My wish is granted,
and temporary headquarters have been set up in the port of Aldrake;
No longer am I
restrained on board my ship, but I can wander the lengths of the
damaged streets that run from the entrance of the palace to the docks
at the waterfront.
It is no Krespania
countryside, but it is better than remaining on The Golden Dawn, and
for that I am grateful.
Nothing has changed
concerning Palkaan and his army.
We are having
difficulty overcoming their defenses, and despite our relentless
pressure and assaults upon them, they do not appear to be growing
weaker nor stronger; they continue with interminable strength.
No war is short in
life, and this one is proving the point impeccably.
And by acknowledging
this fact, Lennox was brought to the conclusion that we need more
power, and more specifically the assistance of King Dastrias of
Pasarz, our longtime friend and ally.
Pasarz is located
far east of Krespania in the desert regions, and from where we are,
in the southern continent, it would take my brother many weeks to
arrive at his domain.
But Valory D'Alvre's
power of creating portals to anywhere desired was an advantage that
could not be ignored.
Therefore Emperor
Lennox, along with Lady Valory and a detachment of his men, went
through the portal and arrived on the outskirts of the palace of
Pasarz.
My brother said that
he applied to King Dastrias for his help in the southern war but was
surprisingly rejected.
He told my brother
that he had grown too weak and was unfit for battle, and that he
could not longer fight with the sword as in times past.
Lennox could not and
would not believe this was true.
As he was departing
the palace, he told me that the queen of Pasarz, Taahira, stopped him
and asked for a private audience.
Her radiant beauty
was marred with a look of sadness.
“Am I mistaken to
believe you are here to enlist my husband, the king's help?”
He answered her that
she was not. “But he has refused my request.”
The pain in her eyes
deepened, and Lennox knew there was more to be spoken of the subject
than was being let on.
“I found his lack
of interest puzzling.”
Queen Taahira shook
her head. “That is what I would like to discuss with you. Dastrias
has steadily become this way over the last few months, until he
thinks he is utterly useless, and cannot do anything.”
“Why has he come
to think this about himself?” Asked my brother.
“I have found out
from my servants, who I have asked to listen around the palace, that
it is Hadeeqa- One of his other wives. She is poisoning his mind.”
Lennox wondered if
this was the truth or a delusional accusation out of jealousy.
Perhaps she disliked
the idea of Dastrias spending time with someone other than her, and
fabricated the idea in anger.
Yet she seemed sad,
not angry at that moment.
“How do you know
this?”
“The servants
heard her. She is very discreet and makes offhand comments, where at
the time sound harmless enough, but after so long of it being put
into your mind you begin to believe it. For example she says he
should not do so many things because of his health, and that he not
getting any younger, or that he should let the servants do what he is
capable of doing. Things such as that.”
Taahira closed her
eyes, and bowed her head. “And I can see what it is doing to him,
and I abhor it. He is no longer the carefree, lighthearted and
adventurous king that I married, but more like an elderly man,
worried about his health.”
Lennox was convinced
that she was telling the truth, and an idea emerged in his mind.
“Excuse me, Your
Highness.” He bowed. “I will do what I can.”
He found his
friend's armor-bearer and requested he deliver the king's sword and
shield to his master.
When this was
completed he returned to the gardens where Dastrias lounged and
stared at his sword and shield in his hands as if they were strange
and new to him.
Lennox drew his
sword.
“Let us fight! To
the death!”
Dastrias looked at
him with a confused expression. “I cannot; I am too weak.”
“Too weak or too
afraid?” He challenged.
“You know very
well I do not fear you.”
“If you will not
fight, I will be forced to think that.”
Dastrias rose slowly
from the ground, clutching his sword in his right hand and his shield
in his left.
“Very well.”
My brother told me
that the swordplay that ensued was quick and animated, and while
Lennox was not giving his total strength to it for fear that he would
overpower him due to his constant practice on the field, Dastrias
still possessed his edge and skill to keep him on his toes.
A little more time
with the sword and all expertise would be restored to him as in the
past.
The king of Pasarz's
surprise turned to joy at learning he had not lost his abilities, and
Lennox could immediately recognize the difference in him.
His cheer returned,
and afterward they talked like the good friends they were, about many
things before he pledged his service in the war at Aldrake.
My brother then
returned by the way he came, with news that they will reinforce us
when they arrive in about four weeks; time enough for King Dastrias
to gather his troops and march south to Aldrake.
Perhaps with their
support the war will end quicker, and we will have victory over
Palkkan.
Let us hope...let us
pray.
-Emerald de
Gavrillac
Queen of Krespania
