This is an origin story for something I've been writing for some time. If it's popular I'm happy to write more. I hope you enjoy.
Contains everything you know about me. Thank you for having a read friends.
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The Queen stood at her window looking out into the sky as the sun rose. It would be entering its highest point in the day soon. It was springtime and a nice pleasant breeze was rolling through the countryside. A few wispy clouds of silver danced through sky, moving with the wind, as the bright blue of the heavens above it seemed to beckon beyond. The view from the Queen's chamber afforded a sweeping view of the land to the south and to the east, affording a view many would never see in their lifetime. The workshop of the smith's below, the hustle and bustle of villagers and servants moving through the stables and courtyard. Pillars of stone rose to form bridges between the central citadel, while great walls encircled it, providing protection for those within. Beyond that was the vast green fields of her country, the dense forests and the peaks of mountains beyond. To her the kingdom had always held a magical quality to it and she had been proud to serve her people for decades.
Though magical her country may have been, the word magic now made her uneasy. Her subjects were all primarily human, the type of hardy stock that bred good soldiers and honest farmers. Of course there were a smattering of other races here and there: dwarves, a community of elves that lived on the northern border, the occasional centaur, even a few other species that bordered on fantasy and reality such as the ogres and other ill kin. There was perpetually a band of all creatures passing through the kingdom. Farmers selling their wares, merchants, soldiers for hire, shamans. Using rituals and magic or sometimes just swindling her good citizens for a few coin. That was life in her kingdom, that was routine. That was the way things were. But nothing gave her more anxiety than a Sorceress.
There was one now, within her borders, travelling through. The Queen had heard from her advisors how she had only been here for less than two weeks and was already causing quite the stir. Tales of healing wounds, sickness, restoring livestock and bringing good luck to down trodden people. All for a fee of course but many were willing to pay, especially when they saw immediate results. The Sorceress was the answer to a hundred and one problems among the simple folk of her Kingdom. And so the Queen had summoned her. She was no charlatan. Even her own advisor's had seen her work her magic. She was the true deal, a rare breed at that. Her advisor's had travelled and met with the Sorceress, offering a large sum for fixing the Queen's own problem. The Sorceress had agreed and within the day she was headed to the castle, hopefully with the answer to the Queen's problem in tow.
There was a soft knock on the door. The Queen was broken out of her reverie, still looking out to the sky. It was just as blue as when she had first been standing there since this morning, anxious to meet the Sorceress.
"Come in," She beckoned. She straightened her dress with her hands, smoothing out any wrinkles on the red velvet. One had to appear presentable as head of state, a lesson she had learnt at an early age from her mother. Her hair was immaculate, not a single raven black hair out of place, tied back into a long braid down her back thanks to her servants. A crown sat atop her dark hair, golden in the daylight, the few jewels within in it sparkling as she moved about. She cut a lithe figure, strong, with high cheekbones and strong shoulders. She was royalty and anyone who glanced upon her were well aware of that as soon as they entered her presence.
A chambermaid entered through the door, shutting it quickly behind her. She was young, maybe 18, dressed all in grey and white in a long flowing skirt.
"Queen Lilith, the Sorceress has arrived."
The Queen nodded. Lilith hid her nerves well, appearing stoic before the maid despite being anything but. One could never allow a person of such low standing as the maid to think of her as anything else but fearless.
"Show her to me Child."
The maid nodded swiftly, entering and exiting with barely a sound.
The Queen waited there, hands clasped in front of her, feeling a single trickle of sweat fall down her spine. She brought her hand up to her forehead, feeling it dry. Thank God for small mercies. She'd heard tales of powerful magic users being able to read minds or discern one's intentions just from staring into the eyes of their victims, or even understanding their thoughts just from reading their body language. Though she didn't know the truth behind any of this, it was best to play one's card close to the chest until proven otherwise.
There was some talking behind the door. Then, ponderously, the door began opening once again. The Queen had not moved, rooted to her spot by the window, the only thing between her and the door the edge of her four-post bed. The maid stepped through once again. This time the meek thing was followed by one of the most stunning creatures the Queen had ever seen.
She was tall, at least a head taller than the Queen even with her crown perched on the top of her head. Golden red hair fell down in luscious curls past her shoulders, all the way down to her lower back, like the mane of a Griffin. Dark, brown eyes adorned her chiseled features while her pale skin was unblemished, in deep contrast to her ruby rose lips and purple eye shadow. She wore a heavy cloak, burgundy with traces of silver, completely obscuring her from the neck down, its length running an inch along the ground. Though she had no idea what her body looked like underneath that cloak, the Queen could only guess that this sorceress was some type of Goddess, making all forms of beauty insignificant next to her.
