S2 Chapter 2 , Dawn in the Underground

The sewers of Holy Wood, 2026 AC/DC.......

The Underground was a city below Holy Wood. Thousands of years ago the tunnels were shelter from the Dark Storm-a storm that ended civilization of that time- before that they were sewers. They were abandoned and left to the homeless and unfortunate. But that all changed when the Sun Princess came, shedding light and order in the dark. She cleaned the miles worth of tunnels and brought supplies to make shelters. No grand estates but those who did not gain from the graces of the Star Queen, found sanctuary with the Sun Princess. She was denied the throne she wanted, so she made one for herself.

Orphans, criminals, people who could not otherwise find shelter or means of living in Holy Wood, came to Dawn. She deemed that here there was no need for crime, there was no money, everything was traded or bartered, there was enough tunnel spaces for everyone to have a home. Small time gangs were turned into hands for hire. If someone above ground wanted a man or woman who would do anything they went to the Underground. Criminals turned their crime skills into profit. But there were laws in this city, laws written by the immortal Princess, in her own hand.

Anyone who raped was sentenced to die.

Anyone who murdered a human other than a contracted target, while also was not under contract was sentenced to die.

Anyone who broke these laws was sentenced to death or exile deemed upon a trial.

Anyone who stole from the tunnels the Underground were sentenced to work off their debt if found guilty.

A council hearing will be permitted to those who ask for it depending on their level of supposed crime and based on a majority vote, the accused's fate would be otherwise decided.

If these laws were broken you were cast from the Underground or sentenced to die after a hearing of the council and accused. Of course, now that men and women no longer needed to fight for resources such as shelter and food, or money, they all obeyed these simple laws. The High Council was made of people picked by the Princess herself, those who had helped form these tunnels, and acted as judge and jury for those who broke the laws. Not many did in any case.

Above ground, farmers across the lands were plentiful and trade often overflowed. If farmers needed to get rid of stock quickly that they could not sell otherwise, they came to the Underground to contribute or trade. This route was enough to provide for nearly everyone. Adults traded and fended for themselves, children were grouped in large spaces and looked after by members appointed by Dawn and her Council. Life seemed serene and simple and while it prospered it was not the vast expanse of the above ground. Still it was a life that suited the people.

Criminals turned into expert spies, assassins and hands for hire. As Dawn watched the high members of her society mingle in her version of a throne room she watched over the place. Her own palace had no name, it was simply a parthenon type place that was open to public hearings and other meetings. When she spent time there it became a hub of activity and she was the center of it. People came forward to make grand speeches about their abilities and achievements, if they had a group of people they spoke of the conquests of the group.

Many sat at long tables that ran the length of the room. Enough tables filled up the width of the one room space, food was piled high on either side of the room. Drink was plentiful. She was staring off across the room, all this going through her head. How this throne will never truly satisfy her as it would to sit in the throne of her father. As a queen.

“You should bring the Wizard here,” a girl who sat next to her at the table said. A woman she considered a friend, who over saw the place during Dawn's absences. “Then you could marry him on our grounds and she won't have a say in it. Not like you need to marry someone to become queen, you're already of royal blood.”

“While you're right about that I at least want her to acknowledge and respect my marriage. Her courts, the BOC courts. I could marry him here but the marriage won't apply to above ground Courts.”

“I tell you all the time, don't care about them.” She was short and liked to wear tall heels boots of bright colors. She had dark eyes and black hair she kept short.

Dawn leaned back and sighed heavily. “I know. It's within legal rights here. And although my mother is a bat shit crazy loon, I want her respect and so I must give it.”

The other rolled her eyes. “If you must.” She strummed her cherry red guitar and the little speaker box attached to it hummed what she strummed.

Dawn grinned, she liked Joan of Jetts. She had learned from her mother that Jetts was once a prominent family name Above ground. But a distant grandfather figure died in a war and left the family to a son with a sick wife and few children. The man turned to gambling after losing father, wife and unborn child. As the family struggled with debt, their blood carried on but their wealth dwindled. Eventually, Joan was born and to pay for the house itself they sold the child into slavery. After which the house and everyone in it caught fire and crumbled to ash.

Joan however did not let chains take advantage of her. She escaped bondage and met Dawn in the tunnels. Since then, Joan had competed in Star's water of life joust festival and won the right to drink everlasting water. That was sometime ago. Dawn was good friends with the woman, and they often spoke about each others lives. Currently the issue of talk had been Dawn and her one true love, the Dark Wizard. A quiet girl with eye down cast filled her goblet with wine and moved on. Joan thought for sure she saw the girl reach inside her robe and replace the wine horn she had had.

She shook her head, took it for the wine and carried on with their evening. They carried on talking and night came and went, day came and went. Days were never as active as nights but that was the beauty of it, the Underground. Joan knew how much it meant to Dawn, she also knew that her friend left a child behind in castle Ao'o. While it must have pained her to separate from Princess Rosie, Dawn's dedication to the people, to those she loved, was something Joan had not known until they met.

