Aftermath of the collapse

[Lord Tellurine]

Meekal, the Daft Prince of Muu, was leaving the Arconian Castle grounds when he bumped into Dr. Julius Abernathy. Literally.

“Watch where you’re going,” snapped Dr. Abernathy in a tired voice. He was still wearing most of his ball attire. His sleeves were rolled up from when he patched up Lochinvar and his coat was slung over his shoulder.

“Sorry,” apologized Meekal, turning to look at the doctor. “I was lost in thought.” Behind the doctor, on the castle grounds, was an assembly of soldiers from Marsteria.

Julius gave him a surprised look. “Really? From what I’ve heard about you…” He smiled before continuing. “…It’s just that I would think it would be hard to get lost in a void.”

Meekal replied knowledgeably, “Oh no, it’s really quite easy.”

“Fascinating,” commented Julius. “And what conundrum has your gray matter working so arduously?”

“Huh?”

“What’s buggin’ ya?”

“Oh! I need to see Lady Moon, but she’s locked in her room and the guards won’t let me in!”

“That’s the young lady that was trapped with the King, right?”

“Yeah,” confirmed Meekal. “She was my date to the Royal Ball. I need to talk to her! I have to tell her I’m sorry!”

“I wish I could help you,” said Dr. Abernathy, “but I’m just an old inventor who patches up people to make a living.”

“That’s okay,” dismissed Meekal. He glanced away from the doctor and looked past the soldiers from Marsteria at the Castle Arconia. He said to himself, “If only there was some way I could get up to her window to see her. Just to tell her how sorry I am. How sorry I am for screwing things up…” His voice trailed off sadly.

Dr. Abernathy placed a hand on Meekal’s shoulder. “Maybe there is a way I can help you, Meekal. I just might have the invention that you need.”

“Really, Dr. Abernathy?”

“Really. C’mon, Meekal, I’ll show you it when we get to my place.”

Meekal the Daft Prince of Muu and inventor Dr. Julius Abernathy walked down the street that ran from the castle to town enjoying a warm sunny morning. Behind them, Wooden Bob was mistakenly tipping a soldier of Marsteria, so he'd fetch the horse he had left with the valet the night before.

[arcon]

Arcon screamed, again the crow was pounding on his forehead,the blood flowing into his eyes.
He raised from the bed at such speed that he became airborn nearly leaving his bed.

It was the same dream. The one just prior to
the morning he was shot by Zarcon. Something was wrong or it soon would be. He had to get dressed and check on Moon. She was in danger again. It was either Zarcon his evil brother or she was in danger from herself.
How was her state of mind? He was still unsure. The physicians had just ordered her to rest. The would be an interview with her once she was rested. It would be determined
officially that the spell had caused her behavior and she would not be held responsible for her actions aganst the Crown.
He had received his dream as a result of Zarcon...this he was sure of.....but why had
he not dreamed of Moon. Was her state of mind blocking their connection? He had to see her........

[Lord Tellurine]

Since Meekal’s place was on the way to Dr. Abernathy’s house, Meekal stopped to change (He was still dust-covered from the cave-in), and before exiting again to rejoin Julius, he stopped at the windowsill that held a few of his favorite stones. “Guys,” he said happily, “and Margaret… Sorry. I want you to meet a new friend!” He lifted up a stone that a few short hours ago was once part of the castle dungeon. He introduced, “This is Abigail. She’s from the castle.” He told them in a whisper, “Don’t worry, she’s not stuck up.” Meekal fixed his gaze onto Abigail. “Abigail, this is Nigel, Margaret, Rufus, and Derek.” He leaned in towards the window. “What’s that, Nigel? It’s time for your morning constitutional? Of course!” Meekal gaily divided up his favorite stones into his pockets. Moments later, he exited his house. “Sorry I took so long, Dr. Abernathy.”

“Quite all right,” said Julius. “My place is just down the street on the edge of town.”

They reached the Abernathy estate a few minutes later. “Come with me,” said the doctor as he led them behind the house to a large shed that stood in his backyard. He stopped at the large double doors on the front of the shed and said to Meekal, “What you are about to see is an invention that will someday make it possible for men to fly.”

