Dream on, Teenage Queen

A teenage princess turned queen seeks to wield a magic stone. But will insolence stop her?

Crom’s sat on the castle wall. His eyes teared as he thought of that sad day that would occur. “My, King…what will your passing do to the kingdom?” he mused.

A messenger came from behind Crom. “Nobleman, Crom, King Darvy will not make it through the night.”

Crom’s eyes widened and his tone rose. “I thought he had two months!”

The messenger looked down. “The illness somehow has suddenly accelerated. I am sorry.”

“He was like a father. Especially since he has sired a single princess and no male inheritor. And when she becomes queen, I shudder to think what she will do!” He looked at the messenger. “I wish to be there to be present when he departs.”

Crom rose and walked into the castle behind him. He went to the king’s chambers down a corridor.

“Keep my daughter in line as best as possible. I know her foolishness and temper.”

“Yes, Lord.”

Darvy closed his eyes. His chest rose and fell less and less until he was still.

Crom grabbed his head, looked at the ceiling and cried out in grief. He stood and left the chambers.

Another messenger approached him. “Crom, Princess Ethereal is to be coronated tomorrow, as instructed in tradition.”

“I will be there with the rest in the main antechamber.”

In his chamber, Crom tossed and turned on his bed. He awoke and walked to the antechamber, before the throng arrived.

A crown lay on a pedestal. Crom approached it and gazed at it. A voice came from behind. “Good morning, Crom,” said Princess Ethereal.

Crom turned to see a young teenager in a blue dress and golden embroidery. Her face and voice tone were void of grief. “My first act as ruler of Nimithar is to build a statue in my honor.”

“Princess, such a thing is unheard of!”

“All the more reason. Make preparations.” Ethereal left.

“She is mad!” Crom whispered. He walked outside and entered the open garden area and sat. The thick floral aroma lolled him to sleep. A gentle nudge roused him. “The coronation is in ten minutes,” said a servant.

Crom rose and went where all others were present. Princess Ethereal neared the pedestal along a long red carpet with onlookers standing by. As she kneeled to be crowned, the cathedral chancellor uttered a short list of vows that she swore to keep.

“Significant things will ensue now that I am ruler of Nimithar. A statue of myself will be erected.”

The people gasped.

“Silence! I am queen! It shall be done.”

Crom felt a sinking feeling and felt the crowd’s mood alter too.

When the crowd left, Queen Ethereal went to her quarters and Crom was alone.

He looked out a window and saw servants lay the foundation of the statue. He stormed to his quarters and slammed his door. On his bed was a letter. Inside was a single message-Meet me at midnight on the Ivory Bridge.

His heart dropped and he started pacing. The moon set, he knew it was time and he rode a horse to the long bridge. He dismounted and there was no one. Then, a hand touched his shoulder. “Good. You’ve come,” said a cloaked man.

“Who are you?”

Them man neared Crom. “The search for the Eye of Ifria has been found.”

“Who are you?”

“I am a mage who lives in the forest.”

“If the Eye’s magic is possessed by Ethereal, the things she would do!”

“You must destroy the talisman with this incantation,” The mage gave Crom a parchment. “Go quickly!”

Crom nodded and ran to the Crystal Cove, where the Eye was known to be in and hoped he would intercept the group royal explorers on their return to Nimithar. None were there!

“They must have gone back by way of the river!” Crom mounted up and rode, hoping to beat them to the kingdom gates. But alas! They were just entering through the gates!

Crom’s plan was to destroy it in the absence of the guards manned in front of the royal treasury. He watched as the talisman was placed within.

Braziers lined the walls of the antechamber. Crom ripped off a part of his garment and ignited it in the burning flames. Banners with the phoenix crest hung upon the walls then Crom hid behind a stone column.

The guards ran to the fire and Crom ran for the treasury door and slipped inside.

The Eye of Ifria glowed a hypnotic green. He ran to it and pulled out the parchment.

“Stop right there!” said a voice.

Crom turned around to see Gordon, the personal servant of Ethereal holding a bow and arrow. “I followed you from the castle to the bridge and heard everything!”

“The Eye is too powerful to be in the hands of Ethereal and you know!”

“I’m her right-hand man. She is my master! Hand it over!”

Crom held his breath and picked up the Eye and tossed it to Gordon. He aimed for Crom’s thigh and shot him. He fell, holding his side and Gordon cackled as he left the room.

“Nooo!” said Crom. He pulled out the arrow with a cringe. He tore off another strip of garment and tied it around his hip and limped out of the treasury only to see Ethereal holding the Eye of Ifria grasping it over her head as it strobed with power.

“It’s mine!”

An echoing voice resonated with the Eye. “Your heart is vile and you have fallen short of the grace of God! You may not wield its strength. For your insolence, you will be stricken with leprosy!”

Etehreal’s skin turned pale white and she dropped the talisman.

“What has happened,” said Gordon.

“The talisman apparently does come from a heavenly source. Many other myths were linked with it. This one turned out to be true.”

“What has happened to me!” said Ethereal.

Crom looked down at Ethereal. “Dream on, teenage queen. It was never meant to be.”