Breaking from Lestat’s grasp I grab my skirts and rush over to the group of my friends and family from Brendlewood and Learia as fast as my long silk gown will let me. “Mother! I was so worried something bad happened to you!” Luke yells in excitement and hugs me tightly. But before I’m able to reply, Cade, Nora, Arthur, Bonnie, Jax, Tulip, and Roonie crowd around us anxiously. “Oh my gosh! Shel! We never thought we would find you!” Tulip says excitedly. “What happened to you since you left Brendlewood?” Arthur questions. “The last vision Nora had was of you throwing up blood and being with that thing over there! What happened to you?” Roonie pipes up. “It’s pretty clear what happened! She ran away to her own kingdom to marry that wretched ex-husband of hers!” Bonnie huffs. The group runs wild with questions and concerns about what they think things happened after I left Brendlewood, but they don’t know the whole story. “Give the poor girl some breathing room. How on earth are we supposed to get to the bottom of things if you don’t allow her to answer our questions,” Cade adds. “Why don’t we move this conversation in the great hall and discuss things more privately?” I suggest as I notice Melina and Nerissa standing behind everyone. The group comes to an agreement and follow me into the great hall. As we all take a seat I begin to explain, “A lot of things have happened since I left Brendlewood. I left to search for Thatcher. I thought he might have begun his search for Juliana, and I felt the only thing you all wanted to do was celebrate with your feasts instead of searching for Thatcher. When I left that night, I found the perfect place to set up a camp for the night. It wasn’t long after I fell asleep that I was attacked by a few big ugly trolls.” “Trolls? So close to the village? Was there a cave nearby?” Jax interrupts. “Not that I could see, but I did travel through the forest. I’d suppose they could have come down from the mountain to hunt,” I reply.
“Good heavens! How did you escape?” Nora inquires. I then begin to explain everything that happened at Carolin’s castle. “What happened after you got here? Is our baby brother alright?” Arthur asks worriedly. “Yes. Elijah is just fine, even though he was born early,” I reply and inform everyone of everything else that has happened leading all the way up until they were announced. “So we have twin baby brothers?” Arthur asks. I give a little smile before replying, “Yes. Edmund and Elijah. They’re both healthy and doing well.” Turning my attention to the rest of the group I say, “I know it’s a lot to take in, but don’t be angry with Lestat. It was always our destiny to be together. He’s no longer a vampire, but a hybrid just like I am. We were both born this way. It was the Lycans fault that things got so messy between us. They tortured and turned him into one of them. He left Brendlewood to get help because the scent of our blood made him want to feed on all of us. He compelled me to think that he was leaving me because he knew I would follow him or at least try to find him. He found his Grandmother Charlotte and she performed the Lycan removal spell, but she did it the only way she knew how. Which was to turn him into a pure vampire.” “Your so-called husband compelled you to forget everything but yet you remarried him! Sounds like he’s pulled the wool over your eyes to me!” Bonnie scoffs.
“Listen, Bonnie if you don’t like what you’re hearing, then you can just wait in the other room! I’m not the same helpless faery that I was before I left Brendlewood. I have fed on Lestat and seen his memories. Everything he has told me is the truth. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have married him. Thatcher’s loyalty now lies with Farah and their unborn child. Both of us have moved on.” Melina folds her arms and furrows a brow in disbelief before saying, “After everything my father has put us through, I can’t believe you can honestly trust him!” “I think we should sleep on all of this new information. Perhaps everything will settle down and look better with a new day. Congratulations Lestat and Shelly,” Cade interrupts. Lestat and I thank my friends before I pull the long rope next to the fireplace to summon for the maid. Within just a few minutes Maid Marcie enters the room. She gives a little curtsey and says, “You sent for me Majesty?” I give a little smile a reply, “Yes, Marcie. Can you show my friends to the guest wing? They had a very long journey and need their rest.” Marcie says that she will before she gives a curtsy and the others say Goodnight before following her upstairs. “That went rather well,” Lestat says while I’m lost in my own little world. I give him a playful punch in the shoulder and say, “Don’t sneak up on me like that! You scared the hell out of me!” He gives a little chuckle and pulls me to him and kisses me on the forehead, “I’m sorry Darling. I didn’t mean to scare you.” “Mhm. Sure, you didn’t,” I say playfully.
