Jazmyn Kallarya

Sandstar, the capital city of Valdor

JAZMYN TOOK A SIP from her wine. It had a spice to it that was only common among southern crafted wines, and it danced along her tongue. She much preferred the flavors of the south than that of any of the other kingdoms. The Valdorians were so festive and explorative with their food and drink, and flavors came together in the most exciting of ways. The northerners were content with just setting fire to meat, and the Jordeins weren't much different. The Arnish came close with their culinary culture, but they were too tame and unimaginative to reach the standard that Valdor had set.

She set her goblet back on the table she sat at. The queen sat there too, and she was also sipping wine. Her hair shimmered in the light that spilled from the windows above, and it almost had a purple hue to it.

Next to her sat the Master of Beasts, Armin of Jehro. He wore a puma pelt around his shoulders, and robes of white under his bronze armor. His black hair was done in a braid, and his face was clean shaven. Jazmyn saw him ride into Sandstar atop his war elephant, a massive beast with long tusks of ivory and a thick grey hide. She had seen elephants before, but always from a distance. She was close enough to see its eyes, black little beads in it's massive skull.

The Master of Sea, Derin of Millae was there too, and he looked like he would rather be elsewhere. Probably on his warship. He spent most of his time sailing the Emerald Sea, the vast ocean sprawled between the Four Kingdoms. His ship was a massive thing, and needed a crew of six hundred men to sail it. They called it the Palace of the Seas, and there wasn't a finer ship in all of the Four Kingdoms, Derin would say.

The last person to sit at the table was Chancellor Calista, the academic head of the College of Nazor. She had shallow crows feet by her eyes, but still looked fairly young for her sixty two years. Jazmyn admired the woman in every way there was to admire someone. She was intelligent, thoughtful, stern and a famed former Magus of the college. Jazmyn wanted to be her one day.

She felt out of place sitting amongst the most esteemed of Valdorian society. She initially declined the Queen's request for her to join her in her war chamber as she and her advisors discussed strategy and politics, but the Queen insisted, and told Jazmyn that her input would be extremely valuable.

So far, it hadn't been.

"My queen," said the Master of Seas, "you made a very beautiful and thoughtful speech when you went before the Council to raise the blue flag, this is known. But, with the news of Joras' Freemanes death, and the elves having escaped the city, it is very possible Jorden may rescind their own blue flag. We should rescind ours as well, before Farrenhelm and Arnland send their ships to our shores and march their armies down to our lands."

Jazmyn shook her head at the notion. The Master of Shadows had reported to them not long ago that Joras Freemane fell to the hands of the very beings he swore to protect; the elves. Not one part of Jazmyn believed Aryanne or Valyn, or even that half elf, Gabrielen, had the audacity to drive a dagger into the king, or his queen for that matter. But whoever did, did so cleverly by placing the blame on the elves.

The Master of Seas noticed Jazmyn shake her head. "You have something to say, scribe?" It was more of a dare than a question.

Jazmyn looked to the queen, who offered her no guidance, just a stare. She looked to Chancellor Calista, who did the same. Everyone at the table waited only for her to speak. And finally, she did. "With all due respect, Master Derin...rescinding the blue flag would make us look weak, and unsure of ourselves. Queen of Aaliyah said we are a nation of scholars, of students and teachers, of lovers and warriors alike. To take down the flag would contradict those beliefs. It would make us look like a nation of cowards...and it would make Queen Aaliyah wrong about her people."

Jazmyn saw Queen Aaliyah smile softly from the corner of her eye. Derin of Millae waved his hand at her words. "You let your pride and your convictions cloud your judgement. Those elves murdered Joras Freemane, they-"

"They did not!" said Jazmyn with a raised voice. She didn't mean to sound so loud, but she did. Before anyone could scold her, she dropped her head and sighed. "Forgive me, Master Derin, I did not mean to raise my voice." She looked up at him. "But you must understand, I spent near a week inside that castle with those elves, surrounded by creatures of nightmares. They saved our lives numerous times, and they helped us escape. I would not be sitting here had it not been for those elves. We promised them solace when we returned to the homeland, and King Joras helped see to that promise. For them to murder him? It doesn't make sense. He is dead by someone else's hand."

"Whose hand?" asked the queen. Her face was curious.

Jazmyn shook her head. "I don't know...but they are no friend of ours."

"I understand your sentiment, Scribe," said the Master Derin, "but you must understand war. That is what is at stake here. War may be at our doorstep within the coming days, and when you fight a war, you must be sure of two things: that you believe in what you are fighting for, and that you are going to win. I'm not sure of either."

Chancellor Calista turned to speak. "You forget that we do not share this personal connection to these elves that you have, Scribe Kallarya." Her voice was calm, but had a sternness to it's edge. "We have not seen them, they have not healed us, as you said they did those rangers. What if they did murder Joras Freemane? What if they did flee Elderstone only to murder more people? Should we fight for them then?"

