09-11-2021, 12:52 AM
Rendethryn's claws tore through the neglected soil with alarming ease. Grass tore away and thick clods broke apart, leaving neat furrows in her wake. A group of townsfolk followed behind with tools and carts from the stable yard, working manure into the earth. Some jobs were best avoided with bare hands. Eyes aglow with a faint emerald cast, she chanted as she worked.
Druidic energy flowed out of the earth and into her body, collected and concentrated, flowing back into the soil and soaking deep. Sounds of construction came from the city as she spoke, providing a fine background, a contrast, to the natural magic she sent through the fields. True to her word, the ship had arrived some days ago, and the workers wasted no time in working to restore Tarasinau to its former glory. Her magic faded, and the dragon moved to the next rows to repeat the process. As the midday sun reached its zenith, Rendethryn and the other workers retreated to the arbored shade of the nearby winery. A few casks of wine and wheels of cheese were retrieved from the cellar for a simple but pleasant lunch. Some of the older children, children who had already learned how to tend a field, made their way down the rows, each attended by a smaller child whose only responsibility was to hold a large bag of seeds. Rendethryn smiled as she watched them work in tandem. Retrieve a seed. Pass the seed. Sow the seed. "Your people have done well to pull together in such hardship," she remarked.
"Aye, not our first disaster," one of the nearby smallfolk laughed. "Not likely to be our last," added a tiny sylph from where she perched in the rafters. "No, I imagine not," Rendethryn conceded with a dip of her head. Her mind reeled with the tales she'd heard in the last few days. Thorn kings and blights upon the land, wars that drummed against the kingdom borders with the constancy of the tides. But more than that, tales of a people that have persisted against all odds.
"Lady Stormsong?" The blue dragon blinked her third eyelids and focused on who had called her name. A human, one of the few that still called the kingdom home, hurried towards the group. He was young, despite his careworn face, with piecemeal leather armor poorly fitted over his body. "Yes, little one?" She rose from where she reclined, sensing his urgency. "I know this wasn't what you meant by helping our kingdom, but...but there's been sightings of goblin war bands on the border. Our herds are barely enough to last the winter as it is, but-"
"Say no more," she cut him off and looked at the alarmed farmers. "Take the townspeople and what livestock you can within the walls. I doubt they'll make it this far, but best to be cautious." In a burst of movement, the picnic blankets were gathered and children were called from the fields. Rendethryn followed the soldier to the western garrison, gathering her personal guards on the way. After a quick briefing the troops moved out, with Rendethryn at the lead.
They were just past Essendell before catching movement through the twisted cypress trees, quick little shapes moving in and out of the fading light. A murmur of fear rippled through the troops behind her and she spread her wings with a snarl, only to be met with vicious-sounding laughter from the shadows. A crude arrow flew from cover and stung the ground near her claws. Rendethryn's roar rippled the very air as storm clouds billowed and swirled overhead. A thin flame shot from her maw, licking at the damp trees and sending the shapes scattering with panicked shrieks. As the clouds whirled into a solid mass, lightning tore through the air, striking a tree. A goblin fell to the ground in a shower of splintered wood, cowering in the dragon's shadow.
"You dare threaten these lands?" Her voice thundered, echoed by the clouds above. The goblin scrambled to its feet, baring its teeth but cowering away from the massive creature. "Should you stand and fight," she bellowed, "every last one of you will be slain! Take your band and go now, and no harm shall come to you! But tell your chieftain this: these lands are protected!"
The goblin gave a quick bow and hopped backwards at the same time, nearly folding itself in half. It called to its companions and backed away before scurrying back the way it had come, others emerging from the shadows to join it in retreat. Rendethryn kept her eyes fixed on the war band, the swirling clouds slowly dissolving into mist and revealing the first stars of evening. For a moment, the swamps were silent, before the soldiers raised their voices in a victorious cheer. With the goblins' retreat assured, the defenders of Raeyithia returned to Tarasinau with the good news.
The night grew long, but the hearth fire burned bright for the townsfolk still celebrating. Rendethryn sat at the table inside, in human form for a change, writing the latest report to her steward in Carigsay. The door opened, and the dwarven elder smiled as she slipped away from the festivities outside. "I hope I'm not intruding, Lady Stormsong."
