The Survivor
Upon arriving at the Council Chambers Shyral got a strange feeling coursing
down her spine. If some one was attacking faeries wouldn't the defenders
castle also be a target? Shyral thought. That thought gave her an uneasy
feeling, trying to shake it off she recited the Defenders Guild Motto: One Clan,
One Heart, and One Mind, cause Virtue guides us all. That made her feel a little
better. Guarding the Chamber was Mistress Black Widow.
"Greetings Lady Black how are you today?" Shyral asked of the Lady dressed
in black armour. She was called the Black Widow for her prowess in battle tournaments,
and for the fact she always dressed in black since the day she lost her companion
Kooby. She wore her hair cropped short, and it was as black as her armour, with
exception of the streaks of white at both temples. Her eyes were a steel blue
colour that pierced your soul when her gaze was upon you. Her manner was curt
and unfriendly, though Shyral could remember a day when she was the most gentle
and caring lady in the keep.
"Greeting to you young Shyral, I am fine for today is a good day for battle."
She opened the door for Shyral and stood aside. "They are curious and troubled
about your news Shyral, do nothing to upset my Queens." Giving Shyral a stern
warning. Lady Black was fiercely protective of "her" queens, due to being the
granddaughter of Queen Avalona.
"I hope the news I bring isn't too disturbing my lady," Shyral quipped and
strode into the council chambers. Sitting at a crescent shaped table was the
council of the defenders of the faerie realm. All sat quietly and regarded Shyral
with disquiet in their eyes.
"Come in and be seated Shyral, we are all friends here." Queen Avalona beckoned
to a chair. "We are curious as to why you call for a meeting with council on
this day, one more suited for celebration than matters of politics." Both Queens
had once again spoken at the same time, smiling at each other the way twins
do when they are sharing silent communication.
Looking around the room to each council member's faces, starting at the Queens,
then Insanity to the right and Morgana to the left. On the other side of Morgana
was Isadorafae and to the other side of Insanity was Tiedkisses. They all wore
somber expressions with the exception of Morgana whose eyes shone with affection
as she regarded her companion. Lifting Teasha from her back, she placed the
little faerie on the chair in front of her and took another chair beside her.
"This is Teasha, daughter of Ti'lla and Tho'yya. I came upon her in the meadow
of the Unis. She was extremely distressed. I beg of you to hear her story."
And with that Shyral smiled reassuringly at Teasha and whispered to her softly.
"Do not be afraid for I will not leave your side."
Teasha looked at each member of council and sighed. Drawing up courage she
gathered her wits and spoke. "Your Royal Highnesses and fellow council members
of the Defenders of the Faerie Realm. I come before you with tragic news. Vicious
monsters attacked my village in the Vale. They destroyed everything and took
all the faerie folk of the village with them, including my family. The attack
began at dawn of this day and was short for we are a serene community with no
weapons, no defenses to use since we are not warriors " Shyral gave a start
of surprise. Had she misjudged the age of this child? She thought. How
composed she is, how mature. She smiled at Teasha. Glancing at Shyral quickly,
Teasha took a deep breath.
"The monsters were horrible creatures with long spikes along their backs and
big mouths with spiky teeth. Can you please help us." She finished and was trying
bravely not to cry.
Tiedkisses whispered under her breath. "The Skeith Nation!" Isadorafae just
nodded in accord.
The Queens looked at each other for what seemed like hours, but was only a
mere moment.
"If you please your majesties, I would like to inquire further about these
monsters with my scouts." Morgana asked the Queens.
"Yes, Morgana, a wise suggestion. You have our leave." Queen Avalona returned
her attention to Teasha. "My young Teasha, you speak bravely even though your
heart must be splintering, for our heart bleeds for you and your village. Our
answer is this, we will fine these tyrants and help destroy them."
Turning to Insanity she said, "Insanity, please ready medical supplies and
facilities for the any of the future wounded. Then send word to Lady Black and
to Morgana to ready the army. Recruit any volunteers for this quest, for today
we declare war on the Skeith Nation! Isadorafae, please announce to the keep
that we are at war, all celebrations are canceled until we free the little folk
of the vale. Tiedkisses go with your leader to see to what needs to be done.
Aurora and I will be in the war room. Everyone is dismissed." Gathering her
skirts to her she left the council chambers deep in thought, Aurora was right
behind her sister. Everyone went forth to his or her assigned tasks.
"What are we to do, Shyral?" Teasha asked.
"We prepare for war," Shyral said quietly.
By that time the Queen's were in the war room, discussing the alarming news.
Looking up from the map of Neopia, Avalona regarded her sister and was about
to speak.
"I know sister of my heart, I know. This is a horrifying discovery." Aurora
said before Avalona could. "We have been Queens now for how many years? And
we have seen our share of battles. But the Skeith Nation! What are those monsters
thinking! HOW DARE THEY ATTACK OUR PEOPLE!" Aurora was frantically pacing the
room. Avalona chuckled a bit, seeing her sister baffled always amused her to
no end. Aurora whirled around and glared.
"And what is so amusing," she spat.
"You, of course. My dear and hot headed sister." Avalona's smiled soon faded
though when she remembered of why her sister was wearing a rut into the floor.
"I have no answer though Rora, (a pet name she called her sister from childhood),
no answers at all. It's been twenty years of peace, twenty whole YEARS!" She
stopped when she realised she now was the one pacing the floor like an enraged
Kau. While her sister sat there with a smug expression on her face, as if to
say 'and I'm hot headed?'
A knock at the door caused Avalona to hold back the retort she was about to
give her sister.
"You may enter," they both said at once.
Opening the door, bowing before her grandmother and her great aunt, Lady Black
came into the room.
"The Army is ready, your Excellencies," she stated formally.
"Cut that out or I'll box your ears, heart of my heart." Avalona quickly went
and embraced her granddaughter. "That is no way to speak to your Nana Ava when
we are alone is it?" Cupping Lady's face her in hands, she kissed her cheek.
"No Nana I suppose not, but we are at war now." Sighing, she turned to the
window. "I lost Kooby to those darn creatures, I will not allow Teasha to lose
her family and friends to them!" she said with venom.
"Kooby will always be in our hearts, Kasalla." Aurora said using Lady's real
name. One that no one else other than family was allowed to use. Looking over
her shoulder at her aunt.
"Yeah I know, but it still hurts at times."
Suddenly flying in from the window, Sir Fab Foo, Lady's new companion arrived.
As if sensing he was coming in at a delicate moment he bowed to the queens and
then went to his lady's side.
"Lady you're mind is in the past again, is it not?" he gently asked.
"Not now that you are here, my friend, not now." She stroked her hand atop
his feathered head. Fab Foo was an Eyrie of great reputation. Jade green feathers
and bronze coloured eyes. Gentle to those he cared about but vicious to his enemies.
He was a Knight in the army, a dear companion to Lady, and also Kooby's brother.
Remembering why he had arrived in such a hurry, using the window instead of
the door, he approached the Queen's.
"I bring a scouting report, your graces." Opening the parchment he continued.
"To the North we found a camp of Skeiths, they are bold for they camp not even
ten leagues away from these very walls. In cages we saw many prisoners, mostly
faeries, ill-treated and wounded. I have already informed Lady Morgana. She
told me to report to you at once."
"So they scorn us do they?" Avalona stated quietly. "Fine with us, prepare
the army, for tonight we fight."
To be continued... | 
