Night of the New Moon

[Willow]

Willow needed to be alone to think. Over everyone's protests, she had come out to the garden to sit on her favorite bench and look at the flowers. Nicholas and Lady Olivia wanted her to go back to bed, but thankfully, Dr. Abernathy had quickly examined her and said it was ok for her to get fresh air as long as she was sitting down while outside. Willow had escaped from the confines of the castle as quickly as possible.

She knew that her mother and future husband were hovering nearby, watching her to make sure she didn't overdo anything. Dr. Abernathy also checked up on her periodically. No one wanted to see either Willow or the baby hurt in any way.

Willow was talking to herself, gesturing wildly with her hands. "Where has Moon been all this time? How did they find her? Who is this doctor with the strange and very long name? If she has amnesia, what can we do to help her remember? Why can't I feel Moon as I normally do? I usually can sense her at all times. I know I have been sick. Maybe that is affecting me. I don't know. Why can't I see her? I really need to see her. If Moon is alive, where is Arcon? Is he alive, too?"

Willow grew quiet. Something was just not right. She closed her eyes for a moment to relax. She smelled the roses. The odor was so fragrant, so magical, so relaxing. When she opened her eyes, she saw a young girl standing in front of her. A young girl with the most beautiful green eyes and auburn hair. The girl, giggling, handed Willow a rose. Smiling, Willow took the rose, and bent her nose down to smell it. When she looked up, the girl had vanished. Baffled, Willow looked all around herself, but she didn't see the girl anywhere. "What on earth was that? There is no place for her to hide. What is going on?"

[Willow]

Prince Nicholas, watching out for his beloved Willow, saw her looking around in confusion. He came over to her, and asked, "Is something wrong, Willow?" Willow, looking puzzled, asked him, "What happened to that little girl?" "What little girl?" "The one that gave me this rose and was just here a moment ago." Nicholas, looking confused, himself, told Willow, "Darling, no one has been here but you. There was no little girl here."

Willow, now extremly curious more than confused, wondered what on earth was going on. She wasn't prone to hallucinations. Something was definitely happening. Maybe her powers weren't as weak as she first thought.

[lochinvar]

By the time she had reached the Great Hall, Zelda had slowed to a fast walk.

Moon, she thought. They found Moon, and she’s alive. If Moon could live through that fall, then there was a chance that her missing husband would be found alive, also.

Hope blossomed, bright and fearsome as a forge furnace, glittering like shards of broken glass embedded in the top of a wall – beautiful, yes, but cruel – and oh! so dangerous.

“Your Majesty!”

As she crossed the cavernous space, oblivious to her surroundings, the voice brought her up short in confusion. She looked around, searching for it’s source.

Quick and light as a bird, Mortas, Duke of Angford approached. “Forgive me, Your Majesty; I don’t mean to intrude, but you look distressed. Is there something I can help with?”

Coming to herself somewhat, Zelda tried to corral her running thoughts and consciously slowed her breathing. “It is nothing for concern, my lord Duke. I was merely going to see the Lady Moon.”

“Lady Moon? Did she not perish with the king, my Lady?”

“So it was thought, but she has returned alive to us. I would speak with her about the king, so if you’ll excuse me…”

“If it is not too great an imposition, Your Majesty, may I have the honor of accompanying you? I would love to meet the daughter of Joslyn of Schoolcraftia; I knew and admired her father.”

After a brief moment of indecision, Zelda nodded her head in assent, then started off again without looking to see if Mortas followed.

Mortas for his part had been studying the tapestries in the hall when he had seen the beleagered queen striding purposefully through, looking neither right nor left. His offer to help had been utterly sincere; he had a great respect and admiration for his young queen.

Without hesitation he followed, using his long legs to advantage to quickly catch up and then slowing to match her pace.

[ 12-21-2001: Message edited by: lochinvar ]</p>

[Lord Tellurine]

Queen Zelda and Mortas, Duke of Angford made their way to the wing of the castle that Lady Moon’s room was located. Outside her door stood Queen Joslyn and Dr. Abernathy. Willow, her mother, and fiancé, were in the garden and Brother Emmanuel had been called away with a message from Friar Laurence O’Malley. Queen Joslyn was sitting in a chair that had moved to the hallway by her request so she could hold vigil. She stood when she saw Queen Zelda approaching and a tall, lean man following behind her.

