A/N: So, this is going to be my first attempt at a full Star Vs. story. It will be completely AU, non-magic and non-monster, and the characters will be slightly aged up. Marco and Star will each be about 17 or so. The M rating was for the rather heavy levels of violence I'm predicting and some (possible) mature scenes in the future. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy and thank you in advance. There's a lot of quality STVOE fanfiction out there and it means a lot to me if you take the time to give my humble tale a once over.
Chapter 1: For whom the bell tolls
A warm spring morning greeted the kingdom of Mewni, sunlight and birdsong rousing the kingdom's sleeping inhabitants from their dreams, compelling them to confront the tasks and chores of the day. When she was a younger girl, Queen Moon Butterfly would have likely taken the opportunity to rise early before her lessons and take a stroll through the castle's famous rose gardens, enjoying a carefree moment before her duties as a princess compelled her to remain indoors for most of the day. Now, it was all she could do to sit up in bed and enjoy at least a little bit of sunlight, even as she had to endure yet another lecture from her Lord Chancellor, Earl Toffee Septarian.
In her younger years, Moon had taken such daily meetings with her entire privy council in a comfortable conference room situated behind the main throne room and audience chamber of the castle. There she had dealt with the myriad issues affecting her kingdom, laws, domestic policy, relations with the other kingdoms, and the competing interests of her councilors with a grace and effectiveness that had brought years of uninterrupted peace and prosperity to the land and had earned her the love of her people. When her illness had first made itself known, she had continued on in much the same manner. Over the years though her strength left her and her responsibilities had increasingly been farmed out as she retreated from public life so as not to worry the populace over the state of their monarch.
The council sessions had first moved from their normal chambers to the royal apartments, then to the queen's own chambers, and now she could not even attend them. Toffee presided over the meetings now and dealt with the daily flow of supplicants seeking the crown's assistance in various matters. Once a day he would come to her bedroom and present a series of documents for her review and approval along with giving an oral report on the happenings in the kingdom. Moon admittedly often paid scant attention to these, half from exhaustion and half out of boredom. Nothing he said was ever something she didn't either already know or would find out in stack of paperwork now sitting beside her. She had instead learned to look at the Earl without really seeing him, nodding here and there as if in rapt attention while her mind wandered onto other things, like memories of her youth or her beloved River. Oh, how she missed him. His comforting presence and jovial nature would be beyond helpful in these times.
As Toffee paused momentarily, shuffling papers around to prepare the next bit of business, Moon took a moment to look him over. He'd dressed in his usual finery, a black and silver doublet embroidered with his sigil, a lizard's claw with a ruby ring on the middle finger. He was tall and fairly muscular for his middling age with thick black hair, no beard, and green, piercing eyes. He was an accomplished swordsman, one of the wealthiest men in Mewni, and politically ambitious, a dangerous combination if ever there was one. Moon had brought him onto her council specifically to keep an eye on him lest he cause any mischief from his ancestral seat of Septarsis, and she was willing to admit he was a more than capable administrator and advisor. But while he had always maintained the proper level of decorum with her, she hadn't failed to notice how his language and suggestions sometimes walked just up to the line of insubordinate. Before her illness she'd been able to deal with him effectively to the point where he'd been no threat, now though….
Moon was brought out of her thoughts by Toffee coughing into his hand, as if knowing she hadn't been paying any attention to him. "And now, with your majesty's permission, if I might discuss a rather sensitive issue?"
If he was going to make it a point to bring it up specifically it might as well be worth giving her full attention to Moon figured. "You may proceed Lord Chancellor."
Toffee paused for a moment, glancing over at Manfred, Moon's personal attendant and near constant companion these days. "Perhaps… if we might speak alone your majesty?"
Moon looked up sharply at that, regaining some of her old fire. "Manfred has been my loyal attendant for years Lord Chancellor and anything you have to say to me can be said in front of him. Am I making myself clear?"
The man looked as if he was ready to retort but seemed to think better of it, settling on a simple "yes your majesty" instead. "Now, back to the matter at hand. I really feel we must have a proper discussion about the succession, it is imperative that the kingdom have a smooth transition when the day comes and I feel…."
Moon cut him off in a rage "We have been over this and my answer has remained unchanged! My daughter is perfectly capable of inheriting the throne without a regent. How many more times must I indulge this meaningless tribble?"
"With respect your majesty, the princess is only 17, still in her studies, and by all accounts lacks the maturity necessary to take up the crown."
"Are you suggesting I'm dying anytime soon my lord?"
Toffee gathered himself for a moment, he needed to be cautious here. "Your majesty…you have been unwell for some time now. It is my duty to ensure this kingdom's future and I simply feel…"
"YOU ARE NOT THE RULER OF THIS KINGDOM MY LORD AND IF YOU SUGGEST ONE MORE TIME THAT YOUR DUTY IS ANYTHING OTHER THAN SERVING THE CROWN, I SWEAR I'LL…..." Moon's diatribe was cut off in a fit of harsh coughs. Toffee merely stood silently; one eyebrow cocked as if this proved his point. After a couple of minutes Moon recovered her breath and threw a glare at her minister.
"I wish to be alone; you may leave my presence Lord Chancellor."
"Your majesty if I may…."
"I said out damn you!"
Toffee's face contorted itself into a harsh frown but he determined that this wasn't the time to push the issue any further. He gave a short bow to his bedridden queen, "as you wish your majesty," he said curtly before turning around and storming out of the room.
