Eternal
Year 70
It’s a calm night and you stand outside on the balcony of your palace and look down at the city of Adlen. Brenda comes out to join you.
“It’s good when everything is going well isn’t it?” Brenda asks.
“It’s definitely going better for us now. Certainly going better than it is for Prime Eternal Edgar too.”
“Always thought that was a ridiculous title. I don’t understand how he’s at a stalemate with the Felkan Kingdom, he was doing so well against them for the longest time.”
“I figured he’s eventually over extend himself, though he’s also had a few personal set backs like several assassination attempts for one. From his last letter he doesn’t sound like he’s doing too well healthwise. He says the last two times he’s been stabbed, the assassin’s knife was coated with a heavy duty poison. The bolt that went into his back was too. If he wasn’t an Eternal he’d probably be dead by now.”
“Well that’s better than Warrick.”
“Yeah, but from that letter Edgar sent, he said Warrick died at the battle of Yaquan six years ago. Regardless of his loyalties, he died like how an Eternal is supposed to die. Edgar will be lucky if he dies from a successful assassination, because it’s sounding like the poison build up in his system might get him first. He’s sick and weak. It’s a shame really, I remember him being so hale and hearty at one time. If I were him I’d probably give up the ruling nonsense, join his soldiers in the next battle and die in one last blaze of glory.”
“Is that how you wish to die? You want to go out in one last blaze of glory?” Brenda asks.
“Eh, sometimes I still think about it, but not really seriously. I guess I’ve finally grown past it.” You laugh.
“Didn’t think that would happen actually.”
“Well, if Naleen starts suffering an unstoppable rebellion I guess I still got a shot at it. I’ll meet the unwashed mobs with sword in hand.”
“Heh, well if that happens I guess I’ll join you, because I’m too old to be moving the capital again.”
You both smile and hold each other side by side still looking out at the city. Yes, life is good when things are running well.
Year 75
You, Brenda and your elite guards step into Edgar’s palace, and it’s every bit as impressive as you thought it would be. Lots of statues, symbols of war, etc. Certainly a lot of bigger than your humble palace, but then Edgar always was one for overcompensation. You all are taken through the palace to see Edgar, along the way you and Brenda continue to take in some of the sights.
“Isn’t weird that all those years we served the Empire that this the first time we’ve ever stepped foot into this place?” Brenda says.
“Yeah, Edgar must’ve spent a fortune rebuilding it.”
“Did he ever actually meet the emperor?”
“No he never did. He said he assumed that he either fled or burned up in the fire, by the time he got to the palace. For all we know, maybe there never was an emperor.”
“Just one of life’s mysteries I guess.”
Eventually you reach the royal bedroom. An older woman is sitting on a chair outside sobbing. She looks regal. You wonder if this is “Eva” that he’s referred to a couple times in his letters. She’s not exactly his queen since she’s human, but you know she is definitely his companion. Another older muscular man with a stern expression is standing nearby pacing. When you arrive, he frowns even more.
“Oh so you two decided to come after all. A pity.” He says.
“And who the hell are you exactly?” you ask.
“Hmm, not surprised a deserter like you doesn’t remember me. My name is Rissok and I served under you during the Empire riots. I saw you kill my friend in cold blood. A true Eternal who served with honor!”
“Oooooh now I remember. You and your other buddy were looting houses while Felding was attempting to rape a woman. Yeah, real honor there.” You say.
“Don’t mock me! You are only here because the Prime allows it! If it were up to me, I would have you labeled as a traitor and have you killed!”
At this point your guards take up a defensive stance and Rissok’s do likewise.
“Well if you’re going to make a move, better do it quick.” You say.
“Stop it! Stop it please! My Edgar is dying! Can’t we have one moment without murder and killing?” the woman sobs.
At this point Rissok storms off without another word, the guards stick around and tell you that you and Brenda may enter at any time, but your own guards must stay outside. Before you do, Brenda addresses the woman.
“We apologize, we did not mean to cause you distress. Are you Lady Eva by any chance?”
“(sniff) Yes. Yes I am.”
“Edgar’s spoken highly of you in his letters.” Brenda says which causes a slight smile on her face.
“I know that he’s better than me in everyway being an Eternal, yet he shows such compassion and sweetness by making me, a non-eternal, his only companion. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve such an honor, but I will always be grateful for it.”
