Book IV - Chapter 1, Prelude 2: A Kind Stranger

[Grover]

Book IV - Chapter 1, Prelude 2: A Kind Stranger

 

Previously: Prelude 1: Albion

 

The new campus for the University of Petrea at Albion was shaping up nicely. Everyone was excited and enthusiastic, and the various nobility of Avalonia had been excited to meet the Queen.  For her part, Queen Ylspeth was delighted to meet all the newcomers and reunite with the veterans who had helped her reclaim the throne from Raavage and then keep it.  Of course, the public had been falling all over themselves to get a glimpse of the Queen and compete for her attention.  Queen Ylspeth was happy to see the excitement, but also knew the celebrity of the crown would prevent her from seeing the ills the populace faced, so she had convinced N'ri to accompany her, disguised with hooded cloaks, to visit the marketplace near the gate and listen to the unfiltered discussions of how life was treating the populace.

 

 

The morning had gone remarkably well, without anyone recognizing them, and they had heard the unpolished talk of the town.  Ylspeth was pleased.  For the most part, people seemed to be happy and prosperous. The usual complaints about the government being slow and taxes being too high were overheard, but there were even more discussions of plans for the future that seemed hopeful, if not outright ambitious.  Ylspeth had, however, been somewhat surprised that the same merchants who had been overjoyed to talk to her yesterday when she was not disguised, wanted little to do with her today.  Ylspeth had not the foresight to bring coin along, as she did not worry about money as the Queen: she was usually offered free samples of wares, and whenever coin was required one of her attendants handled the transactions.  To make matters worse, the guards who were on duty when the Queen and N'ri had left and been informed of their disguises had ended shift and the new guards did not recognize them, laughing at them when they identified themselves, thinking someone was playing a practical joke claiming to be the Queen.  Not wanting to create a scene, Ylspeth and N'ri had melted back into the crowd to look for another entrance to the corridors to her royal guest quarters in Albion.  By this point in the mid-afternoon, however, they were both hungry and thirsty, and were having difficulty procuring food or drink without money.

 

 

Ylspeth talked to N'ri as they walked across the market.  "I am disappointed in the merchants.  They were quite happy to talk to me when they knew who I was, but when they hear I have no money, they want nothing to do with me and dismiss me from their tables.  I would have hoped at least for some courtesy."

 

N'ri nodded. "Yes, I agree.  I am surprised there is not more hospitality among the merchants. Aside from the artist teaching children how to paint over there," she nodded in the direction of the painter, "none of the merchants were even friendly, and some were downright rude."  She glanced back at the artist. "As for the artist, I suspect he may be daft. How does he know all the diminutive trees in his painting are joyous?"  She shook her head.

 

 

Ylspeth shrugged as they stopped to let a shepherd drive his flock across the road. "I am parched. I need to find something to drink soon or I may have to go drink from the river."

 

"Excuse me, Ladies," they heard a voice say in accented Avalonian at the table next to them.  Ylspeth and N'ri turned to the merchant in purple attire.  "I could not help but overhear you as you were walking by.  Are you thirsty?"

 

Ylspeth nodded.  "Indeed we are, sir, but we have forgotten our purses today and have no money."

 

 

The merchant held up his hands.  "Do not worry.  Where I come from, food and drink are freely offered to any in need. Come," he beckoned them behind his table. "I do not have a great deal , but what I have is yours."

 

 

Ylspeth and N'ri were grateful for the food and drink and thanked the merchant.  He bowed his head forward. "Zîrân, at your service. What might you ladies be called?"

 

Queen Ylspeth and N'ri glanced quickly at one another, then Ylspeth answered, "I'm, uh... Liz."

 

Zîrân offered his hand in greeting. "Pleased to meet you, Liz."

 

"And I am... Nancy," N'ri finished awkwardly.

 

Zîrân offered his hand to her.  "Pleased to meet you as well."