Moon collapsed backwards into her bed, out of breath and completely exhausted. Manfred rushed to her side, a glass and pitcher of fresh water with rose petals soaking in it in hand. He poured a glass and offered it to Moon, who gladly accepted and drank deeply. After a moment the queen regained her composure and turned to her servant. "So, what do you think Manfred? Have your sources managed to confirm anything?"
Manfred's passive servant demeanor rapidly morphed into a serious and calculating expression. "I'm afraid so your majesty. My sources in the castle and around the kingdom all seem to corroborate the same story, the Lord Chancellor is definitely planning a coup. If he cannot convince you to appoint him as regent, then he will certainly try and usurp power some other way."
Moon's frame seemed to grow smaller at that news. She was afraid to ask further but time was of the essence. "And the castle guard?"
"Most of them are either his men or have been bought off by him your majesty. I'm afraid you have few allies left here in the castle."
Moon sighed deeply. She wanted so badly to believe it wasn't true, but Manfred had rarely been wrong these past 30 years. He was an exceptional spymaster and had operated by her side with near perfect cover. The nobility rarely noticed servants and tended not to mind their tongues when they were around, and it was only natural for the queen to keep a personal attendant nearby in most cases. In rare moments of private conversation, no one would think twice if he was say, outside the door, or walked off into another room ostensibly to take care of other tasks, in reality listening in on conversations. He had recruited a vast network of informants among the servants of the nobility and among the peasantry and guards, not just in Butterfly Castle or the capital city of Sperana but all over the kingdom. His information had been instrumental in stopping plots against her life and throne. And now, she was calling on him to save her kingdom one final time.
"It appears you are the only one I can trust then Manfred. When the time comes, you will need to take care of my daughter."
Manfred hesitated for a moment before replying. "With respect your majesty, loathe as I am to agree with the Lord Chancellor, you are increasingly unwell. Perhaps, for her own safety, it might be better to send the princess away from the capital?"
Moon instantly shot down the idea. "Absolutely not. If we send her away now, Toffee will know that we're onto him, and I doubt it would be long after that that my daughter would meet with some unfortunate accident on the road. No, better to let him continue uselessly lobbying me to name him regent and when the time is right, you will whisk her to safety right out from under his nose. That is my final decision on the matter Manfred."
To his credit he tried one more time "Your majesty I know you appear set on this course but please…."
"I said final!" Moon collapsed into another fit of coughs and Manfred dutifully poured her another glass of water. Moon could feel her strength rapidly slipping away, thoughts of betrayal and of her daughter seemingly taking too much of a toll on her rapidly failing body. "I need rest Manfred, please leave me for a while and tell the other servants I do not wish to be disturbed. We'll speak again later."
Manfred made a sweeping and respectful bow "Of course your majesty. I am always at your service."
As Manfred left the room Moon felt herself slowly slipping into unconsciousness. As she welcomed the deep embrace of sleep her thoughts turned to her daughter. Oh, my beloved shining Star. I wish I could have given you more time before placing the terrible burden of the crown and kingdom on your shoulders. I know that you have the strength and spirit to carry it though. You are my daughter after all. Smiling softly at the image of the confident and capable queen her daughter would one day become, Moon finally allowed dreams to claim her.
Star Butterfly raced up the steps of the tower, long golden hair and purple dress billowing behind her as she dodged beleaguered servants, pink, heart-shaped birthmarks on her cheeks red with exertion. She couldn't believe she was late for her lessons, again! Breathing heavily, salvation finally seemed at hand when she spied the top of the staircase and the wooden door that lay just beyond it. Bursting through the heavy oak in an undignified heap, Star was immediately confronted by the none too pleased face of her tutor. Bald with a long white beard and wearing the, in Star's opinion anyway, ugliest saffron colored robe possible, he stood with his arms crossed and impatiently tapping his foot. "Princess Star you are over an hour late! I swear young lady if you weren't the princess of Mewni I would have quit this job ages ago. What could have possibly kept you this time?"
Star started rubbing one arm while looking down sheepishly, suddenly finding the floor to be the most interesting thing in the world. "I'm sorry professor Glossaryck," she started. "It's just that the knights were out in the practice field today and I really wanted to join them but then mom's whole a princess does not engage in swordplay lecture came up so I decided to just stay and watch and then before I knew it…." She trailed off seeing Glossaryck hold one hand out, the other pinching the bridge of his nose while his eyes were scrunched shut as if in deep pain.
"Star, Star, I wonder sometimes if you truly value the lessons I'm trying so desperately to instill in you. You are the future queen of Mewni and someday this…" he gestured to a large tapestry of the kingdom hung on the wall behind him, "will be your responsibility." Star had to admit the tapestry was an exquisite work of art. It depicted just about everything in the kingdom, with intricate writing naming every river, town and village, forest, and mountain. Mewni seemed to incorporate nearly every type of geography imaginable. It had deep forests, vast plains cut through with rivers, a large mountain range to the north, and the sunset sea that occupied the western coastline. Some towns were independent charters, others were ruled by one lord or another. Some noble families ruled over several towns and had grand castles or estates which were also marked on the map. And there, deep in the Southeast corner of the map, was Sperana, capital of Mewni and home of Butterfly Castle. The city Star had lived in her entire life and, sigh, the only city she had ever seen. It seemed so unfair! The world seemed like such a vast an interesting place, why couldn't she explore it?! Go to distant lands and gaze at the different constellations, wander through the forests and ford the rivers of the kingdom she was destined to rule someday. She was 17, surely, she couldn't be confined here forever?
Glossaryck was droning on about the history of one of her ancestors or some such when Star spoke up. "Professor Glossaryck, will I ever be able to visit the rest of Mewni?"
