Over five hundred years after the creation of Xyntriav, three emperors had built their dominions on the west of the continent Noelle and expanded them across the oceans to the continents Platavan and Kallak. For fifteen years they had successfully held their alliance as the United Empires, but as those years passed, it became increasingly difficult to keep it in one piece. Once they had encountered their fifth collective political issue, they were unable to conclude the affair. Desperate to come to an accord, they involved the subjects of their empires. Now, on Malla 23, 467 (April 5), it was time to announce the result of the poll to the emperors themselves.
The meeting took place in a dark stone forum a few miles away from the coast in the town of Helvetica, the capitol of the Noelle Empire. Located in the very center of the capitol, the forum was supported by obsidian pillars and a black steel frame. Aside from the palace, it was the largest building in town.
Lavish candelabras shown on the large number of silk-cushioned chairs inside, yet no one was seated. Representatives of each and every town in the United Empires took up ninety percent of the breathing space and their bodies made it hotter than the warm spring day outside. In total, eighty-four mouths bickered and argued at the meeting and the oxygen seemed to be running out. Malicious rage showed on everyone's faces in the colorful light shining through the stained glass windows, and the arguing failed to cease.
The three emperors debated amongst themselves at the front of the forum where the floor was raised and two of them seemed to side against the younger one. They were dressed in black, red, and dark purple robes. Large gold collars hung around their shoulders and connected on their right to the crests of their empires. Yet the appearance of maturity and professionalism didn't seem to fit the mannerisms of the younger emperor.
The oldest of the three, Emperor Plake of the Noelle Empire, finally began the conference after realizing the arguments were only agitating everybody. To attract everyone's attention (and release some anger of his own), he shattered a vase on the concrete floor.
"Will everyone silence themselves long enough to end this?" he demanded. "Sit down!"
All present took their seats silently. The emperors sat at separate ebony tables at the front of the room and a scribe, barely noticeable, stood by a column to take note of the votes.
"So," Emperor Plake sighed when everyone seemed ready. "Let us end this once and for all and inscribe it on a tablet. What have we decided, Noelle?"
The representatives of each town in the Noelle Empire announced the votes of the residents for which they spoke, each word echoing around the steel columns that blocked the room in. After the last vote had been recorded, Emperor Plake peered down at his notes seeming disappointed in his people. He nodded to Emperor Mandingo of the Bonn Empire, who was next.
"Bonn," Emperor Mandingo said, radiating a certain confidence in his subjects. "What have our towns decided?"
When Bonn's votes finally ended, Emperor Mandingo was incredibly shocked and dissatisfied in his empire's choice. His chubby face glowed red as he looked over his notes before turning to Emperor Mentir of the People's Empire to continue.
"People," said Emperor Mentir, the youngest of the three emperors.
He was clearly delighted with the direction in which the voting was headed and he held his squared chin high. He could almost be mistaken as Emperor Plake's son with the same long skull and angled body structure, except he had a darker complexion and blonde hair.
"I'm sure we've chosen the right alternative," Mentir continued. "What's our decision?"
At first, Emperors Plake and Mandingo felt completely hopeless at what seemed to be the end of the voting. They sat there with shoulders slumped as they took notes and glanced at each other in despair. But Emperor Mentir was proud and not afraid to show it. Suddenly, the expressions of the two dismal emperors changed to sheer relief after an unexpected shift in the middle of the People's votes. The third emperor's smile vanished.
"I'm going to over-rule my empire's vote," Emperor Mentir declared after the voting had ended. He shot to his feet so quickly that he almost knocked over his chair.
"Mentir, you cannot do that," replied Emperor Plake. "We have an accord."
"I don't care! I over-rule."
"We are not even aware of the final result yet." Emperor Mandingo turned to the scribe. "Cal, what is the verdict?"
"It appears the miracle workers are in business, Sire," answered Cal.
"There you have it," said Emperor Plake. "The problem is settled."
"This isn't officially over yet, I override my empire!" Emperor Mentir insisted pointing at Cal.
The scribe looked at the other two emperors with concern, hoping they would save him from their raving rival.
"That is against our contract," Emperor Mandingo stated simply as he stood and straightened his papers. His large body wiggled with his every movement.
"I over-rule the contract then!" Emperor Mentir asserted. "Either way, my empire's votes will have no effect on this matter."
"That is not possible," Emperor Plake said, laughing slightly. All of the representatives shuffled out of the forum in case the argument turned violent. "And you do not have the kind of power in my empire to over-rule an accord which the three of us have formally recognized."
