[Nigrum Stella] Revealing the Gambit

[Eternity 1695]

After the meeting with Efemaer, Aurora spent the rest of her day going through the duties given to her as queen of Crystallo Stella. Looking over the parchment filled with the doings of the Black Isle Mine, the reports of minerals being mined by the people as well as the purchases from them by the kingdom to grow their personal inventories to fulfill work orders by the masons, and artificers of the Royal house. 

Unbeknownst to the council of nobles and the people of the nation of Crystallo Stella, plans were worked out between the queen and a young noble who've risen to take the formal seat belonging to his father. The day had progressed as many days the queen endured, completing tasks only the queen could. Attending meetings with those same nobles she worked against in her plan to change the operations of her nation, to abolish the old ways that have given way to so much of the resistance towards her opening the borders to the other nations of Valucre. 

Time passed, days to weeks, weeks to months; and suddenly the Queen didn’t make her usual appearance during a council meeting. Unlike most council meetings this one convened with all the nobles appearing in the great hall of the castle, each having taken their seats among the massive oval table made of white opal. Seated amongst each other they chatted about daily goings, and the newest happening in their own personal families life. Some argued over points of interest that were unsettled discussions, few sat watching the door that were carefully guarded by unseelie sentinels. 

One of the older nobles, impatient to complete the daily update in the council meeting stood abruptly, slamming his hands palm down on the opal slab catching the eyes of the others. With the silence that befell the others, the wrinkled faced man spoke loud enough for the others to hear. “Where is the Queen?” he said with such disdain, pulling his hands to gesture towards the timepiece that stood ticking in the massive towered clock to the right of the room. Each of the other noblemen glanced up to the clock, beginning to whisper among one another. Another of the men stood, his hair white as snow with a pointed beard on his chin speckled silver in white. “Queen Aurora never misses a meeting, in fact she is almost always the first to arrive unless other matters have arisen, but never has she been late.” As the men spoke about her absence the doors of the great hall burst open, the guards quick to catch them pulling them open to allow for the queen’s lady in waiting to come rushing towards the council with the queen's personal guards in tow. 

Aurora’s lady in waiting Nevaeh rushed towards the council with a hurriness that warranted worry, the men looked at one another in question to what was currently happening. “The queen is gone!” Nevaeh shouted, her forehead spotted with sweat as she ran from the queens tower to the great hall with great haste. The white haired man with white and silver pointed beard turned to the lady in waiting, his brows furrowed. “What do you mean the queen is gone? Are you not always near her?” One of the guards that had been following Nevaeh turned towards the nobleman, gesturing as he spoke. “The queen asked to be alone in her office to complete some time sensitive work, later Nevaeh arrived with tea for the queen to find that she wasn’t in her office. We searched everywhere for her, the queen’s personal chambers and every other place she would visit on her normal days.”  The noblemen around her started to converse with one another, leaving the wrinkled looking man in his 80s to speak up to the guards. “You two! Rally the castle guard, complete a full sweep of the grounds. Send the Captain of the castle guard, we will initiate an investigation.” 

With the orders given by the most senior of the council, the guards turned to make great haste to start the search for Queen Aurora.

Edited January 21, 2021 by Eternity
Added Tag

[Eternity 1695]

The Council led the beginning strategies of the investigation, directing the castle guard to establish a stronger presence around the gates and other entrances of the castle grounds. A special unit of guards were tasked with gathering evidence and searching every inch of the castle including places the Queen was fond of visiting. Very little was being found in connection to the queen's disappearance, leaving little hope that she would be found. Some guards believed that the reasoning behind little evidence being found was based on the perpetrator being someone the Queen knew personally. The very thought brought a lot of puzzlement to the Council and those involved in the search for Aurora, who would want to kidnap her? 

With the Queen’s mother and sister away at the summer palace; the council had come to a decision to not inform them of the status of the queen for they didn’t want to cause any unrest and potential for the citizens to learn of her disappearance.  Despite their actions somehow rumors would leak from the castle staff to the citizens of the capital, each flourishing into something new and twisted. 

