| Story |
 
|
(Page 4 of 6) Ivaris - Chapter 7 by Jennifer Raney
 (27 ratings)
|
This could be her chance, "Alright, Gerianne, tell me what you have in mind."
The maid nodded and stood, "Come, my lady, we'll talk while you dress," and Malynna obeyed. "Do you know much about this man, Jovraan T'resh, whom you are to marry this spring?" she began.
"I know he's a foreigner, but he's served Father for many years now. I don't know what he does, but he must be powerful."
"Shall I tell you how T'resh came into your father's service, then?" the maid asked as she laid out the layers of silk petticoats on the bed.
"Please do, I've wondered," Malynna said and her excitement grew –finally she would know what had been kept from her for so long.
"Enora, the empire to the south, is our enemy, and has been for longer than anyone can remember. The Empress of Enora is Davinra T'resh," she paused.
"Her son," the princess thought out loud.
"Yes, Jovraan is her son. Your father was probably not around much when you were ten, if you remember. You didn't know it of course, but he was at war with Enora. Jovraan had sold the Emperor information about the pass east of Mount Kiy, which at the time was fortified weakly due to the snow. Empress T'resh focused on the more passable routes through the mountains, and Jovraan took that as his opportunity to gain Shrinan's trust."
"A traitor!" Malynna gasped, "To his own mother!"
"Yes, and it doesn't end there. Your father accepted Jovraan as an informant, and plotted with him against the Empress.
Jovraan was working as a spy for the Empress as well, at the time, and she depended on him to find information on Shrinan's armies and their movements. So, the Emperor sent a small force towards one of the eastern passes to fool the scouts there, and Jovraan rushed to his mother to tell her that a huge army was close behind. Davinra believed her son, and led two thirds of her forces to the pass to face them."
"But they didn't go that way," Malynna guessed.
"No, they didn't. Shrinan led his armies through the Kiy pass, and very nearly reached Raemon before the Empress could stop him. Fortunately she had left a capable general in command of her third army, and they were able to slow Shrinan until she could bring reinforcements. It was all very messy, and very nearly the end of Enora. The Empress was able to join her third army in time, and with the help of the Sky gems, her forces drove Shrinan back to Itriscia," she concluded.
"Sky gems?" Malynna asked. She'd never heard of them.
"Oh my lady, they didn't even tell you about the stones? Oh, I'm so glad I can tell you all of this, you really should know what happened, it's important.
The Sky gems are elemental power stones that a sorcerer (or sorceress) can use to amplify their powers. Enora has possessed the stones since they were first discovered in the lair of the last known great wyrm, centuries ago. With their help, the rulers of Enora have been able to keep their empire relatively safe.
Emperor Shrinan knew about the stones when he attacked, and his plan was to take the Empress away from the battle because Jovraan had told him that she carried them with her when she went to war.
| |
