Queen Viplo's Story (Legends of Kolora)

"The Three Deaths War, is a tale that, if not heard and if not respected, will happen again. For I was there, all those centuries ago. I still remember leading my undead armies, trying to reach these formidable walls. Your ancestors fought tirelessly, its allies sacrificed everything and had to pay the price for decades, and still are even today," warned King Riter as he shambled around in his decayed blue robes.

For the last 200 years, he was forced to take a tour around Kamo, the Silver Mountains, and Green Swamps to apologise for the war and had to pay tribute to each nation. However, King Riter, over time, enjoyed learning, talking, and teaching, and in return, when he did visit, he was seen as a sage, a historian, an invaluable source of power and knowledge. He was seen by many as the closest thing to an actual undead god. This did not last long, though, as the current King of Kamo, King Karron, was wasting money on lavish parties. Though King Riter was forced to attend, all he saw was a drunken fool, and one who would not take his warnings seriously. This angered King Riter, but luckily, he only had to endure it for another 2 days. A mere second to his lifespan.

"King Riter, if it helps, I wish to know more about how Kamo managed to move on. I'm curious how it didn't collapse despite the numerous problems it had to face after the war," said Queen Viplo, a half-elf who was both beautiful and wise. Her charm was silent and graceful; even a drunkard like King Karron was wise enough to listen when she spoke. King Riter felt relieved when he heard her voice.

"That is a long and painful answer, but in short. The other nations couldn't take advantage of the situation; the leaders of Kamo at the time were very forward thinking, and of course, the Chrissten faith, all wove together a strong enough net to prevent rebellion, corruption, and collapse from taking place," answered King Riter.

"But didn't the reconstruction efforts stall due to corruption?" asked Queen Viplo.

"Yes, but that was around a decade later, and they were only able to do so since Queen Zera began to fall into her madness. However, males like Shelo Longsword and Lord Kalmo were able to snuff out the smaller roots. The deeper ones had to be found out by a complete outsider."

"Cur-Kel and Princess Kera," said Queen Viplo.

"Correct. The humble Duck Lord had no bias, and thus, he was able to ask questions no one thought to ask. He noticed problems before anyone else did, and it is those reasons Kamo didn't fall, because Kamo has been blessed by the Great Lion Gods with forward-thinking leaders, and outsiders who, for better or for worse, love this country, even if they were forced to be here, they made it count," said King Riter.

"If only my husband could understand that wisdom," sighed Queen Viplo.

"Exactly why he is such a terrible king, and a disgrace to this castle and his family name. I'm surprised you haven't killed him yet," said King Riter.

"The thought has crossed my mind. Several times in fact, but ever since I became a Chrissten and took the faith seriously, such thoughts are disgusting to me," replied Queen Viplo.

The news shocked King Riter. "You're a Chrissten? What made you a convert, and who all knows?" asked King Riter, intrigued by what may come next.

"The scrolls. I read them. From each Chris to Heraptis. They made more sense to me than anything the priests of the Lion Gods said. Chrissim asks and answers questions that the Lion Gods are afraid of, and only a handful of my servants know since they witnessed my baptism in blood, water, and spirit," answered Queen Viplo, her voice softening, not allowing another soul to hear her words.

"Can you give specifics?" asked King Riter, his curiosity being piqued.

"I will, but not here, and not now," said Queen Viplo this time with fear in her voice.

"Who are you afraid of?" asked King Riter, his curiosity turning into concern.

"My husband doesn't know, and if he does me might kill me and will try to hunt down every Chrissten in the country. I would be risking the lives of thousands, and for what? To tell the truth to a man too drunk to listen or comprehend what I'm saying?" whispered Queen Viplo.

"I see. You are quite the wise and compassionate ruler. Though I may not be a Chrissten myself, if you ever need protection and safety, my lands will be available to you. I've seen the good fruit of Chrissim and to allow someone like King Karron to destroy it would make him an enemy to all good people," said King Riter.

