Aftermath of the collapse

[arcon]

A since of urgency was driving Arcon. Where he was getting this strength he did not know.
"my king, Latenight and Angel, still they have not arrived! What shall we do?"
For the first time Arcon saw fear in the young Captains eyes. He'd been a very loyal soldier, a family man with two children. Arcon sincerely hoped that this would not be his last day as an Arconian.

It would not be his last day if Arcon had anything to do about it.
"my captain, go to the clerics quarters bring me 6 robes. We cannot go out like this,
the crowd will tear us to pieces."
"We must leave word for Angel,Latenight and Lochinvar, some how they must calm this crowd. If they were here now,im sure they wouldnt even allow me to leave....but they are not here, are they? So we must act."
Go man! hurry! .....Even the horses could sense the tension, Arcon had never seen them this restless. He looked over and caught site of his own steed, but to his surprize the magnifisent animal stood amist all the confusion, stedfast, calm and defiant.
They made eye contact and it was as if they both knew what had to be done.

[ 10-10-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[Zelda]

"Here you go your majesty.." the guard skidded back to the with a box and a loud hailer fashioned from a large piece of board.
"You took your time" she replied as she climbed up onto the box and faced the crowd.
"PEOPLE OF ARCONIA.....PEOPLE OF ARCONIA...." slowly the rabble died down as they realised someone was trying to say something....
"Its the Queen!." the whisper ran through the crowd like wildfire. "The Queen has come to talk to us! It must be true then. Why else would she come?"

"PEOPLE OF ARCONIA...LISTEN TO ME! Who told you the taxes were going up? Was it Arcon? NO! Was it me? NO! I couldnt have, I have been away. You KNOW how our government works. NOTHING gets passed unless both Arcon and I approve. And this is something I DONT approve of. Please, disperse for the moment. I PROMISE I will find out what is happening and I will tell you. I give you that promise as Queen. When I know what is happening I will send messengers out to call you all together. This I promise on the royal seal."

The crowd stood transfixed by the Queens voice. She was not a tall woman but made up for in eloquence what she lacked in stature. She carried herself proudly, but without the arrogance which sometimes plauges royalty.

The mummers of the crowd came back...
"Why should we believe you? What proof do you have?"

The Queen sigh, not for many years, nay never had she had to work so hard to convince a crowd. She took a deep breath and went on.

"Arconians....why would we introduce something which ultimately is not going to do you any good? We have your best interests at heart. Raising taxes serves no purpose. We have enough in the royal bank already. You all know all you have to do is come and ask us and we will help you. It has always been like that, ever since Arcon and I took the throne. Let me see what is happening, if I have not got back to you in 72 hours, send a representative to come and find me."

The crowd sighed, it sounded like a breeze wafting through. Slowly they looked to Gregory Thatcher, the instigator. He had conviently disappeared. Seeing the impetous had left the crowd the Queen urged them to return to their jobs and she would find out what was going on.

As she stepped off the box she muttered to herself, "Arcon has alot to answer!!!".

She turned to the castle guard and saw Captain Zorn running towards her.
"ZORN! Find Arcon, I need to speak to him. I will be in the garden." Zelda told him as skidded to a stop in front of her.
"But......." Zorn Stammered.
"No buts just GO!" the queen replied as she walked away.

[latenight]

Latenight stormed into the palace, still nursing a headache from the wild night on the boat. "Can there never be a day without a war, assasination attempt or a knight going looney in this kingdom!", he muttered as he threw a page his coat.

He would see that this Gregory Thatcher would pay dearly for instigating all this nonsense......

"Bring me to the King at once!", he barked. He was not a man used to waiting and his patience was wearing thin.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline groaned and stepped over to the window looking down onto the grounds. From where she was she could see the gardens, the stables, and the front steps. She had been trying to get information out of Meekal for the past twenty minutes. All that turned out to be was him and Rufus fighting over who got to tell.

"Rufus! I'm telling her!" Meekal almost yelled into his hand. "Yes yes I know she's very pretty. . ." He glanced up and blushed.

Rosaline looked over at Kliff who had some how managed to fall asleep.

