Have I mentioned that Queen Ellaria might be favorite?
I know, I know. I’m supposed to have favorite children… in reality I only have one, so on that front I’m good. As far as my fictional kids go, it’s either Ellaria or Inahtuu. This scene was originally going to be the first in the entire series for a few reasons:
In many ways, this story I’m telling is Ellaria’s.
I leave behind a fair amount of philosophical and plot based easter eggs.
It adds a layer of depth to our Queen’s character.
Let’s go into detail on each of these points so you can get a better understanding of just how important this scene is.
In many ways, this story I’m telling is Ellaria’s.
I know a lot of folks resonate with our resident brooder, Inahtuu Kinisc, and I’m glad they do. Inahtuu acts as a sort of adhesive for the story, while Ellaria is the wall that things stick to. “The Rule of Nine” is the title for a reason and in universe Ellaria represents “The Rule of Nine” in the flesh. Its longevity, its legacy, its literal existence is wrapped up in the decisions we will watch her make.
The Republic Kingdom was founded by her grandmother, Athenia Shadoon, and her contemporaries after they launched a rebellion against the old Dobashi Empire. The events that followed radically restructured geopolitics in Amashik:
The Dobashi Empire was forced to sign a peace treaty with their western rivals, The United Provinces of Lokmee. Fun fact, the Dobash Province was once one of these united provinces. Though the Dobashi Sea and an ambitious family had a bit to say about that… another day.
The Kingdom of Edhel was given time to rebuild after being embroiled in a defensive war against the Dobashi Empire who had been using the eastern edge of what we know as Athea to launch a war of expansion east.
The Dobashi Empire lost significant land holdings and the goods and services they could offer along with them. This cost the Dobashi financially as it limited their ability to control trade routes. As a result, the Kavanians, the Horaghians, and even the Provinces all become more important regional powers.
I leave behind a fair amount of philosophical and plot based easter eggs.
The opening line is likely my favorite in the entire seires:
“My lady, chaos is oft tempted by order, with its tenuous hold on things…”
It alludes to so much of what is to come and what has already come to pass. I don’t want to spoil anything, but when I read it I can’t help but think about filling a power vacuum. The idea being that chaos can’t help but seek out order of some kind, its hold is fleeting after all. Our best example is the chaotic, exploding universe that somehow ordered itself enough for you to be reading this.
One of the other lines of note is one of the last. This line also carries a heavy load:
“Inevitable, such a definitive word… it’s a shame order carries far more authority.”
What does inevitable mean to you? I’ve always found it a bit nihilistic. As though one is throwing up their hands in response to the chaos that comes with the natural order of things. While order has a more pragmatic connotation for me. Those who work towards ordering the chaos are those crazy enough to think they can shape the future.
It adds a layer of depth to our Queen’s character.
The scene that ultimately ended up introducing Queen Ellaria shows he as an educator. One who has a subtle way about her; she knows enough to question her students rashness and seeming proclivity towards violence yet is well-tempered enough not to force those feelings out of him.
In this scene we she that she’s rather proficient with a sword. What you’ll find out later in the story is that she’s quite the politician as well. Queen Ellaria is like an onion, peel back one layer and reveal many more. Another fun fact: women in Athea are prohibited from serving in the military, though not for the reasons that you think.
When Ellaria’s grandmother Athenia assumed the role of Queen she was in the midst of a war. She and the other member’s of the nine needed to show their willingness to fight in order to win over the people in the rebellious republic who were still loyal to the Emperor. Yet they knew in order for this experiment to work their children needed to survive, most of which were young girls. The solution was simple: forbid women from serving in the military. This certainly hurt the war effort at the time, but it was well worth it in the end.
### PAGE 10 (3 Panels)
Scene 4 (/1/4 pages/)
*Panel 1*
BIRD’S EYE/ HIGH ANGLE
Ellaria and SELAGUS “DULLBLADE” GIDIOUS are dueling with real blades in a hidden, and narrow, courtyard within the walls of Evermore Castle, within Ennea. Selagus is a handsome man in his 40’s, he fought along side the King himself when they were younger men, he looks tough. Tired. But handsome.
He has a jet black, scruffy, thick beard. His hair is just as black and is slicked back and tucked behind his ears. He is of Latin descent, he is also the father of Nyedera, a student of Ellaria’s, they should look similar.
