The Unsettling

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished. That’s what they say, and to be fair it's an adequate if unimaginative description of what transpired, but the common folk around here aren’t know for their poetry or prose. I won’t fault them for that, or their ignorance of the events that led to the river running backwards. It is on that note that I feel obliged to provide some context, seeing as I was there after all. There was strangeness occurring in the river and I had embarked upon a quest for knowledge as to the reason why, all signs up to that point had led to the Queens involvement but I had to be sure. It’s not proper to accuse without getting the facts after all.

After a brief investigation involving some locals, including a handful of beavers (not to be racists but I couldn’t manage to understand their thick accents) no real answers presented themselves. I decided the only way to settle it would be to confront the Queen directly. After all she would know, nothing of note happens around here without her knowing. Many folks spoke highly of her after all, and the Queendom was a prosperous one. Surely she would have answers and listen to reason. The river was in anguish and I had to act fast.

So I set about plotting the quickest way to the castle, its appearance magnificent even from the distance, finding it would be no problem despite not having gone that way in, well I can’t even remember the last time I had visited the upper city let alone the castle. Time flows by and makes fools of us all. Anyway the sun was shining its benevolence down upon the city of Aristuni as I began my journey. The cobblestones felt warm and pleasing to my feet as I pitter-pattered my way along. The fresh spring air felt invigorating, and the suns warm rays caressed my long curled hair as I went. It seemed a great day despite the unfortunate circumstances that led to it. Everyone was smiling and smirking as I went by, clearly awestruck by my natural beauty; many of which fell over themselves to catch a glimpse as I sped past.

Forgive my rambling, sometimes I forget myself. Surprised they don’t call me Brook for all the babbling I do sometimes. Anyway, it took far less time than I had imagined to wind my way through the streets and ascend to the upper city, and the jewel atop it. The Queen's castle, the Quattarlian.

==-==-==

As I approached the castle I was struck by a wave of awe. It was one thing to see at a distance but up close it was a thing of astonishment. Smoothed stone walls ascending skyward to the heavens, spires beyond those going to tickle the clouds themselves. White as polished ivory when you stood still but cascades of shimmering colors that changed with the light as you moved, adorned by a veritable menagerie of statues and depictions of mystical creatures. I however had no time to appreciate its architectural finery. I was on a mission, and the river wasn’t going to wait, I could admire the ornate crenelations later. With that, I puffed out my chest and strutted towards the massive gateway doors.

The gates were surrounded by a dozen people clad in some sort of metallic plates. An endless amount of tiny circles linked together beneath the slabs of chitinous metal. I hadn’t seen anything like it before, but they reminded me of the crustaceans that often scuttled about the riverbanks. These metal man crabs with their pokey poles looked quite the sight to me, but it had been a long time since I had come this close to the castle. Perhaps this was normal? I didn’t have time to linger on the thought, I had more pressing matters to attend. As I approached several seemed to shake their heads and refused to acknowledge my presence or averted their gaze. They were ignoring me! And at a time like this.

Not knowing the names of any of these men or possibly woman, the helmets made it impossible to tell and wishing to avoid any sort of social faux pas that might delay my meeting with the Queen I decided to address them in the most respectable manner I could think of at the time.

“Hail noble crab people! I’ve come to speak with the Queen on a manner most urgent! Be so kind as to point me in her direction,” I bellowed, striking what I was certain was an authoritative pose, hips thrust forward, legs spread into a wide stance, one arm reaching to the big blue above and the other resting angled yet refined on my shapely hip. The breeze picked up and I felt my lengthy flowing hair sway as several thicker strands wrapped around my chest and down my waist forming a makeshift tunic. My natural curves lending the outfit a salacious undercurrent.

The metal crab folk, which I have since come to know prefer to be referred to as guards or soldiers. Turned to me all at once. I had managed to catch their attention, and the most ornately adorned of which sighed visibly, before shaking their head. Think I heard one of them whispering something about ‘got a crazy one here’, or perhaps they said ‘I’d like a cherry beer’ I can’t quite recall and my hearing is a bit garbled on occasion.

“Mam, we can’t let you pass,” the stern crab person, man, actually yes; thinking back it was definitely a man said as he moved to bar my path.

“I have urgent business! With the Queen. Make wave!”

“For starters, I think you meant make way, secondly you’re naked….and wet.”

“Ohh,” I replied, realizing the crab man might have a valid point.

In my haste, I had come straight from the river and neglected to dawn pants or clothing of any kind for that matter and this appeared to be unsettling the crab people who struggled to keep their composure. This may also explain all the whistling and hooting from the men as I briskly jogged through the city now that I think of it.

“Is that a problem?” I asked, giving them the big eyes and displaying the most coquettish smile I could muster. Twirling my long hair in between my fingers. Perhaps my charms would expedite this I thought. Men are simple creatures after all.

“Yes, it is. I’m afraid.” The large fancy crab man replied with conviction.

“I need to see the Queen and I mean NOW. The rivers in pain, and if it doesn’t get answers soon it’s going to come looking for them in a not-so-nice manner.”

“Sure it is,’ he said nodding slowly. “How about this, you go into town and get some fancy pants and we’ll let the Queen know you’re coming. Hop along and go find some clothes.”

That wasn’t going to work though. I didn’t have time to go find proper pants! I proceeded to do what I felt was reasonable and reiterated my point with increased volume, as perhaps they weren’t hearing me and that was the real issue. Pants couldn’t really be all that important at a time like this after all. So I started shouting and flailing about trying desperately to get the urgency of my mission across. Apparently I was making what is known as a ‘Scene’ and not long after a skinny figure in a robe with some scraggly weaved fur on its chin came to join the crab folk, and they seemed to make wave for him.