"Meekal enough!" Rosaline sighed rubbing her temples. "I am going to ask you one more time. You as in Meekal the D. .former prince of Muu."

"My brother was a prince of Muu to." He stated looking proud at his knowledge of his brother.

"Yes Meekal, I am quite aware of that." Rosaline sighed.

"So did you two have fun at the ball? You looked pretty cozy dancing. I was thinking to myself wow they make an awesome couple. What a nice love life they could have. . ."
"Meekal please! I did not come up her to discuss my love life or lack there of. Now this has nothing to do with your brother either."

"Right sorry." Meekal dre in the sand with his toe.

"ok for the last time. Whostarted those rumors, and who is this Thacher fellow?!"

"Rufus Shut-up she didnt ask you! Ask Kliff he knows."
"Meekal Kliff is dead to the world. I've tried everything to arouse him. It would take this tower falling for him to wake up!"

"Rufus Hush Dont talk anymore it bothers me! Oh no I didn't mean it like that!"

Rosaline glanced out the window again to see Latenight storming into the castle. She looked the other way towards the stables, and saw some men getting horses ready. Was that the king.

"Rufus I. ."
"Meekal I'm leaving. I've got other important matters to deal with." Rosaline opened the door. "No one is going to come talk to you unless I say so. So you have fun with rufus." She took a step out. "But people already have come. Well more they've been here."

Rosaline studied the small room. "Who?"

Meekal dug into his pocket bringing out two rocks. "Heather and John Meet Lady Rosaline. She. ."

Rosaline shut the door and went to talk to Latenight then the king.

As the door shut Kliff woke with a start. "What was that?!" He said hitting his head against the wall.

"Lady Rosaline she just left."

"oh ok." Kliff looked around then feel asleep again.

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

[Iwant2bafencer]

(Ed. Note: I just went over my 400th post. Thanks everyone. It's a pleasure writing with all of you.)

Rosaline hurried down the steps, and spoted Latenight pacing the floor.
"Latenight!"
Latenight glanced up from his pacing looking the Lady over. "Do I know you?"

"Well we've never met formally, but I know who you are." She stuck out her hand when she reached him.
"Lady Rosaline head of the Arconian Military. Right now also A.S.S. Angel desided to take a joy-ride to find Serena and Nækos."
Latenight shook her hand.
"What wonderful timing he has." Latenight replied.
"yes, there's way to much going on right now. You saw the crowd out front? Yes well that's only one problem. Anyway, am I seeing things or was the king out at the stables getting horses ready? Oh, and you haven't spoken to the queen yet have you?"

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

[latenight]

"A pleasure to meet you dear lady."

"With all the others gone, I fear a may have to speak to the crowd. I am fairly sure I can calm them temporarily. But the instigators of this mess must be captured quickly and dealt with. Arconian law dictates that anyone who knowingly incites riot must be punished. And I'm afraid the punishment is quite severe. It is a law on the books from Arconia's more draconian past. I will do my best, I will leave it to you to capture the perpetrators"

Latenight looked out at the sea of unrest. This would not be easy. He stepped out on the balcony, cleared his throat, and began to do the verbal song and dance he was so gifted at.

He concluded with," People of Arconia, you know me well and realize that no crime will go unpunished and that I will not rest until I find the truth about these accusations. Should they be true, then revolution will have it's day, as you wish. But I tell you this, Arconia has harsh laws to punish those who would incite riot and rebellion for purpose of their own designs, and they will be enforced to the full measure. I will return to this balcony in two days time with your answers. Now go home and let justice be done!"


Latenight stepped away from the balcony. He turned to the Lady and said," I have bought us some time, let us pray it be enough."

[ 10-11-2001: Message edited by: latenight ]

[arcon]

Captain Zorn was out of breath when he reached Arcon. Arcon was in the process of instucting his stable hand his wishes concerning his horse. "I dont care if the saddle is not suitable for a king....I cant ride out there with this decorative piece of .... ill be spotted right away." "Get some brown dye and put some spots on her there are many that know I ride a white horse."

"my king",said Zorn. "Ive seen the queen".
Arcon was on the young Captain so fast Zorn,startled nearly lost his balance.