“Queen Joslyn,” said Queen Zelda, “I would like to present Mortas, Duke of Angford.”

The Duke bowed so perfectly that it looked like figures 1 – 4 in the Etiquette of Bowing Handbook, which was required reading for any new castle servants. It impressed Queen Joslyn so much she momentarily forgot the plight of her daughter.

As Mortas stood to his usual rigid upright position he said, “My congratulations on your daughter’s good fortune.”

Joslyn’s smile faded and she replied, “I wish I too could revel in the good news. I’ve not been permitted to see my daughter.”

This worried Queen Zelda. Why wouldn’t a mother be allowed to see a daughter? She looked to Dr. Abernathy for confirmation. He nodded. “Duke, may I also present Dr. Julius Abernathy. He has been essential in the planning of the next search for the king.”

“You’re a good Arconian,” stated the Duke, “and may Craig help you in your search.”

“Thank you,” replied Abernathy. “We’ll not come back until we find him.”

“Doctor,” said Queen Zelda, “what is this business of Queen Joslyn not being allowed to see her own daughter?”

“I afraid it’s true,” said Abernathy. “There is another doctor in there. The only person he let in was Meekal, who came back out a few minutes later without uttering a word, but whistling happily.”

Queen Zelda thought about that for a moment. Meekal was infatuated with Lady Moon, and seeing her again could facilitate that kind of response from him. “Who is this doctor you speak of?”

Dr. Abernathy sighed a frustrated sigh. “I’m sorry to say I’ve never seen or heard of him before… And with a name like he’s got I wouldn’t have forgotten him.”

“Why?” inquired Mortas. “What is his name?”

Dr. Abernathy glanced to Queen Joslyn who could offer him no help. He said slowly and methodically, “Dr. Herbert Wolfen… slagenstein… burger, or was it hausen… burger... hoff… stedd.”

Queen Zelda and Mortas stood silently as they absorbed the name. It was a lot to take in. Queen Joslyn interrupted their thoughts. “This strange man would not let me see my own daughter!”

“Well, we’ll see about that,” said Zelda and she stepped over to the door. She knocked deliberately and loudly. If there was a flurry of activity on the other side of the door she didn’t hear any, as it was a very thick door.

After a few moments the door opened and out stepped a man with a black beard and thick glasses. “Yes, may I help you?” he asked as he closed the door behind him.

“I am Queen Zelda,” introduced Zelda. “This is my castle and I wish to see my royal scribe, Lady Moon.”

He answered, “I’m afraid that won’t be possible right now as she is asleep.”

Mortas stepped forward. “I am the Duke of Angford. And you are?”

Tellurine glared at the stiff-looking man. He answered, “I am Dr. Herbert Wolfenslagensteinhausenburgerhoffstedd.”

“I see,” said Mortas. “Any relation to the Pogsville Wolfenslagensteinhausenburgerhoffstedds?”

Tellurine didn’t know what to say. Finally he squeaked out, “No.”

“Interesting,” said the Duke, as one of his rigid eyebrows raised above the other. “You have a unique name.”

“Yes,” agreed Tellurine, grudgingly, “but there’s more of us than you’d think.”

Queen Joslyn interrupted, “I demand to see my daughter!”

Queen Zelda added, “I concur. A mother should be able to see her child. Especially in MY castle.”

Lord Tellurine got it. This was it. Either he let them in or they would come in on their own. This was going to be the big test. The only hope he had was if Joslyn didn’t know one daughter from the other. He opened the door and reminded them, in a strangely loud voice, “I would like to remind you though, she is asleep.”

The two queens, the duke, and the doctor followed Tellurine into the room. The lights had been extinguished and the shades were pulled making the room very dark. The only light there was came in from the hallway. A figure lay in the bed, her features darkened by the shadows.

Queen Joslyn crept up towards the bed, leaving behind the others. Tellurine, not normally a praying man, said a silent prayer. She reached the edge of the bed and looked down at her daughter. She squinted hard to make out her face and the seconds turned into an eternity. Finally, she said quietly, “Oh, Buffy!” Perhaps it was the darkness in the room, or maybe it was the fact she hadn’t seen either of her daughters in a long while, but Tellurine breathed a sigh of relief.

