A Whateley Academy Story

Imp 6: A Very Imp-ortant Date

By Morpheus

Part 3

Buffalo NY, Sunday late morning, Oct 28th, 2007

The last time I’d seen the Moonrise Gallery, had been three decades ago. It looked almost exactly the same, on the outside. The inside, however, had been remodeled some time ago, and looked quite a bit different.

A Whateley Academy Adventure

Absinthe 2: The Absinthe of Malice

by Morpheus

Part 2

Saturday morning, Oct 20th, 2007

A sense of calm tranquility pervaded my dream as I sat within an empty courtyard, sipping on a glass of wine.  I slowly looked around my surroundings, which were framed with tree branches and magic, providing such a serene beauty that I nearly didn’t mind that the one I was to meet with was quite late.

Then she finally arrived, Aunghadhail, Daughter of the Burning Oak, Paramount Queen of the West.  She was stunningly beautiful as always, with long red hair, piercing eyes, and a flowing dress that was more magic and illusion than actual fabric.  The queen radiated such a sense of power and beauty that it could easily overwhelm any who were not prepared.

I bowed down and gave her a proper formal greeting, adding “Welcome my queen.”  Then with a smile, I teased, “You’re late.”

“A queen is never late,” Aunghadhail responded with an amused look.  “Nor is she early.  She always arrives when she intends.”

With that, Aunghadhail sat down while I poured her a glass of wine.  Only after she had taken a sip and had given permission did I sit down as well.

“I would have been here sooner,” Aunghadhail admitted, “but my meeting with ambassador Rythax took longer than expected.”  It was not an apology as a queen never apologized, though it was more of an explanation than I was owed.

“Affairs of the state must always come first,” I replied, remembering that my mother had been fond of reminding me of that when I was a child.

Aunghadhail didn’t respond to that, though she took a sip of her wine and then said, “You have completed your training and will depart to serve our forces tomorrow.  I wished to see you before you left in order to wish you good fortune.”

“Thank you,” I responded, pleased by the personal attention.  As a queen, she was very busy with more responsibilities than I could fully grasp, so it was a great honor that she would put aside even a few minutes like this to meet with me.

For a moment, she stared at me, then said, “With your lineage, I am surprised that you choose to serve as a scout…”

I bowed my head at that, then admitted, “I do not have the strength of magic of my mother, nor the strength of arms of my father.  I merely wish to use my talents where they will be of the most use.  Whether it is glorious or not, I must do my part.”

“As we all must,” Aunghadhail agreed with a note of approval.  She was silent for a moment before saying, “The loss of your parents to the enemy is a great sadness to me, so fulfil your duty with care.  I do not wish to see you fall to the enemy as well.”

“Yes, my queen,” I responded with smile.