Prologue
"The only true friend to the outcast land of Sonaro was Chail.
The states were linked of the rulers by blood,
and the Chailans fiercely guarded their family, for better or for worse …"
--The Pasegean Scrolls
The Queen of Chail sat near the glass doors in her bedroom that led out onto her balcony. Through these she saw the gaieties of the ‘Moondance’ festival in full force. The festival was to celebrate the hour when the three moons, Kurita, Danchi and Lutar were in the sky.
Chunia was not to join in the celebrations, as a monarch could only do so if her people invited her. She knew that would never happen, for she was disliked. Hated, even. They have no respect for me, she thought angrily. And they never shall. Unless I do something about it.
Tychee, her army general entered the room, bowing to his Queen. "Good morrow, your worship. I have great news from the battle fields of Menilan. We have captured …"
Chunia put her hand up to interrupt. "I care not. I wish for you to withdraw from Menilan. I have bigger fish to fry." Like Syriana. A smile spread across her face as she thought of what she was planning.
Tychee saw the smile and was suspicious. Yet he would not go against the word of his queen. "And those who were captured, my lady?"
"Sell them to Baron Ranear of Tusheba. And leave my confidence. Replace the army in Syriana."
"Syriana! Certainly you don’t mean … what will the king say?" The general was anxious. What were her reasons to declare war on the capital? He knew not. But he had to try and stop it.
"I care not for his idle presence. He has always hated me, and my province. Kill him." Chunia’s face began to change, her normally attractive face turning ugly with the hatred burning inside of her.
"I will take no part in this. You may be my queen, but he is King Isiona of Arsinuae! I shall not obey."
Her face was purple now. "You shall do as I say, or you shall be executed at dusk."
The honour in his face was hurting her. "So be it. Not one of my men would kill me. I know that for sure."
She called her bedroom guards to her. "Take this man away. He is to be executed outside my balcony at dusk. Send word to Quadra that she is the new general––and that she is to attack Syriana."
With this, they left with Tychee, and Chunia walked over to her canopy bed. She pushed it away, revealing the seven pointed star underneath. She sat in the middle, and began to chant the ancient incantation that had not been performed for centuries.
"Keori, my master. I call you forth. Take me, I am your humble servant. Give me your gift––the gift of power. I am a queen, yet my people despise me. Let me be queen of Arsinuae, not King Isiona. He does not deserve it. Neither do I. But you do. Let us become one, let us, let us …" Chunia’s voice trailed off as the magical powers began to reshape her body. Her long, light brown hair was cropped, spiked, and became a navy blue. Dark red eyes replaced her light blue ones. Skin as creamy as milk became a deathly black. She was no longer Queen Chunia of Chail. She was now just Chunia, the evil one.
The incantation finished, she pushed open the glass doors, calling out to all those that enjoyed the festival. "I am your queen. You shall love me. If you do not, I will crush you like flies." To demonstrate, she grasped a fly from the air and placed it inside her mouth, then swallowed.
Those below looked away in disgust. However, Chunia had got the message across. A small boy shouted from below, "What will you do for us if we obey you?"
Chunia smiled. She now would be loved. "I shall send my army out to Syriana, with General Quadra," ––here were many gasps–– "leading. Chail shall then be the capital of Arsinuae!" Below her, many cries of happiness were shouted. "Now, for the dusk entertainment!"
Many looked towards the side of the stage in the royal courtyard, but those with perception realised that General Tychee must be executed if Quadra was to lead. Tychee was lead towards the archery wall, and there his own men lined up to slaughter him.
He looked in the direction of Chunia’s balcony, as the moons as yet did not give enough light and he repeated his words with his eyes. Not one of my men shall kill me. Just you watch.
The archers turned and shot. General Tychee was dead. General Quadra would now lead the army onward to victory. "What can we do to help?" the villagers cried.
Chunia looked down upon them, her blue hair glinting as Danchi rose. "Send your children to war. Then, we shall be assured of victory!" As the people began to hail their queen, Chunia looked away. There’s no going back now, she thought worriedly. Then her resolve returned. Good! Now, they cannot turn on me. Now, I am truly their queen!
As all three moons rose in the sky, Chunia joined in on the festival for the first time in her life. Five days hence, they would march on Syriana. She would be at the head of her army, as would Quadra. She could not wait.
Copyright 2000 M. Lees