That next night the most unexpected of guests arrived. A Spyder came into their midst and Joan's test of loyalty began. He strode in with a red mantle, bright silver thread shirt and black trousers fit for travel tucked into his dirty boots. His only weapon was a sword at his hip, he bore no shield or helm. He had dark hair with thick grey streaks running through it, though he did not appear that old to have grey hair. His eyes were a dark maroon, the color of blood in low light. He had a goatee that matched his hair and his skin was a tantalizing tanned shade. If it weren't for the large Silver Spyder on his cape even Joan would have thought him handsome. The Spyders had not been seen in years, not since being driven away by Star and Dawn herself.

Citizens of the Underground, a group called the Motley Ones, loyal to Dawn in particular all stood in their leather clad and big hair presence. They wore animal print and wore tall boots. She waved them down and her wave silenced the sudden roar of protest at his presence.

When he spoke it was with hint of an accent. “My Underground Queen, I thought this place a sanctuary for undesirables? Is it not?”

Joan stood up as Dawn did as she addressed the stranger. She looked to her taller friend and was shocked to find her eyes softened towards the man.

“It is. Who are you?”

“My name is Lyr of Spyder Clan, and I came to seek shelter for the night and tomorrow's day. May hapes an audience with you as well.”

Many burst out laughing, intending to insult this unwelcome guest. Joan again turned to her friend.

She began to whisper. “I don't think we should-”

Dawn waved her quiet. She had never done so before. That was the moment Joan knew a curse was afoot. She had had masters in her time of slavery, who practiced black magic and she knew a curse when she saw one. She grew quiet.

“We carry our audience here. What you offer you must say before those present as well. But I ask you, you dare come before us? A Spyder, my mother's enemies.”

“I did not think this was your mother's kingdom your highness.” He smiled at her and his eyes never left hers. “I come here in passing only, on my way up the coast. As no spy or assassin, this I swear out of respect for shelter.”

His words seemed to have profound affect on the Princess, her friend could see it. Others in attendance let their leader do as she wished, unaware of treachery afoot.

“No, this is not my mother's kingdom. You have shelter but if one word of complaint reaches me you will face my mother's wrath.”

Her threats did not seem sincere to Joan. She even invited the man to sit next to her for the evening. The Jetts woman went silent and became an observer. She watched the two but could not get close enough to hear them. Though she saw Dawn laugh at an unfamiliar pitch, giggle like a madwoman at whatever he was saying. Nodding and giggling, nodding some more.

Lyr's presence lasted for a week. Dawn invited him to stay with her after their first encounter and he walked the tunnels with her the entire time. Joan tried to follow but Dawn would send her away. Something was terribly amiss, the pixie woman knew. They become inseparable, much to the second in command's frustration, she could almost smell the magic in the air. After all they had just spoken of about the wizard, she knew for certain but could not say it. To expose the man now may endanger her friend. No, she had to leave, when the end of the week came and the Man had not left and the Wizard had seemingly been forgotten, she knew she had to leave.

She had never been to Ao'o, but as she slipped into her black leather cat suit and six inch heel boots, she was already thinking of ways to enter the castle and what obstacles she would encounter. She stopped by Dawn's hidden room behind the parthenon palace and looked in through a crack between doors. She saw them lounging about on the low set couches Dawn had brought here, she was talking to him and he was all too relaxed.

Joan crept away and had only one place in mind, the prize of all thieves and spies. To Ao'o castle she went, to see the Star Queen.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Star gazed at the man across from her, threatening her. Office Tamascus, the one who had arrested her multiple times and sided with the BOC in her last trial. He had come, late in the evening, to speak with her and she had allowed it. As inappropriate as it was. Now they stood on the terrace, guards within shouting distance, torches lit. Her honey colored eyes caught the light in an eerie way that she didn't notice. It unnerved the Officer but he went ahead and voiced his questions.

“Have you been to the Sabbath lands of late? Why do you reject Dawn's ability to sit on the throne? How old are you exactly?”

“What do you hope to gain from these questions? Such odd things to ask.”

He frowned. “Simple ones to answer I would think. Why do you refuse to answer them?”

“I do not need to. I am Queen and I have broken no laws. You however come knocking on my door at all hours of the night and threaten me with useless questions.”

“The BOC has information about you. Your birth place.”

“I was born in the Wildlands. Everyone knows that.”

“Who abandoned you? If you were adopted-”

“Enough!” She shouted. “How dare you speak of such matters to the Queen. It is no secret how I came to be a Blackmoore, but before them I was simply born and existed. That is none of anyone's business.”

“We will provide what is needed in Court eventually your highness.” He jabbed at her title.

“No secret.” She replied. “If you dare make accusations again you best have the power to provide evidence.”

“Evidence, you'll have it soon enough. Evidence of that demon boy you raised and those girls you fuck. Of where you really come from.”

The Queen had tolerated his behavior until then and wanted him gone before he gave her a headache.

