The Victory of Valeria
In an age long past, when magic and myth were as real as the sun and moon, there sat a kingdom on the edge of a verdant forest, named Myriad. This kingdom was renowned for two things: its enchanting beauty and the fearless warrior queen called Valeria. Valeria, with her silver hair and eyes as bright as sapphires, was a symbol of strength, courage and wisdom, revered by her subjects and dreaded by her enemies.
At the beginning of our tale, Queen Valeria celebrated her 20th year of rule. However, her joy was short-lived as a mysterious illness began to affect her beloved Myriad. It began as a blight on the crops, then spread to the animals and finally to the people. None were immune, and the kingdom's vitality started diminishing.
Valeria, ever the empathetic leader, consulted the scholars, druids, and healers. They all pointed towards an ancient folklore, which spoke of an ancient being known as Zephyrus who resided in the depth of the adjacent forest. Legend had it, that once every thousand years Zephyrus would wake from his slumber, and during his wake, chaos would ensue. To quell Zephyrus and save their kingdom, a worthy champion would have to traverse the perils of the forest to find Zephyrus and win a battle of wisdom.
Valeria, without hesitation, ventured into the forest. Her journey through the mystical woodland was arduous. She encountered mythical creatures, navigated treacherous landscapes, and faced situations that challenged her courage, intelligence, and virtue. Yet through it all, she remained resolute, driven by love for her kingdom and its people.
After several weeks, Valeria reached the heart of the forest, where she found Zephyrus. This ancient being was not a monster as the tales depicted but a druid with a sage-like aura. Zephyrus did not engage in a physical battle; instead, he presented Valeria with three riddles, whose answers would determine the fate of Myriad.
The first riddle asked, 'What is shared equally but becomes less when shared with others?' Valeria replied, 'Grief,' for she knew that shared sorrow is divided and thus diminished. Satisfied, Zephyrus moved on to the second riddle, 'Who makes it, has no need of it. Who buys it, has no use for it. Who uses it can neither see nor feel it?' Valeria observed, 'A coffin,' for the dead neither need nor use the coffin. Convinced by her wisdom, Zephyrus posed his final query, 'What is powerful enough to conquer kingdoms but requires no physical strength?' After pondering, Valeria responded, 'Knowledge,' understanding that true power lay in wisdom.
Zephyrus, impressed by her wisdom, grit, and resolve, agreed to bless the kingdom, dispelling the blight that plagued it. Valeria returned a hero, her kingdom recovered, and she reigned with justice and wisdom for many more years.
Yet, the story of Queen Valeria's courage, wisdom, and love for her people echoed through the ages, long after her time, becoming much more than a story; it became a symbol of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of wisdom.
As the tale reveals, true power comes not from physical strength but wisdom, a lesson I hope you remember. So ends the tale of the Victory of Valeria, a beacon of hope and wisdom in a time of chaos and doubt.