"I over-rule you then!"
"That is enough!" Emperor Plake shot up from his chair. The walls increased the volume of his demand, emphasizing his insistence for silence. His voice even muffled the sound of his iron chair crashing against the stone floor. "You cannot over-rule me, in my empire!"
"You cannot over-rule us ourselves at all!" Emperor Mandingo added leaning against his table. "Have you gone mad?"
"Of course I'm mad! At first this voting was headed exactly where it should have, then once we got to my empire, everything fell apart. Therefore I eradicate my empire's vote."
"According to our agreement, you must respect your subjects' choice," Mandingo reminded. "Now if we may, we will sign the bill, seal it, chisel it into stone and put it away with the other laws."
Cal set a gold tray in front of Emperor Plake which held the bill, a quill and an ink well. Mandingo approached the table to await his turn to apply his own signature at the bottom of the parchment.
Mentir balled his fists with rage, but then sucked a long breath through his nose before he asked, "May I see our agreement, please?"
"I do not think you should," Mandingo answered suspiciously as he turned back to look at Mentir.
"I just wish to make sure that what all you said is true, my memory has faded. Allow me to reread it."
Emperor Plake stroked his short black beard and studied his ally with his dark, sunken eyes squinted. Red and gray rings surrounded his gaze, contrast with his ashy skin. Indeed, he looked ill. He finally nodded to Cal, giving him permission to bring out the stone tablet.
"I would not do it, Emperor," Mandingo warned.
"Silence!" Mentir snapped.
Mandingo glared at him threateningly to make him watch his tone.
"Do not worry, Mandingo," said Emperor Plake.
Cal returned quickly with the tablet and handed it to Emperor Plake, then he bowed and walked away. The emperor began to read the tablet out loud.
"We, the Emperors of the – "
"I would like to read it myself, please," Mentir interrupted. "I'm perfectly literate."
Emperor Plake hesitated, but began to hand over the tablet.
Mandingo stopped him. "What do you think you are doing, Emperor?"
"What can he do with a piece of stone, Mandingo?"
Suddenly Mentir snatched the tablet from Emperor Plake's hands and deliberately threw it onto the ground. Emperors Plake and Mandingo gaped as pieces of the stone flew in every possible direction and turned to powder. Mentir glanced at them with a smirk that claimed he was now in complete control. There was no longer any proof that the three emperors would be fair with this issue. Mandingo scowled at Mentir, but Emperor Plake remained placid.
"In that case," he began. He set his chair back on its legs and took his seat. "I over-rule my empire as well."
"I thought you said we couldn't," Mentir replied proudly.
"Now, there is no proof of that, is there? And if you are over-ruling, why can I not?"
"Well then, I over-rule my empire as well," Mandingo said with a smug grin, realizing Emperor Plake's game. With both of them over-ruling their empires' votes, the bill could still be made into law.
"You will not sign that bill," Emperor Mentir said in a threatening voice. "Neither of you will sign that bill." Emperor Plake proceeded to dip his quill into the ink well and signed his name at the bottom of the scroll. "Don't expect me to."
"You do not have to," Emperor Plake said as he handed Mandingo the quill. "If you do not wish to, you may leave. You are dismissed."
"That law can't be passed unless I sign as well," Mentir said, jabbing his finger at the scroll.
"It can."
"No, it says so in our agreement."
"Forgive me, but I do not recall making any such agreement. Do you, Mandingo?"
"I am afraid not," Mandingo answered playing along.
Mentir wouldn't take anymore. He stormed up to his two rivals, ripped the bill from under their noses and held it above the flame of a candle before Emperors Plake and Mandingo had the chance to react.
Emperor Plake stood slowly after the bill had become ash and he stared deep into Mentir's eyes.
"I do not believe what I am seeing," Mandingo stated with a look of shock.
"You are asking to be removed from my empire in chains, Mentir," growled Emperor Plake. "I will not be disrespected like this."
Mentir stood his ground and lifted his chin to the emperor of Noelle. "And you are asking for a war, Plake."
"I believe that has been your objective all along," Emperor Mandingo replied folding his arms across his chest. "I do not think you really care about this whole miracle worker business – you just want a war. Why?"
