Sondrenen Spies

3 more days

Starlit Mondrugal Gaspid of Kadoc

born to Governor Mante Mondrugal Patiff of Kadoc

and Obsidian Gaspid Troy of Star City during the red moon.

Mother remains in poor condition while baby Starlit thrives.

The people of Kadoc place much hope in the tiny creature.

~Jasper Patiff Belline, Official Recorder of Kadoc

My black and red-scaled dragon landed in front of the event that would change all of the Dark Realms’ history. I inhaled a ragged breath and dismounted. The red moon reflected off the amphitheater’s stone façade engraved with drawings of a gorge. The designs were an ode to the dark canyon around the theatre, best known for the incorporeal beings that lived on the chasm floor. A ball of doubt twisted in my gut, but I kept my shoulders back and my head held high. I waited too long for this day. The speaker would pronounce my greatest victory yet.

Star City officers held back the populace on each side of the red stone walkway. I strolled atop the glowing path. More Darklings than usual had gathered to hear the governors’ reports. Who could blame them? One of us governors would be elevated to the vacant seat of power which would give the receiver a long life and the ability to finally overcome Sondren, the enemy kingdom who attempted to overcome the Dark Realm every chance it got.

Darklings called out my name, “Governor Starlit! Starlit arrived!

I puffed out my chest. My achievements at seventeen-red-moons of age had inspired many, even possibly the spirit of Papa—may he writhe in his grave. Hands reached out to touch the edge of my cloak. Though each governor in the Dark Realms had their set of supporters, I boasted a good number even outside my territory. A group of children screamed out my name with governor playing cards fanned out in their hands.

“Little darklings, would you like an official stamp punch?” I slipped out the contraption from my trouser pocket.

“YES! YES! YES!” they screeched.

I winced at their high-pitch responses and smiled.

One little Darkling with a long, dark braid over her shoulder, styled like mine, said, “My mama says that she wants you to get the seat because you’re the only governor who really cares about the rest of us.”

If only my mother could hear this, she’d know I did not fail. I was not too soft. The Darklings needed someone to fight the turmoil in our realm, and I’d be that leader. The moment I took the little Darkling’s card, she giggled. An illustration of myself winked at me, large purple irises, long white eye-lashes and a stern set jaw. Not a hint of weakness. I squeezed the metal stamp on the corner of the card and handed it back to the girl.

A bugle cut through the noisy crowd, indicating the procession would begin shortly. I continued to move toward the governors’ entrance. The moment my boot crossed under the arched entryway; another set of shrieks met my ears. I twisted around just in time to see Governor Cressandra dismount an enormous purple basilisk.

Cressandra ruled over the Molta Territory, the next province outside of Star City. Everything about her set my teeth grinding together: her wavy hair hanging over one shoulder, the arrogant way she tilted her head, and the commander uniform she wore—what a disgrace. She had never fought on a battlefield. I marched into the theater before she stole more of my joy and nothing would take my joy. Nothing and no one.

The multitude flooded onto the benches that rose up the semi-circle around the stage. Though a frigid breeze blew in from the canyon side, it brought relief with so much body heat emanating from the crowd. I perched in my assigned seat at the end of the front row. I’d be the last to speak, always a good sign.

Drums rumbled, indicating the beginning of the ceremony. The speaker along with nine other council leaders, all shrouded in black robes, walked to their honored thrones on the stage. A hush fell over the masses.

The speaker lifted a bony finger. “Welcome.” His deep voice held authority. “We will hear the regular reports and make an announcement at the end. Governor Sable, you may speak.”

Governor Sable ascended the stone podium and droned on and on behind the metal lectern, embellishing his grand dominion over his territory. I stifled brittle laughter several times at his choice in words to turn the degradation of his lands into victories. The governors who spoke after him presented in the same vein. Did they think their pomp words would win them a throne? Nonsense!

When it was Cressandra’s turn, the Speaker called Governor Mink. I swallowed hard, hoping this change in procedure had no significance. How could it? The speaker and I had an agreement. My ascension to power secured. Then, why couldn’t I stop fidgeting with Mendax, my sword?

Look proud! Mendax’s voice whispered in my mind.

Finally, Cressandra was named. I twiddled my fingers on my leather pauldron; the ornate layers of leather on my shoulders embellished my strength for such a moment as this. Cressandra boasted about her soldiers’ exploits on the battlefield. They were vast indeed. The surrounding crowd soaked in her stories cheering and ahhing at each word she reported to the Star City council. But the darklings didn’t know my report. I was certain that when I spoke the throng would beg the council to give me the seat of power.

“The Sundrenens fell by the thousands.” Her wispy voice lingered on words that were certain to rile the populace. “We set our stake on the far end of the field and darkness fell on that land. It is ours.” Cressandra passed me a sidelong glance then cocked her chin back to the crowd.

The audacity! She was not satisfied with her achievements even yet. A glee bubbled in my chest. I would speak after her and finally end this competition between us. It tired me to the bone.

The speaker sat on his throne behind her, his black hood shadowed his face. A constant assurance of the power he wielded coiled on the golden armrests shaped like a serpent, fangs exposed. His baritone voice resonated across the amphitheater. “Thank you Cressandra for your good report. You may be seated.” He dismissed her with a languid wave of his hand. “Now, we would like to hear Starlit’s report.”

I waited for Cressandra to resume her place, but she maintained a firm grip on the metal lectern. Waves of white hair framed her sharp features. Many a time, darklings claimed to have confused her for me. I didn’t see it.

The disheveled spectators did not cheer nor mock but waited in aching silence. What a fool she was to risk the council’s wrath. Especially since, I had news that would change everything.

