The Queen's Rising

She walks with grace upon the clouds, and the stars know her by name.

That is a true gift, to help others see the world in a different way.

I cannot tell you what to decide, what is best," he stated. "That is for your heart to choose, Brienna. But I will say this: no matter which path you choose, I will follow you, even unto darkness.

There are many secret doors around us, in plain sight. We just don't take the time to find and open them.

I will take and love all of you, Brienna MacQuinn, your shadows and your light, for you have challenged me; you have captivated me. And I desire no other but you.

Passion is wholehearted devotion; it is fervor and agony; it is temper and zeal.

As for my part, I was books and journals and loose papers.

If you believe you will fail, then you most likely will.

There is no passion without pain..

How shall I remember thee? As a drop of eternal summer, or a blossom of tender spring? As a spark of autumn's stirring fire, or perhaps as the frost of winter's longest night? No, it shall not be as one of these, for these shall all come to pass, and you and I, though parted by sea and earth, will never fade.

This is how we prepare for war, I thought as a dark peace wove between the queen and me. This is how we face the unexpected—not by our swords and our shields and our armor. Not even by the woad we paint upon our skin. We are ready because of sisterhood, because our bonds go deeper than blood. We rise for the queens of our past, and for the queens to come.

So we rise to the challenge knowing that the victory is already ours.

Come on, fight me as a queen would.

But perhaps that made me want it even more, to prove that passion was not just inherently gifted as some people believed, but that passion could be earned by anyone, a commoner or noble, even if they did not have intrinsic skill.

But your art creates a window into another world,” I said, smiling at her. “That is a true gift, to help others see the world in a different way.

The song was rich and slow; it made me want to shed my heavy dress for a lighter one, to dance in the pastures, to swim in the river, to taste every piece of fruit, drink every stream of moonlight. It made me feel old and young, wise and naïve, curious and satisfied.

That when we return to our fallen lands, when we stand in our halls among our people once more . . . it will feel like we have finally woken.

The mare and I took to the fields, chasing after the sun in the west, following the promise of blue wildflowers.

I was content to watch the sun continue her arc across the sky, weaving long tendrils of grass together as I reflected on all that had come to pass, a faithful dog at my side.

Because vengeance doesn't taste quite how you imagine it will [...] It leaves a mark.

Where is proof of this law?” he asked, his voice dropping low and dark.

I knew one day you would ask for it,” Cartier responded.

Is there something else you long to ask me, Brienna?

Try telling that to Luc.

It was strange to think of, how slowly time had moved until we had reached a certain point. And then the days had flowed as water, rushing us along to this night. I still didn’t feel wholly prepared. . . .

I will take back the life I gave her.

She set her back to him and walked, walked until the mist came about her.