Chapter 7: Years go by, but my love never stops…

One year later. Angelia quickly got use to the idea of living in a home with Garth and Hammer. Turns out those two had done the dirty deed they just aren't as ferocious or as noisy as her and Reaver. It was quite embarrassing, Angelia woke up one morning early she got dressed headed downstairs and made a cup of tea for all of them. After the clock chimed 10am Angelia wondered what was taking them so long, not thinking about it because she knows Hammer is a heavy sleeper she grabbed their cups heading for their bedroom. To be fair she did knock but they clearly weren't listening out for the door, she put the cups on a tray which she put down on the side near the door, she turned the handle calling out she's brought tea but as she looked around the door she saw a very naked Garth grunting and thrusting on top of Hammer. Shielding her eyes Angelia stumbled out of the room, Hammer had spotted her enter the room and quickly told Garth but by the time they both looked back at the door Angelia had gone. A rather embarrassing conversation shortly followed.

As for Reaver he has been sending letters to Angelia, the first one he sent a week after he got back to Bowerstone. He told her the letter got to Walter and the guard made sure Treacle got to the children. Walter did tell Reaver in private that the kids did recognise Treacle, so not all their memories were gone. That made Angelia smile genuinely for the first time since hearing the appalling news. She was just curling up in her favourite chair out on her balcony ready to read the latest letter from her husband.

My dearest Angelia,

I hope you are treating yourself well. I certainly can't get the images of your sensual body out of my mind. I'll be planning another trip to come see you my love, you've been warned. Perhaps this time we can rein act certain aspects of our honeymoon, if you catch my drift.

This mansion in Millfield's is no castle but it'll do I suppose. I've hired an assistant, a lackey if you will, his name quite escapes me, but he runs the errands and does the deeds I need doing. Though it is exhausting keeping up with this lavish lifestyle when at the end of it I have such an empty bed to fall into, avo I need you Angelia.

I also forgot to mention I seem to have acquired the attention of a secret society of wealthy business people and nobles, but they are not what they appear. It seems there is a society of Balverines disguised in human form, an odd society, it grants you immortality, but you are forever cursed with this beastly side. Before you fret my love I'm quite safe, you know me always one hand on the gun.

The children are doing wonderfully well, I try to have as many meetings as I can with the king. He doesn't seem too bothered by my presence so long as I keep the gold coming into the treasury. Like I always say in these letters, it is so strange seeing our children and they look at me like I'm some total stranger. I think that's more painful than being away from them, but I digress, they are happy and healthy which is all that matters.

Be safe my darling, I'll visit you soon.

I love you,

Forever yours,

Reaver

Angelia smirked at his sexual frustration and to be honest she wasn't much better, it had been a year since she left Bowerstone and in that time she's only seen Reaver 3 times. He couldn't leave the industry too much otherwise it would arouse too much suspicion. Pulling out some paper and a pen Angelia grabbed a hardback book to lean against as she wrote her response to Reaver.

My Darling Reaver,

I'm pleased to hear our children are doing so well, I know it hurts my love, I'm deeply sorry I've put us in this horrid situation.

Before this turns into a sad letter…

You never mentioned Treacle? Is she ok? You know I worry, she's like my other sister in the form of a dog. I realise that sounds stupid and you can ridicule me over that when you next visit.

As for our honeymoon, I'll gladly rein act every aspect of it. Including the part where I tied and blindfolded you, so I could have my way with you. I'll leave that thought with you 😊

Be safe my love, I love you.

Forever yours,

Angelia

Xxx

About a week after sending her response letter to Reaver, Angelia got another letter from Reaver. He normally would send a few but again to save suspicion they didn't want a large volume of letters passing between them. Angelia picked the letter up then proceeded into the kitchen where Garth and Hammer were having breakfast. She made them all tea then settle next to Hammer as she opened the letter, tilting the paper so Hammer couldn't read it, just in case there was anything explicit.

My sweet Angelia,

I can't believe I'm writing this, yes, the dog is fine. Honestly, I wonder if you worry about Treacle more than our children.

I joke! Don't take offence!

Also, don't ever say you're sorry for the situation we are in, we had no choice. We are heroes whether we like it or not life just seems to be extra annoying when we least expect it. I love you and our children, I will endure don't you worry about that my love.

