The Dark Queen
by
Snarfles

The Valley

The Climb seemed interminable.... Hours of the most difficult mountain face now lay behind the assassin. And there! Across a labyrinthine valley stood his goal. Footpaths wound their way between sharp, jagged outcroppings of blackest onyx, and from within the vale, the sounds of hundreds, perhaps even thousands of the Dark Queen's soldiers. He would need all his skill of stealth to breach that horde and get to 'HER' castle. The sun was still in the sky giving him time to rest, eat, and regain his strength. He welcomed it. Tonight would be another challenge.

For nearly two decades the war had gone on. The armies of the Dark Queen spread over the free lands as locusts in a ripe field. Devouring everything in their path and leaving behind only waste land. This was the fifteenth time the Dark Queen had unleashed her evil upon the land. No one could remember a time when she wasn't a threat, none knew how old she really was or how she was even still be alive after all these centuries; but she was. Some believed she slept in some magical cocoon between her raidings... some thought she somehow migrated from body to body, taking a new host each time she woke; but however she managed it, everyone agreed that there was copious amounts of magic involved.

This time she nearly conquered the entire realm of free peoples. The various Lords finally allied, just in time to force her back into her valley of shadows. The devastation was unimaginable.... lush farmlands wasted and unusable for generations; forests razed and burnt for no reason other than wanton destruction; lakes and streams devoid of life, polluted and murky, a putrid stench of death wafting from them.

He had seen the sad loss, the tens of thousands dead, crows picking at the corpses. The unmistakable scent of decay everywhere, inescapable. Many of the dead bore the marks of having been feasted upon by the soldiers, while livestock was slaughtered and left to rot. The land would need much time to heal, to cleanse itself, before it could support new inhabitants. And therein lay the problem...

Although the Queen's armies were now in retreat, they were retreating to here. And once they were within the Queen's domain, she would seal up the single road into her valley; an impenetrable wall surrounding her fortress, where she would be free to slumber and rebuild her forces. The next time she attacked, there would be little stopping her from achieving her goal, enslavement of every living soul.

That was why he was here, now... He had to get in and end this, once and for all; before the gates were shut. And her armies were only two days behind him.

Enter Her Majestic Highness

Atop a spire of blackest onyx, in a chamber strewn with magical glyphs inlaid of gold and silver, a most beautiful creature stormed about in frustration. Flame red hair whipped about as she turned , striding across the gleaming floor. Her heels click clacking as she went. Large eyes of emerald green, fair skin with just a smattering of freckles, full pouty lips, petite features over all, and a body that would make any man drool with desire. Yet this beauty was marred by the angry scowl on her face, and the hate that dripped like venom from her tongue.

She knew that to finally achieve her goal, she would have to beg the lords below for a boon, again. She also knew what price they might exact for granting her request. She remembered with dread that spear that served as Hades appendage, bony ridges along its length, and how painful it was to be penetrated.

He used her mightily, until tears ran in a cascade down her face, not just once or twice, but for a seeming eternity. Every orifice was bloody and raw by the time he was satisfied. Even he did not know the cause for the depth of her malice, her ire had gone on for so long that, it is doubtful that even she truly recalls why it was so imperative to enslave an entire world. Perhaps it was all that was left of the girl that came to be so many centuries ago.

She knew what the price would be, and with years pouring over ancient tomes, she had found an escape clause. She would trade places with one from another realm, temporarily, and let them pay the price for her favor from hell. Her body would remain, but her essence, her memories, her magic... All would travel to the other realm and the poor soul who stood in her place they would experience the devastation of Hades. But the damn fools in the silver smithy made the charm wrong..AGAIN! She would have his head on a platter if she didn't still need his skills....Such was her ire.

Delays delays delays!!!!! Perhaps she could motivate him just a bit to pay more attention to the details.

Hot furnace, Cold hammer

Even down here beneath the castle he could hear the raging of the Queen. Painfully aware that if he ever completed the task set before him, his life would be over. He studied the designs once more, hoping there was some way to exploit the charm, something she wouldn't notice until too late.

