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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Runic Heart | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Richard LeBlanc | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Act five: a dark future | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back in the distant land - an irate Tamina glared at the image that was in the magic crystal before her. For in the crystal she saw the young prince Harmen in the arms of another woman. She closed her eyes and stormed away from the crystal. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The nerve of him," she began - infuriated. "What could he possibly see in that - that child!" she all but hissed. She took a few deep breaths until her anger managed to subside a bit. She walked over to the mirror and looked at her reflection and tried to make sense as to how Harmen could want that girl - instead of her. "What - could he see in her that he can not see in me?" she asked as fumed. Her mind flashed back to the time she first met the handsome prince. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * * * | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In the early days of the war - an armor clad Tamina walked around her encampment. In a matter of days - they would march and add another empire to hers - expanding her might even further. She sighed and walked into the tent where she knew her officers were. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What is the hold up?" she asked coldly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The enemy - they are entrenched and are waiting for us," an officer replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "This is different - how?" she sarcastically asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If you wish us to attack," the officer began as a scout hurried in. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Master! Four riders are approaching our front line," he stated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Four? Has the enemy made any other move?" she asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No master," he replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Hmm. Perhaps they have come to their senses and desire to surrender - do any look - noble?" she asked curiously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "One is wearing royal colors," he replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Hmm. Excellent. You three - are with me. Let's go," she stated as they left the tent. As they made their way towards the front line - they could see the four riders - waiting and watching. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "They could be spies," one officer stated. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Very bold move for spies - do not be foolish and come with me," she muttered as they slowly. She and her officers walked out beyond their front lines and made their way towards the waiting riders. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "We are here to speak on behalf of the King of Eversky," one called out. The dark queen smiled as she and her officers approached. She was going to speak - but she was struck speechless when she got a closer look at the man that was sitting a top his unicorn. He was probably the most handsome man she had ever seen. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The king would like to know why you are here - and why you threaten war," Harmen asked seriously. Tamina could feel her cheeks turn red. She shook her head and looked up at the prince. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I am Queen Tamina - and I do not threaten war," she replied calmly. The officers were clearly confused by her words - as were the prince and those with him. "You three - return to camp," she added. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "But," one began. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Now!" she ordered. The three nodded and quickly walked away. "Tell me noble ambassador - do I frighten you so much - that you need their protection?" she asked humorously. Harmen sighed and motioned for the three knights to return to the battlements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You want to talk?" he asked seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Very much so. Can we talk at my tent?" she requested. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why can we not talk here?" he retorted. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Perhaps - what I have to say - I do not want overheard," she replied calmly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If this is a trick," he warned. She raised her hands. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "On my honor - this is no trick," she reassured. Harmen dismounted his unicorn and walked beside the Queen. Unknown to him - she stole glances at him whenever he wasn't looking. Harmen was too busy studying the details of the force that was on the verge of marching. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You claim to not threaten war - this is hardly a party declaring peace," he pointed out. Tamina smiled at him and looked around at her minions. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "It is a dangerous world my good prince - if I travel with too little - I risk being caught off guard," she replied rationally. Within moments - the two were at her tent. Harmen secured the unicorn by the horses and followed her in. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "May I change out of my armor?" she asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why?" he asked as he sat down on the cushions on the floor. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "This is my personal space - I - I don't feel comfortable talking dressed for battle - if no battle is forthcoming - right?" she asked curiously. Harmen sighed and motioned for her to do whatever she wanted. Tamina walked over and stood behind a thin wall and began to remove her armor. Harmen casually looked over and noticed that he could see the queen in a mirror. He looked away - but slowly looked back. She had to know that he could see her - but was clearly taking no action about it. He lowered his eyes and sighed. "You okay out there?" she asked curiously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I'm fine," he replied - not looking up. Tamina stepped out from behind the wall wearing a translucent gown that left nothing to the imagination. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Then why are you looking at the floor?" she asked. He looked up and saw what she was wearing and almost instantly looked away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I thought we were going to talk," he stated hesitantly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "We are," she replied as she knelt down before him. "Talk," she added. He sighed and looked the queen in the eye. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Why are you here?" he asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Truth?" she asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Please," he replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I came her to conquer your land - and add it to my empire," she answered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You say that so calmly," he commented. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "It is a way of life I have known all my life - rule of the strong - and you look so strong," she began as she reached towards him. His hand snapped out and grabbed her by the wrist. "I - I'm sorry," she added timidly. Harmen released her. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "If what you say is true - why are we talking?" he asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Do you want me to fight?" she asked seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No. I want you and your army to go back to wherever you came from," he replied seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Okay," she replied quietly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What?" he asked in modest disbelief. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I said okay. I have - but one request - fulfil it - and I swear - no land you know will ever see me or mine ever again," she replied sincerely. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What - what do you want me to do?" he asked hesitantly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Come with me - rule by my side - help me to - learn another way," she answered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Are - are you serious?" he asked hesitantly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Very - your every wish - would be my eager and willing command - what say you?" she asked as she let her gown fall to the ground. Harmen looked at her and shook his head. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I cannot do as you ask," he replied hesitantly. Tamina felt her heart stop in her throat. Hundreds - thousands of men desired and wanted her. Double that dreamed of her - yet the one - the only one she wanted - did not. "It has nothing to do with you - my duty is to my people. I cannot leave. I'm sorry," he replied as he got up and left the tent. Tamina could feel her hands shake with rage as she heard Harmen riding away. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * * * | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Back in her thrown room - tears of rage fell down her cheeks. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Duty - to my people - can not leave?" she muttered - remembering the image of him in the arms of another woman. "You had another? We will see about that," she muttered as she walked over to her mirror. She breathed in and lightly exhaled - causing the mirror to fog up. "Hunter - my champion - I call you," she said softly. The mirror began to glow - the fog seemed to spiral and move. Seconds later - the Image of Hunter could be seen in the fog. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Orders master?' he asked seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "New ones. Have you found the prince's trail?" she asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes - his and a friend's," he answered. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I know where he is," she said grimly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You are not pleased by the discovery," he commented. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No - I am not. I found him sleeping with some common whore," she replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You want her killed?" he asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No. Harmen knows you. If you kill her - he will never come to me," she replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "You still want him? I will never understand you master. So what exactly do you want me to do?" he asked seriously. Tamina sighed and calmed herself down. She had to think of someway - some plan. A smile crept across her face. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Hunter?" she asked as her eyes slowly opened. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Yes?" he replied. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I want you - and those with you - to go to them. They are at the Old Watch Tower - it is near where you are. They should be there for some time to come - especially after all they did," she fumed. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "The Old Watch Tower? That place still stands?" Hunter asked in modest disbelief. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Apparently so," she replied | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "What do you want us to do when we find them?" he asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "I want you - to bring her to me - and I want you to tell Harmen - if he wants to see her again - he will have to come - and talk to me," she said with an evil smile. Hunter sighed and shook his head. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Your will - shall be done," he replied calmly. With a wave of her hand - the fog vanished and she found herself gazing at her reflection again. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "One way or another - my prince - you will be mine. Oracle!" she shouted. The mad seer skipped and limped into the thrown room and sat down before the angry queen. "Tell me - has anything changed in your vision?" she asked seriously. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No change - still the same," she chanted as she swayed back and forth. Tamina sighed and shook her head. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Are you sure?" she asked. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "No change - still the same," she chanted and repeated. Tamina scowled and kicked the mad seer away from her. Oracle giggled madly as she skipped and limped back out of the room. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| "Fate be damned - I will not be undone," she said grimly. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| To be continued... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||