Emperor Mentir basked in an incredible feeling as though he ruled over them both. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
"Because, you two have no idea what you're doing. Order is vanishing under our noses and you are blind to it. Crime is at an all-time high, the population is increasing and resources are disappearing. We need to keep the empires in one piece and in order to do so, we need to be strict and organized. Tighten the purse strings along with our grip on the people. It's the only way we can prevent things from falling apart. But you two want to give the people more power, it seems! You are going to destroy the United Empires and it is my responsibility, as the only competent man in this room, to keep you from doing that."
"I have had enough of this!" Mandingo said, completely disgusted with what he was hearing. "You are going against everything we agreed to when we formed the United Empires, Mentir. You want a war? I will fight. Even if it is just you and me!"
"It will not be just between the both of you," Emperor Plake stated coolly. Mentir smirked. "You will be fighting against two empires, Mentir. I hope you are prepared. We will settle this your way."
Emperor Mentir glowed. "Wonderful," he said.
Then he turned and made his way to the intricately engraved double doors, his steps echoing throughout the silent room.
"We shall be in touch!" were his final words before he left the other two emperors to listen to the sound of the doors booming closed. Mandingo looked at Emperor Plake with raised eyebrows, but Plake only tossed the quill onto his table with frustration.
~~
Later that evening, Emperor Plake had Cal write an announcement on a scroll to be copied and posted all over his empire. It described what had transpired during the meeting in the forum, mentioned the Stone War that Emperor Mentir wished to fight, and that he required two men from every household (if possible) to arrive to a specific place at a specific time to serve in the military.
Everybody in every town saw these announcements, and if someone had missed it for any reason, they were certainly informed of it. Somehow, everyone knew what was written on that scroll that reached all across the Noelle Empire, even in the territories across the oceans. The citizens were shocked and somewhat terrified. Most of the residents of the United Empires had not lived during a war before, and now, sure enough one was about to begin... and it wouldn't be a short one.
It was now Miseria 5, 470 (October 23) and the Stone War was far from over. The Bonn and Noelle empires quickly learned that Emperor Mentir had prepared for this fight without their knowledge. For the entire fifteen years that the empires were united, he had been secretly expanding his territory and the numbers were in his favor. Fortunately, Mentir made numbers his top priority over training, which offered one advantage to his adversaries. Once Bonn and Noelle could find their way around People's ambush tactics as well as their thick and layered armor, their skillset should prove victorious.A battle to the death between the Noelle Empire and the People's Empire had left the Valley of Hills covered with the lifeless bodies of warriors; among them, the strongest and most resilient. The vast majority of all plant life had been burnt to ash, leaving the Valley of Hills looking
As soon as the Southern sun began to rise, Rein had only just entered a deep sleep when a very stern voice boomed, "Rein Bow!" The poor pixie shot out of the charred tree and looked around to see who or what had almost given her a heart attack."Oh," she said. She took a deep, calming breath. "Mira, it's you.""I thought you returned to the Maja Forest like I instructed you to," Mira said."Who died and made you queen?" Rein replied. "I don't wish to go back."Mira pursed her lips. "Very well. If that's the case, tell Gerardo there are some crescents in the stream for him."Rein paused in thought. "Currency?"
The Northern sun was on the verge of setting when Gerardo and Rein entered Cair. Their first order of business was to search for a place to spend the night, but Gerardo dwelled on second thoughts as he scanned the crumbling buildings surrounding him. He and Rein cautiously meandered along the grimy streets with an aching desire to leave the town as soon as possible.The townsfolk were scattered about the rubble, panicked and maniacal. As many of them looted demolished buildings, some cleaned up spills and debris while others sobbed hysterically over the damage. Some were so irate that Gerardo and Rein endeavored to avoid them the most.Females wailed, males begged, children screamed for their missing parents. Rein explained to Gerardo that Cair, Vann, and the Xer base on the outskirts of Vann had recently been attacked and de
Gerardo no longer cared enough to make his way to a neighboring town, even though no one in Cair would allow him to stay in an inn. He had sought out a lonely back alley and slept in the dirt by the mounds of trash and debris with only a tattered, abandoned cloak that he had stumbled upon to keep him warm. The memory of losing Rein left an overwhelming feeling of guilt in his heart that had him tossing and turning throughout the night. The next morning, harsh rays from the Southern sun rudely awakened him from a short night's sleep.As he sauntered back onto the street, Gerardo noticed that nothing about the town had changed. Nobody even witnessed him egress from the darkness between the two battered shops in his musty uniform. The townsfolk were still busy working to revive their town and to keep what was left of their families alive. Gerardo pulled the worn hood of his cloak ove
