The Last Battle: Part 1, Draft 1

I'm forcing myself to actually write the beginning, so some sense might be made of the story. Since you've now read the first climax, you may well be able to guess at a few things. Anyway, this wasn't as hard to write as I though it would be. Let me know what you think.

It was spring. By date it had been so for a few days already, but now it was really spring. The sky was a perfect clear blue dotted with soft white clouds that wouldn't even consider threatening to rain. The green grasses danced in the light breeze, rejoicing in the arrival of warmer weather. Soon the farmers would be starting the year's work and the dragons would be flying again.

Cyra sat on the railing along one of the castle's covered walkways. She breathe deeply as the gentle breeze carried scents of blossoming plant life and rich soil up to her. The local stories claimed that Cyra's mood affected the weather of her homeland, so deeply bound was she to it. But Cyra herself felt the opposite was true. Even the busiest winter felt like a long slumber or a restless wait for something else to come. Spring was coming awake again, thawing out, calling everything back to life. It was a big part of why Cyra held the sending of the knights in spring. They were all energy and eagerness when the spring came. It was a perfect time for new beginnings.

"Your Majesty!"

Cyra sighed and reluctantly came down. Cinnet was rushing down the hallway to her, scrolls and quill clutched tightly in one hand. He did not look happy, though Cinnet seldom did. If he brought anything to Cyra's attention, it was usually something bad or tedious. Cyra wasn't in the mood for either.

"Yes, Cinnet?" she answered, trying not to sound exasperated before they had even begun the matter.

"Your Majesty." Cinnet bowed quickly and unfurled the scroll. He almost certainly knew what it said already, but he liked to look more official.

"Your Majesty, I have here a request here from Lady Kataya of Renair Hohlt. She is seeking your special leave for cross border patrolling on the border with Keltaria." Cinnet released the bottom of the scroll which promptly curled back to its original shape. He fixed an expectant look on Cyra, who was now in a better mood once again.

"Tell Kata that...." Cinnet cut her off with a roll of his eyes. Cyra sighed. Cinnet hated it when she used less formal names when they were discussing official business.

"Inform Lady Kataya of Renair Hohlt," Cyra said laboriously, "that I wish to meet with her in my receiving chambers as soon as possible."

Cinnet smiled as he finished jotting this down. "You will be declining her request?"

"No. I just want to speak with her before I approve it."

Cinnet became flustered again. "Your Majesty, I beg your pardon but this is highly..."

He seemed so upset that Cyra looked at him with genuine concern. Cinnet sighed, rubbing his forehead with his free hand.

"Your Majesty," he said quietly, "I know you're not a foolish person. You know that we're still fighting Keltaria and you know what Lady Kataya will be doing if you give her leave to cross the border. Under the circumstances...I am sorry, Your Majesty, but allowing this seems foolhardy."

Cyra smiled gently. Cinnet was overly formal, but he was honest and she valued that greatly. Most people wouldn't have voiced an objection to her.

"I know where she wants to go," she responded, her tone softening. "And I know there is a danger in allowing her to do it. But we wouldn't have held our land for as long as we have if we didn't believe that diplomacy can work. And right now, Lady Kataya is the only one who can get past the front gate. If Santok has come to think of her as a person he cares for and not just another enemy soldier, maybe she can convince him to think the same way about others, even me. Maybe we can end this fighting without any more battles, without any more dying."

Cinnet was silent for a while.

"You're certain," he began cautiously. "that it won't go the other way around? That he won't turn her against you?"

"I'm certain." Cyra showed no sign of being offended by Cinnet's suggestion. "If that was going to happen, it would have long ago. Kataya's strong and she's not going to disappoint me."

Cinnet made a few final notes on his scroll.

"I will inform Lady Kataya of your wishes, so I suggest you be waiting for her in the receiving chambers," he said. He bowed and left to seek out Lady Kataya. Cyra took one last look at the spring morning, then started in the direction of the receiving chambers.