A ruckus in the hallway outside his cell roused him from his contemplation. The door burst open and a seeming horde of guards poured in, followed by the queen dragging his two children. The evil one waded through her guards bringing the children closer to him. He smiled wanly, this being the first time in months he had seen them, but knowing there was no love or mercy behind the Queen's eyes. She stopped, moving the children to her fore, and a hand on the shoulder of each child. Stating simply, "Pick one".

His son and daughter stood there, confused, looking to him to make sense of all this. He could only stand in shock, not knowing the Queen's intent, but knowing it was nothing good. He raised his hands at his sides, not choosing, but admitting defeat, hoping that she would spare his little ones. But no, the Queen was having none of that. In the flash of a twinkling, she pulled a knife from someplace and slashed the boys throat, leaving him gagging on his own blood as it rushed out from the wound. In moments he was gone.

The queen half turned to go, tossed the faulty charm to the smith and said simply, "Fix this, or perhaps you'd prefer a repeat performance?", clearly meaning that his daughter was to be the next sacrifice for any failure on his part.

Then she left, half carrying half dragging the sobbing girl back to where ever she was kept.... the guards left and the door slammed shut. The sound of the bolt sliding home reminding him of his true status here.

It was then the answer he had been searching for came to him. Completing the charm properly was sure to cost him his life, but he couldn't bear the thought of losing his last child. With just a hint of a real smile, he grabbed the wax and began carving the negative for the mold which would cast the charm......

Foot of the Long Road

The assassin had finally reached the beginning of the treacherous roadway to the Queen's castle. Weaving though the scattered camps of minions seemed like the hours in an eternity. And then he heard it...the gong! The gates were being closed early! Apparently Her Highness did not care that nearly forty thousand of her troops were going to be trapped outside the walls; and he was to be trapped inside them.

He had been shocked and disbelieving at the state of those that served the dark one.... Dressed only in bits of leather and bands of steel, which served as a sort of armor, he supposed. Some were large. Near a time and a half as tall as a man... muscles bulging in confusing ways.... Some sported scales but unlike those of a snake, smooth and supple, these appeared hard, and with sharp ridges.... others were furred... some few displayed skin, but not like humans.... It also seemed the Queen had no concern for modesty. Try as he might, the assassin discerned no females amongst them. They all had various forms of flesh rending teeth.... So many teeth....

Despite all that, he had made it thus far, and he thanked his patron god for that miracle. 'Twas time to begin climbing again.

Casting the Stones

The smithy had, for a very long time, been known to make charms and amulets to help the people of this realm. There was the simple golden bassinet pendant he had created for a woman who had miscarried twice before, and was now suckling her newborn infant. The blind old hag for whom he created a wondrous optic, framed in purest silver, that brought sight and civility to the old woman. Seems that gift was enough for her to leave her hag self behind, as she gladly played with the children of her village. Everywhere he had been known as a healer, one with great power. His only fee were the smiles on those he had served. Needless to say, he did not turn down any of their gifts, but only a fool would do that. In his travels , he was fed, at night a place to rest was his; and his reputation grew.

Unfortunately it was this same reputation that brought him the attentions of Her Majesty.

He knew the demands of the Queen; the despicable plot she had laid out to benefit herself once again; and yet, was unable to prevent it. He could not face his daughter's death. The Queens charm would be perfect this time... exactly as she requested. But... the realm it was focused on, did not have magic.

Upon completion the charm was delivered to the Queen. She examined it... thrice.... It was tested for its workmanship...it's essence.... And the Queen was satisfied.

The smith and his daughter were executed moments later.

The Summoning Chamber

For the ruse to work, Her Majesty knew that the summoning ritual, the proffering of the deal, the acceptance of terms, AND the activation of the charm, had to happen precisely on cue. She would have but moments to activate it before the beast took her and used her. Everything seemed in place. The candles, the sigils, the runes and incenses... the glyphs and wards and all manner of unidentifiable things were arrayed for this moment.

Around the circle stood 13 priests of the night hoods drawn over their features, hands hidden in the folds of their cloaks, as Her Majesty took the center of the circle, bereft of clothing. It was expected, as the daemon brooked no delays... His favor required immediate payment..in full.

