Dawn of Night Chapter Two: Dark Tidings

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Over the End, two figures traversed the starlight void of the floating dimension. One was an Ender Dragon, while the other was an Ender Knight. Together, they flew across the endless chasms between the islands. As they traveled to the capital of the End, their wing beats were the only thing breaking the silence of the tranquil sky. Cool wind whipped around them, and the sweet smell of chorus fruit was present. Below them, on the islands, Endermen watched them pass while teleporting through the terrain.

The Ender Knight looked at the suffocating blackness surrounding him and sighed. On days like this, Valiant was always tired. Part of it was because he dreaded going to headquarters. There, he was always mocked. This was probably because he was probably the only Ender Knight who couldn’t use a blade. *Put a sword in my hand and I’ll end up accidentally killing myself rather than the target,* Valiant reflected ruefully. Technically, he was extremely strong from working in the forge all his life, and was a master of hand to hand. But since he couldn’t wield a weapon, his peers had stopped paying him any attention. *All they care about is who has the fanciest blade skill,* Valiant grumped. It also didn’t help that he was short, being barely more than four feet tall. The one thing he excelled at uniquely was at making and fixing both weapons and armors. In fact, he was one of only three people alive who could make obsidian armor. But even though everyone used this service, they never thanked him. Because what we truly need are more warriors even though we don’t have an entire army of them, he scowled.

Even his dragon was ridiculed. It wasn’t Vishy’s fault that he was an odd dragon. Because of some mutation, he had abnormally large wings and was a couple heads shorter than other dragons. But he was still mocked, even by other dragons. Valiant could have sworn that he had heard the other dragons laugh at poor Vishy.

Vishy sensed his master’s misery and twisted his head to nudge Valiant. Valiant laughed and rubbed his dragon’s head. “At least I still have you by my side.” Suddenly, more dragon wing beats could be heard. A new knight and dragon came into view and went alongside Valiant and Vishy. One look confirmed what Valiant knew. It was Vector and his dragon, Varsity.

Together, the two Ender Knights flew in silence until Vector cleared his throat and began his usual argument. In exasperation, Valiant sighed as he prepared for what was coming up. “What do you think should be done about our leadership issue?” As usual, Vector was bashing Queen Abbigail. “Vector, I still don’t see what the problem with our leadership is. What is wrong with our current Queen?” Vector, who had been facing forward, now turned to Valiant with a look of shock on his face. Valiant sighed as he continued. “I mean, really, what is the issue? We are still at peace, are we not?” Vector shook his head sadly and launched into his speech.

“What is wrong? I’ll tell you.” *That's a shocker,* Valiant thought sarcastically. *All you do is tell us what problems you have with her!* “The problem, Valiant, is that we are not doing our duty.” Purely to be polite, Valiant put a confused look on his face. “We are supposed to be protecting the Overworld, but we aren’t,” Vector scowled, “I mean look at Cydonia and K’arthen! They are fighting over trade all over again! We are supposed to protect the overworld, even if that means protecting it from itself. When the Ender Empire ruled, these problems never happened! Now, if the Nether struck, they could easily take over! We need to make the land united. We should take over, but no! The Queen (that had a sneer to it) won’t step up to take charge! She’s too soft on them!”

Fortunately for Valiant, the end capital was near. Even though he had seen it many times, Valiant was amazed by the grandeur of the sight. *It’s so huge, and I get to be a part of it!* It was massive and shaped like a dome. The roof and support columns were obsidian, while the floor was made of purpur blocks. The walls were made of end stone, and the dome-like fortress was surrounded by obsidian pillars that had end crystals on top like little crowns. Together, both dragons landed on the island floor before the fortress. Both Vector and Valiant swung themselves to the ground and proceeded to the capital city as stable hands came to bring their mounts to the dragon stables. Around them, Endermen and knights scurried around. Nobody gave them a second glance as they passed into the fortress.

