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Authors: Drew Karpyshyn
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decisions and actions—proof enough for Andar that she was back in her right mind.
The rest of the council, however, were reluctant to surrender their powers back over to Rianna so soon. Given the Queen’s recent erratic behavior, Andar understood their hesitation. Fortunately, the Queen was more than willing to let them continue to rule, claiming her weakened state made it impossible for her to resume her role as monarch in a time of crisis.
But she can’t abdicate her responsibilities forever,
Andar thought as he wound his way through the halls toward the Queen’s private chambers. The royal family had ruled in an unbroken line for seven centuries. They were a powerful symbol of Danaan unity, strength, and perseverance. If Rianna stepped down now—without an heir to take the throne—her people would be devastated.
He paused at the door of the Queen’s private chambers and knocked softly.
“Enter,” she called from within.
Andar couldn’t help but note how soft and frail she sounded—a sharp contrast to the confident, commanding voice she once possessed.
Inside, Rianna was sitting in her bed, propped up by several pillows behind her back.
“I bring news from the latest meeting of the Regent Council,” Andar told her.
She nodded, though from her expression he could tell she didn’t have much interest in what he had to say.
This is important!
he wanted to shout, but he knew that wouldn’t help.
“Pranya’s spies in the Southlands are reporting that the Pontiff has begun another Purge.”
To Andar’s relief, the Queen’s eyes momentarily widened with interest.
“Will we be able to mount a defense if they come for us?” Rianna asked.
“It doesn’t appear it will come to that,” Andar reassured her. “The Order is focusing their efforts on Callastan. They are gathering an army to lay siege to the city.”
“Once Callastan falls, they may turn their attention to us,” Rianna warned.
“The Free Cities will stand with us, just as they did in the last Purge,” Andar insisted.
“Even after what happened in Torian?” Rianna asked. “Before he summoned the dragon that leveled Ferlhame, the Destroyer of Worlds rained Chaos fire down upon the entire city.”
“There are some in Torian who support the Order,” Andar admitted. “But many do not. The brutality of the Purge is not winning many converts to the Pontiff’s cause.”
Rianna nodded, and Andar wondered if she was recalling the tales from the last Purge, almost forty years ago. Seeing heretics burned alive at the stake in gruesome public executions could inspire obedience through fear, but it wouldn’t earn loyalty.
“Pranya said there are rumors that many of the soldiers and mercenaries who claim to be working for the Order are pillaging the farms and smaller villages of the Southlands,” Andar continued.
“There are always those who will use war as an excuse to unleash their worst instincts,” Rianna noted with a heavy sigh.
“This time it seems worse than normal. The Pontiff has done little to rein them in; many of the soldiers are running wild.
“It has gotten so bad that Pranya’s agents report that several of the Free Cities are considering sending out armed patrols to offer some protection to the surrounding villages.”
Andar paused, hoping Rianna would ask for more details. Instead, she simply closed her eyes and lay back against her pillows, as if the news he’d brought had exhausted her.
The High Sorcerer waited for a few moments, then turned to leave so the Queen could rest.
As he reached the door, she called out, “Has there been any news of Vaaler? Do we know if he survived the final battle?”
Her eyes were still closed, and from the Queen’s tone Andar couldn’t tell why she was asking. Vaaler had betrayed his mother and his people when he allied himself with the human wizard who had nearly destroyed Ferlhame. That betrayal was a large part of what had driven the Queen into the rage and madness
The rest of the council, however, were reluctant to surrender their powers back over to Rianna so soon. Given the Queen’s recent erratic behavior, Andar understood their hesitation. Fortunately, the Queen was more than willing to let them continue to rule, claiming her weakened state made it impossible for her to resume her role as monarch in a time of crisis.
But she can’t abdicate her responsibilities forever,
Andar thought as he wound his way through the halls toward the Queen’s private chambers. The royal family had ruled in an unbroken line for seven centuries. They were a powerful symbol of Danaan unity, strength, and perseverance. If Rianna stepped down now—without an heir to take the throne—her people would be devastated.
He paused at the door of the Queen’s private chambers and knocked softly.
“Enter,” she called from within.
Andar couldn’t help but note how soft and frail she sounded—a sharp contrast to the confident, commanding voice she once possessed.
Inside, Rianna was sitting in her bed, propped up by several pillows behind her back.
“I bring news from the latest meeting of the Regent Council,” Andar told her.
She nodded, though from her expression he could tell she didn’t have much interest in what he had to say.
This is important!
he wanted to shout, but he knew that wouldn’t help.
“Pranya’s spies in the Southlands are reporting that the Pontiff has begun another Purge.”
To Andar’s relief, the Queen’s eyes momentarily widened with interest.
“Will we be able to mount a defense if they come for us?” Rianna asked.
“It doesn’t appear it will come to that,” Andar reassured her. “The Order is focusing their efforts on Callastan. They are gathering an army to lay siege to the city.”
“Once Callastan falls, they may turn their attention to us,” Rianna warned.
“The Free Cities will stand with us, just as they did in the last Purge,” Andar insisted.
“Even after what happened in Torian?” Rianna asked. “Before he summoned the dragon that leveled Ferlhame, the Destroyer of Worlds rained Chaos fire down upon the entire city.”
“There are some in Torian who support the Order,” Andar admitted. “But many do not. The brutality of the Purge is not winning many converts to the Pontiff’s cause.”
Rianna nodded, and Andar wondered if she was recalling the tales from the last Purge, almost forty years ago. Seeing heretics burned alive at the stake in gruesome public executions could inspire obedience through fear, but it wouldn’t earn loyalty.
“Pranya said there are rumors that many of the soldiers and mercenaries who claim to be working for the Order are pillaging the farms and smaller villages of the Southlands,” Andar continued.
“There are always those who will use war as an excuse to unleash their worst instincts,” Rianna noted with a heavy sigh.
“This time it seems worse than normal. The Pontiff has done little to rein them in; many of the soldiers are running wild.
“It has gotten so bad that Pranya’s agents report that several of the Free Cities are considering sending out armed patrols to offer some protection to the surrounding villages.”
Andar paused, hoping Rianna would ask for more details. Instead, she simply closed her eyes and lay back against her pillows, as if the news he’d brought had exhausted her.
The High Sorcerer waited for a few moments, then turned to leave so the Queen could rest.
As he reached the door, she called out, “Has there been any news of Vaaler? Do we know if he survived the final battle?”
Her eyes were still closed, and from the Queen’s tone Andar couldn’t tell why she was asking. Vaaler had betrayed his mother and his people when he allied himself with the human wizard who had nearly destroyed Ferlhame. That betrayal was a large part of what had driven the Queen into the rage and madness
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