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| Racing, almost out of breath, the advisor Narottam burst into the royal bed chambers. "The Twins have sent a package! This letter was contained within." Still panting he approached the queen, who had been almost catatonic for several days. He gingerly opened and placed the parchment into her hand. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dearest Mother, Good news! We have achieved the first goal in curing your condition. Dhiramol and I have slain one of the great beasts known as Ice Dragons and preserved a scale from its hide. The package sent with this trusted messenger contains the scale, drenched in our own blood, our own sweat, our own tears. As I mentioned in our previous letter, we are slowly becoming used to Moorgate. The natives of this land are most friendly and helpful, and in some ways even civilized. Many have freely offered their assistance and friendship; I feel ever more certain that the city of Moorgate would make a fine trading partner, and perhaps even an ally. Perhaps one day they may even assist us in taking the battle to Lord Rakesh, rather than merely defending against him. That day will arrive only after you and Father have been cured of his curse, of course. Know that we shall not rest until you are restored to complete health. And, be assured that no task will be too great for us. Dhiramol and I, as our royal instructors presumed, are a formidable pair. (Don't tell Dhir I complimented him so, he is getting a big enough head from all the attention of the local ladies.) We anxiously await further instructions from Yogita and Urja. Our lives for Uttam, Crown Princess Vhiramol Protector Dhiramol ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Queen Ajit smiled weakly, her hand dropping to the bed. The letter slid to the floor as she glanced up at Shaman Urja. Her voice seemed barely audible in the large bedchamber. "It arrived intact, then?" Urja smiled softly. "Yes, my queen. I have already performed upon it the rituals Yogita prescribed. We can proceed as soon as you are ready." Ajit gave a decisive nod. Urja gestured to Narottam and the advisor stepped forward. He carefully placed the bloodstained scale on the bed between the king and queen, then stepped back and gave a formal bow. His team of apprentices and assistants buzzed around the royal couple, anointing their bodies with a thick red paste. Urja moved to the foot of the bed and summoned all the power his frail and aged body could contain. The healing magics filled the room as he begain the spells. It took the better part of a day for the effects of the initial cure to take shape. Finally, after a brief bath to cleanse herself of the potent herbal paste, Queen Ajit felt refreshed. A sense of vitality had returned and she wished to take advantage of the energy while she could. "We shall meet in the Council Chambers," she spoke to her aid, conserving words. The royal advisors gathered to discuss the state of affairs. ===== King Mahavir Ajit gestured at the map. "Two battalions here, one there. Tell them to make defensive preparations only." The queen frowned. "Lord Rakesh grows bolder, my husband. Should we not strike out against him, and put him in his place?" "Not yet, beloved. He is merely probing right now, trying to find out how much the curse he placed upon us has weakened our defenses. If we strike back he will simply withdraw his forces and begin new schemes." He cocked his head thoughtfully, a habit he'd passed on to his son. The queen suffered a pang of sorrow at the reminder that her children were so far away, and so alone. She returned her attention to her husband, who continued. "He cannot know that the curse has been reversed, or even slowed, at least for now. I wish to draw him out - if he thinks we are still in a weakened state, he will grow bolder yet and commit himself. When he does, we will crush him." The royal advisor, Narottam, coughed nervously. "An admirable plan, Sire, but isn't it risky? Soon the curse will reassert itself, and you will be weakened again. Rakesh's plan could succeed if the twins fail to -" A glare from the queen cut him off. "Our children will continue to succeed. They are the pride of Uttam, and your future rulers. Send forth the orders." She turned her attention to Urja and the Soothsayer Yogita. "You are sure the curse will return?" Yogita stared into space with pupilless eyes. The visionary stroked her long silver hair as she spoke. "Yes, yes, the twins have done well, done well they have." She began to slowly rock back and forth, "With the first layer of the curse removed, we see ... we see ... what is needed, and what is needed next lies deep within ... we must have heart ... from a creature that is heartless, we need heart ... an abundance of hearts ... " with that said, the soothsayer spat unpon the ground and stood in a motionless trance. |
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