Queen Zelda smiled and so did Mortas. Abernathy kept an eye on Dr. Herbert. He was awful nervous, but perhaps that was genuine concern for his patient.

A few minutes went by as Queen Joslyn watched over her daughter. When she was satisfied with her well being she turned and faced the others. There were tears streaming down from her eyes and Mortas quickly stepped forward and offered his handkerchief, which she took. “My daughter is alive,” she said softly. “After days of thinking the worst… And blaming poor Willow…” A thought occurred to her. “Oh, I must go apologize to her.” She swept past the group and disappeared into the hallway.

“Thank you,” Queen Zelda said to the bearded doctor and she exited with Mortas and Dr. Abernathy.

Before Tellurine could close the door though, Dr. Abernathy said to him, “I’m about to leave town for an indeterminate amount of time. The young sorceress Willow is with child, and I’m worried about her condition. Could you see it in your heart to watch over her for me?”

The doctor smiled an obscured evil smile. “Of course I will,” he oozed.

The door closed and Dr. Abernathy’s worries were not eased.

[Lord Tellurine]

Lord Tellurine was disguised in his doctor costume and was roaming the halls of the Arconian castle. It was night and there wasn’t much activity to be found. That was until he heard the booming voice of Colin, the Earl of Brenwyck, who was coming right towards him. Tellurine had heard of Colin, but had never met him. He knew right away it was he, as his reputation was well known in both Arconia and Muu. Too many times Muu armies had lost to forces led by Colin.

Colin was laughing to himself, as there was nobody else around him, and in his right hand he held an empty wine flagon. The large man saw Tellurine, who had on his beard and thick glasses, and began laughing at the sight of him, although it appeared merely a continuation of whatever it was he was laughing at before. The impressive man approached Tellurine and his large left hand pounded onto his shoulder in friendly manner. “Craig’s teeth, aren’t you a sight!” the man exclaimed.

“Yes,” Tellurine intoned in his thick accent, stepping back so that the large hand slid off his body.

Colin noticed his left arm now dangling on the side of his body, so he raised it and used his hand to lift the end of Tellurine’s big black beard as if to peer underneath it. He said, “Excuse me, sir? But did a small animal die on your face?” His laugh filled the dimly lit hall.

Tellurine slapped his hand away and took another step back. He had had enough of Colin and he was going to tell him. He decried in his thick accent, “I’ll have you know I am a special guest of the Queen of Arconia! I will not be treated in this manner!”

The laughter subsided somewhat and with a slight tipsy stumble he leaned into the small man before him and asked, “Well, call me a little hair on Craig’s foot if I don’t know just WHO you are!”

Colin’s breath momentarily steamed up Tellurine’s thick glasses, but he paid it no mind. He spat back, “I am Doctor Herbert Wolfenslagensteinhausenburgerhoffstedd.”

The laughter was deafening. It was fortunate that the hall they were in was not near any bedrooms as nobody would be able to sleep. “Craig’s little pinky toe! What a night I’ve had!” declared Colin through another fit of laughter. “All this craziness about a tournament for a new king, and now a little man with a big name!”

Tellurine’s ears pricked up. “Tournament?” he asked, almost letting his accent slip. “What tournament?”

“A tournament is to be held in three days time to declare a new king of Arconia! Craig’s earwax! We don’t even know for sure the old king’s dead, and we’re getting ready crown some sap who can win a tournament!”

“You don’t say?” asked Tellurine, stroking his fake beard thoughtfully.

“By the sweated brow of Craig himself, I tell no lie! The tournament is to first blood and Queen Zelda herself plans to compete! Why, I’d sign up myself if I didn’t have to go up against her! She’s a heck of a Queen, but by Craig’s nail clippings, she rules when she has a sword!”

“And this tournament is open to everyone?” pressed Tellurine.

“Craig’s kneecap! The King of Muu himself could enter, if they kept me from running him through first!”

