The Remains of Dawn

Chapter One

Blavitara was once a thriving kingdom. There were riches and happiness everywhere. The land was thick with tall trees and soft grass from coast to coast. Everyone was happy to live their lives the way that they saw fit. Darkness was nowhere to be seen. Everything was as it should be until the King fell ill one day. The King order many physicians to heal him, but none were successful. He even order magicians and healers to help him, but none were successful. After months of pain and waiting for death, the King died.

The kingdom of Blavitara mourned for two years of their beloved King until his daughter turned eighteen and was old enough to take the throne. Queen Vega worked hard to continue her father's legacy and succeeded at it.

Rumors started to spread around ten years in Queen Vega's reign that a smaller kingdom has emerged from the seas. That kingdom was ruled by the ruthless Queen Krathys. Rumors spread that her kingdom was getting too close to Blavitara's borders. Queen Vega sent troops to investigate the rumors and was met with a large army at their border.

Queen Krathys' army wasn't just huge in number, but huge in size. Men were dressed in matte black armor. Spikes were sticking out of their shoulders and their eyes were hidden by a dark visor. Some were holding matte black longbows while others had long swords at their sides. They stood straight and tall while watching Queen Vega's men on their side of the border.

A six-foot jaguar strode forward, splitting Queen Krathys' army. Queen Krathys sat on top of the jaguar dressed in the same matte black armor as her soldiers. She sheathed her sword and took off her helmet revealing a strikingly beautiful face. On her youthful face rested thin lips set in a straight line and dark, unhesitating eyes. Her skin was white as snow and the only color on her face was a hint of rose color on her cheeks. Her black hair was pulled and slicked back into a low ponytail.

Her lips curved slightly at the sight of Queen Vega's men gaping at them. "I am Queen Vega, and tell your Queen we're here to take her throne," she ordered them in a low, silvery voice. "We'll give you three hours to deliver the message, then we're taking what we'll claim."

Queen Vega's men looked at each other and worked at soothing their horses. One of the men spoke up, "You don't belong here." His voice shook, but there was a hint of commandment behind it.

Queen Krathys titled her head as she looked the man over. "I do," she said. "I've been admiring your little kingdom from the seas and I want it." She sat up straighter and unsheathed her sword. "I'm here to take what is mine. Once again, we'll give you three hours to go and warn your Queen before we devour everything in our touch." She stretched out her sword towards them, "Now go!"

Queen Vega's men didn't need to be told twice this time. They spun their horses around and sped off toward the castle to warn their Queen and gather up their army.

"Are we going to wait three hours, my Queen?" one of Queen Krathys commanding officers asked her. "I'm ready for blood."

She turned to look at the tall man standing next to her. "I'm a woman of my word, Commander. We will wait three hours and we will have this kingdom."

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Queen Vega met her men in the throne room as they stormed through the doors. "What's happening on the border?" She held her hands tightly in her lap to keep them from shaking. She had watched her father create and handle war plans, but in her ten years as Queen, she never had to make those plans. Those years had been peaceful; until now.

The men bowed before their Queen and her commanding officer said through jagged breaths, "Queen Krathys is here from the seas. She wants to take your kingdom and your throne. Her army is massive, your Majesty. We need to prepare!"