A Kingdom, A Curse and a Dragon (or my rough draft of my Starrison medieval fantasy fic. Thats really just a mesh of several fairytale references)
The enchantress discussed her plans with the prince. She gave them this while story about she cared and looked after her Richie like her song. How he went out on his own, with no regards to her input. She explained that Richard wasn't like normal men. He was cursed by an evil man to become a monster, and she kept him hidden away for his own safety. That him being out there all alone with no priority safety or precautions can be bad news.
The Princeburys felt sympathetic toward the women's plight. They had a similar feeling towards George as well. Him being a known prince and travelling amongst commoners doesn't only danger his reputation but his own safety. That would be much safer for him to come back to the kingdom and fulfill his royal duties than out there surrounded by strangers. At least The Princeburys had each other, and they had enough wealth.
So they began to form a plan themselves. Find out where exactly The Quarrymen actually are and what's the best to secure both George and Ringo. So the princes and the enchantress spoke and devised a plan amongst themselves. Bob and The Princeburys would work with the performing and getting closer to The Quarrymen. Ringo seemed the most vulnerable and easy to get to, so no issues there. While enchantress will spy on the whereabouts of the band. The shook hands as they parted ways and prepared for what was ahead.
After receiving their awards they were overwhelmed with excitement. They had proven themselves and gotten ine of the items they needed to break the spell. As the festivities finally wound down, the boys were heading back to the room they were staying in. They packed up all their belongings for their next venture. The four discussed and wonder what their next venture would be like. When suddenly Brian excitedly came through the door. They were able to get a contact under the king and queen.
The boys began to think up a plan, with some sponsoring by royal treasury, they could plan out trips that would put them in proximity with the items needed to make their trip. They began discussing the routes they should take, how to avoid the presence of the enchantress, and what was the best thing to do with the crystal. The Quarrymen agreed, it would be best to hand the crystal over.
By midday after a day of packing away all their items, the went on their way back to the enchantress' cottage. However what they didn't know is they were being watched closely. The enchantress disguise as a raven, followed them closely watching from above as they went inside.
The door shut as the boys handed over the crystal to the enchantress. The enchantress disgusted with them their next needed item and how it won't be as easy to find as they may think it is. They were given instructions on their next item, the petals of passion. A rare flower that only bloomed in once every 500 years, in one of the deepest reaches of the forest. While finding a flower was easy , there was a catch. Only an act of true and deep passion will reveal the bloom.
The boys scratched their head at the riddle itself thinking. The forest that flower was said to bloom in was thick and vast. There was no possible way they would be able to find this flower for themselves and what did they mean by an act of true passion?? The boys talked amongst themselves about the flower and the riddle. George clutched the marked map as they head back into town once more.
The next morning, The Quarrymen loaded into their small caravan as they were up for a long journey ahead. They had a packed in schedules of tours and events to attend. As the kingdom's palace faded in the distance they happily rode off as the carriage pulled on to their next location. Ringo wondered if somewhere out their maybe his parents might have been looking for him, the possibility of them seeing their son perform on stage made him happy.
The king and queen sat quietly in their throne room. They finally had a moment of quiet to themselves when they could sit and think. They were especially sentimental this time of year, with the loss of their son. After the news had reached that their son was stolen and never to be seen again. They tried to protect him. They privately mourned him, and held onto to hope. He shouldn't have to pay for their mistakes. He didn't deserve any of that.
They had thrown a festival every July around his birthday for people to revel and enjoy the festivities. They remember their baby loved music and it seemed to make him happy. This was their best to honor him. The queen clutch an old fabric of cloth that belong to the missing prince.
A guard had entered into the palace. The king asked on any leads on the missing prince. They found about 4 more boys that could possibly fit the description of the prince. They were asked about their childhoods. The important details were what family were they given to, their exact birthdays, among many other questions. Appearance was important too brown hair and blue eyes, anyone not fitting those requirements were rejected quickly.
