(no subject)
Title: The announcement - The Quest part XV
Author: Ree
Theme: AU - No theme
Genre: general
Version: AU - (manga/Anime)
Rating: G
Takeuchi Naoko created them. I'm just following a different branch on their universal tree.
The announcement - The Quest part XV
Beginning a new journey - The Quest part XIV
The palace of Beyond was tall and ornate. What it lacked in plant life it made up for in statuary, rocks and fountains. Sitting before its gates, Usagi felt ill at ease. Her visit was not being announced, and royalty didn't visit unannounced. Tightening her fingers about her reigns, she noticed that the daisy design had not faded. 'It feels like years have passed. Has it honestly only been eight months? She watched as Mamoru talked to the gate guard.
Luna inched forward in her saddle to give Artemis a bit more room. Her gazed rested on Usagi hunched slightly over. 'Her cloak hides her face well, but what if someone recognizes her? I know she didn't spend much time with the public, but she looks so much like her mother.' It was that worry that had caused them to bundle up Usagi's hair in a tightly braided weave that surrounded her head. 'At least her cloths look nothing like a princess'. They won't expect Princess Usagi, so it will be just fine, as long as all of us play this right.'
The gate opened and they were escorted to the courtyard. The guard gestured them to stop near a small side door. "Dismount here and leave your weapons with your beasts. We will take them to the stables."
Mamoru frowned, his hand resting on his sword. It was his sworn duty to protect Usagi, and if he left his weapon. Usagi's fingers brushed his arm lightly as she walked past him towards the door. Their eyes met and her order was clear. He was to leave the sword. Jamming his sword into his packs, he frowned as he followed his princess. Luna and Artemis flitted in beside him. The look on Luna's face reassured him. 'They will protect her until I can pull that dagger out of hiding.'
They entered an antechamber. A group of bored looking guards were standing around an equally bored looking dignitary sitting at a small desk. One of the guards gestured them forward.
Mamoru stood in front of Usagi. Luna and Artemis slid in behind her. The dignitary looked them over. "State your names and business with the King."
Mamoru thought carefully what he wanted to say. "We are a group of adventures. The guards at the Well of Despair asked us to come here."
The guards straightened, and looked them over carefully.
The dignitary scratched a few words on a piece of paper and handed it to the guard. "Put them in line." He looked passed them to the next group in line, his boredom as palpable as before.
The head guard gestured for them to follow him. Curiosity and concern was written on his face as he walked them to the massive doors at the end of the antechamber.
His concern is what got Usagi to speak as he gestured them through the door. "They are alright. The Well of Despair is th Fountain of Light once again."
The guard's eyes widened in joyous shock as the door closed behind them.
They stood quietly in line, waiting for their turn to address the King. Usagi listened to the problems that were presented to the King and to his solutions to the problems.
The Chamberlain accepted the piece of paper the guard had pressed into Mamoru's hand. His eyes widened as he read it. Looking at the four adventures, he bustled forward. "Your Majesty, these four adventures bring a message from the Well of Despair."
The room stilled and all eyes turned to them. Trying not to cluster protectively around Usagi, they approached the king.
"What is the news from the Well?" The King's voice was calm, but they could hear the underlying fear he was masking.
"The Well of Despair is no more. We cured the Well and destroyed the Grub. The Fountain of Light is flowing once again." Gasps resounded across the room and the King sat forward on his throne. "The guards request that the King's High Wizard come and remove the barrier."
"Proof! I need proof that it is cured. Lady Beryl, come forward and scry to see if they speak the truth."
A tall red haired lady in rich purple robes approached the throne. "As you wish, Your Majesty." She waved her hand over the crystal ball affixed to the top of her staff. Staring into its depths, she smiled. "It is as they say. They have cured our land of the curse." She raised her eyes to her king's. "The Fountain of Light flows again."
Cheers filled the room. Over the noise the King called out. "Chamberlain, send for Wizard Kunzite and his enclave." He looked down at the adventures. "You have earned a reward. You shall be granted titles and land. But for now, a room and a meal are yours."
Worry ate at Usagi as they left the audience chamber.