As the lock down of the castle became evident to the staff who came and went day in and out, the council of nine decided to meet once more in the great hall. All nine of the members sat around the table in session, each thinking critically about what they were there to discuss. The older gentleman with all the wrinkles stood from his seat, hands resting by each fingertip on the table top. “Let's start this meeting.” Pausing he would look around the table at each of the other members, taking in each of their faces one by one. “Despite our efforts in leading this great investigation, the guards have come up short with any evidence of what happened to Queen Aurora.” Pulling his hands from the smooth top of the table, allowing his hands to fall at his sides. As he spoke amongst his peers, his hands would move to gesture adding a touch of drama to his demeanor. 

“It is clear that we must extend high security to the Capital itself, we can not allow anyone to enter or leave without proper inspection. Someone took our Queen, and I mean to find out who!” The oldest of the council members stood, his left hand stroking the short pointed white and grey beard that housed his chin. “I agree with these measures, but we risk alerting the citizens of the crisis we find ourselves in without a proper announcement. I propose that we hold a public announcement of the situation, allowing us to reassure the citizens that we will find Queen Aurora and offer a reward for any substantial information regarding the investigation.” 

The other members of the council murmured amongst themselves in regards to the suggestion, each of them nodding their approval. “Do you all agree? Let's call a vote.” The older gentleman with the wrinkles stood straight, looking over his peers. “Are you all in favor of making this public and announcing a reward to those who give substantial information that provide any leads to the queen’s whereabouts?” With a brief pause. “All those in favor say I!” Each of the council members echoed in agreement with the proposition, with the next steps laid out on the table they continued their discussions on how to move forward with each necessary step. 

[Twitterpated 3497]

"I."

He stated rather plainly. Indeed he too was worried, however, he didn't necessarily agree with the others. It was unfathomable that anyone could walk in and outright kidnap the Queen. It was his best guess that she may have more likely disappeared on her own accord. But for what reason? Wouldn't she have told him if she was going to wander off, even if she hadn't necessarily told him where? As a councilman, he was obligated to agree with the others, but as a life long friend of the Queen's, he couldn't just idly sit by and wait for results. Once this meeting adjourned, Efemaer was prepared to carefully make his way to and infiltrate the Queen's quarters and office himself. Perhaps with a more keen eye he would find at least one clue as to where to begin looking. 

@Eternity

 

[Eternity 1695]

With the end of the council meeting, each of the members stood from their seats preparing to exit the great hall. The man in charge of arranging public announcements or anything in regards to the queen addressing her subjects, stood moving to complete the duties given to him based on this last meeting. 

Efemaer would be right to the regards of the queen leaving, she wouldn’t have left without at least himself being notified. Since he had taken the seat that once belonged to her his father, Aurora had rekindled their friendship from old. Growing up together as children had created a bond that the other council members only dreamed of, at least in regards to manipulating the queen towards their own personal goals. 

After the many times the guards had combed through the private chambers of the queen, very little difference was made in how it laid before Efemaer when he came to conduct his investigation. The bed laid with just the slightest indentation that someone had sat on the top coverings, for the most part her room was left completely untouched. It didn’t look like someone lived in the room with how well made up it was, the only minor difference that could possibly be found by the naked eye was the small crack that had formed over the glass lined family portrait that hung near her bedroom door. The guards missed that piece of evidence, as overall it didn’t appear that there was any sort of a fight put on in the room. 

Aurora’s office looked as it always did, a chaotic organized mess of parchment and quills on her desk top. Books sat in a jagged pile on the corner of her desk, many of the titles ranged from the old ways to possible theories of new government. Most of her drawers in her desk remained unlocked, except for one. What lay in the drawer was left to be discovered by any who were truly wanting to know, as the queen kept some secrets from those around her or so many believed. 

Meanwhile the front courtyard was prepared for large numbers of citizens, as a podium made of marbled opal white and black stood upon the upper level of a balcony. A stairway on both sides curled up to this landing, each surrounded by beautiful plants and low growing bushes of white flowers. Soon they would call upon the citizens of the capital city to gather for a devastating announcement, and hopefully a true beginning in finding where Queen Aurora has disappeared to. 

@Twitterpated

[Twitterpated 3497]

He tried his best to be certain he wasn't being watched or followed without raising anyone's level of concern. The Queen's personal assistant was unaware of where the Queen had actually last been seen, though between the room he'd just left, her personal quarters, and her office; There had to be something of value. A hint or clue of some sort, a lead as to whom the culprit may be. Still, it was incredibly hard to believe the Queen could be taken against her will, without alarm at that. And so soon after opening the borders. There was no way an outsider could've learned their way around so quickly. That's when it dawned on him. Perhaps this was an inside job, as afraid as he was to doubt or accuse one of their own, he couldn't rule it out until he discovered a sufficient reason to rule it out. If someone on the inside wasn't the culprit, they were certainly an accomplice. Despite how against the grain she was, he'd have never guessed that Aurora was capable of drawing enough ire from the older faces on the council to warrant her removal. 'It'd be even worse if more than one on the inside was involved...'