The old teacher turned around at the question. "Why of course princess. After the coronation, it is customary for the new queen to go on a tour of the land. And of course, there will be diplomatic meetings to attend, disputes to settle between the nobles, and in time I imagine a number of young lords will invite you to visit their estates to being courting you and…"
Star cut him off right there, waving her hands wildly in front of her with a blush creeping up onto her face. "No! Nuh-uh! Not what I meant!"
Glossaryck looked perplexed. "Well then princess I'm not quite sure what you mean by your question."
Star sighed deeply. "I just… I've been cooped up here my entire life professor. I feel like I'm missing so much of what the world has to offer, there's so much to see and do out there that doesn't have to do with stuffy nobles or stupid courtroom etiquette or any of that!"
Glossaryck crossed his arms over his chest and adopted a stern look. "It may be true that were you not born a princess you might have more liberty to travel and engage in such frivolous things but you have a responsibility to Mewni and in exchange you have grown up in a magnificent castle with all your needs attended to instead of some serving girl in a thatch roof tavern in some backwater. You could at least show a little gratitude for the life you've been given young lady!"
Star looked down crestfallen, sniffling and clearly holding back tears. "I know all that and everything I just *sniffle* I feel like I haven't even been given the chance to live, like I'm just some lifeless doll that people expect to act a certain way. Besides, how can I be expected to run a kingdom when I barely know anything about its people?"
Seeing the look of sadness on the young girl's face, Glossaryck's sternness slowly faded into sympathy. He walked over to his young pupil and tenderly placed a hand on her shoulder. "Star I've been teaching you since you were old enough to talk and I'm proud to say that despite your… proclivity… for being late, you are a bright young woman and I believe some day you will make an excellent queen."
Star looked up at that, drying her eyes with her palm and smiling in spite of herself. "You really mean that professor?"
"I do. And I think you have a point; I suppose some exposure to how the common people live would be a useful lesson for a future queen. Tell you what, tomorrow we'll get a small escort and go down into the city. We'll have a lesson on how Mewni's economy works and how the majority of its urban population makes a living, sound good?"
Star's face broke into a wide grin and she jumped up cheering, fist in the air. Even if it meant sitting through a lecture about economics, she was going to get out of the castle tomorrow! Yes! The impromptu celebration was interrupted however by Glossaryck coughing into his hand to get her attention. "Yes, yes, all very well and good. Now, let us continue our lesson. Star, would you care to remind me where I left off in my lecture on Mewman royal history?"
"Uhhhh…..."
"You weren't paying any attention to my lecture at all were you?"
"I really am sorry professor; I'll start paying attention right now!"
Lord Chancellor Toffee threw open the heavy set of doors to his private quarters, slamming them shut, anger plain on his face. The nerve of that half-dead, insolent queen! How dare she refuse him! Not that it mattered much in the end, he mused. One way or another he'd have his prize. Pouring himself a glass of strong brandy he pulled on a rope-bell summoning a servant. Moments later a rather buxom redhead came rushing in, performing a deep curtsey when she reached Toffee. "You summoned me Lord Chancellor? How may I be of assistance?"
Toffee looked her over, rather shapely for a peasant he thought to himself. "Find Rasticore and send him to me at once."
The maid curtseyed again. "Yes m'lord, right away." She made to scurry off when Toffee stopped her.
"Servant girl."
She turned around with a bit of trepidation "Ye…Yes m'lord?"
Toffee gave her an almost predatory look. "You will return here later this evening, there are other… tasks, with which I may require your assistance."
The poor girl shook like a leaf. She had heard tales from some of the other female servants in the castle what kinds of "tasks" the Lord Chancellor usually asked for help with. Better to give into his occasional demands than to risk flogging or being thrown out of the castle to end up as some serving wench or a whore instead, most had said. The young girl was inclined to agree with them. "Yes m'lord, I shall return here this evening."
"Good." Toffee turned his back on her, making a halfhearted shooing motion. "Now get out."
The girl wisely chose to make haste. Shortly after, the door to Toffee's quarters opened again, only this time a tall, dark-skinned man wearing chainmail and a surcoat with Toffee's sigil on it entered. He had dark black hair tied in braids at the end and a glittering amethyst where his left eye had once been. A gift from his lord after the completing the rather difficult assignment that had cost him the eye in the first place. He carried a wicked looking longsword on his back and four glittering daggers on his belt. He approached Toffee and once a few feet from him, gracefully dropped to one knee. "You summoned me my Lord?"
Toffee turned around and considered the man kneeling before him. Rasticore had a reputation not just as a skilled fighter, certainly a requirement to be captain of the guard for the second most powerful person in Mewni, but as an utterly ruthless and merciless one, something Toffee appreciated. He was also 100% loyal to his lord and would undertake any task without hesitation, something Toffee appreciated even more. "Indeed, I did." Toffee motioned for Rasticore to rise and poured him a glass of brandy. He turned around and faced the large window in his office, a gorgeous view of the sprawling capital set before him.
Toffee was silent for a moment, but Rasticore wisely stood there and sipped on the excellent alcohol he'd been provided. He'd learned long ago never to speak to his lord unless addressed first, and had seen many a man beaten for forgetting their place in that regard. "The queen will not last much longer, perhaps a night, two at the most." He paused again to take a deep drink. "I've ensured that I will be the first to know when it happens. When it does, bells throughout the castle will begin tolling. When you hear them, you are to order the castle sealed, no one in or out. You will then take five of your best men and secure the princess and bring her here to me. I will explain the situation and the need for a… smooth…. succession. The girl is naïve and will surely be distraught over the loss of her mother. It should be simple enough to convince her that the burden of ruling should go to someone more experienced in that realm. Mewni will at last have a ruler worthy of the title! Do you understand?"
