The Ruin of a Ruler

By J. W. Barlament

Mortal against immortal. Philosopher against emperor. Man against god.

Valenthia, queen of the city-state of Rauheim, is readying her forces. Vaersius, emperor of the vast Halaeric Empire, is hellbent on conquest, and he sees her city as ripe for the taking. His father, the great god Halaeron, seeks to see the whole world worshipping him. His mentor, the old philosopher Rahdain, seeks to see all people live in peace. Only one vision may prevail. None of them are about to back down.

In his third novel, J. W. Barlament explores problems of politics, philosophy, and religion through three grandiose stories about one fantastical world tearing itself to shreds.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. W. Barlament
• Release date: Oct 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463675403

J. W. Barlament

J. W. Barlament is an author, blogger, poet, and student from the United States. In addition to writing, he has interests in music, politics, philosophy, and religion that he plans to pursue further once he gets out of high school and into college. All of his works and musings can be found either on his website or on social media.

Book preview

PART I

CHAPTER I

N ever has this city had a king as successful as Rhodnius, announced Loralei. The crowd before her stood in shock, their clothes torn and stomachs empty. Still, the old woman stood tall, despite her tiny frame, for she cared not what anyone but herself thought about her words.

His ways were, perhaps, unorthodox, chimed in a second woman. But we needed a new approach to fight our fiercest foes. Regardless of the outcome, he tried his hardest to deliver us and our city from misery. That much, we must respect. She was Clotilde, a lady of the most towering of heights and illustrious of looks. To one side of her stood Siglinde, just as tall but much more weathered with age, who furrowed her brow as she stared at the discontent crowd. To the other side stood Loralei, still as unfazed as ever.

And unorthodoxy doesn’t equal inferiority, said Siglinde. Her vigor in defending the dead king looked more unsettling than comforting to those listening. For a dozen years, he led Rauheim through its harshest era yet. And look where we are now! Again, the crowd was silently bewildered, and again, Siglinde's anger grew greater. Are we not still here? she cried. Are we not still breathing, in our city, under our control and with our friends and families by our sides?

The crowd gave her blank stares and not a hint of sympathy. Valenthia, Queen of Rauheim, was not surprised. It was never easy to sway the thoughts of those who refused to think. The truth was sad, perhaps, but it was the truth nonetheless. She and her two most prestigious advisors sat behind the three elderly speakers. Valenthia, at least, paid attention, but it seemed her advisors were too preoccupied with their thoughts to even pretend to do the same. It was not that the speakers were unimportant; Loralei, Clotilde and Siglinde were the most affluent and influential wise women Rauheim had ever known. It was just that the advisors got more done in a day than most people got done in a year. For them, time was a tool to use, and never a gift to give away.

Valenthia, her advisors and the wise women were all gathered in the center of a circular temple. Dozens of colorful decorations and intricate statuettes were arranged around them. A series of mighty pillars separated them from the crowd of hundreds who had come to see them. Vicious winds ripped at everyone, but no one seemed to notice. Most were swept up by the speakers’ fearsome words. Others were captivated by the colorful sight tied to the colorless pillars.

The grandest tapestry Valenthia had ever laid eyes upon flapped gently in the evening wind. It faced the crowd, but its depictions bled through both sides and gave her something to watch as the speakers continued. It was taller than the tallest men and longer than the longest beasts, and not an inch of this space was wasted. Woven into it were delicate details, flowing with a sort of visual rhythm as they illustrated the life of King Rhodnius. Not one piece of the puzzle of life did the tapestry overlook. From the legendary day of his birth to the miserable day of his death, the tapestry memorialized the king with perfect precision and awe-inspiring scope. It was a towering artistic achievement the likes of which no city but Rauheim could produce. Valenthia was so immersed in its grandiosity, she almost forgot about the speakers.

Hard times are the fault of all they fall on, Loralei said. Her booming voice defied her tiny frame and swept up Valenthia’s attention. To blame a single man for all of our woes is to rob ourselves of the ability to grow. Do not heap your hardships upon Rhodnius and think they will be buried with him. Do not trick yourself into thinking you can throw away the lessons of yesterday. Take them, wield them, and only then will you prosper through the hardships of tomorrow.

The crowd was obviously shocked by the outburst of unforgiving advice. Most, however, were not shocked into sensibility. They moaned and groaned their concerns to one another. Whispered words and worried glances passed between them. It was exceedingly difficult to convince the hardened people of Rauheim of anything. To convince them to help themselves was perhaps most difficult of all. But Loralei was not one to give up, and for this, Valenthia admired no one more than her. The old woman cleared her throat and stomped her foot on the ground. The crowd stopped chattering.

I realize this is not the era of prosperity your parents promised you or their parents promised them. The same plague that killed the king could spring back up at any minute. Our southern allies are rejecting our sacred bonds and our northern adversaries are sharpening their swords as we speak. For once, the crowd seemed to agree. But if we want to survive the trials before us and the trials still to come, then we better start acting like it. The spirits will not stay with us unless we prove ourselves worthy. Our allies will not come to our aid unless we give them a reason to. Victory against our foes means victory first against ourselves. Groan forevermore, or rise to the occasion. The choice is yours.