“What do you say we tell our guests that the feast is over and we turn in for the night?” Lestat inquires. “That sounds like a grand idea. I would love to have some alone time with you,” I smirk and give him a little wink. He smiles in return and the two of us leave the study. As we enter the ballroom, the violinists continue to play their soft music while the guests dance gracefully on the glistening tile floor. Lestat and I grab a wine glass as the footman passes by us with his tray of drinks. Lestat taps his glass with a spoon and wraps his arm around me as he says, “Ladies and Gentleman, Scarlett and I would like to thank you for coming and being so patient during the events of the evening. It was a pleasure to have you all here to celebrate our joyous occasion. We also want to thank our talented violinists for their beautiful music and their help to make this occasion possible. Thank You all and have a good night.” The guests applaud and the violinists take a bow and they begin to leave the castle. A tap on my shoulder catches my attention and I turn to see my grandparents and uncle standing behind us. “Pardon me Majesties. I know you’re wanting to turn in for the night, but your grandfather, uncle and I didn’t get to introduce ourselves. I’m Queen Azura of Farwater Gleam and this is your Grandfather Warrick, and your Uncle Lockston. We wanted to give you your wedding gift, but then all of the commotion of this evening took your attention away from the celebration. If you follow us outside to our carriage your grandfather and I will personally give you your gifts,” Azura says.
“Outside?” I question curiously. “Yes, Majesty. I’m afraid your gifts were rather large and we couldn’t bring them in by ourselves. I’m sure you will find them quite useful in the battle against that preposterous Queen Carolin,” Azura explains. Lestat smiles slightly and says, “Before today, Shelly and I thought you all were dead. Her parents never spoke about any of you. May we ask why?” Azura frowns a little, “Your mother left to marry that vampire husband of hers when we had a deal for her to marry one of Merlin’s grandchildren. We almost had a war with the wizards until his grandson Ganondorf decided he wanted to see her happy and didn’t want to split that vampire and Natalia up, so he refused to marry her. To get to the point, your grandfather and I didn’t approve of this union. One late stormy night, Natalia snuck out of the castle and ran away to Hidden Springs, where she married your father, and we never spoke to or seen her again. We tried our hardest to get her to agree to marry someone who wasn’t a night-walker…. someone who was alive and not dead, but she just wouldn’t listen.” Azura turns her attention towards me and says, “Oh pish posh! Look at me rambling on about the old news when I’m sure you would like some alone time with this handsome young man. Besides, it’s getting late and we best be on our way. We have a long journey home.”
“You could stay here for the night if you would like. We have plenty of room, and it would give you time to get to know Shelly better,” Lestat offers. “That sounds like a splendid idea, but sadly we really must be on our way. Farwater can’t run itself, you know,” Warwick chuckles. “I hope you don’t find it rude if I have our guards follow us outside to retrieve our wedding gift. With everything that has happened to us in the past, we can’t be too careful,” Lestat says apologetically. Azura smiles and says, “We don’t find that rude at all. We completely understand. After all, you really don’t know us.” “In fact, we wouldn’t expect anything less than you protecting my niece,” Lockston pipes in. Lestat gives a nod and calls for the guards who are right outside of the ballroom and they follow us out to the courtyard and take their places in front of the door. “Your gift is in my bag, if I may quickly grab it?” Azura questions. “Of course you may,” I reply. Azura then heads to her carriage and I curiously watch as she reaches inside and grabs a golden staff out of her bag. Azura then gently taps the staff on the ground. “Here they come mother!” Lockston shouts excitedly. Suddenly, a ferocious roar echoes throughout the kingdom and Azura smiles with excitement and points up at the night sky.