A small dilemma - The Quest part XVI
Author: Ree
Theme: AU - No theme
Genre: general
Version: AU - (manga/Anime)
Rating: G
Takeuchi Naoko created them. I'm just following a different branch on their universal tree.
The announcement - The Quest part XV
Beginning a new journey - The Quest part XIV
The palace of Beyond was tall and ornate. What it lacked in plant life it made up for in statuary, rocks and fountains. Sitting before its gates, Usagi felt ill at ease. Her visit was not being announced, and royalty didn't visit unannounced. Tightening her fingers about her reigns, she noticed that the daisy design had not faded. 'It feels like years have passed. Has it honestly only been eight months? She watched as Mamoru talked to the gate guard.
Luna inched forward in her saddle to give Artemis a bit more room. Her gazed rested on Usagi hunched slightly over. 'Her cloak hides her face well, but what if someone recognizes her? I know she didn't spend much time with the public, but she looks so much like her mother.' It was that worry that had caused them to bundle up Usagi's hair in a tightly braided weave that surrounded her head. 'At least her cloths look nothing like a princess'. They won't expect Princess Usagi, so it will be just fine, as long as all of us play this right.'
The gate opened and they were escorted to the courtyard. The guard gestured them to stop near a small side door. "Dismount here and leave your weapons with your beasts. We will take them to the stables."
Mamoru frowned, his hand resting on his sword. It was his sworn duty to protect Usagi, and if he left his weapon. Usagi's fingers brushed his arm lightly as she walked past him towards the door. Their eyes met and her order was clear. He was to leave the sword. Jamming his sword into his packs, he frowned as he followed his princess. Luna and Artemis flitted in beside him. The look on Luna's face reassured him. 'They will protect her until I can pull that dagger out of hiding.'
They entered an antechamber. A group of bored looking guards were standing around an equally bored looking dignitary sitting at a small desk. One of the guards gestured them forward.
Mamoru stood in front of Usagi. Luna and Artemis slid in behind her. The dignitary looked them over. "State your names and business with the King."
Mamoru thought carefully what he wanted to say. "We are a group of adventures. The guards at the Well of Despair asked us to come here."
The guards straightened, and looked them over carefully.
The dignitary scratched a few words on a piece of paper and handed it to the guard. "Put them in line." He looked passed them to the next group in line, his boredom as palpable as before.
The head guard gestured for them to follow him. Curiosity and concern was written on his face as he walked them to the massive doors at the end of the antechamber.
His concern is what got Usagi to speak as he gestured them through the door. "They are alright. The Well of Despair is th Fountain of Light once again."
The guard's eyes widened in joyous shock as the door closed behind them.
They stood quietly in line, waiting for their turn to address the King. Usagi listened to the problems that were presented to the King and to his solutions to the problems.
The Chamberlain accepted the piece of paper the guard had pressed into Mamoru's hand. His eyes widened as he read it. Looking at the four adventures, he bustled forward. "Your Majesty, these four adventures bring a message from the Well of Despair."
The room stilled and all eyes turned to them. Trying not to cluster protectively around Usagi, they approached the king.
"What is the news from the Well?" The King's voice was calm, but they could hear the underlying fear he was masking.
"The Well of Despair is no more. We cured the Well and destroyed the Grub. The Fountain of Light is flowing once again." Gasps resounded across the room and the King sat forward on his throne. "The guards request that the King's High Wizard come and remove the barrier."
"Proof! I need proof that it is cured. Lady Beryl, come forward and scry to see if they speak the truth."
A tall red haired lady in rich purple robes approached the throne. "As you wish, Your Majesty." She waved her hand over the crystal ball affixed to the top of her staff. Staring into its depths, she smiled. "It is as they say. They have cured our land of the curse." She raised her eyes to her king's. "The Fountain of Light flows again."
Cheers filled the room. Over the noise the King called out. "Chamberlain, send for Wizard Kunzite and his enclave." He looked down at the adventures. "You have earned a reward. You shall be granted titles and land. But for now, a room and a meal are yours."
Worry ate at Usagi as they left the audience chamber.
A small dilemma - The Quest part XVI