Bianca walked down a long corridor of the palace, two guards flanking her, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the walls. She wasn’t afraid. What could she have to be afraid of? She was the perfect student, she had never broken a law, and her family was of the noblest stock Edisland had to offer… still, she could not account for why the Imperata had summoned her.
The guards stopped in front of her, pausing at an ornate door and knocking thrice. A commanding voice beckoned them enter on the other side, and Bianca’s heart stood still as it swung open to reveal her queen in an enormous study. Lovely as ever, her bright red locks were gracefully ordained atop her head like a crown, her piercing blue eyes shone from across the room at her desk.
“Ah” She mused, putting down her quill and standing to greet her guest, “Welcome.” Bianca stepped through the doorway until she was before Yasmin, bowing lowly in submission. “It is Bianca, isn’t it?” The Imperata asked, her voice like a song.
“Yes, your majesty.” Bianca said with as much confidence as she could muster.
“Would you care for a drink?” Yasmin said, moving over to a table addressed with wine and fine goblets. Wanting to show her maturity and because it was polite, Bianca agreed. “Leave us.” Yasmin ordered the guards as she poured. They obeyed, shutting the door tightly behind them, leaving the two ladies alone. Yasmin handed the violet liquid to Bianca and took a sip of her own, a sparkle glinting in her eye.
“I suppose you’re wondering why you’re here.” Yasmin said, waltzing over to a large window overlooking the city streets.
“Yes ma’am.” Bianca straightened up, her dutiful training kicking in.
“I see a world, Bianca. A world free of tyranny and suffering.” The Imperata continued to gaze of of her window, her tone suddenly very serious. “But it is just out of our grasp. Do you know what keeps it there?” She asked, running her lips over the edge of her goblet. Bianca searched her mind for the right reply, but all the answers seemed wrong, and she did not want to be wrong. Instead she lightly shook her head.
“Magic.” Yasmin seethed. The hair on the back of Yasmin’s neck stood up as if saying the word had summoned it. Never in her life had Bianca met someone who spoke of magic with the same rancor that Bianca felt for it, but she thought she had just found her match in Yasmin.
“What I’m about to tell you is likely this kingdom’s greatest secret.” Yasmin turned back to her desk running her fingers over the papers on it. “I need to know that I can trust you, Bianca. If you pledge your loyalty to me, your life, you and I can change this wretched world into something sustainable and good. I’ve heard about your marks at school. You are far above your classmates, your instructors giving beyond stellar reports of your dedication, your skill, your intelligence. All qualities I need working for me. If I let you in on this plan, your life will change. You’re only allegiance will be to my crown, your country. Are you prepared to make such a commitment?” Yasmin raised a perfect eyebrow and waited.
“I have wanted to serve in your army since I knew what it was. My fidelity is, and always has been, yours, your majesty. Give me a task, I will complete it. Command me anywhere and I will go.” Bianca thought these promises may have been a bit flashy, but they were true. She stood erect, waiting a command. Yasmin’s lips curled into a small smile. She opened a draw and pulled out a bejeweled dagger, crossing the room to Bianca.
“Swear this to me then. That you will obey my command if it costs you your life, that you will dedicate yourself to doing what is right.” Yasmin offered the dagger to Bianca. Bianca recognized the cadence; it was what the soldier’s swore as they were initiated officially into the Imperato’s guard. She took the dagger, looking straight into Yasmin’s eyes as she continued the cadence.
“To your command, and to what is right, until death takes me.” The tip of the dagger pierced Bianca’s left palm, a bead of scarlet rose. She slammed her right fist into her upward facing, bloodied palm to salute the queen. Yasmin smiled hungrily.
“Good.” She mumbled. “Let’s begin then.”
***
“This is where the meeting will convene.” Yasmin pushed two heavy doors open. Behind them was a hexagonal room with marble floors, and six huge columns bolstering the ceiling. Light poured in from windows on three of the walls. The design on the ceiling was that of the night sky, and Bianca got the feeling that many important decisions in Edisland’s history had been made in this room.
“I have three representatives from each of the kingdoms attending. They will join in our cause to destroy magic once and for all or…” She trailed off, silently coiling her fingers into a fist.
“I’m still not sure what my role is in all of this, your majesty.” Bianca admitted. Yasmin turned on her heel to look at Bianca with a look of surprise.
