The Ultimate Storybook (3)

Lucinda~

The girl told me her name was LB and shook my hand. She seemed very nice but annoyed. I wondered why I was the only one who seemed to know why we were called.
I heard someone came into the room. It was the queen's guards.
"Come with us please." They told us and walked out quickly. We all looked at each other and quickly got up so we wouldn't be left behind.
I walked out beside of Edward and LB. The corridors were filled with flickering candels. We came to a small alcove in the hallway.
"This way." Said the biggest guard.
The alcove had a extravigant fountain in the middle of it. Just for fun I made a bubble rise out. I frowned when it came out of the water about a centimeter and then fell.
We stopped in front of a door with roses and vines of all sorts carved into it. One of the guards grasped the door handle and opened it. The room behind it was so lovely I gasped. It was decorated in gold and blue silks. There were jewels and all sorts of swords. There were more candels in this room but they were decorated and then my eyes fell on the queen. She was sitting in a bay window. She looked at us upon our arrival. We all bowed to her.

((Lacy))

Beautiful tapestry hung around Lacy inside of the Queens room. She bowed to the Queen, Lacy had never liked curtsies, anyways she didn't have a skirt on.

Light glittered around the Queen as she nodded to everyone. She stood slowly and daintily brushed off her clothes. A few lithe steps took her down the dais and to the front of the ragged line they had made. Her blue eyes shot through each of them as she gracefully walked past the ragtag army she had assembled, taking them in. She seemed satisfied as she stopped at the last warrior.

"You all know why I have brought you here, correct?" she addressed them with a business-like tone.

Replies poured in all at once. The Queen sighed and flicked her hand up into the air in front of her. The room's noise cut off immediately. The Queen smiled and lowered her wrist, "I'd like one answer at a time. Or, if you all have the same answer, one of you tell me." Her eyes searched the line and rested upon Lacy. The Queen smiled wryly, "Have you an answer?"

Not a sound came from Lacy at first. She quickly shook herself out of her trance, "Yes, Highness."

"Are you saying yes you have an answer or yes you know why?" The Queen inquired, a tone of amusement played in her words.

A blush splayed across Lacy's face, "Yes I have an answer, Highness. We do not know why we are here."

A sigh escaped from the Queens lips, "Very well. All of you, sit."

They obeyed, drawing out the chairs across the stone floor. They sat in the blue cushioned chairs. The Queen swept herself up the dais and into her elaborate throne. She swept out her skirts below her and sat. A messenger came in and bowed. The Queen looked up at him while Lacy and the rest sat patiently.

Bella --

I sat beside Richard, who seemed somewhat annoyed with me.

The chairs were comfortable, covered with a blue velvet material that was soft to the touch. Subconciously I ran one hand back and forth across the cushion.

I examined the room, commiting the exact layout to memory, in case it became important in the future. The wall opposite the doors we had entered held a large, stage-type section, which was raised a few steps above the regular floor. This dais was covered with a rug, which also seemed to be made out of the blue material. It was fringed with gold, shimmering lightly in the candle light.

The Queen's throne sat upon this dais, matching with the rest of the decor. Behind her was a long bay window, with cushions of blue and curtains of gold.

I remained silent as one of the others spoke. I hoped she wasn't answering for all of us, as I wouldn't agree to anything until I knew what I was agreeing to - not even if the queen was the one asking.

The Queen

The messenger approached the queen quickly, his slippered feet gliding across the floor until he was close enough to whisper in her ear. Irritated at the trivial piece of information he bore, the queen waved him away and he darted from the room.

"You all know that the barrier grows weak and that people on this side can pass through but may not come back. The legend of the mage who created the barrier is also well known. You will leave here and find this mage and bring him back with you. It will not be an easy task but-" at this point, the queen's voice was suddenly cold and harsh, devoid of the amusement it had previously held. She paused for a moment, sinking back in her throne. "-But you will go and the impossibility of return without the mage will be incentive enough for you to succeed."

The room was quiet, not a sound other than the faint crackle of candles and the soft rhythm of living, breathing creatures.

"Pardon, my Queen, but..." the speaker hesitated, as if unsure whether it was appropriate to stand or remain seating but after a moment, he stood. "But why us?" The Queen smiled, her usual playful nature returning.

"You're young enough that the time spell might not kill you and each possesses a certain skill that will be useful." What the Queen did not tell them was that she too possessed a skill - that of visions - and she knew not whythey were the right people but that it was so and no others had any chance of success. She also knew that not all of the group would be returning alive.

Edward-

Standing besides Lucinda he listened to the queen speak. She was correct. Edward did posses a strange gift. He was a wondering spirit that could take over the bodies of the dead. It means he could not feel pain, nor any emotions. He was just mostly an empty shell- his heart never beating.

((Lacy))

A shimmer of vibrant light caught Lacy's eye. The waving tapestry above them had commanded her attention briefly. The Queen had looked away for a moment. In that moment a brilliant light had flared up around her, illuminating Lacy's vision. She raised her hand above her eyes to shield out the light. As soon as the Queen's eyes came back into focus the light had vanished.

No one else had noticed. No other lights of realization had flickered around her comrades. Of course only Lacy could see it, she had to get used to that fact. The only person who looked different was Edward. As usual he had no glow around him.

Scuffing could be heard as Lacy stood, "I can understand some of us, milady, but I don't have anything to call incredible."

The Queen inclined her head, "A knight saying she is not worthy of a journey? Never in all my years have I seen such a foolish girl. I would have chosen some other brawny knight if I hadn't a use for your eyes."