Rasticore nodded, "Yes my lord." He hesitated for a moment and took a deep drink. "And if the princess should resist or if something should happen to her?"
Toffee grew a reptilian grin. "Then it will have appeared that despite the best efforts of the castle guard an assassin was able to infiltrate the castle and murder Princess Star on the eve of Queen Moon's death in an attempt to destabilize Mewni. In these trying times, the realm will need dedicated and firm leadership. Though it will be a burden, I shall of course gladly take up the throne."
Rasticore mimicked his master's smile. "A most ingenious plan my lord."
Toffee chuckled to himself and dismissed Rasticore with a nod. "Go now my faithful captain, you have much to prepare before nightfall." As Rasticore bowed and left, another man also slipped silently out of the Lord Chancellor's chambers, down a secret hallway concealed by false paneling. If that was Toffee's plan, Manfred thought to himself, then he also had much to prepare and not much time to do it. I will protect you princess Star. I swore to your mother that I would and I have never broken a vow.
Night fell on Mewni, the twin moons overhead nestled gracefully in a blanket of starlight, bringing most of its inhabitants into the comforting embrace of sleep. For one group of servants however, sleep was the furthest thing from their minds as they rushed to and fro from the queen's bedchambers. Moon had awoken from her afternoon rest seemingly with more energy than she'd had in some time and had even managed to eat a full dinner. Around midnight however she awoke with her now usual hacking coughs, only these were deeper and more persistent than previous bouts. Despite everything the servants could think of the Queen simply couldn't seem to get enough air. When the royal physician arrived, he had taken a few quick looks and had listened to the queen's labored breathing before shaking his head sadly. She would not last the night. Shortly after midnight, as the queen's breathing became shallower and it appeared to be the end, one servant quietly slipped away unnoticed. Racing to the Lord Chancellor's room he knocked timidly and was greeted by the sight of the lord's face staring down at him. "It's done then?" He asked.
"Not when I left my lord, but surely within a few minutes."
Toffee nodded, well pleased. "Tell them to go and ring the bells then and inform the rest of the staff they are to wear black tomorrow. Mewni shall mourn its beloved queen."
"Yes, my lord, as you command." As the man scampered off, Toffee couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction. Rasticore would soon be in position and the full power of the realm would soon be his. All according to plan he chuckled as he returned to his room seeing the chambermaid from earlier looking at him frightened from his bed. Disrobing, Toffee tut-tutted at her. "Come now my dear, let's see a smile on that pretty face. After all, this is a rather joyous occasion… for me anyway." Her whines, moans, and occasional protests could be heard clearly in the hallway, not that there was anyone to listen to them. And even if there had been, who would dare to challenge him now?
Elsewhere in the castle, Star was snoring gently in her sleep when a loud bang echoed throughout the room, starling her awake. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, Star was shocked to see Manfred of all people in her bed chambers, and even more confused when he proceeded to bar the door. "Manfred what on Mewni do you think you're doing? Do you have any idea what time it is?! I swear sometimes I think that just because you're my mother's personal servant that you can just barge in here whenever you want. This is exactly like that time on my 13th birthday when you…" Star was cut off from her rant by Manfred clamping a hand over her mouth and holding up a finger to his lips in a shushing motion. When he removed his hand, Star was more than prepared to resume her diatribe but the look in Manfred's eyes caught her off guard. He had always looked at her with the passive and sometimes judging eyes of a servant. The look he was giving her now was deadly serious.
"Princess I know this might seem strange but you must believe me when I say we don't have much time. I swore to your mother I would keep you safe. Now here," he handed her a knapsack and a pair of well-made if simple riding clothes. "You must change quickly and then we'll leave." He turned around to give her some privacy but Star continued to sit in her bed, overloaded by all the sudden commotion.
"Manfred please I don't understand, why do I need to change? What's going on? Did mother having something to do with this?"
Manfred made to answer when suddenly the bells started tolling, first in the castle, then out across the city. Star again looked around in confusion for the umpteenth time that night before catching Manfred's eyes which had gone from fervent and rushed to heartbroken. With a mournful sigh he fell to one knee in front of Star, eyes cast down to the floor. Star gasped at this, one hand covering her mouth while the other grasped at her chest. No…no that can't be it. It's not true! It's not true! But Star's worst fear was confirmed when the servant before her dutifully intoned "The queen is dead. Long live the queen, long live Queen Star of Mewni." Star started to collapse backwards, tears streaking down her face before Manfred caught her and hoisted her to her feet. "I'm sorry my queen, truly I am. Your mother was a courageous and brave woman. She loved you dearly and fought for your safety and happiness for as long as she was able. Her last command to me was that I protect you from harm and I intend to do that, so please, I beg you, change so that we may go."
To his relief, Star finally acquiesced, sliding off her nightgown and slipping into the tights, shirt, and forest green cloak that Manfred had provided her. Just as they were preparing to leave, a jiggling came from the door as if someone was trying to open it from the other side. When they found the door barred, a loud banging ensued and a voice could be heard from the other side. "Open up! In the name of the Lord Chancellor I have been sent to secure the princess!" When no response was forthcoming, he tried again. "I said open this door damn you before we break it down! I come with the authority of Lord Toffee himself!"
