The Shadow Queen: An Epic Fantasy Novel by K. Stan Tinos

Author:K. Stan Tinos [Tinos, K. Stan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KDP
Published: 2024-02-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

The Water Keeper did not know a way to keep the dragon out of the Emerald Grove. No one did, so far as she knew. Faarlep might, he speculated as he guided Ronnie back through the grove of oak and into the park with the children playing. The hag of the Fell Rest had magic more powerful than any other creature in Bennington—although even Faarlep wouldn’t dare enter into combat with Rangao. In any case, Faarlep would never agree to help her, even if she had the ability to do so. She had always resented the rulers of Bennington because they commanded the services of the Oath, and the Oath was more powerful than she. Times change, Ronnie thought bleakly.

There were fairy folk, of course, the Water Keeper added almost as an afterthought. The fairy folk had always been able to keep dragons under control. That was why dragons had been driven out or fled the magical realm to come to Bennington. But fairy folk would not help Ronnie either. The fairy folk help no one, unless it was their idea to do so. They stayed hidden among the fog, hidden in their realm without time, and living life according to their own rules. Ronnie couldn’t even go to them for help. No one ever escaped the magical realm once they entered it.

They walked down together through Sacred Pool, the Water Keeper describing the history of his city and its people, Ronnie wondering how in God’s name was she ever going to succeed at being Queen. The afternoon fell away; while the city itself was a marvelous creation and wonder to behold, the tour was wasted on Ronnie. She responded dutifully, asked all the appropriate questions, commented in all the proper places, and waited patiently so she could excuse herself.

The chance never came. Dusk settled, and the Water Keeper escorted her directly to her lodgings for the night—a ground-level house with a few open-aired patios and walkways, private gardens and an impressive orchard of Blue Buckets. Overhead, the brightly lit tree paths of the city spiraled through the fog of the forest in arcs of burnt orange. Laughter and idle chatter echoed through the shadows. For some the day had already ended.

Ronnie filed into the house, the sun fleeting quickly giving way to the night, the Water Keeper’s promise of a celebration and feast hanging over her like a cloud. The last thing she felt like doing was partying. The others in their small menagerie were waiting for her as she entered. She gave them the customary greeting and sat down in a comfortably pillowed chair. “I failed again,” she announced despairingly.

Strago took a seat across from her. “He refused to pledge, My Lady?”

“Pretty much. He promised to give me his pledge but only after I’ve found a way to stop all the pollution in the realm by the other inhabitants. I also have to extract their sworn oath to work with the water biome to keep the valley clean.

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