“If you’ll excuse me?” began Tellurine as he backed away from the encounter. “I have a patient I must check in on.” With that the scheming lord turned and started back to Lady’s Moon’s room. Evil thoughts raced through his mind, which was hardly unusual, except this time they involved him becoming King of Arconia.

“Craig’s flatulence, what a strange man!” declared Colin and he stumbled off towards his own room.

[Lord Tellurine]

Lord Tellurine spent most of the morning pacing, muttering under his breath, and ignoring Ken-Dall.

Ken-Dall couldn’t have been happier. She sat in her sister’s bed, covered in soft sheets, and eating a sumptuous breakfast that a castle servant had delivered to her door. It reminded her of her days in Schoolcraftia back before she had been banned from the castle.

Her peace was interrupted when Tellurine sprung from his adjoining room wearing a costume. This wasn’t his doctor disguise, though. Instead of the bushy black beard and the thick glasses he instead had on a long blonde wig and his skin had an orange glow like he had been tanning. She asked, “What’s with the getup, Tellurine?”

“Sven Lutefisk,” he said back to her.

“Who’s that?”

“That’s me,” he answered.

“Why?” she asked, nibbling on a piece of toast.

“He,” he said, referring to Sven, “will become King of Arconia.”

“You’re crazy,” laughed Ken-Dall.

“Crazy like a wet ferret,” said back Tellurine, crossing to the window. Ken-Dall rolled her eyes. “In a few days time a tournament will be held that will determine the new ruler of Arconia.”

“And you think that it will be you? I could beat you laying in bed.”

“Excellent idea!” declared Tellurine. “I need practice! I must practice so I can win! I’ll get my equipment!” He ran off into his room.

Ken-Dall stared down at the breakfast she was not going to be allowed to finish. “Maybe after I beat him I’ll tell him the blonde wig looks stupid with his black eyebrows.”

[Lord Tellurine]

There was a knock on the door. It couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Lord Tellurine quickly stopped practicing, cursed silently to himself, and called out in his disguised voice, “Yes? Who is it?”

The muffled reply came back, “Doctor? Are you in there? This is Queen Joslyn. I’m here to see my daughter, Buffy!”

Tellurine looked at Ken-Dall, who had been his reluctant sparring partner. He told her, “Get back into bed.” She did. He went to his adjoining room to change into his doctor disguise.

The knocks on the door continued for the next two minutes, as Queen Joslyn refused to leave. As the twentieth round of pounding filled the hallway, the door suddenly opened, revealing the thick-spectacled, hairy-faced Dr. Herbert Wolfenslagensteinhausenburgerhoffstedd. “May I helped you?” oozed Tellurine in his doctor accent.

“I’m here to see my daughter!” answered Queen Joslyn. Unlike the first time she had visited, she had nobody else with her.

“Of course,” he said, with a slight bow, letting the queen enter the room.

The room had been once again robbed of light. The thick curtains were drawn and nearly all of the candles were out. The small figure of her daughter lay in bed, her upper body propped up by large fluffy pillows, although it was not the daughter she thought it was. “Hello, Buffy,” she greeted softly, crossing to her in the dark.

“Hello, mother,” Ken-Dall answered in her best Buffy impression.

Queen Joslyn sat down on the edge of the bed. Her hand caressed her daughter’s shoulder. “How are you, honey?”

“She’s doing much better,” came the reply from Tellurine. “It won’t be long before she’ll be up and about.”

Joslyn turned her attention to Tellurine. “That’s wonderful,” she told him. “I can’t bare to see my beloved daughter in pain. My Buffy deserves so much happiness.”

Ken-Dall flashed an unnoticed tongue out at her mother.

Tellurine said, “Soon she’ll be strong enough to walk the streets of Arconia, visit with all of her friends, and demand her reparations from Arconia.”

That last part confused Queen Joslyn who asked simply, “What?”

“I’m probably not the best one to discuss your daughter’s upcoming legal case,” he started, “but none of this would have happened to your daughter if this castle had been secure. Because of the lack of security, Zarcon was able to escape and kidnap your daughter. Your daughter believes that Arconia is liable for her injuries.”

This gave Queen Joslyn pause. Finally she said, “Surely you don’t hold Arconia responsible for the actions of a madman.”

