The Unnamed Saga: The Four Thrones, Chapter Fourteen: Rest and Rumination

Chapter Fourteen: Rest and Rumination

Open on a small Silvaran Hamlet, where the largest building is a watch tower at the edge of the city looking out on the forest that surrounds it on all sides.  The streets are busy, the sun is out, and the day is bright.  Carts plow through, leaving deep tracks in the mud.

Show vendors plying their wares to children.

Show children running through the mud-crusted streets, slinging melting snowballs at each other while adults watch with frowns.

Show snow dripping from slanted rooftops.

Show a guard standing before the tower.

The guard sneezes.

Another guard joins him, relieving him.

 

Cut to the road leading to the hamlet.  Show Zara from behind, leading the group, regarding the watch tower with her hands on her hips.

Zara: "There it is!  Finally, proper civilization!"

 

Show Zara from the front, the party joining her in the back ranks.  Elsea and Mary stand closest, with Glenn and Zelos trailing.

 

Mary: "Soft beds, warm food, and friendly people.  How exciting!  Now then, should we use our agreed upon nicknames during our stay?  What do you think, sir Clod?"

 

Glenn crosses his arms and gives Mary a flat stare.

 

Zara: "Actually, Mary, using nicknames would only impede us.  Once I reveal my true identity, we will be given the best treatment.  This isn't Fiona.  My people are quite fond of their princess.  You'll see!"

 

Zara rushes off with Elsea at her heel.

Zelos looks at Glenn.

Zelos: "At least no one can say she's too modest."

 

Zelos, Glenn, and Mary follow Zara and Elsea into the city.

Zara stops at the edge of the city to let some chickens pass while the party follows her.

Zara goes to the guard now standing on duty.

Zara: "Excuse me, sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but..."

 

Hamlet Guard1: "Sorry, ma'am, but if you was robbed out in the forest then we can't do nothing about it.  Our jurisdiction ends within city limits, which is about..."

Hamlet Guard1 extends his arm fully, holding a spear out in front of him while Zara watches.

Hamlet Guard1 pulls his spear back slightly, the tip toward the ground.  The party has caught up with Zara.

Hamlet Guard1 stabs his spearpoint into the ground less than a foot away from him.  The party all look at where the spear point has pierced the earth.

Hamlet Guard1: "There."

 

Zara: "Oh, no, no, it's nothing like that.  I'm actually..."

Zara stops to regard the location of the spear. 

Zara looks back to the guard.  Zelos plugs his ears and winces preemptively.

Zara: "Really? If I were set upon by brigands only seconds before you wouldn't come to my aid?"

 

Hamlet Guard1: "Out of our jurisdiction, miss."

 

Zara: “That is absurd!  I had thought the soldiers in the employ of the castle had more pride and courage than this."

 

Hamlet Guard1: "I said it's out of my jurisdiction.  Now, run along. I'm busy."

 

Zara: "You very well are not busy, and watch how you speak to me!  In fact, I would like to speak with the guard captain immediately."

 

Hamlet Guard1: "Guess what? I’m the captain.  What now?"

 

Zara smiles sinisterly.

Zara: "Oh, you'll see what now."

Zara digs through her pack.

Zara produces a parchment bearing the royal seal of Silvara and holds it up for him to see.

Zara: "I am Zara Yvonne Estein, first princess of the Estein house, crowned rules of the Silver Throne.  So then, shall we have a very long discussion about your decorum and honor, or lack thereof, as it were."

 

Hamlet Guard1 goggles at the parchment.

Hamlet Guard1 stands straight and gulps.  Mary is smiling behind Zara.  Elsea is hiding behind her hands.

Hamlet Guard1: "Is—Izzat real?"

 

Zara: "Very real, I'm afraid."

 

Hamlet Guard1: "R-Right then, I'll be quick about getting the captain for you."

 

Zara: "Yes, do be quick about it."

 

Hamlet Guard1 rushes off with Zara standing with her arms crossed.

 

Zara: "Hmph!  Disgusting way to treat people.  My people."

