Limit Of Fortune

Chapter 1

(written in 3rd person)

Mist hung over the trees like a cloak, casting shadows into the grounds below the castle. The kingdom was plagued by these misty mornings, so thick you could slice it with a knife.

A large shape, dark and looming, moved through this mist as the thick mist wafted about its sharp wings. This figure swept down toward a second shadow- bright and brilliant. A classic quarrel between evil and good.

Luna watched this, smoothing her purple dress against her knees. This week has been a rough one, nightmares constantly churning her mind and preventing slumber. She was exhausted.

Glancing back at her father, who was carving up a chicken, she stifled a sigh. King Potent was a bad man, and she knew it.

You see, Luna embraced a powerful secret. This kingdom was home to a profusion of creatures- dragons, Phoenix, wolves- you name it. Luna wasn't just a princess. She was a mermaid, and her scaly secret was revealed anytime she got her skin wet.

And so the brunette lived in constant fear; just a tiny drop of water could reveal her true identity- and the only one who knew was her sister, Ilios.

Ilios and her father were busily spiffing up the castle, setting up tables and dusting things were needed. Luna figured she should probably help, but her mind was too busy to focus on doing anything productive. Her father was meeting with the lords of the other neighboring kingdoms tonight, and she would have to eat dinner with them. It was a big deal.

She watched from the balcony as a carriage, pulled by two mighty centaurs cascaded toward the gates. The guests were arriving. Luna stiffened and lit the candles on the table as the servants allowed the Kings and their families to enter.

One by one they all sat, each clothed in expensive fur and draped with jewels. Her father wore a mermaid-scale cuff about his wrist, one from which he killed. Luna swallowed and glanced at her feet.

"Now, then. I'm glad we decided to meet and discuss properly instead of facing military debate." her father rumbled.
"Ah, now Lord Potent- war over territory would be foolish."
"Humph. I am certain we can reach agreement- it's a large piece of land. Everyone can have their share."
"I'd like the mountainous area. Excellent military leverage."

Luna wrinkled her nose, staring at her plate. She didn't recognize any of these people, and their political chitchat just jumbled together in her mind. The princess instead thought about her secret, and if Illios had told anyone. She trusted her sister- but the mermaid was plagued with paranoia.

The argument between kings was becoming heated now- and she was pleaded with herself that they would not have to resort to violence.

"Potent- my people need the lake more then you. We are facing dry times- drought is upon us."
"Yes but it would be an excellent place to expand our fishing businesses."
"Personally, I believe that I should have the lake. Our crops could use the water."
"Oh please! That lake shows more promise then the expand of agriculture."

King Potent snorted, "Achilles, the only reason you need that lake is to wash your filthy castle."

King Achilles snarled and slammed his large fists, shaking the whole table. He had the hottest temper of them all.

A class of water was tipped over by his blow, and it moved fluidly across the plates and napkins and splashed onto Luna's lap.

Luna is in the picture above!

❅ Morgan ❅