“Of course not,” reassured Tellurine, “but we do hold them responsible for letting him escape his dungeon cell, roam the castle undetected, kidnap your daughter from this very room, and escape the castle without ever being seen.”

“But once they knew what had happened they went after him,” she argued.

“An ill-conceived attempt that resulted in the loss of their king and the near-loss of your daughter.”

“But hasn’t Arconia suffered enough?” pleaded Queen Joslyn. She turned to her daughter. Ken-Dall offered no reply.

Joslyn refocused her gaze upon Tellurine when he answered, “I’m afraid your daughter believes that it is her that has suffered. This isn’t the first time your daughter has been kidnapped from this very castle. There was one time when a very crafty lord from Muu kidnapped her…”

“Lord Tellurine?” Queen Joslyn asked. “From what I’ve heard about him, he couldn’t find his way out of a sack with a map and a trail of breadcrumbs.”

Ken-Dall smiled and squelched a laugh.

Tellurine resisted the urge to defend his dubious honor and said, “That just proves how lax Arconia has been in protecting your daughter. And that is why she is demanding a huge monetary settlement from them.”

Queen Joslyn offered, “Couldn’t she just ask for an apology?”

“No.”

“I see. And just who is it that is representing her as she makes these claims against Arconia. Sir Latenight will fight vehemently for his Queen and Arconia’s honor.”

“I expect him to arrive at any moment.” It was at this time Lord Tellurine excused himself and retreated into his private room. Queen Joslyn and Ken-Dall spent a few minutes visiting; Joslyn thoroughly convinced that her youngest daughter was instead her older daughter.

A knock on the door interrupted them and in walked a fat, red-haired man with bright cheeks and a big red moustache. He spoke to them in a low, demanding voice, “I am Princess Buffy’s attorney, Marcus Killborne of Patterson, Killborne, and Schmengie.”

“I am Queen Joslyn,” she introduced as she stood from the bed.

“What firm you with?” the man asked.

“I’m not with a… firm,” she said delicately. “I’m Queen of Schoolcraftia.”

“Tell you what,” the man said, pulling a small rectangular parchment from his pocket and handing it to her, “you ever slip and fall, you get a hold of me.”

Queen Joslyn looked at the parchment, which had his name and the other names he mentioned earlier written on it. “Why?” she asked. “You’ll help me up?”

“No, but I’ll file briefs immediately.”

Queen Joslyn didn’t know if she should be appalled or not, but decided it was time to go. “I’ll leave you to discuss matters with my daughter.” She turned to Ken-Dall. “It’s nice to see you’re getting better, dear. Give my regards to Dr. Wolfenshla… Well, tell him I had to go.” With that, she left them alone.

“I’ll tell him myself,” said Marcus Killborne, but in Lord Tellurine’s voice. He pulled off his red moustache and wig. “Ta da!” he exclaimed triumphantly.

“How about for your next trick you disappear?” replied Ken-Dall with scorn. “I’m getting tired of looking at the many faces of Tellurine. Each one is more nauseating than the last.”

“Luckily for you,” started Tellurine, “I’ve… that is, Marcus has an appointment with Queen Zelda. It’s time to get the ball rolling on this plan of mine.” He placed the wig back on his head. “Wish me luck!”

“You won’t need it,” Ken-Dall said back. “Just as long as your plan doesn’t involve a sack and some breadcrumbs.” She couldn’t stop laughing.

“Very funny,” sneered Tellurine, repositioned the moustache back under his nose, and left.

[Zelda]

The Queen was not having a good day. Archie the royal Architect had started the ball rolling by telling her that the grand plans she had for a grandstand were not practical and even if they were it would would take at least a year to build.

So they started again from scratch, remembering they only had a lunar month to complete it. Finally they compromised on something that was functional, practical but still looked vaugely elegent.

Then Mortas had cornered her about something to do with his estate, the Queen wasnt exactly sure WHAT it was, as he was rambling around the subject while enjoying a very large sandwich with onion on it. The smell of onion had lodged itself in her nose, and for an hour afterwards it all she could smell.

Lunch was late, apparently Nani was overworked with all the soliders in the grounds and forgot the Queen had asked for Luncheon in her chambers.

