Chapter 1: Prologue
Disclaimer: I am disappointed to announce that I, schmeschma, do not own the game Fable III (or any Fable, for that matter). I take credit for two characters that will be introduced, a few events that take place, and most of the dialogue used. Other than that, everything belongs to Lionhead Studios and the creators of Fable (unless noted otherwise).
{Prologue}
The age of industry has come to Albion,
though some call it, "The Age of Oppression,"
When freedom is nothing but a dream.
It's time to take a stand;
To lead a rebellion.
To be a Hero.
Welcome to the city of the downtrodden;
Where those who dare to speak out are punished,
And those who dare to hope,
find nothing to hope for.
True rebels fight against all odds.
True rebels never give up.
Yet they cannot triumph alone.
The uprising has begun,
But who will lead the revolution?
{~Theresa, The Introduction to Fable III~}
Snow fell upon the Bowerstone Castle grounds. The gardens were draped with a white blanket. Neatly trimmed hedges and statues were covered with the cold substance. The water spewing from fountains ran cold. Cobblestone paths were unclear and hard to follow. The white flurries landed on a nearby windowpane, dissolving into water and rolling off the glass.
A girl with long, tangled, auburn hair watched as each flake covered the grounds. She thought grimly, Albion is going to be cold this winter. Her almond-shaped, emerald-green eyes reflected her concern. She tugged at her messy bangs in deep thought.
"Blade," a boy's voice called from behind her.
The girl turned to see her regal, older brother smiling back at her.
The boy, who was named Logan for his insensitivity, was the most polite out of the two children living within the castle walls. Soon to be king, the boy tried hard to impress his mother, the queen of Albion, and his tutor, who preferred him over his distracted sister. When it came to intelligence, Logan was talented. However his sister, who was affectionately called Blade for her skill in swordsmanship, was favored by their mother, who had her own experience of adventures, having saved Albion from a wicked man.
Needless to say their father was out of the picture.
Logan studied his younger sister as she stared out the massive window, taking in her slumped posture and her rather improper -not to mention, unprincesslike- attire.
Logan dared to ask: "What's wrong?"
"What's Albion's fate?" the girl asked.
"Don't worry," said Logan. "Sparrow's doing everything in her power to keep the people alive."
Blade watched the snow with remorse.
After a moment, she spoke up.
"What's going to happen to her?"
Logan's expression changed for a split second. Something flashed in his eyes, but he shook it away.
He answered, "I don't know."
The girl bit her lip, "She's sick, isn't she?"
Her brother nodded.
"I'm scared, Logan."
Logan held out his arms, beckoning his sister to wrap her arms around him.
"Don't worry, Blade," he whispered as she hugged him. "I'll always be here for you."
Years passed and Sparrow's inhuman strength failed. Logan, being the eldest and only male heir to the throne, became king. His rule, however, was harsh and devastated Albion.
What Albion needed was a revolution and someone willing to lead it.
A whited-hair, well-dressed old man opened the curtain to let sun shine into the princess' bedroom. Said royal stirred in her large bed.
"Jasper," she whined. "Five more minutes?"
"Certainly not, " the butler frowned at her. "A princess is to be up early to greet her subjects and adoring citizens."
"I didn't know they woke up before dawn," she muttered.
"You know this would go so much smoother if you'd stop complaining."
This extracted one more groan from the princess, but she sat up and flung her legs over the side of her comfy mattress.
"Excellent, now I have picked out a pair of outfits for you to wear, if you will follow me."
The princess groggily shuffled behind her butler to the chosen attire. She took one look at the dresses picked out before remarking that neither of them included a set of trousers.
"Couldn't you dress like a proper young lady for once?"
The princess gave Jasper a look that read gag me with a spoon.
"I suppose it can't be helped, huh?" Jasper grimaced as the princess rummaged through her wardrobe, leaving a mess that the butler would have to clean up later.
"When you are finished, Master Elliott would like to see you," he said.
The princess dressed and then raced to the door.
"Keep out of your brother's way. He is rumored to be in an ill temper," Jasper told her.
The girl nodded at Jasper with a tight smile, then burst through her door. Had she been stuck in there another moment, she would've suffocated.