"Where is she? Is she safe? Is she well guarded?

The young Captain was so taken aback he was stuttering when he aswered.....

"Sir she'd like for you to meet her in the garden right away." replied Zorn.
"she spoke with the crowd earlier".

"What!" screamed arcon. "you allowed this!

"No sire, Zorn responed his voice noticeable
shaking. "She did this on her own, sir."

"ok, Arcon replied, his tone calming, "go about your business, ready the gaurds, see to our supplies. Inform me the minute Latenight and Angel arrive."
"Ill be in the garden".

[ 10-11-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 10-11-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[Zelda]

As Latenight finished his speech the crowd called out.. "Why are you telling us this? The Queen has already spoken!"

Latenight looked shocked. Rosaline had the good grace to look sheepish. He cleared his throat and continued with "In that case I go to consult with the Queen!" and scampered off the balcony. Waiting for him in the room was a page.

"Sir, the King is looking for you...."

"As I am he! Where is he?"

"In the garden with the Queen."

"Right..." Latenight muttered, "I'll let the Queen have it in both barrels, I dont care if she is the Queen. Its my job as Chief Lawyer to deal with things like this....."

Rosaline saw her opportunity to finally find the Queen, which she had originally set off to do ages ago, and tagged along as Latenight continued muttering.

At the same time as Latenight stalked off to the garden Arcon literally ran into Zelda as she paced the rose walks by the ballroom.

"My QUEEN! You are Safe!"

"Yes I am," the queen replied curtly, "But why was there a minor riot happening at the gates this morning? Since when did you decided to raise taxes and NOT ask me?"

"I didnt!!!" Arcon exclaimed. "Why would I do that?"

The Queens face softened as she realised he was telling the truth. Sheepishly she hugged Arcon and gave him a kiss in way of apology.

"Sorry dear, still slightly stressed about things...."

"thats ok, I've missed you...."

"As I have you..."

At this junctuture, before the Queen could winkle out of her husband WHY there was a crowd at the gates and what it had to do with him, Latenight arrived, trailed by Rosaline who looked distinctly as if she had eaten a very large and sour lemon.

"My Queen," Latenight may have been angry but he didnt forget protocol...
"What right did you have to address the crowd today? What did you tell them? Its my job as Chief Lawyer to take control of things like this! You may have done irrepairable damage!"

The Queen looked slightly startled at the tirage of words directed at her. She was just about to start explaining when the King interrupted...

"She wouldnt have HAD to go out there if you were where you were SUPPOSED to be, ie IN THE CASTLE! and not entertaining some floozy on your boat!"

Latenight stopped with his mouth open to say something. A direct verbal attack is not something he expected from Arcon, who was generally the most diplomatic of characters. It was one of the reasons he had held the throne unchallenged for so long.

Thankfully Rosaline stepped in at this point to settle ruffled feathers.

"Latenight, I believe the reason the Queen addressed the crowd was because no one could find you or the King at that time. Your majesties, Latenight is generally needed at the palace I agree, but with everything being so peaceful lately I'm sure you wouldnt begrude him some time off."

"Peaceful?" the King muttered... "nothing is ever peaceful if my brother is in the equation!"

"Well how about less hectic then usual?" Rosaline suggested.

The Queen sigh. "Looks like we have to work out who is spreading rumours then..." she said.

"There are more important things on the agenda..." the king interrupted, "Moon has been kidnapped!!"

"AGAIN???????" the other three askedin disbelief.

"Yes Again! I swear that girl distrubutes posters that says "PLEASE KIDNAP ME!" and give directions to her chambers...." the King replied. "I have sent also for Angel, so as soon as he arrives we will go to resuce Lady Moon."

"Umm, Angel wont be arriving your majesty," Rosaline volunteered the information reluctantly, unsure how the king would react.

"Why?"

"He left me a note, he has gone to find Naekos, Serena and that other guy...the one who taught Naekos to fight."

"WONDERFUL! Latenight, you do realise what this means dont you?" the king turned to the chief lawyer who rolled his eyes and heaved a large sigh of resignation....

