S1 Chapter 7. Remember, Any Price, part 1

Day, Ao'o Castle. 2020 AC/DC

Star and her girls were on the hidden terrace. Above the balconies and rooms of the castle was a high tower one couldn't reach easily unless one knew the way and the secret to the lock. Jim, Star's husband, the father of Dawn, had shown her this place on their wedding night. She was sure all three of her daughters were conceived here. This is also where she kept the fountain of immortality, the very fountain whose water gave them lasting life, a piece she had acquired from a Pirate Queen during the Rebellion. What a time that was, when bonds and loyalty was tested and a new age had dawned with the birth of her child.

When the Queen looked upon her blood line, what was left of it, she was thankful her Pirate Queen had shared the gift of youth with her. It protected her daughter and helped to lessen the effects of a curse on her grandchild. One day Rosie would become one with her name sake, but the waters of the fountain they sat by protected her, that was all Star wanted. To protect her blood. Everything she had done, all the alliances she had made, was for this moment, to see her grandchild live.

It was also the trump that divided her and Dawn, Dawn who wanted so badly to sit where her father sat. A father who vanished the day after her birth. A man Star hadn't seen or heard from since that day in 1979 CR. Star thought of this often when she had a moment to remember, like now.

From her vantage point, a high raised dais that overlooked the entire kingdom and its boarding lands. Far to the north she could see the Massive, looming Dragoon Mountains, small from this distance. To the east were the Hidden Canyon lands, gold and rich in metal trade. To the North East were the Sabbath Lands, where Magic dwelled, the place where those born with magic went to learn about their inner trade. It was a dark patch in sprawling hills, marsh lands lay in their valleys. To the south were the Golden Hills, fields flourished in their rich soil and the people were generally peaceful.

To the West, and north a ways, lay the BOC City. The Religious center point of the six kingdoms. Once they had more power than even the kings of any kingdom, until the Queen ruled. She didn't follow a religion, but she believed in Gods and demons, and somehow the BOC provided comfort to the people, While the BOC had been harsh with punishments and strict of law, once they were mere missionaries, and still the people relied on them as such. Not wanting to strip her people of everything they held dear, knowing that many still relied on them for worship and and believed in the BOC in times of famine and drought.

She sighed, no matter what she gave them; immortality, an end to poverty, she could not take them away from their religion. Before she came to power, since the dawn of Holy Wood the BOC had been the people's way of life. She could not end them without turning into a tyrant.

To change the silent conversation with herself she turned her attention to the Southwest, to the Kingdom by the Sea. In the creation of the six kingdoms, the one by the sea was the eldest, the King who lived there could tell stories of how two brotherly friends broke apart when the Kingdom was nothing more than a fishing village, thus leading to the birth of Holy Wood and the Kingdom by the Sea.

She straightened up and glanced down at Dawn and Rosie. While Rosie was over twenty years old by normal counts, she was hardly a teenager with all the magic cast on her. She was still so young and Dawn enjoyed holding onto her baby. They were re-enacting scenes from books and Dawn used her slight magic skills to create movable gollums from the mud and grass. The fountain played happily alongside them. The parrots and birds in the swaying palm trees and pine trees around them cawed and screeched and took flight suddenly.

**Gollums, humanoid controllable creations of magic using earthen elements. In this case small, doll like beings who move to the conjurers will made of earth. **

When she looked down at the land she saw a dust cloud moving in from the Southwest, along the coastal trails.

“An envoy from the Kingdom?” She wondered to herself. “He usually sends word by wing.”

Dawn seemed to feel the sudden apprehension in her mother. She looked up and saw the curious way she gazed to the sea. Leaving Rosie with the gollums, she climbed the steep stair way to her mother's position and could quickly make out the dust cloud. An envoy of three or more made that kind of dust.

“What do they want?” Dawn asked.

Star slowly shook her head. “I have not a clue child. I have no debts and no celebrations are in order.”

“They've mostly been solitary for decades. Do you think an attack has happened?”

“No, the army would be mobilized and we would Know something had happened.”

They fell into silence as the bells that announced visitors were rung and echoed louder with each toll.

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The Great Hall, Ao'o Castle.

Star sat on the throne with Dawn and Rosie to her right side each on their own respective throne. An assembly of nobles and common folk had come to see who was visiting. Star often invited the people to gather when traveling envoys came to call, she wanted the people to be able to know who came and went from the castle and who their Queen consorted with. Whether or not the matter was a sensitive and private one was to be determined.

For now, four riders came to the great hall, two guards, a scribe and the King's lead adviser, his equivalent to her Richi. Normally, it would be her cousin handling this matter, unless it was more pressing, but she was happy to attend this time. Dawn was the one who watched anxiously, unlike her mother, she had a debt with the King.

