1215-07-02
Tal Aquavelle:
It had been a year since that fateful day, and we'd heard no news from Ahk.
I had sent merchants to inquire why we were attacked, but they returned empty-handed. On the brighter side, Rali had agreed to a momentary truce. For the year of 1215, both sides had pledged to cease fighting in Prescar, allowing men to return home and get the rest they desperately needed.
As I sat on my throne in Disla, my palace in the heart of the United Islands of Khiz, my thoughts remained consumed by the families who had been torn apart. Barta—a place once thriving with life—was now encased in an unyielding sheet of ice. Soldiers had returned to find nothing but frozen remnants of their homes, and the ice showed no signs of thawing.
It wasn't natural; it felt… magical, as though some force had blanketed Barta in an energy that defied logic. Strangers from other countries traveled to witness the spectacle, treating the "Frozen Island" as some kind of treasure to be admired, utterly ignoring the countless lives that had been lost there.
Ana wasn't doing any better. Though I didn't know her exact age when I found her, I assumed she had been three at the time of the attack. I had chosen that day—May 30th—as her birthday. Now, at four years old, she was a shadow of what a child her age should be. That horrific event had stunted her. She barely spoke and spent most of her time in silence.
Today, however, brought a glimmer of hope. Ana's new sisters, Mira and Kalina, were born, and I dared to hope they might coax her out of her shell, perhaps help her heal from the scars of that day.
Fear still lingered in my heart. I feared she would remember everything: watching her mother sacrifice herself to save her. That kind of pain would leave a mark on anyone, let alone a child so young.
The sudden creak of the throne room doors snapped me from my thoughts. I turned my attention toward the entrance, steeling myself for what lay ahead.
"They're ready for you, Grand Regent," a general said, his deep voice echoing through the throne room.
Altro, the general of the UIK forces, was a towering man with dark skin and a stern expression that masked the compassion underneath. His broad shoulders bore the weight of his rank.
I nodded and rose, my mind still lingering on Ana, Mira, and Kalina. As I walked the halls of the palace, I couldn't help but hope that they were all right.
I entered the room. Melissa greeted me with a small smile.
"They've been waiting for you," she softly said.
I approached, my heart swelling as I looked down at Mira and Kalina. Their wide, innocent eyes blinked up at me, their soft coos filling the quiet room. Gently, I reached down and lifted both of them into my arms, one in each hand.
"Look at you two," I said, my voice warm. "You're already stealing my heart."
I spun around in a slow circle. Their giggles bubbled up.
Melissa laughed lightly, her smile growing as she watched.
"Careful," she teased.
"The light that keeps the darkness at bay."
Altro brought Ana. Ana stood quietly by the doorway, watching the scene with wide, curious eyes. I turned to her, holding out my hand.
"Come here, Ana," I said gently.
She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, her small fingers slipping into mine. I knelt down, bringing her closer to her sisters.
"These are Mira and Kalina," I said softly. "Your sisters. They're going to need you as much as you need them."
Ana stared at them. Mira's tiny hand reached out and brushed against hers. On her face a faint smile.
"These three names will live on as a testament to our family's resilience," I said softly, looking at the little ones cradled in my arms and the girl clutching my hand. "Ana, Mira, and Kalina Aquavelle—each of you carries a piece of our legacy, and together, you will shape its future."
It was a start.
I sat beside Melissa's bed. Her auburn hair fanned out across the pillow. She still looked as radiant as ever.
"She's smiling more," Melissa said, her voice soft and tired. "It's a start."
I nodded, leaning back in the chair beside her. "It is. She's strong—stronger than either of us could have expected. Mira and Kalina will help her heal."
Melissa's gaze drifted to the ceiling. For a moment, neither of us spoke, the quiet stretching between us. Then she turned her head to me, her eyes meeting mine.
"What about you, Tal?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What will you do with Ahk?"
I sighed. I ran a hand through her hair. Her question hit the exact nerve I'd been avoiding all day. Ahk. The silence. The attack.
"You need to rest. That's more important than anything happening outside these walls."
Melissa gave me a look, her lips quivering upward in a small, knowing smile.
"Avoiding the question doesn't suit you, Grand Regent Tal," she teased.
"I'll deal with Ahk when the time comes," I said quietly, reaching out to take her hand. "But right now, all I care about is this—making sure you're okay. Making sure Ana is okay. Making sure we're okay."
She looked at me for a long moment. Her expression softened as her fingers tightened around mine.
"Tal, I'm fine," she said. "I promise I'll rest."
I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Her eyes fluttered closed. Melissa had drifted into a light sleep. Her breathing was even and steady. Ana stood next to the bed, her amber eyes wide and uncertain.
She clutched her small white blanket tightly.
She hesitated..
"Come here." I said softly.
"Ana?" Melissa murmured, her voice warm and inviting.
"M-Mom?"
Melissa's eyes widened. "Ana," she whispered.
"Hold me," Ana cried.
Melissa's eyes filled with tears as she sat up, opening her arms wide.
"Oh, Ana," she said. "Come here, sweetheart."
Ana climbed into the bed. She dropped her blanket and pressed herself into Melissa's embrace. Melissa wrapped her arms around her tightly.
"You'll never be alone," Melissa whispered, her cheek resting against Ana's hair.
"I promise you, Ana. Never again."
Creak.
The door to the chamber creaked open, and Altro stepped inside, his dark presence commanding attention. He closed the door behind him and approached, holding a letter out toward me.
"Grand Regent," he said quietly.
I took the letter, breaking the seal swiftly. Unfolding it, I read Adrian's words, his familiar handwriting still legible despite the haste.
—--------------------------------
Dear Grand Regent Tal,
I hope this letter finds you well. The battle of Kima has left me wounded, and I regret to inform you that I now have only one arm. The delay in my response was due to my condition, and for that, I apologize.
I must also address the matter of Barta. It was the Emperor of Wara who unleashed an ice dragon in an attempt to escape, but the dragon went too far and attacked Barta. This goes against the Varvensi Agreement, and it leaves Wara vulnerable to dire consequences. I will follow your command, but I urge you to consider the full ramifications of this. I hope we can resolve this matter without further bloodshed.
On a separate note, I must inform you that my situation is complicated. I am in the midst of significant civil unrest, as I have begun transitioning the Empire into a republic. These changes are causing instability, and it will likely be some time before I am able to respond more thoroughly. I ask for your patience during this period.
In the meantime, I send you two books I have written during the course of my reflection: "Of Lions and Serpents," and "The Lion, the Serpent, and the Spirit Within." These works are being published and distributed in as many cities as possible. I hope they offer some insight into my thoughts and the larger conflicts at hand.
I wish you time, Grand Regent, and I trust we will speak again soon once things settle.
In the Lion we trust,
Chancellor of Pallas.
Adrian Kundra
—----------------------------
I set the letter down, my fingers lingering on the parchment as I processed the words.
"The Emperor of Wara... releasing an ice dragon," I murmured, my mind already racing through the possible outcomes.
Altro's eyes were sharp, awaiting my response. I looked up at him. "The situation in Ahk is growing worse," I said slowly, the weight of Adrian's message pressing on me.
"A republic, civil unrest... it could be a long time before he's able to help us with Rali."
Altro nodded. "What will you do next, Grand Regent?"
I took a deep breath, my gaze hardening. "First, we need to confirm the details of this attack. If Wara has broken the agreement, there will be consequences."
Altro gave a firm nod. "Understood. I'll await your orders."