 

Elsea: "I apologize on his behalf, m'lady."

 

Zara: "You don't need to.  I'll have my apology straight from him before the sun is high."

 

Elsea: "Of course, m'lady."

 

Mary: "Why, look there at the young princess laying the law in her land.  Most impressive!"

 

Zara: "Such behavior from someone employed by the castle is even worse.  They’re here to serve the people of Silvara.  It's the very reason they were hired in the first place.  I had heard stories of how lazy the border guards were, but this? This is beyond my wildest imaginings."

 

Zelos: "Poor guy.  Having been on the receiving end of many of your royal temper tantrums I feel sorry for him."

 

Zara balks.  Glenn dips his head and pinches the bridge of his nose.

 

Zara: "TEMPER TANTRUMS!  Why—I—You have yet to see my temper, Zelos, but when you do, I'll have you know it won't be in a tantrum!  You...You..."

 

Zara screams.

Zara storms off toward the guard’s hut just past the tower while Zelos watches impassively.

Zelos turns to the party.

Zelos: "So, now that we're in Silvara what's the plan?"

 

Mary: "What do you mean?"

 

Zelos: "Exactly what I'm asking: all this time we've been talking about crossing into Silvara, finding refuge in its borders.  Well, we're here.  Now what?"

 

Mary: "We find a nice meal and a hot bath, I imagine."

 

Zelos: "And after that?"

 

Mary: "A nap?"

 

Zelos: "Oh, come on!"

 

Glenn: "We're working on it."

 

Mary: "Getting here was a chore in itself, so much so that we hadn't thought well beyond it.  When we do think of something, we'll tell you.  Until then, try your hand at a fair amount of rest, pumpkin.  You've earned some."

 

Zelos: "I've had enough of that already."

Show Zara in the background yelling at the guard captain.  A dialogue box sticks out above her head with a big, "!" while the guard captain is shrugging and saying, "?"

Zelos: "When will you two know?"

 

Glenn:  "We're figuring it out.  For now, we go to Silverthrone.  We won’t be safe without castle walls.”

 

Zelos: "So now you're extending the journey?  What happens when we get there?  Will you decide that we won't be safe until we've crossed the channel?"

 

Glenn: "Don't."

 

Zelos: "Don't be so blasé!  Fiona is my home, Glenn, and I am its prince.  I should be there helping to sort out this entire mess, but instead I'm sneaking my way across the border and into the safety of another person's home.  It's—It's cowardly!"

 

Glenn: "It's realistic. We've talked about this."

 

Zelos: "I know, and I understand that Zara was in danger, but she's home now, and I think we should be, too."

 

Glenn: "Zelos."

 

Zelos sighs.

Zelos: "I know you're just trying to help, but this is too much.  Running away just isn't in my nature."

 

Glenn: "I know.  Stick with it. Once we're in Silverthrone, we'll fix this."

 

Zelos: "Do you promise?"

 

Glenn: "I swear."

 

Mary: "Good then.  See, we're all friends again."

 

Zelos: "Yeah, well, it looks like Zara’s done yelling now."

 

Zelos and Glenn approach the guard’s hut with Elsea and Mary lingering, watching them.

 

Elsea: "Are they well?"

 

Mary: "While I cannot say for certain, I imagine that they are always like this.  Cats and dogs, those two."

 

Elsea: "I suppose."

 

Mary: "Much like you and the good princess."

 

Elsea: "What?  Why, I wouldn't dare to speak to the princess in such a manner."

 

Mary: "Oh, my dear little sweetheart, you would hardly dare to speak to anyone in such a manner.  Now, don't look so hurt.  Your manner is perfectly acceptable and, I would even dare to say, we could use a bit more of it in our little travelling party.  Now then, let’s be off before they leave us behind."

Mary leads them away, with Elsea following shortly after.

Zara stands with her arms crossed and a smug smile as Mary and Elsea join them.

Mary: "Well, your mood seems to have turned around.  I take it things went well."