The Sorceress stood proudly before the Queen, a playful smile on her wicked lips as she took stock of the royalty before her. The chambermaid seemed to be transfixed just as much as the Queen was, who stood next to the radiant creature, her eyes locked onto her. After a moment of study, the Sorceress bowed to the Queen slightly, her smile never leaving her face.
"Your Highness, I came at your summon. It is my pleasure to serve you and all powers under your rule." She continued to hold her bow, only now she looked her up, her dark eyes rising to meet the sovereign. Those eyes seemed to bore into her. Perhaps there was some truth to the old wive's tales. Could she be seducing her? Or was she simply studying her, reading her? The Queen snapped out of it for a moment, regaining her composure partly.
"Thankyou. I know a woman of your talents is in high demand wherever you go. You may rise."
"Your highness."
She rose back up, fully erect, standing before the Queen. She looked over to the chambermaid now who was still smitten by her. The Sorceress raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps, your highness, we could speak privately?"
"Oh? Oh! Yes, yes of course. You - maid!" The maid pulled her head slowly away from the idol before her, bringing her eyes back to the Queen. "Yes, you! Begone now. Do not return until summoned or I'll have you sent off to the stables for a month. Is that clear?"
As if waking from a stupor herself, the maid seemed to regain control of her senses and nodded. She stole one last glance to the Sorceress and bailed, running hurriedly for the door and closing it with a bang behind her.
The sorceress just chuckled to herself. "She's quite young. Don't be to be too harsh on her."
"Should I not? She is my maid, under my service."
"Perhaps. But it is not everyday a human in this part of the world meets someone like... me." The sorceress smiled again, white teeth glowing past those full ruby lips.
As intoxicating as she was, the Queen could feel herself becoming more cautious now. She could see through the haze of beauty, despite how strong it was. Perhaps this Sorceress exuded some form of spell just as she walked around.
"Have you cast a spell on me witch?"
This time the Sorceress laughed, a deep boom that echoed throughout the stone chamber. "No my Queen. I have been magically enhanced to be perfect, nothing more than that. Many find my beauty to be alluring. I can assure you we are magic free in this room right now."
The Sorceress began to walk idly around the room, her cloak trailing behind her, as she began to take stock of the Queen's possessions. The Queen just watched as she moved along the wall, a long delicate porcelain finger with red fingernails tracing its way over her jewelry on the bedside table. "You have some nice pieces Queen Lilith. Fit for a woman of your stature."
The Queen watched her fondle her jewels. "Is that why you came when I beckoned? Money?"
The Sorceress smiled. "No. Jewelry is not so valuable to me as it is to many. I value different treasures. But regardless, depending upon the nature of the request I will determine my reward. So tell me Queen, what can Sorceress Isabella do for you?"
"Very well. Isabella. I have... I've... heard, from others, that you can help couples."
"I can help couples with many things. You'll have to be more specific." Isabella walked forwards to the Queen now, slowly, seductively. "I can help with marital concerns. Creation of or the expulsion of problems. I can bring husbands home if they have a wandering eye. I can stoke a fire in anyone's loins so that even a lake could not extinguish it." The flame haired Goddess walked around Queen Lilith, her index finger now running across her velvet dress instead of the jewelry. The Queen felt her finger trace up the small of her back as she walked behind her. She steeled herself, trying to not let the Sorceress get to her. "What is it you want?"
"My... my husband passed away a few years ago. Died in battle against those fucking Briannans along the Yor river. I never produced an heir. In the years since I've tried with many of the men of the court. However-"
"You've discovered that the bakery may be unable to produce pies?" The Queen glowered at the Sorceress over her shoulder. The Sorceress was still bemused, but held the gaze from the Queen.
"Yes- As it were. My ability to produce an heir to the throne is running out of time. I had hoped that you would be able to help with this situation. Or is your magic solely providing unenviable sarcasm?"
The Sorceress reacted with mock indignation. "Your highness, I would never make a mockery of the situation. To provide a child, to birth one, to hold a little one in your arms is the right of all women whether they be a peasant in the field or a Queen. I would be delighted to help."
The Queen sighed in relief. "Thank you, Sorceress. This means a lot to myself. I had almost given up on ever having a child."
"Nonsense!" The Sorceress gave the Queen a playful slap on the shoulder. "We'll have a baby in your belly by sundown today!"
"To-today!?"
