I apologize for the months of delay between chapters. I was playing the game in between writing to get the correct dialogue for most of the characters and at one point when I paused the game my television display stopped working and I couldn't continue. I had to wait about a month for it to be returned since it was still under the warranty. Then the holidays came around and Dragon Age: Inquisition was released. Needless to say the game took up almost all of my time.
In short, lots of things happened and I was distracted. Anyway, onward to the story!
Enjoy :)
Charlotte's nails dug deep into the soft fabric of her couch. She'd been standing there for hours, gripping the edge so tightly the wood frame underneath creaked. Logan had locked her in her bedroom for the outburst. Her knuckles had long turned white and her arms shook from the overexertion of her muscles. The faces of the protesters flashed in front of her eyes again and she gasped, squeezing her eyes shut. She heard Jasper shift and approach her, laying a hand on the princess' shoulder.
"You mustn't blame yourself, madam. I don't think any of us realize just how far he'd fallen into madness." Jasper spoke softly. Charlotte knew he meant well. But in that moment words offered her little comfort. Nothing anyone could say would undo the awful thing she had done. She was selfish. Guilty. A moment of weakness had cost three people their lives. All because she couldn't bear the thought of losing the best friend she'd ever had. Her mother must have been looking down on her, disgusted with her actions.
"I have to do something." She said sharply, the first words she'd spoken since that fateful moment in the throne room. She'd failed to realize just how long she's been standing glaring holes into the sofa cushions. It was now dark, stars twinkling past the industrial smog high above. She looked around the room before continuing, "I can't just stay here."
She heard the sound of her bedroom door unlocking. Turning, she saw Walter entering her room.
"You're not. We leave the castle tonight." He stopped in the middle of her room, looking determined. "This kingdom needs nothing less than a revolution. It needs a new leader. It needs a Hero."
Charlotte turned away, breathing heavily. She wasn't sure what he meant by 'Hero'. The last one was her very own mother and it wasn't even certain it had been passed to her children. Not everyone of a Heroes bloodline possessed the ability to become a Hero of old. Most bloodlines had been diluted over the generations. Her father had just been of a noble family with no connection to any of them. Logan, though being an accomplished swordsman, didn't possess any of those abilities. As she was wrapped up in her thoughts Walter began to speak again.
"It's time to see if you're ready."
Charlotte was silent for a moment, the turned to face her mentor. She rubbed her aching hands as she asked him, "Ready for what?"
"To be your mother's daughter." He spoke pointedly. He gave her a steady stare, his confidence in her shining through, a smile hinting on his lips.
"Very good," Jasper said as he began shuffling through items in the room. "I will pack some essentials."
Walter shook his head. He turned to the elderly butler. "There's no time. We take nothing." Jasper looked appalled.
"Not even… pyjamas?" He questioned.
Walter shook his head again, turning on his heel and motioning for them to follow him out of the room. "Come on. We must leave now."
"Don't worry, madam. I shall follow you wherever fate may take us." He said in the comforting voice she knew so well, a hand gently brushing her shoulder. Jasper followed him out. Charlotte lingered in her room to take one last look. Ace bumped her hand with his nose and she gave him a quick scratch on the ears. With a heavy sigh she quickly followed the two men outside into the cool night air.
"I should have done something in the throne room. I should have stopped him." Walter said as she caught up.
"What would it have mattered?" Charlotte asked him, feeling the sharp pain of regret in her chest.
Jasper spoke up. "All you would have accomplished would have been your own death." Charlotte nodded in agreement.
Walter shook his head ruefully. "Still. Maybe I should have taken you away sooner."
"What about Elliot?" She pondered, fearing what might happen to him when her brother found her gone. He might go after her love. "We can't just leave him here."
"Don't worry, he's safe" the knight answered softly. "Logan had him escorted from the castle. He knows how to take care of himself."
That eased Charlotte's worries but only a little. She would have felt better with him at her side but when things calmed down she'd go looking for him.
They were silent as they descended the stairs into the garden. Jasper crossed his arms over themselves, looking around nervously with a shiver.
