Queen Chalyela’s actions greatly improved the conditions for the villagers, but did nothing to curb the threat of danger for the citizens of Archolia. The lack of security in the kingdom allowed the thieves and bandits to run wild. Even Queen Chalyela herself fell victim to crime.
Lady Chalyela took quick action. She had barracks added to the castle, hired guards and commissioned a knight, Sir Ivan Bigge, whose adventures had earned him great fame.
Sir Ivan was very pleased to be a part of the growth of Archolia and to work under a very single, beautiful queen.
Sir Ivan’s main duty is patrolling the forest and the road leading to the village. He sets out for the forest late in the night.
The forest is home away from home for bandits, thieves and other riffraff.
Ivan’s dedication to keeping Archolia safe is unfaltering. He marches toward the forest, proud of his position within the kingdom.
As he is walking to the forest, he comes across a couple of shady looking characters coming from the forest. One appears to be injured.
I van keeps a hand near his sword to let them know that he means business and will not hesitate to attack anyone who threatens the safety of the kingdom.
He takes a quick look around the forest clearing to make sure no one is standing around or hiding in the thickets.
The forest clearing is safe. He enters the woods.
While patrolling the forest, Sir Ivan sees that some residents of Archolia have decided to reside there amongst the trees. There are a handful of huts in the forest. One in particular captures Ivan’s attention.
As Ivan is strolling by, he swears that he can hear someone cackling within. He turns back, steps up on the porch and peaks into the window. Inside he sees a woman with long red hair, holding up what appears to be a human arm over a cauldron. She is chanting some sort of spell, cackling in between each sentence. Without hesitation, Ivan rushes in, hoping that he can save anyone who may be in there among such evil.
As he makes his way inside, he stumbles upon piles of bodies. “What have you done to these people?” He does not wait for an answer before he turns with his sword, aiming for her head. Before the sword can make contact, the witch disappears before his eyes.
Ivan quickly walks out of the forest shaken. “What in the Watcher’s name did I just bare witness to?” He asks himself. In all of his travels, he has never seen such horror.
All Ivan can think about is warning the queen of what he has witnessed, but…
…he realizes that it is the middle of the night and everyone is sound asleep. He will have to wait to warn the queen in the morning.
Ivan makes it back to the barracks. He cannot get the vision of the bodies out of his head. He must do all he can to stop this witch from killing more people.
Ivan wakes early the next morning and heads toward the castle. He cannot believe that he managed to get any sleep with the images of the witch holding that arm in his head.
Ivan enters the castle, happy to see that his trained guards are in place, protecting the queen.
“Greetings your majesty!”
“Ah Sir Ivan. How fare thee?” Queen Chalyela greats him with a smile.
“Your majesty, I am most troubled.”
Chalyela’s smile disappears, “Oh…how so?”
“Last night during my patrols, I witnessed the most horrendous of acts. You see…I believe we have a witch in the forest.”
Chalyela explodes in anger. “What type of ale are you all on? I am surrounded by crazy people. First my priest comes to me with tales of fountains and here you are making mention of a witch. I have no time for such fairy tales!’
“I am sorry M’Lady. I should have thought more than to trouble you.”
I van is at a loss for what to do next. The queen seems to be in a bad mood and thinks him crazy, but there is a murderous witch loose in the forest.
Ivan decides to ask his guard if they are aware of any strange happenings in the kingdom as of late.
Chalyela goes to her scribe table to complete some of her duties. Ivan decides to leave her alone for now.
Ivan approaches a castle guard by the name of Clyde.
“Sir Ivan,” Clyde greets him when he approaches.
Ivan ignores the greeting and cuts right to the chase. “Have you seen or heard of any strange persons about the kingdom?”
“I was out patrolling the forest when I came across a hut from which horrendous acts have been committed. I am looking for a witch with long red hair.”
“Funny you should ask. I have seen such a person at the town square by the well just this morning. I thought her most strange, but I thought nothing else of her.”
“Thank you, you may go back to your watch,” Ivan commands.
Ivan pulls out his sword. “I shall go to the well and see for myself if it is the witch,” Ivan says.
Ivan sharpens his sword prepared to do battle against this most evil witch. She will not stand a chance against my blade, he thinks to himself.
Ivan leaves the castle. If her majesty will not believe me, I shall take care of this matter for myself, he promises.
