Adeline sipped her hot tea as the warmth of the porcelain cup heated her hands. She sat up in her bed, wrapping her fingers around the entire cup to warm them. Adeline placed her tea on the wooden nightstand next to her. She opened the drawer in it and pulled out a quill and a piece of paper.
Adeline placed the piece of paper on a book in her lap and began writing.
Dear Dreyden,
I've stopped keeping track. Of the days since you've been gone. But, my mother always said to write letters to passed loved ones and they will receive them. I've stopped being angry at Illia. I've stopped being angry at myself. At the guards. I've stopped trying to fix something that cannot be fixed. I've even stopped being sad, which I know I should be. But I've been sad for weeks. It's been weeks without you, Dreyden. It does feel like part of my heart went six feet under too. I do not know what to do about this war and I need you. I need my mother. It feels like the air surrounding me has become thicker. It feels like a fog has permanently settled over my entire body, following me wherever I go. I know I can't bring you back. I know that no matter how many tears fall, you won't ever come back. Even if Illia told me she was sorry, words cannot bring you back, Dreyden. I just need someone, anyone really, to tell me everything will be ok. Sometimes I think about just letting Illia take over Astrean so I can be with you. I received a few condolences from the funeral guests a week or so ago. But, I know no matter how many people say they're sorry or how many times I hear your voice in my dreams, I will never see you again. So I've started writing. To ease my mind, or maybe to distract it. It's like all the fear and sadness have been replaced by nothing. There is nothing left inside of me. In a sense, it's good because nothing can hurt me. But now, I don't know what to do with my time. My heart feels blackened. My soul feels as though it's left my body. And it enrages me how there is nothing I can do to bring you back. I have fallen ill and I know for the sake of our child, I should try and get better. You took my will to live and dragged it underneath the ground with you. This is the first time I've said your name since I told the army you died. Well, I wrote your name. It's like a never-ending pain in my chest, Dreyden. The best way I can explain it is at first, you don't believe it. You have lived your life with this person and they have loved you as much as you love them and one day…they just leave. With no warning. I didn't believe you were gone. I didn't believe I would ever see you again. None of it felt real. Then comes the grieving, the crying, the anger, and the hurt. Because it feels like your life has come to an end too. Then eventually, the rain stops and it's just a dark cloud looming over your head. No rain, but the sun is still hiding behind the clouds. I couldn't tell you what it's like to recover completely because I haven't. I haven't seen my sun yet. But I know it cannot be far. Dreyden, I love you. And I miss you. And I'm angry with you. I know it's not your fault, but I wish you could have stayed longer. I have always held a special place in my heart for you and it will always be there. I will never stop loving you. Just because your heart stopped beating doesn't mean that mine has stopped beating for you.
Love, Ady
Just as Adeline placed the quill on her nightstand, someone opened her bedroom door. She whipped her head to the person standing in the doorframe.
"Hello, Queen Adeline," Niklaus practically purred, leaning against the door. Adeline began coughing and held her handkerchief to her mouth. A single drop of blood dripped onto the book from her lip.
Niklaus clicked his tongue pityingly and pushed himself off the doorframe. "Feeling under the weather?"
"If you could say liver failure is under the weather, then yes," Adeline said sarcastically.
"The good news is, I have not come to taunt you this time. I have come to tell you that your army is ready to fight,"
Adeline looked up from her handkerchief. "Truly?"
Niklaus nodded cautiously. "Yes, yes. I have gathered them at the border and they were told not to strike until the Queen orders it,"
Adeline closed her eyes. "I will not be able to fight in this war, Niklaus. You will give the command. I am too ill to even walk. For my sake and my child's, I cannot serve on the battlefield,"
A flash of compassion crossed Niklaus's face but he hid it well. He bowed and stood at the foot of Adeline's bed.
"I understand completely, Your Majesty,"
"Send word when the battle has begun," Adeline said, picking her tea up off her nightstand.
"You will not need my word. You will know." Niklaus turned on his heels and walked out the door, closing it behind him.
***
Illia cupped handfuls of cold water onto her face, hoping to wake herself up. She rubbed her eyes and rose as she looked at herself in the mirror. She dragged her fingers through her hair and looked at the bags under her eyes.