Lestat and I look to the sky in the direction my grandmother is pointing in, to see four bat-like creatures soaring around the castle. As they come closer into view, I can make out what looks like four huge dragons emerging from the clouds and sour around the towers of the castle. The scales on the biggest one looks like a big ball of fire and the medium-sized one blends in with the moon with its moonstone colored scales, the smaller one glistens a light blue, and the smallest one’s black scales look like glitter in the moonlight. The ground tremors and a thunderous crack sound follows as the four dragons land a few feet in front of us and let out a deafening roar. As I nearly fall to the ground, Lestat grabs my hand and helps me up to my feet before gently pulling me back to him in fear of what the beasts will do to us. “There’s no need to fear them. They won’t hurt you. Really, they’re gentle creatures, won’t harm anyone unless they are trying to harm you. That’s how we’ve remained safe all of these years. Their parents have been the protectors of our realm. Now their children are your protectors. They hatched the night that you were born. After we received word of your birth, your grandmother and I went to the dragon pit and found their eggs had hatched, and have been waiting for you since then. We’ve raised them and trained them in hopes the heir of Far Water should return. Here you stand, and here are your dragons,” Warrick informs.
“But that’s-” I begin, but Azura interrupts. “Impossible?” I give a little nod in return before she continues, “Nothing is ever impossible deary.” “But I thought dragons only exist in stories and books?” I question curiously. Lestat releases me from his embrace and approaches the dragons. He circles around each of the smaller dragons and inspects each one before standing in front of the biggest one who towers above them all. “Careful with that one dear. Jakarta doesn’t like strangers much,” Azura warns. Ignoring Azura’s warning Lestat continues to inspect the dragons before saying, “Talons look good and sharp, rough scales to protect their skin, horns of gold are sharp…all and all, they’re very good looking young dragons.” Jakarta lets out a thunderous roar and Lestat stands as still as can be before the smallest dragon places her head on his shoulder. Turning my attention towards Lestat I question curiously, “I didn’t know that you knew anything about dragons?” Lestat smiles before replying, “Dragons were around hundreds of years ago. Long before you were born Carolin had dragons at her court, but years and years after the war with the mad king of shiverman Peak the dragons died.” The mad king? I’ve never heard of him or his court,” I curiously inquire.
“I’m surprised your mother never told you about him or at least told you the stories. King Howard was the fat insane king of the Northern court of Shivermane Peak. Many years before the war, he was a kind King and his kingdom flourished that is until he went crazy. He became cruel and evil. He married eight times. Four of his wives either died after or during childbirth, the other four he beheaded. He made war on Carolin because she refused to murder her husband… my father to take him as her new King. He knew if he took her as his wife, that he would become the new king of Dragon Valley and combine the two kingdoms and have control over Carolin’s dragons. When Carolin refused him, he became quite angry and found a wizard who created a magical weapon that could pierce through the scales of the dragons. He murdered hundreds of dragons with a large magical harpoon until they went extinct…or so we thought.” That’s awful! Those poor creatures…” I exclaim as I approach Jakarta. He lets out a low growl before baring his teeth and taking in my scent. As he rubs his head against my hand Azura smiles in excitement, “He’s never taken to anyone like this before. He has chosen you!” Chosen me for what exactly?” I question. “He’s chosen to be your protector and you to be his rider,” she replies. “You can’t be serious! I don’t know anything about riding dragons!” I gasp.
