Aftermath of the collapse

[Lord Tellurine]

Harold Wesley was eleven and was the youngest servant currently working in the royal kitchen. His mom was a royal chambermaid. His father was a castle groundskeeper. The family had come to work at the castle after Baron Von Schmect had taken their farm from them when he was dissatisfied with the crop one year. It was the kindness of King Arcon and Queen Zelda that kept the family from starving. All Harold’s father had to do was ask, and King Arcon gave his mother and father jobs at the castle. When Harold turned eleven he began working in the kitchen. His mother thought he should stick to his school studies, but his father was convinced that you were never too young to start working.

Working in the castle had been great fun for Harold. Until now. Things were different now. There was talk of evil in the castle. Rumors amongst the castle help ran rampant. There were stories of a collapse down in the dungeon. There had been a crowd of rioters outside the castle earlier in the afternoon. Rocks had broken many windows and Harold overheard his mom crying over the murder of one of the other chambermaids.

There was a flurry of activity in the late afternoon in the castle kitchens. Nani was inconsolable. There were soldiers from Marsteria, a land that Harold had never heard of before, milling around the ovens, and members of A.S.S., who Harold was told not to talk to, huddled around the sink. Then Lady Rosaline, the woman that was the head of the Arconian Armed Forces, gave Harold a serving tray and told him to take it to one of the towers. She told him there were two men up there who needed to eat and she asked him to report to her if they had any “new information to divulge.” Before Harold could ask her what constituted new information, she was gone, and he was left holding a tray of food.

He didn’t hurry to the tower, but he wasn’t deliberately slow either. He took careful steps as he walked the length of the great hall. Portraits of the heroes of Arconia looked down at him, and for the first time he found their stares eerie. He climbed the steps of the tower slower than usual and when he reached the landing at the top he found it empty, except for the door that led to the tower room and the key to the door hanging on a small hook. It there had been a guard he must have joined everyone down in the kitchen.

Harold took the last step onto the landing and listened for a moment, hoping to hear some signs of life from the tower room. He heard nothing. He knocked on the door.

A voice said, “Yes? Who is it?”

Harold didn’t recognize the voice, but it sounded like a young man. He had a pleasant, non-threatening voice. Harold answered back, “It’s Harold Wesley, sir. From the kitchen. I’ve brought you something to eat.”

Another voice said, “At last! I’m starving!” Harold heard a chair scrape against the floor of the room, as if someone was getting up from it. The door handled rattled, as if someone was trying to open it from inside. The second voice said, “Unless it’s pancakes, that you can slide under the door, you’re going to have to unlock it.”

“Yes, sir,” said Harold, as he put his tray down. He grabbed the key from off the wall and his hand shook as he brought it up to the lock. Finally, he was able to slide it in, but before turning it he asked, “You two aren’t dangerous, are you?”

There was a moment of silence and then the first voice said, “Of course not. We’re only in here because they think we want to overthrow King Arcon.”

“Why did you tell him that?” asked the second voice angrily.

“He asked!” explained the first voice.

“That doesn’t mean you have to tell him the truth!”

“What should I tell him?” asked the first voice. “I’m a prince of Muu and you’re an unemployed geologist of Muu, and we’re guests of King Arcon, who accidentally locked us in the tower!”

“Uh, sirs,” Harold tried to interrupt through the locked door.

“That would’ve been better then, ‘we’re suspected of treason!’”

“I didn’t say that!”

Harold unlocked the door and swung it open. “Hello, sirs,” he said. The two men stopped arguing, looked at young Harold, and then smiled at him. He picked up the tray from the floor. “Your food,” he offered politely.

They both grabbed a sandwich and began to eat hungrily. Harold watched them in awe. He examined the younger looking man and asked him, “Are you a prince?”

Meekal looked up from his sandwich. He swallowed and replied, “Yes. I’m Prince Meekal of Muu.” He brushed crumbs from his hand and extended it in greeting.

Harold merely stared at the hand. No prince had ever offered to shake his hand before. Instead of taking it, he bowed politely and said, “It’s an honor to meet you.”

Meekal retracted his hand with a look of embarrassment and said, “And this gentlemen is my old friend, Kliff Fauldergraft.”

“Nice to meet you,” Harold said to Kliff.

“What did you say your name was?” Meekal asked.

“Harold, sir. Harold Wesley. I work in the kitchen.”

“Well, Harold,” said Meekal with a smile, “you’re talking to two of the most important men in Arconia right now.”

Harold didn’t believe his boast. How could these two men be important to Arconia if they were locked up in the tower? “You don’t say,” said Harold, feigning interest.

Meekal said, “We know which way Zarcon went.”

“Who’s Zarcon?” asked Harold, now interested.

Meekal answered in a lowered voice, “The evil brother of King Arcon.”

Harold laughed. He had to. An evil brother of King Arcon was preposterous to imagine. King Arcon was the nicest man Harold had ever met.