“You, are to be one of my generals. A little experience will be necessary, to see exactly where your talents lie, before I can fully promote you, but I’m sure that won’t take much time at all. You see, Bianca, I’ve had my eye on you. You’re special. Driven. But more than that, I know how you feel about our enemy. I know what magic took from you.” Yasmin paused, a look of genuine sympathy in her eyes as Bianca’s heart twisted. Bianca looked to the floor, hoping the queen wouldn’t explore the matter. To Bianca’s relief, she moved on. “ I believe you have what it takes to lead my armies into an unrelenting campaign to root out magic. For those here tomorrow that decide to join our cause, you will be the one they report to. I have summoned warriors, assassins, cutthroats, and some of the most brilliant minds in the four kingdoms and each of them will be at your disposal to accomplish our goal!” Yasmin’s pretty blue eyes had gone icy in their fanaticism.
“I do hope one of those ‘brilliant minds’ was referring to me.” A voice said behind Bianca as he entered through the doorway.
“Gideon.” Yasmin said with a smile, holding out her hands for him to take. He obliged and kissed them. She looked as though his very presence brought her strength. He was an older man, likely in his early sixties, with greasy white hair that dangled just passed his shoulders and a matching beard that covered half his face, twisting into a rather wide mustache.
“Bianca, this is Gideon, one of my most trusted allies and advisors.” Yasmin explained, “Gideon, this is Bianca, the one I was telling you about.”
“Delighted.” Gideon sighed joyfully, taking Bianca’s hand and bowing toward it instead of kissing it.
“Gideon has recently returned from Shanguo, bringing with him a vital piece of weaponry we are going to use for our mission.” Yasmin smiled, looking at Gideon with admiration.
“Indeed. It took me years to find it, and I regret stalling my queen’s vision but I’m glad to have finally brought such a weapon home for our righteous cause.” He gave a little giggle. Gideon was weird.
“I’ll explain more tomorrow at the meeting. Most of our guests are already here, only a few are due to arrive tomorrow. Bianca, I’ve arranged for you to have quarters here in the palace tonight. You’re instructors know you are at the palace at my request so you need not worry about lessons tomorrow. The meeting is at noon. Until then, you’re free to go. Alistar will help you get settled in when you’re ready.” She motioned to the door and Bianca saw a very well dressed manservant waiting. Yasmin hooked her hand on Gideon’s arm and the two walked from the room.
Bianca bowed as they passed. “Your majesty!” She called out as the two went through the door. Yasmin turned around serenely to look at her new steward. “Thank you.” Bianca said graciously. Yasmin nodded to her and the two exited.
Bianca breathed in slowly, trying to take in all that had happened in the past hour. Her life would never be the same. All her hard work, all her efforts, everything she had ever wanted had suddenly fallen into her lap. A fierce determination to succeed began to slither around Bianca’s heart, gripping it tightly.
She had work to do.
The guards stopped in front of her, pausing at an ornate door and knocking thrice. A commanding voice beckoned them enter on the other side, and Bianca’s heart stood still as it swung open to reveal her queen in an enormous study. Lovely as ever, her bright red locks were gracefully ordained atop her head like a crown, her piercing blue eyes shone from across the room at her desk.
“Ah” She mused, putting down her quill and standing to greet her guest, “Welcome.” Bianca stepped through the doorway until she was before Yasmin, bowing lowly in submission. “It is Bianca, isn’t it?” The Imperata asked, her voice like a song.
“Yes, your majesty.” Bianca said with as much confidence as she could muster.
“Would you care for a drink?” Yasmin said, moving over to a table addressed with wine and fine goblets. Wanting to show her maturity and because it was polite, Bianca agreed. “Leave us.” Yasmin ordered the guards as she poured. They obeyed, shutting the door tightly behind them, leaving the two ladies alone. Yasmin handed the violet liquid to Bianca and took a sip of her own, a sparkle glinting in her eye.
“I suppose you’re wondering why you’re here.” Yasmin said, waltzing over to a large window overlooking the city streets.
“Yes ma’am.” Bianca straightened up, her dutiful training kicking in.
“I see a world, Bianca. A world free of tyranny and suffering.” The Imperata continued to gaze of of her window, her tone suddenly very serious. “But it is just out of our grasp. Do you know what keeps it there?” She asked, running her lips over the edge of her goblet. Bianca searched her mind for the right reply, but all the answers seemed wrong, and she did not want to be wrong. Instead she lightly shook her head.
“Magic.” Yasmin seethed. The hair on the back of Yasmin’s neck stood up as if saying the word had summoned it. Never in her life had Bianca met someone who spoke of magic with the same rancor that Bianca felt for it, but she thought she had just found her match in Yasmin.
“What I’m about to tell you is likely this kingdom’s greatest secret.” Yasmin turned back to her desk running her fingers over the papers on it. “I need to know that I can trust you, Bianca. If you pledge your loyalty to me, your life, you and I can change this wretched world into something sustainable and good. I’ve heard about your marks at school. You are far above your classmates, your instructors giving beyond stellar reports of your dedication, your skill, your intelligence. All qualities I need working for me. If I let you in on this plan, your life will change. You’re only allegiance will be to my crown, your country. Are you prepared to make such a commitment?” Yasmin raised a perfect eyebrow and waited.