The officer who had threatened Gerardo in Cair carried Rein Bow back to the poison shop which proved that dreams really do come true... even the bad ones. The interior was entirely decorated with conserved pixie corpses, and although the shop had much more to offer, this was the only aspect that grasped Rein's attention as ruthlessly as the officer grasped her. The sadistic owner of this shop had her kind suspended from the ceiling, framed and hung on walls, cased like bugs, tied and strung together to make wreaths and garlands, displayed on shelves like porcelain dolls; they were dressed up in ruffles and bows with their faces painted in ways that were unnatural for pixie-kind, and altogether the scene was really quite horrific. If Rein had been searching for comfort at all, she most certainly would not have found any form of it in here.Rein wondered if she had known any of the
The courtyard of the palace was one of the most beautiful sights Gerardo had ever laid eyes on. Pink and lavender trees had been planted adjacent to the surrounding wall, along with flowerbeds and rose bushes which were tended to frequently. Their fragrances mixed in the air and followed Gerardo as the guard led him around the rectangular pool located in the middle of the courtyard. Two fairies sculpted from white marble had been placed in the center of the pool, posing back to back. They appeared to be blowing kisses with streams of water pouring from their mouths, which created a pleasurable rippling sound that helped Gerardo to relax slightly.Grass lined the perimeter and the guard strictly warned Gerardo not to step on it. Under no circumstances were they to stray from their lavender path. Gerardo didn't recognize the glistening stones on which they walked. As he and the guar
Meanwhile, Jorge and the two other Laxer soldiers (as they were called by the enemy) ran deep into the Lucierna Forest, followed by ten Xers armed with arrows and blades. The three escapees were equipped with only one sword each and based on their battered and bruised appearances, they were in no condition to be using them. Even though they had little energy to spare, they all ran like the devil himself was after their souls.One Laxer, named Travis, plunged into the Sirene Lake despite the fact that his sickly body lacked oxygen after running for so long. He felt light-headed under the water almost immediately. The other Laxer, Jole, vaulted into a large collection of shrubs while Jorge managed to swing himself into a tree.The Xers weren't too far behind. They saw and heard Travis dive into the lake, but they failed to see
A guard stood at each side of the line of escapees and one stood directly behind them. Emperor Mentir was alone in his throne room this time. With glowing pride, he looked down on his captives from the silver and white throne that he sat upon. He waited for the prisoner he despised the most to stop coughing and gasping so that he could be understood when he spoke to them. He noticed how Jorge deliberately stared straight into his eyes and he couldn't find it in himself to look back. Jorge noticed this and smirked."You four are like blisters on my feet," Emperor Mentir finally said. He jabbed a finger at Gerardo. "You being the biggest one. All of you now have my full attention, which isn't a good thing, in case you couldn't figure that out. But you can still avoid punishment by simply answering the questions I've been asking you for the past month. That being said, do any of you
Gerardo returned home to his mother only to find that she had expected (and hoped) that he had died during the Stone War and had sold all of his possessions. Since he wasn't particularly welcomed home, Gerardo decided to leave his mother and build a cabin in the Lucierna Forest to live in on his own. He spent what little money he had received from serving in the military on clothes and necessities and despite being exceptionally lonely, he did well enough to get by.When not hunting or struggling to sell his kill, Gerardo spent most of his time sitting on a hill in Helvetica looking over the Aquamarine Ocean. He enjoyed the beauty and peace this location had to offer. However, the quiet that surrounded him on this hilltop sometimes gave way to questions and negative thoughts. For instance, now that he had fought in the war and served the purpose given to him b
Everyone in the room remained silent, awaiting to hear a reaction from Emperor Plake. The emperor gently tossed the letter onto the table in front of him."Well it is a good thing this is no hoax," he said. He called to his scribe. "Cal! Address a message to Emperor Mandingo and include everything we have discussed. There is no need for code or such. I trust this pixie can avoid capture. Be sure to write every detail.""Yes, Your Majesty," Cal replied."Should we begin preparation then, Sire?" asked a general."No," replied the emperor. "Mandingo seemed skeptical in his letter. You know as well as I that we cannot execute this plan without his assistance. In the meantime, I would like to make Jorge a general of his
The next morning Gerardo woke up peacefully for the first time in ages. His eyes opened painlessly and his head turned without soreness as he studied his surroundings in astonishment. He lay on a chaise lounge covered with a fur blanket in the most luxurious cave he had ever laid eyes on. In front of him was a selection of fresh fruit on an oriental table, and further toward the entrance, Calder slept atop a cluster of cotton pillows.Gerardo did not desire to get up; he was too comfortable. With any luck, the forest sounds would help him to fall back asleep: the trickling water, the soft chatter of tiny voices, the wind rustling the leaves of the trees, the lulling birdsong... then a conversation between the voices of Calder (who had just awakened) and Dil distracted him so that relaxation was no longer possible for him to obtain.