Illia walked out of her bathroom and began putting on her leather pants. Someone knocked on her door as she put on her undershirt.
"Yes?" Illia said, her voice muffled from inside her shirt. The door cracked open and the light from the candles outside seeped through.
Selene stepped through the door, her boots drumming on the hollow wooden floorboards. Illia put her head through her shirt and noticed who was standing in front of her.
"I apologize, I didn't mean to intrude," Selene said as she continued to walk further into the room.
Illia shook her head. "It's fine, Selene," Selene noticed that Illia hadn't begun calling her mother yet. She was fine with that because she knew Illia had not fully adjusted to the new information. Selene thought that maybe after the war, Illia would call her mother. She hoped for that.
"Let me help you," Selene said as she pulled the breastplate off the floor. Illia nodded and began adjusting her pants to reach the bottom of her feet.
Selene began modifying the armor so it hugged Illia's body. She picked up the iron shoulder pads and attached them to her breastplate. They were made of three blades and they faded into her guard of vambrace that was hinged with golden bolts.
After Selene had finished fastening all of the ties and bolts, she pulled the hairbrush off Illia's desk. She began brushing Illia's hair which had now grown past her shoulders. She pulled her hair back and braided all of it into a long braid that flopped on her back.
Illia fastened the long blue cape to her shoulders and stood up straight. She looked at her blue and gold armor in the mirror and smiled. Returning Veraxin to what it once was meant everything to both Illia and Selene.
Selene tightened the braid as the door behind her creaked slightly. Illia and Selene turned their heads to find Malaki standing there, wearing corresponding armor to Illia's.
She smiled and began walking toward him. He looked her up and down as a proud grin flashed on his face.
Malaki took Illia's hands and his smile faltered slightly. Illia noticed Selene trying to slip out of the door behind Malaki and smiled playfully.
When Illia met Malaki's eyes, she noticed slight distress hiding behind them. Illia squeezed his hands tighter and pulled him closer.
"I know you are scared. For me, for yourself, and the kingdom. Trust me, Malaki, I understand better than anyone. But you have nothing to fear. We have some of the best warriors to ever live on our side. Not to mention Valethar. And me. I can take care of myself and I can take care of my kingdom," Illia's lips tightened. She felt for Malaki. Illia was the only person he had left and this war could either take her away or promise her to him forever.
Either way, Malaki was confident in this war. He dropped one of his hands from Illia's and walked her over to the bench in front of her bed. He sat her down, grabbed her boots, and began putting them on. Illia laughed and placed her hands on his shoulders as he tied the strings.
"I can put on my boots, Ki," she giggled. Malaki held a hand in front of her face and dismissed her comment. Once he finished tieing up the second boot, he stood and grabbed Illia's hands.
He pulled her to his chest and twirled her around her room. Illia chortled as their tin suits clanged together. Malaki spun her out of his arms and she now faced the mirror.
Illia beamed as she looked at her armor next to Malaki's. They looked like royal rulers ready to defend their kingdom.
"I am so proud of you Illia," Malaki placed his hands on Illia's waist. "You are not the girl that was kicking and screaming when I met you. You are a queen."
Illia chuckled at the kicking and screaming comment. Malaki's hands glided off Illia's waist as he reached for a box on her bed.
"What's that?" she asked, following Malaki's movements.
He smirked mischievously. "I snuck it in while Selene was braiding your hair,"
Illia smiled, happy, but confused. "You seem to have forgotten that I was a professional pickpocketer before I joined Isabelle's guard," Malaki said as he opened the box.
Illia looked inside and almost gasped. The thing inside was a beautiful golden gauntlet with brass knuckles and a polished sapphire stone in the middle. The light coming through the window created a glare on the freshly cleaned gold.
Illia picked one of the gauntlets up carefully and studied it closer. Her eyes twinkled in awe as she looked back up at Malaki.
"I have so many questions," Illia said breathlessly, her joy and gratitude overwhelming her senses.
"Your father gave them to me. He told me he wore them in war and that he wished for me to wear them. But, it wouldn't feel right for me to wear it when it belongs to you," Malaki picked up the other gauntlet and slipped it over Illia's hand. "You will lead this army to victory."