Brenda asks her if she wants to come in too, but she says she has already said her goodbyes and that he wants to see you both alone when you arrive. Having no other questions, you both enter the bedroom.
When you see Edgar, he’s lying in his bed and looking completely unwell. He’s pale and his face has a gaunt looking appearance. You can’t even believe this is the same man you fought along side at Fort Defiance.
“Edgar?” you ask just to make sure.
“(wheeze) ah…you both came…I knew you would. (cough cough) There isn’t much time…I trust you’ve read my letter?”
“Yes.”
“Well then you know that when my death comes, anarchy will ensue.”
“Don’t you have a successor?”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I imagine Brenda has and that’s we can’t have children.”
You look at Brenda and she nods and mentions she learned that with Roldan when they were together. It’s never been a topic you’ve brought up, but you always had your suspicions. Edgar continues his speech.
“We Eternals seem to be sterile or barren. I’ve had people try to look into this problem, but they haven’t come up with anything yet. It would seem what makes us superior, takes away our ability to reproduce. Maybe it’s nature balancing itself out, so that we don’t take over the world like so many of our younger eternals seem to want to do. Anyway (cough cough) I’ve drawn up official forms for the only two I think could be proper successors…”
You already know where Edgar is going with this.
“Oh no…don’t say that’s why you dragged us out here…Edgar they aren’t going to listen to us! We aren’t even ED citizens!”
“This is rather unrealistic Edgar.” Brenda adds.
“That doesn’t matter! You’re still Eternals! (wheeze cough) They’ll listen more likely than you believe, why do you think I always spoke so highly of you two? The younger ones will most likely follow without question, your major opposition will probably be the second generation…but there aren’t too many of them left, you could easily purge them all if you had to. Please…I tried to build something here…(cough) but I can’t go on any longer. The only people who can guide the Eternal Dominion into something worthier are you two. I’m asking not just as a dying man or friend …but as a (cough cough) a fellow Eternal…”
You and Brenda look at each other and you both know your answer. Edgar’s trying to guilt you into this mess, but it’s just not going to work. This plan of his is doomed to fail and you know it. Every high ranking Eternal is probably going to be vying for power. And you and Brenda have your own nation, your own lives, and you’ve told Edgar this before, but it’s time to tell him one last time.
“Edgar, we’re not accepting this position. First of all it’s not realistic despite what you want to believe and I think deep down you know that. Second of all, these are your final moments Edgar. Don’t worry about what you accomplished and if it’ll last. Just be proud of it now and spend your last moments with your wife or whatever you consider her. That’s who you need to be concerned about.”
Edgar hacks and coughs up blood and spits it into a nearby bucket and struggles to breathe, but manages to answer you.
“Very well…you’ve made your point. And you’re probably right. You usually were. (wheeze) Bring my…my wife in. I do wish to spend the last moments with her…and farewell…my Eternal siblings.”
“Farewell Edgar.” You say with a nod. Brenda says goodbye as well before you both leave.
You step outside and tell Eva that Edgar wants to spend his remaining time left with her. She seems happy with this idea though of course still upset. She runs in and you, Brenda and the rest of your group are escorted out and back to the carriage that brought you here.
When you finally get back to Naleen, you and Brenda are both glad to be home, though you both talk for quite awhile about this recent event and how it’s odd to think that you both are going to be the only original Eternals left soon.
A couple days later you get the news that Edgar has died and that the new leadership of the Eternal Dominion as of now is uncertain. Fortunately you don’t really have to worry about it. Naleen is strong enough and far enough away that any sort of chaotic attack from the new ruler is very unlikely. You suspect that most of the fighting will be within the ED itself, or pushing ahead against the Felkan Kingdom.
In the meantime you wonder about your own legacy and if you’ll be remembered on any meaningful level. Brenda isn’t really concerned about it; she figures you’ll both be in the history books as the first rulers of Naleen if nothing else. That sounds fine, but you wonder if that would necessarily be the case, after all you never met the emperor, you don’t even know his name or really anything about him except what you were taught as a child and that was most definitely all propaganda. You know even less about his predecessors. History may very well remember the Empire, but information on its rulers is either going to be sketchy or non-existent in another century. Edgar will probably be forgotten in even less time.
You get the idea that a solid written record is in order.
“Since when are you a writer?” Brenda asks.
“I’m not, but maybe we can work on this together, I mean you are part of this too.”
“Well that’s certainly true. Okay, so how did you want to go about this?”