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Now that she could no longer fly, Rein would have to get accustomed to running and climbing, and depending on other animals for long-distance transportation. She soon realized that although riding an animal may be a faster way to travel, it took practice and she didn't have time to learn. She rushed through the tunnels of the rats and mice domain towards the east wing of the palace and emerged on the opposite side. She found herself looking at the stone wall, which served as a barrier between her and the wood beyond it. Climbing up the wall was a tiresome challenge, and descending it without slipping and dropping the rest of the way down was even more so. Halfway down the wall, she decided it would be faster to simply let go and tumble into the thick snow at the bottom. She emerged freezing cold, but all she could do now was continue onward as quickly as possible and hope that the activity would warm her up soon.
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Guided by the torches illuminating the courtyard, Jorge made it to the top of the stone wall and climbed onto the overlooking branch of a tree. Twilight had passed and the light of the orange moon was all Jorge had to aid his way through the Lucierna Forest and the thick snowfall. Ahead, he could make out the dim glow of a campfire and he ran towards it. He only morphed back into his original form once he had arrived and verified that he knew the members of the group surrounding the fire."Captain!" Travis exclaimed. "Where have you been?""Spying.""Did you learn anything?" Jole asked anxiously."They're going to search the forest for us tomorrow.""And what o
The prisoners rampaged down the corridors brandishing their swords and any other weapons they were able to get their hands on. Those who couldn't find any weapons worked their creativity and made use of chairs, small tables, potted plants, and whatever blunt objects they could manage to lift. It was a war in itself. There were fistfights, sword-fights, and some of the palace workers swatted, kicked, and stomped on the rodents scurrying about on the floor. Jole and Travis managed to avoid most of the chaos and searched to find the woman who had freed them. Then they caught sight of a black cat, which called to them."Travis! Jole! It's me, Jorge!" Jole and Travis watched him jump onto a console table. "Listen, I require your aid with something. I suspect the emperor is still in the throne room because he isn't in his chamber. I plan to attack it."
Follow: Book 1 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Blood shot everywhere with the dust and shards, all of it showering over Rein while she ducked for cover. She peered over her shoulder with a look of sheer panic and saw Pryce's arm and leg protruding from behind what was left of the rock: the only parts of him that hadn't been crushed by it. They simply dangled there by their tendons as crimson poured from the mangled limbs and surged down the wall like a stream of magma.Rein couldn't tear her eyes from the scene and she trembled to the point where she struggled to regain her footing. Somehow her ability to process everything around her had vanished. She felt something caught in her throat: a sob or a scream, she couldn't tell which. Finally, she brought herself to shoot down the tunnel and escape the horror scene before she lost consciousness. She exited the palace, soared over the wall, and dove into the icy Sirene Lake to was
The last light of the Northern sun shone in the sky when Jorge finally returned from his walk and reluctantly met up again with Calder."So what have you decided?" Calder asked."We'll go through with your plan. I'll ask to speak with the emperor.""Have you devised something to add to that plan at all?" Calder asked.Suddenly they both recognized the sound of frantic footsteps running towards them from the direction of the palace. They quickly bolted behind a tree and Jorge searched for some sort of weapon to arm himself. Unfortunately, with everything covered in snow and having been escorted out of the prison without a weapon, he was defenseless aside from his bare fists. Nevertheless, he was determined to make it
Emperor Mentir shot around and looked at the coin bag resting a foot away from the mouse hole. Before the emperor had a chance to react, Pryce jumped back into the drawer and climbed into the one below while Rein darted out of the mouse hole and snatched the coin bag. When she made it back inside, Lusitania took the bag from her and ran off in the direction of rat and mice civilization. Rein didn't follow. Lusitania noticed and stopped."Why do you just stand there?" he asked. "Come along quickly!""I must be sure Pryce makes it back safely!" Rein replied."Pryce is lost, Rein!""I'm not leaving here without him, Lusitania!"