When he reached her room, he guard was absent, being that all hands were on high alert over the Queen herself missing. Slipping quietly into her room and shutting the door behind him, he got to work moving as swiftly and silently as possible. Without turning the room over so to speak, Efemaer got hard to work on scouring the room for anything he would consider abnormal...Which in this case was difficult considering the rare use of the room as it was. Somebody had spent a bit of time sitting on the edge of the bed, though it didn't seem to have been slept in for several days on end. Overall, much like the guards, he turned up absolutely nothing. However, on his way out of the room, he did notice the crack in the face of the frame's glass. Running a single smooth digit over it, he felt with his eyes closed as he tried to decide for himself how old the crack was, and if it had been created by natural means or otherwise.

Sliding back out of her room, he ensured the corridor was still clear before fully exiting and shutting the door once more. Ultimately as he approached her office, he continued to dissect and digest his thoughts for the most logical explanation. Whoever took the Queen, he wondered what the motive behind such an act was. Did they hope to achieve a ransom? Perhaps a scorned suitor was prepared to attempt strong arming her hand in marriage? Whatever the case may be, he was certain of one thing. Whoever was responsible would have best served themselves by ensuring the Queen was permanently removed, and that her remains could never be found. Efemaer may have lacked a certain arcana prowess, but his short comings were not reflective of his nation's prowess. 

Finding his was into her office, he did much like before. Ensured that no prying eye spotted him entering when he did before slipping in and shutting the door. His search here was largely fruitless, much like the search in her room. Most of the things he could imagine would be of value seemed to have gone untouched. Though there was a drawer. One solitary drawer that was locked. As badly as Efemaer wanted to know what was inside of it, he considered the fact that maybe someone else was looking for something the Queen had, and maybe it was there. As open as he personal bedroom was, he couldn't fathom a reason why she would have locked a drawer on her desk when again, all he could identify as important seemed to be accounted for and virtually anything but secure. 

Without knowing how long the Queen had actually been missing, it was difficult to decide what to do next. With the kingdom being notified and the people joining the search, he best bet was to sit tight here for now and hide out in the corner. Once a proper window of opportunity had passed, Efemaer would opt to try getting the drawer open. For now though, he was content with steaking out her office and waiting.

@Eternity

[Eternity 1695]

While Efemaer conducted his own investigation behind the scenes, the masses were being brought to the main courtyard to hear the words of the council. News of the Queen missing reached the ears of the many races who now occupied Crystallo Stella since the opening of their borders, many of them could be heard murmuring to each other as the oldest of the council members stood before them at the podium. It pained many of the newcomers to hear of such a thing done to the kingdom, many appreciated her opening arms to those of lesser fae and otherwise other races. 

Guards posted around the courtyard kept their stances and stern faces as the crowd moved to comment and gossip about what happened to the Queen. 

“As of today, we work diligently to locate the queen.” A pause fell over the older wrinkled council member who stood before them. Gripping his hands tightly over the sides of the podium, he leaned in before speaking once more. Looking over the crowd before him, “I call upon you, the citizens of our great nation Crystallo Stella to do whatever in your power to aid us in finding our beloved Queen Aurora. Any pertinent information leading to the queen's whereabouts will bring a great reward.” Standing behind the member at the podium, the rest of the council minus a few members stood behind nodding and whispering amongst one another as a reward was spoken about to the public. It had yet to be discussed, but all were in agreement with the offer. The reward itself would be discussed later, the priority was to enlist them all to help find the Queen. 

“Our ongoing investigation of the castle grounds have grown further, which is why we call upon you, the people to help us in our search. Anyone with information about the Queen is to report to any of the castle guards, they will in turn direct the information to us.” Pulling his hands from the side of the podium, his knuckles white with the stress of his previous grip. Looking back over his comrades, the older man would nod to them before turning back to the murmuring crowd. “Go forth, spread the word and help us in the return of our Queen Aurora!” Taking a step back from the podium, the man led the others away towards the path into the main doors of the castle that were heavily guarded. 