"Thank you, King Riter," said Queen Viplo as she hugged him. Tears began to silently fall.

"Excuse me, but I'm getting bored with all this mumbling. If you two are done, can we get on with the celebration?" shouted the drunk king. His court began to murmur loudly, as before they did so in their own whispers.

"Yes, of course," said Queen Viplo as she returned to her throne and wiped her tears away.

"Are you trying to replace me with that lich?" asked King Karron as he leaned across his throne to Queen Viplo's ear.

"No, dear. I befriended an angel. Unlike you, I appreciate history and its wisdom," said Queen Viplo as she just stared at King Riter, trying not to show fear. Except her eyes, which widened and shook.

"If you're so in love, then why are you still here? Why not just divorce me and run to his cobweb-covered scrolls and dusty old books?" asked King Karron.

"Because I have a duty to this country and its people. I love them more than myself," answered Queen Viplo.

"Ha, what a joke. Tell me then, why did you betray them by becoming a Chrissten?" asked King Karron Vemon, not pouring out of his mouth instead of alcohol. Queen didn't answer; she gulped. She tried to formulate a sentence but couldn't; her mouth trembled, and her hands began to shake as she gripped the armrest of her throne until her knuckles turned white.

"My queen, is something wrong?" asked King Riter as he stood in front of the couple.

"No, King Riter. I just realized I forgot something. That is all," answered Queen Viplo, still trying, but completely failing to not show fear.

"Yes, she forgot her loyalty was to the Lion Gods, and not the so-called True God. It would seem that she was converting, such a silly woman," said King Karron.

"And if she's right?" asked King Riter.

"What do you mean?" asked King Karron.

"What if the True God is real?" asked King Riter.

"He's not, and even if he is, the Lion Gods are stronger," answered King Karron.

"Really? How do you know?" asked King Riter.

"Why are you asking me these things? You're not seriously considering converting to Chrissim are you?" asked King Karron, who was getting annoyed by the simple questions.

"Because, if our gods are weaker than the True God, why worship them? They are not the reason we live and die, and someone else is; then we made a mistake and thus should correct it. And if they are stronger, then shouldn't the True God be no problem for them? In either case, your wife is on a spiritual journey, and no matter the truth, her understanding of the world will change. Her view of truth will change. So I challenge you, King Karron of Kamo, if you love your wife so much, walk beside her. It may prove useful," said King Riter.

"Get out. GET OUT!" shouted King Karron. His voice silenced the court and rang throughout the room.

"You dare tell a demigod what to do? You are truly the most foolish ruler I've ever met," said King Riter as he turned and walked away.

"Consider my debt to Kamo paid off. I've tried my best to speak reason and replied by throwing a tantrum. I will, for now, skip Kamo and share my knowledge with your neighbors. You will fall behind; you will be trying desperately to catch up from now on. Oh, and one more thing. If any harm comes to Queen Viplo. I will make sure your house burns down," declared King Riter as he exited the castle. King Karron then slowly turned to Queen Viplo.

"What did you say to him? WHAT DID YOU SAY TO HIM!?" shouted King Karron right into Queen Viplo's ears. Tears fell once again, not from rejoicing, but from pain.

"I...I told him I was converting. I already went through with it. I'm a Chrissten now," cried Queen Viplo. Shd turned her head in disgrace. The court gasped and then fell into a fiery uproar. Shouting matches began, and guards rushed in to stop any drunk noble or hot-headed lord from killing each other. King Karron's blood boiled.

"TRAITOR! YOU'VE BETRAYED OUR NATION'S GODS!? WELL THEN! SINCE I CAN'T HARM YOU IN ANY WAY, I'LL JUST BANISH YOU INSTEAD! NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT AND CRY TO YOUR FALSE GOD OR BETTER YET TO YOUR NOW DEAR KING RITER!" shouted King Karron, filled with drunken rage. He slammed his fist onto her armrest, nearly breaking it in the process. Queen Viplo stood up and walked out. Her face was red with embarrassment and sadness. She went to her room, fell onto the bed, and cried for hours. Her personal servants and handmaids locked the door and began to block it with furniture just in case anyone tried to bust in and do the queen wrong. They then left for the other room to give their queen privacy.