"No, no! Not at all!" Rendethryn smiled graciously and bowed her head, gesturing to the chair opposite. "Please, join me a moment." The dwarf settled in the chair with a smile, stroking her downy beard thoughtfully while regarding the woman across from her. "...Was there something on your mind?" Rendethryn ventured, when the silence and the staring began to grow a bit too sharp.
"Hrrm? Oh!" the dwarf laughed. "Yes, of course! Terribly sorry about that! It's just that, we were talking, the other elders and myself. You've given this kingdom so much. Food, and safety." She tapped a withered finger against the table to emphasize her words. "And, above all, hope. I haven't seen the people this joyous since before Queen Caelestia left!"
"I'm honored to be of service. Queen Caelestia was a dear friend-"
"That is why," the dwarf pressed on, "we wish for you to remain here, a beacon for our people, on the throne of Raeyithia."
Now it was Rendethryn's turn to stare, and she returned the quill to its ink well in stunned silence. "...Queen?" she repeated once she found her voice. "Me?" The withered old woman nodded emphatically. "It was a unanimous decision, after all you've done. Especially after driving out those raiders today!"
Rendethryn sat back, thoughtful, before bowing her head to the woman. "The city of Carigsay is in good hands with my steward, and I feel they will continue to flourish under his guidance. If it is truly the wish of the council of elders, and the people of Raeyithia, then....yes. Yes, I shall rule as queen." The dwarf beamed and clapped her hands together. "But I shall need to inform him of this development," she added, motioning to the letter before her.
"Oh! Oh, yes, of course! Thank you so much Lady- nay, QUEEN Rendethryn! I'll inform the council at once!" she hopped up from the chair, much more spryly than she had entered, and bowed to Rendethryn. "Have a lovely evening, we'll speak again soon!" The dragon gave another gracious smile and nodded, bidding the dwarf farewell. A rectangle of light filled the room as the light from the hearth fire shone briefly through the open door, before casting the room back in candlelight. Rendethryn took up the quill again, hastily adding the development to her letter and signing with her usual flourish. She stared at the letter a moment before dipping the quill once more.
~Please send 10 of our finest goats to our friends in Golmeuse, along with my gratitude. Their performance was impeccable.
Lady of Life, Lord of Seed,
Give unto these fields that which is in need,
In gentle Earth and breath of Wind,
We shall plant it to begin;
Bring forth both the Rain and Sun,
So we may harvest when 'tis done.
Give unto these fields that which is in need,
In gentle Earth and breath of Wind,
We shall plant it to begin;
Bring forth both the Rain and Sun,
So we may harvest when 'tis done.
Druidic energy flowed out of the earth and into her body, collected and concentrated, flowing back into the soil and soaking deep. Sounds of construction came from the city as she spoke, providing a fine background, a contrast, to the natural magic she sent through the fields. True to her word, the ship had arrived some days ago, and the workers wasted no time in working to restore Tarasinau to its former glory. Her magic faded, and the dragon moved to the next rows to repeat the process. As the midday sun reached its zenith, Rendethryn and the other workers retreated to the arbored shade of the nearby winery. A few casks of wine and wheels of cheese were retrieved from the cellar for a simple but pleasant lunch. Some of the older children, children who had already learned how to tend a field, made their way down the rows, each attended by a smaller child whose only responsibility was to hold a large bag of seeds. Rendethryn smiled as she watched them work in tandem. Retrieve a seed. Pass the seed. Sow the seed. "Your people have done well to pull together in such hardship," she remarked.
"Aye, not our first disaster," one of the nearby smallfolk laughed. "Not likely to be our last," added a tiny sylph from where she perched in the rafters. "No, I imagine not," Rendethryn conceded with a dip of her head. Her mind reeled with the tales she'd heard in the last few days. Thorn kings and blights upon the land, wars that drummed against the kingdom borders with the constancy of the tides. But more than that, tales of a people that have persisted against all odds.
"Lady Stormsong?" The blue dragon blinked her third eyelids and focused on who had called her name. A human, one of the few that still called the kingdom home, hurried towards the group. He was young, despite his careworn face, with piecemeal leather armor poorly fitted over his body. "Yes, little one?" She rose from where she reclined, sensing his urgency. "I know this wasn't what you meant by helping our kingdom, but...but there's been sightings of goblin war bands on the border. Our herds are barely enough to last the winter as it is, but-"
"Say no more," she cut him off and looked at the alarmed farmers. "Take the townspeople and what livestock you can within the walls. I doubt they'll make it this far, but best to be cautious." In a burst of movement, the picnic blankets were gathered and children were called from the fields. Rendethryn followed the soldier to the western garrison, gathering her personal guards on the way. After a quick briefing the troops moved out, with Rendethryn at the lead.
