Lover of the Queen: Prologue
Lover of the Queen
In ages long forgotten, chaos loomed before the Great Cataclysm. Machines, wielded in human hands, bound society with invisible chains. Through these devices, a collective consciousness emerged–an agent for mischief and deceit. War erupted across the four corners of the Earth. With each passing second, death and hunger claimed more souls. The next phase of evolution seemed to promise extinction.
But through chaos, creation flourishes. As evil corroded hearts, women suffered in the grasp of those who should protect them. The wind howled like a wounded wolf, and the earth trembled beneath the burden of our sins. Days bled into nights, hope long extinguished—until a golden light broke through the clouds. The Mother, Lossar, clad in her radiant orange gown, spoke, her voice echoing across the vastness of the land.
“My poor daughters, how could the other children bring you such harm? They turned their eyes away, letting corruption spread like a plague within their souls. But fear not—this cruel fate shall trouble you no more.”
To save humankind, she obliterated what the old books call “technology,” forcing everyone to adapt to a life their ancients had experienced far back in history. The world as they knew it was no longer the same. As our goddess reshaped the heavens and the seas, she did the same to the hearts of the ones she created.
The Lady of Time welcomed those who reflected her essence: compassion, empathy, and wisdom. With her blessing, she bestowed on women magic, distinguished intelligence, and otherworldly strength.
Charged with mending conflicts, they also tended the harvest. As healers, guardians, and protectors of life, they earned reverence throughout the enchanted land of Lostany.
Thus, to maintain balance, the Great Mother called for a guide to walk beside her—for she needed no spokesperson, desiring only to remain among her people. The Mages should choose from among themselves. After that, the Wheel of Earth would turn again.
Men also received a gift—the chance to start anew, to relearn kindness and coexistence through a humbler lifestyle that depended on magic to sustain itself. Unseen Eyes would witness and accompany their every step and report to Her Holiness. Thus, the land of Sur Nam Khaar was their new home.
When she realized her kin was safe again, the goddess cried. Alongside grief, trust and forgiveness filled Lossar’s heart. Her tears watered the fields and forests, which grew lush and blessed.
“Sorrow brings pain, but letting it go might turn your surroundings into something beautiful.” She smiled. “My sons, too, shall have the chance to witness this miracle.”
With great compassion, she granted them the chance to atone and shared her most precious jewels with both peoples.
For the Great Mother, kids were special beings who demanded unconditional love and care. She rejected any trace of unwanted reproduction, so when children were born, they were called Treasures of the Ages, for they held hope for a better future. In her boundless grace, the Lady of Time gave men the guardianship of boys. With them, they would learn tenderness and compassion. Women, instead, nurtured the girls, weaving bonds of sisterhood and awakening their mystical gifts.
To honor their chance of beginning anew, the young ones of Sur Nam Khaar were deemed to hold a feast every twenty-three years, during the Summer Solstice. It would celebrate the alliance between them and the Lostany, as well as their youth coming of age.
There would be dancing, singing, and the most delicious food one could ever taste. But the Queen of the Lostany was a feisty one, and at dawn she had one man vanish along with the mages. The elders whispered that those who disappeared were devoured, slain, or sacrificed to appease the Great Mother. A regrettable loss, but necessary to prevent a greater evil.
On the morning before the festivities, the former queen prepared to place the fate of her people into the hands of a new generation. No one knew who the late sovereign was until she handed over her position and presented herself to the villagers.
Though legends spoke of the Queen’s wrath, she was known as sweet and forgiving—a reflection of Lossar’s legacy. Her wisdom could settle any dispute, and those who strayed from the righteous soon understood why she was the mage’s ruler.
In times of need, she made way for all with her bare fists, and her magic brought abundance to the once-hungry. Her vigilance and care for Sur Nam Khaar echoed throughout history.
It was a beautiful morning. My parents, Alejandro — a grumpy man with midnight-black hair, and Brandon — a strong, blond, green-eyed person, sent me into the forest to chop wood. I had turned twenty-three, and joined many other young ones in Sur Nam Khaar to welcome summer’s glorious return.
My emotions surged inside me, so raw and intense that my skin felt like a water surface touched by lightning. I needed to burn off some energy, or else I’d run as a madman into the wild.
We all had shared moments of intimacy, which eased our hunger for a while. Yet those who held affection for all kinds of people longed for the day the Mages would join us.
The Lostany from older generations appeared sporadically before the next feast to solve minor matters of justice, care for the occasional seriously ill person, and to satisfy their desires. The young ones were not permitted to come to these lands until the fateful Solstice.
We had been prepared from a tender age for this moment. We could yield to the charms of the Mages, and if it was the Goddess’s will, more Treasures would be born, and the pact of friendship between our peoples renewed.
Just as birds did, we learned the secrets of courtship, such as dancing, playing instruments, and singing. Our elders taught us how to apply makeup to celebrate the seasons and prepare for the most significant night of our lives.
Despite the event’s happiness, my parents and other men in the village secretly begged the Mother to free their Treasures from the Queen’s grasp.