"There is something rather sinister about this garden at night." He remarked, quickening his pace. A light rain had begun to drizzle down upon them. The Princess found she disagreed. Regardless of how her brother ruled he had kept the gardeners employed and the garden a nice place to reflect. She was still seething with anger towards him forever, and this was not the time to enjoy the various garden flora. Charlotte was torn away from her thoughts when Walter took a right instead of a left, going further into the garden.
"Where are we going? I thought we were leaving the castle?" She whispered.
"We are. But there's something we must do first." Walter said as they approached the old Heroes tomb, her mother and father's final resting place. He looked up at the building with a sort of nostalgia written across his face. "It's time we paid our respects to Albion's last Hero." He produced a key from his pocket and unlocked the mausoleum door.
"I never thought I'd enter this place again." Jasper mused aloud.
"You should have known better." Walter told him.
They entered the cold, musty building. It had been sealed for years now, no one was allowed in. Charlotte was surprised to find it didn't smell like she thought it would; of decay and death. The worst it smelled of was dust and stale air. Walter sealed the door behind them, once again locking it tight. Subsequently locking them inside.
"What are we doing here, Walter?" Charlotte asked, whirling around to face her mentor.
"The night your mother died I promised her I would bring you here one day, when you were old enough, and strong enough." He led the Princess up to her parents' sarcophagi. His hand was on her back as they stood at the foot of them. "This is your history. This is your legacy."
Charlotte didn't know what to say. She felt a little overwhelmed just standing in the room, like the air was electrified. The last time she'd been here they were laying the Queen to rest next to the King. She'd never known the man. He died months before she'd been born. Only Logan had known what he was like and while she had been told often he'd been a great ruler beside her mother, they spoke precious little of him. Even Walter and Jasper refrained from speaking about him. But it didn't matter. Walter was practically her father anyhow. He was the one who always looked out for her.
After their moment of silence Walter spoke again. "The world has been too long without a Hero. But I'm hoping that it will have one soon." He went ahead of her, to the statue of an angel with her hands clasped in a prayer in front of her face. The young Princess failed to notice the lingering hand Walter placed upon her mother's coffin as he passed it. She placed her own hand upon the top, whispering a silent prayer to the beloved monarch.
Walter crouched down to some stones near the statue and depressed one of them into the wall. There was a loud noise from behind the stonework and the sound of gears turning. The angel's hands began lowering until the palms were showing. Resting in the hands was an odd circular object mad of what appeared to be gold and a blue metal. It was adorned with a symbol she swore she'd seen before.
"This was your mother's most treasured possession. The Guild Seal." Walter turned to her. Realization passed over her and she forgot to breathe for a moment. This is what he meant. He wanted to see if the talents of a Hero had been passed to her. "It chooses those who have power inside them. Those who have the potential to become legends."
"And you… You think I have that power?" She found her breath finally, keeping a steady gaze on him. He nodded curtly.
"Take it." He encouraged. She approached the Seal cautiously, feeling apprehensive yet hopeful she really had her mother's Hero blood coursing through her veins. She grasped it tightly in bother her hands. When nothing happened at first there was a crushing moment of despair that she'd never live up to her mother's legacy.
"Is something supposed to happen?" She asked as she looked into the face of the statue. Suddenly, the Seal glowed brightly, pulsing in her hands. She felt as though her blood was on fire. The room went white and then she was suddenly somewhere else.
Wherever she was, it was devoid of bright color, only muted representations of the world. It appeared to be a path of some sort surrounded by white nothingness. There was a gate in front of her bearing the same symbol of the Seal. It took her several seconds to adjust to her surroundings and realize there was a cloaked woman standing in front of her smiling.
"Welcome, child." She said through her smile.
"Who are you?" Charlotte asked, a little uneasy from the teleportation.
The woman continued to smile. "I am Theresa, the Seer of the Spire. I guided your mother in her greatest triumph, but you have an even greater destiny ahead of you."
