague! Magic plague! All who are infected by it die within weeks, sometimes days! Everyone must evacuate!”

“Where is it coming from?”

“Near the southern borders! Evacuate! Evacuate!”

I sighed resignedly. That trip to the capital city would have to wait…

Spoiler

Apology for excessive brevity.

Diana Cloven, the castle

Never get cut by a dragon's talons. It's poisonous and very painful. It also causes you to make enemies of the healers who went through the trouble to heal someone they didn't even like. It also makes you look like an idiot.

These were my thoughts when I awoke and saw Mel and Stephen sitting next to my bedside. My first thoughts were, What did I do? and my next thoughts were, Why did you attempt to kill a dragon?

I was still beating myself up for looking so stupid when they realized I was awake. Stephen grinned and Mel hugged me fiercely. "I was so worried Diana! Please do not do that again!"

I gave her a cocky grin. "I can't promise that."

We both laughed. "It is a good thing the talons did not cut deep. You would have been even more injured," Stephen said, a deep caring for my well being in his eyes. I quickly decided his concern for me was nothing but pity. A prince couldn't care about a lady-in-waiting, especially an extremely average looking one.

I placed my hand on my bandaged ribs and smiled. I snuck a look at Stephen and he seemed to be fighting the urge to place his hand on mine. Mel glanced at him and quickly said, "Come Stephen, mother will be wanting to speak with us." Then they left, Stephen taking one last look before his sister led him out.

Ashen Millen, on a road to the nearest village

I groaned and rested against a tree, worn out from a day of walking. I had nowhere else to go, considering the dragon burned my home. I cursed the foul creature and wished for some water. I had had no food all day and was starving. I found some water by a stream, but had nothing to keep some in.

I sighed and looked at the darkening sky. I should be to the village in about an hour. I got up and kept walking. I didn't know where Anthony was, but I was pretty sure he was safe.

I thought about the dragon. They said it was killed, but it seemed to easy, like someone wanted the dragon to be killed. I don't know. I only hope the king and queen figure out a solution to this and the plague.

I finally reached the village and saw that it was a quiet place, with a few people walking around, buying things at the small village market.

I walked around for awhile, looking for someone who might lend me some water or food, preferably both. After walking about for some time I found a boy hauling water from the well. I shuffled up to him, and though I hated to put my trust into him, I suppose I had no choice.

"Hello," I began, trying to look friendly. I wasn't sure if I was succeeding or not.

The boy looked at me and smiled. "Hello."

"May I ask your name?" I asked, trying to appear approachable as well.

"Of course," he said quietly. "My name is Warren. You must not be from here." He gave me a small smile.

I smiled back. "No, I come from the village about fifteen miles from here. It was destroyed by the dragon." My smiled disappeared at that.

Warren frowned. He was actually quite attractive, with bright green eyes and unruly hair. I took a liking to him. "I'm sorry," he said, "would you like to stay with us?"

I blinked. A bit of food, a glass of water maybe, but a bed to sleep on? A roof over my head? My mind screamed a warning not to trust him, but my heart won over and I said, "Please, if you would be so kind."

Warren grinned. "Not at all." He led the way.

Warren Falderan; In his home village

I was getting water from the well, deep in thought, when she came up to me, the strange girl.  I didn't notice her at first. Then she said, tentatively, "Hello?"

I started a bit, put on the best smile I could manage what with our situation, and replied with my own greeting. I noticed, startled, her almost luminescent blue eyes.  I had never seen the like ever before. She must be an outsider. 

"I'm Warren. You must not be from here..."

She nodded, and explained how her village was a victim of the dragon.  I had only heard the vaguest of rumors about it, and I didn't think they were true anyways...curious.  I don't know what made me do what I did, but somehow the words came out of my mouth to ask her if she wanted a place to stay.  

Now she was the one that looked startled.  But, she shook herself in a moment, and agreed politely to my offer.  I hadn't really thought about how that meant feeding an extra mouth, when I was already thinking about leaving. Leaving...no, I couldn't be sure of it yet.  But I had already offered my home, and I resigned myself to being as sociable as I could. Heaving the bucket of water on my shoulder, I headed towards home and nodded at the girl to follow. She nodded back, and accompanied me a few steps behind. She was silent the whole way.  

When we arrived, I set the bucket  down on the table and dusted off my hands. Giving an embarrassed smile to the girl, I called my father's name once again. 

"Uh-huh?"

"We have a guest, Dad."

"Mmgh...why on earth do we have a guest?"

"Because we do, alright? She...um, needs a place to stay because of the dragon up North..."

"Dragon? What dragon?"

I sighed, looking bashfully at the slightly amused girl.  

"Look, I'll tell you later, okay?", I hollered once again, then turned to the girl. 

"Excuse my father..." I told her.  She gave a tiny smile, shook her head, and said, "No, no, it's totally fine."