Lord Toffee? Star mused to herself. What could he possibly want with her? As the banging on the door continued, Manfred again signaled for quiet and brought Star to a section of wall in her room. Puzzled, Star watched as he pressed upon a random brick and the entire section of wall swung inward to reveal a narrow walkway leading to a spiral staircase. Star practically squealed in excitement whispering "A secret passage! Manfred, how did you know this was here?!" Rather than answer, Manfred quickly shoved her inside and shut the false wall behind them, throwing open a narrow peephole that to his frustration Star also apparently intended on looking through. Just as they situated themselves, the door to Star's room burst open and six men who Star didn't recognize save for the Toffee's sigil on their clothing came charging in, swords drawn. After a brief look around, one of the men snapped a smart salute to another.
"She's not here Captain Rasticore sir."
The one called Rasticore practically growled in annoyance. "I can see that you idiot! She must be somewhere. Tear this room apart if you must, tear the whole damn castle apart and take as many men as you need. The Lord Chancellor wants the princess now!" The five men jumped to obey, four of them ransacking her room while the other ran back into the hallway presumably to enlist additional men in the search. With the thickness of the wall and all the commotion in Star's room, no one heard Manfred remove a lantern from his own pack and quickly light the candle within. Closing the peephole, he gestured for Star to follow him down the spiral staircase.
After a few minutes of walking, Star couldn't take it anymore. Looking to Manfred she stopped walking and crossed her arms. "So now will you tell me what's going on? How did you know about this passage? Why are those men looking for me? What happened to my mother?!" The last one came out with a choked sob, the adrenaline of escape giving way to a wave of fresh grief.
Manfred looked at Star, a mixture of sadness, sympathy, and resignation played haphazardly across his face. Sighing, he finally answered her. "I'll tell you more once were away from the castle but the long and short of it is you are in mortal danger my prin…my queen. You were aware of your mother's condition, yes?" Star nodded in response. "Good. Once it became clear that the illness was going to take your mother eventually, Lord Toffee began insisting that rather than inherit the throne outright, you should be placed under a regency, specifically his. Your mother resisted him as best she could, but as she grew weaker, he consolidated more power in the castle and the capital. By now, practically the entire palace guard and most of the servants are either his men or have been bought or blackmailed by him. Only myself, your tutor Glossaryck, and a few others remained loyal to your mother. Now that she's gone, Toffee needs you to officially declare him regent. I wasn't able to devise his plans after that but at some point, you would likely meet with some unfortunate accident or be married off to the heir of one of his allies and he would for all intents and purposes be king. That's why it's so important to get you to safety. Without you, Toffee can still claim to be Lord Chancellor, and he will still be powerful and very dangerous, but as the legitimate heir you represent the true authority in Mewni and can oppose him."
Manfred saw Star about to interject with another question when he held up a hand indicating he wasn't done yet. "As for why I know about all this, I may have appeared to be just your mother's servant, but I am actually her spymaster, tasked with identifying threats to the realm and specifically the royal family. This castle is centuries old and riddled with secret passages. They're how I move about unnoticed and how I know most of Toffee's plans." The two had reached the bottom of the staircase and were now along a straight passageway. Manfred gestured to the right-hand wall. "On the other side of this is the main corridor of the castle. We'll follow it to the end, there's a hidden door that will lead us outside, from there we'll make our way to the stables, grab horses, and go."
"You still haven't told me where you're taking me." Star pointed out.
"Your Aunt Eclipsa's castle in the Musty Mountains of course."
Star gasped. "That's on the other end of Mewni! Why go all the way there? We could ride to the nearest town, rally the local lord and get rid of Toffee now!"
Manfred waved the idea off. "Too risky, I have no idea which lords might be loyal to him now, especially the ones close to the capital. The Musty Mountains are far yes but they're also near impregnable and Eclipsa is your last remaining relative. She'll recognize you unlike some of the other nobles and more importantly she'll be able to keep you safe while we work out a plan to reclaim your throne.
Star's heart fell again at hearing that, your throne. Another reminder that her mother was dead, thoughts of how little time they'd been able to spend together as her duties as queen and her illness took up so much of her life, and now Star wasn't even able to say a proper goodbye. She wished she had her father in that moment but he was gone too. She was all alone in the world now. No! She pushed the thoughts and feelings of loneliness down. She wasn't alone. Manfred had just said he was taking her to her aunt, and she had always loved seeing Eclipsa when she had come on visits, the woman a wonderful mix of proper and mischievous that a young Star had idolized. And she had Manfred too. Granted, she wasn't exactly sure what their relationship was but at the moment he represented a connection to her mother and the comfort of the life she had known before the universe decided tonight was an excellent opportunity to upend her entire damn life!
Without realizing it, her body having been on autopilot, Star realized they were at the stables, Manfred having set their bags down and gone inside to fetch horses. Star on a whim decided to put her hood up to hide her recognizable blond hair and heart-shaped cheek marks. Manfred had said most of the castle guard belonged to Toffee now, she couldn't just assume everyone was friendly anymore. The thought sent a tingle of dread, and another of excitement, up her spine. Manfred soon returned, handing the reins of an absolutely gorgeous looking chestnut mare to Star while keeping ones for a still respectable looking grey gelding for himself. As they mounted Manfred leaned over to her, "we're going to have to bluff our way out of this one, no doubt they'll be on the lookout for you. Let me do the talking and try and stay hidden. I'm going to say you're a noble woman so just try and act nonchalant alright?" Star nodded in affirmation and the two were soon trotting off to the main gate.
As they approached the exit to the castle, Star could see two guards with spears standing by the gate, a pair of torches adorning either side allowing them to see into the night. To her dismay, she could also see the heavy beam laid across the doors baring their escape, as well as the crossbowmen standing watch atop the wall keeping an eye out for threats. She sent us a silent prayer that whatever plan Manfred had cooked up would work. As they drew nearer, one of the guards held up a hand for them to stop, which they did. The guard approached Manfred, seeming more annoyed than anything else and spoke with a more guttural accent common among the people. "And where exactly would you two be off this time o'night?"
