The queen has returned, hear ye

Queen Marissa
Sir Grey Arm honour guard of the king
KIng Barta Hartea
Mest Carota archer
Jaric KIcoat lead acher
Byera Most guard at the porticulios
Jule mile Viceroy
Coke Just viceroy's aid
Oliva false Queen
Talbit guard of the queen in the coach
Halteteast gate;s guard

         Sir Grey Arm looked in the darkness toward the castle, he was afraid of what they been doing since he and their sire were

gone. Fear lay nestled in the Queen's bosom it has been festering there for quite a while, since the stories that had been brought

to the attention of the King by the messages from the castle by eagles flew to the king's birders.That vile Jules Mile did this to the

kingdom by putting Oliva on throne, Marissa's sister they plunged the kingdom into the depths of depravity and merchants have

gone missing.


         There were suspicions, that the kingdom has put bounty on their most desired merchants and the patrons as well. Sir

Grey had found real evidence of this by finding a bounty poster on one on a tree in the woods. He tore the poster felt the bark

tear into his finger tips he winced as the rough bark tore through his skin. Blood ran from his finger tips. The cold wind blew onto

through his mail covered skin and he grit his teeth as he rode though the woods to get to the castle. Sir Grey knew this was

wrong in so many ways, Why did the King want to do this in private without any fanfare that was why he was here now. but

that was why he was doing this riidng at the dead of night. He wanted tp hug the people he knew and loved. walk into a tavern

buy an ale and talk with the other patrons. Happy to be here. He wanted to forget battle, having seen enough of it for seven

years.


         What has Jules done? There is no way that he could have done this, without someone else aiding him, maybe Oliva has

a hand in this matter as well. The letters that the couriers brought to the king exposed his doing this. The king was fuming, he

wanted to send his own army back to quell the bastard's life.


         Sir Grey has talked him out of doing this. The king agreed not do this at Sir GRey's urging. Only if he was to send Sir

Grey back. He needed his Queen to represent him there, She he knew the authority and recognition to rule over the

kingdom. Why had he listened to that conniving bastard to remove Marissa from the throne. . The king closed his hand

imagining that his hand was crushing Jules'neck, he smiled as he did this.


         Sir Grey remembered talking with his Sire as they sat around a fire which blazed in the middle of this area. They

were in battle field seated where the dead without arms or legs without heads on their bodies. Arrows protruded from the

wounded and the dead. there were crossbow bolts stuck out of the bodies. The dead littered the ground as did leaves from
the trees about them.


         What was happening in his kingdom shouldn't have been his main concern, but it was. He needed someone

to go there. To speak to the viceroy drive some sense into him and hes sister in law as well. It did not amke any sense

to him, That they had turned the church on its head. The edicts from the church were dissolved. The bishop was

fuming, and when Pope found out there would be hades to pay.

####

         There had been a statement made by merchant that someone had made venomous statements that the

merchant was a bandit. There was wanted posters of the merchant who was described as the bandit, which the

king knew to be a falsehood. Who would dare to suggest such a thing as this.


         He said, "Sir Grey you have find out what is happening?"


         "I see sire, what do you wish for me to do?" Sir Grey said.


         "Go back to the kingdom to understand what is going on there to stop this from happening? Bring
my wife with you to the kingdom. She can occupy the throne," the King said as he peered into his eyes

trying to coercion from him the details that was concerning to the merchants.


         "When should I go there to do this?" Sir Grey said as he looked into the Kings' tear filled eyes as t
they ran down his cheeks.


         "I want this to stop from continuing on in the kingdom. Now." the king said as he looked away from his eyes,

his hand crumpled up the paper and threw the parchment into the fire. Golden tongues of fire lapped it up like a dog

quenching his thirst.His knuckles were white from the stress he was feeling.


         Sir Grey understood what his king was saying to him. Sir Grey vaulted onto his steed's back so he could ride

there.