The Thrones were not towering high above the visitors, but instead was above eye level by the smallest of fractions. Still, the men had to slightly raise their eyes to gaze upon the Queen with immortal blood. They didn't seem daunted, curious more so.

The adviser spoke first. “My name is Jones, adviser to the Old King by the Sea, his majesty Antony Son of the Sea, the third.”

“I am Queen Star Dust Moorsion of Holy Wood, my daughter Dawn Gloria, and her daughter Rosie Abithia.”

“Oh it is not hard to know you your highness. A pleasure to meet you in person.” He smiled.

Star liked him, he had a kind face, soft brown, short hair, and wore a black and sea green ensemble, the color matched his eyes. He was an Oceanman through and through, a lot like his king. Dawn recognized the scribe, and this Jones man. They were present when she went to the Old King for his White Knight.

“Yes I don't believe we have had the pleasure of an encounter as of yet. It Has been some time since we visited each other's kingdoms.” She said, pleasantly making conversation.

She didn't see Dawn's apprehension and annoyance.

“Twenty years is some time,” he grinned.

Star grinned. Dawn frowned and Rosie watched with innocent eyes.

“Mother,” Dawn said, her tone sharp. “May we please dispense with small chatter? I would like to know his purpose.”

The Queen raised an eyebrow. “If you wish.” She looked back to Sir Jones. “My daughter has patience in battle but not in pleasantries. She is right, your visit is quite sudden. To what do we owe this pleasure?”

“Pleasure may be too early to say my Queen. I will address Princess Dawn's wishes, as it is for she that I come for. Or rather, her daughter.” While he spoke carefully, he knew his words cast a heavy impact.

There was an explosion of chatter and disbelief, and early upset. Dawn lunged to her feet and drew her sword, the guards of the envoy did likewise. Jones raised a hand and his men put their weapons back. Star reached out to lay a hand on her daughters arm, she lowered the sword. Star didn't stop staring at Jones, and he likewise did not break his stare.

“Sit Dawn,” the mother used a tone only her daughter knew. Her child did not sit however, she moved away to stand by her own child, sword being placed away. Star went on, “Please explain Sir.”

The Scribe came forward and unrolled a piece of paper, reading what was written.

 “I came to the Old King searching a favor and I hereby signed this contract to acknowledge the price to be paid. The White Knight is the Guardian of the Kingdom, a sacred part of the Kingdom itself. To ask for His favor is to leave the Sea without the Lead of their army, their champion. For every hour that I take the Knight from the Kingdom he guards, a day shall be needed from me by the Old King. Should I have a first born child, I shall relinquish that child to the Old King's care to be harbored in his castle for the agreed amount of time. Should I not have a child, my presence will be required instead. I understand this payment and exchange and will provide my price all willingly. Should this contract failed to be met legal force with be taken to fulfill the debt owed.

I, Dawn Gloria Moorison, Princess of Holy Wood, daughter of the Lizard king and Star queen, understand and agree to repay the debt I have created. Dated, the fourth month of the year 2020 AC/DC.”

When he was done Star asked them a question. “And the time owed?”

Jones responded. “Our Scribes recorded that the Princess held the Knight for slightly under three and a half days, which we recorded as being Eighty hours.”

“For every hour you said she must pay a day? Well the matter is simple, instead of Rosie, Dawn can serve her term in the Kingdom.” Star concluded.

Jones shook his head. “I am afraid it can't be. Sea law dictates that the child must be seized first and if no child is present the one in debt may serve. This contract is not signed often, and was made to prevent such confusion. Due to the importance of the Knight to our Kingdom this law Must be enforced. Usually, and pardon me, but normally the contract is read thoroughly before it is signed.”

She looked at Dawn then, finally breaking her stare from Jones. “What does that mean?”

“I didn't read it,” Dawn had no shame. “I was too hurried to save my fiance from your IDIOTIC curse, I did not read it. But I said I would pay any price.”

“Any price?!”

“I didn't know the price my OWN CHILD! And if you want her, then try to take her.” Dawn grabbed Rosie and hid her behind her, she branched her sword.

Star quickly got to her feet. “Goodness Dawn really! There is no need for violence,” she looked to Jones, “and there will be none here.” She turned to Dawn. “You signed the contract and said you would pay Any price. You left Rosie to break the curse, and kept the Knight for three days. Only 80 days and she will come back, three and a half months. This you know will happen. You also know she will live a good life away.”

Dawn was furious but composed. “You side with them?”

“You signed with them.”

The air was not tense, but on the verge of it. No guard moved without the order but they were ready, what for they didn't know. Star was the one in control, she held Dawn's eye and spoke gently.

“You know what you did, do not start a legal battle that you will loose.”

“As my mother you should be helping me to fight this.”

“As Queen I have to make sure justice is upheld.”

“This is justice?!”

“This is your doing. She is not far from you and you may see her again.”

“In eighty days you may see her again.” Jones said.

“I can't see her during that time?!” Dawn's anger grew.

