[Queen's Paradise: Prologue - Queen of Bones]

[13:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Queen's Paradise: Prologue - Queen of Bones]
[13:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> Zephros looks out over the capital walls.
[13:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Already three of the Undead Queen's have shown themselves if you include the Herald."
[13:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> "The Queen of Bones is the closest now according to intelligence, she could prove the most problematic." The mage says to no one in particular.
[13:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Ensure that all the possible defense measures are taken in case she proves hostile, if the King refuses to fight then I will do so in his place."
[13:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That's cute but you'll just die you know."
[13:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> Zephros jumps and turns quickly to see Aldeas standing behind him.
[13:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> The small cloaked girl in his hands kicks and flails around in the air as he holds her up the the back of her robe.
[13:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> The girl pouts as she finally gives up and Aldeas laughs.
[13:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Zeph, I know you and Kenny are just looking out for me but you need to relax."
[13:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> Zephros sighs.
[13:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Could you release my acolyte before she throws a tantrum, your majesty?" Zephros says as he steps forward.
[13:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas drops the small girl who scurries behind Zephros and sticks out her tongue at the King.
[13:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Kenny's already set up anti-necromancy counter measures, what are you so worried about?" Aldeas asks.
[13:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Sharlee, the Queen of Bones, is not one to be trusted."
[13:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> Zephros says in a serious tone.
[13:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "She razed an entire kingdom 500 years ago and turned every living human within into skeletons. The Kingdom of Bones is a haven for necromancers and only they are allowed to live within without having their flesh stripped away."
[13:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "In many ways, more than any of the other Queens, Sharlee represents the evils of undeath. How do you plan to reason with someone who's already commited crimes of war against humanity?"
[13:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas looks down.
[13:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> "500 years is a long time."
[13:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> "There's no statuete of limitations on mass genocide." Zephros replies.
[13:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "She houses necromancers and is the sole reason that necromancy as an art hasn't been purged from the world. She commands an army of skeletal warriors and could at any moment send them flooding over the world of men and reduce everything to bones and ash."
[13:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas shrugs.
[13:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> "But it's been 500 years."
[13:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> "THAT'S NOT THE POINT!" Zephros says in anger.
[13:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You always do this Al! no matter what someone does you're too quick to forgive!"
[13:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Sharlee cannot be trusted. Even if you order me to, I will never let my guard down around her."
[13:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas smiles and pats Zephros on the shoulder.
[13:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Good, wouldn't have it any other way."
[13:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Somebody has to clean up my messes." The young king laughs.
[13:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "But what I meant was, you keep talking about the things she could do. It's been 500 years... do you think it took her that long to make an army as poweful as the one she has?"
[13:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I know for a fact at least five generations of kings have lived in fear of the Army of Bones.... if she was going to start a war she could have done so a long time ago."
[13:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It's true she's done terrible things, but they were to a kingdom that no longer exists with no affiliation to ours. We can't hold her accountable for crimes she committed before our laws were even in place."
[13:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> "And maybe she already has everything she wanted."
[13:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Would you have me condemn her for using the powers she has to obtain what she desires? Would you have me refuse all negotiations with her because she might think about expanding her kingdom?"
[13:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Every day I have thoughts of growing our borders and claiming more territory, I want to rule over and protect as much of the world as I can."
[13:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "If Sharlee weren't a Lich, but simply a conqueror from a distant kingdom of men would you be so up in arms?"
[13:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> "If Sharlee comes to war then I will fight her." Aldeas says as he looks out to the horizon.
[13:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> "But if she comes for peace then we will have gained an incredibly powerful Ally who single handedly controls the most dangerous and volatile school of magic in the world."
[13:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> Zephros does not turn to face the king who's moved behind him.
[13:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> ".... Once again I have no retort, your majesty. I will tell the men to be at ease for the time being."
[13:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas grins. "Good man."
[13:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Your lordship, you are far more of a monster than any of these Queens."
[13:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm glad you think so, it means equality is closer than I hoped."
[13:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> The spark of ambition in Aldeas' eyes hints at something greater than his words let on.
[13:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> Over the Horizon a massive structure of bones rolls slowly breaking down trees in it's path, pulled by a hundred skeletal horses the rolling fortress creaks and rumbles menacingly.
[13:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission]


[14:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Intermission Out]
[14:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> The bone juggernaut rolls closer and closer to the city walls causing the guards at the gate to enter a state of mild panic, as one would expect.
[14:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> The monstrosity comes to a stop and the skeletal steeds pulling the massive structure dissolve into blue flames and are whisked away in the wind.
[14:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> Slowly the behemoth opens and a large ramp of bone lowers down from within.
[14:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> And forward steps... a woman.
[14:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> She has an average figure, her body clad in a military style uniform typically worn by aristocratic commanding officers.
[14:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> The buttons and adornments are fashioned from bone and the fabric is a black silk.
[14:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> At her side is a bone rapier.
[14:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> The woman's short black hair is tied in a bun, but even unbound it would scarecely reach her shoulders.
[14:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's thin and feminine despite wearing a decidedly boyish outfit and her petitcoat bulges with her rather obvious breasts that, while not at all disproportional like many Queens look quite large due in part to the way her clothing fits.
[14:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her eyes are the same sapphire blue as the flames that wisked away her horses.
[14:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> One of the guards approaches the ghost pale skinned woman cautiously and asks her to identify herself.