I stood and kept my head lowered to show my respect to the council until Cressandra moved. The vacant seat of power reflected the redness of the high moon, but I kept it in my peripheral so as not to seem too anxious to obtain it. I’ve learned that it is better to appear poised, and not eager. This attitude got me into governing a territory despite my age.

A second flick of the speaker’s hand sent Cressandra dragging her feet back to her spot. I swaggered to the podium, showing no vulnerability. My sword clapped my leather pants and boot daggers pressed against my calves filling me with a sense of security as I took my place behind the lectern. The pallid faces in the crowd watched me with their silvery eyes. It filled me with confidence to have so many expectant ears. I cleared my throat.

“Our planet has too long been at war,” I inhaled deeply to project my voice even more. “We’ve too long squabbled for lengths of territory to be overtaken by those who dwell in the light.” I paused and chose several faces in the multitude to fix my gaze. Some furrowed their brows while others leaned in. “Today this war ends. My soldiers and I infiltrated the Sondrenen Castle.”

A collective gasp echoed through the space. I turned toward the speaker and nodded. He and I kept our meeting beforehand a secret from all. My soldiers pulled back dark curtains from behind the twelve thrones. Two empty manacles dangled by chains bolted to a stone wall.

Servants turned the thrones with the councilman still in their seats. A quiet laid across the populace as if all the Darklings held their breaths, waiting.

Boots clomped from behind the stage until my soldiers appeared, hoods over their brows. Then, light pierced the room and burned as it hit my eyes. The prisoner shone despite his blood-soaked skin. My soldiers marched the prisoner to the execution wall, reserved for the worst criminals.

Groans and gasps echoed through the theater. I lifted my hand to cast a shadow over my face and squinted until my prisoner came into focus. The guards slapped on the manacles and stretched my glorious catch before all to see.A joy vibrated up my spine and in my scabbard. Even my beloved sword, Mendax, sung with excitement at the prospect of killing the Sondrenen King.

Darklings covered their eyes also adjusting to the brightness emanating off the king’s body. When they recognized his face, they spoke amongst themselves.

“Can it be?”

“The war is over?”

“Starlit must get the seat.”

“What does this mean?”

“Darkness will reign.”

The cacophony empowered my voice when I continued to speak. “Yes, we have won. The council gives me the honor to end this war. No longer will we fight for territory in the light. No longer will we squint at their presence because we have captured the king, and he is ours.” I allowed myself one glance at Cressandra whose face crumpled with fury, and I turned back to the speaker.

The Sondrenen King’s light exposed the speaker’s face under the hood. For one second, his lips curled up at the edges, forming deep crescent wrinkles up his cheeks. My heart skipped a beat. The speaker never showed emotion. Any joy percolating through my blood stilled when he said, “Our dear Starlit will do the honor for all her hard work and dedication to the Dark Realms.”

I had been expecting this ruling, but his cold voice unsettled me. A self-satisfied smirk gleamed beneath the speaker’s hood. Misgivings prickled over my skin as if I’d been tossed into the icy seas.

Applause rumbled through the theater and spurred me to move toward the king. I attempted to walk with my usual gait, but somehow, I became an apprehensive mouse tiptoeing around a predator.

Starlit keep it together! Mendax piped in my head. My spirit sword had saved me many times over with his intuition and encouragement.

But I trembled. Somehow the last few steps weighed heavy in my legs. I was a warrior. This is what I trained to do for the last five-red moons.

I’m ready! Mendax’s voice sung in my thoughts.

As my eyes took in the king’s bloody form, I met his gaze for the first time in my life. Something foreign and ... achy pounded in my chest. Something inside of me screamed not to do this. Mercy. The word burned as it slipped into my mind. All my days I’d been taught:

Darkness takes over the light.

No mercy forever our plight.

Take up your sword and fight.

The sun will be taken by night.

The king’s eyes shone with tenderness toward me though he must have known I would end his existence. Over the roar of the spectators, the speaker urged me to take my sword. My hands froze by my side as I watched blood soak to the ends of the king’s white tunic. Respect for him stirred because he did not beg for his life nor whimper.

“Starlit, take up your sword.” The speaker’s voice boomed.

I clasped my hand over the worn leather on my hilt. People in the crowd shouted for me to chop off his head or to make him suffer. He surely deserved it after his people took my papa. But looking into his sorrowful eyes, I could do no such thing.

“Finish him Starlit. Tonight, will forever be your night.” The speaker’s words evoked an old desire in my heart and a new sense of strength in my arm.

I lifted Mendax, but a whisper infiltrated my mind. It said, Star, you don’t have to do this. Follow me, instead.

My arm faltered and my eyes flicked wide. I simpered. Did the king speak into my mind? So, I said, I’ll follow you the moment you get yourself off that rock.

Blood dripped down the slope of his nose and around his parted lips. In a weak voice, he said aloud, “It’s settled. But know that I want so much more for you, Star.”

I plunged Mendax into his heart and watched life drain from him. His words throbbed in my ears. The voice I heard in my mind had called me Star. The king also called me Star. Could that have been a coincidence? With one long gasp, the king’s body relaxed.

All at once, the air in the room stilled.

The ground trembled.

Screams erupted as the rumble of earth cracked the amphitheater. The stars and moonlight vanished. Footfalls of all the fleeing audience mounded into a stampede of darklings fleeing up the stairs to escape. But I didn’t move.

Rock ground against rock roaring louder than any noise I’d ever heard before.

CRACK!

A deafening rumble knocked me to my knees. My eyes adjusted to the lack of light and behold, no king hung in chains before me.

Another crack pierced the room.

My feet gave way. Air wheezed up my body as I clawed for purchase.

But I plummeted into darkness.