She wasn’t even sure why, but she felt like there was something that she couldn’t trust about him. But the Queen trusted him without a doubt and insisted that he was one of her strongest and most loyal servants. While this offended Sabrina, she still knew her place in the palace, and Ariah couldn’t compete with her. Still, something was unnerving about him.
Next to Ariah were his assistants. Other than the two humans who sat by him, the rest of his men were gnomes or otherwise almost-human creatures, but with long noses that resembled twigs or ears that pointed like a cat’s. Other than not being heir to the throne, Ariah was equal in rank to Sabrina, though she had still not discovered what he had done to earn that honor.
By Sabrina’s side were two vacant chairs which would be occupied by two of her best friends, both female. They were her most loyal and trusted assistants. Men who were part of her army occupied the rest of the chairs. Gargoyle-looking creatures occupied the last two chairs.
The room stood silent. The lights gave off an eerie presence. Though the room was brightly lit, it looked dark because it sat below sea level and its flickering candle flames threw shadows across the room.
“Sabrina,” someone called from the door while walking in. Sabrina looked up and saw Mia, her oldest friend, and servant walking towards her, along with Emily following behind. Emily gave a slim, courteous smile before they both took their seats. Their expressions were duly solemn.
Mia was pale and had blonde hair that curled down to her tailbone. Her eyes were dark, and her face was lightly freckled.
“Now that we have all decided to show up,” the Queen said in a harsh tone. Everyone stood up. “Let us begin now. Take your seats.”
Queen Nayara didn’t sound angry, annoyed, or the least bit frustrated, nevertheless, her tone made Mia flush pink. Emily would have, but her dark skin hid the redness in her face. Sabrina gave them quick looks of disapproval, and then turned her attention back to the Queen, but not before noticing the slight smirk on Ariah’s face.
There was the sound of scraping chairs as everyone took their seats and the room once again fell into silence while they waited for their queen to speak.
“I have called you here tonight because it is time for us to make our move,” the Queen said. “We have waited long enough. For the longest time, I have been searching for something that will help us win this war and end the Palatinii once and for all. This something is called Oscurilina.”
“What is Oscurilina?”
The Queen turned her attention to the man who spoke. He was sitting at Sabrina’s side, near the other end of the table.
“Do not interrupt me again.”
The man looked down. Nayara glared at him for a moment longer before continuing to speak.
“Oscurilina lies in an eternal sleep deep within the Colinth Mountain which is heavily protected by the guardians of Oasi. I have already acquired what I need to awaken her. All that is left is for us to attack and take the city by force,” Nayara said.
No one dared to speak. Sabrina’s eyes darted to the back of the room, praying that her men would stay silent. They did. Though she was sure that, just like herself, they wanted to know who Oscurilina was.
“I don’t believe that anyone here knows who Oscurilina is,” spoke the Queen. “All I wish to give time to, for now, is to tell you she is more known as the Shadow of the Universe.”
A slight disappointment rippled through the room. The story of the Shadow of the Universe was well known, and never proven, so it was believed to be just a fairy tale. If Nayara noticed the disappointment, she chose to ignore it.
“What will we be doing with her?” Ariah asked.
Nayara looked at him and smiled. In her mind, Sabrina scoffed, having hoped that she would tell him off for speaking out of turn.
“When we awaken her she will be released,” she answered. “I have the magic necessary to trap her into obeying only me. From there, we must unleash her true power before we are ready to conquer this world.”
“So the legends are true then,” Ariah asked. “That fairies are real. That they exist?”
“Of course,” Nayara said. “They have existed for millennia, eons even. There is no need for me to give any of you a history lesson of it. You can learn about it yourselves.”
“But of course, My Queen,” Ariah responded with perfect etiquette.
“We will travel to Oasi soon,” Nayara said. “The journey is long, and we must be well prepared. We will have to fight, but our numbers are larger and stronger. I do not doubt that we can accomplish this, but we will not be without losses. Do remember that those who cannot win were never good enough to be part of who and what we are.”
“How will we be traveling?” Sabrina asked.
“We will take three ships down the river and sail across the ocean. This is the fastest route. The waters near Oasi are watched, and they will have time to prepare for our arrival. Let them. They may be strong, but nothing can stop our force.”
“Aren’t the leaders and warriors of Oasi old? That advantage alone should win us the battle,” Emily said.
“Never underestimate age, Emily,” the Queen warned.