As she slid down the railing of a staircase about one hundred feet away from her bedroom door, she could hear Jasper sigh and say, "the kingdom is doomed."
Stumbling through the gardens full of trimmed hedges, fountains of running water, and statues of the feared king, the princess found her betrothed, Elliott, standing by a fence, overlooking Bowerstone Market.
"Blade," he smiled at the girl.
Blade nodded at him in acknowledgment.
"Have you heard the rumors? Apparently King Logan executed a factory worker this morning."
Blade bit her lip to stop herself from defending her brother. Logan had gotten out of hand, after all.
"The kitchen staff wants to hear from you; I promised you'd speak with them. Shall I escort you to the castle?"
"You may, if you'd like. However I can look after myself," Blade said and strode back toward the castle.
Elliott trailed her, thinking of how much he'd like to hold her hand.
Blade and Elliott reached the kitchen. Among the pots, pans, and potatoes, a small group of workers were huddling together in the room.
"Princess," the royal chef offered the girl a smile and bowed.
Blade returned his smile.
"Whenever you're ready, princess."
With Elliott's unwanted help, Blade stepped onto a prepared podium and, with difficulty, she began her speech.
"I thank you for the hard work you've all put in these past couple of years. And I ask that you disregard any rumors about King Logan. He's had a hard time. We all have. I'll see what can do for you and your families outside the castle. Keep your hopes up."
The kitchen staff applauded the princess as she stepped off the podium.
"Well done," said a voice in the doorway.
Blade turned to see her father figure, Sir Walter Beck, as chubby as ever.
"Are you ready for your lesson today?" he asked.
"When am I not?" Blade wondered.
"Keep her safe, will you?" Elliott asked Walter.
"I'm more worried about Walter," Blade said. "He's gotta step up his game."
"Is that a challenge?" Walter glared at Blade.
"Let's settle this like men," Blade grinned.
Elliott lifted his finger to point out that Blade wasn't a man, but the princess silenced him.
"Shut up, Elliott."
Walter and Blade raced each other to the combat room. A man stopped them on the way there to ask if Walter wanted to sign a petition to help workers of Albion, to which the retired soldier answered that Blade's signature would mean more so the princess signed the petition, for she was convinced that it was for a good cause.
Walter led Blade to the door of the combat room where they had trained every day for as long as she could hold a weapon. Walter flung the door open and led the princess to a weapons rack on the opposite wall.
"Remember what you asked me all those years ago?" Walter looked at the redhead.
"Teach me to be a Hero," Blade recalled.
"It's time to weave together everything you learned, everything I taught you. Take up arms and fight me. Fight me as though your life depended on it."
Blade raised an eyebrow, "are you serious?"
"Come on, Blade. Fight me," Walter took a sword from the weapons rack and positioned himself in front of the only exit.
Blade sighed and took a sword. She looked over her shoulder to see Walter charging at her with his raised sword. As the sword hovered just above her shoulder, Blade's quick reflexes kicked into action and she was able to block the attack as Walter's sword drew closer to her. She prevented her enemy's weapon from causing damage, that is until Walter shifted and decided to use another strategy. Blade whirled around to face him.
"Iiieeeeeugh!" Walter shouted, attacking again.
Blade blocked it once more. She finally decided to make a move. She sprang into the air, sword bearing down on Walter. Walter raised his own sword to block Blade's attack. As the swords collided, a piece of Walter's broke off. After further investigation, the broken piece turned out to be his entire blade.
Before Blade could rejoice, the door flung open to reveal a terrified Elliott.
"Quick, follow me!" Elliott shouted.
"What's happened?" Walter asked.
"It's the king! I have a feeling that he's gonna do something drastic!"
"Why? Whatever is the matter?" Blade wondered.
"Outside! Quick, come and see!"
Blade and Walter followed Elliott out of the combat room and toward a window, overlooking the front of the castle. A mob fumed outside the castle walls.
"Let me speak with the king," Walter said after a glance at the mob.
"Walter," Blade frowned, "let me."
"It's too dangerous," Walter began.
"Logan won't listen to anyone else. Let me speak to him."
Walter thought for a moment, then sighed. "Just be careful."
Blade nodded and marched to the war room, where Logan was seen last.
Building up her courage, Blade knocked on the door.