It’s a calm night and you stand outside on the balcony of your palace and look down at the city of Adlen. Brenda comes out to join you.
“It’s good when everything is going well isn’t it?” Brenda asks.
“It’s definitely going better for us now. Certainly going better than it is for Prime Eternal Edgar too.”
“Always thought that was a ridiculous title. I don’t understand how he’s at a stalemate with the Felkan Kingdom, he was doing so well against them for the longest time.”
“I figured he’s eventually over extend himself, though he’s also had a few personal set backs like several assassination attempts for one. From his last letter he doesn’t sound like he’s doing too well healthwise. He says the last two times he’s been stabbed, the assassin’s knife was coated with a heavy duty poison. The bolt that went into his back was too. If he wasn’t an Eternal he’d probably be dead by now.”
“Well that’s better than Warrick.”
“Yeah, but from that letter Edgar sent, he said Warrick died at the battle of Yaquan six years ago. Regardless of his loyalties, he died like how an Eternal is supposed to die. Edgar will be lucky if he dies from a successful assassination, because it’s sounding like the poison build up in his system might get him first. He’s sick and weak. It’s a shame really, I remember him being so hale and hearty at one time. If I were him I’d probably give up the ruling nonsense, join his soldiers in the next battle and die in one last blaze of glory.”
“Is that how you wish to die? You want to go out in one last blaze of glory?” Brenda asks.
“Eh, sometimes I still think about it, but not really seriously. I guess I’ve finally grown past it.” You laugh.
“Didn’t think that would happen actually.”
“Well, if Naleen starts suffering an unstoppable rebellion I guess I still got a shot at it. I’ll meet the unwashed mobs with sword in hand.”
“Heh, well if that happens I guess I’ll join you, because I’m too old to be moving the capital again.”
You both smile and hold each other side by side still looking out at the city. Yes, life is good when things are running well.
Year 75
You, Brenda and your elite guards step into Edgar’s palace, and it’s every bit as impressive as you thought it would be. Lots of statues, symbols of war, etc. Certainly a lot of bigger than your humble palace, but then Edgar always was one for overcompensation. You all are taken through the palace to see Edgar, along the way you and Brenda continue to take in some of the sights.
“Isn’t weird that all those years we served the Empire that this the first time we’ve ever stepped foot into this place?” Brenda says.
“Yeah, Edgar must’ve spent a fortune rebuilding it.”
“Did he ever actually meet the emperor?”
“No he never did. He said he assumed that he either fled or burned up in the fire, by the time he got to the palace. For all we know, maybe there never was an emperor.”
“Just one of life’s mysteries I guess.”
Eventually you reach the royal bedroom. An older woman is sitting on a chair outside sobbing. She looks regal. You wonder if this is “Eva” that he’s referred to a couple times in his letters. She’s not exactly his queen since she’s human, but you know she is definitely his companion. Another older muscular man with a stern expression is standing nearby pacing. When you arrive, he frowns even more.
“Oh so you two decided to come after all. A pity.” He says.
“And who the hell are you exactly?” you ask.
“Hmm, not surprised a deserter like you doesn’t remember me. My name is Rissok and I served under you during the Empire riots. I saw you kill my friend in cold blood. A true Eternal who served with honor!”
“Oooooh now I remember. You and your other buddy were looting houses while Felding was attempting to rape a woman. Yeah, real honor there.” You say.
“Don’t mock me! You are only here because the Prime allows it! If it were up to me, I would have you labeled as a traitor and have you killed!”
At this point your guards take up a defensive stance and Rissok’s do likewise.
“Well if you’re going to make a move, better do it quick.” You say.
“Stop it! Stop it please! My Edgar is dying! Can’t we have one moment without murder and killing?” the woman sobs.
At this point Rissok storms off without another word, the guards stick around and tell you that you and Brenda may enter at any time, but your own guards must stay outside. Before you do, Brenda addresses the woman.
“We apologize, we did not mean to cause you distress. Are you Lady Eva by any chance?”
“(sniff) Yes. Yes I am.”
“Edgar’s spoken highly of you in his letters.” Brenda says which causes a slight smile on her face.
“I know that he’s better than me in everyway being an Eternal, yet he shows such compassion and sweetness by making me, a non-eternal, his only companion. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve such an honor, but I will always be grateful for it.”