         Sir Grey agreed with him as he rode through the kingdom to arrive at his home to be with his wife and he also

had a duty to return the Queen. She was with the carriage that rode beside the escort of the King's guards


         When the Queen Marissa with her escort of guards arrived at the port with the ship, along with their horses.

Sir Grey walked into a tavern to have strode down the gangplank and Queen Marissa stepped out on the gangway

and the knights with their horses. The horses did not like the gangway, they struggled and fought to remain a board

the ship.

###

         Sir Grey walked toward an inn, to get some food to eat and relieve himself. He did not wish to be away from

the queen for too long, he walked inside, the place was busy as it usually was. He looked into the face of a man, he

thought he knew but he could not be sure. The man he was looking at dropped his hand on Sir Grey's shoulder.


         Sir Grey spun about to see who laid their hand on his shoulder, reaching for his weapon to defend himself. He

looked into his face. He realised who was there. He laughed and waved a waitress over to them both. Said, "John."


         "Its been ages since I saw you last. When did you arrive? Where are the others are they here yet?" John asked

as the waitress came over, she was careful as she walked over to them. A smile blossomed on her face. She wore

make up, her brown braided hair fell down her back to her rump. Narrow eyebrows and her eyes were green as jade.


         "Tonight, I have to go to the castle, but I would like to know what's been happening here. While I was away, I'll

talk to you when I get back." Sir Grey said as he headed toward the door,


         "Where is Tyron? Have the crusades ended. We should have a celebration. Hey, guess what?" he shouted

waved his arms about to have more people to become aware of Sir Grey's arrival.


         "No, no one should know of my arrival here. I have to get to the castle tonight," Sir Grey said.


         More people walked toward him, their voices were getting louder, some people raced out to see him. Their

voices grew louder welcoming him back. Sir Grey realised he had made a mistake. A huge mistake.


         The people felt the wrath of the queen, who had taken Marissa's place. Oliva has taken many a woman to her

bed. She has been drinking and making suggestions she wanted to see necromancers to speak with the dead also

people who could summon devils and deamons as well.

####

         The knight whose king rules over this kingdom its castle laid on the side of a huge mountain over a huge

chasm, where there was its drawbridge. The castle's tall walls would defend the populace from any enemy. Its

walls were made of dark stone which ivy climbed the walls. The castle was monstrous in size and scale.


         The people did not appreciate the behaviour of Oliva. She was blood thirsty. No one dared to say anything

to oppose her, if you did the executioner's block awaited your head. Oliva argued with the rulings of the bishops

in the kingdom. The bishops learned to listen to her words and act on them. This defied common sense, they

should not know, what was happening here. The populace's blood was boiling about this queen's behavior There

was a suspicion that they were plotting to rouse the fake Queen from her position, They were plotting a

revolution for the kingdom if something was not done about her. The Bishop's felt something was dangerously

wrong with what the Queen was doing, Her behavour did not make sense, She was opposed to just about

everything they said or did.


         They were not aware if the queen who was ruling over them was a false queen. When they found out they

would happy to see her return. The viceroy was responsible for her sister to be here, The viceroy paid many

people to have her act as the queen. The viceroy was happy to have her here. The queen was bloodthirsty;

she wanted to kill the people who defied her words. She was wanting the kingdom to go to war. The castle and

kingdom were on the brink of war, that would be upon them and their people.


         Her sister Oliva would be mad at the ruse that was applied by having the queen return to the kingdom with

the King's guard. The viceroy, Lord Mile, had told her that it would be best if she left the kingdom to allow the people

to realise what they had with her occupying the throne instead of Queen Marissa should have been there.


         Queen Marissa had heard enough from the pages who she had seen when she was away from the kingdom.

The tales of owe thanks to Lord Mile and Oliva from her former kingdom telling her what was happening there. There

were other pages with the same stories she had heard from one there were several others who have the same tale to

tell.

