The messenger arrived hoisting scrolls of many colours over his shoulder. “M’lady I bring news from the settlements to the south.” He immediately removed the bag holding the scrolls and began to sort through them as Kati sat silently watching.
At the age of 103 she seemed to have lost, to the surprise of many, little of her vigour and energy of youth. As always she loved to hear from her people, she’d even visited the counties closest to Rivale and met some of her newest counts over the past few years. She was however, sick of these pointless letters which spoke of nothing but small towns and the passing and birth of few people. In truth she missed her dear friend Samaia. Having not seen her in over 3 years and receiving only 2 letters that spoke of how she was doing was in fact a good sign. It meant she was busy, it meant she was doing well with her latest project, Dawnstar. A new Grande Duchy had been formed between the two kingdoms of Isilioth and Perth, a land which was separate from both kingdoms. Instead this place answered to the council of the crowned, as did Kaine. Though she did hope one day she would be a part of that council. As the messenger relayed his report she sighed and stared wistfully out the window to the desert sands.
“Thank you P’real, rest this evening and we will have a letter for you to spread to the southern settlements in the morning.” Jared spoke loudly startled the Duchess from her daydreaming.
“Yes thank you P’real” Jared a man with incredible attention to detail and yet not detached from the picture as a whole was one of her close advisors, her other advisor Silvy was less pragmatic about her role and took it upon herself to speak with those who live in Rivale daily. Both were incredibly close to her and she needed both now more than ever to rule Kaine.
The Duchy was becoming harder and harder to rule from Rivale, she and many of her people knew this. The town was growing no larger and much of her rule now live on the mainland instead of the chain of islands around Rivale. She knew that soon she must start work on her new capital, maybe this would make the king's accept her as one of them.
Ever since the loss of Minerva’s crown the council had been shrinking, first Kabranth, then Isilioth and finally New Ertia. These kings had retreated from the council and during the dark ages had decided to keep their borders tight and cut off contact with the rest of the kingdoms. They still existed of course and their rule was not rebuked but rather made inactive. Thus with three remaining active members of the council everyone's workload was tough, and they had little time to visit each other at these times. It made sense, the trade routes and sharing of knowledge between all of the kingdoms was what helped keep them powerful. Losing many of those was a blow to the entire empire.
“Bring me my papers... and a fresh quill Jared.” Kati said waving him away, she would write another letter asking for their acceptance of her proposal. She sighed once more before Jared suddenly rushed back into the room quill and paper forgotten.
“M’lady you’d better come see this.” He spoke softly, but the fear in his voice was obvious.
“Lovely.” She replied. “What is it?” She stood up beginning to follow him down the stairs of her private office. What she saw before her when she exited the stairwell answered the question for her. P’real lay dead beside her long oak table, a puddle of blood around his stomach where three stab wounds had been formed. Kati dropped her head in disbelief, “Jared, send for the guard.” He nodded and quickly exitted through the front door yelling at the top of his lungs.
“Are you sure you want us alone?” Came a quiet voice from the shadows of the stairwell behind her.
“I am sure that my son will need a good advisor to help him rule when I am gone.” She replied hastily turning and drawing her dagger. “Though, that may not happen for some time.” She grinned at the young human.
“We will see, we will see…” He whispered inspecting a bloody dagger in his right hand an empty bottle of poison in the other. “All I need do is prick you with my dagger and you shall be dead within minutes” His speech had began in whisper but at that broke into harsh laughter. “And so shall I!” He shouted gleefully licking the edge of the bottle and swallowing hastily.
“Oh you poor boy, you’ve been struck with madness…” She dropped her dagger and smiled tenderly. “We shall die together then, for I am not afraid of death, my time has come.” as she said this she walked towards him arms outstretched.
She hugged him, and felt the point of the dagger sink through her flesh.
_________________ Gimpy/The Italian Stallion
It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door, You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to." -Bilbo Baggins
Duke of Kaine
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