It is a depressing time for me after
the holidays; no future parties or festivities to look forward to, no
event to plan and prepare for it's arrival.
There is nothing.
Life returns to the usual rhythm with
little excitement to entertain you, and all the cheer that was around
the holidays seems to vanish.
I suppose I would not be so down if I
did not consume my time into the preparations of the galas, and pour
myself into perfecting each design.
Because it lasts only for an evening
and then it departs, leaving you with nothing to busy yourself with
and a keen sense of disappointment.
The voyage home was dull, and
uneventful and very quickly I fell into the routine of life about the
LunaMara palace, filled with the tasks and duties of a queen, that I
rather not go into now.
The parting with my brother was hurried
and melancholic, not as a good-bye should be, but than his departure
was rather sudden and unexpected.
For he was required to leave before
myself, at the night of the New Years celebration to be exact, much
to my displeasure.
It was a full gathering of friends,
family and guests, and we had just sat down at the long banquet
tables that lined the hall.
The feast was laid out, steaming hot
with an aroma both delicious and mouthwatering.
Laughter and lighthearted discussion
formed into a noisy hubbub that filled the air and competed with the
melody the musicians played.
All was cheerful and jovial.
But while I was eating and listening to
the ongoing conversation to my right, a servant appeared at my
brother, the Emperor's side, and relayed news to him in a low voice
that I could not make out.
A frown furrowed Lennox's brow in
response and he stood and left the hall, as did his steward, Adam
Saft, upon hearing it also from the servant.
What was the nature of this news that
it should interrupt our feast? I wondered.
It took great strength of will to
resist the urge to leave and discover the truth but I continued as
though nothing had occurred and tried to give my previous attention
to the guests however inside, my brain was searching for every
possible explanation.
Fortunately I was spared any serious
labor of that sort when a servant appeared a second time.
“His Imperial Majesty requests Your
Majesty's presence in the library.” He relayed in a low voice as
the time before.
I stifled my eagerness and nodded,
coming to my feet and exiting the hall calmly so that I did not
arouse attention.
Once outside I quickened my pace and
was at the library in moments.
“Ah, there she is, though not as soon
as I expected. Was there something that delayed you?” Lennox teased
as he always did, knowing that I have a terrible curiosity and would
be anxious to have it appeased, yet his voice lacked the usual light
tone.
He leaned against the long oaken table
that was positioned in the middle of the magnificent library. Adam
Saft stood at his right.
“I did not want our guests to notice
that both their host and hostess had quit the hall without as much as
an excuse.” Then added. “What news is this that demands your
attention?”
“Not pleasant. I was called away by a
report that envoys of the Summit Isles have arrived here at the Agmar
castle and was requesting an audience with me. The matter was urgent
so they said.”
“Did you speak with them? What was it
that was urgent?”
To have envoys sent during a holiday
meant it was not any ordinary situation. Especially from the Summit
Isles.
That was where all the rulers of every
domain and kingdom joined together to discuss national threats and
political decisions.
“They have come to notify me that the
council of the Summit Isles has convened without me. Apparently it is
an emergency meeting that only concerns certain kingdoms because not
everyone has been summoned, Dastrias and you included. So I would not
worry if I were you, on this point. But I am afraid I will have to leave as soon as they make ready on The Ruler, which will not be long.”
“But must you leave at this moment?
Cannot it not wait until the morrow?”
Lennox shook his head. “I fear it has
something to do with Palkkan, and if so it cannot wait or tomorrow
may not come for some.”
Palkkan. The name sent a tingling of fear down my spine.
He had not openly enacted war against Agmar and it's allies, yet he was suspicious in his activities and further monitored when he attached himself to the enemies of the Summit League.
Since then Lennox had expressed that it was only a matter of time before he revealed his treacherous hand against them and it seemed the time had come a few weeks later when he begun amassing thousands of men into an army at his dominion in the southern continent.
Perhaps now was the time in which Palkkan would go into action and if so, there was reason to fear.
I knew it must be so yet I could not
help feeling dismay at his departure.
Lennox stood upright, his face was
pensive under the candlelight. “Now that you know all, I shall make
haste. I am very sorry that I have to leave during your celebration,
Sis, I know how much time you took in preparing it, but it is
unavoidable. Will you relay my apologies to the guests?”
I gave a wry smile. “No, you are not
sorry. If I did not know you better I would think you fabricated this
whole scheme just to escape the party.”
A wide grin cracked my brother's solemn
expression and he embraced me. “Why would I ever do that? I love
social gatherings.”
“Of course.” I tried to be unamused
but was not successful. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too, Em.” He said, and then he
and Adam left.
Now, at LunaMara several days have
passed and I have not yet received news from him concerning the
events at the Summit Isles.
But I am sure that when he finds time
he will write to me explaining everything, in due time.
-Emerald de Gavrillac
Queen of Krespania