####

         The queen's coach has arrived with the honour guard of the king. The guards did not say a word as they rode

to the kingdom's gates. The horses are galloping to the castle. The guards at the gate are not sure as to what has

happened here. They looked at the coach as it arrived at the gate. The guards didn't believe in what they were seeing.

if they did come, why did they not ride here when the people could see them, Beneath the vast skyline bright with sun

light as it fell upon the ground and the people here. This was a facade,


         There was no way that the King could really be here. Could he? The king could not be here. They knew he was

to the west fighting a battle with the other kings to stop the barbarians from arriving in their kingdoms. The war was

continuing so, he could not have returned yet could he. They questioned the carriage and the guards being here, among

themselves, before the guards rode toward the castle's gate.


          The guards barely recognised the coach, but its signal was enough for them tor recognise it as being the king's

coach. That meant the king was with it. They straightened up, brought their chins forward stared at it. Their hands

trembled, their skin grew pale. They were silent as a grave as the riders rode toward them. They shuffled about

nervously. The looked away albut the one on the side where the guards were riding toward. This man was the one of

the older guards of the castle looked at the riders. His eyes narrowed, he spat. There was a hint of recognition there

that he knew the lead rider. But he could not be really sure of this, being who he thought he was.


         The guards were puzzled by its arrival. The king was still in the crusades, so why was it here?' It did not make

sense that the coach was there without any reason to be there. Why was it here. They looked at the carriage that did

not make sense to them.


         The guards at the gate looked at the coach, and the guards dressed in their full regalia. They rode as if made of

stone. Nothing was given away by the reaction that was present on the faces of the guards riding here. The guards

were nobles; their allegiance was without question. They seemed aware of what they were doing; they looked about

to see if there was any danger posed by anything. Taber was the lead coach, and he rode in the right seat of the

coach. He was the most knowledgeable guard in the group. Beside him lay a blunderbuss loaded, he did not know
if he should trust the guards at the gate any more then he should trust the guards inside the kingdom.


         They sat in their seats in the carriage, and they heard the silence of their horses hooves not striking the ground.

Marissa's aid Tabor eased open the door to speak with the carriage man on top of the carriage, The aid Talbit said, "Why

have you stopped?"


         The carriageman said, "We are before the castle, Whose drawbridge is up?"


         Josh on this side of the drawbridge said," Who goes there?"


         "We are the King;s guard." Sir Grey said as he slowed his horse to a stop.


         "You can't cross?" Halt said, his shoulders were broad, his hands were housed in leather gloves. He glared

at the knights as they sat there looking at the raised drawbridge. He saw the coach, and its soldiers were in full regalia;

they were in formation, watching everything before him. He spit something out of his mouth. Frowned as he looked at

the lead knight.


         "We are here by the King's order to enter the castle at the moment," Sir Grey said as he glared at him. his hand

held his reins, his eyes were cold and hard. He had a mail hood with a skulcap on his head, he had sleeves of mail that

ended at his elbow.


         "I don't care, Go away?" Halt screamed as he looked at this group of soldiers coming toward him and carriage,

the coach did not have any lights on it. or if it did They were not in use. Hall squinted to see them riding there.



         One of the guards recognised one of the knights, the lead knight in fact he knew him, He was Sir Grey Arm.

What was he doing here. There had to be an explanation to this, but what. He did not know, he barely recognised

him, but he was here. He grinned, he said rapidly and loudly, "Sir Grey. It's good to see you! Where have you been?"


         Sir Grey flashed him a smile, and said,"Just got back Good to see you, too."


         "How can you be sure, that he is Sir Grey?" another guard questioned.


         "its him. Wipe your glasses. Can't you see him?" Josh who spoke laughed whole heartedly, tears ran

from his eyes. The man stepped out from beneath the wooden shelter to allow Sir Grey to truly see him.


