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REGAL BLOOD: Vestige Two
🕑 Added 2021-04-25 18:45:13 +0000 UTCThe text is divided into two completely independent parts. I would like you to imagine it in the following way: the first part corresponds to an archaeological effort to recover the textual sources of the world that I am creating. The second part is a theatricalization of a small piece of what is referred to in the first part.
In general, I would appreciate all kinds of feedback, but especially related to the grammar and style of my British English (I am not a native speaker).
I hope that this way of approaching the plot and the world seems original and awakens your interest in order to discover little by little everything that happened in the lives of my OCs.
Characters:
Rhella: https://www.patreon.com/posts/red-queen-45807994
Azden: https://www.patreon.com/posts/white-queen-46081569
Misse: https://www.patreon.com/posts/black-queen-45881046
Vesra: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cold-spring-01-48783859
REGAL BLOOD: Vestige One: https://www.patreon.com/posts/regal-blood-one-48876104
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Part One.
Partial transcript of the XXVII Conclave Auguria declaimed by Patriarch Aelthar and approved in the Agora Teatralis of the Imperial Capital.
"The day has come. The primordial people were blessed with the gift of premonition. Today the sceptics will fear the punishment of disbelief...
But do not forget! You must be compassionate. It is not your place to pass judgement on your brothers and sisters.
In this time of need, let us give a distinguished thanks to those brave ones who have risked their lives in the wilderness to discover more revealed truth; enlighten our footsteps. Many have fallen these days at the hands of the ancient shadows that inhabit the desert. A minute's silence for these willing and good souls. May they reach the House of One.
...
My children, thus speaks your prelate to you what is written on the walls of the Dead City: the story of a woman of the night fallen from grace; her pact with darkness and madness. Today an all-embracing wrath has executed the nine tyrants of Umbria. Yes, including the Imperial High Dignitary, the infamous elf Noballius, whose head rolled during the coronation ceremony of the self-proclaimed and illegitimate Red Queen!
Now the newly found frescoes warn us that this witch's hosts are called to war against the Empire in colossal machines of metal and fire, supported by shadowy creatures summoned by forbidden magic. The people of Umbria have fallen prey to perverse sorcery in the form of mind manipulation, sinful spells and treacherous promises.
But fear not the worst, people of faith, from the Capital of the Empire will grow an unstoppable force that the paintings well depict. Unfortunately they are still buried deep among hard rock and once confined demons now awakened. Would that fate had not so suddenly rushed upon us.
So, children of men, we must destroy this new evil! But we must not ignore that behind many of these monsters were noble and good people like yourselves, subjected to the unconscionable abuse of the perfidious Elvishaia discovered and interpreted in the lost and now translated books of the Dead City. Once again the need to end the power the Elves wield over us in all parts of the Empire becomes clear. But do not be naive my dear brothers, for they will force us to fight, knowing that today we are a people who have known only peace for centuries. They believe us to be fragile.
We must not let the red witch divide us with lies, nor let the Elvishaia take advantage of the situation to weaken our creed, which is already the sentiment of the majority in the Empire. Very soon we will be ready to march on the Imperial Palace and demand the release of Queen Misse from her white chains.
[...]"
Part Two.
King: Tomorrow, at first light, the chancellor and I will meet to decree your execution. I will cease to suffer, my dear.
Rhella: You are lucky that they are only sterile ideas in a barren mint.
King: To die is your wish. My wish is to be your wish. But I'm sick of indulging arbitrariness and enduring fickleness to that end. Let us not speak of your tiresome taste for the cultivation of the most degrading insolences.
Rhella: And I am sick of you, putting your affairs in order aloud while I am reading. I don't ask to have you executed, I'll settle for having your tongue amputated.
King: In the next room dozens of concubines are waiting for me. All of them hoping to make me feel unspeakable things. It would probably guarantee that tomorrow they can buy a jewel set with dragon emeralds. You're smart, tell me, why do you have to be the one I call every night?
Rhella: The answer to that question is known only to you. And it seems important. Perhaps you should reflect while you let yourself be accompanied by...
King: Yes?
Rhella: ...the silence of this beautiful night.
King: You are [...]
(Rhella interrupts)
Rhella: But... now that I think about it.... though many of the possible answers to that question seem to me as repugnant as they are probable, others... might be interesting...
King: If interesting, it would bring you closer to me.
Rhella: As I have told you many times, if you do not care for me at times when I am feeling capricious or angry, I see no reason to show my appreciation for you... in my best...
King: I am a crown without power. I do not want to force myself on you as of old and back down. I have [...]
(Rhella interrupts)
Rhella: Not in that which is the one thing you have not been able to take from me. Nor ever can.
King: I have been content with the pleasure of your mere company. The gods know that my generous patience it has earned me the chance to hear your voice again. But I warn you that soon I will need more than your vexatious attitude.
Rhella: All right, I have an idea. Starting today, I'll sit closer to your bed. Talk to me about anything you like. I'll listen.
What do you think? It might help me to empathise. I won't make conversation, but I won't be cynical either.
King: Enough. For now.
Rhella: But I want something in return.
King: Another book?
Rhella: Yes, but this time it's a very special one, and I don't think Noballius will let you.
King: You're making fun of me again? I am the ultimate authority, what book is it?
Rhella: The Cabal of the Heretical Elves.
King: What the hell? I can't ask that of Noballius.
Rhella: Yes, you are definitely the ultimate authority. Of your fantasies.
King: You're going to make me confront the Chancellor over a book that's not only about a useless religion, not only written in a language you can't understand, but that you can't even open?
Rhella: Yes...
(Rhella puts a book down on the table and lies down on the king's bed)
Rhella: Tell me about the daily life of a king...