"Blade, not now," came the king's voice.
Elliott cringed. Ignoring her brother's request, Blade opened the door.
"I said, not now," Logan glared at his sister and her party of mutineers.
"Logan, please. Don't do anything drastic." Blade begged and added, "Think of the good of Albion."
"Albion needs to fear me, so they will not question my authority," Logan answered.
"Listen to me, Logan," Blade continued.
"Listen to you?" Logan scoffed at the thought. "What would you know about running a country?"
"Albion is in ruin," Blade said. "If you could change that-"
Logan cut her off.
With a "come hither" motion, the king led Blade, Elliott, Walter, and his guards to the throne room, where the leaders of the mob were waiting.
"You're not a child, Blade," said Logan. "It's time I stopped treating you like one."
"Pray do tell, Logan, what you mean?" Blade answered.
"Nothing goes unpunished," Logan said. "I will allow you to choose."
Logan cleared his throat and let the silence sink in. "Do I execute these renegades for questioning my authority or this spying boy for invading my privacy? If you cannot decide, then I will. They will all be executed. What say you?"
Blade looked at the cowering rebels.
She sighed, "the good of people."
"Blade," a voice whispered.
The girl glanced over her shoulder. Elliott was staring back at her, knowingly. "Choose me."
She bit her lip. "For Albion," she nodded. "I choose Elliott." Blade planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Farewell, Blade," Elliott said. He kissed her knuckles. "I love you," he whispered.
Blade felt guilt in the pit of her stomach. The fact that she didn't love him back gnawed at her gut. "Elliott-," she said, but he interrupted.
"No," Elliott said. "I know. I just wanted to tell you while I still had the chance." He kissed her forehead.
"Goodbye," she whispered, trying to smile for him. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. For Albion's sake."
"Guards," Logan's voice cut in. "Take the chosen one away."
"I guess this is it," Elliott frowned as guards flanked him. "You'll avenge me, right?"
"As you wish," Blade called to him, as he was escorted away.
Slowly, guards, rebels, and Walter left the throne room, in search of errands or to escape the king's wrath. Eventually, only Blade and Logan were left.
"You won't really avenge him, will you?" Logan spoke.
"Probably not," Blade smiled, embarrassed. "I mean, the day will come that I'll overthrow you, but you must've been expecting that."
"Nothing less," Logan agreed. "That's mostly why I've been afraid of the young lady you've become."
"Mostly?" Blade wondered.
"Women are forces one shouldn't reckon with," said Logan.
"Sparrow taught you that," Blade's lips curled into a genuine smile.
"She did, indeed," Logan replied. He considered something for a moment, before asking, "Do you think you'll actually kill me when you take my place?"
"What good will that do? Justice is showing mercy to those who deserve it."
"You really think I deserve mercy?"
"Everyone does until they take it for granted."
"You truly would make a righteous ruler."
"Thank you. I'm sorry you've been having a difficult time," Blade showed her brother sympathy.
He shrugged it off, "no need."
"I promised the kitchen staff that I'd mention improvements in the workplace to you."
Logan groaned. Blade giggled.
"Please, consider it. For me," Blade batted her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you. Until next time," The princess curtsied on her way out.
That night, Walter sat down in Blade's room and told her that they were leaving.
"Logan might think you're challenging his authority, if you stay any longer," Walter explained.
"I suppose I'll need to pack," Jasper said.
"No time," Walter argued.
Jasper stared at the man before quickly folding, rolling up, and stuffing the princess' pajamas in his pocket.
Blade smiled at her butler. He was always looking out for her.
Walter shoved Blade's bedroom doors open and led Blade and Jasper down a spiral staircase and into the gardens.
"Before we leave, we need to do something," said Walter, walking toward Sparrow's catacomb.
"In there?" Blade asked.
She hadn't paid her respects to Sparrow in years. Thinking of her deceased mother was too heartbreaking.
"Blade."
The princess returned to reality, realizing that Walter had stopped walking and was looking at her. Blade could read the pity in his eyes. Blade frowned at him and strode past, head held high. She didn't need his pity.
As they approached the entrance to the catacombs, Walter stood in front of the massive doors and let out a low whistle. He pushed the doors open, leading Jasper and Blade to Sparrow's casket.