She gasped softly. This was the mysterious woman who appeared in her mother's stories. Theresa pointed to the disk in her clenched hands.
"The Seal awoke at your touch, as it would at no one else's." Theresa explained. "That means the fate of Albion rests on your shoulders."
Charlotte had been feeling overwhelmed before, but now it was tenfold. There was a knot in her stomach as she listened to the old woman's words. The Seer gestured beyond the gates.
"Before you lies the path you were born to take. And at its end is the kingdom you were born to rule. Like all Heroes, you will face many trials, but you cannot pass these gates alone. You will need to gather followers and gain the support of the people." The ghostly figures of Sir Walter and Jasper appeared on either side of the gate. "For now, you have the support of two friends. Jasper, who will serve you always. And Sir Walter Beck, who will be your greatest ally. Together you have already taken the first step in your journey. Walk through the gate and claim your reward." Theresa turned and the gates behind her swung open.
Charlotte walked forward, feeling thankful the path was wide so she couldn't see down. She was sure there was no way she could fall off but she didn't want to test that theory. Close there was another gate and a chest. On the front of it bore a red symbol of a lightning bolt. She opened the chest and red magic poured out from it. Inside was a gauntlet that she picked up. Theresa appeared at her side and began to speak.
"There is a great power inside you. You merely lack the means to unleash it. Put it on, and see what runs through your veins."
Charlotte pulled the leather gauntlet over her hand, flexing her fingers a bit. She felt something ignite within her veins, much like the feeling when she teleported for the first time.
"The gauntlet will channel the magic within you. Use it by the tomb in the mausoleum, and the way out of the castle will open for you. You will return here when you have gathered enough followers to reach the next gate." She paused. "Now go. Walter and Jasper will follow wherever you lead. And one day, perhaps the rest of Albion will do so, too."
Theresa disappeared, and then Charlotte was suddenly teleporting back to the mausoleum. Walter and Jasper were still in the same place she left them. Ace jumped on his master, licking her face as he jumped on his back legs, happy to see her. Both men stared at her in anticipation.
"Well, do you… feel any different?" Walter asked curiously. She saw hope gleaming in his brown eyes.
"I don't know." She answered, still trying to fight the hope that she was what Walter wanted her to be. She started at the gauntlet on her arm then looked around the room for a place that might use magic. She went back towards the foot of the King and Queen's tombs to the large stone Seal on the ground. She felt her body buzzing as she stepped on it.
"Try casting a spell." Walter encouraged. "That's supposed to be our way of getting out of here."
Jasper gave the other man and incredulous look. "You might have mentioned that earlier."
Walter chuckled heartily. "And spoil the surprise?" He looked to Charlotte, completely confident she had the power to reveal the exit. She swallowed thickly and held her hands out in front of her. Concentrating for a moment, her palms were suddenly ablaze with a fire that didn't burn her. The same feeling when she picked up the gauntlet washed over her. She felt it grow stronger the longer she concentrated, her blood rushing in her ears. With a flourish, she concentrated all the power down to the mark on the floor. It lit up, and the stones between the coffins split and moved to reveal a hidden staircase. Walter laughed as she panted to catch her breath.
"It bloody worked! You really are a Hero!" He exclaimed, clapping her on the back.
"I never doubted it for a second." Jasper added in a matter-of-fact tone. Walter rolled his eyes at his friend.
"Of course, neither did I Still though… it bloody worked!" He turned to walk down the stairs and stopped, peering in the tunnel and looked apprehensive. "Somewhat narrow, isn't it? Dark, too."
"You never did care for confined spaces, did you, Sir Walter?"
"I never did care for being poked in the eye or having my head chopped off, what of it?" the knight snapped in defense.
"Oh, dear. I seem to have stuck a nerve." Jasper recoiled from the larger man.
"How about if I strike a butler on the bonce." He threatened as they entered the tunnel.
"Don't worry, Walter. I'm here with you." Charlotte consoled him, linking her arm with his. Ace chuffed beside them. "And Ace, too."
