In the kingdom of Vinoli, there lived a lynx named Jeraddin, He hailed from a long line of aristocratic career-soldiers and so, it was no wonder that, as soon as he was old enough, his father enrolled him at the most prestigious military academy in the land.
At the academy, Jeraddin soon established himself as one of its most talented students and all his teachers predicted that he had a promising career ahead of him.
During his last year at the academy, Jeraddin was invited to a party in the nearby village, which was being hosted by a wealthy landowner. It was there that he met a girl of the feline species, a few years younger than himself, by the name of Nasari. The two of them fell for each other quickly and it didnt't take long until a relationship began to blossom between them, until eventually, Jeraddin worked up the courage to ask Nasari for her hand in marriage.
Delighted, she had accepted his proposal, her parents having given their blessing to the union. That same weekend, Jeraddin and Nasari took a trip to visit the former's father and introduce him to his new daughter-in-law. However, upon arriving at the estate Jeraddin was greeted by the terrible news that his father had died, the result of a duel over some insult. Jeraddin cried bitterly, for even though he and his father had not been particularly close, he could not help but feel sadness at his remaining parents' passing (his mother having died when he was still a small child). Nasari comforted her fiancé and Jeraddin wrote to the principal of the academy for permission of staying a bit longer to arrange the details of the funeral.
After the funeral, Jeraddin returned to the academy, having left the care of the estate in the capable hands of a custodian. Eventually, he graduated from the academy at the top of his year and was finally free to marry the love of his life.
After the marriage, on which no expense was spared, the newlyweds set up shop in Jeraddin's ancestral home, while he waited for his first real assignment. A year after their marriage, Nasari gave birth to the couple's first child; a girl, the spitting image of her father. She was named Risha, after Jeraddin's own mother.
Of these early years, there's not much to say, except that they were peaceful years. Then one day, Jeraddin received news that war had broken out between Vinoli and one of its neighboring nations and that he had been assigned to the staff of the famous general Ursus. Thus, Jeraddin kissed his wife and daughter farewell, told them not to worry about him and went out to war.
It didn't take long for Jeraddin to make himself noticed, not just by his superior officer, but by the ruler of Vinoli; Sharan the Dragon-King, himself. Through a combination of skill, boldness and luck, the lynx rose through the ranks. Whenever he had some spare-time, Jeraddin would write home, asking Nasari if everything proceeded well in his absence and asking how their child was doing. Occasionally there would be a lull in the fighting and Jeraddin would take the opportunity to go home and spend these days of respite with his loved ones.
Eventually, a peace-treaty was signed, bringing an end to the war and all its horrors. Jeraddin returned home, medals on his chest and blood on his paws. Risha threw herself in her father's arms the moment she heard his voice in the hallway.
Shortly thereafter, Jeraddin was summoned to the court, where the King and his councilors presented him with the title of General. This was thanks in no small part to Ursus, who had signed a formal request to go into retirement after the latest war and had recommended Jeraddin as his successor.
It wasn't long until the newly appointed general got the opportunity to show that the confidence that had been placed in him was not misplaced. In the south, a minor kingdom had been attacked by one of its closest neighbors. Long ago, the king of Vinoli had married one of the princesses of this kingdom, who had given birth to one of his sons. It had been decades since the princess had died, but the bond between the two nations remained and so, king Sharan dispatched the sixth legion, with Jeraddin at its head, to come to the smaller kingdom's aid.
This war lasted for only a short period of time and once it was over, Jeraddin returned home to his family, hoping that it would be long before he'd have to be separated from them again. The Godess of Luck must have smiled upon him that day, for it so happened that a long period of calm came and laid itself like a warm blanket over Vinoli and its neighbors and although he was occasionally called away to inspect the troops or other things of that sort, these duties didn't require Jeraddin to travel outside of his country and they never kept him from home very long.
At home, Jeraddin and Nasari watched Risha grow up, with Jeraddin in particular doting on his daughter. Then one day, four years after the birth of their first child, Nasari told her husband that she was expecting. Sadly, Nasari suffered a miscarriage and the child that was growing inside her never saw the light of day.
