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The night was gentle, for its Queen had finally returned. Exhaustion was evident in every bone and muscle of her weary form. How could it not, when war teetered on the horizon? Beckoned by festering violence and nurtured with each encounter? Rushing to aid in lands beyond her own, she defended her mate's domain with brilliant fierceness. Or, to some, with terribly efficient cruelty.
Perhaps another night she'd dwell on the newfound blood that stained her claws— and of how much more would inevitably join it as this conflict fully realized. For now, however? She needed rest. It'd been weeks since she'd been home. Weeks since she'd felt... safe. Since she'd felt at peace.
Rest soon found her— but not the mercy that tonight would deny.
Dread gnawed at Kireth's stomach, becoming an endless pit that threatened to consume him. Many times had he stood where he was now— glimpsing in adoration at the tangible future of Aestharim, nestled within living proof of their mother's love. Sometimes alone, sometimes with others. He'd rumble to them various stories, whispering tales of their mother's greatness... As well as the softer sides of her that few truly knew. He'd whispered to them about the way she'd practiced smiling, ever so nervous for a family portrait with her unborn children. Of how he'd had to convince her thrice that the face she bore was 'plenty fine'. He'd laugh softly, recounting the many years he'd served by her side— of how she'd given him a purpose he thought was lost on him.
Tonight, however... The gentle look typically evident on the knight's face was nowhere in sight. Instead, the mirror that lingered in the corner of the elegant nursery, once holding a fond memory, now felt mocking in how it showed his grim expression back to him.
The orante shells of the dragon eggs glimmered in the flashes of blue-tinted moonlight that managed to seep past the towering shadows that surrounded them. Kireth wasn't alone.
"We must ensure they don't hatch." Vikril's voice was detached. The sorcerer's gangly form trembled. Was it from the weight of the decision that lingered before them? Or was it in the sickening excitement of an entitled, misplaced revenge? The eerie glow of a singular green eye swept over the eggs with clear disdain. "If they live, they'll become a threat." His jaw tightened further."Just like the others. Just like her."
"Yes.." Rhiosia's elegant, wisened voice followed. The half-elf stroked her chin in thought, teeth slightly bared in a manner that sent shudders down Kireth's shoulders. The strategist had the cold gleam of cutthroat thoughtfulness in her eyes as she studied the clutch. "We can use them as a distraction, too."
That sickened feeling in Kireth's stomach grew as Rhiosia continued, "even these brutes care enough for their spawn to pause and grieve." Her gaze traveled to the towering, silent giant that stood like a relenting sentinel. They traced along the heavy sword, somehow sharper than even its deadly point. "We'll take advantage of that moment and strike."
He could stay silent no longer. No— he'd stayed silent for too long. Far too long. "But this..." Kireth's voice faltered, perhaps in disbelief that his comrades could fathom such cruelty. "This is wrong. This is evil." His heart ached when he saw no change in their expressions. Their mind had long been made up for weeks. Maybe months. How had he been so blind? So careless? "They've done nothing... How can we—"
"Change does not come from what is good— from what is 'right'!" Rhiosia's voice wasted no time in cutting him off, unyielding and cold. "That's the bloody history of these lands, no?" Her voice was grim, her lips drawn into a grimace. Maybe she found no true joy in what they had planned to do. Unlike Vikril, she found no triumph in the path that led to the salvation they desired. But, she firmly believed it needed to be done. And Kireth knew, from years of working alongside the wise half-elf, that her heart, led by logic and truth, was not easily swayed.
"The last two leaders were murdered to get the change they wanted." It was hard not to flinch at that irrevocable truth. The King of Lasting Night, as he'd been called, killed the Queen prior to him to take the throne. And though for good reason... Iseldrllyr, too, had in turn killed him to claim the title of Queen of the North. For the beauty their starlit home possessed, its origins were steeped in blood and regicide. Indeed, some might consider this all an ironic and twisted self-fulfilling prophecy. "Now it's our turn." Rhiosia finished.
Kireth felt his body tense, blood chilling. This was it. They... truly planned on going down this route. A hand went to rest on the hilt of his sword. Hesitant. Trembling.