"I'll go home and find my weapons sire. I'll be back in 10 minutes" as Latenight trailed off to find his weapons Arcon started issuing orders.....

[Zelda]

"Right, lets see, if Angel aint here that means you are in charge of A.S.S. right Lady Rosaline?"

"I guess so your majesty!"

"Then go find every agent, every informer, every snitch there is and assemble them in the kitchens. Feed and water them, Zelda will be down soon to see what they know, if that is alright with you m'lday?

"Of course, kind sir!" The queen smiled. "however may I request that I be included in the party to rescue lady Moon? I owe her a slight apology!"

"Ummmmmmmm....." the king hesitated. He didnt want to get into another safety arguement with the Queen. Especially without Lochinvar there to back him up.

"Arcon............" the Queens eyes were steely set with determination.

"if you have finished interrogating everyone!" Arcon decided that if she had finished it would be nice to spend some time together, even if it was while looking for Lady Moon and Zarcon.

"Rosaline after you have done that Then go and raise the general call to arms. We will need all the power we can muster if we want to find Zarcon before something happens." Arcon contintued.

"On my way," Rosaline replied.

[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: Zelda ]

[Moonitic]

With Moon watching him, Zarcon paced. "I expected my brother to be here by now. Such pretty bait would surely bring a normal man running." He stopped to look at her, then continued. "When I put those dreams in your heads, I fully expected the heart to follow." Zarcon moved closer, grasping her wrist. "No matter, though. It will give us more time together." He pulled her to his chest, & bent down to capture her in a hungry kiss. She ducked away. With a growl he grabbed the back of her head, fingers entangled in her hair, and jerked her head upright. "You will learn that if I want something, I get it." Moon did not have time to scream before he forced his rough lips onto hers.

[Zelda]

Me thinks the rescue force better get off their bums and rescue Moon!

[latenight]

Latenight was not thrilled at the prospect of going out on a combat mission with the King, particularly when they were so undermanned. Although a skilled comabatant, he never cared much for getting his hands dirty.

He retrieved his armor, strapped on his bastard sword, a family heirloom which was supposed to have tremendous power. "Too bad no one remembers what those powers were", he thought with smirk.

He pulled a page aside and instructed him to retrieve the lovely Miss Spears from the boat and to take her into hiding. "Floosy indeed!", he mumbled. Sometimes the Queen could be so critical of his , umm, extracuricular activities. If she wasn't so darn cute.......

Latenight left to retrieve his ebony steed from the stables. He was getting too old for this sort of thing.

[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: latenight ]

[Zelda]

Umm guys? I just re read Duel in the Dungeon and Arcon dear, your leg should actually be broken, so no riding for you!
OOOH latenight thinks I'm CUTE!

[now returning to your regular story! Sorry guys, overtired and hyperactive do not a good combination make!]

[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: Zelda ]

[latenight]

Returning to the King, Latenight barked, "Ride now, heal later." He shifted his gaze to the lovely Zelda, smiled and said, "Or if you like, the Queen and I can go alone." He turned to a Royal Guard and said," Have the constable declare a state of emergency. Put a curfew in place, no one out after sundown. Arrest anyone who breaks it, and place them in a holding cell. "

[ 10-12-2001: Message edited by: latenight ]

[Moonitic]

Yeah...what the queen said!

Oh, wait...I'm being kissed by the bad guy. Let me rephrase that:

mmmm....rrrrr....aaahhhh...yuck!

[Lord Tellurine]

Lord Tellurine watched as his entire plan came to an unceremonious end. Of course, his plan had been successful. It had been created so that Zarcon could do whatever dirty work he wanted to do in the castle and Zarcon had to have done what he had wanted to do by now. Knowing that, Tellurine’s outlook on the situation brightened. He had performed his duty well. Zarcon would reward him handsomely.

Then Tellurine remembered the Headhunter, or Gregory Thatch, as he called himself in Arconia. He was too hungry. He wasn’t careful enough. He riled up the crowd, got them all shouting at the King and throwing rocks at the castle, and the first moment that Queen Zelda began addressing the mob, he was gone. By the time Latenight, the royal attorney, spoke from a balcony; he was probably halfway to Muu. Tellurine wondered how the King of Muu would take his failure and hoped his name wasn’t mentioned.