You are a little minx! Thank you for leaving me with the thought of you taking pleasure from me as you bind and blindfold me. My dreams have been constantly plagued with the erotic thoughts of you riding me watching you unravel before me. I'm exciting myself even as I write this, perhaps I'll move my travel date to see you much sooner.

Stay beautiful my love, I'll see you very soon.

Your Reaver

Xxx

Angelia smiled as she read the letter and then blushed when she read the last part, Hammer noticed her blushing but didn't want to ask she knew the letters were from Reaver. Occasionally Angelia would receive one from Walter and even Jasper, they had to address them to Garth to avoid detection. In Reaver's case he addressed the letters to Sparrow since many villagers now wouldn't remember around 15yrs ago there was a fledging hero called Sparrow, her name changed frequently. On a few occasions she would get the odd letter from Karl too, Hammer wrote to him telling Karl what happened. He wrote to Angelia immediately, addressing the letter to 'His friend from Bloodstone' even though the address of the letter was Samarkand.

7 years later. Angelia remembered back to her time in the spire, somehow 10yrs escaped her whilst she was trapped in that dreaded spire. Though that was a dark time this felt worse, her children were growing up without her. At this point Logan was now 14yrs old and Hannah-Rose 9yrs old, at that fragile age where parental guidance is required to help shape them into the people they'll be when they are older.

It wasn't all doom and gloom, Hammer and Garth got married last year. Reaver managed to come to the wedding which elated Angelia because at the wedding they felt like a normal couple again. Unfortunately, towards the end of the night Reaver received word that the king was asking for him for some guidance, not wanting to arouse queries on his whereabouts Reaver quickly sailed back to Albion. Hammer and Garth didn't travel far for their honeymoon they actually went to Brightwood tower to have some proper 'alone' time then visited Oakfield, so Hammer could pay her respects to her father's grave. Angelia didn't mind the alone time she channelled her loneliness into her song writing, she half wrote a song she'd hum or partly sing to the children when they were very young to help them go to sleep. She decided the finish that song since she had a few weeks to herself, she even wrote a few verses in the heroes cavern they discovered in the old library here in Samarkand.

Karl, Rupert and Anna all managed to save up enough money to travel to Samarkand to visit Angelia. Obviously, the furniture shop and the farm did enough to pay the bills and feed them, but it didn't give them a lot of leisure money, so they scrapped and saved for years until they had enough to visit. Angelia was touched that they spent all that money just to come see her, she did offer to pay them back, but Karl refused saying you can't put a price on friendship. An obvious negative side effect to being immortal was seeing your friends around you grow old, Angelia still looked her youthful self but Karl and Rupert, she could tell they were now in their 40s and little Anna was 22yrs old. Being the first time they've all seen Samarkand they were taken back by how beautiful it was even with the burning hot sun, Anna completely fell in love with the place.

Anna was a lovely young woman with a lot of spirit, something she picked up from Karl, but she was modest and polite which was obvious to Angelia she picked that up from Rupert. She was slim but toned, working on a farm with one dad then helping build and shift furniture with your other dad meant she wasn't going to grow up lazy or fat. She had freckles all across her nose and cheeks with vibrant red curly hair. She was more tom boy than girlie girl which Angelia assumes comes from working on a farm you develop a more practical approach to life and how you dress. It did make Angelia wonder if her own daughter was older would these girls be friends? Alas she'll never know, she did smirk imagining Reaver's response, after all his children were the prince and princess of Bowerstone he wouldn't let them be friends with children that were beneath them.

15 years later. Karl celebrated his 50th birthday coming back to Samarkand, just on his own this time. It was cheaper if he travelled solo but to keep him safe Reaver found out about his visit and timed his own to co-inside with Karl's travels. Angelia deeply appreciated Reaver going out of his way to make sure Karl travelled with him. When they arrived Reaver told Angelia his lackey, Barry Hatch, thought he was being replaced which amused Reaver, not so much Karl.

"I would never be that mad to work as your lackey Reaver"

"Ouch, such hostility… You haven't been speaking with Hammer per chance?"

"No, I just know what you're like… And let's not forget I know your wife rather well"

"Now no need to fight dirty"

Angelia just smirked into her glass of wine as she watched her oldest friend and her husband throw sarcastic remarks around. Eventually she changed the tone of the conversation.