“We could not see our Knight, and he is our King's child, in a manner of speaking. The King is a good man, he will not harm your daughter. She will be cared for and as well off with us as shes is with you.” He explained, expressed.

The moment Star saw Dawn's stance lighten she called to Rosie. “Rosie come here please. Its alright, trust me, come with me.”

“You promise nana?” She asked, peeking around her mother.

She didn't like what they were saying, but even she understood what they meant. Even she understood what her mother had done. If her grandmother promised it was safe, then it had to be. With this trust, Star coaxed her from behind her mother and Rosie came to stand next to her nana instead. Dawn didn't move from her spot, she looked away. She began walking the child down the steps, explaining what was to happen.

“You will be living at the Kingdom for eighty days, that is just under three and a half months. You will not be able to see us in that time.”

That is what made Rosie stop and look back to her mother. “What?! I can't do it nana! Please don't make me go. Please!”

Her grandmother gently, yet firmly, kept her by her side. “We love you and it won't be forever, just a few months.” Even Star hated to force the child. “Please don't make this hard my lamb please. Even if we refuse, law would make us obey.”

“But you're Queen! You don't have to follow laws.”

At that Star felt a chill strike the air. There were indeed many who wondered of the queen's antics and how she valued laws. Many things she had done in the past were conflicting. She merely shook it off.

“I must obey another monarchs laws. Long ago, his father aided me and helped me win the Rebellion. I must respect him this way by obeying his laws.”

This stilled Rosie and kept her near her nana enough to listen.

“He would obey my laws if they were enforced on him, and he's a king.”

“Whats the difference?” Rosie asked.

Star had to give out one short, sarcastic laugh. “Nothing. We are both rulers of people. As princess you must also lead them.”

They had reached Jones.

“How do I do that?”

“By showing them responsibility. Jones will take care of you from here my love.” Star said. “Remember, I will see you soon and I LOVE you.” She squeezed her in a hug good bye.

Rosie began crying, “Mama!”

Dawn didn't look at her.

“Mama!!”

She still didn't. In her grief and intense inner view of rejection, Rosie didn't fight as Jones put a hand on her shoulder and began leading her out. Nothing more needed to be said. Star forced herself to watch the small procession leave, Dawn didn't look. Rosie closed her eyes and forced herself to walk forward. When the envoy and the Princess were gone, Star met Dawn's eyes and the younger woman stormed off. Star ran after her.

She followed Dawn to her chambers, and the door was slammed in her face...Star decided to leave her be.

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Seven days later....

Star was in her chambers, planning a journey for her prison island when the bright day suddenly turned red in hue. She looked up and saw the sun cast in shadow. There was only one person she knew who could do such a thing.

In concern she rushed to her daughter's rooms and this time pushed the doors open, they were unlocked. She found the place in disarray, books strewn everywhere, all furniture pushed against the walls and an image of the sun etched into the floor with white chalk. Star looked at her daughter on the opposite of the chamber, the young woman opened a bottle of black wine and opened a rough book of magic origin. Not black magic, but her level of usage. She was not thoroughly magica blooded like her Wizard Fiance', but with the blood of the Lizard in her, a powerful ancient blood of Shamans, she had some control over things. Such as now as she drank from her wine bottle and searched for something.

Star could only stand there “Now Dawn I know you must be upset but you did sign for it.”

“I know. Doesn't mean I have to like it.”

“Why did you keep  him for so long any how?"

"I spent those days healing the Dark One. I returned the Knight when I left."

Her mother made the connection between the symbols on the floor and the eclipse.  "Is the eclipse your doing?" She hated being ignored and was anagered when Dawn didn't look away from her book.  "Will you put it down and look at me?”

“We don't need to talk mother. I understand you had to uphold the law. But justice is relative at this point. As you and the law take my daughter from me, so will I take myself and my power away from you, mother.” She stopped in her book.

She began drawing symbols on the great black stone wall in her room with white chalk. Star began to understand her intent the more she drew, a portal spell. With the right incantation and the slightest of magic, this was a perfect novice spell.

“What are you doing Dawn?” Star asked nervously.

The portal exploded into existence in purple fire.

“I'm leaving mother!” The woman, slighted and angry and embarrassed, shouldered her pack, always ready for quick departure. “I'm going to a place where you will not find me for eighty days.”

“DAWN! DON'T YOU DARE! UNDO THIS RIGHT NOW!" She fell over a tipped chair in her path, landing hard on her hands. She propped up on her elbows to watch Dawn. "Do you have ANY idea what that will do?!”

“I SURE DO!” She shouted as she went through the portal quicker than Star could stop her.

It closed behind her. The roaring sound and fierce wind the magic use had summoned faded and Star was left in a ruined room where pages were flying scattered throughout the room. From the window she could hear the bells toll to indicate that something was horribly wrong......

To be continued....