Kaya expected Hakon to take them to some grand part of the castle, but he led them to a keep hidden away in the center of the fortress, without view of anything else.
"This is where the Queen has been all this time?" Kaya said. "It's... not very nice."
"I guess she's kind of been wallowing in her depression," Runlan said.
They came upon large, decorated double doors that were the entrance to the keep. A dragon stood in front of the door. She had bright red scales, with hints of pink and orange, and she was covered in jewelry.
"Princess Jayé?" Hakon said, and she turned.
The Princess nodded at Hakon, and smiled at Joaph. She held up a key and inserted it into the door. Old, worn hinges worked for the first time in years, and the door opened with a loud creak.
Kaya gasped at the sight of the Queen. She was the largest dragon she had ever seen. Her scales resembled her daughters, but were more orange than red. She laid on an enormous bed, asleep, but when the doors opened, her eyes snapped open and fixed right on Kaya.
"Who are you?" she said through her dry throat, having rarely spoken for years.
Ayrahl stepped forward. "Your majesty, it is I, your humble servant Ayrahl."
"Ayrahl? Have you shrunk? What happened to your wings?"
"You have missed a lot, your highness," Hakon said. "My name is Hakon, I am a general in your army. We all understand that you've undergone terrible tragedy, and still feel immense despair, but similar despair has befallen the outside world."
"Mother," Jayé said, stepping forward.
"Jayé," Queen Koris breathed. "You're all grown up."
"Mother, Councillor Uden has taken control of the Wind Nation in your absence, and he has brought terror to Erulae."
"This is so much... My kingdom, my world... My daughter grew up and I wasn't there... My son and my... my husband..."
"It's not all gone," Kaya said. "You still have a family. They love you, and want you back."
Queen Koris looked at all of them. "Family?"
"Mother, this is Joaph, my son," Jayé said. "Under Uden's control, the Wind Nation has seen a significant increase of orphans. I saved one, but... There are many more that need our help."
"The Wind Nation needs its queen back," Kaya said. "Your highness, my name is Kaya. My friends and I were raised by Alhan in the Nursery, including an Ironspark. Uden came for him, and we ran. Together, with the Wild Nation's help, we freed the Ironsparks from the Cauldron, so that they might be as free as any other dragon. But it has cost us so much. This is my friend Qenti."
Kaya waved her talon at Qenti, and Haru lifted his wing from over her, revealing her wounds.
"Uden's soldiers, YOUR soldiers, did this to her. Now, many of the Ironsparks want revenge and are willing to go to war against all of Erulae. So many will be hurt, but Uden doesn't care. He'll just respond with more force."
Kaya stepped closer to Queen Koris. "Please. They'll listen to the Queen."
Koris looked into Kaya's eyes. Then over at Jayé and Joaph, her daughter and grandson. Ayrahl and Hakon, her loyal soldiers. Qenti, Haru, Alhan, and Runlan, victims of Uden's abuse.
Queen Koris rose from her bed and shook out her massive wings.
"Where is Uden?" she asked.
"In his office, I assume," Hakon said.
She walked past them out the door and rose into the sky. All around Windsparks gasped in shock and wonder, watching their great queen soar once again.
An uproar in the city caught their attention though, and Koris altered her course landing in front of a group of soldiers ganging up on a dragon.
"Disband immediately!" she said.
The soldiers froze in shock, unsure of what to do.
"I am the queen! STAND DOWN!"
They all stepped back, revealing an Ironspark child.
"Arau!" Kaya exclaimed, wrapping him in a hug.
"Ow. Hi, Kaya," he said.
"Your highness, this is the Ironspark I told you about, my friend Arau."
She eyed him suspiciously. "Would you seek harm on the Wind Nation?"
Arau thought for a moment. "I would not."
"Then you are safe here, child."
"What are you doing here?" Haru asked.
"I came to warn you."
"Of what?" Alhan asked.
"It's finally happened. Dene's mobilized her forces. The Ironsparks are coming here, for blood."
"What should we do, general?" Queen Koris asked Hakon.
Hakon was an old, stately dragon, hardened by battle, but childlike shock and nervousness came across his face. "You're asking me?"
"I've only heard a quick summary of recent events, and you seem like a wise dragon. I'd like to have your input."
"Well... We need to ready our own army before Uden can tell them to attack. We will defend our people if necessary, but we will not provoke the Ironsparks."
"Clever idea. See that it's done."
Hakon bowed to her and flew off.
"Your majesty, I may be able to get us some more help," Ayrahl said.
"By all means," Koris replied.
"Thank you. Come on, Runlan, I may need some help."
"What do we do?" Haru asked.
"You make sure your friend is taken to the healers. Joaph, accompany them and make sure the doctors will help them."
"You can count on me," he said, then motioned to Haru. "This way."
"The rest of us will fly out to meet the Ironsparks, and try to convince them to stop before they get here."
"What is the meaning of this?" someone shouted from above. Uden flew towards them, landing in the street, letting out a yelp when he saw Koris.
"Your majesty! You're... here! Well again! How... Lovely!"
"Councillor Uden, for betraying your queen, country, and world, you are relieved of duty."
She motioned to the soldiers that had captured Arau. "Seize him."
"What? No! I am loyal to the Wind Nation!"
The guards dove for him, but he evaded them and dove back into the sky, running for his life.
"The soldiers will get him eventually," Queen Koris said. "Let's go."
"Are you sure you're alright, your highness?" Alhan asked.
"I will never be completely alright again. The memory of my loss will always be with me. But right now, my people need me. I will resolve my issues eventually, but now, I must resolve this. Are you with me?"
"Absolutely," he said.
"So am I!" Kaya said. "And so's Arau!"
Arau chuckled and nodded.
"I will gladly follow you again, mother," Jayé said.
"Thank you. All of you. Now... to the future."
YOU ARE READING
The Spark #2: Nightfall
FantasíaFollowing the Ironsparks' revolt, our heroes ties are shattered. Scattered across Erulae, they must seek unity to defeat their common enemy, as well as a darkness that many have forgotten. Cover art does not belong to me
