Inspiration 53

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Romans 8:37-39 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, not life, nor principalities, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

King Satin's Realm is the first book I ever wrote. I wrote during the year I was going through my divorce, and it was cathartic. I could work out all the anger and hurt and betrayal and resentment and depression through characters. I could take out my animosity on the witch in the story. So, out of misery was born a work of art, of love. 

What is a good story without a good villain? Take a deep breath, and get ready for evil personified as you meet Quazel.

The men slept fitfully. The coyote was already awake when they woke. "We should away," he said. "This is going to be an exceptionally hot day. I do hate traveling by day, but duty calls. Queen Quazel bids you come. I forgot to introduce myself last night. I am Carl Covington, professor of anthropology. Trust me, you have nothing to fear in our little heaven."

Diggory sighed. "We felt better, although gettin' assurance from a serpent and a wolf's cousin made us a little uneasy. Why 'adn't Queen Quazel sent us a beautiful, respected animal?

At that point, their conversation came abruptly to a halt as they saw Orson approaching. "Gentlemen, let me show you around our little paradise. Dr. Donohue is with Queen Quazel. I do hope he has something that can aid her. She can be most ill-tempered when these headaches persist.

Unable to sleep, Diggory knocked on Duncan's door.

He answered still dressed."Come in, Diggory. I see ya couldna sleep either. Methinks we should have a courtesy visit with Queen Quazel and, then, away from here as soon as possible."

"Agreed, Captain. This place is loike the Garden of Eden, and we know what happened there. Temptation will be strong here. Some of us may not be able to resist it. Young Connor, a prime example."

"Roight. And I disloiked not seeing any other exit to this place except past Jean."

"By the way, what did he say to ya when we came in?"

"'Twas strange. He asked me if I was the one who had been prophesied. I told him I did not think so, and he said he prayed so. If this place is so wonderful, why do so many of its inhabitants seem to want oot?"

 Duncan called a meeting in his chamber. Before they met the queen, he wanted to know all he could about her. "Connor, tell us what ya learned aboot our hostess last night."

"She is exquisite, refined, and gracious. She is absolutely gorgeous. Her voice reminds me of a lark's tune. She is the most fabulous woman I have ever met."

"In truth?" Duncan said, an eyebrow arched. "Orson seems to stand in awe, if not terror, of her. The other animals seem only to speak her name in whispers unless 'tis in a command performance to sing her accolades. Aire ya sure ya found nothing unusual aboot her?"

"No, sir, with the exception of her rare beauty and the fact that she has six fingers and toes."

      Duncan rubbed the small protrudance on his ear as he thought. Six fingers and toes? The ancients believed this to be a sign of witchcraft. He took a deep breath. "What about her character?" he said aloud.

      "She does command authority and respect. She seemed in control of her emotions although she was suffering excruciating pain last even. Despite her agony, she still managed to be warm and welcoming."

A trumpet blast shattered the festive air, and Orson announced in a booming voice, "Ladies and gentlemen and subjects all, Her Royal Highness, Queen Quazel, ruler of the Zone of Perfection and rightful heir to all the land of Draconis. Bow before her presence in humility and awe!"

The men removed their hats and took a knee, showing her the homage of her title and custom; but none felt comfortable bowing before this unknown entity.

Preceding the queen came two snow-white apes with golden coronets to announce her entrance. Upon another blast from the horns, Queen Quazel arrived through an opening in the trees. She was mounted on a shimmering white unicorn that had a gold and silver entwined horn. It was a magnificent beast. A number of courtiers followed the queen. Some rolled out a plush white carpet for her to step upon. Others helped her dismount. All backed away from her bent double. Even the powerful Orson fell to all fours with his head lowered.

Queen Quazel was a ravishing creature. Although everything surrounding her was glimmering gold, sparkling silver, glittering white, or dazzlingly colorful, Queen Quazel wore a long flowing garment of black silk, unlike anything the men had ever seen. She had a creamy white complexion, as if the sun had never touched her skin. Her tresses were as raven black as her apparel and flowed loose and unbraided from a widow's peak at her forehead to her waist. Her hair was perfectly straight; her eyes, endless black pools, absorbing everything in their path. They were fringed in long fluttering ebony lashes and highlighted with thin arched coal-black brows. Her lips were scarlet and her long slender fingers were tipped in crimson. She stood regally, tall and voluptuous. The neckline of her bodice plunged deeply, revealing the tops of an ivory bosom. She was a temptress.