As a result of this ordeal, Nasari sank into a period of depression. She laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling, hardly touching the food that was brought to her. She was convinced that she was to blame for the child's death and was wracked with guilt and sorrow. Thankfully, she was not alone and eventually her sadness began to fade until eventually, it became one of many memories, sad or happy, that a person acquires during a lifetime.
It took many years before Nasari felt ready to have another child, but nine years after the birth of Risha, she gave birth to a son. The child was named Leorin after Nasari's grand-father and everyone who saw him couldn't help but comment on how much he resembled his mother.
At first, Risha did not care much for the newcomer. Having had a monopoly on her parents' affection for so long, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. As Leorin grew older, these feelings soon vanished, for Risha was not by nature a person given to jealousy.
Eight years passed by with the family living a life that, although it had its ups and downs, could be described as idyllic and then, everything changed.
It all began on a pleasant summer-evening with the entire family gathered on the veranda, watching the stars.
"Come on, children" said Nasari as she stood up and straightened out her skirt. "Its time for you to go to bed."
"Aww, can't we stay up a little longer?" Leorin asked, looking up at his mother with big, pleading eyes.
"Yeah", Risha chimed in, putting one of her paws in front of her mouth. "I'm not the least bit - yawn- tired. Besides", she added. "I'm older, so I should be allowed to stay up longer."
"That's not fair!" Leorin shouted, glaring at his sister, his ears lying flat on his head.
"Well, life isn't fair", Risha retorted in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.
Leorin wasn't sure how to respond to his sister's statement, so he opted instead to stick out his tongue at her.
Naturally, Risha was not going to take that in stride and she was just about to give her annoying brother a shove, when she noticed that her mother was staring at her and thought better of it.
"Children", Nasari said in a voice that her children knew all to well. "None of you will stay up longer. Go to bed. Now."
Risha and Leorin both realized that their mother was not open for argument, but there was still hope; both of them turned towards their other parent for support:
"Dad..." The two of them began, speaking in unison, but Jeraddin immediately cut them off.
"Do not argue with your mother, children"."We've let you stay up long enough."
Realizing that there was no point in pressing the matter further, the siblings each let out a disappointed sigh and then, dragging their feet, went inside.
"Shall we head back inside as well, dear?" Nasari asked, playfully touching one of her husband's ear-tufts.
Jeraddin smiled.
"Why don't we stay out a bit longer? It is a beautiful night."
The two of them sat there, close together, gazing up at the full moon. Their time together was interrupted, however, by the sound of a throat being cleared discreetly.
Both Jeraddin and Nasari turned and found that the family's servant; Albert, had appeared at the veranda.Something had evidently disturbed his sleep, for he was wearing his night-cap and slippers.
""Beg your pardon, Sir" said the goat and stifled a yawn. "There is a messenger waiting for you."
"A messenger?" Jeraddin said incredulously. "At this hour?"
"I'm afraid so, Sir."
"Who is it, Albert?" Nasari asked.
"He wouldn't give me his name, ma'am. All he said is that he has come from the capital and that you, sir (here Albert turned to Jeraddin), would recognize him."
Jeraddin stood up.
"Well", he said. "My curiosity is piqued. What say you, my dear? Shall we go in and see who this mystery-man might be?"
"Yes, let us", Nasari agreed.
"I told him to wait in the library", Albert said, as the three of them stepped inside.
"Very good, Albert" said Nasari. "You may go back to sleep."
"Are you quite sure, ma'am?"
"Yes, I believe we can handle things from here."
"In that case", replied the servant and bowed so that his night-cap almost slipped off his be-horned head, "I wish you both a good night."
After they had returned their servant's good-night wishes, Nasari and Jeraddin headed for the library. As the two of them entered, they noticed the visitor, a wolf wearing a blue cape, standing with his back turned, studying the bookshelves.
"You wanted to see us?" Jeraddin asked.
The wolf immediately turned around and as he did, a broad smile spread over Jeraddin's features, for the visitor was none other than a very old friend, one he had not seen in quite a while.
"Xerxes!" The lynx said, walking towards the wolf. "Is that really you?"