Illia felt tears rising in her eyes. Before she even said anything, she jumped to Malaki and clung to him. She hugged him tightly as he laughed, trying to keep himself upright.
Illia pulled herself back and looked into his doe-brown eyes. "They're perfect, Malaki. You're perfect."
Malaki smiled back and moved closer. Illia blinked slowly as she could see every intricate detail in his bronze eyes.
"Illia!" someone shouted from her bedroom door. Illia's eyes widened as she turned her head slowly. She recognized the voice but prayed it wasn't who she thought it was.
"Father!" she yelled back, nervously. Malaki cleared his throat and backed away from Illia. He turned around, pretending to pack up the box that had held the gauntlet.
"Is everything alright?" Illia asked, her body language showing her father that she was guilty.
Theo's eyebrow twitched as his lip quivered. "Yes yes, dear, everything is alright. I just need Malaki for a moment."
Malaki's face scrunched as he awkwardly handed the empty box to Illia. The two men bowed to her and exited the room. Illia noticed that Theo had grabbed Malaki by the arm and was nearly dragging him out. She snickered under her breath and began putting some of her loose garbs away.
Theo pulled Malaki out into the hall, down the stairs, and into the dining hall. When he let go, Malaki stood still, waiting for Theo to speak.
Theo rubbed his hand over his mouth. "Stay focused, son. You can focus on her later. Maybe. If I don't kill you first. She is the Queen and she deserves respect. I am her father, and so do I,"
Malaki nodded quickly. "Yes sir, of course,"
"Now focus up. The war will come in only a couple of hours, you must prepare your men," Theo began walking away but Malaki stopped him.
"Sorry, my men?" he said, standing in front of Theo.
He bobbed his head. "I am too old for the job now. You must lead this army to success. If someday you are to marry Illia, you will be the second-highest power in the kingdom. And you will need to know how to command an army of men. Stubborn as asses, but Veraxin's army."
Malaki's mouth opened but he said nothing. He only nodded his head in gratitude and watched as Theo walked away. Malaki walked to the armory a few minutes after Theo left.
He found the men standing around, waiting for orders. When Malaki entered the room, dressed like a leader and carried himself as a general. The men all paused their conversations and looked at Malaki.
"I will be leading you all in this war," he said confidently. The guards all looked at each other. Some snickered and some offered almost offended faces.
Malaki cleared his throat. The guards continued to laugh under their breath.
"Enough soldiers!" he shouted, stepping toward the guards. "I have been ordered by General Theo to lead this kingdom's warriors to victory and that is what I plan to do. I will have no more of this disrespect toward me. If you wish to continue to laugh and make fun, I will hand you over to the Queen and she will take care of you. And she will not be as merciful as I will,"
The guards quickly quieted with the threat of turning them into Illia. Malaki rolled his shoulders back and lifted his chin.
"Good. You have been through wars. Through countless battles, through assassins coming after the Queen. But nothing could have prepared you for the war that is to come at sundown. This war is between rival kingdoms that have both been through innumerable hardships over the years. We both have grit and integrity, power and money, but nobody can predict what is to happen today. So we must prepare for every outcome,"
The guards all straightened. "Gather the rest of the men and the villagers that have come to fight. Bring them to the training field. Go!"
The guards began funneling out quickly through the door. Malaki stayed behind as he watched them separate from each other.
He turned around so that he was facing the inside of the room. Malaki noticed the Sword of Damnation in the glass case against the wall. He began walking closer, noticing every small detail in the sword. The sword was half of Malaki's height and sharpened the most it could be. The hilt and blade were both golden with sapphire stones embedded in the blade.
He reached for the handle of the case but when his finger touched it, he winced and jumped back. The case was sealed with a power that would send a bolt through anyone that was not Illia. It was a spell Illia placed on the case to ensure it was hers and hers only.
Malaki stepped away and figured it was something Illia had done with the case. He wondered what she was doing at that time. What he did know was that Illia was not preparing for war in the same way he was. Malaki was gathering volunteers and soldiers, and Illia was gathering the creatures of the mountains.
Malaki left the armory and began walking to the training field. There, he would train his army and lead them to victory.