As planned, Manfred took the lead. "I am Manfred, head servant of Butterfly Castle, escorting the Lady Sabrina of Algrensan to her residence in the city. I request that you open the gate and let us pass." The guard looked at Star suspiciously, trying to bring his torch closer to see under her hood before Manfred wheeled his horse into the man's path. "I would advise against that my good man; the lady is quite private and prefers not to have her face seen."
The man continued to scowl. "My order come from Rasticore, and his orders come from th' Lord Chancellor. And he says no one goes through that gate till morning. So why should I let you buggers through yeah?"
Manfred tried one more time. "You hear the bells?" The guard nodded. "They mean the queen's dead. The lady needs to return to her residence in order to find a proper mourning outfit, you know how the nobles can be about their fashion."
The guard muttered in agreement although still certainly loud enough for Star to hear, "bunch of puffed up bastards most of 'em, always needing different outfits for this ball or that party." Star shifted in her saddle a little bit at that, causing the guard to look up as if in realization of whom he was in earshot with. "Oh, uh, begging your pardon m'lady, present company excluded of course."
Manfred took the opportunity to wrest control of this situation, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a handful of silver coins. "Look, here's a little gift for you, something for your friend too. I get where I need to go, lady gets her fancy outfit for the queen's funeral, you never saw us and we come back in the morning like it was all a dream. No one's in trouble, everyone's happy. Deal?"
The guard gave Manfred a greasy smile, pocketing the silver and shouting over to his companion "Oy Brian! Open the gate, these two need to get back into the city right quick!" As the bar was removed, Manfred inclined his head ever so slightly in gratitude to the guard and he and Star set off. As they were about to cross the threshold, Star was in disbelief. The plan had worked! They were really about to get away! Suddenly, as if fate decided it had not yet had enough fun torturing the young Butterfly tonight, a strong gust of wind came rushing up, knocking Star's hood clean off, her blond hair and hearts suddenly exposed for all to see.
Brian, the guard who had opened the gate, took notice and immediately shouted, "Corn take me! That's the princess! Guards to me! The princess is running off!"
Suddenly alarm bells were ringing, both Star and Manfred's horses whinnying in fright as men came and attempted to grab hold of the reins. Star panicked, unsure of what to do in the confusion when Manfred suddenly appeared in front of her, dagger in hand, slashing at any body part that came within reach. He shouted at Star. "Ride! You know where to go, ride! I'll hold them off!" Star didn't move at first, too paralyzed by the thought of losing yet another person tonight. More guards were gathering on the walls as others raced to the gate, Manfred's horse the only thing between them and Star. It was clearly well trained as it reared out and struck anything that came too close with its hooves, but it would tire soon. "Star! Go!" Manfred tried again.
Star tried to protest, "No Manfred I can't leave without you, please come on we can make it!" Manfred was hearing none of it though. Catching her eyes once apologetically, Manfred brought his hand down sharply on the back of Star's horse, causing it to rear with fright before bolting off, Star forced to grip the reins for dear life lest she be thrown from the saddle. She heard the sharp ping of arrows striking the cobblestones beneath her as the archers on the walls tried to take her down but she was rapidly getting out of range. Taking one last glance back, she saw Manfred finally swarmed by guards and taken down, and even more frighteningly, two riders emerge from the castle ready to take off after her. Galloping fast down the main thoroughfare of the city, another wave of adrenaline hit Star as one thought came to consumer her mind, survive.
Star has always prided herself on being an excellent rider. Horseback riding was popular among the Mewman nobility, and so it was one of the few activities that overlapped Star's definition of fun and her mother's definition of proper princess behavior. Star had always loved letting her horses gallop, balancing herself perfectly in the saddle and letting the wind whip past her face and through her hair as her mounts ran through fields, jumped across logs, and charged through streams. Now, she was using every ounce of that skill to try and save her life. After racing out of town, her two pursuers hot on her heels, Star had tried to lose them by riding into the woods outside of town. Unfortunately, she hadn't seemed to take into account how difficult it would be to navigate the woods at night, in the dark with only the light of the twin moons to guide her, while being chased by two men who, of course, had freaking crossbows. And why wouldn't they? It's hardly like my life is difficult enough or anything. Star thought angrily. She was snapped out of her thoughts by a bolt whizzing past her head and imbedding itself in a nearby tree. Star had been running her horse hard for a while now and her pursuers evidently had fresher and faster mounts, they were gaining on her rapidly.
Suddenly Star saw what looked like grass and unblocked moonlight ahead. Perhaps in riding and weaving she had come to the end of the woods? If she could get into open ground and put on one last burst of speed maybe she could make good her escape! That brief flare of hope died however when Star instead found herself not in open plains but rather in a small clearing, the forest reappearing just as dense and uninviting in front of her as it had been behind her. And in that instant of hesitation where she stopped to consider her next move underneath two full moons in the open, she and her horse were sitting ducks. A dull smack followed by a scream of pain echoed through the clearing and beyond as a crossbow bolt found itself buried in Star's horse's flank, the beast rearing on its hind legs and throwing Star to the ground before galloping away in fear.
Star tried to stand up and chase after her mount shouting futilely "No wait come back!" Before the two riders burst into the clearing, cutting off her escape.
