Greetings All
Zak seems to be enjoying his villain arcs, so I will steal a name to work into my section. I hope you all enjoy it. Be sure to read @zakludick's update to keep track of all the villains who will become pains later on!
Mary digested everything she had heard. She had heard whispers of the 17 before, but what she had heard didn’t describe them as an organised group. No, from her recollection, they were a group of individuals who spent most of their time furthering their own agendas. There were times that they would join forces, but for the most part, they were solo adventurers, mages, sorcerers, and more. She honestly believed that Magna and Adiran were wrong in their assumption of what was happening.
However, her information was based on rumours she had heard from castle staff since she had come to live in Dragonshold. Information that Johnathan had often chided her for listening to. Nonsense and nothing but a waste of time, he had always told her. But now that information was nagging at her and she needed to say something.
“You look apprehensive, Mary.” Said Adiran.
“I don’t believe the 17 have anything to do with what is happening.” Said Mary before she could stop herself.
The room fell silent, and at first, it looked like Magna wanted to argue with her, but the girl calmed herself. She must have sensed that her mother wouldn’t have spoken if it wasn’t for a purpose. Either that or she felt that her suggestion was also a stretch.
“Servants speak, especially when they don’t think someone would hear them. I know that the 17 are a collection of like-minded people who may come together if a situation requires them to. But for them to have their hands in so many pies all at once? I don’t think we’re seeing the bigger picture. I think we’re seeing trails that have been left for us to see, to make conclusions when there are none.”
Millmor seemed to want to argue but stopped himself.
“I am not saying that Barakus didn’t do what he did, nor that he had a hand in what was done to Derric’s people. I’m saying, I don’t think all of 17 may have a hand in what we’re seeing.”
Mary was not used to having to defend herself in her own throne room, but for now, politics had to be set aside to understand what was truly going on. Adiran understood the situation, Mary could see him thinking as he tugged at his beard.
Gorma stepped forward and cleared her throat. All attention fell on her. It was rare amongst the greenskins to get everyone’s attention so quickly, and for a moment, she was stunned by the silence. Sensing some cultural differences at play, Mary simply said.
“You have the floor dear.”
Gorma bowed her head quickly and then, while stumbling through a little stage fright, she said.
“There is too much going on right now.”
“Agreed.” Said Mortis.
Adrian hissed a shush at the knight, allowing Gorma to continue.
“We don’t know why my people have awoken. It is suspected that the 17 put us to sleep at the same time as our allies at Loghaven were being attacked. Barakus is now known to have had a hand in the attack on Loghaven, but can we truly make that connection with what happened to my people? Or is that someone trying to distract us from something else happening.”
She pointed to Robert.
“He’s a distraction.”
She then tapped her chest.
“I’m a distraction.”
“I’m not following.” Said Adiran.
Gorma grumbled and tried to make them understand.
“Something else is happening, we’re just not seeing it yet. All these major changes are occurring. They’re flashy, they’re distracting, drawing our attention away from something. Something so small, that it is being dismissed as minor in comparison to what is happening now.”
“Something isn’t exactly descriptive.” Said the mage.
“Hush.” Snapped Mary.
“Even if what the girl says is true, we don’t have eyes all over the world. We barely have emissaries in the neighbouring countries surrounding us. We simply cannot send soldiers out to gather information about everything.”
“Who said anything about soldiers?”
“Mary! See reason.”
“You’re so detached from the people within this castle, you can’t see how they can be used. Common people listen at doors and overhear conversations because they are thought of as nothing more than servants. We need an ear on the ground, someone who travels, and hears all.”
“And you happen to know someone like that?” Adiran almost seemed sarcastic.
“I wasn’t always queen you know, I had friends in, shall we say, not as privileged positions.” Mary grinned. “I may know the exact person for the job, but it’ll take time for her to answer me. It has been years since we last spoke, but I know just the person to get her attention. Adrian, fetch me Matilda.”
Adrian grinned and then burst out laughing as he left the throne room, leaving everyone speechless. Adiran wasn’t amused.
“Matilda? Really? That old gossip?”
“My friend deals in rumours and I know no one else who can spread a rumour as Matilda does.”
It didn’t take long for the old chambermaid to enter the throne room. She may have been young once, but that was likely before the birth of Johnathan. She took one look at the bloodstains and the random collection of people before her eyes gleamed and a smile spread over her lips.
“Your Majesty, I will immediately get this cleaned up, lickety-split!” she swore.
“Thank you, Matilda, but aren’t you only working a partial day today? Something about another grandchild?” asked the queen, her own grin showing.
“Oh posh, that’s later. I’ll deal with this then go have a nip in town before the party.”
The older woman practically danced from the room.
“And now we wait. If there are two things I know about Matilda, it’s that she can’t keep a secret to save her life and she loves telling stories at any pub she visits. Letty will be here soon.”
“Letty?” asked Adrian, having returned.
“Oh course, you two were so young since the last time she popped by. She’s an old friend from when I was growing up. Letulah Molder.”
And back to you Zak.
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
Vetitum Nemus
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