The crowd was deathly quiet. Loralei stood tall while her companions shrunk back. Valenthia drifted in a sea of appreciation. The advisors at either side of her seemed to be indifferent, but she knew better than to believe their façades. They were cunning men, and so, they rarely showed what it was they were thinking. She had come to know their shadowy ways, however, through her years by Rhodnius’ side. They were, to her, as all Rauheim and all existence was; intimidating only so much as they were unfamiliar.

Loralei, Clotilde and Siglinde spoke hushed words to one another as the crowd stayed silent. Frail though she was, Loralei clearly wielded the authority between three of them. She seemed not to hold a worry in the world. Still, her gaze betrayed her wish to leave. Her companions nodded along with her words as docilely as possible, and Siglinde soon turned to the public.

We have nothing more to share with you about Rhodnius and his honorable legacy, she said. Enjoy the handiwork of the city’s finest craftsmen. Keep the old king in your hearts. And, most importantly, welcome the new queen with open arms. Good day.

Loralei was the first to walk away, with the other two not far behind. She gestured for Valenthia to follow as she opened the door to the only walled-off section of the temple; an impossibly tiny room that defied reality by fitting all three women inside. Valenthia tapped on the shoulders of the two men sitting beside her and got up to follow Loralei.

Are you telling us we’re free to leave? asked one of the men. His voice was deep and wielded unwavering attention. The man who wielded it fit it well; a leader of men for as long as himself had been a man. Or we’re to follow you?

I must ask the same, my queen, chimed in the second man. The frigid wind and frightening night command my frame to rest itself. His eyes were sunken into his wrinkles, but still, they twinkled with a wisdom matched by none.

The two advisors and their newfound queen made up a curious triumvirate. Odotheus, the high commander of the army of Rauheim, was as cold as a mountain’s top on a winter’s day. Ceilius, the high priest, was the polar opposite. Frail though he was, his kindness powerfully outshined the scaly apathy with which Odotheus acted. Put together with Valenthia’s unpredictable demeanor, and their dispositions rarely went a day without a clash.

Do as you please, Valenthia said. Her fiery hair flapped like a frantic bird in the raging wind. We’ve much to discuss, but tonight is not the night for that. I’ll send for you when I’m in the mood for warmongering and prophesizing. Odotheus seemed ready to protest, but Ceilius led him away.

The queen, meanwhile, darted toward the little building in the temple’s center. She flung it open and stared down the darkness that lay before her. Nothing filled the room but a set of descending steps. She closed the door and made her way down as fast as she could. The steps creaked incessantly beneath her. A dim candle flickering below was the only light that guided her.

The staircase spiraled down for a short eternity before revealing a damp and simple room with a candle in the middle. A worn-down rug adorned the floor. A table stuffed with spirits’ striking statues stood in the corner. The walls were bare except for coatings of smoke aplenty. All three of the wise women sat around the candle, a space left in their circle for Valenthia to fill.

I almost forgot how unpleasant this place is, commented the queen. She looked around in disappointment. The grimy walls sported multitudes of cracks. The floor was dirtied beyond belief. The staircase looked ready to collapse at any time.

Old Ceilius forbids anybody from renovating it, said Siglinde.

Yes, of course, I know. But it doesn't fail to plague me nonetheless. Maybe someday I’ll barge into one of his meditations with a mop and refuse to leave until he cleans it up.

Revelations never come from comfortability, as the old man always says, Loralei reminded her. Her eyes stared into nothing, as if she’d been transported to a memory. There is a reason the poor are often more at peace than the rich. Pampered lifestyles lead to worried absurdities. Poverty leads to hardening for necessity's sake.

That’s very true, quickly said Valenthia, but I didn’t come to gossip over Ceilius’ uncleanliness. Or, she thought, dip into the bottomless waters of elderly memories.

Nor did I want you to come for such a meaningless reason, agreed Loralei. There are far more prudent things for us to discuss.

Just try not to boil my mind quite yet, said the queen. I’ve been through a funeral, a coronation and a dedication all in the same day. I shouldn’t even be here. Lovely images of blissful sleep filled her mind as she spoke.

Do not leave us yet, said Loralei. At least let us tell you what you need to know if you are to get out of the coming fight in a single piece.

Valenthia didn’t say a word or move a muscle. The coming fight. It was an ominous phrase, but its shadowy grandiosity was well deserved. Valenthia’s overactive imagination conjured images of northern hordes descending upon a defenseless city. Dozens of boulders smashing into her walls. Thousands of arrows sailing into her soldiers. A lone emperor, taller and tougher than any normal man, tearing down the gates and sending in his men to end Rauheim forever. She snapped out of the nasty trance with a start. Her reputation was more important than her worries. She composed herself and lifted her head.

Do you need a minute, my queen? asked Clotilde, staring at her with the sort of curiosity and false concern always given by elites.

All that which is necessary will necessarily take time, Loralei told her companion with a scowl.

I drifted into thought, that’s all. Valenthia, as usual, made herself as proud and untouchable as possible.

