#*rtq

[NORA]: And what about you, Your Majesty? What do you imagine this place used to be?

[FALLON]: I like to think that whatever it was, it was home to someone. That whoever lived here, worked here, felt safe here. Felt loved.

[Nora nods, smiling, and reaches out for Fallon's hand.]

[NORA]: That's a nice thought.

[Fallon returns the smile and takes Nora's hand.]

[FALLON]: I think so too.

[FALLON]: And where is home for you, Captain? I know you travel many places, but where do you call home?

[NORA]: My ship, the Caldera. That is my home, and my crew is my family.

[FALLON]: Your family? That's lovely.

[Fallon smiles, but there's a sadness in her eyes.]

[NORA]: I do. But they can handle themselves without me. Besides, spending time with you is most definitely worth it, Your Majesty.

Aiden has always lived in Anvia and comes from modest beginnings. He’s an only child. His mother died young and his father worked long hours as a clerk to make sure they had more than enough. Aiden is found of his father, although the two aren’t super close. He provides for his father now that he has plenty of wealth.

Aiden spent a lot of his childhood exploring the city and causing mischief. It was on one of these excursions that he ran into his predecessor Tal. They took a liking to the curious boy and took him under their wing. They taught him the tricks of the trade and quickly found that Aiden had a talent for it. By the time he was a teenager he was participating in less dangerous missions and gaining experience - and when Tal retired 2 years ago, Aiden was the one who took over. He’s been running things since.

What does the Information Guild do? They provide information to those who request it. From finding lost pets to investigating cheating spouses to finding out your rival’s deepest darkest secrets - they can get you all of that for a price. Basically the Information Guild is a spy network that spans the three kingdoms, although their home base is in Anvia. Nowadays Aiden spends a lot of his time managing things, but he still takes on a mission here and there, if he finds it particularly interesting.

Personality wise, Aiden is a charming rogue, who likes to playfully tease others. He never seems to take things seriously, even when he is being serious. He’s smarter than he looks, and incredibly curious which helps him out in his work. But also because of his work, he’s constantly looking over his shoulder to see if there is anyone out to get him. 

June 2nd, 1 p.m. Near Carisfell

[NORA]: I'm glad you joined me today, Your Majesty.

[FALLON]: To be perfectly honest, it's a welcome break from my duties. I did nothing but write letters all morning.

[NORA]: I'm happy to distract you, then. [She winks.]

[FALLON]: I knew that these ruins were here, but I never visited them. Never really had a reason to, I suppose. Or I was simply too busy. [She looks around at the crumbling stone walls.] [FALLON]: I wonder what they used to be.

[NORA]: I'm sure it was something fascinating. Like a hidden lair for a secret sect. Or a den of notorious thieves. Or a temple to a long-forgotten god.

[FALLON]: Such an imagination, Captain! Any one of those ideas would make for a fascinating story.

[Nora grabs Fallon's hand.]

[FALLON]: Captain, what-?

[NORA]: Look around. We have no way of knowing what was here based simply on what we see. But if we imagine... That could have been a chapel, a temple along the road. People could have stopped here, seeking shelter and a place to sleep on their way to Carisfell. Or it could have been an ancient keep, the ancestral home of a proud noble family, having watched over these lands for centuries. Maybe an illness devastated the devout people living in the temple. They barred their doors, and no one walked in or out. Perhaps the noble family fell into the hands of one last person, who died without an heir. Either way, this place was forgotten. Over time, without people to care for it, the buildings crumbled.

[FALLON]: That seems awfully sad. [She frowns.] That this place was special to someone once, and now it's been abandoned, forgotten.

[NORA]: But now we're here. We might not remember its original purpose, or its history, but we see it. We think of the people who might have lived here. We keep the memory alive. Places are constantly being forgotten or abandoned. But at the same time, new places are being built. New chapels to welcome travelers. New homes that will shelter a family for generations. Nothing is permanent. But that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

[FALLON]: I've never thought of it like that. I suppose I'm used to the Palace, with all its history written down, carefully kept track of over the years. But not every place, or person, has such a luxury.

[NORA]: Come along, Your Majesty. Let us find what else this newfound perspective can see.

[LAVINIA]: It's strange, seeing the sky from a new location. Everything is in different places than I'm used to.

[FALLON]: That would certainly be disorienting, I would think.

[LAVINIA]: It is, somewhat. But it's also a chance to see new constellations. Do you know the names of any of them?

[FALLON]: It's been years, but let's see if I remember...

[FALLON]: There's the Hunter on their horse, and there's the Dagger right above us, and the Crown over there...

later, 11p.m. The Palace

[FALLON]: Well, Lady Braune, I am most certainly excited to see what you have in store for me.

[LAVINIA]: Patience, Your Majesty. You'll see in just a moment. I hope you enjoy it.

[LAVINIA]: Here we are.

[FALLON]: Oh...

[LAVINIA]: Have a seat, Your Majesty.

[LAVINIA]: I thought we could take a moment and enjoy the stars. I know it's been a while.

[FALLON]: This is... wow. It's been far too long since I've taken a moment to admire the night sky. Years, probably.

[LAVINIA]: [smiles] Not quite so long for me, but still too long. It reminds me of home, even if the view is different.

[FALLON]: Did you often watch the stars back in Ironkeep?

[LAVINIA]: [nods] The Keep was so isolated, so there wasn't much else to do, especially at night. I spent many, many nights watching the night sky from my window.

[FALLON]: That sounds... lonely. Weren't you ever sad?

[LAVINIA]: No, not really. I had my sisters to keep me company, and my parents. Even if there wasn't much of a social scene, I always had someone to talk to. My sisters and I would spend hours together, talking, drinking hot cocoa and watching the stars.

[FALLON]: Do you miss them?

[LAVINIA]: At times. But it's lovely to get a chance to see the world beyond the Keep's walls. To meet new people. And besides, I'll see them again someday.

[LAVINIA]: And what of you? You've spent so many years here in the Palace. Surely you must have been lonely at times.

[FALLON]: [sighs] I... Yes, I suppose I have been. I didn't really realize it until I met all of you. It's almost jarring seeing the Palace so full of life again. But it's comforting too. [she pauses] It's been a long time since I've had people to talk to.

[LAVINIA]: Well, I for one am glad you're not alone anymore.

[FALLON]: Thank you, Lady Braune.

Child: Your Majesty!  Child: A gift for you, Your Majesty!

Fallon: What is your name?

Child: Cecily, Your Majesty.  I brought you a flower!

Fallon: Thank you, Cecily.  I will take very good care of it.

[Cecily curtsies and runs off.  Fallon and Hermes watch her go.]

Fallon: What a sweet child.  I have a feeling she will do well.  Now, shall we continue, Lord Andino?

[silence]

Fallon, concerned: Lord Andino, are you alright?

[Hermes turns around, smiling.] Hermes: I am more than alright, Your Majesty.  But, there is one small thing.  A Queen should display such a lovely gift.

Fallon: Thank you, Lord Andino.

Fallon: Tell me, how does Carisfell compare to Villecourt.  My capital against the jewel of Oraine.

Hermes: Villecourt?

[she nods] Fallon: I’ve been told her Upper City is quite the sight to behold.

Hermes: Well... the Upper City is the Jewel of Oraine...

Fallon: So I’ve heard.  But how does it compare to Carisfell?

Hermes: Carisfell is very different... But not at all in a bad way.

Fallon: Be honest.  I can take hearing a few bad words about this city.  It’s not as if I have never heard such a thing before.