KRAYLAN'S LOVE
a Land of Mistasia short story
In the Land of Mistasia, beyond the Michi Mountains,
rested Keegan Castle. It was a wondrous and tremendous achievement for the
elves that dwelled within this structure. Few in Mistasia even knew that Keegan
Castle existed. It had been kept hidden by the mountains for centuries…until
two cunning elves discovered them, forming an alliance that would change the shape
of Mistasia forever.
Late one day, only a few
months later that alliance took shape. The sun nestled between the mountaintops
casting large shadows on the castle grounds. Queen Kraylan Keegan, leader of the
northern elves, stood at the gate awaiting their arrival. The bustling elves passed
her as they went about their daily activities. They were humble and powerful
creatures and would never agree with what their Queen was about to help set in
motion. She hadn’t been of sound mind lately, confused by her feelings for an
elf that she barely knew. He was strong and charming.
Queen Kraylan’s long red
hair flowed down her neck resting across her chest. She took in the heavy evening
air when she saw him approaching. He walked with a distinct purpose…his warriors
and sorcerer with him. She didn’t trust this sorcerer, Pierre LaCroiux. It was
something in his eyes…void of compassion, unlike the man for whom she had been
waiting impatiently at the castle gates for nearly three hours.
“Cragon,” she gasped
placing her hands on his chest. He grabbed her wrists with a force that shocked
her. “What is wrong?”
“Not here, my love! We need to get inside the castle,” Cragon Cadieux commanded.
“Oh, of course, Cragon,”
Queen Kraylan briskly turned and led him and his group through a short courtyard
and immediately down a narrow pathway lined with thick vines growing along the
walls.
Words were few as they
approached their destination…a small tower set along the far wall of the
castle. Queen Kraylan swiped her hand over the door unlocking it. Cragon
grasped her and pulled her aside allowing Sorcerer LaCroiux access. The
sorcerer’s gaze landed fiercely on the Queen as he past. She felt his hatred
burning against her skin. A group of warriors followed him as they surrounded
two prisoners.
Cragon half-smiled before
kissing her upon the forehead, “Thank you my dear.” He motioned for her to
enter. Once inside he slammed the door shut.
Queen Kraylan felt uneasy.
She felt trapped in this once peaceful place by someone who claimed to love
her, but she pushed that feeling down deep inside. She hadn’t earned the title
of Queen from familial ties…she was awarded the position from those that lived
here with her. She was a warrior, a hero and a powerful sorceress. Most of all,
Queen Kraylan did not have to fear Cragon Cadieux. He loved her.
The group followed a
staircase that lead them deep under the castle. Once below, Sorcerer LaCroiux
set the room ablaze with a spell for all to see. Cragon moved to the center of
the room.
“Tonight, we have done what
must be done for the good of Mistasia and the Cadieux name.” His words weren’t
harsh yet he spoke with vigor. “My brothers, this is the night we lay claim to
the throne.” A smile rose on all their faces. Cragon took a deep breath as
though savoring the sweet smell of victory. He looked at Queen Kraylan. Her
expression was that of confusion. Cragon held out his hand. She searched the
room. All eyes were firmly on her, awaiting her acceptance. This was the moment
she would seal her fate and intertwine it with his…the man she loved for better
or worse, and it was about to get much worse. The Queen of Keegan Castle placed
her hand in his. She noticed how small and insignificant it appeared as his
engulfed hers completely. He pulled her near and re-positioned her before him.
“I have something to show
you,” Cragon whispered as he stepped aside. “I want you to meet my brother,
King Steven ‘the weak’ and his wife, Queen Delia ‘the wretched’.” He began to
laugh.
King Steven began to
scream, but the sound was muffled. It only made Cragon laugh harder. His
warriors joined him. Cragon waved his hand in front of his brother’s mouth
releasing his spell allowing the King to utter a few words of disgust.
“How dare you, Cragon?