Jazmyn felt her words caught in her throat. She knew what she wanted to say, but she couldn't find the words to say it. "Chancellor Calista, they wouldn't, they couldn't, I don't understand, I-" she stopped, and took a moment to tame her wild thoughts.

Queen Aaliyah nodded at Jazmyn. "Say what you have to say, Jazmyn."

Jazmyn smiled, and nodded. "I am not the only person to have survived the harrowing journey to that castle. There are others who did, people of Jorden, and they are noble people as well. Tytus Baronstone, the current Arch Ranger of the Ranger Order was there with me, as was the Commander of the King's Field Squadron." Miles floated through her mind. She missed him, and wished he were there now. He shouldn't have answered those summons. She knew not what awaited him in Jorden, but she prayed he would remain safe.

"They will attest to everything I said. And they have influence. They will help us. I'm sure of it."

Master Derin's expression changed from doubtful to contemplative, and he pondered her words. While he did, Master Armin spoke. "Those are friends in high places, Scribe Kallarya. The Commander of the Field Squadron was here some time ago, wasn't he?"

Jazmyn nodded. "Sir Miles Vallyrian. He came to speak on behalf of the King."

"He spoke highly of the elves, as I remember," said the Queen. "Where is Sir Vallyrian now?"

"He was summoned back to Jorden."

"No doubt to return to Valdor with an army," said Master Derin.

Jazmyn held her tongue and kept her lips from turning into a scowl. "He wouldn't do that."

"I'm sure the Commander feels more loyal to his country than he does some scribe of the college, girl," said Master Derin.

Jazmyn felt a flash of anger surge through her, but she let it pass.

"Scribe," said Chancellor Calista. Jazmyn looked towards her. "I see your passion in you, I hear it in your words. You truly do believe in what you say, and you carefully choose the words you say these things with. But you must understand...Valdor is more than just the home of scholars. It is home to a people. And those people may die for reasons they don't understand. Rescinding the blue flag isn't a sign of cowardice, or a betrayal of our convictions. It is us protecting our people, and sparing them from a war we simply cannot win."

The Masters nodded their heads, and agreed with the words of Chancellor Calista. And so did the queen.

Chancellor Calista sighed. "The college will support withdrawing the flag, my Queen."

Master Derin drummed his fingers on the table. "As does the Master of Soldiers. Master Herus gave me his word." He looked towards Jazmyn. "I do as well."

Master Armin nodded his head. "As do I, your grace."

All eyes were on Queen Aaliyah. She lowered her head and closed her eyes, and sat like that a few moments, and then raised her head. "I will go before the council, and I will request they rescind the blue flag." With sad eyes, she looked towards Jazmyn. "I'm sorry, Jazmyn."

Jazmyn felt as if the words had cut her open, and she bled. She felt tears from in her eyes, and anger fester in her heart. But they went away, and quickly. An idea came to her, one that would stop the bleeding. "Allow me to go before them, the court of Arnland and Farrenhelm, allow me to propose a solution to their kings."

The Master of Seas scoffed. "And what would that be, girl?"

Jazmyn would have glared at him if her excitement for her idea hadn't overcome her senses. "To allow the elves refuge within the Kingdom of Valdor and Valdor alone. They would not step foot off our lands, and they would not plague the other kingdoms."

Master Derin shook his head. "The north will not listen. They war among themselves over leftovers at supper. They will not withdraw their banners for the words of a scholar, no matter how much sugar you coat them in. And that is what you are, Scribe. A scholar for the college, not an ambassador of the court."

Jazmyn shook her head with defiance. "Arnland is different. They will listen. And I'm the only person in this whole country to have actually met the elves, to have touched them with my own fingers and to have seen them with my own eyes. I know of which I speak. I am the perfect person to send."

The queen took her words into consideration. They each did. There was silence as thoughts were pondered, and Jazmyn waited for someone to say anything.

Finally, the queen spoke up. "What Scibe Kallarya has proposed...may work. I am in favor of this course of action."

Chancellor Calista nodded her head
"As am I. So long that the north does not come crashing down on us while you are away."

Master Armin cleared his throat. "I approve as well. You are a brave one, Scribe Kallarya. It is a shame you chose the way of the college. You would have made an excellent beast rider."

Jazmyn grinned at the small compliment.

Master Derin grunted. "If the girl so wishes to travel west to waste her breath, so be it."

The queen nodded. "It is decided then. I will go before the council and propose Scribe Kallaryas plan. With sanctions of course." She looked towards Jazmyn. "You have a moon from the council meeting to dissuade the Arnish from marching down on us. We will see to Farrenhelm after, whether it is within the court or on the battlefield."

Jazmyn smiled, and she felt the tears in her eyes turn to joy as she blinked them away. "You have my thanks, my Queen."

Master Derin sighed. "We've placed the fate of our nation into the hands of a damn scholar..."