Lockston chuckles and says, “That’s nonsense! Your ancestors were pros at dragon riding. Jakarta wouldn’t have chosen you otherwise. My parents and I have all tried to interact with these dragons, but they wouldn’t allow us to get near them unless it was to feed them. You are indeed the first dragon rider we have seen in a hundred years.” Warrick hands me a chunk of raw beef of a cow and says, “First of all, you need to learn how to command your dragon. Just toss the meat in the air towards Jakarta and say spiritus ignis.” Turning my attention back to Jakarta and stepping back a little, I toss the piece of meat to Jakarta and say, “spiritus ignis!” Jakarta lets out a thunderous roar and uses his fire breath to cook his meat and eat it. Lockston claps his hands in excitement before saying, “We all should be getting home. It’s rather late and we still have a long journey ahead of us. You’re doing so well with your dragons already. Here’s a list of their commands. Trust me, you’ll be needing them. You can even make up your own as you begin bonding with them and preparing them for the war. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other in the future. It was a pleasure to meet you, my dear niece!” He grabs my hand and kisses it before giving me a quick goodbye hug. Turning their attention back to me, Azura hands me the golden staff before she and Warrick say their goodbyes and the three of them get into their carriage and begin their journey home.
Turning his attention back to me Lestat inquires, “What shall we do with our four new friends?” “There’s a barn that isn’t being used. It should be rather big enough to hold all four of them,” I reply. Turning my attention to the guards, I ask them to bring our new friends to their new home. The guards bow and take the dragons out to the barn. Taking Lestat’s hand in mine I say, “I’m not sure about you, but I’m ready to turn in for the night.” Lestat places a kiss on my forehead before agreeing to head inside where we find an angry Thatcher storming into the foyer. He rares back and just misses me as he throws a hard punch to Lestat’s’ face, knocking Lestat to the floor. Quickly getting to his feet, Lestat throws the next punch, sending Thatcher to the floor. A few moments later, the group of sleepy bed dwellers wake and rush downstairs to see what all of the commotion is all about. Angrily Thatcher shouts and lunges at Lestat again, “This is all of your fault!” Cade quickly holds Thatcher back from punching Lestat again as Logan grabs a hold of Lestat to prevent him from killing Thatcher in return. “What Exactly is my fault!? What are you blaming me for this time!?” Lestat shouts in return. “Farah almost lost our baby because of your stepmother!” Thatcher yells. “What the hell does that have to do with me!? I haven’t seen or spoken to my stepmother since I left Dragon Valley!” Lestat shouts angrily.
“If you hadn’t convinced me to allow your sister to join us in an alliance, this wouldn’t have happened! Shelly sure as hell wouldn’t have turned into a vampire or Lanterian, and we could possibly still be happy!” Thatcher yells in return. “So we’re back to this argument again? Shelly is no longer a creature of the night. She’s back to being a hybrid thanks to Poseidon and my Grandmother! I kindly suggest that you point the blame at someone else! All of these things happened because you allowed yourself to get separated from your guards and get captured to begin with!” Lestat shouts and breaks from Logan’s grasp and manages to get through the group to get to Thatcher. Punching Thatcher in his mouth, Lestat sends him soaring through the air and falling into a nearby table. Breaking the table in half, the potted roses which once sat on the table now lay scattered on the floor along with the beautiful pottery they once sat in. Blood trickles down Thatcher’s nose and chin before he wipes it off with the sleeve of his fur coat and yells, “How dare you! I am the king of this land. You can be charged with treason for this! Guards take this man away!” The guards glance from Thatcher to Shelly and look rather puzzled.
Putting my hands on my hips I angrily say, “You mean you were once the king of this realm, which you no longer are! Poseidon put me in charge to run this kingdom and removed you from the throne. Therefore, you have no say over what happens here! Considering you stormed through the castle to find Lestat and throw the first punch, I can have you arrested and locked away in the dungeon! Instead of locking you up, I would like to find out what happened and why you’re so angry first.” Turning my attention to Lestat, I say, “Darling, would you mind waiting for me in your quarters? I need to get to the bottom of things here. I’ll be up shortly. I promise I won’t be too long.” Lestat smiles slightly before kissing me tenderly and gives me a little wink, “I’ll keep the bed warm for you. Just don’t be too long.” I nod in agreement before he exits the room and heads upstairs. Returning my attention towards Thatcher I question, “Now, what’s this all about?” Cade and Logan help Thatcher to his feet before he begins to speak, “After you left the room, Charlotte and Lady Elizabeth were able to save my son. Although he is in critical condition he will survive. However, after Farah awakened, I asked her how she was feeling. She managed to whisper in my ear about what happened after she left the privy. Your pal Erick was waiting for her outside and pressed her against the wall before he whispered in her ear.”
