Chapter One
The wind was fierce, a constant and cold pressure buffeting the sails of the vessel. Timbers groaned against the torrent of waves against the hull, and ropes flailed to lash out like snakes. Inside the ship, people and animals huddled against each other, trying to fight out the chill of the oncoming storm. Even inside, with lanterns aglow, the temperature was steadily dropping. Some of them whispered, and most of the concern was on the people above, on deck, and on the shore.
There were people in a longboat, moving ashore to scout. Among them was a young woman. She was quiet, patient, and attentive. A gentle face, brightened by emerald eyes, was partially concealed by a scarf; a full, thick cloak hung around her, the material preventing any draft from chilling her. Pointed ears protruded from beneath copper hair.
“Lady, are you well? This is not too much for you to handle?” a male elf, looking in his middle years, turned to the girl. He was tall and lanky, with dark brown hair pulled into a horsetail.
She nodded. “Why would I be distressed by this?”
She savored the silent, shocked expression he gave her. Of course, they had always treated her like a weak child, and she despised it. She had always had someone following behind her, making decisions for her, and telling her what to do.
Not anymore. I really AM on my own, now…She reminded herself, but the smile of relief was replaced by a grimace of loss. After sixteen years of pampering and protection, she was truly on her own. Only two months ago, she had lost everything she had ever known and loved.
Finally, the boat met the shore, the bottom scraping into the sand. Two youths leapt from the boat and began to tie it off as the girl, the man, and a woman moved along the shore, taking in the surroundings.
“It’s so forlorn,” the woman muttered, pulling her cloak around her tighter. Sleek, black hair fell free of the bun as another gust buffeted them. She shivered.
“It’s still winter here, Melina,” the man said, putting a hand to his companion’s back. “And it is the unknown.”
“Silas is right, Lady Melina,” the girl spoke up, tone level. “There is worse at home, anyway.”
There was a moment of silence, in which the memories haunted them again. It was true; what they had left had been reduced to ash in the fires of revolution. It was the revolution that had driven the people to flee on a ship and come east…to this unknown.
“My lord and ladies!” one of the boys called an hour later, interrupting their surveillance. “The storm approaches! We have little time!”
Silas and Melina began the walk back to the boat, but the girl did not. She stood there, staring into the new world. Something was different about the evergreen forest stretching continuously inland, white peaks rising in the distance, and white sands. Something powerful yet peaceful was in those lands, and it was calling to her.
“Arias!” Silas called her finally. “Are you coming?”
Arias reluctantly tore her eyes away from the landscape and followed her mentors.
*****
Inside the safety of the ship, the elves sat around a rectangular table, Arias at the head. Why she sat there, she could care less. Silas had only forced her to take a seat there, as usual. He had said, “It is proper for a leader to sit at the head of the table. You can view everyone and hear everything.”
Silas stood, and the room fell quiet. “We have found land, of course, and a safe harbor,” he began. “Although we may find it menacing, we can only hope for the best.”
A few murmurs echoed about the room. Many of them nodded and exchanged nervous glances with their companions. Arias asked them to quiet.
Silas continued. “Either way, we cannot turn back. What we left at home must stay there; our return would only fuel the revolution, and I believe we have seen enough chaos and death already.”
There were more murmurs, louder. Arias cleared her throat, hoping to reinforce her request. Yet, one of the men stood, gray beard swaying. “And what is it we are here for? Certainly not to hide and die!”
That renewed the shouting from before. The elves openly debated, ignoring Silas as he tried to talk over them. Arias called for control, but her command was drowned out. She stood and stared at the congregation before adding her own shout, magic spilling into the atmosphere.
“Silenzio!” Silence!
The spell worked instantaneously. While their mouths still moved before realization struck, no sound came from them. Everyone turned to stare at Arias and Silas, reluctantly taking their seats.
“Now, Lord Silas…” Arias said coolly, pointedly. “You may continue.”
He cleared his throat. “Our plans are simple, but I give you a choice: we either explore and settle among whatever people live here, rebuild our empire, or wander aimlessly for all time.”
As the voting took place, Arias’ mind wandered. There were other things she could do…write, sketch, or explore. She could be out in those woodlands now, seeking out whatever force had beckoned to her. Anything to forget why she was here and who she was…
“But it leaves us with another dilemma,” one of the elves half shouted at Silas. “Who will take the throne?”
Arias’ breath caught. Oh, no…I should’ve known! It would be her, the last of the royal bloodline. And, to confirm her hypothesis, Silas lifted a hand to her, still addressing the entire room.
“Our lovely Arias, of course,” he replied, smiling. “Who better to rule a new empire than our princess herself?”
The congregation agreed, only dampening her spirits. A ruler? She was to be an empress, barely even seventeen yet? Meeting the expectant eyes of her company, she sighed. She would have protested if not for those gazes…they looked up to her, had turned to her, even hoped she would guide them. Once again, they had chosen her fate for her…
“If the council wishes it,” was her only answer.
A chorus of “ayes” sealed her fate. She was the new empress, and there was nothing she could do about it.
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