"Karl your timing is well received, since you're here you can see Hammer and Garth when they're back from wherever they are"

"You don't keep track of them?"

"What am I? Their mother?"

"No, no… So, why's my timing perfect?"

"You can see the triplets"

"Triplets?... You mean babies? Wait… Garth and Hammer?"

"Yes, they must be about 3 or 4 months old by now. But yes, Hammer was lucky enough to give birth to 3 beautiful babies. Two girls and a boy"

"That's amazing! Yes, I'll go see them as soon as they're back. What's the children's names?"

"The boy is Halvar and the two girls are; Solvi and Felice"

"Those aren't your usual baby names, are they?"

"Haha no"

"Are they just trying to show off? Thinking they can out-name us with our children?"

"Do you hear yourself Reav? Haha, no. They are very old kingdom names; the origins of the names mean something like warrior and peace protector… something like that. I don't always pay attention"

It was nice seeing Karl, he ended up staying with Angelia in Garth's home for a week, same length of time as Reaver that way he could travel back with him. During the week Reaver told Angelia everything going on with their children; Logan being 22yrs old now he was the king's advisor and Hannah-Rose was 17yrs old, so still a young princess. However, Reaver did explain he heard from Walter that she's taken an interest into her mother's past since she was around 10yrs old. Not seeing any harm in revealing her mother was a hero, the princess begged Walter to teach her how to be a hero. Whereas Logan was being trained as a royal advisor. Angelia scoffed at the idea of Logan being an advisor, it was like some cruel sick joke since that was Cartwrights job before he betrayed them.

17 years later. Waking up with a dreadful feeling in the pit of her stomach, Angelia pulled herself out of bed getting dressed in a cool Samarkand outfit she designed. A wrap around purple and white skirt that tied at the hip with a purple strappy top paired with white small-wedged heeled sandals. She made her way down to the kitchen making herself a cup of tea then a gurgling laughter caught her attention as her friend's children all came running into the kitchen. The triplets were only 2yrs old which saddened Angelia, so much time has passed and the last time she saw her daughter she was 2yrs old.

"Morning Angelia, sorry if this lot swamped you"

"Yeah, it's ok"

"Garth has been in the library already researching about this impending darkness, looks like it will happen soon. Are you ready to take back your Albion?"

"Hammer, I was born ready"

Chapter 8: Fable 3 re-invented

Jasper entered the princess's bedroom slowly walking towards the grand curtains pulling them back revealing the lovely sunshine that shone through the room. Anything decorated in gold leaf glistened in the sunlight. He turned to address the sleeping princess with a disappointed sigh.

"Ugh, what a sorry sight. Such a beautiful day to waste in bed, don't you agree?

"*groans* What? Oh. Go away, Jasper"

"Now that is hardly the response of a princess. I'm afraid it is time to rise. With your permission, I shall awake your sleeping companion"

Jasper pulls back the covers to reveal Treacle curled up asleep next to Hannah-Rose, the dog turned onto her back then woofed happily at Jasper.

"Ah, yes. One's heart soars before such regal bearing. I trust you both slept well. You have a busy day ahead"

"Come on, girl. If I have to get up, so do you"

Treacle hopped off of the bed giving Jasper her best puppy dog eyes with a little whimper to boot.

"It's not going to work. Don't look at me like that. *sighs* Oh, very well. Good dog"

Jasper moved to the fireplace where he dressed two mannequins in two very different outfits; one regal princess outfit and one practical outfit. Even though the princess knew she'd probably be sparing with Walter today she opted for the regal outfit, she didn't want to disappoint her father by dressing down. Jasper busied himself with making the bed whilst the princess disappeared behind the changing screen to dress herself in the regal outfit. When she was finished he turned giving her a smile agreeing with her choice.

"Now I do believe master Elliott wanted to speak with you. I believe he is in the gardens"

"Thanks Jasper. C'mon girl"

Treacle ran ahead of the princess whilst occasionally looking back to see if the princess was following. When Treacle was brought back to the castle it was done smoothly as if she'd been there the whole time and the king had no idea she was the companion of the hero queen. He just assumed they brought the dog for the children not noticing that the dog doesn't age. With the name Jasper told Hannah-Rose when she was old enough to understand that the dog was called Treacle.

