Chapter Three

Knight-Captain Morgan was on a bear hunt in the forest when a messenger pigeon approached her having come from the direction of the royal castle. She let out a deep resigned sigh. "What does Her Majesty want now?" she asked.

 

Reluctantly suspending her hunt, Morgan returned to the castle. She decided to fix herself some soup made from the whale she'd harpooned off the coast and then thought that she needed to at least look presentable in front of the queen. So she put on her uniform and fastened her sword to her side.

 

Upon approaching the castle, Morgan discovered that Alys had completely overhauled the castle's decor -- and, she decided, for the more opulent, even if the endless pink wasn't her style. When she got in, she asked the harlequin Vivian, who was playing a jaunty tune on her lute, where the queen was. "Well, Her Majesty has already retired for the night. I suggest you come back in the morning."
But Morgan would have none of it. "Summon her!" she demanded. "I request an audience with her Majesty immediately. "

 

Alys emerged into the throne room looking every bit the queen she had become. She wore a gilded crown upon her head, and her hair was neatly braided into two side knots decorated with ribbons.
"Majesty," Morgan began, calling Alys' attention to her while kneeling before her throne. "You summoned me here -- why? Could this not have waited until morning?"
"No," Alys replied, "I promise that I will make this visit worth your while."
Morgan was now intrigued. Shaking her head, she then inquired, "What do you mean?"

 

Alys took the unusual step of removing herself from the throne to talk to Morgan. "Arkovia is hosting a Tournament of Games. Brave knights from all over the world will be descending upon this kingdom for the event, and we expect to field a worthy champion."

“Aye, Your Majesty,” nodded Morgan.