The Dragonriders

Chapter 22

A New Queen Rises

Tara'li

As I stand there, a hand on mothers throne, I hear the doors behind me open wide and several footsteps enter the room. I turn around to see the entire council there, including the leader. The leader speaks. 'You have our condolences, princess Tara'li. The mage contacted us on your mothers passing.'

I nod. 'Thank you for coming. Her wish was for me to follow into her footsteps and lead the Elves, though I don't think I can be as she was.'

The two Dwarves slam their fists on their chests and kneel. The Elves follow their example. Then the leader speaks. 'The last queen was crowned by the Keeper of Magic, who is no more. If you wish I can take the task upon me.'

I shake my head. 'No. I would look like a pawn to you if I let you. I have to look strong and independent, though inside me my heart is broken. It should have been me who died instead of mom.'

The Elf of the farms gets up. 'Do not falter, queen to be. You have lead many with much success. If you hadn't been worthy the queen would not have chosen you.'

In the evening I'm still looking at the empty throne when the leader joins me in the throne room. 'You really do have pain from her death.'

I nod. The silence that follows is deafening. Then he speaks. 'When you became the queens daughter we had a council meeting. If you wish to leave the Dragon Guard you can. You can even take your squad with you and focus on leading the Elves.'

I shake my head. 'No. I will remain a Dragon Guard. Not representing the Dragon Guard as a whole, and mostly spending my times with the Elves, but I will not leave the Guard.'

The leader seems surprised. 'Then how will you balance being a queen with being a Dragon Guard?'

I kneel in front of the throne with moms sword drawn, the tip on the floor and my hand on the guard. 'By fulfilling her last wish and leading all the races to war. Not as the queen of the Elves but as the Wing Leader of all. I will unify all races. I will go to them all, bringing the news of the queens passing and the great offense that I'm working on. As a leader, and as a friend, I will call them to come with me. To throw off the yoke of the Demons for once and for all.'

The leader remains quiet for quite a while. Then the Forge Master walks up to me, apparently having heard my speech. 'Even with your friend stone convincing the King will be difficult. Getting the Orks or Minotaurs to follow you will be even more difficult.'

I get up and put the sword away. 'I will tell the king about my bloodline. About my oath to kill my blood mother. About my commitment and my passion. I will not go to him as the queen of the Elves or as a Wing Leader, but as a friend who just lost her last remaining parent and wishes to complete that parents wishes.'

The Forge Master nods. 'I wish you luck, Wing Leader Tara'li.'

Celeste

In the middle of the night the leader gathers us in a clearing some distance away from the Elven city. There we form the usual semi circle as well as possible. The leader seems troubled. 'What do you think of her?'

No one answers. After a while I decide to answer. 'She is saddened by her loss. In a state of grief. But somehow... she found her determination. She is clinging to her mothers fantasy of a great march. However her mother is the great diplomat and not even she could do that.'

The leader nods slowly. 'On one claw I fear it will never happen. However, there is one difference between her and her mother.'

One of the Elves responds. 'There is more than one difference. For example she is humble, respects the High Elves, sits on a massive, fire breathing dragon and isn't dead.'