Anyway, I will begin by having you know, my queen, that your husband's old policies toward Vaersius will work no more. Loralei had lost what warmth she once had. She slipped from elderly spunk to deadly seriousness eerily easily. He and his armies are gazing at our city and licking their lips. They have eyed us up for decades, and now that Rhodnius is gone, they have two options.

Those being?

They can heap demands upon us so that you, just like your husband, bend over backward until they own us in all but name. Or, more easily, they can march in while we try to transition between rulers and seize the city before we can do a thing about it.

You make it seem like we’re living in the end times, commented Clotilde.

Maybe we are, said Loralei without skipping a beat. There is plentiful evidence to suggest we shall never see the end of the conflicts that lay dormant at our doorstep. At the very least, we are far from in the clear when it comes to these grave matters. Vaersius is wholly devoted to bringing all the world under his empire’s thumb. He is a madman. He is a madman. He will do anything to expand his empire and please his renegade god. I must suggest to you, my queen, that we find allies among our southern neighbors as soon as possible.

I thought I told you not to boil my mind, Valenthia said, and you may be wise, but you’re no military advisor.

Then look me in the eye and tell me you really trust Odotheus to tell you the truth.

This is no time to get confrontational, said Clotilde with a voice as weak as the fading candle.

Well this is what happens when you let two people as sharp as swords but as blunt as clubs go at it in a battle of words, said Siglinde.

What do you two want me to do? Loralei irately asked. Let Odotheus drag her wherever his ambitions need her to be? Clotilde and Siglinde fell silent.

I will tell you now I’m not the same person as my husband, Valenthia said. I know full well how feeble a king he was. He took care of me while I was his queen, and so, I stayed quiet. But now, he’s gone, and I have a city to lead. And you better believe that lead it I will. Her elderly company looked at her like she was trying to crack a joke. Tell me this; have you heard the whispers of Vaersius’ scouts crawling around in our hills?

I have.

And do you know my husband knew of them as well?

I do.

And he did nothing.

He never was one to rush to action.

Well I, on the other hand, have already sent archers to take out every scout they see.

So you choose war?

If the alternative is as degrading as you say, then yes. I choose war.

Then I must warn you what you are up against.

I think I know that pretty well already.

Do you? Loralei was unrelenting. Valenthia was unfazed. Clotilde and Siglinde had all but disappeared. Vaersius’ armies would tear our own to shreds in an instant. He has the might of the entire Halaeric Empire behind him. We have one city. We need more.

You lack faith, then, in what we have. Shall I make Odotheus parade our men around the streets to convince you we have what it takes? We need our men here, not wandering around the forest looking for allies who’ve already abandoned us.

You are too much of a firebrand for your own good. Loralei clearly didn’t mean it as a compliment, but Valenthia did not mind it anyway. I am not pessimistic about this simply because I wish to be. I am pessimistic about it because that is the only reasonable thing I could be. The empire will level us if we do not get help. It does not matter that we have defenses. It does not matter that we have weapons. It does not matter that we have men. They have an arsenal that we cannot even comprehend, and they will flatten us with it if they have to.

What do you want me to do, then? Throw down my arms and let them steal my city? Forget about my own people and go on a hunt for others?

I want you to know what you’re up against. This is not a war that can be won with witty words. Come into it blind, and we will all come out of it dead. Need I tell you all that I have seen the Halaerics do?

No need. I know this is a talk you could have for an eternity, Valenthia said. She was only barely able to stop herself from throwing away Loralei’s concerns with her usual nonchalance.

And the night is getting as old as me, Loralei replied. You know what it is I think about the situation at hand. Let us now retire to our beds. We have had a weeks’ worth of activity in a day, and so, we need all the more sleep to digest it.

Farewell, then, to all three of you.

Farewell, my queen, and let the conversation we have had not go forgotten, replied Loralei. The other two needed not add anything, so they held their tongues as they got up to depart behind the queen.

Valenthia paid little attention to the return of the darkness as she made her way up the winding stairs. After fumbling some with the door, she finally got out into the open again. Rauheim immediately greeted her with winds even more vicious than before. She braced herself for what was sure to be a freezing walk. No guards were around to give her blankets and usher her home. Nor did she wish for any. She was no longer a quiet queen of an idle king. She was a queen to be remembered.

The tapestry honoring her fallen husband flapped about unharmed. She gazed at it, intrigued, for some time. It was not that she could not bear the weight of Rhodnius' death. Feathers were heavier weights to her than that. It plagued her much more to know what his death meant. For his whole reign, Rhodnius had made it his highest priority to ally himself with the mysterious Vaersius and his gigantic Halaeric Empire. The second his reign had ended, the empire had rejected their fragile alliance in favor of unbridled aggression. Valenthia knew full well that she'd have to undo all of her husband's legacy to cement her own, and this would be no tiny task.

She made her way through the serpentine streets without a guard, but without a worry, either. Not one of the hundred thousand people in Rauheim would even think to lay a hand on her. It was one comfort, at least, in the sea of misfortunes that went with being leader. She was free of all the common women’s trials and tribulations. She was free to be something bolder than anything any of them could even dream of. And it was an opportunity she was not about to let pass her by.

