The Mad Queen

Chapter Twenty

It is starting. With my help, the eldest Princess, Illyana has escaped. The True trial has begun. The circumstances of her escape fell into place perfectly, almost as though the gods are looking down on us. However, in order for her to succeed, we must keep working here. We cannot stop this quest.

I am writing this now so that history is correctly recorded. Kings are good at manipulating truths and influencing the writings of Scholars. It is my belief that a few history scripts are not as accurate as we all once believed. I also believe that a lot more knowledge is being kept from us in an act of keeping everyone in the dark that has gone on by our rulers since the time of King Niklaus. The truth about The Gift being one of them.

If the book I found in the king's chambers is what I think it is, then that will provide some well-needed answers. However, I dare not remove it from where I've hidden it. Though he has yet to notice its absence, I don't want to take any chances.

Moving back onto the princess. King Matthias gave a speech today. Telling the people of the Illyana's escape to become the true queen. It was not as bad as I feared. He came across as a worried father. He's always been quite the manipulator. Soon though, he'll work into their minds. He'll say little cryptic messages about the Princess or tell lies about her actions. so that slowly, they turn against her.

For some odd reason though, he wants her back to continue the trial. The best thing to do in his position was to find her and kill her so the Trial could continue without her. That way, she would not be able to cause trouble again and it would scare any more future daughters from doing the same. However, the King is obsessed with his eldest child. He wants her to be the Queen Victorious. He wants her to carry on the Dulavelle name over any of his other daughters. Daughters who are much more obedient. Part of me believes he wants complete control. Princess Illyana is strong and independent. King Matthias doesn't like that. He wants everyone to bow at his feet and kiss his shoes. Though I do not believe that is the true reason. What I do believe is that it has something to do with her eyes and The Gift. He knows something about the Princess we don't. Something that has made him scarred.

It is time I stop with my theorising and try and find as much information as possible. I must finish this book and my book on The Gift before my inevitable "retirement." I doubt I will be in the position for much longer so I must do everything I can do to help Princess Illyana whilst I am.

~The Rising of the True Queen. Chapter One. Written by Master Audwin. The Master Scholar of Vivelle during the reign of King Orion and The King Chosen Matthias.

As we get further up the fjord, the ferry gets busier with people returning from the villages they visited and back to their homes. I tuck my hood up, not wanting many people to see my face. I can't help but look at all the little villages though. Tucked around the waters on large grassy banks. High cliffs of sharp, jagged rock surrounding them. It is so peaceful.

"Enjoy your day, Mrs Danica?" Iwan asks as an older lady steps onto the ferry. Iwan knows everyone who has hopped on and off the ferry at these villages. It makes me smile. I find myself wondering again about a different life. About what it would be like to live in a friendly community like this. Again, I have to scrub the thoughts from my mind.

"Oh, it was wonderful Iwan!" she exclaims happily. "I saw my friends and we sat and had tea in the gardens. Did you know that Iris makes the best strawberry cakes?" she asks with a wide smile. I frown, she looks oddly familiar.

"Yes Mrs Danica, I do," he chuckles and gives me a wink. I find myself smiling again.

"I've got some for you and your family," she says, holding up the basket. Iwan beams.