“What exactly did he say to her?” I curiously ask. “He told her that trouble is coming. Carolin is gathering her army of Lycans to attack Blue Haven and the other surrounding kingdoms, and that she, our unborn child, and her precious king will suffer for protecting you,” Thatcher informs. “Erick is normally a puss, but he has been rather angry since Austin was killed. I wouldn’t doubt that he’s changed alliances. Where is he now?” I question. “Pardon me for interrupting Milady, but Erick has left the kingdom. I saw him slip out during the celebration. I didn’t think nothing of it until now,” my royal guard Anton informs. “That preposterous Carolin’s at it again! Will she ever stop before more people die?” Bonnie huffs. “Shel, after you left Brendlewood, I managed to gather some men to prepare for the war. Were you able to form any other allies or gather more men, since you have been in charge?” Cade asks. Folding my arms I reply, “I have gathered other allies and we currently have thousands of armed men prepared for this war. King Michael and Queen Charlotte of Oakenvale Landing have agreed to join us in battle with their armies.”
Turning my attention to the group I shout, “My friends and family of Brendlewood and Learia, we have all grown sick and tired of the threats and murders the Mad Queen of Dragon Valley has bestowed on us! This time she has threatened an unborn child’s life! It’s time to take a stand against the mad queen and take her and her kingdom down! Who’s with me?” The group shouts “here, here! We’re with you!” “Then let’s gather our allies and prepare for the war of the Mad Queen!” I shout. The group goes wild in cheer and Cade says, “I’ll send word to Brendlewood to send out our troops to come here so we can begin preparing.” “I’ll do the same, “Luke adds. “I’ll get Charlotte to send word to her kingdom as well. That evil Queen will get what’s coming to her,” I reply. “Sorry to intrude Majesty. There’s a messenger here to see you,” the guard Malcom informs. “Send him in,” I reply. Malcom gives a bow before leaving the room and sending the messenger in. “Your Majesty,” the messenger says as he gives a bow. “You may rise,” I tell him. “Majesty I have a message for you from Dragon Valley,” the messenger informs as he hands me the sealed parchment. Taking it from his hand, I inquire, “Who’s it from? Caroline?” Shaking his head, he replies, “No Milady. A concerned villager sent it. She asked me not to give you her name. All I can tell you is that she resides in the castle. I swore I would keep her secrecy.”
I give a little nod and inquire, “Your name is?” “My name is Lance Turner, Majesty,” he replies. “Very well Mr. Turner. Let your lady friend know that her secret is safe with me. You’re free to go,” I reply. “Thank you, Majesty,” Lance says before giving a bow and leaving the castle. “Well, what does it say Darling?” Lestat questions as he enters the room. I give a shrug and crack open the seal and unravel the parchment. The others gather around me as I read the letter silently. I let out a little gasp and say, “It appears that King Stephan hasn’t been ruling Dragon Valley in quite some time.” “What do you mean he hasn’t been ruling the kingdom?” Lestat asks. I then hand him the message and he quickly scans the letter. After reading the parchment, Lestat angrily says, “Carolin…my step-mother has taken my father hostage! She has him locked up in the dungeon of his own kingdom!” “You mean to say that as long as you were in Dragon Valley you had no idea your father was locked away? Isn’t that just convenient!” Bonnie huffs. The group gasps and narrows their eyes at Bonnie for they can’t believe what she had just said. “Bonnie!” Roonie pipes in. “What!? I’m just saying how convenient it is that Stephan’s only son had no idea that his father was locked up. Wasn’t it you who saved Shelly from the dungeon?” Bonnie inquires. “Well…yes, but…-” Lestat begins but Bonnie continues.