Soon Hannah made it into the gardens she walked past a few noble people who addressed her with great pride, heading to the back of the gardens that outlook Bowerstone she spotted Elliott. Treacle ran up to the lad jumping up at him showering him in doggie kisses which he laughed at then mocked the princess asking her to prove her heroism. They both knew they were more than friends, so without hesitation she kissed him. Leaving Elliott, a little gobsmacked, he sheepishly told her why he wanted to speak with her, it was to do with her father again. King Cartwright ruled Albion with an iron fist, he overcharged and under paid the people for years keeping his pockets filled with gold.

What no-one knew was that Cartwright actually found out about the crawler when he travelled to Aurora to demand more payment out of them, about a year ago. He encountered the darkness and received a distress message in his dreams telling him exactly when the darkness will come, and it will consume all of Albion. Cartwright had worked too hard to give up now, he didn't let anyone know of this darkness, not even the children. All he could do was amass a great fortune of wealth, so he could have the most formidable army in all the kingdom. His motto was to be cruel to the many to save the few, and more selfish reasons for him to remain as king. As he knew about the impending darkness coming this recent year since he returned from Aurora has made him twice as evil with no remorse.

"It's your father. I overheard a rumour that a factory worker was shot dead this morning"

"It can't be true, surely as king he should be protecting us?"

"I don't know Hannah, I really don't know"

The pair walked back to the castle hand in hand until they reached the kitchen, hearing the staffs worries Elliott suggested to Hannah that the people needed to hear from their princess. Being well-spoken and kind, Hannah gave a speech to the kitchen staff to not dwell on these rumours and to believe in their king. Just as she finished Walter came in giving her an encouraging remark. Elliott had other matters to attend to, so he left Hannah with Walter.

"That's was bloody marvellous if I do say so myself! Right, come on. Let's continue with your training. We'll avoid your… father today. He seems to be in a particularly bad mood, more so than usual"

Hannah always wondered about her father, her memories are so fuzzy around her childhood. All she knows is it's been him who's brought her and her brother up, their mother died whilst giving birth to her and she was a hero. The princess doubted herself when these troubled thoughts entered her mind, but she did often wonder how could a kind, gentle well-loved hero queen marry someone bitter, old and grumpy like her father? Walter would evade these questions whereas Jasper would remind her that love is blind, not really answering the question. She was very happy to have Treacle, Jasper and Walter around her as she grew up, she hardly saw her father being king he had other responsibilities and as for her brother he was the king's advisor equally as busy.

"Ah, here we are. Now take a sword"

Hannah-Rose grabbed a hold of the nearest sword inspecting the gleaming finish then took a firm grip on it then got into position for training.

"Now I want you to attack me. Do it like your life depends on it, one day it just might"

The princess did a few strikes and blocks remembering her countless hours of training. She may ache all over especially in the early days, but it was worth it to Hannah, a memory closer to her mother.

"Do you remember what you use to tell me after I told you stories of your mother?"

"Teach me how to be a hero"

"Now, do a flourish attack. Catch me off guard, put everything you know to good use"

Hannah focused on her flourish attack then she spun around quickly, as her sword encountered Walter's her sheer hero strength caused Walter's blade to snap breaking it off at the handle.

"You've only gone and bloody broken it!"

Hannah looked up in amazement, she couldn't believe she had the strength in her to do that.

Just as she was about to ask about her mother again, Elliott burst through the doors. He explained the king has angered the people to the point where they are rioting right outside the castle walls, in the gardens no less. Walter looked out the window seeing the angry mob he expressed they were all idiots for doing this, with the mood the king is in he isn't sure how drastic the king will be. He told Elliott and Hannah to remain in the training room whilst he speaks with the king. After a few minutes Elliott grabbed Hannah by the hand telling her they had to do something, deciding against Walter's wishes the pair agreed to sneak up on the war room to at least listen in.

They quickly reached the war room they both spied through the keyhole. They saw the king talking to Walter with a guard either side of Walter then stood to one side was Logan observing the situation. It quickly soured the conversation when Walter demanded the king to reconsider killing the people outside, the king snapped at Walter his guards either side of Walter knocked him to the floor as the king berated him telling him not to order him around. Hannah had seen enough she burst through the doors earning a gasp from Walter and Logan. The king was miffed off anyway, so seeing his 'daughter' was not what he wanted right now.

