Note – this is the eleventh exciting episode of The Mad Quest!  You can start at the beginning, go to the previous chapter or to the table of contents.

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Queen Marfascence led us into the royal audience room, usually reserved for visiting dignitaries.  She sat in the throne usually reserved for the King.

“Scribe, dictation,” the queen said.  “As follows, ‘Your Highness, my Beloved Husband,’ new line, ‘Our son, Branfel Blarfgold Bringlstone, has died.  In your present state of incapacitation, I am taking all royal power.  With the heir out of the way, I will be free to pick an heir of my choice.  As of now, since my great-great-great-grandmother lived to 175 years old and all other ancestors after her, up to and including my mother, are still alive, I choose to put off this decision for at least a century.  Please affix your seal as royal approval.’  New line.  ‘Yours Royally,’ new line.  ‘Queen Marfascence Bringlestone, nee Malrod, Ruler of all Branland.’  Scribe, take this to the King for his Royal Seal.”

After the scribe left, the queen turned towards us.

“As for the two of you, I have plans.  You are to be both made official Knights of the Realm and given plots of land fitting to your new offices.  Lord Chancellor!”  She shouted this to a man on the other side of the room.  He came forward and bowed.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Please see to it that these, two, Sir Lorunce and Sir Merla, are recorded in the Official Record as Knights of the Realm, First Order and are given estates from those of the late Prince Branfel that are fitting to such a position.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The man left the room with two servants.

“Now that you are Nights of the Realm, I am going to station you at the fortress Grimstone.  It is one the boarder of Slore.  As you are surely aware, all attacks have ceased.  Never the less, I would like the two of you stationed there and at the ready in case there are any further attacks.”

I could tell Merla was about to say something, but she was interrupted by the scribe.

“Your Royal Highness, the king has affixed his seal.  You are now officially the one and only ruler of Branland.”

“Please take note.  From this day forward, I am the one and only true ruler of Branland.  All shall obey my law to the letter.”

Everyone in the room bowed.

“Send in the Royal Guard.”

Eight soldiers in royal livery entered and bowed.  I realized that neither the prince nor any of his soldiers bore the royal colors.

“Sir Lorunce and Sir Merla, please commence immediately to Grimstone.  These soldiers will accompany you as an honor guard.  That will be all.”

We bowed and were led out.

Once outside we were surrounded by eight more soldiers on horseback and 16 bowmen.  Merla gave a questioning look at the captain of the guard.

“The land is dangerous, my lady.  We need to make sure you reach Grimstone with no problems.”

Something was off, but I couldn’t place it.  I had heard the name “Grimstone” but knew little about it.  As for the “honor guard”, they felt more like prison guards.  But everything they said made sense.

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