The Immortal King

Chapter IV

THE PEOPLE OF THE EASTERN ISLE

There had once been whisper, rumours and legends. No matter how many years passed none of the legends ever captured the entire truth about the people of the Eastern Isle. However, one element of the legends was indeed grounded in fact; the people of the Eastern Isle did not age the way normal humans should. They may have looked like the humans on the island to the West, but they were barely human. Yes they could bleed and die; but time did not afflict them. They still ate food, but did not need it to stay alive. And unlike the people of the Western Island, they commanded unexplainable, treacherous, nature-defying powers. The ruling class of the Eastern people were cursed with maintaining the natural balance their people's powers carelessly destroyed. Summer and winter. Day and night. Peace and war. The most powerful of them even oversaw life and death.

Over the years, people forgot all about the legends, and believed the people of the East to be just like them. Which suited the Isle just fine. As the trade centre of the world, the Isle was a constantly moving and multi-cultural place. Allowing all the rumours to die out as merchants who travelled far and wide put to bed stories of immortals and gods living on the Isle.

In Solaria, a castle coloured by the sun that tittered on the edge of the Isle, lived Queen Tanith, the overseer of life. A golden haired, golden skinned creature with peridot green eyes. Towering over her subjects, she carried herself with reverence; she was, after all, a descendant of the founding ten.

'Advisor!' Queen Tanith's voice resonated through her entire castle. Her only trusted servant scampered through the halls, eager to serve his queen. While still considered a child at his mere age of 500 years old, Caphis had proven time and time again his devotion to Tanith.  'Prepare for travel. Once we are packed we shall leave immediately. I need to have a discussion with a dear old friend of mine.'

'Yes Queen Tanith,' head bowed and hands folded behind his back, Caphis was the epitome of subservience. He oversaw almost everything for Queen Tanith; from her travel, security and public appearances as well as the minute details of her life such as her meals and dress. Clearing his voice, he spoke, 'Will we be taking the horses or the carriage?'

'Just the horses and a few guards, I intend this visit to be short and direct.' Tanith's voice spoke with finality; sending Caphis scurrying out of sight to make all the necessary preparations.

*

Less than a day North-east of  Solaria sat the Murienn province, Solaria's counterpart that housed the Castle of death. As the Queen and her party approached it's ashen walls, Queen Tanith scoffed at it's overrun state. The walls crawling with vivid green Ivy, guards overseeing every nook and cranny and worst of all the streets bustling with people. In the castle's halls, loyal guards lined the corridors. All dressed in the same, nacreous black armour. Two guards lead Tanith into the castle garden where her partner in balance-keeping, and eternal thorn in her side, tended to her garden.

Nesrin was not a traditional kind of beauty nor a traditional kind of Queen, but had a striking appeal. Much like her personality, she was comprised of a number of features that should not be liked, but somehow were. Piercing grey eyes and pencil straight silver hair, cut as blunt as her personality, were not desired on the Eastern Isle. However, the way they contrasted against her skin made her, well striking. She stood out like a sore thumb in a crowd; instantly recognisable. Unlike most women, who dressed to attract men, Nesrin dressed for practicality, sporting a pair of leather pants that men would usually wear and her signature dusty blue blouse. Nesrin and Tanith were complete opposites, which was befitting.

Despite Queen Tanith's presence, Nesrin did not falter from her task. But, without even looking she spoke, 'You should wear green less Tanith, it hints too much at your true nature.' Ignoring Nesrin's comment, Tanith simply wore a masking grin on her face and strolled closer to Nesrin.

'Good day Queen Nesrin. I have come to talk to you about a particular human girl.'

'It's just Nesrin, cut the formalities, and the politeness. We both know neither are your strong suites.' Nesrin retorted bluntly, not once looking up from the rose bush in front of her. 'Speak your mind as you have always done.'

'Why is that pathetic human still living? Please explain to me how Hadassah is reborn every damn century. What are you doing to stop her from dying?' Queen Tanith's tone did not waver as she spoke, her grandfather had instilled in her to always remain calm during conflict.

'Never raise your voice. It only shows your weakness.'

Nesrin, cutting a rose and adding it to her basket now turned to face Tanith, a smug smirk plastered on her face. 'I haven't the slightest idea. You do oversee the continuation of life, you tell me.'

Tanith was not use to being disobeyed. Life itself was at her mercy; the only exception being when the nuisance Nesrin interfered. 'Don't you dare sell me that lie. I have personally watched her die at least 100 times, killed her myself at least 20 and had my most loyal servants swear they have killed her a dozen more. You rule death, what are you doing that prevents her from truely dying?'

'I am personally not doing anything, it could be the natural balance that is keeping her alive. However, I did hear recently that Hetta is still alive and made a deal with Hadassah to never die. I wonder what she sacrificed for that?' Nesrin's obnoxious grin had returned, making Tanith growingly irritated. 

'Hetta? That witch couldn't possibly still be alive. This is your doing. To be clear Nesrin, we are not friends or even on civil terms. I will continue to kill her for the remainder of time until you finally take her soul. And I suggest you do this time. I hear last time she begged for eternal death.' Nesrin could not deny that there was something regal and calculated, about the way Tanith spoke and carried herself. Words she spoke held a certainty, a finality, a promise. While it befitted the role of a queen, for that exact reason Nesrin found it positively unnecessary.

'You currently oversee the continuation of life. It would be wise to remember that your position is not forever. Much like how you acquired your son's position, someone younger and stronger will come along and take what they desire from you. You may not always be around to decide if that girl lives or dies.' Nesrin now had full attention on Tanith. A seething eye contact intensifying between the two. 'That girl's life was not suppose to be taken the first time, or the hundreds of other times following that. You are upsetting the balance, and by now you should know the catastrophic effects of that. I only maintain the balance. So no, I will not bend to your will and destroy her soul for whatever twisted reason you seek to destroy her. Like your son's rise, your fall will also be muddied with blood. And I will delight in watching it.'

Tanith had lived long enough to understand a stand-still. Glancing over to her guards, watching and waiting for her return, she knew her time was up. 'Thank you for this... enlightening conversation. Good day,' speaking bluntly, Tanith and her party departed Nesrin's castle.

'I look forward to having it again in a couple of hundred years!' Nesrin cheekily retorted back. Ignoring Nesrin, Tanith turned to Caphis who had met her with her horse.

'Prepare my army. This time I will permanently destroy that pathetic slave girl, even if I have to annihilate everyone to do so.'