"The war room is no place for a child, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to stop you! You can't kill those people"

"Can't I? Well I suppose I should stop treating you like a child. Tell you what I'll give you a choice. Kill these people who dare defy the crown, or kill your friend"

He looked at Elliott watching the boys face turn to horror, Hannah quickly took a hold of his hand shaking her head in disbelief.

"No! I can't!"

"You must! You are the princess, you must choose"

Elliott quickly grabbed her attention caressing her face he begged her to pick him, he'd happily die knowing it saved all those people. The guards harshly pulled Elliott back making him stand beside the group of rioters. The king grabbed the princess by the arm pulling her backwards making her stand back and choose their fate.

"One of them will die. Now decide!"

Walter looked on in horror unable to do anything as the guards beside him had their guns pointed at his back should he dare move. Logan had worry written over his face, he grew tired and grumpy due to all the horrors he witnessed his father make. Now seeing his own sister choose between a group of innocent people and her friend made Logan's blood boil but he couldn't do anything, he froze in fear of the situation. The king grew tired of waiting he told her if she won't decide they both die. For once in her life she just couldn't do the right thing, she loves Elliott more than anything she'd die for him. She might as well have, she hung her head low hot tears streaming from her face as she shakily lifted her arm pointing at the group of rioters sealing their fate to death. The king chuckled darkly then ordered his guards to take them both away, she was about to argue for Elliott's safety, but the king ordered his guards to take her to her room.

"There was nothing you could've done. No-one truly knew how far the king had fallen"

Hannah said nothing she was leaning against her dresser, rage written across her face. How dare her own father make her choose between innocent people and the man she loves. Now she doesn't even know what's become of Elliott, she just prays he's safe.

"I'm terribly sorry, I should've done something back there rather than stand there like some bloody idiot"

Walter walked in opening the doors with a serious stride in his step, he was planning something.

"Don't apologise Walter, I should've listened to you and stayed put"

"No, if you hadn't of walked in to challenge your father we wouldn't be doing this"

"And this being"

"We are leaving Jasper. The king has fallen hard indeed, we need a revolution and you my dear are going to give the kingdom one!"

"But I'm no hero"

"Not yet, but you will be. Come on, follow me"

The three of them, and Treacle, ran through the castle slipping out into the gardens in the dead of the night. They reached the marbled bandstand that had steps leading down into a tomb, with a deep breath Walter remembered what Angelia told him to do. Hannah did ask what about Elliott or Logan, but Walter explained Elliott will be fine and Logan is the king's advisor, it's too risky to try and get him out too he's better off beside the king for now. Once inside the tomb Walter pushed the secret brick which brought the angel hands down revealing the guild seal. He told her it was Hannah's left by her mother in the event they needed to escape he then explained the theory of the guild pads asking her to stand in the circle then attempt Will magic. Concentrating on the task at hand Hannah-Rose imagined the flames appearing around her fingers and her hero blood truly awakened, a burst of fire circled her lighting up the pad which revealed a hidden staircase down into the passageways.

They fought their way past quite a few bats which disgusted Jasper then they reached another pad, but this time when she used her will magic is teleported all of them to the guild rooms. Walter couldn't believe he was seeing this with his own eyes, he mentioned he heard the hero queen mention a place only heroes can go and here it is. Angelia obviously knew if her children did need to escape the castle that Jasper would be with them, so there was a letter addressed to Jasper explaining each function of the guild rooms and the remarkable objects inside.

"I can't believe this place is real!?"

"You and me both your highness"

"Please Walter just Hannah is fine, I'm not a princess anymore. Not really"

"Yes, you are, your promises will ring true and you will take back the crown. You will rule Albion as you see fit… But first we have a revolution to build"

"Walter?"

"Yes Hannah"

"I get the feeling you're holding back on something about my parent's? What is it?"

Walter had a feeling like this was coming, he tried to play along with the stupid motion that Cartwright is their father and the hero queen was dead, but it was immensely difficult. He remembered what Angelia said 'even if you escape don't tell our children the truth, they'll only abandon their cause to build a revolution to try and find me. They cannot do this, there is a great darkness coming they need to be prepared'.

"No, no I'm not holding back… look we'll discuss this in more detail later. Right now, we need to get to Mistpeak mountains and speak to a man called Sabine"