“Don’t laugh,” said Meekal. “It’s true. He attacked the king last night at the ball. He escaped the dungeon this morning, and he snuck out of the castle this afternoon during the riots.”

Harold stopped smiling. He heard talk of a battle last night at the ball and everyone had heard the rumors of the cave-in down in the dungeon. Now he understood why all the soldiers were gathering in the kitchen. They were going after Zarcon. Harold asked, “If you know where Zarcon went, why are you locked up here?”

“We saw which way he went while up here,” explained Meekal. “You can see all around the castle grounds from up here.”

“I know,” agreed Harold. “It’s one of my favorite spots to look out of. Lot’s of times I come up here to see what part of the grounds my father is working on. This afternoon he was working on some bush that someone had fallen onto.”

Meekal smiled weakly.

Kliff had finished his sandwich and he said to Harold, “We have to let someone know that we saw which way Zarcon went.”

“I can tell Lady Rosaline,” said Harold. “She told me to tell her if you two had new information to divulge.”

“That’s great, kid,” Kliff said with an insincere smile. “But WE should tell her ourselves.” He strolled past Harold and out the door. “C’mon, Meekal.”

“Coming!” he said, his mouth full of sandwich. They both started down the steps of the tower.

“Wait!” cried Harold behind them. “I can’t let you guys out! I’ll get in trouble!” He ran down the steps after them. “Come back!”

[DamedEscrime]

Jo listened carefully to the news of the day. Zarcon was missing and Lady Moon had been kidnapped. She began to get that "I hsould do something" feeling again.

"You highness, please, allow me to aid in this adventure," She asked in all sincerity.

Arcon studied her for a moment. She was a pleasing young woman and had made some great changes in herself, but he knew she was not ready to take after cutthroats and kidnappers.

Lochinvar was interested in the king's answer too. Surely he would not allow this one to go anywhere, at least he hoped not. The now greening bruise of her pommeling was eveidence enough that she was not experienced enough to hold her own in a battle.

Arcon turned to Jo and said,"My dear lady, I am pleased that you are willing to serve the crown, and I mean no offense, but you have only just begun to understand the mechanics of the fight. It would be foolish of me to send you out too soon. Be patient, your day will come."

Her eyes watered and looked to the ground. She managed to mumble a weak. "As you wish, you majesty." And turned to go, leaving the group looking after her.


(Do you really think Jo will do as she is told this time?)

[Moonitic]

"I do hope my brother has enough sense to come alone," Zarcon muttered, gazing toward the castle again. "He never could do anything alone." He glared down at the girl he held, and tightened his grip. "Not like us, Princess." For a moment, she thought that he might force another kiss. Instead, he laughed. "If he does come with 'help', I have a little surprise waiting for them. No one will keep me from this confrontation. Today we settle it once & for all."

[DamedEscrime]

Jo hurried to her room and slammed the door behind her. She did not want anyone to see her tears. "I'm never good enough for anything," she thought. "Somehow I must prove myself. I must become useful to the kingdom. But how?"
Her mind raced. She wanted so much to be more than she was, to be accepted, not looked on as someone who needed to be taken care of. As she paced about her room she formed a halfbaked idea.

"AH, I know what I can do,"she said aloud to the empty room. "It sounds to me that the Lady Moon was spirited away in much the same fashion that I was by Sir George of Washington. If this indeed be the case, they would have taken approximately the same route."

She quickly slipped out of her dress and tossed it aside. (No more gowns on missions, she had learned that the hard way.)Then she dropped her corsette and kicked off the pale yellow shoes. Finally, she placed her mothers earfobs into a trinket box for safe keeping and began to dress.

Black seemed to be called for. She dug around and found the pair of black leather breeches she had been saving for riding lessons. Pulling them on she hastily tied them and donned a black chemise. She added a pair of black kidskin gloves and sturdy riding boots.

Now for a weapon. She owned none of her own save her lady's dagger and her sisiter's hammer. She slipped the dagger into her boot and retreived the hammer from its hiding place. She would have to make it to the display wall, undiscovered, once more to find a suitable sword. The last thing she needed was a mount. That part would be tricky. She did not ride well and she knew it. She had no idea how to choose a horse either. Hmmm... Lochinvar's would not be needed and he seemed to be an agreeable beast.

Quietly she slipped down the corridor to the greatroom. There she selected a fine sword. Then she snuck into the kitchen larder to confiscate a bit of sugar for "her" gelding and some bread as well as a bladder of wine for herself. Finally donning a dark cloak she made her way back toward the stables.

--------------------

[Zelda]

The Queen, after a suitable pause made her way down to the kitchens. None of the cook staff was happy, nor was Nani, muttering in a corner about dirty boots and extra cleaning.
As she entered everyone turned, for even if they didnt not know her personally they recognised the Queen.