 

"Where are you from that offers such generosity to strangers, Zîrân?" Ylspeth asked.

 

"I am not from Historica," Zîrân said, "as you may have guessed from my accent.  My homeland is across the sea, and is unfortunately a dangerous place now. Our country's government has been harsh to our people for generations, so we have made it our custom to always render food, shelter and aid to one another without question." 

 

"I have been in Historica for a few years now, traveling around the Guilds and finding such business as I can." He smiled as he looked around Albion. "It is amazing, and I have enjoyed seeing the many lands and cultures as I travel."  He looked at Ylspeth and N'ri. "Are you both from Historica?"

 

Ylspeth nodded. "Yes, although we are from different kingdoms within."  She was about to continue when N'ri tugged at her sleeve.  Ylspeth looked behind her and the two off-duty guards were standing sheepishly behind them.  Ylspeth turned back to Zîrân, handing him her goblet.  "Thank you for your kindness," she said.  "I hope to see you again soon."

 

With her own thank yous, N'ri handed Zîrân her goblet and he bowed to them. "Safe journeys!" he offered as they were led by the guards back to the guest quarters.

 

Ylspeth glanced backward over her shoulder at Zîrân as he went back to his work, smiling to herself.  "Let us try and find him tomorrow before we leave," the said to N'ri.

 

N'ri smiled.  "Yes, your majesty." 

[The Stad]

Another great installment.  I appreciate the appearance of Sir Robert Ross, Master of the Brush of Delight.  Definitely not daft.

I was worried for a moment that this would end with a royal kidnapping, glad to see that human nature in our Guilds is a little more altruistic...

[Grover]

10 hours ago, The Stad said:

Another great installment.  I appreciate the appearance of Sir Robert Ross, Master of the Brush of Delight.  Definitely not daft.

I was worried for a moment that this would end with a royal kidnapping, glad to see that human nature in our Guilds is a little more altruistic...

Ha! I'm glad you caught my Bob Ross reference! I was wondering if it was too subtle.... and I love Sir Robert Ross. Now I need to incorporate him into the background of random builds.... 

I'm happy to hear you are enjoying these installments! I promise, you all will get to write some story next! The setup has taken a bit of work, but hopefully it will provide enough storyline for people to grab ideas and run with them.

And yes, this is Avalonia, not Varlyrio, we aren't doing Royal kidnappings here. 

[Simon_S]

This is a very nice stories and nice builds that go along with it! I‘m looking forward fo the first challenge

[socalbricks]

Loving the story so far (along with that Bob Ross reference)!

I'm intrigued by the mention of Zîrân's homeland across the sea. I don't know how much the world outside of Historica has been explored (apart from Valyrio, which has since been integrated into the guilds), but it leads to some interesting story possibilities for builders!

[Grover]

On 2/27/2026 at 3:59 AM, Simon_S said:

This is a very nice stories and nice builds that go along with it! I‘m looking forward fo the first challenge

Thank you!  And, you're in luck... the first challenge is up!

On 2/27/2026 at 9:02 PM, socalbricks said:

Loving the story so far (along with that Bob Ross reference)!

I'm intrigued by the mention of Zîrân's homeland across the sea. I don't know how much the world outside of Historica has been explored (apart from Valyrio, which has since been integrated into the guilds), but it leads to some interesting story possibilities for builders!

Thanks!  Glad you are enjoying it (and Sir Robert Ross! ).  As for the lands across the sea, there's not a ton of information out there, as it is a largely unexplored area, but there are a few old challenges that have dealt with such places if you are interested in inspiration. I linked the last iteration of those in the latest challenge.  After discussion, we wanted to have any potential interest for the Queen to be outside of Historica so no one guild could claim any direct control of the throne, but there are of course many other options for such non-guild affiliated options for the Queen (including no one), so be creative and see where your imagination takes you!  I am curious to see what direction everyone wants to go with these stories.