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balisticbane-blog · 7 years

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[Lake of the Blue Queen is inspired by a novel I am currently writing.]

Bane Roberts

Amy Parker

Writing Commons

05 December 2017

Lake of the Blue Queen

It wasn’t until Leon reached the lake that his fears would finally subside. A cooling chill to the soft winds reassured that he had found what he had been looking for.

“The Lake of The Blue Queen.” Leon sighed. He plunged his feet lightly into the water, his ankles now distorted under the blue, and his burlap pants now stained black in the night. Leon stepped further on, his torch kept close to his chest.

In the center of the lake stood a mound, an island with only a few trees to decorate it. Hidden away by distance, a lone home stood upon the island.

“There she is…” Leon whispered. He trudged on, the lake soon kissing at his knees. The morning sun had just started to filter into his view, urging him to dip his torch into the waters.

“Leon…” a soft voice called from in front of him. The island had only been a few dozen yards away, yet a voice called for him before he could continue. He drew his bow.

“Who’s there!” Leon knocked back an arrow as if he had no other known reaction. He turned around in bursts, setting his sights on the enemy. When he finally turned back to the island, a blue figure stood before him.

“Leon, calm yourself.” said the figure. Leon pulled the arrow back farther, shooting it towards the figure in an instant. The arrow flew through the spirit and into the waters behind her.

Frightened, Leon stumbled backward. “Wh-who are you!” Leon drew another arrow. The spirit saw his fear, and soon stopped herself, folding her hands together in an effort to show peace.

Leon stopped as well, but only after a few more seconds. The distance between the two was much larger now, yet the silence was even greater.

“Stand down, Leon.” Leon examined the woman, the fear still showing on his face. He relaxed his bow. He recognized the woman.

“You’re the Queen…” Leon muttered. The woman smiled, her translucent blue figure gliding to him, the water not even so much as drifting as she floated past. The air of the lake smelled dense and humid, yet the woman smelled of nothing as she neared Leon.

“I am no queen,” the woman stopped only feet in front of him. “Not anymore.”

“You are,” Leon started. “The Etrian queen taken prisoner by the Nilvish. Your nation’s capital used to be-”

“Along with this lake?” The woman interrupted. Leon nodded. “The Nilvish have taken everything, or rather, had.” Leon stepped closer, sheathing his bow to his back.

“I know the tale.” he ran his fingers through his hair, parting a dirt-stained blonde hair to the side. “I know what happened to the Etrians, that’s why I’m headed north.”

“I see,” the woman spoke. “You wouldn’t be headed to the-”

“The Ethereal Expanse, yes.” Leon drew a map from his satchel. “The Expanse is the key to taking down Nilve and freeing the enslaved.”

There was a silence for a time. The woman examined him, her misty blue eyes darting from his feet to his torso to his head. “That hair of yours - there’s a hint of red.” The woman started stepping closer now, causing Leon to back away. “You’re Etrian.”

“My mother was Etrian.” Leon stopped just after the woman had upon hearing this. She looked disappointed. “I’m technically Nilvish, but my mother was a full-blooded Etrian.”

“Ahh...so I assume I know why you’re here.” the woman started to drift away, her feet dragging along the waters, yet no water was adrift. She held out her hand as she floated. Leon walked to her, any and all fears or worries now subsided. He took her hand.

The water had started to rise between the two, not in height, but in droplets and steady, snake-like streams until there had been ribbons of liquid surrounding Leon. The woman placed her hand on his chest, a blue glow shining from his heart. Her hands were cold.

“With this power,” Leon swallowed. “Can I defeat the Nilvish and take back my mother’s homeland?” There was another silence. The woman closed her eyes as even more ribbons surrounded Leon. After a moment, all was silent as the ribbons fell and the light subsided.

“Leon,” The woman nodded. “Head north. Once you make your way to The Ethereal Expanse, you’ll know what to do.” Leon lifted his beige shirt up to find a symbol resting on his heart. It glowed a light blue for a time, the same color as The Expanse.

“Will I see my mother?” Leon asked. “I’ve been having dreams. I’ve been dreaming since before I even knew of Etrian existence. Dreams of you, of my mother…”

The woman started to dissipate. Her physical form had started to drift into the air as if it were made of nothing. The woman smiled. “Do not fear, Leon.” Only her face was left, and this too had started to flow into the wind. “You have already found so much.”

Before he could say another word, the woman was gone. He thought that must have been the queen, the old queen of Etria. He wondered why he saw her, he wondered why she cared. He lifted his shirt back up and examined the symbol.

He had no idea what it said, but the script was most definitely Etrian. He pulled down his shirt one more, and with determination in his eyes, he set off for the island in the center of the lake.

“Hey, Leon!” called a voice from behind him. It was an all-too-familiar voice. He turned around swiftly, only to see his childhood friends Mazdim and Rahbin. Mazdim had a smug look on his face as always. “Looks like the barrier’s been lifted!”

“What kinda beast did ya have to fight to lift a spell like that?” Rahbin poked, as the two trudged through the blue to Leon.

“Not a beast,” Leon started. “Our fears have been confirmed. We do, in fact, need to travel north.” Rahbin and Mazdim looked at each other.

“That wouldn’t mean-” Mazdim saw himself becoming quieter. He backed away a step.

“That’s right, my friends.” Leon drew his bow. “What we thought to be legend has been confirmed a truth. The Expanse is real.”

“And if we reach The Expanse?” Rahbin asked, always a curious one. Leon shook his head.

“I’m afraid I had no time to ask.” Leon parted his hair once more. “But, somehow...somehow I think the key to taking down Nilve is finally within reach. Somehow I’m starting to think our troubles have been worth our time.”

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