"True master, hear my prayer. I beg for protection and salvation. Save my husband from his wine, and me from his fury, but if there must be a victium, let it be me and not my people," cried Queen Viplo. The sounds of the door being banged and shouting guards made the queen's heart skip a beat. They soon broke down the door, only to find a pile of furniture blocking them. They pushed roughly half the pile off, causing a loud crashing sound of wood, stone, and metal. They then pushed the remaining door open. They surround the queen, who was still crying. Her handmaids and loyal servants then jumped in between, ready to die if need be. Then faint screams were heard, and then fire descended on a section of the castle. Followed by a large dragon skeleton landing and roaring. Spells, arrows, and siege weapons all fired upon the beast, but with little effect.

"King Riter is here. He's storming the castle. Please talk some sense into him," pleaded the captain of the guards who rushed in and knelt before the queen.

"Why should I?" asked the queen as she composed herself and stood over the knight. Her face was red, and her eyes were still watery.

"Because you said you care more about the people than yourself. King Riter is killing your people and calling it justice. I don't like King Karron all that much either, but he's still the king. Only you can stop this," said the Captain, now desperate.

"What are you afraid of more: Your family dying to a false god, or the king ordering your execution and then killing your family?" asked the queen, her compassion replaced with a stone-cold heart.

"A life without my family means I am nothing," said the captain, shaking with anxiety.

"Why not make a new one?" asked the queen.

"What? No, I can't just replace my family with another one. I love them more than anything. Replacing would mean I never truly loved them in the first place," said the captain.

"Now you know how I feel. You were there when I was married to the king. You were there when I was forced to watch our king use his power to ruin people's lives. My people. They are my family, and I will not replace them," said the queen as she returned to her compassionate self.

She walked calmly and gracefully through the halls of the castle as it rumbled and shook. People were running in all directions like ants. When she reached the throne room, she saw King Riter and a large group of undead surrounding King Karron. King Riter was holding up by the throat using necro-magic while King Karron's forces were trying desperately to fight toward their king, but the wall of undead prevented them from making any progress. Until Queen Viplo arrived, when she did, King Riter stood down the second he saw her, and so did his undead army.

"Ah, yes, Queen Viplo. Good to see you're safe, so you weren't lying after all," said King Riter, slowly calming down and dropping King Karron to the ground. King Karron began coughing heavily.

"King Riter, Lich Lord of the White Valleys. I ask that you leave here. I respect your noble attack, but the cost of life was too great for something so trivial for you. Please, let my husband go; he has learned his lesson, and if he hasn't...Then I will ask for your return," ordered the queen as she now stood taller and more proper. Almost like a mother talking to her kids. King Riter nodded, and the undead turned around and began leaving.

"Never forget this day, King Karron. Never forget how your wife fought for life, and never forget that if you dare hurt her, I will burn this city to the ground and increase my army 10 fold. Then again, if the prophecies of the Chris's are to be believed. I won't need to," said King Riter as he exited the throne room and left on his undead dragon.

Queen Viplo knelt beside King Karron, who was still gagging and trying to process his defeat. His humiliation.

"Tell me. Why does he listen to you?" asked King Karron.

"Because, dear. I am a direct descendant of King Riter himself. Even though I grew up in the Golden Forests, he's been watching over my family ever since he became a lich," said the queen, with newfound confidence.

"Why did you never tell me?" asked King Karron.

"Because you would have treated that fact like everything else. No respect, no care, and only for personal gain. I gave so much by coming here; I left everything I knew behind. You never have and you never will," said Queen Viplo as she stood up and sat on her throne, looking down at the simple man before her.

Several tapestries of this story hang throughout the halls of Kamo Castle. They hang as a reminder, a warning, and for one: a memorial.