As the youngest sister of Aaragon, prince of Eldermere, it was her duty to stand to the left of her bothers throne and hold the staff of the Imperial Terrapin, Azerbhai.
The Imperial Terrapin was one of four god-like creatures that could be summoned to their world. But they could only be summoned by a catalyst. The last catalyst, Imhani, the Dark Warrior, had been allowed by the imperial Terrapin to learn immortality and had ruled Eldermere with the iron fist of a ruthless dictator, for three hundred years.
A century ago the High king of Tortremer and his queen had defeated Imhani and freed Eldermere from his reign of terror. Etian du Neviel, the youngest son of Imhani had been proclaimed Prince of Eldermere by its people. Although he was the youngest son Imhani, his mother was of Eldermere and its people considered Etian one of them.
Etian had strived to make the lives of his people better, often intervening on their behalf with his father. And although he was the son of the man who held their kingdom prisoner, they followed him willingly into battle and even more willingly when he had become their true leader.
It had been a hundred years since Etian had come to the throne of Eldermere and now his grandson ruled as just and fairly as Etian ever had. He was now presiding over the weekly courts as he was wont to do. Etian and his princess Valfreya always took their responsibilities seriously.
Which was why Ilanna was standing here doing the thing she most dreaded. Hold the staff of the Imperial Terrapin. There hadn't been a Terrapinheart, a catalyst, since the Dark Warrior. Or so the people of Eldermere thought. Ilanna would never reveal to her people that she was a catalyst. And to the everlasting anger of Azerbhai she would never summon him in her life time. He had caused too many problems before and she loved Eldermere too much to put it through such hardships again. She knew he would try to corrupt her has he had the Imhani.
For eight years, since the age of twelve, she came to hold the staff at court, once a week. It was the symbol of Eldermere, hated or no. So she had endured the please, threats, and rages of Azerbhai, but never his silence. Not once this session had he spoken a word to her. It worried her more than anything.
When the court was over and the throne room deserted and dark Ilanna snuck back in and stood in front of the throne, looking at the staff mounted on the wall above it. She bit her lip cringing at what she felt she had to do, and took the staff down off the wall, feeling it warm in her hands.
Terrapin
, she called out to him hesitantly in her mind, but there was nothing.
Azerbhai
, she gritted her teeth, trying again.
Please, my lord.
I love how my name rolls off your lips. What can I do for you catalyst?
You didn't speak to me today.
Eight years of speaking and never once have you answered me back. Perhaps I was tired of speaking to you.
I see.
Do you?
Not really.
Even we immortals loose our patients from time to time. You have resisted summoning me for eight years. You aren't going to start now.
True.
Tell me child. Why won't you summon me?
Because the last time you were summoned my people were enslaved by the Dark Warrior and you helped him almost destroy the seven kingdoms of Tortremer!
Ah, that.
You make it sound like such a small thing.
I am immortal and there has been so much over the centuries.
It's not a small thing!
Calm yourself child.
You haven't once asked me to summon you.
Because I know you won't. Even if you can control me with the staff.
What?
Didn't you know that? I can be controlled by the staff, compelled to do many things.
I didn't know.
I see, of course you didn't. Else you might have been tempted to summon me by now.
No.
Now, we both know that's not true, if you wanted me here I would be here.
I don't want you here.