A younger prince had enter the palace. Their younger son Pete always felt like he lived in the shadow of a prince that was never even there. It was always Richard this, and Richard that. And he felt sympathetic but he also felt like he rightfully earned his spot as crown prince. Even if Richard came back he shouldn't be fit to rule. For all they know he was probably on a farm wasting away somewhere. He didnt believe a second of that curse rumor. He let out a sigh as he went out to the balcony and reflected on his current state.
The band had finally arrived in a completely new and different kingdom than what they knew. The air seemed fresher, the trees seemed higher and people seemed friendlier. After booking into their choosen inn for their stay. They figured it would be best to tour around the village. They went into market to take a look around at different stalls, only to realize they weren't alone.
The Princeburys with Bob performing the lead were performing the market square. Paul was the first to notice their presence and question why they were there. There's no possible way they conveniently happened to be in the exact same kingdom and village The Quarrymen were staying in
George knew his own brothers, their presence this recently after the competition could only mean they were planning something. He confronted his siblings on the matter as well. Bob explained that they wanted to keep their skills sharp while getting their group more exposure. After all besides schedule concerts the best way to do that was perform at an event or in a public space. Despite George trying to press them on his suspicions, he got nothing out of them. George was visibly frustrated with his fists balled up, when Ringo rushed to calm him down and help rejoin the rest of the group.
John and Paul were over looking at the map they bought from early, tracing the lines. As George and Ringo approached, Paul explained that the entrance towards that forest were just over a set hills and looked like they descended into the thick patch of trees, bushes amd greenery below. They decided that chance the forest now while they were underreported would be too risk. They still had some time left until the flower would be ready to bloom. George and John made the suggestion that would need to arm themselves on top of supplies if they were gonna make that trip for themselves.
As the boys headed back into the town, taking the path back through the market. They stopped for a bit, to pick some supplies for their stay. Some food, wine, maybe some hygiene products as well. Bob already hearing about the boys, decided it would be best to get closer to them now. He suggested they all sit for a feast at the manor they were staying in. Stating that a distant noble friend offered it as a residence to stay there while they were away handling governing matters.
Reluctantly George agreed to it, in the term that his friends wouldn't be treated any differently and the princes have full compensation for the meal. After a few bickering over the terms and the matters of the feast. George and other departed from The Princeburys left off. They returned home and started preparing themselves for the upcoming venues.
The next few days were filled with packed concerts. They performed all across the kingdom on theater stages, in noble courts, a fairground or two. The manage to wrack a fair sum of money seem to gain a notable following from their growing platform. The hugest surpise came when a page boy delivered a large parcel of letters for them that they spent a few nights going through.
George began making a plan to set aside money for their need upcoming venture into the forest. He decided it was best if John was the one to seek out a proper blacksmith to get them sime forged weapons. They read the paper to see if there were any smiths in the area they could find. They happened to come across a notable man named Billy Preston. Known as one of most famous smithsmen across the land.
The four wandering into the shop like a bunch of lost puppies. George placed the heavy large sack onto the shop counter. He began to speak discussing armor and weapon jargon with the smithsman. After a while they decide some leather plated armor and some iron swords with shields would be best for everyone. George hand over the coins and was told to return in 3 days. The man only promised the armor that quickly because of the handsome payment.
Between the days of preparing for their adventure into the forest and enough time off from performing, they were able to attend the dinner with The Princeburys. The manor was as stuffy as imaginable. A feast set laid out with most elegantly prepared dishes sprawled across a deep scarlet tablecloth embroidered with gold. Decadents meat dishes like roasted peacock, alows de beef, connyng in grauey. Some dessert dishes tart de bry, blancmange, custard tarts. Accompanied with several wines, ciders and ales.
The dinner seemed to have the type of tension you can cut with a knife. George's anger, the condescending tone of the princes. Goerve especially didnt like the way they talked abd gravitate towards Ringo. Almost like they treated him like a child despite him being old and competent in his own rite. After a few beers and being stuffed with food, thet began discussing their plans to trek the forest. Between all the merriment and banter, they did noticing an odd servant girl lingering closely and listening.