"Thank you, dear girl. I feel much better already." Walter smiled softly at her. It was thankfully a short walk to a large cavern, light pouring in from who-knows-where.
"Ah, now this is more like it. Grand, spacious, a plentiful supply of oxygen… Just the way a castle's escape route should be." He'd unlinked their arms at that point to spread them out, taking in a deep breath of the cave's air. Charlotte had never known this to be here under the castle. It felt as if they were in a whole other place.
"I hesitate to ask, but what is out plan? Other than leaving the castle far behind us, which I wholly approve of, obviously." Jasper spoke quickly, slight sarcasm in his voice.
"It's simple." Walter replied. "We have to stop Logan."
"How am I supposed to do that? Even if I am a Hero, I'm just one person…" Charlotte asked, the doubt niggling away at her mind.
"Exactly. That is why we need to find allies. And lots of them. Once you prove what you are, people will follow you, and many of them will be willing to fight." He explained. "But they need a leader. Someone to believe in. Albion needs a revolution."
Charlotte went silent, thinking about what he was suggesting. Was she truly ready to be the leader her people needed? She didn't have the answer, being a Hero was new and she doubted she would be effective. Her entire life she'd been all but locked away in the castle, losing touch with the people save for the few who came to the castle themselves. Most of Albion had forgotten her face by now, Logan's was the only one plastered to the walls to remind them to work. Perhaps they could use this to their advantage.
They walked across a natural walkway in the cavern and once they were across Charlotte let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She never did like heights. Seemingly out of nowhere came the squeaking of a colony of bats as they descended upon them. Jasper let out a yelp, covering his head with his arms and retreating back. Ace had taken up protecting the man, snapping his jaws at the squeaking animals.
"Bats! Take cover!"
Walter chuckled, drawing his pistol. "Well, young Hero This is your chance to show us what you've got." He stood near Jasper to keep them off the cowering man.
Charlotte walked away from them, gathering her magic and focusing on casting her spell. Releasing the charge she'd build up with a wave of her hands flames ignited the winged creatures instantly. A few stray ones remained that she and Walter took care of individually.
"Excellent." He praised, holstering his pistol and turning to Jasper, his excitement barely contained. "Did you see that, Jasper? Did you see it?"
Jasper, who had now regained his composure and was pretending like he hadn't yelped, answered with a smile. "Indeed. Just like your mother." She would have been so proud."
Charlotte flushed red, and there was a slight frown on her lips. "I'm not sure of that, Jasper."
"Well I know I am." Walter boasted. "Come on." They began making their way through the cavern again. "And I'm proud of you, too, old friend. I've never seen a man cower with such grace."
"It is merely a matter of hygiene. Bats are filthy creatures." Jasper jumped to defend himself. Walter laughed the sound rumbling deep in his chest.
"Anyway, I think we've just seen the first proof of what you can do. You are the Hero who can lead this revolution. Bats are just the beginning."
They contained on through, now nearing the end when Walter exclaimed there were more bats on the way. Charlotte had already fired up her spell and cast a fireball into the thick of them. It was over as fast as it had begun. She was becoming used to the feeling of fire in her palms.
"Another impressive display, madam." Jasper stated. "To think, this morning my job consisted of laying out clothes for royalty. Now I'm a midnight snack for bats.
Walter chuckled. "You'll get used to it."
Charlotte laughed at the man. "I think you'll be alright for now, Jasper. I will take care of any bats who want to carry you off."
"Thank you, madam. Very kind of you." Jasper said, looking around nervously for more of the bats.
They waded through ankle deep water from there, their shoes getting sucked into the mud as they walked. A foul stench rose up around them that nearly made her and Jasper vomit. Walter seemed mostly unaffected by the smell. He stopped, turning to them, and began speaking.
"You might want to cover your noses from here on. It's the Bowerstone sewers."
An exasperated sigh came from Jasper, "Very well." He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and covered his nose and mouth with it. Charlotte used the sleeve of her shirt.