And now some attorney called Marcus Killborne was in the state rooms demanding to see her. The Queen rolled her eyes and decided she couldnt be bothered changing from the soft leather breeches and linen shirt she was wearing. Gritting her teeth she walked into the smallest of the reception rooms, where a very nervous page had placed the attorney before scuttling off to find the Queen.

The room was not very large, it had 2 leather chairs and a long low coffee table on it. There was a wide bay window overlooking the stables and the wood panelling was dark, giving the room a very clubby feel.

Marcus (or Tellurine) was nervous....it was alright pretending to be someone you werent when you could hid in the shadows and talk to people who didnt have any knowledge on the subject. But to actually come out into the open, and talk to the Queen, whose encyclopidic knowledge of Arconian Law was legendary, was something else entirely.

The Queen entered and saw a fat chubby man, with Red hair and a bushy mostache. But he had black eyebrows.....eyebrows the Queen knew she had seen before but couldnt place....

[Lord Tellurine]

“Your Highness,” Lord Tellurine greeted cordially sending a cold shiver down the Queen’s spine. “I am Marcus Killborne of Patterson, Killborne, and Schmengie.”

Zelda eyed the man with suspicion. “Is that a new law firm?” asked the Queen as a servant closed the door behind her. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“Brand new,” confirmed Tellurine with a smile.

Queen Zelda crossed to one of the leather chairs and sat. “Please, sit down, Mr. Killborne.” He did. “Now, what can I do for you?”

“I represent the Royal Scribe, Lady Moon of the Quill,” he informed the Queen.

“How is she feeling today?” interrupted Queen Zelda.

Tellurine answered, “The doctor assured me she is on her way to a full recovery…”

“That’s so nice to hear,” interjected Zelda, happy to have gotten one bit of good news today.

“…Except for one thing,” finished Tellurine.

“What is that?” asked Zelda, the feeling of good news slowly slipping away.

“Her recent injuries will force her to give up her position as royal scribe as she is no longer able to write.”

This alarmed Zelda greatly. Writing had been Lady Moon’s true love. Without the ability to write she would have nothing. “What happened to her?” she asked frantically. “Was her hand broken? Is she unable to hold a quill any longer?”

“Her injuries are not physical,” reported the large red-haired attorney. “They are mental. The recent events she has endured has scarred her emotionally, making the act of putting ones thoughts down on parchment an act of torture as memories of the atrocities she had suffered fill her mind, making it unable for her to think or write of anything else.”

“How awful,” Queen Zelda said, her hand at her mouth. Suddenly a flash of hope occurred to Zelda. “Perhaps with a long rest she will recover.”

“Not likely,” refuted Tellurine. “Although she does plan to take an extended vacation.”

“That’s good,” replied Zelda.

“Which brings me to why I’m here.”

“Why ARE you here?” asked Zelda, a suspicious feeling returning to her.

“I have been asked by my client, Lady Moon, to request payment from the throne of Arconia for an amount equal to the sum of 10,000 Gold Arcon Pieces.”

Queen Zelda didn’t know whether to gasp or laugh. Such an amount was outrageous. And why would Lady Moon need it? She had free room and board at the castle and she was always welcome there, whether she was royal scribe or not. Besides, she was still a princess in Schoolcraftia, a kingdom with larger coffers than Arconia had. Zelda said, “I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“It’s very simple,” explained Tellurine. “Lady Moon suffered because of Arconia’s inability to protect its citizens, included those residing in this very castle! Lady Moon has been victimized numerous times and kidnapped from within these very walls, because Arconia did not care enough to protect her!”

Zelda’s head was reeling. Could Lady Moon really think that Arconia is responsible for her kidnappings? Even after King Arcon and her had fought to save her? “I’m sorry, Mr. Killborne, but Arconia does not have that kind of money to give away. Besides, Lady Moon doesn’t need the money.”

“It is not a matter of whether she needs the money,” stated Killborne, “but that Arconia needs to pay for its crimes.”

“No crime has been committed!” shot back Zelda, her voice beginning to grow louder. “The only thing that has happened is that there were some unfortunate incidents that Lady Moon had the misfortune to get mixed-up in.”