Release us at once!” King Steven demanded in his most regal tone that could be
mustered under the circumstances. He was still in shock from this night’s
betrayal. Cragon recast the spell
leaving his brother’s muffled screams in place of words.
“LaCroiux, it is time!”
Cragon stepped back allowing the sorcerer space. In moments,LaCroiux shocked
the room into complete silence. He cast a spell turning the King and Queen of
Cadieux Castle into statues. Now, King Cragon Cadieux and his sorcerer would
return to claim the throne.
Queen Kraylan Keegan was
left to perform her part of this coup. Keegan Castle would become the permanent
home for the former King and Queen, and Queen Kraylan would keep them out of
sight.
Many years later, Queen Kraylan
continued to wait for his return. Cragon Cadieux had always promised that they
would be together. He told her that he had to cleanse Mistasia of all his
brother’s mistakes and return Cadieux Castle to glory…then and only then could
he return for her. In the meantime, Keegan Castle would remain a secret to the
other elves of Mistasia, hidden under the protection of Michi Mountains and the
stories that Sorcerer LaCroiux would weave about the land beyond the mountains.
Her love for King Cragon
grew into obsession and then despair.
Once again, the Queen
stood at the gates of her mighty castle. It was a brisk winter night at the
foot of the great mountains and a light snow fell at her feet. Her heart felt a
sudden, sharp pain, and it knocked her to the snow.
“My Queen!” a nearby elf named
Atom Kaval called. He was her second in command, leader of the Keegan Warriors.
“Are you alright?” He aided her to her feet. She was weeping in his arms.
“Take me to him!” She
called out hysterically.
“I cannot, my Queen. It is
forbidden!” He replied.
“It is too late;he is gone!”
She sobbed. She felt it within her heart. The bond she and Cragon had created
so many years earlier had vanished. “WHIZZENMOG!!!” She screamed with such
forced it cleared the snow from the area forming mountain-like snow drifts
burying trees just outside the castle.
“My Queen, what has
happened?”
“They have taken him from
me,” she whimpered. A warmth began to burn deep within her. She dashed through
the courtyard toward the tower that held her awful secret. Queen Kraylan
approached the door but did not open it. She cast a spell causing it to explode,
showering the area with splinters. Down the staircase, she moved with more
determination than ever before. They would be down there…they would be waiting
for her…they would be waiting for her to release them.
Upon entering the tomb,
Queen Kraylan lashed out, creating a fireball to light the room. She collapsed
to her knees before them,crying.
A gasp echoed in the room.
Standing in the entryway was Atom. An expression of disgust upon his youthful
face. The Queen quickly wiped her tears and stood tall in an attempt to compose
herself. She dimmed the light, but Atom quickly relit the room to expose the
two statues against the wall.
“What are these?” His
voice was stern.
“I will punish them for
this, Atom.”
“For what, exactly, my
Queen? They are statues.”
“For ruining everything I
ever cared for,” she turned away.
“What are these?” He
questioned again, placing his hand on her shoulder. She pushed him away with
great force, sending him into the wall. He was much larger than she, but Queen Kraylan
Keegan was the most powerful sorceress in her kingdom…the only elf more
powerful was the one that she loved and lost…Cragon Cadieux.
“These are the King and
Queen of Cadieux, Atom! The brother of the elf I love! King Steven’s
responsible for Cragon’s death!”
“That is impossible, my
Queen!” Atom pleaded for reason. “He is right here…in our castle. Imprisoned,
my Queen.”
“I must…I have to save
him! So that we can finally be together.”
“But…you said…my Queen?” Atom
struggled to follow.
“There is only one way to
bring him back. I must go to Greenville and find the Whizzenmog. He has it!”
Atom found himself staring
at the pained expressions upon King Steven and Queen Delia’s faces.
“He has what, my Queen?”
“The Gossamer Pen.”
MORE
TO COME FROM THE LAND OF MISTASIA