The late afternoon in Arconia was beginning to become early evening. All of residents of the City of Arconia were heading back to town and back to their lives. Someone rode past yelling something about a curfew and Tellurine began to wonder where he would spend the night. Zarcon had failed to tell him where his hideout was. He cursed the fact that the blundering Meekal the Daft had a nice house in town and would have a comfortable place to sleep that night, while he had to fend for himself in this backwater kingdom. With that irritating thought planted firmly in his head, he started for town, hoping to find an inn with a vacancy, and some sort of health standards.

Meanwhile, Meekal the Daft stuck his head out the tower window and took a look at the slowly setting sun. “The crowd is gone,” he reported to his tower-mate Kliff.

“Whoop-dee-doo,” he replied back unenthusiastically from his chair.

“There’s something going on at the royal stables, though. Looks like a search party.”

Kliff joined him at the window. “I wonder what they’re searching for?”

Meekal laughed. “Maybe Zarcon. Of course, if that’s the case, they’ll want to go that way.” He pointed off towards the north end of town, in the direction of the royal campsite, where a few nights earlier King Arcon had been struck by an arrow.

Kliff asked, “What are you talking about, Meekal?”

“Zarcon went that way. Zarcon and some figure draped in black came out of a secret passage leading from the castle and went that way.

Kliff grew angry. “And you saw that?!? Why didn’t you tell Lady Rosaline?!?”

“I didn’t see it,” explained Meekal. “Derek did.” Derek was one of his favorite stones. “And HE didn’t tell me until after Lady Rosaline left.” He turned back to the window and looked towards the stable. “I just hope the search party knows which way Zarcon went.”

Kliff looked at Meekal and said in a serious tone, “And I just hope someone remembers we’re up here.” He flopped back down into his chair.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Lady Rosaline had just sent word for every member of the Military, and A.S.S. to meet in 30 minutes in the kitchen. She herself had done over half of the riding around, and was back at the stables. She was about to releive her horse of its sadle when she noticed the other horses thathad their sadles on. She simply tied her horse up and hurried back to the palace.

Rosaline nodded at a servant with a tray of food. As she was hurrying to the gardens. She groaned. "Meekal you cause me more trouble than you will ever know." She muttered under her breath.

She hurried to the kitchen only to order a servant take a simple tray of food up to the tower. Where Meekal and Kliff where. She told the servant to let her know if Meekal or Kliff wanted to 'divulge' any other facts to her. Then went to the gardens.

She bowed slightly before the king and queen, and nodded to everyone else. Surprised to see loch out of bed. 'The man heals fast.' She thought to herself.

"Everyone will be meeting in the kitchens in less that a half an hour." She informed the Royal couple.
"So are we going after Lady Moon? Or are we just gonna stand in the garden?"

Loch and Jo moaned. "Gone again?" They asked in unison.
"Yes, again. you know I'm begining to think she enjoys being a D.I.D." Rosaline laughed.
"D.I.D?"
"damsil in distress."
The group fell silent. "Well, what are we all standing in a garden for? Lets at least do something!"
Rosaline glanced at the kings leg, and his crutches. "You dont expect to come with us with that leg do you?"

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

[DamedEscrime]

As the came to a halt they heard voices ahead. Upon inspection they saw that a samll party was meeting in the garden.
Shouts could be heard as several soldiers hurried back toward the satbles where they had just vacated.

As they neared the group they recongnized King Arcon, Queen Zelda, and several others.
Jo graciuosly gave a little curtsey as Loch bowed his head toward the royals.
Jo's heart always gave a little start when she was in Arcon's presence. It was the majesty of him that held her in awe. For once she was tongue tied.

"Your majesty," Lochinvar addressed the king.
"Zelda. I understand that a trouble brews. How may I be of service to the crown?"

Jo looked at Lochinvar in amazement. He was in no condition to be serving anyone yet he was willing to put aside his own pains to be of assistance. At that moment she both feared for and admired him.

[Zelda]

DID - Damsal in Distress!! I LOVE IT! It made my morning!!! I'll write something later... I promise.