Queen's Tale

Chapter 1 - A Queen's Tale

In the city of Thornhaven, lived a young princess. She loved to explore the city far and wide. She often spent days slipping out of the castle and going to her favorite places.

She would often be found down in the Lost Sea, climbing the ship. Or running through her favorite planes or skipping through thresh to get a glimpse of the newly awakened.

One evening while out exploring, she ventured into the Royal gardens. There, she found a hidden path covered in vines and followed it. As she walked, she heard whispers of a secret place in the darkest depths of the city.

Instead of ignoring the whispers, she strolled deeper into the forest until reaching a sunny glade with an underground castle. She entered only to hear a low growl voice. Her excitement faded when the voice asked who dared to enter.

With courage, she introduced herself quickly. And surprisingly, an ancient voice in the distance came closer. Though you could hear the hesitation in the voice as it welcomed her.

She spent hours there, with the voice in the distance, listening to tales of old, and prophecies of new.

Dawn was quickly approaching, and the Princess knew that she must go. She promised she would return one day, and surely, she would. For the fate of her future and her home would depend on it.

The princess whose name was reverenced among the people, and the daughter of the late King Therimen and Queen Asolde often sat by her mother's side, learning her ways and absorbing the knowledge passed on to her.

The city where she lived, Thornhaven, was full of so many mysteries. From deities, to prophets, and the magic that coursed through the cities veins. It was a realm where dreams collided with nightmares and chaos. With other citizens of the lands and their own dwellings and beliefs, there was so much to be weary about.

From a young age the princess was groomed to sit on the throne. Yet, her upbringing was far from that of being pampered. King Therimen instilled in her a sense of duty and honor, teaching her the ways of diplomacy, while her mother, Queen Asolde, instilled her with compassion and empathy for others.

Her father, King Therimen would spend most of his time planning at the round table. The grooming that he showed his dear princess, would not be the same as the people of the lands. For there was always division with the barbarians and outcasts.

But it was not just within the confines of the castle walls that the princess found her education. After finding the hidden way out, she wandered the beautiful streets of Thornhaven even more, disguised so her presence would not be known, listening to the tales of its people, understanding their struggles, and witnessing things that no one at her age should ever see. It was during these times that the princess would learn to become a queen who would serve her people.

The princess lived and breathed Thornhaven. She cared more for her city as a young girl than others that were older in age. As she grew, the princess navigated the politics with grace, and her words carried the weight of the kingdom with wisdom beyond her years.

But her journey to the throne was not without its trials. As she grew older, the darkness around grew fiercer. It thickened the doorsteps of the Kingdom. The darkmares, creatures that haunted the depths of Thornhaven, steadily threatened the city and its people.

The Barbarians, outcasts and secret societies often attacked the kingdom on whim. Leaving innocents harmed or struck down with the mighty fell art. The many wars and even the eclipse, it was during such encounters that the princess was truly tested.

With a sword in one hand and the courage that her father instilled in her heart, she stood against the darkness and chaos that loomed the city. Alongside her knights, she helped to lead the charge to vanquish the creatures that threatened the kingdom.

It was this act of bravery that set her place in the hearts of dreamers. When the time came for her to ascend to the throne upon her father's striking, and the wed of her beloved, there was no doubt that Thornhaven would be in capable hands.

Reference

• https://forums.underlight.com/viewforum.php?f=132