The eyes which were being spoken of fell downwards on the stone floor, "Excuse me, majesty."

Everyone watched as Lacy sat back down. She raised her head to look at the Queen. Maybe she was good for something. She could even tell even then that the Queen was thinking. Her eyes could come in handy, and so could her sword.

Arabella

I was beginning to get the feeling that the queen knew each of us far too well.

I examined the girl who kept speaking. Short, blond hair, and a tattoo on her left hand. She had scanned the room at one point in time. Her eyes were amazing. One was grey, the other green. Amazing.

"Majesty," I said softly, looking up toward the queen. "You are expecting us to battle, correct?"

"In a way," she replied, a smile playing at the edges of her lips. She seemed to find us all quite amusing.

"What about those of us who have a certain...weakness for blood?" The queen laughed at this. Her laughter seemed musical, echoing like bells through the room. I wondered if she realized that I was a vampire.

Lucinda~

I looked up at the queen, she looked amused. Edward looked impassive standing beside me. He didn't looked afraid at all. I had been worried since I found out this morning. I knew that I had an unusal power but it was weak. I was scared to go on this journey.
Edward noticed my discomfort and touched my arm lightly. It was almost like he didn't even touch. He wasn't a very emotional person. It was almost like he didn't have any. I smiled at him even though he didn't seem to see it.
The queen started to explain to the vampire the way she'd be useful. I liked the way she talked; it was calming.

Richard:

So this was the Queen, she didnt look like much to me. that vampire girl was raising comments about blood, but what did it matter to him. That's right, it didnt.

"And when does our most glorious queen expect us to leave, or return?" he asks, sarcasm dripping from his voice. "that is, if you expect us to return at all?"

Bella

I turned to Richard, noting the disrespect in his voice.

"What is your problem?" I snapped, turning to face him.

"I don't know," he replied sarcastically. "This woman is expecting us to just go off merrily to complete some crazy task for her, not knowing--"

"She isn't telling us we have to do it! We have an option!"

"--Knowing whether or not we're goign to live or die."

"If you don't like it, leave!" I said loudly, resisting the sudden blood lust that had come over me. I was angry, and this was the downside to being angry. "No one's stopping you! But if you're going to stay, the least you can do is show some respect!"

Richard glared at me as I took my seat.

Richard:

That crazy bloodsucker! How could she denounce him like that? She was just like all the others, they thought they were better than him... but he would prove them wrong, oh yes, he would prove them wrong.

{We'll see who's laughing in the end, Vampire} he sends her,

(*using telepathy, if you happened to read my profile, my character is telepathic, he can send messages to people with his mind, as well as read basic thoughtrs or emotions* (and telekinesis, but thats a whole nother ballgame)*)

she looks at him funny, not entirely realizing what was going on, Richard had always thought it fun to mess with people's heads, so vulnerable, most were.

**Vamps have telekenisis too, Travis**

Arabella

Oh will we? I sent back, angry by this sudden invasion into my mind.

He stared at me again, but I ignored him. I turned back to the queen, curious as to what she was saying.

The Queen

She waited patiently until they were all watching her, the short, chubby boy glaring defiantly while the others were curious and reasonably respectful. And then she waited a further few minutes, revelling in the attention, in how their eyes were directed on her as if she were the pivot of the room. Which naturally she was.

"If you are ready to listen?" She paused, her voice filled with patience but at the same time a playful mischievous tone crept in. "We will leave after we have eaten." And you will all be leaving, whether by choice or by force; we will all cross that barrier. I will do what I must to save my kingdom.

"We?" The vampire allowed her voice to be tinged with surprise. The voice that had earlier been filled with outrage. The queen smiled, she liked this girl. Some of the others lacked emotions and that would never do. That would lead to poor relationships.

"From this point onwards, I will be known to you as Lady Elenora or if you insist, your majesty, and I will call you by your first names. My guidance will be essential to this journey and it will show the mage the urgency of our mission."

Edward-

Listening to "Her majesty" Edward kept a careful eye on the others, and watching Lucinda.






*Crap, not much to write, sorry >_<*

((Lacy))

"Yes Lady Elenora." Lacy replied. The rest of the crew had responded as well. Lady Elenora stood, brushing out her skirts out, "Very well. Now we will eat."

Light tapping could be heard as she passed the line of her 'army' and went to a rather plain looking door. She turned the knob and entered the room. The rest of the group stood and followed.

Inside the room was very cozy. A fire leapt to life in the hearth opposite of the threshold, casting shadows around the scarlet room. The last light of the setting sun could be seen outside of a large window. The rest of the walls were lined with doors where food smells wafted out. Lacy inhaled deeply, taking in the delicious scent of the food.

Detecting lamb Lacy quickly chose her seat next to where Lady Elenora had elegantly placed herself. The Queen nodded to her and watched as the rest of the troupe joined them at the table. Curious glances were cast from one member to the other. Lady Elenora lifted her hands from her lap and clapped.

One of the kitchen doors burst open. A man, short in stature and hard on the face, briskly trotted in, "Yes, majesty?"

"When will the first course be done?"

Inquiries were barked out to the kitchen and responses were given, "Five minutes, ma'am."

"Very good." the Lady Elenora nodded a dismissal.

Lacy smiled, satisfied, "What are they making that smells so good?"

A smile spread across Lady Elenora's face, "Lamb stew with fresh rolls and yams."

Ecstasy flooded through Lacy. A sigh escaped her lips, "My favorite. You must be a mind reader, milady."

That brought a laugh out of Lady Elenora, "Mine also."