The disgujsed enchantress played her part well in jer disguise state, serving off drinking, clearing away plate, politely nodding and smiling all while listening to the party of men. She makes a small comment on Ringo's ring which alerts George. Paul glances over as he narrowed his eyes, he got up and announced the group had to go. The pleasantries were nice, but protecting their ring was a priority. The four headed out back to their inn.
The enchantress had transformed into her regular form after they had left. She discussed her plans with The Princeburys. She chanted her spell as a transformation took place. Her form shifting slowly as she grew claws, fangs and more fur. Her hind legs and hands shifting as well. As she done so she had ran off into the direction of the forest.
The boys had finally gotten their armor as they suited up, placed their swords into their hilts. They mounted their horses as they headed off deep into the vast forest. The trees seemed to extend into the clouds with the sky piercings above. The forest fauna and flora of many species. It would almost be beautiful if the certain noise or movement didnt scare them sometimes.
They carefully trekked onwards. Using their swords to slash the occasional vines or leaf in their way. They eventually happen upon long open wide river, they would have to make it pass that water through the endless stretch of the forest to the meadow where the flower might lie. John suggested that made if they head upstream they might find a more crossable pathway.
The mouth of the stream did look more slimmer and passable, however following the stream might take a lot more risks and time. The moon was partically out ajd the boys were getting hungry and tired for the night. George and Ringo pitched two tents in a open clearing and some mats to sleep on. John and Paul were in cooking duties for the night. With Paul's foraging and farm knowledge and John's quick thinking, they were able to whip up half decent stew of vegetables and meat. The four finished off their plates.
As they head off to their respective tent. With John heading off with Paul, and George insisting he be by Ringo's side for protection the arrangements worked out comfortably. They slept throughout the night and woke up at the crack of dawn. They had some quick jam and bread after packing up everything and heading off again. Just as John said they found a more narrow path of water to cross and continued on more distant miles following the map closely.
They finally reached near meadow as the looked around the flowers not finding anything notable. They searched and the field. As suddenly Ringo saw a red glistening rose about the bloom as it reflected in the moonlight. There were faints growls as wolf lunged towards Ringo, George rushed quickly remember his training readied his sword as he slashed toward the beast. Ringo was shaken in fear as he was quickly helped up by Paul whileholding hos own sword. John soon joined in attacking the rear of the wolf. The canine quickly whimpering as it felt as a deep slash at its back and another across its nuzzle and jaw. The weak and defeated beast ran off as it limped away from the scene.
The bud that Ringo was observing suddenly glimmered brightly emerging wide reveals its deep ruby petals as it glimmer and stood out amongst the rose. They plucked the flower, holding it gently as they placed it carefully in a water jar. They sighed softly as they recalled the close call with the wolf. George now vowed that he would teach Ringo the way to defend him and fight now so he won't be in that predicament again. John and Paul cheered softly as they suggested they spend one more night in a safer plain nearby
The pitched their tents once more in a clearing. It was George and Ringo turn to make a meal themselves. They managed to make up a mushroom and herb stew. They four ate and reminiscing their time in this kingdom, that they will soon pack up and head off to a new kingdom and another adventure. They made their vows to stick together and be more prepared.
As they turned in for the night. Somewhere an enchantress was sulking and moping. She used her healing to fit most of her fatal wounds and washed herself off by the mirror. She looked down into the stream, she saw her reflection. She gasped as she noticed scars across the bride of her nose and cheeks and another across her back. It would take an intense level of magic to make them fade completely. She morphed herself into a falcon and flew off on her way back into town.
The Quarrymen soon woke up and saddled their horses as they rode back onto the path. The journey was tired and tedious but they were able to make it back by nightfall of the next day. Ringo gripped the precious flower in his hand as the came back into the town. Just somehow he felt a sense of hope. That maybe he could actually belong somewhere.
The same hope that Ringo felt, somewhere an envious enchantress felt the same sense of betrayal. She works with these princes and she tries to get her way, and with every obstacle somehow those four seem to get the upper hand. She thinks deeply maybe going after them wasn't enough, she would need to think bigger go after the one person that they trusted. She grinned as she looked onto the cottage she flew over.