Dismounting and drawing swords, the two men approached her, one of them trying for friendly words although his twisted smile indicated anything but friendship. "Come now princess, Lord Toffee is eager to see you back at the castle. It's been so very fun accompanying you on your ride this evening, but really we must be going." He made to grab Star's arm and in a knee-jerk response Star slapped him hard across the face. The man yelped in pain, responding with a vicious backhand of his own, knocking Star to the ground with a gasp of pain, her hand trying instinctively to cover the bruise she could already feel forming there.
"Little bitch." The guard spat at her. "Lord Toffee said he needed you alive, didn't really say in what condition. Do that again and I'll make sure you have a couple nice new scars when you see him."
Star was looking up at the man fearfully when suddenly a new voice cut across the clearing, "now that's not any way to treat a lady is it?" Star glanced up to see where the voice had come from. Walking into the clearing and towards the three of them casually as if this were the most natural situation in the world was a young man about her age with light brown skin, brown hair, and a deep shade of brown eyes. He wore black trousers and a white buttoned shirt with a deep red vest on top of it and a brown cuffed jacket on top of that. She also notice he was wearing a sword and had one hand casually resting on the pommel although he had yet to draw it.
The two soldiers took note of it as well. The one not currently keeping his sword pointed at Star leveled his sword at the young man instead. "This is official business here for the Lord Chancellor. I don't know who you are and I don't really care. Now turn around and fuck right back off to wherever you came from before you get hurt." To Star's amazement, the young man paid the solider no heed, continuing to walk forward at a relaxed, almost bored pace. Enraged that his first threat hadn't worked, the soldier tried again. "You deaf or something? I said fuck off! Before I stick you like a damn pig! You hearing me?!"
By now, the young man was within striking distance of the soldier and to Star's shock removed a small pouch from his belt, bouncing it lightly in one hand, the unmistakable jingling of coins heard inside, the smile still plastered on his face. "Now friends, are you sure there isn't anything I can make you do to change your minds? Perhaps give the lady a quick apology and be on your way back home?"
The guard scoffed at him, taking his eyes off his opponent for a split second to joke with his partner. "You hear that? Little prick thinks he can pay us enough to go back to Lord Toffee and tell him we fail…. urk!" The second had proved all too fatal as the guard looked down at horror at the young man's sword now protruding from his stomach, his own blade falling to the ground out of numb fingers, mouth flailing as if trying to say something before toppling over backwards. With a shout of rage the other guard momentarily forgot about the young queen and charged at the man, determined to kill him. Star finally managed to get to her feet and saw the young man and solider exchange a few blows. She had watched the kingdom's knights and castle guards fight in the practice yard enough times to know when one of them was outmatched. Perhaps this boy was only good with tricks, or perhaps the soldier happened to be particularly skilled. Either way, the young man was clearly outmatched and wouldn't last long. Star looked back at the horses the soldiers had left in the meadow when they'd dismounted. This was her chance! If she could just get to one of them and ride fast enough before the soldier realized which direction she'd gone in, she could escape!
Star started moving towards the horses, the continued clang of steel on steel ringing in her ears and troubling her conscience. This random stranger, she didn't even know his name, had appeared out of nowhere as if in answer to her prayers and was trying to save her, even though he had no idea who she was. Was she really about to abandon him? On the other hand, what could she do? She was no trained fighter; she was a princess…. a queen, for corn's sake! And yet… she looked back and saw the increasing desperation in the movements of her would-be savior, saw the flashes of fear in his eyes. She sighed in defeat, you're an idiot Star but at least you're a decent one. She ran forward and picked up the sword from the fallen soldier, rushing into the fray. She reached the two of them just as the soldier managed to disarm the young man, preparing for the killing blow. Swinging wildly, Star managed to put a shallow cut across the back of the man's left leg, causing him to howl in pain. The distraction allowed the young man to recover his own sword and with another thrust through the gut, dispatch him.
The battle adrenaline wearing off, Star suddenly realized what she had done. She had just helped…. Even though he'd been trying to… she hadn't meant…. Dropping the sword in horror as the lifeless face of her potential kidnapper stared back up at her, Star ran a few paces away before collapsing to her knees, tears spilling down her cheeks, fighting the bile that threatened to climb up her throat. She took a number of deep breaths, trying to fight back the nausea and regain control of herself and flinched slightly when she felt a warm hand rest gently on her back. Looking up, she could see the young man who had saved her life looking at her, concern etched on his face and sympathy deep in his eyes.
"That was your first time killing someone wasn't it?"
Star had trouble finding her voice and could only give a small nod in response. The young man stood up and offered her a hand, which she reluctantly took, half standing, half pulled to her feet.
"It's alright to feel that way, normal even. I've seen a lot of soldiers who have this haunted look in their eyes from the killing they've done. Even if they were trying to hurt you, you still feel guilty about what happened to them. Shows you're a good person."
Star made eye contact with him, finally finding her voice amidst the jumbled thoughts and emotions running through her brain. "How did you know I was out here, and why did you help me?"
"My camp's not too far from here. Was fast asleep when your horse came barreling through, damn near trampled me." Star's face lit with hope for a moment only to fall a second later, "No sorry, she's gone. Kept running right on past me, no idea where she's got to now. Speaking of which…." He began walking towards the horses the soldiers had ridden, approaching slowly and making shushing noises in an attempt to keep them from spooking. Not sure what else to do, Star walked over with him. "As for why I helped you, didn't know what else I was supposed to do. Saw two guards throwing their weight around abusing some poor girl, didn't really think about it too much. You should count yourself lucky because I'm pretty bad with a sword and I didn't think the whole confidence routine was gonna work either. Guess fate hoped I would save you huh?"