“Remember who pays your checks.”

“I wouldn't be so sure its you.” He said and grinned and bowed. “Good night, your highness.”

He replaced his cap and strode back through the throne room to see himself out.

No sooner was he gone than Richie came out from behind a hedge. He came up to her and they watched the officer walk away. He scowled.

“Don't ever ask me to hide behind a bush ever again.”

“I wanted him to speak fully.” She looked at her cousin. “But I won't.” They began to walk to another pathway, one that formed into stairs and led into the second level from the outside. “I want him followed.”

Richie nodded and then turned and bent over the railing. He snapped his fingers twice to get the attention of a guard down below. The guard looked up. Richie nodded and the man walked off, one with inside knowledge of spies to employ for her majesty.

The two went inside and Richie went to his chambers. Star had to stop by Rosie's to check on her in the night. As she went along she passed an open balcony window and heard the barest of rustle in the curtains. She stopped, keen at hearing those subtle moves of one gifted in sneaking. She turned her head and watched the ground for shadows, they never lied, her eyes roved the gossamer curtains waving in a breeze.

She walked to them.

Slowly.

And reached out to move them. . .

There was nothing in the moonlight. She pulled away and faced Rosie's rooms once more, only to find a pixie dressed in black standing before her. The woman was unarmed, maybe she needed no weapons to kill her. But if she wanted to she would have already, Star knew that much.

“What do you want?” She asked the stranger.

“My name is Joan, I come from the extinct house of Jetts. I work for you daughter, Princess Dawn. She needs you. I need your help.”

“That was blunt. How can I believe you?” Star questioned.

“I have no proof. Unless you wish to wait until she never returns to see if I lie or not.”

“You're from the Underground?”

The woman nodded.

“You drank the water. Yes I remember you now.” She did remember, the first woman to win in a joust. “What is it she needs me for?”

“Not for, but from who.” She didn't want to expose too much too quickly. “A man has. . .enchanted her and I believe he will harm her. I need a woman Dawn knows, I need you.”

Star thought it over. “Then you must stay here and I will find Dawn.”

“You would just leave me here??”

“So the guards can watch You as well. Now do as I say.”

Joan wanted to go but wanted Star's trust and waited for the guards. They were alerted of who she was and were meant to stand post outside Rosie's chambers. If the queen was anything like how Dawn described her, the Jetts woman knew that Star wouldn't leave the castle if she didn't obey her orders. Then Dawn would fall into further trouble. It wasn't long at all when Joan went to the balcony she came in at and looked out to see the Queen riding out into the night. Dressed in black, hair hidden under a cloak hood. There was a creak from behind her and Joan turned around she saw the Earth Princess standing in the hallway.

The guards assigned to the princess were slouched against the walls in their armor. Joan looked at them from a distance.

“What did you do to them?” She asked.

“Nana's herb supply. I made it into potion and they accepted. I told them it was ale, just not how strong.” The girl looked at her, a smile on her face that said she wasn't afraid of this pixie woman but intrigued and shy.

“Oh!” Joan grinned at her friend's daughter, another immortal. She was small, but not mousy. She had curly brown hair worn long and she had her mother's eyes. “Want to go on an adventure?”

************************************

Star had just entered the lair known as the Underground. It was no secret when Dawn had renovated them to be livable. Star had offered to help pay, Dawn didn't take the money. She did it all on her own and as the Queen gazed upon her daughter's creation with pride she snuck through the darkened tunnels. She ducked her head when people passed and stayed out of the way. It wasn't difficult to find the main parthenon, but there was no sign of Dawn.

She scowled and made her way into the back, to what appeared to be Dawn's private chambers. It looked like she lived there, but it lacked Her. Star silently made way through the people gathered in the main hall, eating, conversing. Picking up on parts of conversation she heard that Dawn had been gone mere hours. That was enough to make her seem very lost.

Just as she turned a corner to leave the Parthenon she heard a ruckus and ducked behind a corner. Only large sewer cats chasing each other and yowling. Star breathed a sigh of relief and leaned into the shadow.

“HEY!” A loud whisper came from behind her.

Star jumped! Her heart started pounding and her breath came sharp and quick. But when she turned it was only the Jetts woman standing there, with Rosie in tow.

“Hi nana!” Rosie whispered.

Star's eyes grew wide and she glared at Joan for an explanation.

“Well she heard us talking and drugged her guards and now here we are!”

It sounded like something Star's offspring would do. The queen knew that to argue was pointless, there was nothing to be done about it at the moment.

“Why are we whispering?” Rosie asked.

“SHUSH!” Star commanded. “We mustn't let anyone know who we are. Alright?”

Rosie nodded.

“Where can we tuck her?” Star asked Joan.

“Her mother's rooms.”

“We can't just leave her there unprotected. Now that you're here you may as well assist me.”

Joan thought for a moment. One group of trustworthy men came to mind. One with a member around this girl's age who would be a great guardian.

“I have the perfect place for her.”