***
Adeline continued to cough and wheeze into her tissue, her handkerchief spoiled with blood. A small, old woman rubbed Adeline's feet as sweat trickled down her forehead. Another woman, this one younger, dabbed the beads of sweat off Adeline's forehead.
Niklaus had sent a midwife and a nurse from the village to care for Adeline. She knew that they were not sent to tend to her illness, but to make her more comfortable. Adeline was not assured that she would survive this so she was grateful that she was made comfortable.
"That is enough, Merryweather," Adeline groaned as the woman rubbing her feet dropped them and backed away. "Bring me my tea please, would you?"
The woman nodded and ran off. The woman wiping Adeline's face looked at her body. Her skin was paler than normal, her eyes were red, and her limbs were limp and thin.
"Can I do anything for you, Majesty?" the young woman asked.
Adeline chuckled softly. "You mean before I die? Can you do anything to make me more comfortable before I die?"
The woman's hand paused, the cloth looming over Adeline's forehead. "Do not speak as such, Queen Adeline. I am faithful that you will make it out of this alive. This illness and this war. Astrean has suffered too long, this war will give us all we need," her hand resumed tapping the sweat off of Adeline's head.
"Tell me…what is it like in the village now?" Adeline looked at the woman almost guiltily.
She patted Adeline's hair back and wet the cloth in a bowl of cold water. She began to press the rag onto Adeline's head.
"The food began rotting some time ago, so we have adjusted to it. We are still starving and the children still die. The pregnant women die before the child is born. Anyone who has not already been killed by the winter or the rotten food has died from Tularemia. A disease that is carried in rats and hares. People have become so desperate that they have begun eating the animals,"
In all the kingdoms, the animals are sacred to the people and royals of the kingdoms. If there is access to plants or fruits, wheat or maize, then animals will remain untouched.
"I- I had no idea," Adeline stammered, trying to think of how to explain why she has failed her job as a queen.
The woman smiled sympathetically. "There was nothing you could have done, Majesty. Your valor in past battles is enough for us. You had no control over the diseases that infected our village,"
Adeline smiled and nodded. "I suppose."
She began to rise when a cough worked its way through her throat. She coughed into her tissue which was already covered in blood.
The woman quickly put her hand on Adeline's back and helped her sit up straight. She handed Adeline a glass of water just as the older woman came into the room. She held a hot cup of tea in her hands and slowly walked it to Adeline's bedside.
"This should help your throat, Your Majesty," the woman said as she handed the cup to Adeline.
She tipped the cup back and tasted the chamomile and honey as it warmed her throat. She closed her eyes and rested her head on her pillow.
Adeline heard a slow shuffle of feet and opened her eyes. She noticed both women were standing at the window, silent, their eyes wide. Adeline's gaze fell to the rag in the young woman's hand and she watched it slip from her grip and splash to the ground.
Adeline sat up, trying to see out the window from her bed.
"What is it?" she began growing concerned with the manner of the women.
"They- they're here, my queen." The older woman stammered, not looking at Adeline. She rose slightly and the young woman rushed to her side.
"You are in no condition to get up, Your Majesty," the woman braced Adeline's back as she moved her legs off the bed.
"Nonsense. I will see my people fight," Adeline protested, using the woman as a crutch and rising completely off the bed.
The woman faltered a moment when Adeline put her entire weight onto her. Adeline stumbled to the window and leaned against the window sill. She felt a distressing pain rip through her body as she watched Illia's army cross the border. This pain was not sharp, but more of an ache. The pain of watching her kingdom fall.
"Niklaus has an army, Queen Adeline. He will take care of it. We have guards watching every corner, every door, and even the gates. Nobody goes in or out," the woman assured Adeline as she stroked her back.
Adeline barely trusted the woman, but she wanted to stay here, where it was safe. All of the women waited in anticipation. Waiting for Illia's army to strike, waiting for their kingdom to fall.
***
Illia held her hand up as she halted the entire army. She sat tall atop Valethar as she turned to face her people. Valethar roared as the people silenced their chants.
"For far too long Veraxin has been excluded from interstate trade, and meetings between kingdoms, and have been stripped of our resources by the richer kingdoms!" she shouted, trying to excite and motivate her people.
