The Continuing Adventures of Draco Moonbeam

The White Kingdom was the largest, wealthiest and most powerful of all the kingdoms of known Gaia. Its citizens lived in peace, and they loved their queen.

Queen Semna was the absolute monarch of the White Kingdom. She was a middle aged widow of striking beauty and gentle demeanor. Her husband, King Oerick II, however, had never been king of the White Kingdom.

Rather, Oerick II was the king of the neighboring Kingdom of Aeridia, also known as the Middle Kingdom. He came to power when his father, Oerick I, was assassinated as he held court on his throne. It was believed, but not proven, that the vile King Uslan VI of the White Kingdom had ordered it.

Oerick II took power over Aeridia as a young man of 18 years of age. He was loved by his people who viewed him as a fitting heir to his father, to whom he bore a strong resemblance.

Semna came to prominence when the bachelor king discovered her among the commoners of his kingdom and instantly fell in love with her. She was a farm girl of remarkable beauty who lived far away from any town. Very little was known of her upbringing and past, and she preferred to keep it that way, presumably because she was ashamed of her humble roots.

Semna had long scarlet hair which flowed in waist length curls. Her green eyes were far brighter than had ever been seen before. She had an infectious smile and laughed often. Indeed, many fell in love with her just by seeing her.

She had an incredible talent for music. To hear her play her golden flute was to become enamored of her. None had any criticism of her musical abilities.

She was the same age as the young king and graciously accepted his courtship and in time agreed to marry him. They seemed like a match that only destiny could have ordained.

She married Oerick II in a lavish ceremony. Most nations sent envoys or ambassadors to attend. In some instances the neighboring monarchs of other countries attended in person. Notably absent was any representative from the White Kingdom. But most attributed the absence to the long hostilities between the two nations.

Aeridia, the Middle Kingdom, had once been a domain on the western edge of the White Kingdom whose main kingdom was called Lusonia. But about 200 years ago, Aeridia rebelled from the despotic grip of the Naelax dynasty who ruled Lusonia and the White Kingdom. Since then, the two nations had warred frequently with the White Kingdom attempting to regain control over the rebellious state.

So when Oerick II suddenly collapsed and died during his 21st birthday celebration, suspicion immediately fell upon the White Kingdom. Aeridian spies attempted to discern the identity of any who might have administered poison, but their investigations were fruitless.

The Aeridians demanded war with the more powerful White Kingdom. Indeed, its citizens would not be dissuaded.

Queen Semna personally went to war, traveling at the front of the army although she was six months pregnant with Oerick’s son at the time.

Every battle they engaged in was miraculously won by the Aeridian army. They went from city to city until they reached the capital of Lusonia, the White Kingdom’s largest city called Pridda. They marched straight to the palace encountering little resistance. In fact the only violence in the final battle occurred when the Priddan masses stormed the palace and killed their own king and all of his court.

After Uslan VI’s death, the people of the White Kingdom were desirous to have the widow Semna become their queen as well. She graciously accepted and moved her court to the Priddan palace. And the Aeridians were in support of the move. And Queen Semna continued to treat Aeridia with favor.

Thus, the two kingdoms were reunited without hardly any bloodshed.

And the former commoner, Semna, became Queen of Gaia’s largest kingdom.