= ( MARCENIUM – KINGDOM OF BRAKARIDAS ) =

Eclavran the Guild Master of the Adventurer’s Guild in the dungeon town of Verilanium drummed his fingers on his desk. He was torn, his recent visitor had handed him a conundrum. It was political dynamite. It had been obvious that the damn priestess had been glad to hand it off onto him.

“Frazee get your ass in here. Now!” bellowed Eclavran.

Not long after that Frazee poked his head around the door. “You called boss?”

Eclavran snorted, he pointed to the chair in front of his desk, “Sit! And close the bloody door behind you.”

“Woof,” said Frazee, then he grinned at his guild master, shut the door and took the indicated chair.

Eclavran glared at his subordinate. “The princess has been found. The mage too.”

Frazee blinked, “The Prince? Is there any confirmation of his death?” he asked after a brief moment.

Eclavran slowly shook his head.

“Well, that’s still better than we expected, isn’t it boss?” persisted Frazee.

“They have both changed. Mage accident. And too much time has passed,” elaborated Eclavran.

Frazee bit his lip, “Oh! So it’s worse than a simple curse? How did his majesty take the news?”

Eclavran grinned bleakly, “He doesn’t know yet. We are going to have the pleasure of informing him that his sister is now a gorgon, and his mage is at least half way to becoming a demon. Prepare your things, we will be making our way to the capital as soon as you’re ready.”

Frazee slumped in his chair, “Aww, Hell!” he exclaimed. “Um, how did you learn about this?”

Eclavran spread his hands, “The party that found them had a priestess as its healer. That priestess’ Goddess did her the favour of informing the local shrine. Not unexpectedly, they want to know what to do under the circumstances.”

Frazee scratched his ear as he gazed at his friend and boss. “You saying we both have to go tell that spoiled brat that his sister is now truly a monster and his brother is... What?”

“The Prince is most likely dead, as we suspected. But there is no confirmation. The adventurers want to return the Princess before looking into it. They don’t want to put her in any further danger if they don’t have to.”

= = O = =

Under the circumstances Eclavran arranged for a portal to the Guild building in Kingston, the news was kind of urgent and the capital’s Guild Master had a right to know. Vandarbatt the individual in question had not been amused. Especially when he realized he would do well to be present at the meeting with the king.

Eclavran was not happy. He always felt ridiculous when he had to wear the overly elaborate robes that came with being a guild master of the Adventurer’s Guild. He was further peeved at how comfortable Vandarbatt looked in his robes. At least the chief priestess of Bast’s shrine here in the capital looked just as unhappy as he felt. Her ears were partially folded down and her tail was lashing from side to side.

Then the door of their small waiting room opened and a bewigged court official banged his elaborately carved and gilded staff on the flagstones.

“Be welcome to the royal court lady priestess and most high officials of the exalted Adventurer’s Guild. His Majesty awaits,” he declaimed in a loud voice. Then with a brief, and somehow contemptuous nod, he official strode with measured pace down the wide marble floored corridor.

Surprisingly the throne room was almost empty. King Elboran the Magnificent was sitting bolt upright on his elaborate throne. His right hand caressed the hilt of his heavy war dagger. Two armed and armoured guards stood behind his throne. The Queen mother was also present; she was occupying the lesser throne. Her thin-lipped mouth was turned down in displeasure.

Eclavran and his party moved forward slowly, and they bowed deeply when they reached the correct distance from the thrones.

The minor official who had led them to the throne room stepped up and slammed his staff on the floor three times. “Attention for his most magnificent Majesty Elboran, third of that name.”

“Welcome Priestess, Guild Masters, I take it you have news for us?” asked the king.

Eclavran cleared his throat, and tried to avoid catching the Queen Mother’s eyes. “Yes Sire, one of the parties of adventurers who have accepted your quest have located the Princess.

“Princess Deerassa and magus Gustravios are alive and healthy. They were found on the world of Alcadar.”

King Elboran shot his mother an nervous glance. He straightened his shoulder, “And the curse?”

Eclavaran forced himself to avoid looking at the Queen Mother, and noted in passing that the priestess had a small smile on her lips as she watched the Queen Mother. He drew in a breath, and said, “Princess Deerassa’s race has been changed, she is now a Gorgon. And she was forced to protect herself before the adventurers found her. She has a class, and she has levelled. Magus Gustravius appears to have lost his familiar, he has become a half-demon, but he has recovered his mind.”

In a harsh, emotion choked voice Queen Mother Elsaara asked, “And what of my dear Sarnollo?”

Eclavaran looked at the Regent for their underage king, “Your Majesty, the adventurer’s have as yet found nothing to disprove the findings of your mages’ rituals. However, magus Gustravius is planning his own ritual. The adventurers – requested – guidance, not wishing to further risk the princess.”

“Get her back here now. Open a gate if necessary. Send another party to back up Gussy if need be,” ordered the King decisively.

The Queen Mother glared at her son, then she slumped, “Yes I agree. Get Dee back here. Oh, but she is going to regret...”

Eclavaran bowed low and said, “Yes you majesties, your will be done.” Then, carefully, he backed out of the throne room.

As he hurried down the elaborate corridor that lead to the exit he glanced at the priestess, “And what is so amusing?” he asked sounding exasperated.

She giggled, “Why, the Queen Mother is expecting. Don’t you find that amusing?”

Eclavaran tripped over his own feet. “But... But... The King, her husband has been dead for three years...”

Vandarbatt cast the priestess an incredulous glance, “And she is so uptight and holier than thou...” then he choked as he tried to suppress his laughter.