The Queen was obviously shocked by Rayf's words and stared in silence for a moment before she answered coldly. "Explain yourself."
Rayf lowered his head respectfully, "We've been waiting for the right time, my Queen. Our resistance finally has enough resources to strike back against the tyrant Janolf - one of our agents has found some crucial information regarding the throne" He spoke determinedly and seriously, not wanting to waste her time.
The Queen considered for a few seconds, her expression blank. "I have heard of this 'resistance' of yours. A band of lone knights and peasants hiding in the woods. You think you can fight Janolf when my lord husband and all his men could not stand against him?"
"I haven't been cleared of the details, but apparently it had something to do with the royal bloodline, it has some.. some kind of connection to the land of Alcea" He lifted his head, resting the palm of his hand on his chest, "My task is to escort you - and your son - to the Resistance headquarters. I'm a master of stealth and a capable fighter, no harm will come to either of you under my protection. Of course, this is only if you agree to return."
"You will forgive me if the promise of your protection does not fill me with confidence," the Queen said drily, running her eyes over Rayf in obvious scepticism, "But... I have sworn that my son will have the throne of Alcea. And there is power in his blood."
She paused, frowning. "But tell me, Master Calderwood, what your interest is in winning back the crown for my son."
Rayf failed to suppress a smirk at her questioning of his abilities; when he was more naive and hot-headed he would've been offended, but now he recognised it for a sign of caution and intelligence; precisely the qualities a monarch should possess. He paused, biting his lower lip and casting his eyes to the ground, his hands were unconsciously forming into fists. "I believe you knew my father, Alistair Calderwood. He was the royal librarian; a good man, a shrewd man, but he was no fighter"
Rayf took a deep breath, unclenching his fists, looking into the Queen's eyes, the rage behind his mellowing into purpose; even determination. "He was cut down by Janolf's men. He took a sword through the chest whilst attempting to distract them from the throne room. Then, four of my brothers, each mercilessly slaughtered trying to defend their home. Do not mistake me, my Queen. I am not in this fight for vengeance; that hunger has been moulded into passion. Any ruler who would so casually slaughter the innocent doesn't deserve a throne; they deserve an unmarked grave" He knelt before the Queen, his head bowed. "If you accept the call, I am your sword, your will, and the shadow of your enemy" He lifted his head, a loyal smile spreading across his face, "And I also make a damn good pot of tea"
"I did know your father. I do not believe I knew your brothers, but your family has the gratitude of Alcea." She studied Rayf with narrowed eyes. "I accept your pledge of loyalty, Rayf Calderwood. I must consider the news you have brought me before I come to any further decisions."
Without taking her eyes off Rays, the Queen addressed the elderly man at her side. "Sir Stefan, have my... protector shown to a room and given food and clothes and whatever else he might require. I will call on you soon, Master Calderwood."
"I wouldn't expect anything more" Rayf got to his feet, bowing slightly as he said "I'm at your beck and call"
As Sir Stefan lead Rayf down series of stone corridors, Rayf admired the portraits on the walls. They all had that look, the look the Queen had given him. A shimmer of authority and self-confidence, a look you could be loyal to. They reached his designated room and Rayf sighed appreciatively, two days of sleeping on the forest floor had only given him more of an appreciation for this moment. "Sir Stefan, is it? I 'require' a bottle of the best wine the Queen will allow and some kind of hot food" He inspected the dirty, mud-stained clothes he had travelled in and added "And some clothes that might make me look marginally less homeless" With that he collapsed onto the bed they had given him, staring at the ceiling and trying to prepare himself for the journey ahead.
Elya’s brow was furrowed in deep thought as Sir Stefan returned from having shown her newfound… protector? - Liegeman? Guard? - to his rooms.
“I’m not sure what to make of this, Sir Stefan,” she admitted as soon as he was at her side, “Do you think him sincere?”
The elderly man considered for a few seconds, crossing his arms over his chest. “He comes from a respectable family, my Queen. I knew his oldest brother a little, a knight. And his father served both your husband and his father before him loyally.”
“Janolf’s family served the throne loyally for generations,” Elya pointed out. She pursed her lips. “I never saw that man at the castle. Do you know where he was?”
“No, my Queen. Sent away to be apprenticed in some field, I imagine. Alistair had a large brood.”
“I must admit that I am tempted to trust him.”
And she was. She didn’t like admitting it, but the familiarity of the man’s accent and clothing and the promise of the company of someone who also called Alcea home made it tempting to accept Rayf Calderwood as an ally. But those were emotional and sentimental reasons; enough, perhaps, for a girl, but not for a Queen.
“Your husband always thought your instincts were good,” Sir Stefan said.
“Yes…” Elya agreed slowly, still after several years feeling the pang of sorrow at losing the man she had come to love, “I’m not sure I have a choice. If Alcea calls, it is my duty to answer.”
Elya was dumbstruck as she stared down at her two guests. This was certainly… unusual. It was rare that she had visitors at all and this day brought her three? And the two current ones were remarkable in their own right really. Cirindel Valehold, the woman they called “Archangel”, and a merchant prince from Amalfi? She was almost flattered.
Deciding to deal first with the young Amalfian, she turned her most regal glare on him. “I am of course happy to have such an illustrious visitor from our friend the Republic, but my happiness would grow greater still if you were to tell me, Prince Francis Machiavelli Enrico Dandolo, why you felt it was necessary to introduce yourself in this manner?”