Jackal stood at the edge of the world to watch the eclipse of the sun. Though the light was obscured, it shined bright enough to blind.
—COLLECTED FOLKTALES
THE QUEEN HAS ARISEN
Week-Long Celebration Scheduled Across the Land
Elsira Enters New Age of Hope
The shortest Breach War in history ended only hours after its commencement, and the faith of thousands of Elsirans was renewed when our beloved Queen awakened from Her five centuries of slumber. Details are still coming in at this time, and we do not yet know what prompted this miraculous resurrection, but a source from within the Sisterhood stated that magic was almost certainly involved.…
QUEEN OF DECEPTION?
Reactions to Her Appearance Shock Many
[Continued from page A1]
One witness to the awakening, speaking on the grounds of anonymity, shared his displeasure with the revelation of the Queen’s physical appearance. “To think, we were praying to a grol this whole time. I just can’t believe it.” Others call such statements blasphemy. Syllenne Nidos, High Priestess of the Sisterhood, decried the “false believers,” saying, “Those whose faith was built on any assumption of the Queen’s appearance must search their hearts and remember all of the blessings She has provided to so many. We must work together to heal the years of false thinking, both about magic and those who bear it.”
Temple attendance has surged in the days following the Queen’s awakening, though so has defection from the religion that many are now calling a cult. Attendance is rising at gatherings of Dominionists, a tradition which originated in Yaly and boasts a growing membership worldwide.
Jack tossed the newspaper aside and ran his hands through his hair. He rose to pace the floor of his office, his gaze skating back and forth to the clock on the wall. Finally, Usher pushed through the doors and closed them, leaning back.
The man was out of breath, and for a moment, Jack felt bad. Usher was not a young man, but there was no one Jack trusted more.
“Did you get them?”
Usher’s expression was grim for a moment, before bursting into a smile. “Yes, both of them.” He brought his arms from behind his back to reveal a velvet box in each hand. Jack was familiar with the long blue case in Usher’s left hand. It held Jasminda’s medal, reclaimed from the unscrupulous dealer who dared try to sell such a thing on the black market.
But the medal didn’t concern Jack much. What he was really interested in was held in Usher’s right hand. Jack snatched the smaller box and headed for the door.
“Thank you,” he called over his shoulder in response to Usher’s chuckle.
Jack slipped into the side corridor and over to the unused back passageways. He didn’t want anyone stopping him in the hallways just now. His patience was paper thin, and he needed to get this done as quickly as possible.
The hidden paths he’d discovered as a child proved very useful. He slipped into the Blue Library unseen by all, including the room’s sole occupant.
Jasminda sat amidst a heap of books, as was her way. She’d mentioned earlier that morning that she was researching the rules of succession for Elsiran monarchs. She took the prospect of being queen very seriously and was overwhelmed at all the knowledge she felt she needed to be a good ruler.
Jack wasn’t worried about her, though. It would be a challenge to be sure, but one she was well suited for.
The days ahead would be difficult; the collective wounds on both sides were deep. But Queen Oola seemed confident the gap could be mended. They’d already taken the first baby steps.
The True Father was locked in the dungeon; Lizvette was under house arrest in her rooms, facing the possibility of exile; and her father, Nirall, had not been seen since the day of the breach. An arrest warrant had been issued for several counts of treason, but Jack did not expect the man to turn up anytime soon.
The monarchy had been secured in Jack and Jasminda’s possession by Oola’s word, but Jack needed to say a few words of his own.
He approached Jasminda from behind. She looked up, cocking her head to the side. With a burst of magic, she shot into the air and flew into his arms. The impact of her body against his was a little too hard.
“Oompf,” she said, crashing into him. She smiled sheepishly as she clung to him. “I’m still getting used to this.”
Jack chuckled, holding her tight before releasing her. Much as he always wanted her in his arms, he needed his hands free for this task.
“Do you forgive me for putting you in the dungeon?” he asked.
She pursed her lips as if thinking about it. He was afraid he would never hear the end of it and vowed to ask her once a day for forgiveness. “If you forgive me for trying to run away.”
He dropped his head. Her leaving still caused a phantom pain in his heart, but he did forgive her. He kissed her to make sure she knew. And there was one thing he could do to ensure she’d never leave again.
He opened the velvet box he carried and dropped to one knee. Jasminda’s eyes widened, and her lips began to tremble. He presented her with a traditional Elsiran engagement ring of two interlocking bands engraved with her name and his in curling script.
“Jasminda ul-Sarifor, will you marry me?” He brought her hands to his lips. “Will you love me? Honor and protect me? Rule with me? Be my queen? Repair the damage of the two lands with me? Grow old with me? Have children with me? Make this world a better place with me?”
She swallowed, and Jack held his breath. The moment stretched on until he wasn’t sure he would be able to remember to breathe in this lifetime.
“Of course, Jack. Of course.” Her smile was bright as she slipped the ring onto her finger.
Jack pulled her into his arms as they fell back onto the library floor. He vowed to never let her go again.