         "My you have grown. Josh. Can you talk them into lowering the bridge so we can get across and get

inside the castle." Sir Grey said,


         Queen Marissa was worried about the outcome, knew that the people had been hindered by Oliva's

action in the region. She despised her sister. She was wearing a tight corset, and her legs were hid beneath

the flowing gown. Her breasts were hidden in the lacy cups. Her hands were concealed in gloves that were

red. Her aid looked worried; they would have to find the false queen. They looked so much alike that even

some of their most knowledgeable people mistook them for each other. Her lips were covered in crimson

lipstick, and her cheeks were white with talc. Her eyebrows were high and arched. She briefly smiled as she

heard the horse hooves strike the road. She had been riding for quite some time now. Her hands lay in her lap.


         Dark clouds loomed over head,.The wind tore away at what ever was on the road threatening to throw

whatever was there over the chasm there. The cold tore through the gaurds armor and the knight;s equally. Sir

Grey did not move an inch from where he sat high in the saddle.


         Sir Grey said, "If you would like to argue this with your head on a block. Than I will go away."


         The guard looked at the bridge, he said, "Do you have something with a royal seal to prove that

says, that you are here by the King's orders."


         There was a position where a structure stood where a soldier would watch the road in case of danger.

The guards looked into their faces; they saw grim determination. There was no emotion betrayed by their

faces or who they were looking upon. The horses looked tired and weary. The guard did not know

who he was talking to.


         "It is good that you have asked to see a document to prove who you are," Sir Grey said as he looked

into the face of the guard standing here looking expectantly at him.


         Sir Grey said, as he rode back to the carriage to speak with Talbit. "The guard needs to see the

proclamation from the king for us to be inside the castle."


         Talbit handed Sir Grey the letter.


          Mest looked at the helm of Sir Grey as a bolt of lightning showed his face within its brilliance. Mest

screamed, "That's Sir Grey Arm! Let him in?"


         Halteteast said, "Bow men raise your arrows."


         Mest refused to lift his bow, he knocked another archer from his position. "Lower your bows."


          "Mest what are you talking about?" Jaric asked, he did not know what he was saying, it did not make

any sense.


         Mest smiled as he turned to face Jaric, and said,"That is Sir Grey Arm. He has returned from Carca in

the east. Isn't it good to see him here?"


         Jaric was stationed at the place where the drawbridge would arrive on the ground and said, "Archers,

ready your bows."


         An archer raised his bow, looked down his arrow to see the first rider on the horse as being someone

he knew. Byera said,'Their the KIng;s guard! haltateast don't you see them." Byera lowered his bow not

releasing the arrow.


         "What are you doing? Fire!" Jaric said, as he looked at archer who lowered his weapon. He closed his

hand grinding his fingers together, There was a look in his eyes that said if looks could kill then Byera would be

dead.


         Byera said,"They are the king's guard. Lower your bows."


         "How dare you do this?" Jaric said, he drove a finger into his chest. Byera wobbled a bit as he accepted

the finger there.


         "What?" Mest said as he looked at Byera.


         "Look at the guards on their horses; that's the king's guard." Byera spoke.


         Meat looked at Jaric and said, "Jaric! Lower your bows. It is the King's guard."


         Grey Arm turned to face Mest and said, "Good to see you."


         Grey Arm smiled. "We have to get inside the castle."


         Jaric asked,"Why are you here?"


         "You dare to question the king's guard. How dare you?" Grey Arm glared at him.


         Jaric frowned, gritting his teeth.glaring at Byera, he turned to face the young upstart

who ordered his archers to lower their bows.


          "But why are you here?"


         "I am sorry, but I must ask. Mustn't I?" Mest said as he backed up into the structure.


         "I am with the queen, Marissa. If you dare to raise your voice again, I will have you slain,"

Sir Grey said as he glared at the guard.


         "Are you sure?" Talbit said.


         "You still dare to question me?"Sir Grey said.


         "Yes, I do," Mest answered as he lifted the scroll to see the seal of the Marastalo


         "Is it good that you have shown your diligence to ask me to show you the letter?" Mest

said this as he handed the other guard the letter.


