The Portalist's Message

There are certain things that one tires of after a few times of doing, and then there are the experiences that it only takes doing it once to grow weary with it.

When it comes to war, the latter applies to me.

Though I have went through it more then once, it is not too often.

But each time it fatigues me to the inner core and I emerge from it, exhausted and cynical.

My whole outlook on life is tainted with a bitterness that results from witnessing the bloodshed of the battlefield, and having to fight through the horrors that you are confronted with there.

And it is impossible to come out unscathed, whether it be mentally or physically.

I live in this dark cloud, for an indeterminable amount of time, that diminishes all love of life and happiness in myself, and produces a negative effect upon my countenance.

Meredith can attest to this, having had to endure my despondency, with all care and consideration regardless of it.

She perhaps, through doing this, is the reason I am coaxed out of that state and into my natural mindset.

However, despite my obvious detestation of going to battle and the effects of it, I am once again summoned to the field of war.

Since I received the letter from my brother, Lennox de Gavrillac, entreating me to assist him in Erelli-Lion with my warships, I have without hesitation given the order for the vessels to be readied.

The preparations took only a few weeks, and we are scheduled to embark the day after tomorrow.

But unexpectedly, I received further instructions from Lennox that will change the direction we will sail to altogether.

It was nearing the afternoon of yesterday, and I was in sitting in the court when the news came.

Yet, it was not brought by his royal couriers as the previous times.

I first began to hear a whooshing sound, as of a summer breeze, that started softly and gradually raised in volume.

Then my attention was brought to one of the entrances of the court to my right, where the sound seemed to be coming from.

At each corner of the doorway fog appeared and simultaneously began reaching to the center with spindly and wispy hands, turning in a clockwise motion until the whole perimeter of the archway was covered.

A mix between a hissing and crackling sound came forth, and in an instant the fog evaporated to reveal a translucent gel as of a large bubble that occupied the length and width of the door frame.

When I drew opposite it, the gel gave the illusion that it sloped inward when in fact, upon looking at it from the side, it was a completely flat surface.

A blurred image of a landscape made for it's background, and prevented any view of the hallway behind the door.

This was not the first time that I had seen this, yet every time I encounter it, I am fascinated anew by it.

A form darkened the bubble and then person emerged through the gel and stepped into the court.

Gasps filled the air around me, as people having not been acquainted with this, shrunk back in fear and amazement.

I recognized the person instantly to be Valory D'Alvre, a San Veyan noblewoman and close friend and confederate to Lennox and I.

She had the rare ability to portal to any place she desired, being one of the last of the nearly extinct race of Portalists, and was usually with my brother, assisting him in times of war with her invaluable gift.

Valory has a daring and adventurous spirit, not unlike my brother's, with a love for the outdoors and wilderness that overcomes any preference she might have for a life the court could offer a nobleman's daughter.

Her experience as a warrior and her persevering leadership made her a trustworthy and devoted aide to Lennox.

Valory turned to me and with a bow of the head, addressed me.

“Queen Emerald, I have news from your brother, Emperor Lennox.”

Her demeanor was usually light and humorous, and the lack of this coupled with her presence here meant it was most urgent.

I gave her permission to continue and she said, “The plan has been thwarted, and Palkkan has besieged the kingdom of Aldrake. The ruler stated during the Summit council that he has not entered into war in seventy years, and that he will not now. Therefore your brother asks you to change the direction of your vessels from Erelli-Lion to Aldrake, to assist them if need be. He is mobilizing his soldiers and will be there in a few weeks.”

I asked about the circumstances leading up to this event, and she answered adequately before concluding it with that and returning through the portal from which she came. 

So our course has been altered, and we are to set sail for Aldrake in attempt to intercept Palkkan's assault on the kingdom.

I hope you do not misinterpret my aforesaid words and conclude that I am pacific, for that is not what I mean.

I loathe the bloodshed in battle, not war itself.

For war is required when there is wickedness in the world, and we have to meet the demands to fight it.

It is unavoidable and necessary, and I will not hesitate to take part in it.

That is the reason why I will go now, because it is the responsibility and duty of those who have the power to make a difference.
Even if the procedure is disagreeable. 

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania