Mister Thirteen

~The Serpent Queen~

Baron Monticourt winced slightly at her icon statement. In a sense she was right, she would act as a beacon of rally against Malva and her supporters, being as she was the legitimate heir, opposite of Malva who usurped it through assassination and plotting. Though at the same time, he didn’t want her to think they were simply using her as a puppet for their own ends and agenda.
The Baron had very much liked her father William and respected him as a king and a man. The Baron was among many who could practically smell the stink of plotting and scheming behind Malva’s rise to power, and like many, he despised her rise and rule as Queen of Alvion. The oppression, the tyranny, the totalitarian government, it was wretched.

The Baron’s eyes lit up however on Cecilia’s words of acceptance, her agreement to aid in the Loyalist cause against Malva’s regime.
“Splendid, magnificent,” he said, trying to contain his glee,”I’ll inform the others when they arrive tomorrow. Lord Cromley and Sir Harper will be eager to meet you, Princess. They’re both co-founders of the Loyalist Coalition and my friends. They’re good men and hold no love at all for the Serpent Queen. We do have more to talk about, but I imagine your ready for a hot bath and a good night’s rest. I’ll be staying up in the inn, so if you need anything, come upstairs and find me, Your Ladyship. Before I go, is there anything else you need or want?”

~The Serpent Queen~

Baron Monticourt ignored her expression of pleasure regarding the food. He in fact wasn’t at all surprised, giving her rather malnourished looking state from being poorly fed in a dungeon for five years. Honestly, she looked and sounded to be in better shape than he had hoped for.

He stood before Cecilia across the table, feet together and arms raised and somewhat crossed over his chest.

“The Loyalist Coalition was founded just four months back, by myself and a few others, whom you will meet tomorrow. For the past few months we’ve been working to organize and supply ourselves, as well as develop plans and strategies for realizing our goal of seeing the Serpent Queen dethroned. We’ve managed to gain the support of several nobles and military officials, and have also secured an impressive amount of funds to support us as well. And now we have you, Your Ladyship. We have successfully rescued the rightful heir to the throne and have laid a foundation for possibility, for a better future. For we believe you will make a far finer and more just Queen than Malva.”

The Baron turned and casually strolled off to Cecilia’s left, toward the rustic old boiler nearby. He continued as he came to a stop before the old contraption,”In short Your Majesty, by securing your safety, we now have you as a beacon of hope. More will rally to our cause when they see that we not only rescued you, but wish to see you acclaim the throne of Alvion. I know you have made no commitment yet, and forgive me if I speak out of line Your Ladyship, but you must realize we are your only hope in reclaiming your birthright from your wicked aunt.”

~The Serpent Queen~

“Think nothing of it My Lady Cecilia,” replied the shrouded man, his voice eloquent and proper to the point, annunciating each word to the syllable,”it is my duty as a loyal subject of Alvion to aid the rightful rulers of the land when they are in need.”

As he finished, Baron Simon Monticourt stepped forward from the darkened corner of the room,revealing himself to Cecilia.
He was of average stature and build. His clothes, though fine, weren’t overly flamboyant and showy. His white beard and graying chestnut hair, which was heavily receded, were neatly groomed.
He stood feet together, arms at his side, and shoulders back. His face held a regal and shrewd expression as he looked upon the Princess.

“Allow me to formal introduce myself Your Majesty,” he said, bowing respectfully as he spoke,”I am Baron Simon Monticourt of Rosaldia, proud subject of Alvion, and loyal to King William Alderton in death as in life, and equally loyal to you Your Ladyship, as his rightful heir.”

He raised from his bowing position, the proud and dignified look still true to his face, he continued,”I am also one of the founders of the Loyalist Coalition, an insurgent group that wishes to see the murderous Serpent Queen Malva Alderton removed from the throne and brought to justice. Furthermore, we wish to see you Lady Cecilia placed on the throne as the righful queen of Alvion.”

He took several slow, cautious steps toward Cecilia, looking at her with intent yet not in an insubordinate manner. He remained silent for a minute, looking Cecilia over with, not ridicule, but a kind of wonder, as well as noticeable pity at her current shape and state.

“Please,” he said, taking Cecilia gently by the arm and guiding her around to her chair,”eat My Lady, you certainly could use a fine meal after what you’ve endured for the last five years. I’ve ordered the maid to boil water and fetch a tub for a bath and get you some decent clothes to wear.”

~The Serpent Queen~

With a short smile, Bromley said,”You take care of yourself, Princess.”
And with a pair of heavy thuds, the cellar doors closed shut behind Cecilia.

The first noticeable thing about the cellar was it's condition. Though not a total disgrace, it had seen better days. Loose bricks lined the walls that threatened to break loose like a beggar’s rotten teeth. The wooden ceiling panels were creaky and patched with small cobwebs, and the old boiler for heating water was scored by debts and scratches and was rusted along the connecting edges of the pipes. The floor was slightly dusty and grimy, and the entire room was littered with empty kegs and ale bottles, as well as old food crates. It was clear the cellar hadn’t been swept or kept in proper maintenance for some time. On the far wall, opposite to the cellar doors, a heavy wooden bed sat perched against the brick wall. The bedsheets were surprisingly clean and practically glowed a welcoming snowy white. Two pillows lay at the top of the bed, nuzzled together in a cozy way.