She spoke with the voice of a siren.

As evening approached, Quazel prepared to leave. She announced that Captain O'Rourke and she would be dining alone that evening. Diggory was uneasy about that. This woman had a power that lured men, even strong, sensible men like Duncan. Diggory sent up a silent prayer for his friend's protection against her charms.

Meanwhile, Queen Quazel served intoxicating nectar wine and wore a tantalizing and sensuous perfume. A yellowish powder pervaded the room, making the candles flicker hypnotically.

"Your eyes are a most unusual shade of green, Duncan, almost like emeralds. They are beautiful," whispered Quazel.

"Gramercy," Duncan acknowledged groggily, feeling the effects of the wine.

"You must be weary and lonely after such a long journey," the queen breathed while she removed Duncan's doublet and unlaced his shirt to reveal his firm, muscled chest sparsly sprinkled with inky hair. "Let me soothe away some of those tensions." She began to rub Duncan's temples, neck, and shoulders.

"That feels so good," sighed Duncan, relaxing to her touch. He closed his eyes.

"Aye, I know," she purred as she softly brushed her lips to his.

Duncan licked his lips in anticipation. He was totally beguiled and lost under her spell. Quazel circled Duncan, slowly, gently brushing her fingertips across his bare chest, kneading the small patch of hair dead center and running one nail along his thinly bearded jawline.

All at once, there was a breathless cry outside the queen's tent. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! 'Tis Carl! I have urgent news!"

"What do you want?" Quazel shrieked, her plans foiled. The spell was broken.

"Hank Hawke just flew over the Zone of Perfection. You gave command to let you know if he came," said Carl, fear evident in his voice.

"Fie me!" raged Queen Quazel. "We must find out what that scoundrel is up to." She turned to Duncan and in a sugary voice said, "Duncan, I beg pardon. We must continue our conversation another time." She ran from the tent after placing a kiss on his lips.

 Just at that moment someone pounded on Duncan's door. "Open up quick, man. Let me in." The voice sounded panicky. They opened the door to see Jean Noir standing there. He kicked the door shut as he darted inside.

"If Queen Quazel saw me here, she would turn me into a seahorse or a newt. Hank sent me. We must talk, Duncan. You must know the prophecy. Your very life could be in danger." He said all this in one breath.

Duncan looked stunned, mouth slightly agape. "Aire ya saying Queen Quazel is a sorceress? Did she change all of you?"

"Aye, man! I know you are not slow-witted," Jean said in frustration.

"What?" Duncan and Diggory said in unison.

Undaunted, Jean continued, "Her ship wrecked here some years ago. We took her in and cared for her. She said she had been falsely accused of witchcraft, of practicing black magic. She had been banished from her country and had not been welcome in any other place.

"What you heard about Draconis is true. The dragons and we men were once friends. We lived together in harmony. Our children played together. I vouchsafe one of the human children's greatest pleasures was to soar over Draconis on the back of a dragon friend.

"Then, the dragon babies began to disappear. We humans were accused. Hank began an investigation. He found Quazel eating a baby dragon."

"Stop! Wait a moment!" Aidan shouted. "Eating a dragon? How can a human do such a thing? Aren't those creatues strong and practically indestructible?"

Diggory sighed. "Quazel is more than a 'uman. Even dragons are susceptible to poison and magic. And babies, 'atchlings, aire not much bigger than a large dog."

"Very well. Please, continue."

"Jean was speaking," Diggory went on.

 "When he tried to arrest her, he immediately changed into the hawk you met.

"Quazel went mad! Within weeks, almost every human was an animal and all the dragons were dead."

"Stop!" Aidan yelled again, both hands raised over his head. "Not all! Surely not all." His voice broke at the thought.

Duncan's face contorted in a disgusted look. "Ya mean she managed to kill all dragons—enormous beasts with scales like armor?"

"She somehow got a poison into their blood. The shrieking as they withered to dust haunts me to this day." Jean's entire body shook. "Only one human escaped into the mountains. Quazel could not go after him because she could not abide the cold. Peradventure because she came straight from the fires of Hell itself, and her long-distance spells failed when they met ice.