"Oh you might want to cover your eyes, too Jasper. More bats!" Walter yelled back to the butler, drawing his sword. Charlotte exterminated the bats with another fireball. The smell of singed fur added to the awful stench of the sewer. Walter hummed at her approvingly. "Well you've certainly got the hang of that spell. Shall we proceed?"
The cavern transitioned into a wide tunnel. There were a lot of broken barrels and other unknown things strewn about in the dirty water. A wave of the awful stench rose up to greet them as they continued down the tunnel, becoming much stronger than before.
"Ugh." Jasper retched, feeling ill, and Charlotte felt like doing the same. "What an unusual stench. I daresay we must be somewhere beneath Bowerstone Industrial."
"Very likely. Not the safest place for us right now. But we should be able to find a way out of the city once we reach the surface."
"How long do you think it will be before Logan finds out we're gone?" Charlotte asked the knight. He stroked his beard a moment.
"If I know Logan he's already figured it out. Which means the clock is ticking against us." Walter told her as they trudged through the sewage. They came to a narrow passage that led to an open room, strangely covered in lit candles and architecture similar to that found in the mausoleum. There was nowhere to go from there.
"It appears to be a dead end." Jasper sounded a little disappointed by what they found.
"Not quite," Walter muttered. They approached the end of the sectioned off area, a large version of the Guild Seal was embedded in the stone. She felt magic tingling over her skin as she drew nearer.
"What is that?" She asked, hoping someone would know.
"I'm pretty sure it's a Cullis Gate. A sort of magical transportation system for Heroes." Walter said, examining the gate.
"I was under the impression that Cullis Gates were all gone." Jasper mulled aloud.
"Well it looks like there's one left, at least." Walter turned to Charlotte. "Your mother must have placed this here if she ever needed to use it."
"It's the same symbol that we saw by the tomb. Do you suppose it's activated in the same way?" Jasper asked the two of them.
"Well there's only one way to find out. You know what to do." He addressed Charlotte without looking at her.
Charlotte stepped onto the mark and it seemed to react to her, little orbs of light floated upwards from the Cullis Gate. She charged up her will and focused it upon the mark just like she had back in the tomb. It lit up and the four of them were blinded by a white light as they teleported somewhere new. On her right Jasper fell over in shock while Walter moved to draw his sword to protect them from whatever might have been lurking on the other side. Not sensing any immediate danger he relaxed and stood up straight. Charlotte studied the room with her eyes wide.
The room they were now in was circular and looked similar to the castle interior. It looked as though no one had been there in a decade. The ceiling was domed and a chandelier covered in a thick blanket of cobwebs hanging in the middle. The floor was a white and black checked marble and covered in books neatly stacked but had several years' worth of dust covering them. There were four shut doors on the wall across the room that had plaques over each entryway. The room was even lit in dim candlelight that she assumed was magic. The walls were covered in a patterned blue silk and little alcove with a shelf was to the left of them. In the center of the room was a large map table that looked identical to the one her brother used in his war room.
"What is this place?" She asked, helping Jasper up off the floor
"You know, it must be… It is! It's your mother's Sanctuary. She used to speak of it but I never thought it was a real place." Walter walked across the room to the map table. He looked rather excited being in this place. He picked up a thick leather bound book with a miniature Guild Seal on the cover. He opened it to find an envelope with Jasper's name elegantly scrawled across the front. The Hero Queens handwriting, no mistake. Seeing it once more sent shivers down Walter's spine.
"Well I don't believe it, Jasper! This book, there's a note with your name on it. Look." He ushered the butler over.
"That's not possible." The butler was astonished as he was handed the note which was opened quickly. He began to read it aloud. "'For Jasper.' Well I grant you it is possible but it must be a coincidence."
"Oh no don't be a dolt." He clocked his tongue at him. "The old Queen must have left it here for you. What's it called?"
"'The Book of Heroes'. How extraordinary."
"Does it tell us how to get out?"
"This really is most remarkable." Jasper exclaimed, flipping through the pages. "Everything we could possibly want to know about Heroes and this place right here in these pages."