Vector waved to Valiant. “I’m gone for a meeting with some friends. I’ll catch up to you later!” Valiant simply shrugged and continued moving forward as Vector ran off. *You always say that, Vector, but you never do catch up.* Valiant walked through the halls, all light by end rods. All around, shulkers watched over the fortress. They opened and watched him, but left him alone since he was a knight.

Valiant entered the center of the fortress which was an open room the size of an end island. Over in the left corner, Nina waved him over. She was one of the few people who didn’t mock or tease him. He went over and stood at the corner of the group she was in. Because she was popular, she always had a crowd with her. As he joined the group, many of the other knights grumbled, though they knew better than to say something about it out-loud. Nina turned towards him. “We were just discussing the Overworld war,” She smiled. “What do you think about it?”

“I believe the Overworld is being foolish. If trade is the problem, just start trading again.” Nina looked at him confused. *So I must have said something wrong.* Then he remembered that, according to Vector, it had all started when K’arthen had attacked Cydonia. Yet another reason Vector used against the Queen. “We should be protecting the other kingdoms from attack since they are part of the Overworld, but we simply let K’arthen get away with injustice!” Because of this, Valiant rephrased his response. “I mean, just because K’arthen attacked doesn’t mean go ballistic! K’arthen only did it because they needed food badly.”

Valiant could tell from the expressions of the other Ender Knights that he was about to get verbally attacked. Because Vector was also popular, you had to have a death wish to go against any of his evidence. *Which makes K’arthen the villain.* To avoid the argument coming, Valiant ran out of the group and to a secluded halfway nearby. After taking some breathers, he turned to leave. But at that same moment, he heard voices coming from around the corner. *Odd. Nobody ever comes here anymore except me.* Deciding to figure out what was happening, Valiant turned again, this time to hide where he could hear. He flattened himself against the corner of the edge. Staying silent, he listened to the voices.

Valiant was surprised to find that he knew both the voices. *It’s Vector and Amcour!* “Vector, what you are asking is too much!” Amcour’s voice was filled with panic. “You can’t ask me to betray her!” Vector replied in a rough, furious tone. “You promised me you would stand with me! Besides, have you forgotten you owe me a life debt?” A whimper escaped Amcour and Valiant could imagine him cowering right now as Vector towered over him. “Don’t forget your place, Amcour. She has been in power for much too long. It is time for something new.” Suddenly, footsteps could be heard headed Valiant’s way. *They must be returning to the center!* Valiant turned and ran towards the main room in terror. *I can’t let them know I listened in!* Just in time, Valiant made it to the main room and hid himself in the crowd. Vector appeared seconds later, casting suspicious glances through the crowd as he doubled over to catch his breath. *He must have heard me run. He knows someone listened in on his conversation. I must tell sis about this!*

Valiant discretely headed towards the hall leading to the Queen’s personal chamber. *I must hurry.* *Before something happens.* *Their conversation didn’t sound good.* In his dazed rush, he didn’t realize that he had reached her door until he was there. To either side of the door, an Ender Knight with a spear and shield stood guard. As he tried to enter the Queen’s room, they blocked the way with their spears. “Let me in! I must see the Queen immediately!” Standing still as statues, the guards refused to let him pass. Valiant was about to fight his way through, when suddenly a voice called from within the Queen’s chambers. “Is that Valiant I hear shouting?” The guards looked at each other before the one on the left answered in a deep voice. “Yes your highness, it is.” Valiant held his breath as he waited and sighed with relief when Abbigail replied. “Then let him in. We might as well see what he has to say this time.” Valiant didn’t like the Queen’s exhausted tone as the guards around snickered at his dispense. However, the knights did uncross their spears and let him through. Nodding to each guard, Valiant crossed into the Queen’s chambers.

