Queen Illyanth of Elenoria

Cy 4822 – 4^th day of Arriandus – Gran Breton Palace

The Elenorian queen possesses a beauty that would melt any man’s heart. Her perfect complexion is matched by a lithe, graceful body honed after years of arduous study in the martial arts of combat. Valadain senses a Darkland background to her studies; the double-bladed spear a weapon infamous in those lands. Eyes of emerald green follow his every move and the Godslayer feels her passion within that gaze, a fiery lust that consumes the elven queen and drives her into his embrace.

[Corrrr!] The response is immediate; the pure courage and honour he has found in her has touched his battered heart. So close he came to distrustingly turning her away. Instead he finds solace and a moment of true peace for the first time in months.

Later they both lie together, sated. Illyanth is calmer now; her deep smile cannot hide the love she feels for the Godslayer. But within her there is just a hint of doubt…a slight awkwardness that her stately expression cannot hide.

“You know, don’t you?” she says it almost as an accusation but there is no malice in her words. “That Willowstar carries twins. I suspected she would contact you, her belief in you is startling…under the circumstances.” Then Illyanth catches herself and laughs. “Forgive me, Valadain, my public stance must remain deeply opposed to you…for the sake of appearances you understand…the Elenorians fear you more than you know. Even now they believe you are within a whisker of marching in and slaying their goddess."

"Never would I have harmed her against her will. I felt as she did, as Jarik did, that any legacy of Malkar the Damned should be rooted out. A lesson to all of us to look deeper."

“But I now know the truth, Godslayer…and in time so will my people. There is true good within you…I am sorry I doubted you when you came to speak to Willowstar.''

Valadain laughs merrily. ''As well you might! Sharoshi and I hardly came politely and courteously. For that I beg your forgiveness, Forest Queen."

“For many years I was raised as a warrior and I find it difficult to switch off sometimes – my mother said I needed steel within to survive this world and she was right.” A single tear of grief falls on Valadain’s chest.

His hand tightens momentarily on her shoulder in sympathy.

“But steel is not enough. Elenoria is the greatest elven kingdom yet we are only as great as the people within it and the friends we nurture along the way. Muziel has shown us that he can cause trouble amongst friends – even setting Jarik and your brother against each other at the funeral.

“I know where you must go my beloved…you go to the Library of Eth in the plane that once housed Loramas the Defiler. With all my heart I want you to stay but I know that if Muziel’s power is left unchecked he will destroy everything we are building…everything you are building…it will destroy our love also.

“My demonologists tell me that the plane of Abomination was looted centuries ago when Loramas fell from her throne. Demon lord after demon lord has plundered its treasures and left a stinking carcass behind. Those creatures that have nothing, those dispossessed demons lurk there to await hapless travellers. Every stone, every brick of her palace was taken apart, every manuscript torched, every minion put to death or slavery. Even the cruellest of my sorcerers fear that realm.” More tears now from the queen. “I would give anything for you to remain with me…come to Elenoria and abandon this mad quest. Valadain I am gifted in the Fates and Paths of man but in yours I see nothing – no future if you descend into Abomination.

“Send others in your stead I beg you!

“I have lost a mother this year I will die if anything happens to you!”

There is nothing of the Dread Priest or the Godslayer in Valadain now. He is a young man, aflame with the blaze of his first love. [Mills & Boon!] His eyes too are misty. "Fain would I stay, fion'dha, and find surcease from the cares of the world in our love. Yet we'd find no peace. We understand duty, you and I.''

Illyanth and the Godslayer embrace once more in silence. Eventually, as the coals of the open fire begin to fade, Illyanth reaches for her gown. She takes from it a small silver chain with what appears to be a crystallised teardrop attached to it.

“My mother gave me this when I was younger. The tear is diamond and it must be worn next to your skin…she was a great sorceress and this was her first gift to me. It is called Illyanth’s Tear and will protect you in the dark places of the Abyss. Throughout all my life its warmth has been close to my heart…now I give it to you so that my love may protect you on your journey."

The Godslayer folds the precious thing into his hand and places a kiss where it had lain.

“Please go carefully, Valadain Raikos, and fear not for Willowstar – she is in a safe place, a place where not even Muziel can find her. The dark twin shows a remarkable maturity whilst it’s sister is yet silent. The goddess has indicated that both children are maturing at the same rate – indeed she believes it will be a quick birth. There is no one more capable than Andurien Willowstar of raising these two…whatever their pre-disposition. She clings to the belief that her inherent goodness will light a path for their futures…whatever that future may be.

“I have wondered what those children may become. Perhaps gods?"

"All depends on Willowstar. We trust her with the world."

Then there is the question of Malkar’s Fallen Ones. Too many unanswered questions to burden them with at the start of their lives…but then considering their bloodline I suppose they will get used to it…”

Valadain watches the young queen dress and marvels at her beauty. His eyes fall to a small scar at the junction of her right shoulder and neck; Illyanth notices the direction of his gaze.

“The Swordsaint who trained me gave me that as punishment for a lacklustre practise session. He said that if I were as slovenly again he would mark my beautiful face forever…that was over a century ago. His name was Iniaki Kurukawa – he lived with me in Elenoria for the last years of his life and gave to me the secrets of his teachings. Never since that day has a blade marked me…no one has even come close.”

Her eyes sparkle mischievously. “Though I suspect the slayer of a god can handle himself…or is that katana just for show?"

"I do not have your deep lore with the Soulblade," he replies, ''my skill comes from the weapon's magic and battle experience. I will spar with you, my love, with blades and words and kisses, for as  long as we live - but not with the White Blade. I don't trust it that much. I carry it as much to keep it from others as to use it."

“I loved the Darklanders and the place itself…even though I never saw it in its full glory. There is honour amongst them; even the most ruthless of their number had a deeply inbred sense of duty…indeed if my reign is to mean anything I will model the kingdom of Elenoria on the great kingdoms of Edo and Honshu.”

Illyanth’s face lights up as an idea crawls into her mind.

“When you return, Valadain, why not sit beside me as king of Elenoria?”

Poleaxed, Valadain drops into a chair. "So soon, you seek to make me the tyrant my enemies paint me?  Fion'dha, did you not just say, 'the Elenorians fear you more than you know. Even now they believe you are within a whisker of marching in and slaying their goddess'? Poor Gundren's troubles would be nothing next to mine. She is not Bretonian; I am not even Elven - or truly human even. Your people would revolt! And what of our foe? Such a thing would bring him down on the Elenorian Forest like a hammer."

"Lady of the Green Glades, I will gladly be your husband, if you'll have me for the brief span that is mine, but as man to woman, not King to Queen. And not until Muziel is safely dead."