The only characters that are mine are the alternate reality versions of our favorite explorers and their not so welcome visitors.
One review, please, is that so much to ask for?
Once Upon A Plateau
Once upon a time, long ago, in the land of Roxtonia, there lived the Royal family, the king and queen and the three young princes, William, John and Edward. But fate would not be so kind to the family. After a severe spell of pneumonia as young man, the king never fully recovered and was forced to spend much of his time in bed.
As young men often do, William and John would spend much of their free time hunting and fishing while their youngest brother, Edward, who was nicknamed Ned by his mother, preferred the sanctity of the family library and his journals. On a rather normal hunting trip, tragedy befell the family. A bear attacked William. John tried to save his brother, but the bullet passed through his brother's body before it found its target in the bear's heart.
The entire country mourned the loss of William, who was known as firm, but kind and generous. John was not officially blamed, but there were many both in and out of court who said he killed his brother to get to the throne. Within a few months, the king succumbed to the pneumonia that had plagued him for most of his life.
The queen tried to remain strong for John, for she knew what awaited him. But she too could not handle the heartbreak of losing her husband and oldest son. Knowing that her time was ending, she called her late husband's former tutor and closest advisor, George, Earl of Challenger to her beside.
"My lady" he knelt at her bedside.
"My time is growing short. My son will be king; I fear there are many within the court who will try to influence him to their needs. John will need a firm hand and a comforting voice, I trust you to help him" with those words, the queen died, making her son, John, King of Roxtonia.
"Majesty" George knelt before John.
"Please stand" John begged.
"Sire, your mother has decreed that you are king. I advised your father in his time and I will advise you".
"As will I" Edward stepped forward.
With that John accepted his fate as king of Roxtonia.
Meanwhile, miles away, Marguerite, the only daughter of the late Viscount of Krux had enough. Her stepmother, Viscountess Alice and her daughters, Brywik and Narnia was demanding that Marguerite complete her housework.
"This is my house and I demand that you complete your chores" Alice once again faced her stepdaughter.
"This is my father's house; I refuse to be treated as a servant".
"Then leave" Refusing to give into her stepmother, Marguerite walked out.
Hours later Marguerite stopped by a stream as a shadow stopped over her. Letting her instinct kick in, she knocked the shadow to its feet.
"Easy mistress, I am not going to hurt you".
"You're the bandit, Locke".
"You have quick mind, mistress, and yes, I am François Locke. Do you have a name?".
"Marguerite".
"I wonder what would a pretty miss like yourself is doing wandering around the forest in the middle of day when I'm sure her family is worried about her" Locke pulled her to her feet.
"I have no family".
"Well then, that makes something we have in common. Perhaps you would like to join my band?".
"I can take care of myself, thank you" she started to walk away.
"We are in need of a fourth, adding a female would make our travels more interesting. I promise you a bed, plenty of food and giving those snobby aristocrats what they deserve. What do you say?".
"Again sir, my answer is no".
"My men and I are gentleman. You will be treated you with the respect you rightfully deserve".
"And if you or your men decide start think that I am a mere plaything…" she pulled out her gun.
"You will have every right to shoot us. Come, it will be dark soon" With that Marguerite joined Locke's and his men.
Meanwhile in another part of Roxtonia, Veronica sat at her window, as she did everyday, brushing her hair.
"Veronica, Veronica, let down your hair" letting her long locks down, her aunt, the voodoo witch, Danielle into the tower.
"Good afternoon, aunt" Veronica greeted her aunt properly.
"My child" Veronica never knew her parents. After abandoning their infant child, she was rescued by Danielle and raised in this singular tower, where the only entrance and exit was Veronica's long, blond hair.
But that was not the entire story. Veronica's real parents, Abigail and Thomas Layton, were farmers. Before Veronica's birth, a famine destroyed the land, including the small parcel that the Layton's owned. Seeing the luscious, almost overflowing garden of the voodoo witch just a few meters away, Abigail begged her husband to bring her back nourishment.
"Do you know how dangerous it is? She could kill me if she wanted to" Thomas protested.
"It's for our child, Thomas, please" Abigail begged.
Not wanting to Abigail or the child to suffer, Thomas snuck into the witch's garden. Quietly stealing the food, he climbed over the wall and back to the house.
He did this several times, not knowing that the witch was watching him steal her food.
"Why are you stealing my food?" Danielle demanded as she caught Thomas stealing from her garden again.
"Please my lady, my wife is with child, we have nothing to eat" he begged.
Suddenly an idea and an image popped into her head.
"Your wife will give birth to a daughter. After she is born, you will give her to me and you will disappear".
"No, please my lady. The child will be special, she will need training…".
"Yes, she will be special and I will train her. You and your wife will disappear or you will die will you stand".
"Yes, my lady".
Months later, when Veronica was born, Thomas and Abigail reluctantly said goodbye to their daughter.
"One day, we will return" Abigail reluctantly followed Thomas away from Roxtonia.
First chapter, complete. What do you think? Sending a review would be a big help in writing the next chapter, so please hit the blue button or the reply button and make this writer a happy one.