[14:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I am Sharleeze Nerfalcias Vladimir III, Queen of the Kingdom of Bone and patroned Saint of Death as recognized by the Black Sabbath of Necromancy." She says in a stern formal voice.
[14:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I've come at the request of your King." she says while looking down at the guard.
[14:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> The guard nods. "This way, maam."
[14:13] <!Emilybroshoujo> -snap-
[14:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> In a pillar of azure flames the massive bone juggernaut vanishes and Sharlee follows the guard into the city.
[14:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> The strikingly beautiful features of the lich queen draw the eyes of the people as she walks past, maintaining an expression of unfeeling stoicism.
[14:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> Finally they arrive at the palace and she enters the throne room, Aldeas and Lucia seated on their thrones.
[14:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> Sharlee stares across at them.
[14:15] <!Emilybroshoujo> "King of Men." She says with a proper bow.
[14:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "May I ask that you dismiss as many members of your court that you are comfortable with." She says with an icey stare.
[14:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas waves his hand.
[14:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Everyone leave, Lucia and I will be enough."
[14:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> Without arguing the guards and other members of the court file out of the room, leaving only Aldeas, Lucia, and Mesina with the Lich Queen.
[14:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> "..... May I have a disposal bin." Sharlee asks suddenly.
[14:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> Raising an eyebrow Aldeas takes a small copper tin from the corner of the room and hands it to the queen.... who immediately vomits into the bucket.
[14:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> After a few moments of her violently expelling ectoplasm between fits of coughing as Aldeas pats her back she looks up and wipes the glowing blue goo from around her mouth and tries to regain her composure.
[14:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are.... are you alright, Lady Sharlee?" Aldeas asks concerned.
[14:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Quite... I have a nervous disposition around the living and being surrounded by the stares of all the citizens of your kingdom on my way here induced a panic attack." She says as she dabs her cheeks.
[14:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> "The introverted sort then?" Aldeas asks as Mesina and Lucia share smiles and glances at the vulnerability of yet another Queen.
[14:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You could say that. I'm fine with speaking to people but large crowds frighten me. My apologies." She says with a bow.
[14:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> "No need, it's cute actually." Aldeas adds.
[14:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> Sharlee's expression doesn't change but her cheeks turn a deep blue in response to Aldeas' chuckling.
[14:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> She coughs. "Well then... about the peace talks. I'll participate in them on two conditions."
[14:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm listening." Aldeas says as he takes a seat back on his throne.
[14:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> "First, I want all trade and trespass into the Kingdom of Bone cut off, not just from your people but everyone. We are entirely self sufficient and do not need outside help."
[14:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Second.... I would like my own room with a lockable door and a small library for the duration of the conference."
[14:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Done on both counts." Aldeas says without hesitation.
[14:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "May I ask a silly question?" Lucia chimes in.
[14:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> Sharlee nods.
[14:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Did you raze the Kingdom of Bones just so you could be alone?"
[14:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Not Quite.... I was born a Lich, thanks to my mothers necromantic practices, so I was an object of great interest to many researchers. The razing of the Kingdom of Alshivez was simply the result of me losing control of my powers after the stress of being constantly probed and examined broke my will."
[14:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> "My necromantic power went out of control and rotted away the flesh of every living thing in the kingdom."
[14:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "In my isolation I grew lonely so I animated my first skeleton... the rest is history as they say."
[14:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> "... You poor thing." Lucia says as she starts to tear up.
[14:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> Sharlee hands Lucia a handkerchief and pats her head.
[14:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Thank you for your concern but I'm quite alright... that was a long time ago."
[14:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas smiles warmly as the Lich Queen attempts to comfort his crying wife.
[14:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> Sharlee's emotionless expression hides a gentle warmth... and a great deal of pain.
[14:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You're very strong." Aldeas says to the Queen of Bones.
[14:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'll show you to your room."
[14:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> She nods and follows him silently up to her private chambers.
[14:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> Lucia cries into Mesina's chest who sighs and pats her head.
[14:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I am such a fool." Zephros says from behind one of the throne rooms pillars as he falls into a seated position.
[14:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> "If she were a tyrant war would have been inevitable generations ago... Aldeas knew that from the start." The mage says as he sulks.
[14:33] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yeah, that's why Al's the king and we're just shitty advisors." Kendrick says as he walks into the room and extends a hand to Zephros.
[14:33] <!Emilybroshoujo> Zephros fires a small bolt of flame that lights Kendricks vestments on fire and stands up on his own before leaving the throne room.
[14:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Ah! Hot! CRAP! PUT ME OUT!" Kendrick screams as he rolls on the ground and Zephros walks away with his hands in his pockets still sulking.
[14:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> The two white acolyte girls stomp out Kendrick, the elder taking a great deal of sadistic enjoyment in stomping on her perverted instructor as Lucia and Mesina laugh at the unfolding spectacle.
[14:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> Meanwhile high in one of the towers in the room furthest from anyone else Aldeas opens the door for Sharlee.
[14:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> The room has a small bookshelf full of new releases that Sharlee has never read, the matresses are covered in silk quilting and the room has blinds on all the windows.
[14:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It's perfect... how did you know?" Sharlee says as she walks around the room.
[14:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas shrugs.
[14:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I don't know, you'd think I'd get that question a lot more than I do." He says with a smile before leaving the Lich Queen to settle in.
[14:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> As he closes the door a soft "Thank you." is muttered from inside.
[14:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas laughs to himself.
[14:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Queen of bones - End]