“Why would men want to fly?” asked Meekal earnestly.

The question took Dr. Abernathy aback. “I don’t know… To look down ladies’ dresses I suppose… I’m only the inventor. It’s up to the consumer to find a use for it.” Realizing that his thunder was now forever stolen, he unceremoniously opened the two large doors. “Anyway, here it is.”

Meekal gasped at the contraption. In the middle of the shed was a large cart. On the front of the cart was one of those squeezing thingies that blacksmiths use to keep a fire going. The tip of it was lodged into a large barrel that had a gauge on the side of it marked, “Air pressure.” On the top was another opening that was latched shut and had the word “Caution” written near it. Meekal looked back at Dr. Abernathy. “How does it work?”

“Very simply,” he said with a proud smile. “You merely push as much air as you can into the ‘holding tank.’ Then, you place over the release hole…” He motioned towards the top of the contraption. “…a vessel that can capture the air as it escapes. You hold onto the vessel and it propels you up into the air. You see?”

Meekal just stared blankly at him.

Dr. Abernathy frowned. “Maybe if you studied the charts… Eh, no. Don’t worry, Meekal. You’ll figure it out.”

A look of alarm appeared on Meekal’s face. “You’re not coming with me?”

“I’m sorry, Meekal. I’m dead on my feet. A night a dancing, a morning of doctoring, and going inside to face my wife, will render me unable to accompany you. Don’t worry,” he said, placing on hand on the young prince’s back. “An idiot can you use this thing.” He started off towards his house.

Meekal’s expression lightened considerably. “Oh! Well, that’s good.”

[Lord Tellurine]

The cart wasn’t as heavy as it looked and Meekal easily pulled it through town and up to the edge of the castle wall that had Lady Moon’s window. Going through town Meekal had gotten many odd stares, when he arrived at the castle; the bored soldiers of Marsteria eyed him wearily, and when Kliff came out from his work helping to rebuild the dungeon for a break and some fresh air; he watched Meekal with amusement.

Finally, Kliff approached his old friend. “What are you doing, Meekal?”

“I’m going up in the world,” he said with a giggle.

Kliff pretended to understand what he was talking about. When it came to Meekal, it was often the case you would NEVER understand what he was talking about, so why bother trying. Kliff pointed at the contraption. “What’s this thing?”

“A machine that can make a man fly!” Meekal said excitedly.

Kliff cringed and asked, “Why would a man want to fly?”

“I don’t know,” answered Meekal. “To avoid mud puddles?” He began to push air into the holding tank.

Kliff nodded knowingly. “Good idea.” He looked around. “There’s no mud puddles around, Meekal.” It was true. The lush green grass of the castle grounds had soaked up all the rain from the night before.

“That’s not why I’m using it,” explained Meekal, continuing to push down on the squeezing thingy. “This machine will propel me up to Lady Moon’s window.” He looked straight up the castle wall to where Lady Moon’s window was. “And then I can apologize for being stupid.”

“You’ll stay up that long?” asked Kliff.

“No!” said Meekal, rolling his eyes, and noticing the it was getting harder to push air into the tank. “I’ll go through the window.”

Kliff looked up at the window. “It’s closed. The drapes are even drawn.”

Meekal check the air pressure gauge and saw that it was almost full. “So I’ll knock first.”

Kliff sat down on a nearby bench. “You don’t mind if I watch, do you?”

“Of course not,” said Meekal, straining to push more air into the hold tank.

“Thanks, Meek,” he said with a smile as he leaned back on the bench. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

[Lord Tellurine]

As soon as Willow had sent a guard for the King there was a knock at the door. She gave a perplexed look at Nicholas. “That was quick.” She opened the door.

The door and Willow were violently shoved aside by Brother Emmanuel, a fat and ignorant Schoolcraftian, who had been sent to Arconia on an errand for Willow and had stayed as the unwanted guest of the King and Queen ever since. He decried, “I’ve come to expel the demons from our Princess Buffy!”

“Brother Emmanuel!” snapped Willow, as she regained her footing. “Princess Buffy is trying to rest.”