[arcon]

Arcon slowly but surely made his way toward the Palace kitchen. It wasnt his idea to meet there but it seemed safe and secure enough so he hadnt objected.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline glanced at Loch, then at the king going towards the kitchen.
"Well. . . I uh should probably go down there as well. I wouldnt be a good head if I didnt." Rosaline scrathed her head. "Umm. .right then. I'll talk to you later."
With that Rosaline walked away. Not knowing what else to say for lack of knowledge about the man.
By the time she got to the kitchens. The queen was just starting her shall we say 'pep talk.' She hadn't needed to get everyones attention. For that had been granted from just her mere presence.

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

[arcon]

Arcon was on his way toward the palace kitchen when he ran head on to the boy in the hallway. The boy hit him square in the chest before falling backwards and bouncing on his bottom. His eyes and mouth were wide open with fright and his face pale from fright.

"Whats wrong with you Harold? ..and where do you go in such a hurry young man?" Arcon asked, sounding more like a father than a king.

"sir......my King.......your sire......aaaa
your majestey.....i aaaa, aaaaa well, i was...."

"Calm down young man, get your breath and start over. I wont bite you!" expressed Arcon in a calm but firm voice.

"They got out sir......Im sorry. I only went to feed them. Please ...Please dont kill me.....please!, cried the boy.

Arcon was shocked but yet somewhat amused by the young mans fears....he was really scared to death.
"Its ok, Harold...I've known your family a long time. I know it was an accident, dont worry or concern yourself ..ill take care of it but do me a favor young man.....never..never go to the tower alone without a gaurd, ok? promise me that...and do it now.

"Yes, your majesty. Harold said quickly,his voice much calmer.

"Now go and do the King a favor, go to the Palace stables , check on my horse and have Captain Zorn meet me in the Palace Kitchen."

"Yes, King Arcon, and Harold ran away as quickly as he could.

[arcon]

As Arcon made his way toward the palace kitchen he began to go over the situation in his mind. His brother had captured Moon. He knew it was to draw him out, and he knew why.
Zarcon would attempt to kill him, then use his allies and his warriors to rule Arconia. In the process he would seek and fulfill his need for revenge. Arconia would not prosper,it would be the focus of his revenge
for what his mother had attempted to do to him.

As it stood now, Zelda, Latenight,Willow,Rosaline,Capt Zorn and six of his best gaurds would go after Zarcon.
Arcon was thankful for the wisdom of his best physician and the herbs he'd been given for the pain. Except for a mild limp , the leg felt fine.

He hadnt told Captain Zorn or the others his plan once they located Zarcon. It was best they not know.

[ 10-14-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[arcon]

Arcon finally reached the Palace Kitchen.
It was by no means a small room. He had insisted at the time of construction that a large table..that seated 30 be located in the center of this most impressive cooking center.

As he entered the room all rose to greet
him, Zelda, Latenight,Lady Rosaline,Lochinvar, Captain Zorn and 7 of his elite gaurds. For a moment Arcon wondered, why the 7th gaurd. He'd specifically asked Zorn for six. This young man dressed in all black he'd not seen before. He quickly dismissed it....Capt Zorn knew what he was doing, he'd not press it. Time was running out. Moon was in danger and they need to ride ....and do it soon.

"My Queen, and fellow Arconians. Once again we have fallen upon chaotic times.
Our citizens have been inspired to riot...they have been decieved by lying traitors....these traitors are still at large and are enemies of the crown."
"This although serious in itself was only a diversion....Zarcon, my evil brother as you
know has abducted Lady Moon. Ive also just been informed that Meekal and Kliff have escaped the tower." "By way of carrier pigeon Ive learned that
Zarcon is headed toward the valley between our two lands. This was the valley of our birth. I can only assume that he wishes it to end where it began. This is very dangersous country, the ride is long and the canyon is very deep. As deep as three of the tallest trees upon each other."
"There are many places for ambush." One things for certain....he will save me for last. If any of you here do not wish to go, I will understand. There will be no penalty
or punishment if you simply walk out of this room." "I can speak with certainty that all of us will not return."

[ 10-14-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[ 10-14-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[DamedEscrime]

In a far corner of the kitchen a chill ran down Jo's spine as she listened to the king's words. She had not consisdered the possibility of...anyone not coming back from this. She looked to the face of each one in the room imagining what it would be like if one of them did not return. The thought stabbed her as a sword twisting in the gut. She lingered on Lochinvar. She had only just met him, yet she felt more deeply about him than any in the room.
She shook the thoughts from her mind. She must focus. This was to be her moment of destiny and nothing must interfer.

[Zelda]

bump for Tell.

[Moonitic]

I missed a lot of good stuff that has to be added into the book!

...scurrying away to add it...

[Swordsman]

Can you find the thread that followed from this?

[Iwant2bafencer]

Wow that's a blast from the past. I had forgotten some of the stuf that happened in this thread.

Which thread would that be swords?

[Swordsman]

That's exactly what I'm wondering.

[Zelda]

THat would probably be night of the new moon, which has disappeared. I'm not @ home at the moment and am on dial up so cant deal with it, Can you guys wait for the weekend? I have a national champs to win......

[Iwant2bafencer]

Haha yeah go Z. Good Luck.