The Mad Queen

Chapter Sixty-Nine

Once all the treaties and agreements were signed, Visara was officially crowned the Queen of all of Vivelle. Her crown was beautiful.

Three, jagged, intertwining branches of pure, shining gold, wrapped around small pearls, diamonds and emeralds. The branches were decorated with leaves. So intricate were the leaves that they showed every little vein and pattern that would glisten a real-life leaf. If they weren't pure gold, they would be mistaken for being real.  The three branches ceased their intertwining at the front of the crown where they separated from each other to instead wrap around a large sparkling diamond. 

Her dress was just as spectacular. The Material a dark emerald green matching the small jewels on the crown. Sewn into the dress were thousands of minuscule diamonds, making the material glitter in even the lowest light. The neckline was off the shoulder. Twisting metal branches much like the crown decorated the neckline and made up the thin sleeves that sat just below her shoulders. The rest of the dress was just the emerald material. It sat tightly over her torso before flowing into a large skirt. A thin, golden cord separated the skirt from the bodice. Another section of the metal vines decorated one side of the cord.

Around her hands and wrists, she wore more metal golden branches that swirled along her pale skin. No one in all of Vivelle had seen someone look so spectacular. It was on that day, everyone was truly reminded that she was not a creature of this world, but of one above it. She was a demi-god. She was the saviour and a symbol of hope. That is why her sigil was not that of a roaring beast or a weapon. It was a golden tree. A sign of evergrowing life. Of a peace that only got stronger with time. That is why her crown was branches of gold. That is why those same branches wrapped around her dress and along her body.

It was on that day, where the crown was placed on her head, that even those against her fell into line. That was when they realised her true power and everyone in all of Vivelle fell to their knees and knelt for their queen. For she was to be their all-powerful, unquestioned leader and they were her loyal subjects. That was how they were to remain for as long as a Dulavelle sat on the Throne.

The rest of the week is mostly uneventful. I spent my time riding with Wyatt and Karn. Today, I ride with Karn again. His wolf has gotten a little more used to me also. She trots up ahead, patroling whilst we travel at an easy pace.

"How do you communicate with her?" I ask him as I lean back against his chest. He laughs.

"It is a strange bond between Lupine and our wolves," he begins. "We can't speak to each other in our minds as a lot of southerners think. Wolves don't talk so why would they know how to do it in our minds?" he chuckles. "Though they can't speak our language, they do understand words and sentences. But again, if I want to talk to her I can't do it through some psychic bond. It has to be out loud." He sighs and watches his beautiful wolf as she sniffs at the ground and checks for danger. "Some times, I don't need to say anything at all. We can just sense things. Each others emotions, if we're in danger or if we just want to be left alone. Things like that. A lot of times, if I want to head of the city for some quiet, she will know and we will go and walk together."

"It sounds like a wonderful bond," I reply.

"It is. She is my companion, my friend and an extension of my soul. Luckily," he gulps, "she can only be killed if I die. Our bond gives her extra strength. Blades can't penetrate her skin and poisons can't affect her either. If I die, her body loses that power and strength and she becomes a normal wolf. It is a good thing though. If I lost her, I would go mad." My eyes widen. The bond is that strong?

"What will happen to her if you die?" I ask.

"She'll go mad," he gulps. "The Solavar will be forced to put her down before she can do damage to anyone." We go silent for a few seconds.