After being lost in thought for her whole journey, she reached her humble home. It was a simple thing; built of rocks and questionable concrete, appearing as if stuck between two great eons of architecture. Unfamiliar was it with both the primal dwellings of the southern tribes and the magnificent buildings of the northern empire. It was a plain and unassuming hybrid of the two, and for that, she loved it. As she had been told long ago, no ruler unaccustomed to the conditions of their people would ever be able to succeed. Thus, once Rhodnius had died, Valenthia had found herself a new home as charming as it was simple. She walked in assuredly and escaped the bitter wind with a sigh of relief.

Hello, my queen, said a voice from inside. I was beginning to think I'd have to go out looking for you.

The day you go out looking for me is the day you bring me shame, Godelina. I need no one looking after me but me. Her words were harsh, but Valenthia’s expression wore no hints of hardiness.

Very well. I have some food prepared for you if you want any. Godelina never cared how harsh her mistress could get. She was slight and unassuming in her build; her uncommon fragility betraying her origins from far beyond Rauheim. Her character was just as unassuming, and she seemed impervious to whatever negativity was thrown her way. The queen appreciated her, of course, but she refused to ever say so aloud.

Life does tend to be better when I’m not starving. She sat down and was served her supper. Godelina said nothing, leaving her mistress to eat as she pleased. It was a pure peace like nothing the rest Rauheim had to offer. That, however, only made her antsy. She did not want peace. She wanted a legacy. Maybe someday, she thought, she’d let her ambitions fade away. She’d tire of her fiery persona, make something better in its wake, and finally give herself some rest. But, if so, that day was far away.

CHAPTER II

The world grew unrelentingly cold as Valenthia did her best to prepare her people for the worst. The days turned into weeks in what seemed like the blink of an eye. It became clear that nature's bitterness was not reserved to just one night. Winter was nipping at her heels, and she had no choice but to accept the impending hardships dangling over her head. No matter what nature’s wicked spirits planned to throw at her, though, she refused to crumble underneath them. She remained as fierce as ever, even several weeks later, when she approached a depressing building deep in the heart of Rauheim. Her determination drove her forward at a blistering pace. For far too long, she had tried in vain to craft a strategy against her enemies’ impending threat, and on that day, she had decided she was going to forge one once and for all.

The building was colored in shades of grey as dull as could be conceived, contrary to the bright golds, warm reds and deep purples most of the city sported. Absent were any dedications to the many spirits or the sleeping gods. Not a single legendary face or heroic detail was carved into the soulless architecture. Intimidating pillars guarded its entrance, but other than those, it was a wholly desolate testament to the uninspired style Rhodnius had adored. Valenthia entered and strode through the bustling halls, paying no heed to the swaths of commoners sharing hot meals and heated words with one another. She made her way to a room at the end of an empty hall and threw open the door.

Why, welcome, my lovely queen! exclaimed Ceilius. He and Odotheus were seated around a table with a statue of some obscure spirit in its center.

Hello, Ceilius. I see you’ve done some decorating.

I could not help myself. And how are you doing on this most marvelous of days?

I must say, I fail to see why you're so elated, she said as she took a seat.

Why would I not be elated? Reality is a symphony, and I am simply moving to the music.

Don’t you start on some tangent that seemingly means everything but which really means nothing. Odotheus made the most of his imposing presence, sitting widely in his chair like he was the center of the world's attention. We have much of actual importance to discuss.

That’s right, Valenthia said. We need to build a strategy. We’ve put it off for far too long already.

Then let us build one. Odotheus looked worryingly enthralled by the prospect. The Halaerics hunger for another conquest. First, they took down the confederations guarding the forest’s borders. Then, they took the forest’s greatest cities until only ours was left. And now, they’re out to conquer not just us, but every other city, town and little village not already under their thumb.

I know the stakes too well already, Valenthia said.

Let me finish. We need to do two things. First, we must put Rauheim under a new order centered around strict and unrelenting defense. Second, we must reach out to the rest of our Aionic brothers. They may be distant today, but from the dawn of time, they’ve had our backs, and I doubt they’ll falter if they know the consequences. If we fail in these objectives, the city might not still be standing by the time winter rolls around again. And, once we fall, not one of our allies will fail to follow suit.

Odotheus' eyes burned with an imprecise passion; neither evidently evil nor totally trustworthy. Valenthia sat back in silence and waited for Ceilius to respond. He was a gentle soul most of the time, but whenever anyone said words like those of Odotheus, his gentleness evaporated. It was clear that the times had brought with them no exceptions. He sat up in his seat and stared down Odotheus.

You want a military state, he flatly said.

We need a military state.

Only in the eyes of the blind. And it seems your history is twisted by some mysterious malevolence. This city was not born out of companionship with and complacency to tyranny. The very reason Rauheim was born was to split our forefathers from the hierarchism of the rest of the Aionics. Our leaders only link arms with them when it is absolutely necessary, and never with any glee. We need allies, indeed, but we need not glorify them in the process.

Giving them respect is not glorifying them.