Brother Emmanuel glanced back at her and said, “There is no rest for the wicked! Our Princess must be cleansed of evil!”

“She is!” argued Willow. “It took a wall falling on her, but she is!”

Brother Emmanuel couldn’t be stopped. He crossed the room and stopped at the window. “Let’s first open these drapes. Let a little sunshine in.”

Willow pleaded, “Brother Emmanuel, she’s trying to sleep…”

Not hearing a word Willow said, he opened the drapes and threw open the window. The sun immediately penetrated the dim light of the room and brightened it. Brother Emmanuel blinked to adjust to the sunlight and suddenly heard a pop of air escaping from somewhere. Suddenly, in front of him, was Meekal the Daft.

“Erp,” croaked Meekal as he momentarily hung in the air in front of Brother Emmanuel.

“GA!” was all the Brother Emmanuel could say, before his large frame collapsed onto the floor.

Without his large body blocking the window anymore Willow saw the Daft Prince of Muu floating in thin air. She was stunned.

“Op,” Meekal managed to eek out before gravity took hold of him and plunged him back to Earth.

Willow rushed over to the window, stepped onto and over Brother Emmanuel, and looked down. In a large bush, next to an odd contraption, sat Meekal. Kliff was attending to him. “Is he all right?” she called down.

“Yeah!” called up Kliff. “I’m going to take him home. He can use some rest.”

She yelled back, “What was he doing?”

“He wanted to apologize for being stupid!”

“Oh.” She thought for a moment and yelled, “I think he needed more time.”

“That’s what I said!” Kliff pulled Meekal out of the bush and started walking him home.

Willow turned around and gave another perplexed look at Nicholas. Moon stirred in her bed and noticed the bright sunlight. She softly asked, “Why is the window open?”

Willow smiled weakly and said, “Something came up.”

[Willow]

Moon managed a smile for Willow before slipping back into sleep. Nicholas and Willow began the arduous task of helping a sputtering monk back up on his feet. Actually, it took Willow, Nicholas, and 3 Arconian guards and 3 Marsterian guards to haul Brother Emmanuel to his feet. Still muttering about exorcising demons from Princess Buffy, Willow quicky propelled him out the door, assuring him she would talk to him later. The guards took their positions again, awaiting word from the king on what would come next. Willow resumed her place sitting near Moon's bed. Nicholas came over to her. "I'm awaiting an audience from the King. My men are prepared to assist Arcon in any way necessary. You need to rest, my love. You are so pale."

Willow, knowing he was right, yet torn by her duty, began to protest. Again, she felt her unborn child tremble within her. She knew that her lack of sleep could have an unpleasant effect on her baby. Nicholas, after assuring her that he would sit with Moon, making sure she lacked for nothing, carried Willow to her bedchamber, tucking her into bed. Before he even left the room, Willow was sound asleep, exhausted from days of unrest and worry. He returned to Lady Moon's room, making sure to leave the door open so that the guards could see him and Moon.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside. The guards, even though they had been ordered not to leave their posts, ran to see what was happening. Nicholas ran to the window, looking to see if he could see what the trouble was. Suddenly, one of his men ran into the room, shouting, "Prince Nicholas! We need you. There is a great disturbance outside!" Giving Moon one last look, seeing her sleeping rather peacefully, he ran to join his men.

[Moonitic]

It was dark. So very, very dark. In her dream, the princess scrambled through the forest, pursued by an unseen enemy. It screamed at her. Talons reached for her, catching air, but close enough for her to hear them click behind her ear. She had to get away. She had to save herself...and the...others?

The forest broke, and the enemy retreated. But she could see the glow of its yellow, hateful eyes. She stopped. In front of her, a deep gorge. She could not go back into the forest. Not with the enemy there. She could not jump, either. It was not too far of a leap to the other side, but her fear seized her, holding her in place.

HE appeared on the other side, beckoning to her. "Jump, my love. I will catch you! It cannot hurt you on this side. Come to me!"

She hesitated, squinting in the darkness at his face. How could he see her in such an utter lack of light? But he knew she was there. And that she'd be safe if she could jump.

"Come! Now!"

