The caravan had stopped for a rest in the heat of the day. The Queen and her Regent set up in a covered pavillion with guards set outside to keep a look out for any possible problems.
"We are close to Eagleshire you Highness. Surely they have received word and are sending extra help." Forest said, hoping to ease the Queen's mind.
"True, but there is no telling how long it may take, and we are vulnerable to..." the Queen began.
"Attack!" the guards shouted. "We are under attack! To your positions."
Forest sprang from his seat and grabbed a bow from the weapons stockpile. We was wary from the long travel and his tired state left his magic weakened. Nocking an arrow, he looked outside and saw what was to come.
Chaos and his followers from Finder's keep had been following the caravan and had taken the rest stop as an opportunity to attack. To make matters worse, and more confusing, it seemed a number of assassins had joined them or been hired by them to aid in the assault.
Much to Forest's surprise, General TuK! was also fighting with the crazed barbarian. What madness was this?! One of the Kingdom's generals who had led its armies into battle now fought against his own Queen?! Surely there was some foul magic at work.
Gratefully, Forest saw that the mysterious Sutra, and even Typhus the dark healer were standing by the Queen as she emerged in her battle armor.
"Your Majesty, this is no place for you. Please return to the safety of the pavillion." Forest pleaded with her.
"If these maniacs get through the defenses, there will be no safety. And Do not forget your station! I am not a soft hand maiden. I am a warrior and will not sit idle and bite my nails in hopes of victory. I will lead to it!" Reine replied, unsheathing her sword and stepping forward to meet her foes.
Forest felt renewed. he yelled orders to the forces rallied around them. Yet inside he hoped that Everlast would return soon with the reinforcements from their home land of Eagleshire.
Yet, his renewed optimism did not last. just as the forces began to engage, orcs and trolls sprang from the hillside and attacked as well. At first they seemed to attack at random. And at one point their chief even bartered for "shineys" to withdraw. But the peace did not last. These foul creatures seemed to understand what was in the chest that the caravan guarded and they began to ignore the mauraders and attack the Kingdom's defenders exclusively in hopes of taking the treasure.
The battle went poorly. Multiple times, the attackers broke through the lines and sacked the caravan before they were repelled. Much gold was taken, and then, the biggest shock.
Hearing cries from behind the pavillion, forest ran with his bow to see what had caused the alarm. Then he saw him. Black, cold, heartless, and grinning with the pleasure of seeing evil brought to others. Sir Delphos was crouched in striking position ready to slaughter some of the less experienced guardsmen. What trickery was this that the Guildmaster himself...a sworn loyalist to the Kingdom...would assault his own Queen. The guild and the monarchy had always had a strained, but lasting alliance. And this was no approved assassination. this was outright treason!
Forest aimed his bow at the assassin and snarled "Leave. NOW!"
Delphos met his gaze and slowly rose to his feet, backing slowly, his had reaching for his throwing weapon.
"I said GO!" Forest shouted. He heart told him to shoot the traitor, but in his head he could not be sure that some other force was not manipulating the Dark Knight, compelling him to such actions.
Suddenly, Dark Tiggr stepped up from behind Delphos and thrust his sword into the man's back, leaving him for dead. Forest lowered the bow. Now he would not know what had caused the man to turn on his Kingdom.
Soon the battle was over. Everlast charged in from the east leading reinforcements from Eagleshire and driving back the men and monsters. As Forest and the others tended to the hurt, and sought healers to raise the dead, they took inventory of the damages. Over half the treasury was taken. And worse, as they went to count the number of fallen adversaries, the body of Delphos was no where to be found.
Forest went to report the news to the Queen when the wort news of all was announced.
"The Queen...The Queen is missing!"
_________________ Forest Evergreen
Puppet Master of the EH
"Of course you are Forest. You're like the Mr. Burns of EH." - Finn
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