But painting them falsely most definitely is. The rest of the Aionics are more our distant cousins than our bothers, for they are nothing but misguided tyrants. Perhaps, if they shook off their oppressive systems, they would be tolerable. As things stand, though, they worship their own enslavement. The only reason they are better than the Halaerics is because they do not have the ambition to attack us. Ceilius shook his head in shame. The gods dictated back in the earliest age that success is only grown in soils rich with liberty. Even those who turn their backs on the gods acknowledge this timeless truth. If we introduce tyranny in our city and glorify those who do so elsewhere, we are sowing doom into the tapestry of the future.

We will have no people to begin with if we do not take the necessary steps to protect them, replied Odotheus. He towered over Ceilius with ease, and he did not ignore this advantageous fact. He seemed prepared to take the priest in his hands and rip him in half at any moment. Liberty is important, he continued, but security is indispensable.

Security is the rallying cry of tyrants.

And liberty is the rallying cry of idealists. We’ve tried to strike a happy balance between preparedness and appeasement for far too long. Our efforts failed. Rhodnius failed. Now, either we shape up and do that which is necessary, or we let our enemies win. Once again, Odotheus burned with an intimidating and indecipherable passion.

Your bickering isn’t doing anybody any good, Valenthia said. Her fearsome voice cut even through the deep authoritativeness of Odotheus.

Ideas like his must be combated whenever they arise, said Ceilius. But I think we both agree that we need to rekindle friendship’s flame, albeit cautiously, between us and the rest of the Aionics.

I do hate to agree with you, but I’m afraid I have to there. If we go into this alone, we’re never coming out alive.

But the question remains as to how to achieve such a monumental task. They do not see the situation like we do. They do not feel as if trapped between probable and certain death. They think the Halaerics will forget them altogether if only they keep quiet. Ceilius sat slumped in his seat, looking as small as a child but without half of one’s energy. His pristine points and piercing gaze, however, portrayed a man not nearly as exhausted as what the rest of him emitted. He was as the spirits were; wise, honorable, deceiving and mysterious in equal parts.

How are we to do it, then? asked the queen impatiently. Why would any tribe throw themselves behind us when our enemy is so unbeatable?

Well convincing them will not be so easy. Nothing ever is.

I don’t think I needed that.

If you don’t think you needed it, then you needed it. But do not fret just yet. No foe is invincible, Ceilius said. Many seem so, but behind every invincibility lies a hidden fragility. The only way we lose the coming war for sure is if we forfeit before the fighting begins. He noticed his queen’s blank stare and sighed. Vaersius is all but untouchable. Some even say he is immortal. He leads the most formidable empire the world has ever seen, and he has done so for decades. He has more citizens and riches at his disposal than anyone else, alive or dead. He enjoys the patronage of the renegade god Halaeron himself, and not once has he been defeated in war. I know all that just as well as you do.

So how do you imagine we can beat him?

We are not the helpless savages he sees us as. We are not the misguided heretics Halaeron’s cults swear us to be. We are not anything near what he envisions. And this, my queen, is the key. Deception will pave the path to our success. We have already unwittingly let him underestimate us. Now, in secrecy, we can send out a party to rally our allies, and in the meantime, our army can keep the city safe.

And how, exactly, do you plan to rally our allies?

They may be hesitant to join at first. But they know very well that we’re the final barrier between their homes and the Halaerics. We must convince them of two things; the necessity of our mission and the possibility of our success. Give them purpose, and they will give us victory.

You speak wonderful words, but they don’t mean half as much as you think they do, Odotheus said. What you propose is insanity. I know we need allies, but we can’t just hope for the best here while we go venturing out there. We need to fortify Rauheim as well in case our allies fail us. We need one leader to rally allies and another to safeguard the city. Why are you so opposed to this?

Because I know that fortification to us is a license to tyrannize to you.

But what do you mean by fortify, Odotheus? asked Valenthia.

I mean you give me free reign to twist Rauheim into shape while you go out into the forest to find allies. His deadly sincerity was the only thing that kept the queen from laughing at him.

So you want me to give you all my power as I go into the wild and risk my life?

I don’t want you to. I need you to. Disaster awaits us otherwise.

Odotheus maintained his authoritativeness, but the queen was having none of it. It was ridiculous; not just Odotheus’ idea, but all of the savage madness that the gods and destiny had thrust upon her. She almost wanted to agree and then let someone else go on the quest for help so she could hide away at home. She was not about to give in and get rid of the image she had built, however, for it and it alone secured her throne and spared her city from someone worse. She had spent too many years cultivating fearsomeness to let it go to waste now that she needed it most.

The only disaster here is the one your plan would end in, she declared. I would rather see Rauheim run by a rodent than by someone as lustful for authority as you. Not that it’d make much of a difference.

Odotheus fumed with a rage only a god could contain. Ceilius went white with apprehension as he gave Valenthia a warning glare. Her snappiness had evidently crossed the line. It had gotten her into trouble before, but never so much as to threaten her. Now, however, Odotheus’ lustful look into the void of his imagination had turned into a bloodthirsty stare into her very soul. She cursed herself in silence for ever having built herself up as a legendary firebrand. Every image that did not ring completely true was bound to end badly. She just wished to learn her lessons the easy way for once.

I’ll wait to make an official decision on this, the queen quickly added. If I come to one on my own, I’ll be sure to tell you two. Her fearsome voice finally faltered, causing her to curse herself all the more.