         Mest looked at the guards riding forward toward the drawbridge; he knew he controlled the bridge, so they

would not pass unless he told them to lower the bridge. He bit his lip as he saw the helm of the first guard riding t

toward them.


         He saw the face of the guard there; he knew him as being one of the honour guards of the king, so it must

be the royal coach that was coming here. He realised this fact. A smile slithered across his face.


         They also saw the banners of the king flapping in the wind that was blowing there. The escort and the royal

coach stopped before the drawbridge that was up. There stood a man there with his hand held up. He said, "What

are you doing coming here at this time of night?"


         Grey Arm, the knight riding on the coach, said,The queen has ordered us to come here. Now. I have a letter

from the King to allow us into the castle."


         Mest said," Lower your weapons."


         Grey Arm peered into the helm of Mest, and chuckled a little. and said, " So, you still can't read. Go get one of

the scribes to read it for you. Get a cleric, I know it is too early to get a scribe."


         The guard who told Jaric to have his men lower their bows walked toward Mest. His bow was across his chest

with the bow string there, he said, "Hand me the scroll. I will see why he is here?"


         "Mest do as he asked," Jaric said.


         The guard looked at the letter, and Mest screamed, “Lower the portcullis."


         The guards at the gate lowered their weapons and looked at the coach and the guards dressed in their full

regalia. They rode as if made of stone. Nothing was given away by their arrival here. They sat there in their

saddles, and they looked at the guards at the gate. The guards looked into their faces; they saw grim

determination. There was no emotion betrayed by their faces that they were looking upon. The horses looked

tired and weary.


         The guards saw the coach arrive at the royal house, The guards looked unnerved seeing the royal coach

arrive there. The guards converged on the door to the coach, the door to the coach opened. The queen emerged

from the coach, the guards recoiled in horror seeing her here. They stepped back to allow the guards to escort her

into the royal entrance.


         The King's guard put the person they were escorting in the center with the guards surrounding her. She

moved with the grace of a dove in the air. Her robe was blue. her feet were not visible thanks to the procession

of the guards being there..


         One of the guards ran across from the floor to speak to the Lord Coke that the viceroy had as aid when

he was not able to see the queen or the viceroy. The guard drove his hand down on the door. It shook from

where it stood. He heard faintly a voice say, "What is the meaning of this. Why are you knocking now."


"I have to speak to you." the guard said.


         Lord Coke eased the door open a crack to see the quard as he nervously shivered, his skin was pale.

The guard said, "The King's guard is at the door presently. They want to see the Queen. Right now."


         Lord Coke asked,"What do you mean the King's guard is here?"


         "Well look." the guard said as he moved the door open so the aid could see the doorway where the

queen's boudeir was. Lord Coke's eyes grew large, he recognised the regalia of the king's guard. What the

guard was saying was true. Then he looked at who the guards were escorting to the chamber. He dropped

his glove to the floor, his eyes were wide with horror. He could not believe what he was seeing. Lord Coke

said, as he stormed out of the room he was in. He was wearing his robe as he approached them, and said.

"What do you mean, You have the queen?"


         "She is here. I tell you. You can't have the queen with you!" Lord Coke yelled, he was not believing

what his eyes told him, this was an illusion. She could not be here, why was the Royal Guard here as well.

They should be far away from here. We would have received a letter to advise us of her arriving here. His

hands trembled, his hand slipped from his sash he used to close his robe. His eyes were huge.


         Sir Grey turned to face this man dressed in his night robe and said, "I tell you! The Queen is here. "


         Lord Coke's forefinger bounced off the breast plate of Sir Grey and said, "That is impossible.

We've been guarding the Queen haven't we? You know this don't you?"


         Grey Arm looked at him and he did not believe what Coke had said. He said, "So, even the house

guard were not told of the switch?"


         "What is the meaning of this? Who is this impostor?" Lord Coke declared as he saw her approach,

everything about her was exactly what he had seen beforehand.


         :How dare you say this? I will have you on the rack in the morning! Do you hear me?" Marissa said.


"I want her found!"  I want her found