The Well in the Mires

Missing Queen

The castle was in an uproar before the sun had even risen. Men on horses with official flags rushed through the gates. A disheveled Udich ran out with his shirt barely tucked into his breeches.

"What is it? What news do you bring from the main castle?" He shouted through his tiredness. He gasped and braced an arm on his side.

Fenna and Elen were woken by the noise and huddled by the now open window to hear.

"Prince Udich!" A man with a large decorative helmet shouted. "Your father, the king, sends grave news! Your mother, the queen, has gone missing! Three days before we left, search parties were sent out to find her. None were successful. We are expecting the worst."

Udich's world started to spin. "No." He stumbled and fell.

"My lord?" The man asked, confused as many in the courtyard gasped.

"I have to go!" Fenna stood and ran for the door.

"Lady Fenna! Wait!" It was too late. Fenna was already down the hall.

She quickly slipped down the steps, hoping she remembered how to get out. She could hear Elen scrambling after but kept running. Thankfully, the massive doors were left wide open, making them even easier to find. Many faces were shocked to see her running out in only her sleeping gown. She was more shocked that neither Esher nor Hati were near him. She quickly dropped to her knees to console him, followed by a wheezing Elen who wasn't ready for so much action just after waking.

The men attop the horses exchanged glances as the messenger looked down in confusion but almost a hint of disgust as well. She shot a glare back at him.

"Are you always lacking such emotion?" She asked coldly before turning back to Udich. "Udich?" She said softly. "Let's go back inside." He gently tried to push her hand away with a far away gaze. "No, Udich. You're in shock. You need a little time to process and calm down. Come on. We don't know if your mother is harmed. We just know she is missing. Remember the conflict? What if this is just a ploy to make you let your guard down?" She pulled his face toward her, making him look at her. He raised his eyes to meet hers. He had been there for her in the two nights she had been here. It was time for her to return the favor. She wrapped her arms around his neck to gently embrace him. He felt like he could melt right into her. In the midst of everything happening, it was all he could focus on.

After a few moments, she pulled away, leaning him on her chest. She raised her head confidently and boldly raised her voice, making eye contact with the empathy void man above her. "Prince Udich needs some space and time to process the absence of his mother! Please ensure these men have a place to rest until he is able to meet with them."

The man became enraged, "Who do you think -"

"I think that's an excellent idea, Princess Fenna!" He was cut off by Esher's smug, booming voice.

The man's face fell as he looked up at Esher as he walked over arrogantly and stood beside Udich. He looked back down at Fenna, who smirked back up at him, still holding Udich close. Landon walked up beside Fenna with a similarly smug expression and clapped his hands as if to say "chop chop". The man glowered and hopped off his horse, signaling the other men to do the same. Servants rushed in like a mob to take their horses.

Hati walked out into the courtyard with a domineering look on her face. "Come, I will show you to where you will stay. We have selected something special for you." As she turned, the corner of her mouth twitched as she fought a smile. "Lady Fenna, please ensure Lord Udich gets a good rest in my absence."

As Esher helped Fenna get Udich to his feet, he looked over to where Hati was leading them. He snorted, fighting back the laughter. Confused Landon and Elen looked over and snickered.

"I think that's an excellent idea," Elen said.

"I couldn't agree more," Landon concluded.

"I don't get it," Fenna said, confused.

"That's the old servant's quarters. It's not in use anymore. It leaks and is infested with rats and pigeons. They stopped using it when Udich was a child because it was deemed inhumane." Landon said enthusiastically.

"Oh, serves them right."

"I really hate that guy." Esher grumbled.

"I can see why," Fenna agreed.

Inside, Fenna pulled up a chair and sat beside Udich while he rested. She watched him carefully, wondering if he could mentally recover. He slowly turned his head to her, watching her through his dragon eyes.

"Do you really think my mother could be alive?"

"I do," she said. "I don't know how to explain it, but I have this feeling that she is. But just because she is now, doesn't mean she will stay that way. So I think stopping and asking as many questions as possible to fill in any blanks could be wise. Maybe she saw something or knew something. The best we can do is hope and try."

He layed his arm over his eyes with a sigh. "I suppose you're right."

Just then, Esher and a man she had seen Udich conversing with the day before burst into the room. Udich sat up, alarmed.

"We have news," Esher said quietly, leaning in.

The man came close and looked at Fenna as if he was uncertain about sharing the information with her there but turned and spoke anyway. "The seer. Apparently, the old witch is her older sister. She might have some information or potentially be able to get some information about the prophecy. We already know she knows about these dark forces and the taint. She could help us fight it."

"She may also be able to help find your mother," Fenna cut in. They all stopped and looked at her. "I know your mother is suspicious of her, but if the witch is innocent and able to help, I think it's worth seeking her out."

They were silent for a moment before the man held out his hand. "Lady Fenna, Sir Daniel." She shook it quickly. He looked back at Udich. "I agree, my lord. There are rumors of where the witch may be staying now. I have already taken the liberty of sending a search party to one of her old stomping grounds just to be safe."

He breathed out slowly, "Very well. That being said, Esher, I'm not in the mood to mingle with our uninvited guests. Please ensure their porridge isn't too cold. Lady Fenna and I have some catching up to do." A stupid grin played across her face, and she quickly turned to hide it. He chuckled.

The men smiled knowingly, and the two got up to leave them. Outside the door, Daniel could be heard saying, "Man, you have to feed that guy? Remember, the porridge can't be TOO cold. But that also means it can't be too WARM."

"I see what you mean. I'll have to make sure I'm careful." Esher responded in amusement.