“Alessio! It’s time!” my father, Brandon, shouted and brought me back from my train of thought.
My hands were filthy, so I wiped the sweat from my forehead with them, gathered the firewood in my arms, slung the axe over my shoulder, and walked home. I wasn’t as strong or as graceful as other boys my age, but I had my charms and was beyond excited for today. There was a shadow lurking inside me, that I’d finally be able to let out.
While my parents beseeched for one thing, little did they know that what I’d been praying for since I was a kid clashed with their request. For years, I’ve been dreaming about this woman, the most beautiful creature I have laid eyes on.
Despite not seeing her face, her figure and ways enchanted me as much as her presence froze every inch of my body. Dread and desire filled me, because I knew she was the Queen of the Lostany. As she visited me repeatedly, I was more confident that I would do anything for her to choose me.
Over the last year, I have begged harder for Mother to heed my call and ask her to comfort my two old fathers when the time comes. With that wish blooming in my heart, I entered our cozy, humble hut, and my brunette parent came out to meet me.
“What do you think you’re doing? Put that down. You can’t be late.”
“Easy, Dad. I need to finish my chores first,” I replied, placing the wood by the stove.
“Listen to him, Alessio.” My father, Alejandro, came into the room all dressed up. “The party won’t start without the most handsome boy, so you’d better hurry.”
I chuckled and nodded.
“As you wish, I shall obey,” I said, bowing in exaggerated reverence.
Alejandro forced a smile, but his lips shivered. He struggled to hide the fear and sorrow that trembled within him. His breath quickened, and sorrow etched lines into his face, carving it like a weathered wooden figure.
“I can hardly believe this day has arrived,” he murmured, his voice cracking with anxiety. With tears welling in his eyes, he sobbed and howled, holding me in a tight hug.
“Dad…” I murmured, caressing his back.
“Darling, we must make our son’s Solstice as joyful as possible. There’s no reason for mourning; Her blessings brought us together.” My blond parent replied, kissing the brunette one’s forehead.
“Dry your tears, husband, they’ll smudge your eyes and ruin your makeup. Come on, child, let’s get you cleaned,” Alejandro said, forcing a lighthearted tone to disguise his lingering fear and sadness.
Alejandro breathed deeply as Brandon and I walked to the tub outside the house. I undressed and got in; the water covered my body with its warm embrace. Father poured some of it on my head, laughed and joked to ease my anxiety. Showered with paternal love, I leaned against the reinforced wood and asked, as he scrubbed my back:
“Why is Dad Alejandro so nervous today?”
“Oh,” Brandon sighed. “It was difficult for everyone when we found out that Kenta, our friend, was gone after our celebration. Your father still mourns him, and he’s afraid the same will happen to you. But we… we know that the Great Mother is sovereign, and not a leaf falls against Her will.”
I paused, my mind racing with worry and curiosity, my secret bubbling in my chest, forcing the excitement towards the surface. The next question slipped out of my lips as my nervousness overtook restraint.
“And how was it for you?”
“Was what, dear?”
“The feast.”
“Ah!” Brandon laughed wistfully. “It was wonderful. I met a mage; her hair smelled of flowers blooming, and she had eyes as blue as the ocean. Ji-Ah was an intelligent and funny woman, and came to give her blessings when your dad and I got married.”
“You… I mean, you and she had…” I wanted to, but I couldn’t quite say it.
“If we were intimate, you mean? Oh, yes, for years! But when grumpy-face Alejandro declared himself to me, she felt my joy. My dear friend even joined us for some adventures before bringing you to be our beloved Treasure of the Ages.”
Even if I tried, my red cheeks betrayed me, portraying the nature of revealing a swirl of embarrassment and bashful curiosity at the thoughts racing through my head.
“It’s a matter of time until I offer my life to the one I desire and fear the most.”, I shivered and smirked, and my eyes must have wandered, because he pulled me out of my reverie again, drying my hair like he would dry a horse.
“Ouch!” I complained.
“Don’t just gaze aimlessly while I talk to you? Pay attention, son,” Brandon said, cupping my face in his hands. “This is your night, my boy. Have fun, free your body and your soul. Allow yourself to be enchanted by the Lostany and have a sip of its charms. But never forget that we love you.”
His emerald green eyes shone watery with worry and affection. The unshed tears made them glassy as he looked at me with pride and fear.
“Alejandro is worried, and so am I. Don’t be mistaken, we are grateful for the gifts of the Great Mother. But we know that, before being ours, you were always Hers. Now hurry, dry yourself and get dressed; sunset will be upon us soon.”
My father went ahead as I got up. My ears captured the noise coming from the city entrance already, and that was reason enough for me to run home. The most anticipated celebration of my life was about to begin.
Editor: Lucy Cafiero
How crazy to think of living in a way so different from our reality! And even more so with such sincerity and easy talk. I’m excited to learn more and follow this story!
Thank you for your comment!
I hope the wonders of this world sway your heart!