Crack Omake: Gwyndlyn, The Eternally Beloved Regent, The Veiled Wyrm of Adoration
When griff and dog speak, in hushed and reverent whispers, of the emerald scales of Gwyndlyn they do not speak in simile or metaphor: her scales are perfect emerald gemstones, her teeth and talons diamond. It is said that the guilds of gem cutters and glassmakers have forbidden their members from looking upon her, although they proscribe no punishment for those that transgress; the inescapable shame at the inadequacy of their craft in comparison to her beauty is punishment enough.
To see her is to love her utterly and without condition, and for this reason she dwells in darkness and veils herself from her snout to the tip of her tail, that the empire does not waste away pining for her. It is said that in ancient days she decided to fly only under moonlight, that her radiance would not blind the world. But the Moon was so enraptured of Gwyndlyn's beauty that one night she tarried in the sky, and not knowing the passage of time Gwyndlyn was caught by the dawning rays of the sun. So enraged was the Sun that her sister had kept such beauty from her that she immediately went to war, declaring that day would reign eternal in order that she might never miss a chance to witness Gwyndlyn in flight. The terrible war of Sun and Moon only ended when Gwyndlyn flew forth between them and begged for the sake of her brother's subjects that they make peace. When she swore only to fly when both Sun and Moon were in sky (and not during an eclipse) did they relent, and made tribute to her of six almost adequate gemstones* signifying the virtues of harmony.
* Gemsmiths and glassmakers that witness these gems can, with time and care, be rehabilitated to the point where they can look upon the product of their trade without needing to smash them to erase the pale mockery of what they have seen.
And so she has dwelt beneath the great palace of the Golden-Feathers, and has acted as chief adviser and first friend to that illustrious line. For fear of her disappointment none has risen against the line of her father, and for fear of saddening her no Golden-Feathers has ever knowingly passed an unjust law. On the few occasions where the line of Golden-Feathers has faltered, by illness or accident, she has ruled well and ably while the heir came of age, and retired gracefully after.
And so we give thanks again to Gwyndlyn, our eternal and beloved regent! Long may she live and keep us in her heart!
@Questor