I stood awkwardly for a moment, then realized something and put my hand on my forehead. "I just realized...I never got your name!" If I was embarrassed before, it was nothing compared to now.  

Except, the girl didn't look at me like I was stupid. She actually looked a bit uncomfortable, pursing her lips as if weighing choices.  Finally, she said,

"Ashen." And that was all.  I was confused at her hesitation. But I shrugged and started walking around the kitchen, picking up this and that to make soup once again.  

"Do make yourself comfortable," I remembered to tell Ashen over my shoulder.

*Bump*

Ashen Millen Warren's home

I wasn't sure how long I was expecting to stay at Warren's house, but I've been there for two days and have been beginning to trust them, so that must not be good. I haven't learned much about Warren, but I do know that his father doesn't talk much. I suppose I'm not very good for conversation either. The good thing is, though, Warren doesn't seem to mind. When he's doing chores, he seems perfectly content with my silence instead of trying I fill it with pointless chatter.

I think I am beginning to take a liking to him.

Today Warren and I sit at the breakfast table while his father does who knows what, and we eat breakfast. I nibble on some bread and say suddenly, "I would like to stay here." I cursed myself inwardly. Did you really have to tell him that?

Luckily, Warren smiled and said, "Alright."

What? What?, I shrieked inside my head. You're okay with that? I kept my cool and responded,"Thanks."

"Want to go for a walk?" Warren asked, pushing back his chair.

"Sure," I said, feeling suddenly cheerful. I wasn't sure why.

We went outside and stalled past makeshift houses. We soon came upon a beautiful field of flowers and we stopped to admire the magnificent rainbow of colors there were. Warren seemed to be debating on something. I looked up and saw him biting the inside of his cheek.

"What's wrong?" I asked, feeling something foreign. Something like concern.

"Nothing," he said, but I could tell something was on his mind.

I stared at him and slowly reached out my hand and slipped it into his. He turned to me and looked at m for a moment. Then he leaned in and kissed me.

I don't know ifI will ever be able to describe how it felt to trust someone, but that kiss made me feel like I could lay all of my troubles in Warrens hands. It made me want to.

When he finally pulled away I wrapped my arms around him and laid my head against his shoulder. " What were you thinking of?" I murmured, getting back to the point.

Warren smiled and leaned his head toward mine. "It doesn't matter."

Kamira Duala

"Now that everyone is here, we can eat." I said curtly, my voice cutting the silence and hurting the ears of all who heard it.

That's the way I liked it: Feared. It was better and much more resourceful to be feared than to be respected. If you think about it, they are the same thing, just in different aspects.

I sat two seats down from my husband, with an advisor on my left and an empty seat on my right. My children never wanted to sit next to me, and I them.

Their father sat at the head of the table, like any king should do. He was a social slug, that one. He only barely half heard all that his adivors told him, and most of that half was nothing but lies and drama. But every lie had a bit of truth, and unlike my brute of a husband, I listened to all of it, but for that to happen, none of my children were allowed to talk. They did, but not to an extent that it distracted me. This rule was set early on and severe punishment was laid to any whom didn't follow the rules.

Two messengers quickly ran into the room, attracting all eyes. A message at dinner? This had to be important. Balik whispered something to the messenger with the letter and shouted, "If you'll excuse me." With that he stood up and left the room. Fool.

I nodded to one servant who kept herself at the edge of the room. She nodded a small, tight nod, only one that could be barely seen if you were paying any attention, and none but I was. She left without anyone noticing.

I waited for a few minutes, then cleared my throat. "I hope you will find the dessert as satisfying as it was last time. Children, you have chores to do." I stood up, straightening my tight dress. "I must take my leave. I expect my husband to be in here shortly. Excuse me." I did not look back as I left the room to my quarters. I expected a full reports, both from that letter and from the dragon. Time to move into phase one of my plan.

Spoiler

I got to make a post!

Warren Falderan; his home village

I don't know why, or how, or what I was thinking, but I kissed her. We were standing by the lavender meadow outside of town. I was thinking about the plague, how we should move, how I needed to prepare....but there she was. Ashen. Just standing there, looking at me worriedly, like she knew my thoughts. My heart went wild for some reason, I don't know why. Her hair blowing in the soft breeze...the deep look in those glowing eyes...something made me lean in and forget my shyness for a moment. She smelled like lavender and honey.

I pulled back. She looked surprised, but spouting with happiness. I was probably more surprised at myself, but I couldn't let myself worry with her pervasive cheerful mood.

"What were you thinking about?" she asked. I had almost forgotten. A small frown crossed my eyebrows as I looked into the lavender over her head. She didn't see my look of concern.

"It doesn't matter," I said, holding her tighter and putting my forehead to hers. "It doesn't matter," I repeated, softer, almost to try to convince myself. The moment didn't last long.