Neither Ceilius nor Odotheus moved a muscle. Valenthia got up without another moment’s notice. Her advisors stared at her with dumbfounded expressions, apparently not able to comprehend her simple proclamation. At long last, Ceilius snapped out of it and stood up as well. He didn’t bother to give any wistfully gleeful remarks as he departed. He just got out as quickly as he could. Valenthia let the door close behind her as she followed him out.

You would be wise to tread with care every so often, Ceilius softly said.

You know I couldn’t let him think I was really going to hand over that sort of authority to him.

And I also know there were a thousand better ways to tell him so than that. Odotheus is not a man to make an enemy of. Especially for someone with more enemies already than they can handle. He was not angry with her, though. His wrinkled face showed only worry. I shall pray to the spirits to treat you kindly in the days to come.

Thank you. She didn’t try to stop him as he turned a corner and left her behind.

As she made her way back home, she contemplated both the spiritual path of Ceilius and the militaristic path of Odotheus. Neither satisfied her. To just choose one and have it actually work was much too easy for her ever to expect. Thus, she was once again stuck between unfavorable alternatives, and she had nobody to blame but herself. For someone so accustomed to certain leisure, uncertainty was becoming a frightening foe to get used to.

She would face down Vaersius and his menace of an empire; of that much, she was certain. The question, however, of who would face them down with her was becoming more worrisome. Every day, the untouchable emperor and his unending hordes grew more prepared to conquer her people. And every day, she grew more convinced that she’d be standing up against the conquerors alone.

CHAPTER III

Two days passed tormentingly slow for the queen. The morning following was particularly vicious. Ripping winds and random snowflakes made her dread ever going outside. She picked aimlessly at her breakfast while the humble Godelina worked beside her. Neither of them spoke a word. Nothing they could say could ever lift the melancholy out of the air.

A sudden shock struck them both. A sudden rapping at the door made the queen nearly jump out of her seat. She heard yet another knocking and collected herself before marching out to answer the disturbance. Godelina stopped her work, her eyes watchful and her face weary. Often did visitors come to the door of the queen. Never did they come in such a frantic frenzy.

As Valenthia approached, she saw a host of frightened city folk crowded around her window. A few saw her and tried to get her attention. She came closer ever slower. The possibility of danger was by no means absentee. No matter what dangers there were, however, the queen’s curiosity could not be quelled. She threw open the door. Dozens of commoners were waiting on the other side. None had any leaders. All had terror painted on their faces.

Come, my queen! one of them cried. Your highest advisors sent us to wake you!

A message lay in wait from beyond our walls! exclaimed another.

Valenthia wasted not a second in her exit. She waved Godelina goodbye and leapt out the door. The crowd led her away. She wore robes not fit to face the vicious winds, but she ignored the cold. There were much more pressing things to worry over than the weather.

She and her impromptu entourage ran through the streets like a frenzied herd. They charged through the streets for several unceasing minutes without so much as a word of explanation. Those at the front of the group then suddenly stopped without warning. Wooden gates lay before them. A monstrous mountain lay behind, and adorning its immense slopes were the highest up of the infinite trees that surrounded the city.

Rauheim had been built adjacent to the mountain, and many a passage was hidden between those crowning achievements of the architecture of nature and man. It seemed whatever was the matter was centered at that one of those many passages. As Valenthia came closer, she saw Ceilius, Odotheus, a slew of soldiers and a tattered messenger. The messenger was the first to approach.

The armies of your enemies are upon us, he said. His words were rehearsed, but his fear was genuine. His clothes were torn beyond belief, and his ragged beard hinted at hardships aplenty. Hordes of men are making their way toward the forest as we speak. The emperor seems not to see a need for formalities.

How many northern fiends did you see? she asked. A sea of people crowded around and listened in.

I have no precise estimate.

Give me a guess. She intently waited. He hesitated.

Thousands.

Just then, two more men emerged from the gates. The first messenger rushed over to embrace them. Valenthia could only reasonably assume them to be associates. The three shared a few muted words before turning to face their ruler. They all maintained their long faces. No one, as it appeared, had anything heartening to share.

What this man says is true, my queen, affirmed one of the new arrivals. We, too, saw with our own eyes the hordes the emperor is sending down to ruin us. I estimated around five thousand men when I saw them. The other new arrival shook his head. My partner thinks my guess is too low.

But do you know for sure that these are armies out for us? asked Valenthia.

Would you ever send five hundred men with me through the dense and deadly forests for anything other than war? chimed in Odotheus. His words were as sharp as swords. His stare was sharper still.

No, but that says more about you than it does about our enemies. We can’t assume the worst right away.

Have you a better explanation? If so, I’d very much like to hear it.

I’m a queen, and you’re a mere advisor. Do not speak to me like I’m a child.

Then do not play the part of one.

Both the three messengers and the three leaders stood still a while. Valenthia refused to say a word. The others did not know what to say. They were at the precipice of the most crucial point in the city’s history, and not one of them knew what to do about it. All around them, plentiful trees and jaw-dropping buildings gave an overwhelming sense of what it was that they were fighting for. Without any context, it would have been a splendid sight worthy of a skillful painter's brushwork. As it was, though, it was nothing but crushing. Without victory, the sights they saw would soon cease to exist. And, without a miracle, victory would be an impossibility.