Abbigail was standing in the center, wearing her full armor and her crown. On her back, the EnderBlade glowed a fierce purple. As soon as he stepped in, Valiant bowed as he waited for her to address him. “Rise Valiant,” She commanded. “What brings you here this time?” Valiant rose to reply, but kept his head bowed in respect. “Sister, I wish no quarrel with you.” Abbigail put her hands on her hips with a doubtful expression. “Recently, I was walking through the halls when there was suspicious activity. Two knights were speaking alone, in a deserted corridor.” The queen kept her face neutral and patient. “And how, Valiant, is that ‘suspicious’?” *Did she just air quote me? Rude!* Valiant kept his tone respectful though. “It was what they were saying. One of them was scared the other was backing out.” Abbigail waited for the end of the sentence. “One said that her time for power was over…” A cross expression from his sister had caused Valiant to trail off. Abbigail put one hand up and shook her head. “That is enough, Valiant,” She scolded, “You must stop accusing everyone of conspiring against me!” Valiant sputtered a protest. “But have you not heard the unrest that is stirred up!” Abbigail wouldn’t hear it. “Brother, leaders will always be unpopular at some point. It doesn’t mean anything.” She would have said more, but Valiant stunned her into stopping. His head was no longer bowed, and his features radiated anger through his scowl. She had never before seen him like this. With a stiff bow, he quickly turned and left before the queen could stop him. On his way out he nodded to the guards, whose faces showed pity and concern. *At least I am not the only one worried for the queen,* he thought to himself.

Valiant continued down the corridor, planning to go to the dragon stables to retrieve his dragon. As he walked through, however, he came to a door that sat wide open. Surprised, Valiant began to close it, but stopped when he saw Amcour at his balcony. Valiant was about to speak to Amcour, when he realized that Amcour was leaning against the balcony rail in an odd way. *What is he thinking?! He’s about to fall off the balcony!* Valiant ran towards Amcour to help. “What are you doing,” Valiant cried, “You’re about to fall…” He stopped in shock upon running to the unresponsive knight’s side. Horror overcame Valiant as he looked into Amcour’s eyes and realized why Amcour was leaning in such an unnatural way. His lifeless eyes. *He’s dead!*

*Why would someone kill him?* Valiant stood puzzling over the situation, when he noticed something on Amcour’s corpse. It appeared to be a note, but he couldn’t be sure. Only a part of it was visible, with the rest being in Amcour’s inventory. *Perhaps this has a clue to what happened here,* Valiant reasoned. Pulling it out, he began to read it.

**I don’t have much time. I have refused to go along with his plans of treason against her highness. It is only a matter of time before he comes to silence me so I can’t warn her. But he has gone to far this time. He can never be allowed to take the throne. He must be stopped!**

*He must have tried to hide it when the killer came. That’s why it was only partially in his inventory!* Still, something didn’t make sense. *Why would someone ill Amcour?* Valiant then recalled the conversation he had overheard. *Vector! He had been trying to force Amcour into doing something, but Amcour didn’t want to. And he wanted to go against her since she was in power. He must have meant my sister!* Shocked by this revelation, Valiant was about to run to the Ender Queen, then stopped. *She won’t believe me. There is no proof of how Amcour died other than this bottle beside him. The bottle had an after smell of poison, but that wouldn’t last. They forced him to drink the poison. But by the time I give the bottle to my sister, the smell will be gone and there will be no proof this was poison.* He frowned. *And she wouldn’t believe the note. She would think that Amcour was looking for attention as he often does.* But Valiant couldn’t ignore the connection. *It’s just too coincidental that on the same day that he refused to help Vector overthrow someone powerful, he ended up dead in his own room with poison next to him.* Valiant continued to reason as he tried to make sense of the situation. *Plus, he wouldn’t have made up the note,* Valiant judged. *It would be extreme even for him.* That still didn’t change the fact that his sister wouldn’t listen to him, unfortunately. *Still, I can keep an eye out. Something is going on here, and I am certain that Abbigail is the target!* Leaning over the balcony, Valiant scanned the crowd till he found the knight he was looking for. *What are you up to now, Vector?* Valiant gaze was grim as he watched the figure headed towards the dragon stables. *What’s your endgame?*

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