Jasper went silent, speed reading through a section about the map they all stood at. After a few seconds he shut the book and dusted off the cover. "This map functions as a travelling mechanism. Simply choose where you want to go and, well, it should take you there."
"Marvelous! Right, we can use that." Walter said. "We'll have plenty of time to explore this place later. Right now, we have a rather large task ahead of us."
"But I don't even know where to start." Charlotte said, running her hand over the smooth wood of the map table. Walter paused to think, stroking his bear pensively.
"Our first stop should be the mountains of Mistpeak. There are people there who would make great allies. They won't offer their allegiance easily, but they despise Logan. And if anyone can persuade them, it's a Hero."
"Very good. I will continue to become acquainted with this Sanctuary. No doubt we will need to make full use of its facilities." Jasper said as he turned from them to examine more of the book.
"Right, all right then. Find Mistpeak on the map and let's see if that book's telling us the truth." Walter said, pointing at the map.
Charlotte nodded and leaned forward over the table. She squinted her eyes at the miniature representation of Albion. There was a slight fog over the table that she guessed were clouds over the kingdom. She waved them away and searched for the Mistpeak Mountains and the people Walter had talked about. Jasper pointed her in the right direction after a moment so she turned to Walter and gave him a curt nod and touched where they wanted to go. Charlotte, Walter and Ace were engulfed in blue, sparkling spirals of light and teleported out of the Sanctuary.
The snow on the Mistpeak Mountains was unlike anything Charlotte had ever experienced. She'd never seen so much snow in one place before, as far as she could remember. Thick blankets of shimmering white covered the ground and the trees and it was still coming down. While living in the castle, it snowed most winters although the snow that fell around Bowerstone was usually grey and slushy once it hit the ground. Only the castle grounds had seemed to be unaffected by the factory smog and it covered the gardens in white but nothing like what she was seeing now. The wind picked up around them and she was suddenly aware of just how cold it was and that she was in no way dressed for where they were. Her still wet leggings were beginning to freeze her legs and her shirt was just thin cotton and a corset.
"Brr!" Walter shuddered. "I'd forgotten how bloody cold it is up here. At least we know your map works now." He crossed his arms over his chest and rubbed his arms in an attempt to warm himself up, Charlotte copied his actions. After a moment to assess just where they were he motioned for her to follow down into the camp. She and Ace followed, and she noticed they had been standing on another Cullis Gate.
"The people here call themselves Dwellers." He explained to her as they reached the little caravans that dotted the mountainside. "They're tough. They're loyal. And like I told you earlier, they hate Logan's guts." Walter looked around them at the wagons that served as the Dwellers homes. Almost all of them were in crude disrepair. "Yep. It may not look like much, but this is where the revolution begins." He turned to the young Princess, imagining her leading the frontlines of the revolution. He could almost hear the distant rallying cry as people pledged their loyalty to her.
A handful of villagers had come from their homes, whispering and wondering about the newcomers. One woman held her hands out, begging for gold or food from them. Walter gently laid a few coins in her outstretched palms and she thanked him, crying so hard Charlotte could barely understand what she was saying. Her dirty face streaked with clean lines from her tears.
"This is what Logan has reduced them to. He's taken control of these mountains and started destroying its forest." Walter told her, pulling Charlotte by the arm and praying no one recognized their Princess. One little girl bundled up in clothes much too large for her held out a love-worn doll to the Princess. She asked if Charlotte would buy the doll in exchange for food. Tears stung the Princess' eyes as she felt her heart break in two for the child. Walter knelt down to the girl's level and handed her a few coins, too. When the girl tried to give him the doll he politely shook his head and smiled at her. The little girl took off to find her parents and Charlotte had to fight back more tears.
"I knew they'd have a hard time finding food, but I had no idea it was this bad." Walter said to her, standing and brushing the snow off his knee. They continued to the other edge of the Dweller camp, this part closed off behind a tall wood gate.