Blade stroked the sarcophagus with a heavy heart.
"Blade," Walter called and leaned against a wall, pushing a loose brick into place.
A large statue, that was built in front of Sparrow's casket, shifted. There was a loud clanking noise, followed by a large set of hands falling to Blade's reach. In the palms of these hands was a round, gilded object.
"Is that-?" Jasper asked, pointing at the object.
"Sparrow's Guild Seal," Blade said in awe.
"She told me to save it for when you were ready," said Walter.
"You mean-?" Blade was too stunned to finish her sentence.
"You're a Hero," Walter nodded.
Blade looked at him with wide eyes. She turned to the Guild Seal. Carefully, she reached out to it. As Blade grasped it with both hands, the three of them were all transported to another room.
This room wasn't dark and damp like the last. Instead, it was small and circular. Documents lay all around the room. Along the walls were doors, covered in cobwebs. In the middle of the room was a large table. It took Blade a moment to realize it was a map of Albion.
"What is this place?" she asked, examining the map table.
"I believe it's..." Jasper began. After studying the room a little longer, he gasped, "...Sparrow's Sanctuary!"
"Sanctuary?" Walter wondered, "I'd heard stories, but I never actually thought it existed."
Blade wandered to a door on one side of the room. It was labeled with a picture of a sword crossing a pistol.
Armory! thought Blade.
She pushed the door open, quietly so she wouldn't disturb Walter or Jasper, and sneaked into the armory.
This room was slightly larger than the last and was nearly empty.
Something glittered and caught Blade's eye. She turned in the direction of the sparkly light and discovered a sword. She also found a back sheathe. Beside the sword, a hammer was lying on the ground. Blade equipped herself with the sword, though, for she was better experienced with it.
After stumbling about the room, Blade discovered a pistol and a rifle, lying on the opposite wall. Blade examined both, but in the end, chose the pistol. She found a hip holster and equipped herself with the pistol.
Blade also discovered a glovelike object with a large circle on the palm. Energy seemed to pulse from it. Something urged Blade to equip it. She did, with caution.
At first, nothing happened. Then, the gauntlet reacted to Blade's Hero blood, violently. Energy from the gauntlet filled Blade's body.
She clenched her teeth to bite back a scream, but released one anyway. She couldn't think of any other way to unleash the amount of energy that was running through her veins.
"Channel it!" Walter's voice shouted to her.
Blade whirled around to face him.
"Channel the energy," he said. "Concentrate and you can release it!"
Blade did as her tutor told her.
With enough concentration, a ball of fire was generated and Blade held it in her hand. Strangely enough, it didn't scorch her.
Blade grinned and the fire diminished.
"Wha-?" she frowned at her now empty hand.
"That was bloody marvelous!" said Walter. "It's too bad you couldn't hold onto it longer. Still, it's good to know you can do that."
Blade smiled and showed off her new weapons.
She and Walter walked back to the main chamber, where Jasper was leaning over a book.
Along one wall were two circular tiles. According to Jasper's manual, they were ancient devices called cullis gates, and were used as a sort of teleportation.
"They activate if you use will on them," Jasper read and nodded for Blade to do so. He added, "They can take you to a chosen destination, given you've visited before."
Blade channeled her energy and generated a spark, focusing it on the cullis gate. Upon been struck by magic, the cullis gate activated. Blade noted this and experimented on the next one.
Having both gates open, Blade looked at Jasper.
"The gate on the right is an entrance and the one on the left is an exit," he read.
Before he could read anymore, Blade leaped through the exit and teleported out of the Sanctuary.
A foul stench filled her nostrils.
There was a bright light as Walter appeared.
"From the smell," the chubby man sucked in his breath, "it seems we're in the Bowerstone Sewers."
"Where are we headed?" Blade asked.
"Mispeak Valley," said Walter. "I'll need to return to the Sanctuary soon to discuss our battleplan with Jasper. Any ideas on how to get back?"
Suddenly, Jasper's voice echoed of the the grimy walls.
"Blade can return using the Guild Seal," he said. "I suppose you'll have to remain with her, if you want to return."
"That settles it," Walter said. "I'll lead you to Brightwall, but then you're on your own. We'll meet up in Dweller Camp, okay?"