She saw a wave of angered nods echo through the crowd. Illia drew her sword, the Sword of Damnation, and raised it high.
"Astrean will no longer thrive at our expense! We will take our freedom and right to live back from them!"
Her army shouted and roared as they listened to Illia. She turned her head and found Adeline's army waiting for them several yards ahead. She took a deep breath and threw her sword up into the sky. As the sword rose, blue flames encompassed it, blowing in the wind.
Illia's army let out an ear-splitting roar as she aimed her flaming sword at the army ahead.
"Now!" she shouted as loud as she could. Just as she announced that one word, the rush of her army waved past Valethar, creating a split in the stampede of warriors.
Malaki rode up next to Illia. "Just scream if you need me," he smiled.
Illia laughed as her sword heated the side of her face. "I expect the same from you, Sir," she said as she watched Malaki ride off with the rest of the army.
Illia looked behind her and noticed that everyone had gone. All of her warriors were already in battle. Valethar was holding back from sprinting into the battle. Illia smiled and patted his side once.
"Let's go, boy," Valethar wasted no time and began running at the battle ahead. Illia shouted as she faced Adeline's army. Her demon dogs and beasts of the mountains roared and sprinted beside her. Most of them had dark gray or black scales and fur. The sound of all of their feet drummed throughout the battlefield.
Illia ran past countless warriors, cutting their arms or legs with her flaming sword. Anyone she did not cut with her sword, Valethar would tackle with his large paws.
She continued through the army, splitting her way through people. Crimson blood splattered on Illia's armor, making it less reflective. Just as she brought her sword down on one of the warriors, someone from far ahead shot an arrow, aiming for her heart.
Adeline must have set snipers at the balconies of the palace, Illia thought. She moved her body to the side, the arrow skimming her armor.
Illia continued slicing through the army when she noticed something strange about these people. There was a glaze over their eyes. They looked almost blind, but dead at the same time. They had no emotion, no smile or frown, no anger or fear. There was nothing to these people. They were not just men either, which was not uncommon, but the women fighting were old. They were old and young. Illia even noticed children fighting in the crowd.
Illia stopped her sword from swinging down and looked at the surrounding faces. Bloody children, women, and men all fighting for someone Illia knew they did not want to fight for. She continued looking at the lifeless glaze over the people's eyes when she spotted someone that stood out from the rest.
Niklaus. He sat high on a dark mare, watching the battle from a distance. Illia held her sword tightly in her grip as she rode through the crowd. Valethar picked up his pace as he weaved between people fighting and people running. Even Valethar's white fur was splotchy with the blood of the people of Astrean and Veraxin.
Illia met Niklaus's eyes just before she reached him. He held eye contact with Illia to threaten and intimidate her. She was not in the least intimidated by this old man.
After having to fight her way through the angry clash of the two kingdoms, Illia reached Niklaus.
"Where is she?" Illia more demanded than asked. Niklaus shrugged his shoulders.
"I do not know who you are referring to, Your Majesty," he said with a sly smile.
Illia pointed the tip of her flaming sword at his face. Niklaus did not flinch as the smile plastered on his face remained.
"You know damn well who I'm talking about, Niklaus," Illia's voice held steady and threatened Niklaus.
"Ah. Do you mean Adeline? She has fallen ill I'm afraid," he tsked.
Illia's inner eyebrows arched upward as the corners of her lips pulled down. "Ill?" she said worriedly.
"Yes, very," Niklaus said in a taunting tone.
"With what? Is her baby alright? Will she be alright?" Illia bombarded Niklaus with countless questions.
Niklaus rolled his eyes and slumped. "She is dying, Illia. Let her die in peace."
Illia looked at the castle behind him and looked back to meet his eyes. She swallowed the spit bubbling in her mouth and began leading Valethar to the castle ahead. Before Illia crossed over the beginning to the bridge, she looked back to the clashing armies.
She met Malaki's eyes. He looked worried as he paused his sword. Illia smiled softly and nodded, signaling for him to lead the army. He did not nod or even give a smile, but instead sat on his mare, stoic as he watched Illia ride into the castle.