"The man we need to convince is Sabine. A proud old sod, but a good man and a good leader. He won't give his allegiance easily, especially to a princess." He paused. "Perhaps it's best if I speak to him alone first." Charlotte nodded, drawing her arms close across her body and shivered. Walter held his bag of gold to her. "You know, maybe you ought to find some new clothes while I talk to Sabine. Something slightly less… regal. We don't need this kind of attention." He pressed the coin pouch into her hand. She didn't think her clothes were very regal looking, but she definitely stood out among the crowd that had followed them. Her clothes despite their simplicity were still a higher quality. "I only have a little bit of gold, but it should be enough. And maybe you can spread what's left among the people. They need it more than we do."
"Where can I find clothes?" She asked, looking around timidly.
"Oh don't you worry. You'll find someone willing to take that money from you. Now, wish me good luck." He turned and signaled the men to open the gates. He walked through, stopping to smile back at her as the gates closed behind him.
It occurred to Charlotte this was the first time she'd been alone outside of the castle's safe walls. She was at a loss for what to do or where to go. Ace nudged her leg and whined softly reminding her she was never completely alone. She patted the soft fur on his head, damp from the snowfall, and shyly turned to one of the men guarding the gate.
"Pardon me," it was never more apparent how much like royalty she sounded. "Is there anywhere I could purchase something warmer to wear?"
The man gruffly gestured with his head back into the village. She nodded a quick thanks and quickly took off back to where they came, tucking the bag of gold into her clothes. Keeping her head down low, she walked past the crowd that continued to follow, the coin pouch jingling noisily as she walked. She managed to locate a stall that appeared to be the only one in business. There was no food and only one thing for sale which was a set of clothes that looked perfect for warmth and blending in. She paid the man who was grateful and even briefly hugged her.
"Ah hello, madam, this is Jasper-er, hello? Is… is this… Is this how you use…" The butler's voice suddenly came through her head and for a moment she thought she was either crazy or dreaming. That would certainly explain a lot. "I am speaking to you through the Guild Seal. What an extraordinary device! It would seem as long as you carry the Seal, we can communicate freely. Not only that, but you may return to the Sanctuary any time you deem it necessary. Might I suggest you do so now to try on your new outfit?"
Charlotte pulled the Seal out from the waistband of her skirt and just… concentrated on going back to the Sanctuary. She and Ace were quickly transported from the mountainside back to the surprisingly warm room. Immediately she noticed it was now much cleaner than before, Jasper had been busy since they'd first arrived in this magical place. There was a door that was now open, books had been neatly placed on the shelf and everything had been dusted.
"Ah, hello. Now, included in the Sanctuary is a dressing room. If you will follow me, madam, I will show you." He disappeared through the doorway and she followed into the next room.
This room was also circular like the main room. There were shelves that lined the walls, empty mannequins and pedestals for other items, and a large dressing mirror to her right. Her mother really had thought of everything. Jasper looked rather pleased with himself as he showed her what he found then he left to let her dress in private. She stripped the wet leggings and skirt she'd worn but left the undershirt on for more layers as she pulled on the new clothes. The fur tickled the side of her face as she pulled the coat around her neck and fastened it. She put her Seal and gold inside the coat pockets and left the dressing room. Jasper was a little surprised to see her, very much not used to seeing her in clothes other than what she wore in the castle. But to his credit he recovered quickly
"You look just like a Dweller. I hope this new outfit is as comfortable as your royal attire, although I suspect the chances of that are quite low." Jasper said. She giggled slightly.
"They're fine, Jasper. I will adjust. This is better than what I was wearing the mountain is quite cold." She said to him.
"Very good, madam. You should return to Sir Walter. It's probably time to meet this Sabine that we heard so much about. I shall have your other clothes cleaned and pressed for you the next time you return."
"Alright, thank you Jasper." Charlotte said as she exited the Sanctuary with the Seal.
When she was back on the mountain she was pleasantly surprised the biting cold from before wasn't as bad. Her headscarf kept her ears warm and the coat, her torso. Some of the villagers were alarmed to see her appear from thin air. Handing the leftover gold to villagers around the village was easy and she was able to spread it evenly among the people. She spared no coin for herself. When it was all gone she made her way back to the gate to find Walter. She found him waiting patiently for her outside the gate. He almost didn't recognize her as she approached.