“Didn’t you reside there at the castle for quite some time after leaving your grandmother’s kingdom?” Bonnie questions. “Yes, but I didn’t see him in the dungeon. Shelly was the only one that was there. There wasn’t anyone else down there other than her,” Lestat replies. “Maybe it was too dark for him to see the King. Maybe, Carolin, had him tied up and gagged so that he couldn’t speak,” Roonie adds. “That’s ridiculous! Why would she do that when she clearly trusted Lestat?” Bonnie scoffs. “Nothing is impossible Bonnie! After all, you did get possessed by a witch!” Tulip pipes in. “Mind your own business Tulip!” Bonnie shouts. “Hey! Don’t talk to Tulip like that!” Roonie squeaks. “Stay out this Roonie!” Bonnie scoffs. “Take a few deep breaths and calm down before you say something that you might regret later,” Tulip scolds. “I’ll say what’s on my mind, unlike you idiots!” Bonnie shouts and shoves Tulip. Roonie shoves Bonnie in anger, “Hey! Don’t shove her!” Within seconds the girls are in a shouting match, arguing back and forth amongst each other, a few shoves here and there, and a few slaps to their faces. Nora tries to separate them but gets shoved to the floor before I can interject. “GIRLS STOP THIS AT ONCE,” I shout, but my voice goes unnoticed as they continue their ridiculous brawl. Finally, the men interfere.
Arthur tries to grab Bonnie as she takes another swing at Tulip and knocks him to the floor with a hard thud. As the screaming and slapping match continues, Arthur goes unnoticed on the floor rubbing his cheek. “What the heck is wrong with these women?” Arthur mumbles and quickly gets up to grab Bonnie again. Jax, Arthur, and Luke each grab their women as they continue to scream, kick, and swing at one another. Cade helps Nora off of the floor and I try to get the girls’ attention once again. “THAT IS ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENSE!” I yell at the top of my lungs. They quickly grow quiet and freeze instantly, attempting to smooth their disheveled hair. “Just look at yourselves! We’re best friends and family…some of us are even royalty. How can you behave like this? You’re all acting like….like ninnies!” I inquire. Roonie’s hair now hangs in a maroon frazzled mess around her shoulders. The puffed sleeve’s of Tulip’s dress is ripped from its’ seams, and Bonnie’s left eye now a purple puff. Roonie burst into tears and buries her face into the palm of her hands. “How typical,” Bonnie scoffs. “For goodness sake Bonnie, Shut up!” Tulip barks. “Both of you stop it! I shout, “Look, I know things are hard right now with everything that has happened, and I know that’s the only reason you would be so awful to one another, but we’ve got to keep our heads on straight! Otherwise, Dragon Valley and the other evils win! They want us to turn on each other and part ways. They want us to lose our allies.”
“Whatever Shelly. I’m going to my room and draw a hot bath. I don’t need to apologize to anyone for being hateful to me or for speaking my mind,” Bonnie huffs as she storms off. “Good, because I’m not apologizing to anyone for anything that I didn’t start!” Tulip barks before storming off in the other direction. “Girls…” I say softly as one last attempt, but Bonnie and Tulip pick up the pace and leave the room. Luke puts his arm around Roonie, “There, there now Roon. Everything will work out for the best. You’ll see, by morning everyone will be in a much better mood, and all will be forgiven.” Roonie sniffs hard and wipes her face, “This is why I don’t speak my mind. Every time I do, it never turns out well. I don’t really like or trust Lestat either, but I didn’t think that it was right for Bonnie to be making accusations.” Placing a hand on Roonie’s shoulder I say soothingly, “I know Roon, but everyone is scared and on edge right now. Bonnie was just asking questions and speaking her mind…she was just being her typical Bonnie self. You know that she would never intentionally hurt or point the blame at anyone.” “I know they didn’t mean a word of what they were saying, I just got upset with the way she was treating everyone…including you and Nora,” she says in between hiccups. “Cm’on Roon. Why don’t you head up to our room and have the maid draw you a nice hot, relaxing bath? Luke suggests.
