Two Princes, two Paupers and a Queen

"Do you know why you are here, child?" An eerie, disembodied voice asked from the depths of the mass of darkness asked them.

"I am here because my father failed you, Your Majesty." Grace replied, bowing her head.

"You are a smart girl." Her Majesty Queen Envano leaned into the light. "Much smarter than your travelling companions." The door next to the dais opened, revealing Rinomve and Falael, bound in ropes and being prodded by guards, just like the ones that had brought her to whatever this wretched place was. "Come on in, nephew."

Wait what? Grace thought, her mind reeling from the simple statement. Nephew? Which one? Why wasn't I told? Did the other know? What else wasn't I told? She wanted to ask so many questions as Rinomve and Falael were dragged into the room (which, after much adjusting to the lighting in the room, Grace realised to be a throne room) and made to sit either side of her and William.

"Did you have a good journey?" Her Majesty asked, looking at Rinomve (who was knelt next to Grace). "Was it worth it, betraying your own family?"

"With all due respect, Your Majesty." Rinomve replied bitterly. "The only family I have is my best friend, my brother." (So Rinomve is Her Majesty's nephew, Grace thought as she started to piece the puzzle together.)

"Ah yes, the son of the traitors." Her Majesty turned to Falael as Grace grew even more confused. What did she mean, the son of the traitors? "I see our little princess is confused." Her Majesty had apparently noticed the expression on her face, no matter how much she tried to school her features to look unconcerned. Apparently she had failed spectacularly. "Well then, we can't have that." Her Majesty now stood directly in front of Grace. "Sweet child, do you know why I came to Asharia?"

"No, Your Majesty."

"You didn't tell her why her own country is ruled by a foreign Queen?" Her Majesty asked William incredulously.

"No, Your Majesty. Her Mother thought it more important that our daughter spend her time learning the family trade."

"Really now? Well, I guess we will start with the day that the Oblivion Kappa came to Thoasia. You see, Thoasia is well known for a gem called Aublandite, an extremely rare and valuable gemstone that is only available in Thoasia." Her Majesty said as she sat down on her throne (being sure to stomp her feet on every stone as if she were a toddler that had just been denied sweets). "At first, as I explained to my nephew, relations between Asharia and Thoasia were great. Asharia would supply the food and grain, and Thoasia would fulfil the thirst to show the copious amounts of wealth suffered by the nobles of Asharia. That was until Thoasia needed the arms that only the wealthy of Asharia could afford. The selfish bastards that are the nobles of Asharia couldn't be bothered to look out from behind the walls of their wastes of lumber and stone that is their castles and see that the people who are making them wealthy require their help. And when they did help, they were too cheap to give two pennies towards the cause." Her Majesty exhaled, as if she had just run a mile. "And so, my beautiful and beloved homeland was overrun by the aliens The Oblivion Kappa. Just think, an entire civilizations worth of art, knowledge and culture, all gone because one race wanted a shiny jewel and another wanted to protect their dragon horde's worth of money. Do you now see why I came to Asharia?" She asked Grace.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good." Her Majesty replied, adjusting her dress before she continued the story. "I wanted to show this wretched country what it felt like to have a usurper on the throne, and I was almost successful in getting rid of the Wynfir clan." Wynfir, Grace thought, that is Falael's last name. What does that mean? Grace looked at Falael. "I did not count on the youngest child being able to escape with the aid of my own nephew, and his wet-nurse. That young boy's name was Prince Falael Wynfir." Holy Ames, Falael is the lost prince?! Grace screamed internally. How did she miss that? "And now, my nephew, my nemesis, my failed servant and my greatest pawn are all here, kneeling in front of me. Cerberus!" Her Majesty called. The guard that had dragged Grace and her father in stood to attention. "Go and arrange for some drinks for my guests." Cerberus looked like he wanted to argue, but chose against such an action.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Her Majesty watched Cerberus until he had left the room, shutting the door behind him and waiting a few more moments before talking again.

"I am not going to kill you." She said, much to the astonishment of the four of them. "I have a more important task for you."

"What is that, Your Majesty?" William dared to ask.

"I want your daughter, and her friends, to go and get the Staff of Light."