He rummaged around both beasts for a second before clicking his tongue in disappointment. "No supplies or money and I can't take the crossbows, too many questions'll come up. Guess they weren't expecting to be gone long. Oh, what's this now?" He nudged a pack that had fallen to the ground, Star gasping in relief. "My supply pack! It must've fallen off the horse when she bolted!" Of course, seeing the pack reminded Star of all she had been through in the past few hours, the exhaustion, frustration, and a million other emotions suddenly threatening to overwhelm her as she swayed on her feet.
The man moved to stand next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder to help steady her until their eyes made contact and he withdrew quickly in embarrassment. Rubbing the back of his hand with one arm he looked at Star. "Look, I don't know what your story is but you seem completely exhausted, certainly in no condition to ride. We can walk the horses back to my camp and you can tell me what's going on, maybe I can help, maybe not. Either way it'll be a chance at a bit of sleep before you go anywhere, what do you say?"
Star looked at the stranger before her. He'd brought both salvation and death into her life, and now the small spark of hope. In spite of everything that had happened to her, for some reason she seemed to instinctively trust him, and like that the decision was made.
"All right, I'll come with you."
"Excellent!" He gave a wide grin that Star couldn't help but return in a smaller way. He took the reins of both horses, handing one to her as they began to walk side by side back into the woods. Thinking about the situation for a moment, Star realized something.
"By the way, what's your name anyway?"
He looked at her. "It's Marco, Marco Diaz. Yours?"
She hesitated for a moment…. "Star. My name is Star."
Toffee walked down the torch-lit hallways of Butterfly Castle, descending ever lower into the bowels of the ancient building. Turning down a particularly unremarkable hallway, he pushed open a heavy door into a room filled with the sound of whip cracks and dull groans. Various knives and spikes lay haphazardly on tables while assorted manacles could be found either bracketed into the walls or hanging from the ceiling. The Butterfly Castle torture chamber, a relic from darker periods in Mewni's history, Queen Moon had dabbled with the idea of getting rid of them altogether. Toffee had ensured those ideas never saw the light of day, unlike the foolish former queen, he understood the value of places such as these. Case in point was the man now hanging suspended from the ceiling before him. He had been stripped naked, his body covered in assorted bruises, cuts, and whip marks, dried blood running down his face from a head wound.
Toffee clicked his tongue softly. "My oh my Manfred, it's rather shocking to see you here. You've been a rather rebellious little servant, haven't you?" Manfred only spat in Toffee's general direction in response.
Toffee turned to the nearby torturer, "Has he talked yet?"
The man looked disgruntled, "No your lordship. He keeps insisting he doesn't know where the princess has gone. Says there wasn't any sort of plan beyond getting out of the castle." He was fidgeting nervously, men who disappointed Toffee tended not to live very long to talk about it. Fortunately for him, Toffee seemed focused exclusively on the beaten servant at the moment.
Toffee sighed and rolled up his sleeves. "If you ever want something done right you have to do it yourself, I suppose," he said aloud to no one in particular. Picking up a rather wicked looking knife, he placed it in a nearby brazier, making sure Manfred could see it. "Now Manfred, I'll give you on last chance, tell me what I want to know and you might just walk out of here alive."
"I would rather die than serve the likes of you, traitor!"
Toffee pulled the knife from the fire and walked back over to the helpless man, "wrong answer." With that, he set to work, making random gashes and light cuts seemingly in random locations on Manfred's body, stopping only occasionally to either reheat the knife and to repeatedly ask where Star had gone. No matter what he did however, he couldn't wring an answer out of the man. Most of the night passed by like this, and from his increasingly labored breathing it was clear Manfred's body had reached its limit. Setting the knife down, Toffee opted instead to wrap a large hand around Manfred's throat and begin squeezing.
As Manfred began convulsing from lack of air, Toffee's voice turned menacing to the point of hysteria. "If you want to take another breath before the end of your miserable life, you WILL tell me what I want to know. Make it easy on yourself, we both know I'm going to find that emptyheaded princess anyway, the only questions are how long it takes and how many other people will suffer because of it."
Manfred, still gasping, appeared to try and form words. Seeing this, Toffee released his grip just long enough for him to take a gasp of desperately needed air before shooting him as triumphant a grin as he could manage in his state. "Not princess, queen. She will be the greatest queen Mewni has ever seen and I can't wait for the day when she casts you down, even if I'm not there to see it. And if the universe is kind when you reach whatever punishment is reserved for traitors, the first thing you'll see will be my face, laughing at you. How's that for a last breath you arrogant son of a…" He was cut off as Toffee resumed his squeezing, grip stronger this time, until a few seconds later an audible *crack* was heard and the life instantly drained from his eyes.
Toffee's eyes blared dangerously, Manfred's mocking words making him seethe with rage. He turned to the torturer. "Dispose of that piece of trash and then find Rasticore and have him sent to my chambers.
The man looked relieved, eager to do anything to stay in the man before him good graces. "Of course, Lord Chancellor, right away sir." Toffee however wasn't even paying attention, having already stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Approaching a large, open window he could see Mewni's twin moons slowly dipping down towards the horizon, signaling the inevitably coming of the dawn. My dawn, he thought to himself. The dawn of Lord Toffee of Septarsis, ruler of Mewni. You may have delayed the inevitable Queen Moon, but I will find your foolish daughter, and this kingdom will be mine. He looked out over the capital, seeing a number of golden Butterflies on magenta flags flapping in the lightening pre-dawn. Toffee smiled sinisterly; it was time to make some changes around here.
A/N: And that's a wrap on chapter 1! Chapter 2 is already underway and I'm curious to hear what you all think about this story. Until then, stay classy!