Guards, close those gates until our discussion is done, Odotheus said out of the blue. The guards hesitated. The townsfolk looked ready to leave at any given second.

No, feel free to leave them open, Valenthia said. Odotheus shot her yet another glare, but she paid it no attention. Despite the constant stream of shocks she’d received, she was still determined to maintain her unwavering rebelliousness.

What shall you have us do, my queen, now that you know all the news we have to bring? questioned one the messengers.

Show me, she asked. Show me this unspeakable terror you three swear to be true. I need to see what it is I’m up against. The messengers looked mightily unsure until their bearded leader nodded.

Very well. But I will warn you the journey will take us all the way across the mountain. It will not be quick, and it will definitely not be easy.

"But it will be necessary. Myself and everybody else who wants to come will reconvene an hour from now.

Soon enough, an hour had passed, and the reassembled group exited the city. The guards outside closed the gates behind them with a thud that was none too reassuring. The messengers led the apprehensive party. Valenthia followed, herself trailed by Ceilius and Odotheus. No one said a word. The forested mountainside made more than enough unnerving noises for them.

Beautiful though the scenery undoubtedly was, Valenthia was not soothed like she usually would be. Every shining pile of fallen leaves concealed a hidden hazard. Every impressive tree was equally imposing. The mountain and the forest that engulfed it were as dangerous as they were gorgeous. Her silence was not out of absentmindedness, but of trepidation. She glanced back at the two men following her, wondering if they felt the same. She was given two wholly different stories in response.

Ceilius strolled along and gave her a friendly smile as he did so. His stride was proud and peaceful, as the fearsomeness of nature was powerless to drown his good mood. Of course, the spirits of the forest were the mischievous mysteries to him that they were to most. They were but old friends to be greeted with a smile, and so, greet them with a smile he did.

Odotheus, meanwhile, was too busy to meet his queen’s eyes when she turned them on him. His eyes darted left and right as he scanned the shadows for movement. The wind tackled him like they were trying to tear him apart. No joy was bestowed upon him by the roaming spirits of the wild. She expected nothing less.

As for herself, the unseen deities of nature did not give her either satisfaction or fear. It was not that they ignored her. It was that they knew not yet what to make of her. The infinite spirits who inhabited the monolithic mountain seemed to crowd around her like she was to them what a festival attraction was to her. A soul without a destiny already set in stone was an oddity. Initially, she stayed wary because of the heavy presence she felt radiating around her. As the silence stubbornly persisted, however, she felt a certain yearning building up within. Her place was not with those who needed a false image to be kept in check. Her place was with those who knew she could be whatever she had the will to be.

A roar ripped through the forest. It resonated in Valenthia's very bones. Everybody stopped dead in their tracks. Odotheus and the messengers unsheathed their swords as they whirled around in search of the culprit. Nowhere could they locate it. It was clearly some kind of monstrous animal, but its identity was a mystery beyond that hazy clarification. Mortifying possibilities flashed through Valenthia's head. She dismissed them as quickly as she could.

I see no need for us to so hastily resort to swords, said Ceilius. The beast is far enough away that it knows nothing of our presence. I am sure it just means to scare away a challenger to prey. Be at peace.

That kind of flippant attitude is what gets men killed in this forest, said Odotheus.

Arrogance is deadlier than flippancy will ever be. Whatever the monster is, it would rip us all apart with ease if its roar is to be trusted. Best to just lie low and not attempt disturbing it. It is doing us no harm anyway; just perpetuating balance in the wild world. Focus on those threats that really matter.

Such as?

Such as those who seek to take this natural balance and blow it to bits for temporary gain. Do not question those engaged in the very same processes that keep the world turning. Only question those who try to rage against them. They are your real and only enemies.

There were no arguments, for everyone knew Ceilius would argue back for as long as it took to win. Thus, they continued for many minutes more in silence. Then, the messenger at the head of the party stopped without a word. Valenthia kept on walking until she, too, saw what he was seeing. Before and far below them lay an open plain, unique and unmistakable among the endless stretches of forest that completely covered the rest of the region. But the plain was not open without occupation.

The footsteps of the Halaeric soldiers made no sound to those so far from them. That mattered not. The sight of their march was enough alone to strike fear into anybody’s heart. They walked across the plains with ferocity in each and every step. It was as if they had been assured of victory before a battle even opened. The queen could not blame them for their cockiness. Thousands of them were descending upon a city with but hundreds of able soldiers. Rauheim stood no chance against the onslaught on its doorstep.

She had at least a few thousand in her sights, but more emerged from the forest every moment. They were still many miles away, as the mountain let her see monstrous distances away. Perhaps her city still had several days until its nemeses arrived. Until that time, Valenthia knew her life would be a nightmare. She refused to even ponder what life would be like afterward.

We need to return, Odotheus whispered. He gave his queen an urgent glare, and for once, she did not protest.

Let us make haste, she said. Nobody had any quarrels with her demand. They turned around and made way for the oblivious city.