"Duncan, you are my son. You must be the one who has come to free these people. You have everything Nathan prophesied, including Diggory. You must be the one. I do not have the scrolls yet, but we are looking for them so you can know your course of action. Sometimes I fear Quazel has found them and destroyed them." He breathed deeply. "I don't have time to convince you futher right now. Her spies are everywhere, though she, herself would never venture here for the coolness of the place. If they should overhear us or see us, the consequences could be your life. I shan't risk that." He turned as if to go.

 "You must be careful. Quazel is pure evil. She is not all she seems. I have seen her true identity. I am sure when you see her for what in truth she is, you will know what to do. Take care, heart of my heart." Alexander kissed Duncan's forehead and held him for another moment; then, he vanished into the night.

Duncan stayed in his room for the next two days. Orson told the queen Duncan was not well. By the second day, Quazel grew impatient. She wanted Connor to examine Duncan. Orson told her it was the new, rich, spicy foods that disagreed with Duncan's stomach and that he was recovering.

The third day, Duncan took Diggory by the shoulders. "'Tis time to take action." He sent Quazel a note requesting a private picnic by the brook. He met her there and began his charade.

As he held her hand he enticed, "I pray thee, be patient with me. Remember me heart has belonged to one woman for a long time, but 'twas before I met ya. I have never known anyone loike ya. I want to get to know ya better, but let us court slowly. I am a gentleman, and I want to court ya properly."

Diggory looked around at the enthralled faces. "Quazel bought 'is ploy like a fish swallowing bait. She was in love with 'im as much as pure evil can love anything other than itself."

They had outings after that—dinner, tea, picnics, evening strolls, tennis matches, unicorn rides. Duncan always made sure they were together on his terms, never alone on hers.

While they were out, Orson and Diggory searched for anything they could use against Quazel. On one occasion, they found a spell book and an amulet, which they sent to Alexander. Another time they discovered gemstones buried all around Quazel's tent. They dug them up and sent them to Alexander. There were seven different ones.

"What kind?" Caitlin asked.
Diggory gave her an indulgent smile. "I'll tell ye soon."

Then, after an evening stroll, Quazel entreated Duncan to come into her tent. She pouted, "You do not love me or trust me. If you did, you would not be reluctant to be alone with me." She lifted her hand and spoke behind its cover. "Connor is not afraid to come in here."

Duncan tried to turn her game back on her. "I do not want ya spending time alone with Connor." He pretended to be jealous and turned his lips down in a pout. "Quazel, ya must choose. Do ya want me, or is it Connor?"

"There is no choice, my beloved. Connor is a child, a plaything. I want you. Nothing would make me happier than to have you reign by my side." She latched her fingers around Duncan's neck and kissed him passionately. "Come in, Duncan," she breathed against his neck. "Prove your love to me." She pulled him into her lair and kissed him again.

What Duncan saw in that moment chilled him to the bone. He tried to maintain his composure as he looked into the glowing red eyes of a withered pasty face, the head covered in scraggly, black, matted hair. The hands were long and bony and tipped with razor sharp claws. The voice sounded like the squawk of a crow. Quazel was not a ravishing beauty. She was an old crone.

Duncan pried her hands from his neck. He knew he was trembling. He whispered, "Quazel, ya make me heart faint. I tremble with desire, but I need a little more time. Good night, me love." He kissed her fingertips and backed out the door.

Looking around, he caught his breath is sharp puffs. There were no beautiful palms, no vibrant flowers. There were only burned trees, rotting stumps, weeds, brambles. His silk robe became burlap. This whole place was an illusion.

Duncan ran all the way back to where his entourage was quartered, stopping only once to vomit. The farther he ran from Quazel's tent, the more the beauty returned. By the time he got to Diggory's quarters, the illusion was completely restored. He burst through the door. "Diggory, I saw her," he panted. "Me father," he gasped for air. "I need me father."

He drafted a note to Alexander. Diggory gave it to Jean who summoned Hank.

AND THIS IS JUST THE BACKSTORY AND NOT ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS ONCE AIDAN ENCOUNTERS HER!!! 

Cover by Christopher Chambers. jurroddesigns.com

Quazel as she makes herself appear and Quazel as she really looks.