 

Zara: "Oh, the guard captain was very understanding.  Not only did he offer us a cart and horses to take us to the castle, but he'll be paying our tab at the local tavern, as well."

 

Mary: "That is quite generous of him.  You seem to have quite the way with people, princess."

 

Zara: "Don't be wry.  They are under my father's employ.  He does his duty in paying them.  They should do their duty in protecting the kingdom and its people.  If they don't, then they've earned my ire."

 

Mary: "Of course, you're quite right, and I shan't even think to argue."

 

Zara: "Whatever.  Come on, let's eat while they prepare."

 

Zara sashays away with Elsea close at her heels.

 

Mary: "You weren't kidding about those tantrums."

 

Zelos shrugs.

Zelos: "Maybe.  I mean, she can be a chore, but still, she is good to her people, and she was right.  Guy probably deserved it."

 

Zelos leaves Mary looking at Glenn in surprise.

 

Mary" You heard that, didn't you?  I fear I may be coming down."

Mary feigns illness while Glenn walks away.

Mary frowns.

Mary: "You could have played along, at the very least!"

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to the Black Castle in snowfall.  The sky is white.  The city is white, too, save for a few black rooftops peeking out through the snow.

Show the village people walking in the snow, their breaths puffs of steam as they speak.

Show the royal carriage rolling through the streets, civilians parting to let is pass.

Show the royal carriage pass through the gates, two Black Guard at attendance.

Show Eros watching from the window, candles lit beside the window.  Eros is shirtless and peering into the courtyard, where the carriage has come to a stop.

Show Metis from Eros’ perspective, stepping out of the carriage with Zion there to greet him.

Metis looks up at Eros through the window, smiling and waving.

Show the window from Metis’ perspective, with Eros turned away.

Show Metis and Zion speaking, Metis’ hand on Zion’s shoulder.

 

Metis: "Hello, Zion.  I trust things have been well in my absence. How fares my brother?  I saw him spying on me through the window just now.  His mood seems somber."

 

Zion: "Actually, my lord, there is something we must speak on, and it is in relation to the prince."

 

Metis and Zion walk together up the courtyard steps, with Metis leading slightly.  They leave footprints in the snow.

Metis: "Yes, your letters have conveyed his interest in my activities.  I dismissed it as idle curiosity.  He was given a measure of power and now plays at being king.  It's rather cute, if you ask me."

 

Zion: "It has since went beyond games, my lord.  He has been interrogating the staff, including a few key royal advisors."

 

Show them enter through the front, Metis undoing his cloak and handing it off to Zion as they move.

Metis: "Let him have his delusions.  He'll lose interest in time.  He always does."

 

Zion: "My lord, he seems strangely resolute this time and has crossed many more boundaries in his pursuit."

 

Metis stops on the stairway with Zion just behind him.

Metis turns and looks down at Zion.

Metis: "What do you mean by that?"

 

Zion: "I saw him leaving your chambers early one morning.  I went in after him and found nothing out of sort, but his skin was pale as snow when he left.  Whatever he saw instilled a great sense of fear within him.

 

Metis pauses.

Metis: "Did it now?  And you are certain that it was Eros you saw?"

 

Zion: "Quite certain, my lord."

 

Metis: "I see.  Well, I'll handle this in my own way, but I do appreciate your concern.  Now, if you could, I must be alone with my thoughts.  I will be in my room, and I am not to be disturbed, no matter what the cause."

 

Zion: "Of course, my lord."

 

Metis: "Oh, and if you could, please tell my darling nephew and his mother that I would love to share a supper with them tonight, should they have the energy."

 

 

Zion: "I am sure they will be overjoyed, my lord."

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Metis’ room interior, Metis standing at the doorway, the hallways casting a long beam of light with his shadow in silhouette.

Metis closes the door.

Metis crosses the room.

Show Metis at his desk, checking documents with the desk drawer open.

Metis: “They’re all out of order.”

Show Metis’ wardrobe slightly ajar.

Metis goes to the wardrobe and pulls it open.