Brenda asks her if she wants to come in too, but she says she has already said her goodbyes and that he wants to see you both alone when you arrive. Having no other questions, you both enter the bedroom.
When you see Edgar, he’s lying in his bed and looking completely unwell. He’s pale and his face has a gaunt looking appearance. You can’t even believe this is the same man you fought along side at Fort Defiance.
“Edgar?” you ask just to make sure.
“(wheeze) ah…you both came…I knew you would. (cough cough) There isn’t much time…I trust you’ve read my letter?”
“Yes.”
“Well then you know that when my death comes, anarchy will ensue.”
“Don’t you have a successor?”
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I imagine Brenda has and that’s we can’t have children.”
You look at Brenda and she nods and mentions she learned that with Roldan when they were together. It’s never been a topic you’ve brought up, but you always had your suspicions. Edgar continues his speech.
“We Eternals seem to be sterile or barren. I’ve had people try to look into this problem, but they haven’t come up with anything yet. It would seem what makes us superior, takes away our ability to reproduce. Maybe it’s nature balancing itself out, so that we don’t take over the world like so many of our younger eternals seem to want to do. Anyway (cough cough) I’ve drawn up official forms for the only two I think could be proper successors…”
You already know where Edgar is going with this.
“Oh no…don’t say that’s why you dragged us out here…Edgar they aren’t going to listen to us! We aren’t even ED citizens!”
“This is rather unrealistic Edgar.” Brenda adds.
“That doesn’t matter! You’re still Eternals! (wheeze cough) They’ll listen more likely than you believe, why do you think I always spoke so highly of you two? The younger ones will most likely follow without question, your major opposition will probably be the second generation…but there aren’t too many of them left, you could easily purge them all if you had to. Please…I tried to build something here…(cough) but I can’t go on any longer. The only people who can guide the Eternal Dominion into something worthier are you two. I’m asking not just as a dying man or friend …but as a (cough cough) a fellow Eternal…”
You and Brenda look at each other and you both know your answer. Edgar’s trying to guilt you into this mess, but it’s just not going to work. This plan of his is doomed to fail and you know it. Every high ranking Eternal is probably going to be vying for power. And you and Brenda have your own nation, your own lives, and you’ve told Edgar this before, but it’s time to tell him one last time.
“Edgar, we’re not accepting this position. First of all it’s not realistic despite what you want to believe and I think deep down you know that. Second of all, these are your final moments Edgar. Don’t worry about what you accomplished and if it’ll last. Just be proud of it now and spend your last moments with your wife or whatever you consider her. That’s who you need to be concerned about.”
Edgar hacks and coughs up blood and spits it into a nearby bucket and struggles to breathe, but manages to answer you.
“Very well…you’ve made your point. And you’re probably right. You usually were. (wheeze) Bring my…my wife in. I do wish to spend the last moments with her…and farewell…my Eternal siblings.”
“Farewell Edgar.” You say with a nod. Brenda says goodbye as well before you both leave.
You step outside and tell Eva that Edgar wants to spend his remaining time left with her. She seems happy with this idea though of course still upset. She runs in and you, Brenda and the rest of your group are escorted out and back to the carriage that brought you here.
When you finally get back to Naleen, you and Brenda are both glad to be home, though you both talk for quite awhile about this recent event and how it’s odd to think that you both are going to be the only original Eternals left soon.
A couple days later you get the news that Edgar has died and that the new leadership of the Eternal Dominion as of now is uncertain. Fortunately you don’t really have to worry about it. Naleen is strong enough and far enough away that any sort of chaotic attack from the new ruler is very unlikely. You suspect that most of the fighting will be within the ED itself, or pushing ahead against the Felkan Kingdom.
In the meantime you wonder about your own legacy and if you’ll be remembered on any meaningful level. Brenda isn’t really concerned about it; she figures you’ll both be in the history books as the first rulers of Naleen if nothing else. That sounds fine, but you wonder if that would necessarily be the case, after all you never met the emperor, you don’t even know his name or really anything about him except what you were taught as a child and that was most definitely all propaganda. You know even less about his predecessors. History may very well remember the Empire, but information on its rulers is either going to be sketchy or non-existent in another century. Edgar will probably be forgotten in even less time.
You get the idea that a solid written record is in order.
“Since when are you a writer?” Brenda asks.
“I’m not, but maybe we can work on this together, I mean you are part of this too.”
“Well that’s certainly true. Okay, so how did you want to go about this?”