Naked, amidst the flickering candles, the beautiful and hideous Queen stood and uttered a single command: “Let the Summoning Rite begin!”

The priests chanted in an ancient tongue, the Queen writhed, dancing in the center... and in a horrid rush of sulfur and brimstone, HE was there. To her knees dropped the Queen, beseeching for His favor. He only smiled... wickedly.

In a voice that sounded like rocks being crushed, low , and crackling with amusement, he spoke “ you know the price, fair one, but this time it will be doubled.” Another devil appeared, both ready and primed to make this imputant wretch suffer for disturbing them.

The dark lord whispered to his kinsman, “I wonder if she remembers what this is all about?”

The two approached, and just before they came within range the Queen activated the charm....

The Dark Queen, 3

The sky was such a brilliant blue it nearly hurt to look at, the sun a warm radiance bringing life to all the land. Only a few brave clouds, scarcely wisps, dared to cross that great expanse above. The fields scattered about the castle were lush and tall with the coming harvest, and swarms of flying creatures flitted from plant to plant, completing the cycle of life. The kingdom, and its people, would know plenty this season. The barns and silos would be filled, the livestock heavy laden. Spring had come early, the Summer mild, and the first chill of Autumn was just days past.

High above the landscape, On a solitary hilltop, a gleaming white castle stood. Colorful banners streaming from it's towers, overlooking the valley on all sides. In one of those towers, a beautiful young girl, a princess, gazed happily over the lands below. She knew her people would be happy, and well fed.

The fields were filled with workers tending the plants, the far hillsides held flocks of sheep, with their herders, and horses and cattle grazed with no concern for predators. She could see the pens where pigs were kept and raised to feed the townsfolk. To say the scene was idyllic, would be such an understatement as to raise the brow of even the most pessimistic.

The girl left her musings, turning her back on the wondrous scene, to go seek out her parents, the King and Queen of this glorious place. She made her way through the brightly lit halls, down varied stairways, skipping along as she went. All the way to the throne room, where her father was holding court, settling what few disputes arose among the people. There were always a few, no matter how prosperous they were, who would seek the King's judgment to gain more. Such is life, after all.

The King saw his daughter enter the room and he smiled as bright as the sun, such a beauty his daughter was, such sweetness surrounded her. He was happy that he would surprise her with tomorrows celebration of her 16th birthday. That she knew something was planned was inevitable, what it entailed however, had been a closely guarded secret. Feast? Of course. Entertainers? Naturally. Presents? Are you kidding? All of the kingdom had been invited, from the richest merchants, the strongest knights, all the way to the poorest and least fortunate. There would also be seven potential suitors from neighboring kingdoms in attendance, vying for the young girl's attention. But that wasn't the surprise....

Attending this event, would be Orssicliaca, King of dragonkind. He had not been seen outside his lair in nearly 2 centuries, preferring to slumber in this age of peace and prosperity. It had been HIS doing that ended the wars that had plagued the realms, if any could actually claim credit. It had been His voice that brought leaders to the table, His voice that shamed man into co-operation, rather than war; and His voice that had begun this golden age of plenty. He would be there to bless the girl, to grant her the power of magic, and thus preserve what He had striven for, what others had desired so much, and was now a fact of life. At least most had desired it; but there were a few...

The girl skipped her way up the aisle to the throne, she knelt in respect, and greeted her father with a smile that could melt the coldest ice. The King was no match against such affection displayed, his arms opened wide and her took her in a warm, fatherly embrace. Even the most obstinate of the petitioners could not help but be moved, arguments forgotten (at least for the moment). The love of that embrace flowed like a breeze, made of honey, throughout the chamber; and all in attendance there knew they would also be at tomorrows festivities.

Everything seemed perfect. Chambers were being decorated, food was already in preparation, and the finest wines and ales were being readied. What could possibly go wrong?

Late into the wee hours, after all the servants had retired for the night, after King and Queen had kissed their daughter at her bedside, wishing her fine dreams and themselves retiring, the princess lay awake in anticipation. She had no idea of what tomorrow would truly bring.