The enemy behind her shrieked, tearing down trees as it moved slowly toward her. She had no other choice. She had to jump, and hope for the best.

In the waking world, on Lady Moon's balcony, a petite figure in a dressing gown and bandages teetered on the edge.

[arcon]

"Willow i was informed you wanted to see me."
"please lets do this now, I have other meetings to attend".
Willow was suprized, It was so seldom that the king came to her personally, for the moment she was speechless.

"Are you here out of your concern for Moon?"

Arcon stood there patiently, his eyes transfixed on hers. The intensity of those eyes she couldnt help but feel an excitement that she new she must ignore. Even as a child she remembered how his presense seem to
brighten up her life but today she sensed
something dangerous. How could this be?
Arcon had always been good natured and very caring. She shrugged it off as incidental. It must be nerves. Then she began to speak...

[ 09-27-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[DamedEscrime]

Unladylike Jo bounded up the stairs which led from the kitchen and conveniently to the sleeping quarters. She was intent on finding just the right dress to wear for an important luncheon. At the top and far down the corridor she saw that King Arcon and Lady Willow were speaking outside of Lady Moon's room. She could not here the conversation but the King's voice sounded stern. He stood there gazing directly at Willow. "Hmm, I wonder what that is all about," she tought as she neared them. As she passed the room she could not help but notice that the door was ajar. She glanced inside and saw a small figure through the double french doors leading to the balcony. It was Lady Moon and she was perched on the railing of the stone. Her arms were outstreched as a bird's wings as if she were about to take flight.
"Huh!?" Jo pushed past the king and Willow. Quickly and quietly so as not to startle she raced up behind the Lady. Willow and Arcon surprised by Jo's sudden move turned to see what had happened. Fearing that she sought retribution for a pommeling they too raced in after Jo.

At the same instant they both saw the same thing. Lady Josephine dove just as Moon disappeared over the edge of the balcony.

Jo screamed and lunged, grasping at the air. Her hands managed to snatch a bit of Moon's gown and hold on for dear life. Moon suddenly ware of her situation flailed her arms trying to grab what she could.

Now Jo was in danger of toppling over the edge herself. As her feet began to leave the sanctity of the floor she felt strong arms come round her waist, holding her fast. Then she heard Arcon command, "Lady Moon, stop struggling! Be still. We are here. Willow, come to my side and see if can can reach her hand. Jo,hold tight."

Together the trio began to lift the Lady Moon. She was a petite thing, but the awkward postion they were in made it difficult to lift her. Slowly the top of her head appeared above the railing. Arcon pulled Jo back little by little each time raising Moon a bit higher too. When Jo's feet were firmly back on the floor, Arcon without letting her go srepped to the side and streched out to Moon. He was then able to grasp her wrist and lift her sufficiently that the women could pull her in and over the rail.

Now sitting on the stone floor, Moon looked about bewilder and said,"What happened? What are you doing here?"

[ 09-29-2001: Message edited by: DamedEscrime ]

[Moonitic]

"You...don't know?" Willow asked. When the girl shook her head, her friend continued. "You jumped off the balcony. You would have been a bloody mess if Jo did not catch you in time."

"I did not jump. I could not have jumped. I hate high places." Lady Moon said. She shook her head vigorously as she stated her case, only to receive sad nods from those around her. "No. Impossible." She sat there on the floor, trying to remember the events that led up to her near fatal accident. "I was in bed, and suddenly I was running in the woods. Someone...something...was after me..."

"Go on," Arcon urged. He kneeled at her right side, close enough for her to feel his breath on her cheek.

She blushed, ducking her head at the memory of what had happened between them. "Willow," she mumbled, "please fetch a proper covering for me." As Willow did, she recounted the remainder of the events, specifically the end. "I was at a deep gorge, and a man appeared across it. He told me to jump, and that he would catch me. He said he loved me."

Jo opened her mouth to add to the conversation, but was halted by the King's angry voice. "Who was he?"

The Lady could not bear to look at him. Not into his eyes, not into his face. With her head bent, she said, "I do not know, my Lord." Willow noticed the exchange with some alarm. Moon had never flinched from looking into Arcon's eyes. In fact, she always met them with such closeness. Such warmth and friendship. And when had she ever said, "My Lord" to anyone? Quite a puzzle indeed. Whatever it was, Willow's companion seemed very unlikely to say anything else at this point.