All conscious thoughts slipped away from Valenthia's attention as she rushed away. No more did she have time to dwell on distractions. Only the most fundamental of concerns remained. She was capable of repeating her hatred for the Halaerics, her fear for her people and her longing for escape, all with a torturous precision. Nothing more.

She and the others reached Rauheim with startling rapidity. They were without breath or words when they reached the gates. The guards didn’t bother questioning them when they let them in. Once they had passed the wooden gates, known by none but those in the city, they found themselves staring down a crowd yet again. Hundreds of curious citizens waited with blank stares and shivering limbs as they waited for some sort of statement.

Return to your homes, Valenthia said, and make all the preparations possible. Today is not a day we'll remember fondly. Our enemies' armies will be at our door sooner than any of you think. I would brace myself for a time of trials if I were you.

The crowd knew not what to make of it. They looked amongst each other in bewilderment; a huddled mass of innocents, inevitably destined to lose this innocence in little time. A few departed, followed by more and more until just the bright buildings and dark forest accompanied Valenthia's somber party.

What are we to do, my queen? asked Ceilius. We have no time for inactivity.

I don't know. She let go of her ever-present persona with a defeated sigh. I wish I did, but I just don’t. One thing is for certain, though; we need every ally we can get, and I need to leave to get them as soon as possible.

CHAPTER IV

Valenthia’s ferocity hung by a thread in the days that followed. The impending doom lurking over her city was too much for her to bear. Thus, she stayed home, unwilling to let her citizens see the ruinous ruler she had become. Every second, it seemed, she heard endless crowds parading hastily before her in their preparations for war. She had not the time to oversee them. Odotheus, of course, was more than happy to do it for her. She, meanwhile, had plans to make; grand strategies and loose ends alike. Someone trustworthy had to make them, and she trusted no one more than herself.

I mean this with no malice in my heart, Godelina softly said, but you look like a dead woman propped up like the living. Your people won’t want to rally around anyone so broken by the presence of the enemy. The two were out in the streets for the first time in days.

And what does that exactly mean?

Once you’ve left and come back, ignore your work and take a break. Just until the color returns to your cheeks.

I’m sure that would work wonders.

So you agree with me, then? Godelina asked like it was an achievement.

I agree that it’d be good for my looks, but looks matter little with the city on the line. I’ll see you soon.

Very well. Godelina couldn’t hide her disappointment, but she left without another word anyway. The queen then turned to open the door to the little room underneath the city’s central temple.

The staircase was unusually illuminated from the lights below. Once she got to the bottom, she saw a series of candles where darkness had used to reign. It seemed that Ceilius had done some decorating. An ornate carpet covered the dirty floor. The candles cast a slew of slithering shadows upon the walls. Dozens of idols from ages long gone served as décor in the newly crowded room. The imposing statues of an array of gods and other deities made it feel like the queen had entered a whole new world. And, from the look on Ceilius’ face, he had just returned from one.

Welcome, he said. He was sitting cross-legged on the rug, his eyes dancing from some sort of revelation. Make yourself at home. I understand you’ve been through much, but hardship is nothing to the prepared. And is to be prepared not the reason you arrived?

I don't follow, she told him. She unwittingly stood on her heels.

You wish to be prepared for your future.

I do, but then again, don't we all?

Naturally. Ceilius looked unendingly pleased, as if his inner peace was wholly unrestrainable. Although you are special in that you can grasp what most cannot. The overwhelming masses of this world cannot think their way out of misery. You are different. Your path out of tragedy and into triumph is obvious.

To you, perhaps, but that makes it no more obvious to me.

It will in time. Nothing worth a wait ever comes without one.

You know I don’t have time to waste.

I understand many things, that included. I shall be brief, then, but you must listen so my breaths are not in vain. I have just returned from a visit with the most intriguing beings. The spirits had few encouraging words, though. They told me, in their coded way, that we will have to face our foes sooner than expected. And you, my dearest queen, will have to fight beside your subjects in the struggle soon to come. There shall be no escape for you. I know not if Odotheus still wants you to lead a party out the city, but if so, he will need to throw away these dreams.

But someone has to rally our allies. Who will it be, if not me?

I can only tell you what the spirits told me. You are, one way or another, going to end up face-to-face with that which you fear most.

And how would you know what I fear most? She hoped with all her heart he didn't see the flustered redness in her face.

For the spirits knew, and they rarely hesitate to share. They are an elusive bunch, but once pinned down, they can be unrestrictedly enlightening. You can try to flee the city all you want, but your efforts will be in vain. There is no escape from fate. The fastest animal in the world could not outrun it if given a million tries.

What would the spirits have me do, then? Ceilius did his best to suppress a laugh, but his efforts were in vain.

They did not show me. Perhaps they do not know yet what is to become of you. Perhaps they simply want to see you struggle to your destiny yourself. At least you may sleep knowing there are still some things in life left up to you. He rested his eyes while Valenthia tried to come up with something to say.

Then what would you have me do, Ceilius? she asked at long last. You, without any input from any spirit.

Maybe we should take a walk before I tell you that, he said with unflinching tranquility in his voice. He arose from the floor without waiting for the queen’s approval and started walking up the steps. Valenthia,