"In the flesh, General", Xerxes replied and made a smart salute.
"Darling", Jeraddin said, turning to his wife. "This is Xerxes, an old comrade in arms of mine. He saved my fur many times."
"I only repaid the debt I owed you for saving mine, sir", Xerxes replied with a smile.
"There's no need to be so formal. After all, this isn't the army and I'm not your superior. You know my name, so why not call me by it?"
"That's really nice of you, si...I mean, Jeraddin."
"Think nothing of it", Jeraddin said jovially and patted Xerxes on the shoulder. At that moment, the noise of someone clearing their throat, made the lynx realize that he had neglected to do something important.
"Where are my manners?" He said, shaking his head. "Allow me to present my wife, Nasari."
"Welcome, Xerxes" Nasari said. "Its a pleasure to meet such a close friend of my husband's."
"Pleasure is all mine, ma'm" said the wolf, taking Nasari's paw in his own and kissing it.
"Oh, my", the female cat exclaimed and turned to her husband. "Your friend is quite a charmer, dear. You could learn a thing or two from him", she said, teasingly.
Jeraddin shrugged.
"He always had a way with women", he admitted. "More so than me. Still, I must have done something right? After all, I convinced the most beautiful woman in the World to marry me."
Having said those words, Jeraddin planted a kiss on his wife's cheek, causing her left ear to flutter, slightly.
"Do you have a wife, Xerxes?" Nasari asked.
The Wolf shook his head.
"I'm afraid my preferences lie elsewhere, ma'm" he replied. "I hope you don't mind?"
"Certainly not. I happen to share your tastes in men. Tell me, what do you think of this one?" She asked, touching Jeraddin's arm.
Xerxes immediately flushed red. Fortunately, his General once again came to his rescue:
"You had a message for me?" Jeraddin asked.
Xerxes reached into the folds of his cape and pulled out an envelope.
"Here it is" he said, handing it to Jeraddin.
The lynx studied the envelope, it was a typical example of its kind, except for the fact that it carried the royal seal: A dragon holding a scepter in one of its claws and the head of some grotesque creature in the other. Before opening the envelope, Jeraddin turned to his guest:
"I'm afraid I'm a poor host tonight", he said apologetically. "Your trip here must have left you parched. There are refreshments on the table over there, feel free to help yourself."
"Don't mind if I do", said Xerxes and headed over to the table which his host had pointed out to him. While the wolf served himself a drink, Jeraddin opened the envelope, using one of his claws. He took out the letter and read it, his eyes darting over its content.
"What does it say?" Nasari asked, curiously.
"See for yourself", Jeraddin answered and handed the letter over to her.
Taking the letter from her husband, Nasari read it and as she did, her eyes lit up. This is what the letter said:
To the esteemed General Jeraddin:
As you are no doubt aware, in a few days, five centuries will have passed since the people of Vinoli honored me by choosing me as their leader. Because of this, celebrations will be held throughout the nation, including in the capital. While the people will celebrate in the streets, the more prominent families of Vinoli are invited to a banquet at the palace. It is my wish to see you there, seated at my table, along with your wife and children.
With Regards, Sharan I (King)
"Darling, this is great news", said Nasari while clutching the letter to her breast as if it was a priceless jewel. "Imagine how excited the children will be when we tell them. Leorin has never been to the capital and Risha was too young at the time to remember any of it."
"Indeed", Jeraddin agreed and then turned to Xerxes. "You're of course welcome to stay the night, my friend", he said.
"Oh, I wouldn't wish to impose", the wolf protested. "Just point me in the direction of the nearest inn and I'll stay there."
"Nonsense", Jeraddin said with a dismissive gesture. "I insist that you stay here, we've plenty of room."
"In that case", Xerxes said and put down his now empty glass. "I accept your hospitality, si...Jeraddin and yours as well, ma'am" he added, bowing to Nasari.
"I'm glad to hear it", said the lynx. "Do you want another drink?"
He reached for the bottle and was about to re-fill Xerxes' glass, but the wolf put his paw over it.