Arcon had his suspicions...and his guilts. He could not discuss either with an audience. "Jo, Willow, take leave. I will see to Lady Moon myself." The women exchanged shocked looks, neither willing to budge. "At once," Arcon added. Then they scrambled to their feet, and hurried from the room. "Shut the door," the King called, "but one of you stand near."

When the women had done what he asked, Arcon stood. He stretched out a hand to the bewildered girl on the floor, then bade her take it. When, reluctantly, she did, Arcon led her to the bed. He tucked her in and sat beside it. Neither spoke for a long moment. Each lost in their own thoughts.

[DamedEscrime]

Willow was beside herself and Jo was visibly shaken. She trembled as the adrenaline of the moment seeped from her veins. She spoke quietly with her companion. "I don't understand, Lady Willow. Why is Lady Moon behaving as this? It is as if she were bewitched."

"You may be more right than you think, my dear,"replied Willow. "But, I see that you are trembling. Why don't you go to your room for a little quiet reflection. It will do you good. I will stay as the king has directed."

Jo suddenly remembered why she had come this way in the first place. It was near the noon meal and she needed to prepare herself. "Yes, of course,"she replied to Willow and darted off down the hall.

[Fencing Angel]

After the "incident" in the basement of the castle, Angel and Rosalina returned to the ball to find it almost over. Angel knew that after the Ball was over there would be a knighting ceremony, and he hoped and feared that Rosalina was going to become a knight… Angel hoped that the king would recognize all that she had done for the crown. In his heart he wanted to see this spirited young woman that was standing next to him was going to be called a knight of arconia.

But yet in his head he feared the king's choice. Yes she was more then worthy… but those words, "I doubt you a knight or arconia." Could change ones life… drastically. Not only for the person who was knighted. But for anyone even thinking about what those words REALLY meant. Angel was the perfect example. He started his life as a crowned prince of MUU, and then after he ran away from his father he was just a commoner of Arconia. A few years later he made friends with naekos. And when Naekos went to rescue the Webmaster Angel was drafted into the strike force. And then HE was knighted for he brave rescue. Now he was the head of the secret service. No one, not him, not anyone that knew him, would have guessed that in just 3 short years he would rise from just your normal Jo…(no offense there to the dame) to head of the personal body guards for the king and queen.

In that duty he felt a great honor… he thought that it might have been the Royal blood in him coming forth. But he hoped not. His thoughts strayed to the lady Rosalina again. He wondered if she knew the REAL Angelo…. In all honesty he hoped not, he didn't know why. But something told him that the less people knew the "real" him the better.

[Willow]

"Something is definitely strange here," thought Willow, as she tried to wait patiently outside Lady Moon's room. Occassionally she could hear a word or murmur, but nothing else. What had made Moon try to jump out of the window? Willow would bet anything she owned that it wasn't an ordinary dream. Something was not right. The question was, is there anything that she can do to protect her Princess? Protect Arconia and its citizens? Deep in thought, Willow rushed to her room to begin going through her books, anxious to see if there was something in there that could help her. Unknownst to her, a figure in a black cape was watching her intently from the shadows, following her down the corridors.

[Zarcon]

It was so easy to get past the Arconian guards and into the Royal Palace. It was even easier to slit their throats.
Slowly Zarcon made his way towards Moonitics
chambers. Was she there. He was unsure but he was determined to find out.

[Lord Tellurine]

Kliff had helped Meekal all the way to his front door and was about to open it for him when they both heard a heated conversation coming from two people walking down the street past them.

“Did you hear what that man said?” asked the first man rhetorically. “King Arcon is going to impose hefty new taxes on us!”

“The nerve of him!” exclaimed the other man. “He throws a fancy Royal Ball, invites all the local snobs, and WE have to pick up the tab!”

“You know what? That man was right about one thing. It’s time that the citizens of Arconia show the King who holds the real power! The people!”

The second man stopped for a moment, just a few inches from where Kliff and Meekal stood. “Who was that man, anyway?”

