MYSTICAL MIRROR
PROLOGUE
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| MYSTICAL MIRROR (BOOK 4) COMING SOON |
Queen Kraylan
Keegan, sobbed. Tears streamed across her face and landed on the colorful quilt
atop her bed. She held her fist tightly against her chest, as close to her
heart as she could keep it. Inside, the queen held the last piece of him she
had. The gold ring he had given her the day he last visited. The day he
promised to return to her. The last time she ever felt his touch.
That
day, Queen Kraylan felt heartache. She longed to be with the one she loved more
than life itself. It paled in comparison to the agony she felt at this very
moment. The only thing she could do was cry. It keep away the anger…the rage that
boiled with in her. That feeling and the power it created had always caused her
panic. She was a peaceful elf at heart, however, she knew deep down this
monster would someday rear its ugly head. Queen Kraylan hoped that the tears
would drowned the beast, or at least wash it out to calmer seas within her soul
and allow her the time to mend her broken heart; the time to regain her courage
to fight the beast on her own.
She
lifted her head, and shuttered as she gasped for air. It entered her lungs with
such force, reclaiming the space that had been vacated by its former tenants
when she learned the news or her loves demise. Now, she opened her eyes for the
first time in what seemed like an eternity. The room was dimly lit and cast in
heavy shadows. A few candles burned along the wall beside her. The tears
remaining in her eyes distorted her vision slightly causing the objects around
her to appear different.
Maybe
they are different now? She thought. My world has changed forever. Nothing is as it was before.
The queen slowly raised from
the bed, which was now saturated with her tears. She still held her hand close
to her chest. Now, standing at the window, she watched the world before her.
The winds from Michi Mountains seemed even brisker than usual tonight as though
they were sent to chill her aching heart. Strains of her thick red hair clung
to her wet cheeks. She brushed them aside and swallowed hard in a feeble
attempt to regain her composure. Another deep breath and she could feel her
heart beat slowing.
“My Queen”, called a
concerned voice of her commanding officer, Atom Kaval. He had been the only one
at her side when she felt that horrible sensation of her loves death. Kaval
patiently awaited her response from the hallway, just outside her door.
She didn’t respond as she
opened her hand to reveal the ring. It was so large in her palm that it would
have dangle if place on her thumb.
“My Queen?”
“Gather a party, Atom.” She
turned to him, eyes red.
He was stunted by her
appearance, but didn’t show it to her. He was a gifted warrior and had trained
to keep his emotions in balance during battle. This battle, however, was far
different than those he had ever fought before. It was devastating to witness
his leader, his mentor, his chosen Queen, so utterly distraught. Emotions lined
up like warriors ready for battle at the front lines, but he held them at bay.
“A party, but where are we
going?” Atom feared where she might send them in her current state.
“Cadieux Castle, Atom.”
Atom glanced at the Queen
clutching something to her chest. He wasn’t aware of the treasured gift inside
her hand. He nodded his compliance, but wished to speak further. He hesitated.
It was not respectful to question the judgement of the Queen, however, he was
fully aware of the wiliness of the Keegan Warriors to act upon her wishes. They
didn’t understand the state she was in, and Atom needed to trust that her
motives where pure and level-headed.
“My Queen, my I enter?”
Queen Kraylan nodded, but
stiffened her posture. She knew what was coming.
Atom only took a few steps
into the Queen’s chambers before stopping, feet together. He removed his helmet
and placed it at his side.
“I offer my condolences, as
I cannot understand what this loss truly means to you.”
The queen turned her head to
the side and closed her eyes. The roar of the beast returned.
“I cannot conceive the
struggle within you must face, however…” Atom hesitated. He took a moment to
choose his words carefully to not offend. The Queen continued to avoid eye
contact as she struggled to compose herself. “However, I do not believe that
warring with our brethren from Cadieux is advisable during this…time.”
Silence.
The air began to bring in
snow through the open window. It fluttered around the Queen’s slender frame.
Atom Kaval stood patiently awaiting her response.
“I do not wish to go to war
with Cadieux, Atom.” She spoke faintly. Her words seemed to barely escape her
lips, but float upon the winds to Atom’s ears. “War will only cause more pain
and death. That is something that I do not wish upon anyone in Mistasia. There
has been far too much of that in recent times.”
Queen Kraylan lifted her
head and opened her eyes, yet still looked away from Atom. He had long been a
friend to her, even before the elves of Keegan proclaimed that she would be
their Queen, unlike Cadieux this land choose its leaders from worthy candidates
not familial lineage.
Atom stood firmly at
attention, when the queen turned her gaze upon him and took two steps forward.
The wind rustled her hair giving her an angelic presence.
“No, my friend, I intend to
form an alliance with Cadieux.”
“An alliance?” Atom was
stunned by this revelation. The elves of Michi Mountain had remained hidden for
so long, self-ostracizing themselves from the Land of Mistasia and their
distant cousins to the south. “Why form an alliance after all this time, My
Queen?”
Queen Kraylan stepped closer
and extended her arm, placing a hand upon his cheek. She half smiled and her
eyes welled with emotion as she gently guided her thumb across his smooth skin.
“To turn their eyes blind.”
Atom suddenly felt something
he hadn’t before in her touch, a raging flame. It warmed his cheek and caused
him to pull away. The monster deep within had awakened, and for a split second
overtaken her heart. The queen gasped and turned away, returning to the frosty
winter breeze at her window.
“You mean to deceive them?”
Atom questioned with more resolve than he had ever mustered in her presence. He
approached her like she was an uncontrolled flame dancing before him. Reaching
for her with an unsure arm, Atom wished to comfort his Queen…his friend.
“I…I do not…” Her breathing
was erratic and labored. Her lungs felt closed off. Doubled over, not in pain,
but in an attempt to maintain the burning inside her, Queen Kraylan Keegan was
succumbing to its call. The monster within was winning this battle. No longer
was the frigid sting from winter’s cold winds going to temper the beast.
“I do,” Kraylan spoke. Her
voice much stronger than before. “I plan to bring Cadieux closer to mask my
true wish.”
“And what is it you wish, My
Queen?”
Kraylan was unrecognizable
when she turned. She was still the same in color and size, yes, but her face
was different. Her eyes intense. No longer full of pain, but anger and revenge.
Her mouth once supple and inviting was now rigid and curled with a devilish
smile.
“I know where the answer
hides.” She spoke while she moved, forcing Atom to back away. “Cadieux hides it
from us, but we will infiltrate them. Cause them to lower their defenses.
Believe that we are their allies, and then I will retrieve it.”
“Retrieve what?” Atom found
himself retreating, as she had forced him into the corner.
She leaned in to whisper
into his ear, “The Gossamer Pen.
Written by Christopher M. Purrett (2016)
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