The tavern, sitting just beyond town square not far from the village, drew great crowds. Citizens of Archolia as well as occasional visitors from neighboring territories found it to be a great place to enjoy a drink, meet new friends and get away from the hustle and bustle of their everyday lives.
Amelia, the bard, never expected that her position in the kingdom would ever be much help to the queen, so she was very surprised when she received a message from the castle via pigeon reading, ‘We need to talk. Peasant problems – Your Queen.’
Amelia walks down the stairs from her small sleeping quarters.
She stops briefly rereading the short message that she received moments earlier from the pigeon post. She cannot help but be nervous about going to see the queen.
Amelia is not sure how she could be any assistance to the queen. How could someone in her position help with a problem with the peasants? All she knows how to do is entertain.
Just beyond the rocks, she can see the castle. She is excited about being invited to the castle. This would not be the first time she has seen the inside of a castle, but is rare to be in the company of a queen who was once only a villager herself.
Amelia begins to feel important as she marches up the hill with other citizens, going to see the queen.
Amelia enters the castle and is at once directed to the queen’s tactical map room. Amelia is very aware that this will be the first time that she gets to speak directly to the queen. The only other times that she has seen her was from afar.
Amelia enters the tactical map room. Queen Chalyela is busy speaking with another visitor. Amelia uses this moment to look around this grand room. She cannot help but be curious about the large map that rests on the table before her.
Queen Chalyela addresses Amelia as soon as she spots her. “Ah Troubadour Amelia. You are as beautiful as I have heard and I also hear that your voice is like that of an angel. I shall like to have you here at the castle during my next banquet.”
“Thank you your Majesty!’
Chalyela turns away , but continues to address Amelia. “I called you here because a group of peasants have gathered in the town square in a revolt. I have no time to deal with it. I want you to handle it. Be sure to keep it civil, I desire to have no blood running through the streets. You will be well rewarded for your work. “
“I humbly thank you for trusting me with this matter M’Lady.”
“You are most welcome. That will be all!” Queen Chalyela says before returning to her duties.
While she was honored that the queen would trust her with such a big problem, Amelia could not help but feel a little insecure. How could she, a lowly peasant stop a revolt against the queen? Apparently, the queen sees more in her than she sees in herself.
Amelia does not want to attempt this mission on an empty stomach. She is already nervous and hunger will only make things worse.
The bowl of gruel is tasteless and unsatisfactory. A trip to the village for better ingredients is a must…
…but first she heads to the town square to speak with the villagers.