Metis fingers the robes and notes the sandals shifted at the bottom.

Show the false wall, partially ajar, behind the robes.

Metis: “Oh, Eros, what have you seen?”

Show Metis enter the staircase, the endless spiral disappearing from view into the darkness.

Metis conjures a dark purple flame in his right hand while closes the door with his left.

Show Metis descending the staircase.

Show Metis at the altar, his hand up and casting a dark purple light around him.  The torches are out.

Metis: “Now, now, that won’t do.  Is that any civil way to greet me?”

 

The torches come to life.

Metis stops at the edge of the altar’s runes with his hand up, purple flames curling around his knuckles.

 

Metis: “I know you hunger, and I promise you a meal, but first, tell me, what visitors have you entertained in my absence?”

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to the Silvaran Hamlet’s tavern interior.  The party is seated around a large, round table with empty wooden bowls and wooden cups in front of them.  Zara is reclined in her chair and nodding off.  Glenn sits back with his arms folded to Zara’s right while Elsea sits with her hands folded on her lap to Zara’s left.  Zelos is right of Glenn, leaned forward on the table.  Mary is between Zelos and Elsea with her legs crossed and smiling.

 

Zelos: "That was surprisingly good."

 

Mary: "It seemed quite satisfying.  A nice meal, indeed."

 

Zelos: "You hardly took a bite."

 

Mary: "That in no way indicates the quality of the food, now does it?"

She smiles at the woman taking their plates.

Mary: "Thank you kindly, milady, and my compliments to the chef!"

 

The woman laughs as she leaves.

 

Glenn: “We should go check on those horses.

 

Zara snores.

 

Zelos: “Aw, look, she’s all tuckered out.

 

Mary: "Don't pretend that you aren't swooning over her fair features as she slumbers by your side."

 

Zelos crosses his arms.

Zelos: "As if."

 

Elsea giggles. 

Glenn smiles.

Glenn: "We could all use a rest.”

 

Mary: "Still, we should be quick about our exit.  Mayhap we should wake her?"

 

Elsea: "No, I can go and check myself.  You all rest."

 

Glenn: "You sure?"

 

Mary: "Yes, good lady, why not take the dashing knight at your side?  Mayhap get some adult time alone with him?"

 

Elsea blushes as she stands from the table.

Elsea: "I'll be fine.  It's not far at all."

 

Zelos stretches while Elsea leaves.

Zelos: "I can't wait to get to Silverthrone."

 

Glenn: "Don't get ahead of yourself.  It will take time.”

 

Zelos: "I know, and I'm not saying it won’t.  I just...Well, we've spent so much time moving from point to point.  It'll be nice to just plant my feet and get to fixing this mess."

 

Glenn: "Won’t be easy.”

 

Zelos: "Of course not, but I feel like a criminal."

 

Mary: "Is this the first time you've been outside of Fiona?"

 

Zelos: "No, I've been out of the castle plenty of times."

 

Mary: "That's not what I meant.  Rather, is this the first time you've been outside of the kingdom's borders?"

 

Zelos: "Well, no, not really.  I've travelled to Silverthrone a few times.  Dad's pretty much been trying to set us up since we were kids."

Zelos grimaces at the snoring Zara who has begun to drool on herself.

Zelos: "It’s all kind of creepy if you ask me."

 

Mary: "Considering your brothers, I'd say it was rather necessary."

 

Zelos rolls his eyes.

Zelos: "Oh, yes, because Metis is trying to frame me and all.  Anyway, I was really young during those trips, so I don't remember much.  This place is much greener than Fiona.  In the spring, at least."

 

Mary: "It has less magic in the air, too."

 

Zelos: "Really?"

 

Mary: "Yes, really.  Fiona has a long and complicated history, and while it is painful to admit, magicians are most oft used for war.  Fiona is not a land known for peace.  Magic was an important part of their war machine when I was in the court.  Emeraldine is a prime example of that.  When magic pools like that it diffuses over time and floods the surrounding area.  Then there is the Academy to consider. It's a wonder we don't all have gills."