They were just past Essendell before catching movement through the twisted cypress trees, quick little shapes moving in and out of the fading light. A murmur of fear rippled through the troops behind her and she spread her wings with a snarl, only to be met with vicious-sounding laughter from the shadows. A crude arrow flew from cover and stung the ground near her claws. Rendethryn's roar rippled the very air as storm clouds billowed and swirled overhead. A thin flame shot from her maw, licking at the damp trees and sending the shapes scattering with panicked shrieks. As the clouds whirled into a solid mass, lightning tore through the air, striking a tree. A goblin fell to the ground in a shower of splintered wood, cowering in the dragon's shadow.
"You dare threaten these lands?" Her voice thundered, echoed by the clouds above. The goblin scrambled to its feet, baring its teeth but cowering away from the massive creature. "Should you stand and fight," she bellowed, "every last one of you will be slain! Take your band and go now, and no harm shall come to you! But tell your chieftain this: these lands are protected!"
The goblin gave a quick bow and hopped backwards at the same time, nearly folding itself in half. It called to its companions and backed away before scurrying back the way it had come, others emerging from the shadows to join it in retreat. Rendethryn kept her eyes fixed on the war band, the swirling clouds slowly dissolving into mist and revealing the first stars of evening. For a moment, the swamps were silent, before the soldiers raised their voices in a victorious cheer. With the goblins' retreat assured, the defenders of Raeyithia returned to Tarasinau with the good news.
The night grew long, but the hearth fire burned bright for the townsfolk still celebrating. Rendethryn sat at the table inside, in human form for a change, writing the latest report to her steward in Carigsay. The door opened, and the dwarven elder smiled as she slipped away from the festivities outside. "I hope I'm not intruding, Lady Stormsong."
"No, no! Not at all!" Rendethryn smiled graciously and bowed her head, gesturing to the chair opposite. "Please, join me a moment." The dwarf settled in the chair with a smile, stroking her downy beard thoughtfully while regarding the woman across from her. "...Was there something on your mind?" Rendethryn ventured, when the silence and the staring began to grow a bit too sharp.
"Hrrm? Oh!" the dwarf laughed. "Yes, of course! Terribly sorry about that! It's just that, we were talking, the other elders and myself. You've given this kingdom so much. Food, and safety." She tapped a withered finger against the table to emphasize her words. "And, above all, hope. I haven't seen the people this joyous since before Queen Caelestia left!"
"I'm honored to be of service. Queen Caelestia was a dear friend-"
"That is why," the dwarf pressed on, "we wish for you to remain here, a beacon for our people, on the throne of Raeyithia."
Now it was Rendethryn's turn to stare, and she returned the quill to its ink well in stunned silence. "...Queen?" she repeated once she found her voice. "Me?" The withered old woman nodded emphatically. "It was a unanimous decision, after all you've done. Especially after driving out those raiders today!"
Rendethryn sat back, thoughtful, before bowing her head to the woman. "The city of Carigsay is in good hands with my steward, and I feel they will continue to flourish under his guidance. If it is truly the wish of the council of elders, and the people of Raeyithia, then....yes. Yes, I shall rule as queen." The dwarf beamed and clapped her hands together. "But I shall need to inform him of this development," she added, motioning to the letter before her.
"Oh! Oh, yes, of course! Thank you so much Lady- nay, QUEEN Rendethryn! I'll inform the council at once!" she hopped up from the chair, much more spryly than she had entered, and bowed to Rendethryn. "Have a lovely evening, we'll speak again soon!" The dragon gave another gracious smile and nodded, bidding the dwarf farewell. A rectangle of light filled the room as the light from the hearth fire shone briefly through the open door, before casting the room back in candlelight. Rendethryn took up the quill again, hastily adding the development to her letter and signing with her usual flourish. She stared at the letter a moment before dipping the quill once more.
~Please send 10 of our finest goats to our friends in Golmeuse, along with my gratitude. Their performance was impeccable.