Confronting a Queen

"He did WHAT?!" Envano screeched. "How? How could the Crown Prince, my nephew, get out of the castle?"

"We don't know, your Majesty. He used magic to get past the guards, and not even our best trackers know how to find him or even where he is going." The quaking servant replied, bowing as deep as his frail body could allow. Envano slumped back in to the black velvet chair that was her throne in despair.

"First my allies abandon me," She said, making it seem as if the will to live had escaped her. "And now my nephew. My only successor."

"The Crown Prince left one clue," The servant started, drawing Envano from her thoughts. Shaking, he pulled out a letter. Snatching it from the servant, Envano read it:

9th December, 11th year of the reign of Queen Envano

Dear Aunt. By the time you have received this letter, I, Rinomve of house Bodaldi, have left the castle that has been my home for the past eleven years. I thank you, Aunt, for raising me as I am sure that you would have raised your own son. I am truly grateful for all the lessons you have taught me over the many years. However, I feel it is time that I, your humble servant, learned to do things without the help of servants.

I know you knew where Falael of house Wynfir used to live. I also know that you had a hand in the death of most members of a family to help flush him out so that you could kill him.

Envano stopped. So, she was right about Penrith. Did that mean that she was also correct in suspecting her nephew in betraying her? She didn't bother to finish the letter and handed it back to the servant.

"Bring Uzohr Tovis," She barked, returning to her throne.

It was night by the time the servant had returned to the castle, flanked by four guards and followed by the man that put Envano in charge of the empire that was Asharia.

"Your Majesty," The man bowed so low that his nose almost touched the floor.

"Uzohr, my dear wizard. I trust that the journey to the castle has been a good one," Envano motioned for the man, all dressed in green, to be seated.

"Indeed, it has, madam. Coming to see Queen Envano the magnificent is always a good thing to look forward to."

"You flatter me too much, dear friend. Unfortunately though, this is not a social call. I have a thorn in my side, and I need some help to get it out."

"Oh, what kind of thorn?" The wizard asked.

"Falael Wynfir." The stunned silence was deafening.

"Falael Wynfir? Wasn't he killed with the rest of his family?"

"No, he wasn't. He still lives, and previous attempts to flush him out, while somewhat successful, haven't yet resulted in his head being brought to me on a silver platter. Also, one or more of the intended victims survived the ordeal. Now, I trusted The Grey Tears with the death of the Melarin family. Why, dear wizard, are there members of the Melarin family still alive?" Envano enquired, her rage building slowly but surely.

"The idea was, your majesty, that if one or more family members survived, they would inevitably reach out for help. As I understand it, Falael was working as a sheriff in Penrith. If the two meet, then Falael will need to go to Oakenspell, and in Oakenspell the only place to rest is owned by a member of The Grey Tears. Hence, Falael and whoever he is with will fall into our trap." Uzohr explained. Envano relaxed, slumping against the back of her chair.

"So there is a plan to get Falael and any left over members of the Melarin family," it relieved Envano that there was a plan in place. "Unfortunately, my dear wizard, there may be a complication. I have just received word that my nephew, my only living relative, is in league with these felons, and should thus be added to the list of people who I either want dead or brought to me for execution. Failure to do so, will cause your execution and the execution of all of your so-called gang of mercenaries."

"Yes your majesty," The wizard bowed, leaving the throne room and the castle. Hastily he made his way back to Oakenspell, knowing that if he wasted too much time the deaths of his friends would be the result.

As he walked into The Slippery River Bar, he summoned for the music to be silenced.

"Attention, my dear friends! We have a new mission!"

*****Author's Note*****

Hiya! So, what do you think?

Thank you for understanding about my absence. University is going okay, and I am still writing Shadow's Kiss.