“I don’t know,” said the first man, also stopping. “I’ve never seen him before. But if he says he can help us to get rid of our thieving, selfish King, then that’s a man I want to know more of!” The two of them started walking again, passing Meekal’s house and continuing down the street.

Meekal, who was still a little shaken from his earlier flight, turned to Kliff and asked, “Did you hear that?”

“I sure did. Someone is spreading lies about King Arcon raising taxes.”

Meekal’s brow lowered slightly in thought, and he asked, “How do you know they’re lies?”

“Because when I was working down in the dungeon, Archie, the Royal Architect, was complaining that he would be able to design a proper dungeon if the King WOULD raise some taxes. From what I understand, the kingdom is just barely getting by, but the King refuses to raise taxes.” Kliff was silent a moment. “I don’t know why someone would be spreading a lie like that, but if these untruths start getting around…”

Meekal finished his thought by adding, “There will be revolution.”

[Willow]

The hairs on the back of Willow's neck rose and were tingling. That meant trouble. She had the feeling of eyes watching her as she lifted her skirts and began to run down the corridors, hoping to either get to the safety of her room or to run into someone. This wing was so deserted right now. Very unusual. There! Her room was right down the hall. Straining her ears, she heard footsteps echoing down the hallway. Rushing into her room, she threw the bolt on the door. Backing up, trying to catch her breath, she saw the doorknob turn. Then, she heard the footsteps go away from her room, down the hall.

Feeling trapped, Willow opened every curtain and window in her room. She had the feeling she didn't have much time. Taking a couple volumes down from the shelves, she began to flip through them. She had to find something that would help. What was the matter with Moon? Willow had never known Moon to act so strangely before. Where was Zarcon? No one seemed to be able to find him. When was Nicholas going to return? He was only outside, but he might as well be a hundred miles away, since she couldn't risk leaving her room right now. Looking out the window, she saw Nicholas outside. He waved to her, calling out that he was coming back and would be at her room in moments. Willow turned back to her book. Her eyes caught on a spell that would allow her to follow evil energy to its source. Perhaps this could help her.

Turning towards the sound, she saw a letter had been slipped under her door. Her name was written on it in a handwriting both strange, yet familiar. Carefully opening the envelope, she removed the paper it contained. The message was brief and to the point. It said, "I will have your Moon and I will kill your king." The letter was signed Zarcon.

[Moonitic]

"What made you wish to leap to your death like this, Lady?" Arcon asked in an unusually quiet, reserved voice. He stared down at his rough hands as they lay clasped in his lap. "Surely your life here is not as bad as that."

"I...I don't know. The dream was so real. So frightening." Moon shook her head, trying to remove the images as they flooded back into her memory. She tried to think of something else, but the only other images that would come had to do with the unspeakable evils that she had committed in recent times. She could no longer bear the guilt alone. She sat up, despite Arcon's attempts to ease her back down. "I am so sorry I threatened you. I do not know what came over me. One moment, I was leaving the ball, and the next...I had such a strange rage in my heart..." She clutched her head between her hands. "What happened to me to make me that way?"

The king took a breath before he answered. He had to phrase his answer well, lest she become more upset with the truth. "Princess...I have to apologize myself." When she stared at him, tears streaking her face, he continued. "I was approached by Meekal, who wanted me to demand that you attend the ball with him. I did not realize that he had planned a love potion, or so he says, for you. If I did, I would never..."

"Meekal?" Her face grew red. "Meekal did this?" Her breath grew short. Her fists and teeth clenched. "I'm going to kill him!" Moon attempted to leap from the bed, but the quick hand of the king caught her. "Let me go!"

"No. Now is not the time to hunt anyone down. You are not safe. No one is." Arcon did not elaborate on that statement. "And, we have other matters to discuss...like our encounter in the dungeon."