Meanwhile as Efemaer steak out the queen’s office, the drawer in her desk became the main focus. The other members were aware of the drawer, although many of them didn’t feel it was a part of the reasoning behind her disappearance except perhaps one or two others. One of them didn’t dare make his presence known in the queen's personal office, instead to remain anonymous he would send another in his stead to look over her office once more. 

The door opened slowly and as quietly as possible, the head of a young man poked in to look into the darkened room. With the disappearance of the Queen, no one was allowed to enter including staff. With the orders to leave her personal quarters left untouched, the drapes were never opened to let in the artificial sunlight given off by the crystals that littered the walls and high ceilings of the underground cavern.

Creeping through the darkness of the office towards the desk, the young man crouched down to the locked drawer. Grasping a hold of the handle he jerked and pulled at the drawer with no avail, pulling a small knife out to try and jimmy his way into the drawer a spark flashed before him. The young man fell back with shock, it seemed the queen had placed some sort of ward to keep out those she didn’t want in her drawer. Scared by what just happened, the youngman still unaware of Efemaer’s presence in the room slipped and ran to leave the office. Closing the door almost a bit too harshly to alert others, he disappeared down the halls trying not to look suspicious. 

What could possibly be hidden in the drawer, what is so important to protect with a common ward like the one placed over it? Efemaer would be familiar with the trick as Aurora had used it a time or two when they were children when she used to carry a diary around. The boys would always tease her, and take her diary with hopes to open and read the private thoughts of a young girl. Each would be given quite a shock, learning the book would only open to who desired its contents to be revealed to. 

With further inspection of the drawer by Efemaer, he would find that the handle of the drawer itself would shimmer slightly with the lingering magic. Calling for him to touch it, to pull at it with the gentlest of touches it would open to him. Hidden inside the drawer were an ornate carved key from ancient wood strong as steel, the queen’s initials carved in the base of the key. Wondering where the key went to, further inspection of the personal chambers of the queen would have to be done. Although not to be taken lightly the Queens chambers could possibly be the next target of the stranger doing some of the dirty work it seems. 

@Twitterpated

[Twitterpated 3497]

"!?"

He could feel someone approaching, a somewhat familiar someone at that. He couldn't place him, even after seeing his face as he entered the office. Crossing his arms over his chest, Efemaer watched intently as the youngman went for the makeshift bait. He tried to force the drawer ajar to no avail, though it wasn't until he tried to pick the lock that he was thrashed for his forced attempt. Was it because of the repeated failure to open, or was it because he attempted to force the lock? Suddenly, his eyes widened in realization. The youngman scurried out, and judging by the volume of his exit, Efemaer would do best to not stick overstay his welcome either. Darting across the room, he took and knee and grasped the handle of the drawer.

"She wouldn't have..."

With nigh the gentlest touch he could muster, he eased the drawer open, in which it did indeed do just that. Inside he found a key, an old one at that. There wasn't a single lock he'd seen in this castle he could recall it fitting in. Though that was a matter to worry of after escaping the office. Slipping the key into his pocket, he quietly slid the drawer shut once more, presumably leaving the ward in tact despite the protected item being removed from it. With a snicker, he made his way out of the Queen's office. 'Unbelievable! Then again, it served it's purpose. Such a simple ward, literal child's play! None would be the wiser.'

Without moving too swiftly or with purpose, Efemaer wandered the halls; Ensuring he took a different path back up to the Queen's personal quarters. Along the way, he didn't see that youngman again, and quite frankly he preferred it that way for now. He had questions for him, one's he intended to have answered by the youngman's own tongue. Who sent him? What was he hoping to find in the drawer? If it was this key, what did he or his associate know about it? What did this key open? Whatever the case may be, he'd make certain to tell the Queen of what he saw as soon as he found her...If he found her. Where ever she may be, whoever took her, he couldn't help but believe she was still alive. 

Considering his search around the Queen's room earlier, he opted to have a seat on her bed where it seemed someone had sat, and he browed the room from this vantage. Pulling the key back out, he ran his fingers over it as he observed it more closely. He briefly remembered that the only thing that surprised him about this room was the crack that went over looked in the picture frame. Not that a key correlated directly to such. No doubt, it would eventually dawn on him to perhaps try looking behind the frame. A crack was easily potential evidence that perhaps it had fallen of the wall at one point or another.