"Normally, I wouldn't say no to another drink, but I need to get up early tomorrow. If you don't mind, I think its best that I head to bed."
"Good idea", said Nasari and yawned discreetly. "I'm starting to feel a bit tired myself."
"In that case, let us all go to sleep", said Jeraddin.
With that, the three of them left the library and went their separate ways: Nasari headed towards the master-bedroom, while Jeraddin escorted Xerxes to one of the rooms used to put up over-night guests.
*****
"Sorry to bother you, Your Highness, but where would you like us to put this?"
The Person being addressed in this respectful manner was a female dragon. The First thing one noticed about her was that she was uncommonly tall, even for a member of her species; dwarfing most of the men in the vicinity. The Second thing was her tail, which, unlike the long slender tails most dragons had, was short and misshapen. Now, she turned her eyes towards the canine servant whom had spoken to her, noticing that he and another servant, a cat, were carrying a large wooden table between them, their muscles straining under the weight.
"Put it over there", she said, pointing to a section of the palace-garden in which a low platform had been built.
As the servants trudged towards their designated goal with their burden, the dragoness gazed up at one of the tall trees, who cast their shadow across the garden.
"Make sure to spread the lanterns out evenly across the branches", she said to the falcon, who stood beside her, "and I want another green lantern over there in the elm."
"As you wish your highness", the falcon said and flew of to carry out her wishes.
The Dragoness took a deep breath and gazed contently at the activity which filled the garden; everywhere there were members of the staff doing something, from trimming the hedges of the bushes, to decorating the trees with multi-colored lanterns and garlands, to putting out tables and she was the one responsible for it all. She closed her eyes and smiled blissfully, thinking about the up-coming festivities and the plans she had made for them.
Her reveries were interrupted by someone calling her name:
"Argath! Ah, there you are."
Argath turned around and saw her father, walking slowly towards her.
In his youth, King Sharan had lived an active life. Many centuries ago, he had been part of an adventurer-group, which had traveled around the World, fighting monsters, thwarting villains and all of that other stuff that such groups usually does. These days, age had begun to catch up with the dragon-king and he had to walk with a cane, though he still cut quite an imposing figure, standing taller than most of his subjects, including his children.
"How can I be of service, father?" Argath asked. She bowed and the others followed her example.
"Oh, I just wanted to talk to you for a bit", her father replied, leaning forward on his cane. "You wouldn't mind if I borrow the princess for awhile, do you?" He asked to the servants.
Naturally, none of them did and so, father and daughter began walking together through the garden.
"How goes the preparations?" King Sharan asked, as he sat down on a wooden bench, located underneath an apple-tree.
"They are proceeding smoothly, father", said Argath. She plucked an apple from a branch and took a bite out of it.
"Good, good. Did you send out the invitations to the guests who live outside the city?"
"I did, the couriers left this morning."
"Excellent." The king rose from the bench and touched his daughter's cheek, while smiling at her affectionately. "I know I did the right choice in putting you in charge of the festivities. Out of my remaining children, you've always been the most reliable.
"You flatter me, father" said Argath, gazing humbly down at the grass. "I'm really not worthy of such praise."
"Oh, but you are. You have been my trusted right-hand for so many years. I know that, thanks to you, this celebration will live on forever in people's minds."
At that moment, Argath suddenly began to sway like a tree in the wind, then fell forward. King Sharan reacted quickly, catching his daughter before she made contact with the ground
"I'm fine", she said. "I'm just a bit overworked. With your permission father, I shall retire to my chamber and rest.
"Of course", the King said. "Shall I have the royal physician check up on you?"
"No need to bother the good doctor, I'll be fine with a bit of rest. I'm just going to tell the staff that they'll have to make do without me for a short while."
Argath was just about to do that when king Sharan blocked her way.
"I'll see to that", he said. "You just go inside and rest."
"Thank you, father."
As soon as she was indoors, the friendly look on Argath's face vanished, only to be replaced by a disdainful smirk.
You are absolute right, father, she thought to herself as she walked through the hallways of the palace, servants hurriedly moving out of her way.
The People of Vinoli will remember this feast forever, but it won't be for the reasons you think.
