Homecoming

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Spoiler

 

 

[!] The City of Aleksandria, circa 1612 | Painted by Princess Sophia Alexandra Staunton

---

 

As a morning mist settled over the abandoned walls of Aleksandria, two small boats could be seen crawling up the river that ran just beside the once-busy capital. From her seat at the prow of the slightly large boat, Charlotte sat with a hood over her head. Her pale green eyes observed the city's crumbling walls in silence, observing where past armies and looters alike had hacked away at the stone to make their way inside. Timbers hung loosely off of roofs, peaking over the top of abandoned guard towers and guard walls. Grandfather must be rolling over in his grave, She couldn't help but think, His legacy in shambles.

 

They reached the shore, the Princess and her few entourage, and made their way to the front gate. The iron was somewhat rusted, but was strong enough to hold & respond when one of her guards closed it behind them. She sent two of them to scout ahead, whilst she and her cousins surveyed the ghost-like town that was the main square. Tattered banners hung from various windows, and the tavern looked as if the people who had been enjoying a drink within had simply vanished into thin air, leaving behind old cups filled with half-drunken ale and stale bread on copper plates.

 

Charlotte pressed on, dirt and mud caking her boots as the party made their way to the back of the city. They reached the foot of the stairs leading up to the former Palace, and her breath caught in her throat. She felt a small lump forming, and she realized tears had slightly formed in the corner of her visage. It was odd, being back here. She hadn't realized she had missed it until now, the emotions all hitting her at once now. She recalled her grandmother, Lisette, stoic and proud, leading her about the Palace gardens. Her father, sitting her upon his lap and telling her stories of her grandfather and his history. It was all so long ago, and yet it still felt so fresh in her mind.  A gentle voice cooed from behind her urged her to press on. Charlotte nodded, resolving herself to remain strong before this small grouping. At her nod, the two guards would lead them up the stairway, and into the Curonburg Palace.

 

They found themselves in the old Throne Room after trailing through what once was the noble housing quarters, her cousins going to light the torches upon the walls to better their vision. This room had gone unharmed for the most part, the carpet still in place and the various house crests unscratched upon the wall. The great dais loomed before them, and atop it sat the marble throne upon which her grandfather and father had seated themselves. Her brother had sat their too, not too long ago, only to disappear without a trace a year later. She had wept for him, and had only decided to return after several years of searching for any sign of him. 

 

The others went to search the Palace, for any stragglers or looters who may have taken advantage of her brother's absence. Charlotte, however, passed them all in order to climb to the King's bedchamber. Within, she found only dust and old chests filled with various knick-knacks and old clothing. She brushed over tomes and old papers, soon coming upon a simple circlet sitting on a desk. She picked it up gently, polishing it with a sleeve. The Princess let it move between her fingers, thinking of those who had worn it, those she had lost in the almost thirty years of her life. The city was her own now, despite all of her reasons to simply burn it to the ground with all of her ghosts and memories. She would be it's final keeper, and put those spirits to rest forevermore. 

 

---

 

[monkeypoacher 8055]

High King Csaba of Alras formally invites Charlotte to the Axionite Society of Leaders of Formerly Relevant Nations.

[Chorale__ 2147]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.