"You can either stand with us as our brother-in-arms, Kireth," Vikril's sleek voice broke the brief silence. "As a mortal." Perhaps there was a softening of his expression. A realization of the bond that'd been forged for years between them. However, in the light of promised change nurtured by bloodshed, it hardened almost immediately. And soon, a distateful sneer etched across Vikril's cloaked face, "or you die tonight as one of those scaled beasts. Choose!"
The choice cornered Kireth with ruthless clarity. To side with them was to betray one life; to defy them was to betray another. Either path demanded a traitor before dawn. Steel hummed under his tightening fingers, demanding a decision he wasn't prepared to make. Demanding for an answer the world would bleed for.
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AHHH gosh, it's HERE! The first page of a three-page comic I commissioned that depicts the scene right before the unfortunate demise of Iseldrllyr's children. As mentioned, it will be a three-page comic, and on each page, I will continue the story written above a bit further! The other two pages will have the lovely lady herself present, so don't worry, we'll be seeing her soon! As a warning, the next two pages are definitely darker in subject. This whole idea came to mind (as in, this exact scene lol) as I was writing up Iseldrllyr's history. I pictured it so viscerally in my mind that I HAD to get a commission of it and... well, here we are!
Goodness, writing this was so difficult! I had several drafts because I was SO picky for this piece— it had to be just right! I eventually opted to go with Kireth's (the man with the eye patch) perspective because it ended up being a bit more impactful to me, tbh.
If you're wondering 'who the heck is Kireth' lol, he actually had a tiny cameo in the writing of this piece! In which the mirror in that piece is actually featured here in the background as a little heartbreaking callback! Kireth himself is a character I have plans to feature in a few other art pieces with Iseldrllyr to showcase his importance to her. Long story short, though— they have a close friendship. He is a trusted advisor/knight to her, and she's known him since he was literally a kid (I think lol).
The art itself is SO good, omg, I absolutely love the comic-like style Song went with for this. It's been an UTTER blast working on this with her, and the sheer passion she's put into this absolutely warms my heart. We decided to go with some unique paneling that was inspired by the manga 'Witch Hat Atelier', and can I just say, the paneling for this (and in the future pages) is SO good! It's eye-catching and more unique than the usual, which just adds a bit of character to the comic overall. Absolutely love it. I'm so, so excited to show the next two pages (they're heartwrenching, at least IMO)! Again though, absolute praise goes to the artist for this page (and future ones). I couldn't be happier with how it all turned out and came together. <3
I've also found a love of storytelling through comics, I'm ngl lol. So maaaybe more in the future, finances allowing? We'll see! I genuinely hope those who are interested in Isel's story/the story I'm trying to write like how this turned out as well! <3 More good things coming soon:tm:!
Lastly, I did want to share the non-text version of the page as well! Just to see the pretty purty art better. Check it out here. <3
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Category Artwork (Digital) / All
Species Unspecified / Any
Size 2000 x 3000px
File Size 6.21 MB
Listed in Folders
It is always an arrogant point-eared bastards behind the scenes
Always so full of their "superiority" and "wisdom"
Not hard to understand what will happen after they will do what they planned to do - there will be absolute wrath of the mother that lost the most precious thing she ever had
And there will be death... Lots of deaths
Always so full of their "superiority" and "wisdom"
Not hard to understand what will happen after they will do what they planned to do - there will be absolute wrath of the mother that lost the most precious thing she ever had
And there will be death... Lots of deaths
*Heavy sigh of eternal history*
Elves... heh, who would have doubted it. No matter what world I turn to, no matter what history I stumble upon, too often the most painful problems for dragons are overshadowed by the ears of those arrogant, pointy-eared leaf-lovers who "know what's best for everyone."
I thought Dracorage Mithral was enough for me, but no – they simply outdid you in this local example.
P.S. – and yes, I remember both the mirror and Kireth from previous works. That's why I was so stunned by him. Where did he go...
Elves... heh, who would have doubted it. No matter what world I turn to, no matter what history I stumble upon, too often the most painful problems for dragons are overshadowed by the ears of those arrogant, pointy-eared leaf-lovers who "know what's best for everyone."
I thought Dracorage Mithral was enough for me, but no – they simply outdid you in this local example.
P.S. – and yes, I remember both the mirror and Kireth from previous works. That's why I was so stunned by him. Where did he go...
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