"That's more like it. The scruffy look suits you." He teased her lightly. "I've spoken to Sabine, explained everything and he's—well, I told you he'd take some convincing. He wants to speak with you now."
They went through the gates into the sectioned off area. There were a few more wagons and what looked like a covered throne across the little courtyard. In front of the throne was the tallest man she'd ever seen. One eye was completely white and his moustache much thicker and bushier than Walter's, it even had gold rings around it. He was very intimidating as he grunted at her.
"Out of the way, Boulder. I can't see a thing." A heavily accented voice came from behind the ma. The man aptly named Boulder stepped aside and Ace followed the man, wagging his tail at him. The man sitting upon the throne was strikingly much smaller than his guard and Charlotte guessed this man was Sabine. He sneered at her and she found him to be almost more intimidating than Boulder.
"So," he began, still sneering. "Royalty walks into our home. A princess no less. You're a long mile from the castle, Princess." He stood up from his throne, his jewelry jingling as he walked towards her. He stopped at the top of the stairs at eye level to her and stared. "What do you think of our home then? Do you like what your brother has done to us?" Charlotte shook her head quickly and his look softened for a moment, eyes filled with hope. "These mountains have always been ours. Now Logan's taken them, and is stripping them of life." He moved his arms out for emphasis then brought them to his face, balling them into fists. "Oh, we're ready to go to war. But why should we follow Logan's kin?"
"You can trust me. You have my word." Charlotte told him, thinking it would be enough to convince him.
He snorted mockingly. "We don't take much stock in words 'round these parts. We're simple folk. Ain't that right, Boulder?"
The large man grunted at them from the side. Charlotte knit her brows together and asked, "Then what do you want?"
He motioned for her to lean in closer, which she obliged. A stern look was set upon his face as he said a single word.
"Proof."
When she tilted her head and the crease between her brows deepened he elaborated.
"First, prove you are truly, as Walter claims, a Hero. This is easily done. There is a secret chamber beneath the town of Brightwall, built by your own mother. Only Heroes can survive its trials and reach the relics within. Bring me one of these ancient objects and I will believe you." He held up one finger then a second as he continued.
"Second, prove you are a warrior worthy of leading us into battle. You can do this by slaying the mercenaries who plague Mistpeak Valley and who have long soured out existence. Third, prove you are a true leader. Persuade our neighbors in Brightwall to share what food they have with us." Sabine was interrupted by Ace barking at Boulder who was petting him. "Boulder!" he chastised before turning back to her, and she saw the concern he held for his people on his face. "If we cannot eat, we will die. And the dead make poor allies."
"Is that all?" She asked him. He seemed to ponder a moment then dismissed her with a wave of his hand.
"Yep. That's the lot. Off you go then. Good luck. Nice knowing you." He lit a cigar then turned to sit back in his throne.
Charlotte turned to her dog and called him to follow. He seemed a little reluctant to leave his new friend. They met Walter back at the gate and he laughed at her overwhelmed expression.
"It's nice to see Sabine hasn't mellowed with age. But anyway, I know the place he mentioned."
"He's a bit long winded, isn't he?" Charlotte asked and he laughed again.
"He's always been that way. Bossy, too. Your mother built the chamber under Brightwall Academy, Albion's greatest seat of learning. At least it was until Logan closed it down." They came to a drawbridge that lead out to the valley. As he lowered it he spoke more. "Just show the old librarian your Guild Seal. He'll know what it means. I'll try to find out more about these mercenaries."
Once the bridge was lowered he gave a contented sigh. "It makes a nice change, doing something useful. I'll see you in Brightwall when I have some information."
Charlotte nodded to him. They parted ways at the bridge with Walter wishing her a safe journey.
Well there you have it, end of this chapter. I have already began to type the next one so don't worry. I hope I can have it up within the next week or so. Do tell me what you think and help me find any errors you can find.