[Iwant2bafencer]

There were only a few people left at the ball. One of them being Wooden Bob. Was that. .cheese on his peg? Rosaline chuckled softly. That was the first time she had laughed since. . .earlier at the ball. She was so very tired, but she knew there was much more to be done before she could get any rest.
Angel and Rosaline desided to walk the corridors to make sure everything was in order. As they passed the main enrance they heard a heated discussion between two of the guards out on the lawn. Angel went to settle the matter while Rosaline continued down the corridor. She turned down one of her least favorite hallways. It was always dim from the lack of windows. As she walked she saw a shadow go by her side. Not a shadow a cloak! Rosaline shook the thought from her head, and continued down the hall. She needed to find someone to talk to. Someone who could tell her more about Moons behavior, and what ever went on down in the dungeon.
The Lady Moon herself? No not yet.
The king? He needed his rest.
Lochinvar? He was pretty banged up, and could barely manage a smile last she saw. Jo? She chuckled most likely with Loch.
What was that? She could have sworn she saw another. .shadow. 'I'm seeing things.' She thought to herself.
The Queen? Yes, the queen. She would explain things, and maybe even let Rosaline do some talking to. The problem was. .where was she?
Rosaline quickened her step to go find the queen.

----------------------
Carpe Diem

[Lord Tellurine]

Dr. Julius Abernathy was attending to his garden when he heard the town belltower ring the noon hour. He yanked out a weed and yawned, wishing he had slept a few more hours this morning instead of letting his wife talk him into doing yard work.

A man approached his front gate and greeted, "Hello, friend." He wasn't a friendly-looking fellow, but instead was dressed in black and had a sinister smile.

"Hello," replied back Dr. Abernathy with as much warmth as he could muster for the stranger. He yawned again.

"You seem tired," the man noted. "Wouldn't it be nice to hire someone to do this yardwork?"

Dr. Abernathy straightened up from his weed-pulling stance and examined the man. "I'm not hiring anyone to do my yardwork, if that's what you want."

The man shook his head. "No, no. Of course not. I'm merely saying that with some extra money in your pockets you could hire someone to do that back-breaking work there."

Dr. Abernathy smiled for the first time since encountering the man. "True. But I don't have the money for that."

The man's eyes scanned the Abernathy estate. "I bet that with a house like this you pay a lot of taxes."

"It's not so bad," commented Dr. Abernathy, bending down to yank out another weed.

"Too bad taxes are going up," offered the man.

Abernathy stood upright again. "What's that?"

"Word is," the man said with his sinister smile, "that King Arcon is raising taxes substantially. Something about redecorating the castle..."

Dr. Abernathy thought about what the man was saying. Certainly the King wouldn't be redecorating with all the troubles he was facing. The collapse of the dungeon, the young lady who had turned evil, the escape of his murderous brother... "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch your name."

The man was silent for a moment, then smiled, and said, "Kliff, Kliff Fauldergraft."

"Well, Mr. Fauldergraft, I will wait to hear from the King himself, if he is to raise taxes."

The man gave a defeated bow. "Of course. I was merely performing my civic duty." The man turned abruptly and began walking back towards town.

Dr. Abernathy scratched his chin, leaving a dirt mark from his finger. "Kliff Fauldergraft," he said to himself slowly. "Why does that name seem familiar? Maybe he is in cahoots with the King's brother..." He glanced back at his house. "First chance I get, I should tell A.S.S. about this Kliff person..."

Meanwhile, the real Kliff Fauldergraft watched Meekal sleep as he put down the book he had been reading to him: Goldilocks and the Three Stones.

[arcon]

Arcons talk with Moon had gone much longer than he has planned. She was better now and it seemed that all traces of the evil spell had worn off. His only real concern over her now was her emotional state. If he could just keep her calm long enough for her to rest and gain strenght, she would be ok.
As he walked down the long corridor toward his personal chambers he thought he saw movement at the opposite end of the corridor.
It was about that time that his chief chef rounded the corner. "my king, greetings."
"Your dinner this evening with Lord Lochinvar." "Shall I prepare the usual?"
"Yes, Arcon replied...but bring red wine for
Sir loch." "Yes, mi-lord replied the chef".

Arcon made his way to his chambers, not knowing what that little interuption might cost. Slowly the visitor in the shadows made his way toward Moons chambers. As Arcons mind turned toward politics......what was this nasty rumor about him raising taxes all about? Who was spreading it and why?