Selagus and the queen both have short arming swords; the queen is wearing leather pants, riding boots, dark gloves, and a small coat of plates while Sabas is wearing a long coat that looked to be made of gambeson. They are nearing the end of their duel as Selagus breaks the silence. The two are both holding their swords high in their right hands, their left hands off to their sides.
1 SELAGUS My Lady, chaos is oft tempted by order…
2 SELAGUS ...with its tenuous hold on things.
*Panel 2*
Ellaria, looks tired, but unfazed. She swings her blade at Selagus’ thighs in a sweeping motion, from right to left, forcing him to jump back. He smiles as he gets out of the way and keeps his guard.
1 ELLARIA The two oft behave as forbidden lovers.
2 ELLARIA One beholden to commitments of the past, the other with the freedom to act as they well please.
*Panel 3*
Selagus confidently swings downward towards Ellaria’s chest, she raises her blade quickly to block his blow.
### PAGE 11 (3 Panels)
Scene 4 (/2/4 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Selagus steps forward and thrusts his blade towards Ellaria. She easily parries the blow by knocking it off course. She smirks as she knocks his blade from her right to left.
1 SELAGUS Chaos creates.
2 SELAGUS Order shapes.
*Panel 2*
Stepping forward again Selagus now sweeps his blade, from right to left, at Ellaria’s face. She leans backwards out of the way of his blade. Although she is being forced to retreat, she’s keeping her balance, she doesn’t look worried.
1 SELAGUS The former aims to question, the latter offers up an answer.
*Panel 3*
Ellaria recovers quickly with a quick thrust of her own. Selagus moves to deflect the blow but it makes contact with his torso. It doesn’t pierce his gambeson.
1 SELAGUS One exists to push limits, the other to serve as a boundary.
### PAGE 12 (3 Panels)
Scene 4 (/3/4 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Ellaria now presses Selagus. She quickly raises her blade and swings downward, from right to left, towards his neck. He has to duck in order to give himself enough time to raise his blade to block her attack.
1 ELLARIA Be that as it may, not all boundaries can withstand the forces thrown at them…
*Panel 2*
Ellaria kicks Selagus in his chest while he is off balance and out of position. Selagus didn’t expect it and is knocked back by the force of her kick.
1 ELLARIA …and answers given too quickly often create more problems than they solve.
*Panel 3*
Ellaria steps forward and lightly places her blade on Selagus’ neck. He is on his butt, hands at his side. They both smile at one another. Selagus looks proud, Ellaria satisfied. There is a bit of sexual tension between the two.
1 ELLARIA Remember Sir, order can only shape that which chaos creates.
1 SELAGUS Yes… in its feigned attempt at holding back the inevitable.
### PAGE 13 ( 3 Panels)
Scene 4 (/4/4 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Ellaria reaches downward with her left hand to help Selagus up, he reaches up and grabs her forearm with his left hand as she pulls him up. The two lock eyes.
1 ELLARIA Inevitable. Such a definitive word…
2 ELLARIA …it’s a shame order carries far more *authority*.
1 SELAGUS Would save us all a fair bit of suffering were that not so.
*Panel 2*
With Selagus and Ellaria standing chest to chest, they stare into each other’s eyes. Selagus is a fair bit taller than Ellaria but not much. They don’t embrace, they just hold each other’s forearms tightly.
*Panel 3*
The two step back from one another. Heads down. They don’t look embarrassed, but they do look as though they know what they are doing is wrong. They look as though they want nothing more than to kiss each other in that moment, but are holding back.
The Queen’s hands clasped in front of her, left over right, with her blade still in hand; Selagus with his hands behind his back, his blade also still in hand.
1 ELLARIA Indeed it would, Sir Selagus. Unfortunately, it wou- -
1 SABAS My Lady, what is understood, needn’t be explained.
"What does inevitable mean to you? I’ve always found it a bit nihilistic. As though one is throwing up their hands in response to the chaos that comes with the natural order of things."
For me, I think "inevitable" means throwing up one's hands at an obvious consequence of their actions, rather than change course or admit the likelihood of said consequence. While we never have every element under our control at any given time, there the "those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it" concept, which carries a lot of truth. If you close your eyes tight and just do whatever you want regardless of learned outcomes, that's "inevitability". We COULD change course, but if we don't, then we can't say the results weren't inevitable.
*pinches fingers* ahh, subtext :)