Just in front of the bed sat a small, simple wooden table and a chair which sat facing across the room, away from the bed. The table held a hot, freshly cooked meal of roasted beef, peas, corn, a head of lettuce, and a fluffy sweet roll dripping with fresh glaze. A tall mug of cows milk sat to the right of the plate. The swarming combination of freshly cooked smells overpowered the musty cellar’s dank odor and flowed into the nostrils of the newly arrived Princess.

“Welcome, Princess Cecilia Alderon.” A voice suddenly boomed to the far left of the Princess, within the cellar shadows.

~The Serpent Queen~

“More or less, M’lady.” Grumbled the gray-haired driver in response to her question, his voice hoarse with age and rather dry in tone.

He was a man of average height and slender build, with sagging shoulders and a rather narrow frame. Instead of a beard, this man had thick, scruffy stubble across his face, from his cheeks to his chin to the top of his lip. His eyes were solemn and burdened by heavy bags beneath them, wrinkles riveted his forehead, chin, and the corners of his wide mouth. His clothing was that of a commoner; a brown two-piece tunic, worn leather boots, and ragged gloves on his hands.

“Follow me Princess, Your Ladyship that is,” he said, his voice slightly rising in tone,”we’re going around back, down to the cellar. There’s someone waiting for you, Baron Simon Monticourt. He’s one of the men who arranged your escape. He wishes to see you.”

The man walked past Cecilia around to the back of the carriage, and politely indicated for her to follow. As he proceeded past the carriage around to the side of the inn, he spoke again,”My name is Bromley, Your Ladyship. It’s an honor to be in your presence. I’m glad I got you to safety. It was a tight squeeze getting you out of Proud Spire and Dalhorst, I’m just thankful that we managed to save you.”

Despite his weathered appearance and rugged tone, Bromley was quite chatty and as respectful as he could be toward Cecilia. He lead her around to the back of the inn, which, aside from several kegs and crates, was empty and deserted.
The large double door that lead to the cellar was nearby.
Bromley stepped forward and unlatched the doors and pulled them both wide open, and turned back to Cecilia.

“Baron Monticourt has things to discuss with you, Your Ladyship. After that I’m sure he’ll see to you a proper meal and a good hot bath, both of which I’m sure you desperately want. I need to go tend to my carriage and horses, but I’ll see you later. Have a good evening, Princess.”

~Nyte Bloods~

Think nothing of it, I’m very understanding and realize the demands of RL. Your good.

~The Serpent Queen~

I am sorry for my blatant tardiness! :(

My internet was down all day and was just recently brought back online.

~The Serpent Queen~

CHAPTER 2: THE LOYALISTS

It was the latter hours of the day, the golden summer sun that had shone from above was now descending behind the distant mountains to the west. The warm rays that had bathed the earth just hours before faded as the sky turned to dusk and the evening was announced.

The village of Willowshire sat comfortably nestled into the green meadows of the surrounding solitary countryside. The entire town was built along a single wide dirt road that cut through the town east and west. The road itself was lined with several homes, as well as the inn, which sat at on the eastern end of town on the north side of the road. Several fields and farmhouses as well as a mill stretched along the north side of town, connected amongst themselves and to the main road by small footpaths. To the south lay a vast forest which was teeming with wild game, making this a favorite area for hunters and trappers.

As the day ended, the last signs of life could be seen winding down in Willowshire. Mothers ushered their children inside for the evening, farmers were putting away their tools and locking up their livestock, and house windows began to glow golden from candle and lantern light.
The town blacksmith was hanging up his apron on the wall of the forgery when he spied a large carriage pulled by four horses come rolling into town from down the eastern road. The horses were trotting along at a moderate pace, not too fast, but not very slow and relaxed either. Rather curious, the blacksmith hung back near his forge and watched as the carriage came to a stop before the inn, halted by a yanking of the reigns and a short “Whoa” from the driver, a grizzly looking older man in a dull brown tunic and trousers. Evening in the fading sunlight his mottly gray hair and scruffy face were visible. The blacksmith continued watching from the porch of his forge as the rugged looking man hopped down from the carriage, slightly shaking it, and stepped around to the opposite side of the carriage which faced the front of the inn.

With a grunt to himself, the blacksmith went inside his house to retire for the night.

The carriage driver reached up with his right hand and pulled open the wide wooden door.

”We’re here.”

~The Serpent Queen~

I'll start work on the opening post of Chapter 2 tonight and I'll post it tomorrow morning sometime, since it'll be a little lengthier and I've had an exhausting day.

Your last post was very good. I think we executed Chapter 1 quite well.
I can promise that from henceforth the story will be more collaboration and not solely scripted.

~The Serpent Queen~

Righto @beccablob.