“I have wanted to serve in your army since I knew what it was. My fidelity is, and always has been, yours, your majesty. Give me a task, I will complete it. Command me anywhere and I will go.” Bianca thought these promises may have been a bit flashy, but they were true. She stood erect, waiting a command. Yasmin’s lips curled into a small smile. She opened a draw and pulled out a bejeweled dagger, crossing the room to Bianca.
“Swear this to me then. That you will obey my command if it costs you your life, that you will dedicate yourself to doing what is right.” Yasmin offered the dagger to Bianca. Bianca recognized the cadence; it was what the soldier’s swore as they were initiated officially into the Imperato’s guard. She took the dagger, looking straight into Yasmin’s eyes as she continued the cadence.
“To your command, and to what is right, until death takes me.” The tip of the dagger pierced Bianca’s left palm, a bead of scarlet rose. She slammed her right fist into her upward facing, bloodied palm to salute the queen. Yasmin smiled hungrily.
“Good.” She mumbled. “Let’s begin then.”
***
“This is where the meeting will convene.” Yasmin pushed two heavy doors open. Behind them was a hexagonal room with marble floors, and six huge columns bolstering the ceiling. Light poured in from windows on three of the walls. The design on the ceiling was that of the night sky, and Bianca got the feeling that many important decisions in Edisland’s history had been made in this room.
“I have three representatives from each of the kingdoms attending. They will join in our cause to destroy magic once and for all or…” She trailed off, silently coiling her fingers into a fist.
“I’m still not sure what my role is in all of this, your majesty.” Bianca admitted. Yasmin turned on her heel to look at Bianca with a look of surprise.
“You, are to be one of my generals. A little experience will be necessary, to see exactly where your talents lie, before I can fully promote you, but I’m sure that won’t take much time at all. You see, Bianca, I’ve had my eye on you. You’re special. Driven. But more than that, I know how you feel about our enemy. I know what magic took from you.” Yasmin paused, a look of genuine sympathy in her eyes as Bianca’s heart twisted. Bianca looked to the floor, hoping the queen wouldn’t explore the matter. To Bianca’s relief, she moved on. “ I believe you have what it takes to lead my armies into an unrelenting campaign to root out magic. For those here tomorrow that decide to join our cause, you will be the one they report to. I have summoned warriors, assassins, cutthroats, and some of the most brilliant minds in the four kingdoms and each of them will be at your disposal to accomplish our goal!” Yasmin’s pretty blue eyes had gone icy in their fanaticism.
“I do hope one of those ‘brilliant minds’ was referring to me.” A voice said behind Bianca as he entered through the doorway.
“Gideon.” Yasmin said with a smile, holding out her hands for him to take. He obliged and kissed them. She looked as though his very presence brought her strength. He was an older man, likely in his early sixties, with greasy white hair that dangled just passed his shoulders and a matching beard that covered half his face, twisting into a rather wide mustache.
“Bianca, this is Gideon, one of my most trusted allies and advisors.” Yasmin explained, “Gideon, this is Bianca, the one I was telling you about.”
“Delighted.” Gideon sighed joyfully, taking Bianca’s hand and bowing toward it instead of kissing it.
“Gideon has recently returned from Shanguo, bringing with him a vital piece of weaponry we are going to use for our mission.” Yasmin smiled, looking at Gideon with admiration.
“Indeed. It took me years to find it, and I regret stalling my queen’s vision but I’m glad to have finally brought such a weapon home for our righteous cause.” He gave a little giggle. Gideon was weird.
“I’ll explain more tomorrow at the meeting. Most of our guests are already here, only a few are due to arrive tomorrow. Bianca, I’ve arranged for you to have quarters here in the palace tonight. You’re instructors know you are at the palace at my request so you need not worry about lessons tomorrow. The meeting is at noon. Until then, you’re free to go. Alistar will help you get settled in when you’re ready.” She motioned to the door and Bianca saw a very well dressed manservant waiting. Yasmin hooked her hand on Gideon’s arm and the two walked from the room.
Bianca bowed as they passed. “Your majesty!” She called out as the two went through the door. Yasmin turned around serenely to look at her new steward. “Thank you.” Bianca said graciously. Yasmin nodded to her and the two exited.
Bianca breathed in slowly, trying to take in all that had happened in the past hour. Her life would never be the same. All her hard work, all her efforts, everything she had ever wanted had suddenly fallen into her lap. A fierce determination to succeed began to slither around Bianca’s heart, gripping it tightly.
She had work to do.