Roonie nods in agreement and says, “That does sound nice. You wouldn’t be upset if I turned in for the night would you?” she asks. Luke smiles slightly, “Of course not Darling. I’ll be up as soon as I can.” Luke kisses his wife tenderly before she heads to her quarters for the night. Cade runs his finger through his hair and chuckles, “Well, this has been quite the entertaining evening.” “You can say that again,” Logan says. “Since things have finally calmed down, shall we head into the war room and prepare to take on Carolin?” I ask. “You can count me in!” Cade and Jax add. “I’m certainly up for it!” Melina chimes in. The rest of the group agrees before they follow me into the council quarters to prepare for war. As we enter the war room, a large navy blue carpet edged with little silver leaves sits in the middle of the room with a big oval cherry wood table and a huge map spread out on top of it. A huge bookshelf sits against the far wall filled with tons of old books and a few stacks of books lay on the floor around the bottom of the table. To the right, a nearby desk sits in the corner of the room with parchment papers sitting on top of it. To the left numerous barrels of scrolls sit scattered against the stone walls of the room.
I take my place at the head of the table and the others gather around me. Archer enters the room to join us, “My apologies if I’m late Majesty.” “Your Grace, I didn’t invite you because your loyalties have always laid with Thatcher,” I reply. “Forgive me Majesty. He was the king and is my best friend, but my loyalties lie with the crown, and you are my Queen. My loyalties now lay with you Milady,” Archer replies. “Very well then, you can take your place next to Jax,” I tell him. Archer gives a bow and takes his place where I instructed. “My Lords and Majesties, we will now proceed with our invasion of Dragon Valley. We will start by freeing the villagers of the kingdom, I begin. I turn my attention to Archer and say, “I support you as commander of our armies. If you have the will and the stomach for the fight.” “Milady, I can only thank the Gods for the chance to win honor and glory in the field,” he tells me. Archer, then turns his attention to the others and says, “What man would not prefer to die with a sword in his hand defending the surrounding kingdoms and free this land from the Evil Queen and her army of the Lycans…rather than a bed at their own court?” “Aye,” the group replies in snyc. “My Lords and Majesties, I have vowed to bring Queen Carolin under submission, and I will fulfill that promise! If she refuses to surrender to us, then death shall become of her!” I demand. “Here, here!” the rest of the group cheer.
“Long live the Queen!” The group rest of the group cheer. I then gesture to the group to quiet down and point to the map of the ten kingdoms of Lesterwood. Pointing to the castle of Dragon Valley I say, “Look, there are 4 towers and 4 walls. Archers are always sitting at the top of those towers while each of the four walls has two guards who walk back and forth. We can take them, but it’s going to take a lot of teamwork. If just one of those guards see any of us, he’ll immediately yell for someone to ring the bell and guards will swarm the walls. Once we break through the castle gates, we’re golden. Queen Charlotte says she has enough ships with armies to swarm the coast, and that isn’t including the army she has that will be on foot and horseback to ride along with us.” “King Cade, I need you to send word to your armies to inform one of my guards of their arrival and we’ll meet them in front of the barn,” I inform. Cade gives a nod, and leaves the room to send a raven out to Brendlewood. “Luke, go ahead and send word to Learia to gather your army up and head here,” I tell him. Luke agrees as well and he too leaves the room to send out a raven. “I’ll go ahead and send a raven to King Michael and Queen Charlotte for them to join us in battle. Queen Carolin has seen the very last of her days!” I scoff and leave the room.
The time to vote has arrived! First of all I would like to thank all of the creators who have given us all the wonderful CC they create. Without them, this story wouldn’t be possible.