Good, this must be some type of manager. Perhaps this is a scuttle in the right direction. These crab folks were being quite unreasonable. Perhaps this slim fur-chinned one would be more amenable,I thought.

After croaking some commands to the crab people, two of them picked me up by the arms lifting me off the ground. Great they are taking me to the Queen! About time I thought. Then they started taking me in the wrong direction, next thing I knew I was flying through the air, and down the what I would now consider unnecessarily long set of stairs.

First of all, rude! Like who does that? I was starting to vehemently dislike the castle crab people and their silly rules. How is it this hard to see the god damn Queen? Now my head feels funny and I’m leaking all over the place. I was about to get up and give them a piece of my mind, when everything started to go dark, I felt rather dizzy. Then came a rumbling from behind. The last thing I remember was thinking. All this trouble over pants?

==-==-==

Now this next part I heard about more than saw, but it happened and is essential to the story so creative freedom applies.

The river slowed, to the confusion of the fisherman. Before stopping completely and reversing direction, emptying down to the riverbed at a point partway into the city. Not sure why they called it a bed, not like the river really slept there but language can be difficult for common folks, anyway. Now the river didn’t run backwards for very long, see it wasn’t so much of a running river at that point and decided to go upwards instead. To the gathered masses it was a spectacle both astonishing and befuddling, as it formed a tower of water. Most rivers run, this was about to do something they are less known for; sprinting.

The tower collapsed all at once and charged over the riverbanks, surging across and up the streets, weaving around buildings and people leaving them untouched as it danced around them. The torrent of water screaming past,blasting forth with a primordial elemental fury! The watery tendrils of a thousand veins crisscrossing across the land to coalesce once more at the gates of the castle with an angry slap. The castle's alarms rang out as the watery rams burst into the heart of the castle.

Anyway, I awoke a bit later, apparently after all the ruckus. My head had stopped leaking and at that point, nobody seemed to care about my lack of pants as they were all generally too busy crying, screaming, or dealing with whatever crisis was at hand. So I just sort of let myself in and went to find the Queen. The castle is incredibly fancy but they really should do something about all the water damage.

Long story short. I didn’t find the Queen, although I checked her chambers and throne room. I found something in her room though that confirmed my fears. I also overheard some of the scraggly folks mention the Queens gone into hiding, that was more unfortunate news. I needed to find her more than ever now.

==-==-==

“So blah blah blah, other stuff happened and now I'm here.”

“That’s intriguing knowledge you’re packing miss. There are few that know the Queens gone into hiding and even fewer that know the castle was ‘cleansed’. I’m inclined to believe you were actually there or have a hell of a network of informants, and if the latter were true you wouldn’t be here. I’d wager the reason you’ve regaled me with your little tale is that you need my help to find our wayward monarch.”

“How astute, knew I’d made the right decision coming to the infamous broker of Bodagan lane. I must find the Queen, it is imperative. Only she can set things right.”

“I’m not one for national pride, normally I wouldn’t give two shits about those inbred gentry schmucks in their ivory towers but since the Queens disappeared I’ve been hearing more and more troubles arising. Vultures looking to fill the political void, as well as other stranger occurrences. The rivers still erratic, whispers that the trees have started to walk, and fires burn cold. The Queendoms coming apart at the seams, the elements are up in arms and that’s bad for business.” The man said, fiddling with an engraved ring on his finger.

“Then you’ll help me?”

“That I shall, it's in my best interest to do so.”

“Thank you for your kindness broker man!”

“Don’t thank me yet lass. This ain’t a charity. I will need compensation for my services, expenses, ect. Rewards to be blunt. I’m sure there will be no shortage of gratitude from the royal family should we rectify this unusual situation for them.”

“Agreed, I’d be more than happy to make sure you get what you deserve. I’ve no desire for the trappings of wealth or power. I just need things set right again.”

The mans head rose from the desk, and a wide gold tooth-riddled grin emerging from beneath the cowl. He could smell opportunity. It stunk of gold and greed.

“You’re an odd one, but you’re interesting.” He said, and a bit touched in the head but I imagine you get away with a lot looking the way you do. He thought. Pretty but probably not too bright, think a bit of fine print is in order. The broker busied himself with a quill and parchment for several minutes.

“Sign this contract to ensure confidentiality and the terms of our arrangement. It’s magically enchanted, It binds us to ensure we each hold up our bargain until the terms are fulfilled or become impossible. Be warned there are dire consequences for breaking a contract.”

“Not a problem,” she assured him as she signed without hesitation.

The broker signed his name hastily afterward. Tutlan.

The ink burned bright momentarily before the contracts worlds slipped into the air, forming into a sigil that flew into both of their shoulders embedding like a tattoo before fading away to be near invisible.

“Forgot to ask your real name before, I was so enraptured by your tale,” he pressed upon the sigil, and inside his eyes the contract presented itself.

“Let's see here. Azrean eh? You’re named after the river. Bit of providence there that you’d be one with knowledge of what's happening to it.” He chuckled.

“Not named after it, as such,’ replied Azrean with an innocent smirk.

A rising chill of dread began at the base of Tutlans spine, creeping upwards sobering his greed-addled mind. A suffocating gut-wrenching realization condensing, a brackish quagmire of panic. “Ohh shit,” Tutlan whispered to himself, realizing the potentially grievous error just committed. Shit, play it cool, maybe it's not what I think.

“Do you know what hunts the Queen? Rumors are it’s some sort of demon.” He inquired.

“Of course I know what hunts her. I know it intimately. I can assure you it’s no demon.”

“How’s that?” Tutlan said, heart in his throat, its destination set to his bespoke boots knowing the answer before she spoke.

“Why wouldn’t I know myself?”