 

Zelos stares at the table's center.

Zelos: "Hey, Mary, you're a magician."

 

Mary: "And one of some repute, at that."

 

Zelos: "Did you ever work at the Academy?"

 

Mary: "No, no, though I was still in court while it was being built.  In fact, Glenn and I were both there for its grand opening.  I had considered taking a teaching position at one point, but your grandfather hadn't approved.  He felt I was integral to the security of the kingdom or some such nonsense.  After his passing I had a few brief conversations with your father on the subject.  He was more open to it.  Your mother, however, was adamantly against it."

 

Zelos: "Metis went there though, didn't he?"

 

Mary: "Metis was a prodigy in their eyes.  Nearly had the place under his rule by the time he returned to the castle, if I remember correctly.  Unsurprising.  The boy did have a brilliant mind.  Why so curious, though?"

 

Zelos: "It's just...Emeraldine, the Academy, my mother's illness, your...whatever-it-is-you-did, it all happened before I can even remember.  I'm so much younger than everyone.  Sometimes, it feels like I was late to the party."

 

Mary: "You're just fine, pumpkin, and if things are at all in line with how they were, then you're miles ahead, or braver at the very least."

 

Zelos fiddles with the cup on the table.

 

Zelos: "Mary. Were you there when my mother died?"

 

Glenn sits up and looks at Mary from the corner of his eye.

Mary glances between Zelos and Glenn.

Mary: "I was present, yes."

 

Zelos: "Were you trying to heal her?"

 

Mary: "No.  No, not quite.  I am not much of a healer, I'm afraid."

 

Zelos: "Did she...Was she in pain?"

 

Mary is just about to answer when Zara's snores herself into wakefulness.

Zara sits up and smacks her lips and wiping her mouth while everyone watches her.

She looks around the table.

Mary: "Well, good morning, princess, or afternoon at the very least."

 

Zara: "It's that late?  What happened?"

 

Zelos: "You passed out.  Don't worry, we understand, being a royal pain can be tiring."

 

Zara holds up her hand in Zelos' face without glancing at him while she yawns.

Zara: "Where is Elsea?"

 

Glenn: "Went to check on the horses.  Been gone a while though."

 

Mary: "Well, now that the princess is awake, I say we stretch our legs and go have a look for ourselves."

 

The party leaves the inn with Zara leading and Mary trailing.

Show the guard tower with melting snow sliding from its roof.

Show the waiting carriage, simple in design, with two horses reigned to it.  It doesn’t have a hood and the provisions are left in bound bags in the back.  The guard captain is attending to it while the previous guard is loading the back.

The party approaches with Zara still leading.

 

Guard Captain: "Oh! Princess!  I would like to once again apologize for the trouble earlier."

 

Zara: "It's fine, sir, I have nearly forgotten it. Now then, have you happened to see my hand maiden?  She is about yea-tall, curly blond hair, green eyes..."

 

Guard Captain: "Haven't seen her, but someone did come by with a letter for you.  Jefferson has it.  Hey, Jefferson, get out here."

 

Hamlet Guard1 stops his work.

Guard Captain: "Jefferson, you got that message, son?"

 

Hamlet Guard1 salutes.

Hamlet Guard1: "Yessir!"

 

The Guard Captain waits.

Guard Captain: "Well, go on, give it to her!"

 

Hamlet Guard1 hands Zara a small, wrinkled envelope.

 

Zara: "What does it say?"

 

Guard Captain: "Wouldn't know.  Can't read."

 

Zara pulls a folded note from the envelope.

 

Glenn: "Captain, what did the person who delivered it look like?"

 

Guard Captain: "Jefferson?"

 

Hamlet Guard1: "Well, he was a squat fellow, bushy hair, spoke in a strange way, and he said that I shouldn't bother with fetching you."

 

Zelos: "Squat fellow?"

 

Glenn: "The bounty hunters."

 

Mary: "Why not come after us directly, though?"

 

Zara: "Because, they've taken Elsea."

 

Chapter End.