Vision

As the week goes by I find myself anxiously waiting. We have seen a lot less of Maeve and Elau which I’m sure means they are going through with their plan and trying to mutually end the engagement. But waiting is not my strong suit, patience has never been my friend and waiting for more information from Elau and Maeve slowly eats at me.

“Niccola, are you sick of Elvish food too?” Luke pulls me from my thoughts. I look up at him realizing I had been picking at the food on my plate but not eating anything.

“Yeah” I mumble, I really just need something to distract me.

“Maybe we should ask for a free day to go get some human food.” Amelia suggests with a mouthful of elvish bread.

“Hey Luke,” I say, getting an idea, “do you know if there is a library here in the palace?”

“Yes, I think it is by the high counsel meeting room.” He replies, “you going to do some extra studying?”

“Something like that.” I say standing from the table and waving my goodbyes from the group. I walk through the maze of hallways and find myself by the high counsel meeting room. The hallway is empty, no other door to explore. Wondering these halls for a library is almost pointless without a destination. I’ll just get lost.

“Can I help you, Ambassador?” Haldire emerges from the high counsel room.

“Oh, I was just looking for the library.” I smile at him asking for help.

“Please, follow me.” He says leading me down a nearby hallway and to a set of spiral stairs. “Right up there.” He points to the top of the stairs. “And please if you need help finding a particular book let me know and I and happy to help you look.” He smiles and turns away from me.

“Thank you Haldire.” I return the smile and start up the stairs. At the top is a marble door with a large owl carved into it. “It’s beautiful,” I whisper to myself and like the door heard me, it opens revealing a large open space library. Books surround the walls with tables throughout the middle. More spiral stairs lead to the second floor of books. A beautiful iron framed balcony wraps around the room. “How have I not been here yet?” I ask myself as I walk inside.

I wander for a while looking for anything to do with the Realm of Tartarean. I find a book of spells, writings of a witch and finally a book of Tartarean Royal Histories and Relationships. “Perfect.” I grab the book and walk over to a nearby table. I flip through the families until I get to Queen Lauriel.

*Queen Lauriel, the revered monarch of the Realm of Tartarean, was born into a world of enchantment and mystery. From a young age, she exhibited a profound connection to the natural world, often found conversing with the ancient trees of the Whispering Woods or dancing with the ethereal lights of the Moonlit Glade. Her parents, King Eryndor and Queen Elara, recognized her unique gifts and nurtured her abilities, preparing her for the day she would ascend to the throne.

As a child, Lauriel's curiosity led her to explore every corner of Eldoria, from the towering peaks of the Celestial Mountains to the serene shores of the Crystal Lake. She learned the ancient arts of healing from the wise druids and mastered the art of diplomacy from the sagacious scholars of the Grand Library. Her education was not confined to the palace walls; she often ventured into the villages, listening to the stories and concerns of her people, forging a deep bond with them.

Upon her coronation, Queen Lauriel vowed to lead with wisdom, compassion, and strength. Her reign was marked by a golden age of prosperity and harmony. She implemented policies that promoted environmental stewardship, ensuring that the magical creatures and ancient forests of Tartarean thrived alongside its wizard inhabitants . Under her guidance, Tartarean became a beacon of cultural and intellectual exchange, welcoming scholars, artists, and adventurers from distant lands.

Queen Lauriel's leadership was not without challenges. She faced threats from dark sorcerers and rival kingdoms, but her unwavering resolve and strategic acumen saw Tartarean through these trials. Her ability to unite her people and inspire loyalty was unparalleled, and her legacy endured long after her reign.

In her later years, Queen Lauriel devoted herself to her family. Although many believed her and King Iress would never produce an heir, that all changed when the Queen birthed Princess Kiara. Sadly only a year later Queen Lauriel and Princess Kiara died together in a tragic fire. King Iress, being Royal through marriage, was then forced to renounce his title and their nephew, Verlock Elverne, was then sworn in as King. *

I close the book, it didn’t tell me much that I didn’t already know. I sigh, resting my head in my hands. Who am I supposed to find the truth? There has to be some way to read my heritage. I focus my mind on what I do know. Her life and her death and suddenly I find myself pulled into a memory. I feel as though I am looking through someone else’s eyes.

As the fire rages, the heat becomes unbearable, searing my skin and making every breath feel like inhaling molten air. The smoke is thick and acrid, filling my lungs with each desperate gasp. I hold a small child in my arms burying her face in my chest. I can only hope my clothes will filter the air and will protect her from the smoke.

My throat burns, and my chest tightens as the oxygen is replaced by toxic fumes. Panic sets in as I struggle to breathe, each breath becoming shallower and more labored. My vision blurs, and a sense of dizziness and disorientation takes over. The intense heat and lack of oxygen makes my body feel heavy and weak, and a sense of impending doom envelops me. The world around me fades, and a profound sense of helplessness and fear grips me as consciousness slips away.

I jump up from the table holding my chest. What was that? A dream, but I’m awake. The vision was so clear and so real. I can feel the pain still tearing through my lungs. And suddenly tears begin to stream down my face. This feeling must be, how she felt, the Queen, my mother. Dying while trying to protect me.