Tellurine said, “We’ll see what the court has to say about it.”

“I AM THE COURT!” announced Queen Zelda. “All legal matters are decided by the throne! Arconian Law dictates that. And that being the case, I, as Queen of Arconia, rule that Arconia does NOT have to pay any huge sum of money to a person who gets kidnapped every time the wind changes direction!” Zelda was beginning to get angry towards Lady Moon. How dare she send this snake to her and make these demands?

“I suppose you are right,” stated the attorney quietly as he stood. “As Queen, you are the law.” He stared right at her. “But there is a higher law,” he told her. “The law of public opinion. And what would the public opinion be when the citizens of Arconia knew the Queen’s secret?”

Zelda had had just about all she could take from this man and she stood up. “What ARE you talking about?”

“This,” he said simply. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. Zelda immediately knew what it was and her heart jumped into her throat. It was an envelope she had last seen the night Arcon had been shot by and arrow at the Royal Campsite. In all of the confusion that night she must have lost it, forgetting that it had ever existed. Now it was back to haunt her. He unfolded the envelope many times, pulled the parchment from inside, unfolded it, and displayed to Zelda the four words written on it:

“THE SECRET IS OUT.”

He refolded everything and returned it to his pocket. "I'll give you some time to rethink the throne's position," he said, walking towards the door. "Good day, Your Highness." He left.

Zelda didn't sit back down in her chair, but more accurately, flopped back down into her chair.

[Zelda]

Her head was reeling. Moon wanting to sue Arconia? And where did Killbourne get that envelope?? And WHY in Craigs name did Killbourne look so familiar???? This required latenight to talk things through....but finding him was another question....

[Zelda]

The Queen was still flopped on the leather chair when Colin and Mortas came looking for her. The had heard from the page that the Queen was seeing an Attorney and they had HEARD the raised voice of Zelda. Now Zelda raising her voice was a very rare occurance and warranted attention. So Colin and Mortas went to investigate.

[lochinvar]

[ed. note: just bringing this thread forward]

[Zelda]

Colin and Mortas skidding into the reception room, slightly disheveled and out of breath, having run the length of the west wing on hearing Zelda's voice raised.

"Your majesty?" they both panted...."is anything wrong?"

"Not really, if you ignore the fact I cant have the grand stand I wanted, the engineers are 2 days behind on building, YOU Mortas turned my ear for an hour this morning for goodness knows WHAT reason, my lunch was late cause of all these people in the castle and now Moontic is sueing Arconia for not showing due diligence in protecting her. Other then that I'm FIIIIINE."

Mortas and Colin just stood there, unsure if the Queen was being sarcastic or if she was being truthful.

[Zelda]

Can someone jump in here please??? I''m devoid of ideas!

[lochinvar]

Now that I've finished (more or less) with the Stone of Wyrdnafal, I'll be happy to write something involving Colin and/or Mortas...unless, of course, someone else beats me to the punch, and inserts before me.

Which wouldn't break my heart, ya know?

[Swordsman]

I'm on my way, m'lady!

[Zelda]

"Well??" the Queen asked, her left eyebrow arching cynically, "Why are you just standing there???"

"Ummm...Errr"..." Mortas and Colin didnt know what to reply to the Queen triage.... "WE are standing here because we wanted to know if you are alright...."

"I''m just FINE..." the Queen snapped, "Now if you will excuse me I have some people to find...and I would appreciate it if your troops found their own cooks to help Nani, she isnt actually coping with 200 odd extra mouths to feed...and I am sick of my lunch being late." At which point the Queen stalked off to the royal archives to see if Moontic sueing the Crown had any precedent in law. She would have asked latenight but he had disappeared into his houseboat with Miss Spears after finding the cocidal and hadnt been seen since. The Queenwas actually worried that he was totally and utterly enraptured with Miss Spears and was actually never coming out, which meant she had to find a new Counsel to the crown.
"Wonderful..." she thought as she strod along the damp corridors of the sub basement..."Interviewing lawyers.....how tasteful. I wish Arcon was here, he always used to make it interesting atleast..." At the thought of her missing husband a single tear slide down the Queens cheek.