DING....DONG....DING....DONG...
The village bell started tolling the sequence that meant there was a messenger. We broke apart and turned to face the town. I looked at Ashen, all my worry flooding visibly back into my face. Holding her hand, we ran into the square just as the tired horseman dismounted. My worry heightened. This wasn't a normal royal messenger. This was another villager, from farther south. From the looks of him, he had traveled a day or two. Maybe he was from Dunhenn or Lordith or somewhere around there. He stood up in front of the gathering townsfolk.

"Greetings," he started, with a tired sigh, "I am afraid I have news none of you will want to hear."

Ashen and I shared a look. She looked just as worried as I felt.

"The plague is advancing. I have come with the people of Hurill, my hometown, a small village south of Dunhenn. We were forced to evacuate. It's coming on fast." He paused before continuing, "We need a place to stay."

Looking up with a pleading expression, he added, "Many of our children are sick. The plague affects the young ones most. We need a place to tend to them. They cannot travel farther." He paused once more then concluded, "We are asking for your help."

Countess Wilhelmina of Favell; The Capital Castle

As my carriage neared the city, I could tell all was not right. It was quieter than usual, for one thing. People gave me strange looks as I passed through the outer streets. As we got closer to the central castle, I saw a few differnt places where smoke was rising up. It was not so quiet anymore. I could see more and more people on the streets, begging, running around worriedly, sitting in the gutters, buying wood...what was going on?

Then I saw a messenger boy, running through a side street, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Help the victims of the dragon! Shelter the victims! King's orders! Kings..." his voice faded out as he ran farther down the street.

I gave a start. So that was why! I started to panic. What would the king think of me? What should I do? When I started to think a little more...wait a minute. I thought back to the one dragon attack I had witnessed, when I was only twelve or thirteen. Back in Favell, a dragon had attacked the countryside once, one farm near the border. It had completely demolished the farm, leaving great streaks of burned area in a star pattern staining what had once been a house and barn. And yet, no trees or farms around it had been touched. All pristine, all fine. It was discovered later after an investigation by my father that the farmer had been stealing dragon eggs from deep inside the mountains to sell on the black market. No wonder the dragon had taken revenge....but this! Why on earth would a dragon attack the city? And why on earth in such different spots? I had seen the ravaged farm, all the fire focused on one spot. What would a dragon have against the whole city? And why pick such random victims! I didn't understand.


As we neared the palace gates, I narrowed my eyes. I saw one ravaged building, still smoking. It was starting to look suspicious. Those building were damaged on their fronts, not their backs. A dragon would attack from above...very strange. I shook my head, preparing myself to meet immediately with the king and hear what he had to say about the disaster. Perhaps he could explain.

We were inside the gates. The carriage ground to a halt, and I stepped out, greeted by two attendants. I told them I needed an immediate audience with the king. They nodded, and one left hurriedly. I sighed, gathered my skirts, and walked out into the courtyard.

Leyna; In her home

I tapped my pencil on the pile of books that was assigned for homework tonight. Arithmetic, Science,and Magic. I skimmed the pile of books and chose the magic book. I opened the book to page 334 and looked at the questions. There were three spells written in script. I pulled out my wand and followed the directions. I waved my wand and read the enchantment and made an apple instead of the healing vile." Wrong spell," I said. My mother walked in," Hi sweetie what are you doing," she asked. I smiled,"trying to do this spell," "Let me see," she came over and glanced at it. She waved her wand and repeated the incantation and there was the vile."Thanks mom," I said as I attempted to copy her technique. 'Oh and Leyna, your father and I won't be home tomorrow,because we need to aid other fairies in fighting the dragon.Okay sweetie," she said sorrowfully." Don't worry mom it's okay," She smiled,"I love you Leyna," she smiled and kissed my forehead, and the mentioning of the dragon arose a little fear within myself that I quickly brushed off,"Next question," I thought to myself.

Ashen Millen, Warren's Village

Everything was going perfect, just perfect. Or course, with my luck, nothing stays perfect for long. We heard the bell of a messenger, and this one sounded more urgent than others. Warren turned to me, eyes worried, and we sprinted to the village hand in hand.

A man not in the royal colors was there on horseback, this must be urgent. I squeezed Warren's hand and he squeezed back. The man told us about a plague that was moving quickly and had destroyed his village.

I gave a small gasp and looked at Warren. His face seemed to have a sort of dread in it, he knew it was coming. I looked back at the messenger, who was asking for a place to stay. I looked at Warren and his jaw was clenched. I suppose one guest at his house was enough.

I let go of Warren's hand and ran up to the man. I don't know what possessed me to do it, but I helped him off his horse and asked, "Would you like some water?"

The man gave me a small smile. "I would appreciate that." I took him down to the well and filled a flask. He gulped it down and looked at me. "I thank you. And what would your name be?"

I froze. Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself. He isn't going to hut you, I told myself.

"Ashen," I chocked. "Ashen."