The Stolen Crown

Chapter 13: The Seal and the Letter

The light of a flame danced in the setting sun, as the one who worked within its embrace etched the last of her ink onto the piece of parchment, along with her thoughts and a part of her soul. She labored away, her hand made to curve, spin and stab, though while she did, her gown, exquisite in green, gold and design befitting of her royalty, was made slightly inept by the faint smudges that clung to it. With a final mark, she admired her work and basked in the labor of her own doing. She puckered her lips and blew a warm breath of air over the scratched grooves as she dried the ink.

"It's ready," Elizabeth said, holding the unsealed letter out to her company.

Helene, who had waited by her side was quick to take it in her hands.

"What do you think?" Elizabeth questioned.

"I think you made a mistake here," Helene commented, her eyes glancing over the piece of work and the seemingly innocent words that lay within. "Did you misspell this word?"

"Let me see," Elizabeth said. "I don't see anything."

"I think you made a mistake with the way you spelled her name," Helene explained.

"That's not a mistake," Elizabeth replied with a smile, as she passed it back. "That's a smudge."

"Want me to write it again?" Helene asked.

"No need," Elizabeth said, leaving her seat to ordain herself with pieces of gold and silver jewelry. "She knows my handwriting. She will know if someone else wrote it."

"I don't mean to cast doubt..." Helene stated.

"But?" Elizabeth asked in anticipation.

"Are you sure she will answer your summons?" Helene asked. "The others too?"

"I am," Elizabeth replied, a smile growing over her lips. "I am still the Queen after all."

"I didn't mean—" Helene quickly explained.

"I know," Elizabeth interrupted. "Just trying to flutter your heart. So, what do you think?"

"Other than your mistake?" Helene asked with a smile of her own.

"Other than that," Elizabeth replied.

Helene glanced at the piece of work once again, as she reread each of the inked scratches. With each completed line, she nodded in consent, until finally, she looked back to her company. "I approve."

"Can you take care of the wax?" Elizabeth asked.

"Of course," Helene replied, rummaging through the table drawer and pulling it forth. It stood no longer or thicker than a finger, though its value lay in its malleable nature. Holding the red stick of wax over the flame, she turned it over from side to side, as it grew more pliable to the point of collapse.

"Can you have them sent out too?" Elizabeth asked.

"Of course," Helene replied. "We can use that man again. He can get anything to anyone without getting much attention. No one really pays attention to a pilgrim. As much of one as he claims to be."

"See that it is done," Elizabeth ordered, moving over to the far side of the room and plucking forth an item, before returning to her company.

Helene quickly moved the hot dripping wax onto the folded crossroads of the parchment and leaving a red oasis. Quickly, the item the Queen had procured and kept behind her back was pressed firmly against it, sealing it with her royal mark.

"Well that completes that," Helene said smiling, admiring the seal that bore an eagle with a shield over its breastplate and a lion beside it. "The easy part. And you even managed to get the seal on strait this time."

"The easy part is done," Elizabeth stated with a smile of her own. "Now onto the next stage. We will have to move quickly. I will keep them distracted for a while. I trust that you will be able to do what we discussed."

"Of course," Helene quickly assured her. "I know the route. Know the man to look for. Know what to say. There is only one thing."

"One thing?" Elizabeth asked with a slight tilt to her head.

Helene leaned closer, sharing a soft whisper, careful so that no others would hear had they been listening through the walls. "Do you have the purse?"

"Oh, right," Elizabeth stated, her eyebrows leaping up. "I completely forgot." She pointed down towards the desk she had labored over, revealing a treasure wrapped in leather. "You will find everything you need in there."

"Will it be enough?" Helene asked sarcastically, shaking the heavy purse with a laugh.

"It should be," Elizabeth replied, sharing a chuckle, though she continued to prepare the last of her appearance with a somber expression. "Do you have everything you need?"

"I do," Helene stated, reaching for her cloak and throwing it on, the secrets of what she held, nestled beneath it. "Do you?"

"I do," Elizabeth stated, taking a deep breath and brushing the last creases of her attire off. She turned her eyes a final time to her mirror and tended to the details of her appearance. "Time to start the ceremonies and move towards what must come. Shall we go and do what we need to do?"

"Ready when you are," Helene replied.

"I will leave you to decide for yourself which destination you wish to visit first," Elizabeth said, making her way for the door with a stern expression. "Just make sure no one is following you."

"Understood," Helene replied, just as the lock to the door was released. "One last thing," she said before the hinges could whine. "Good luck, my Queen."

"I told you that you don't have to call me that," Elizabeth said, a smile returning to her face. "But, good luck to you as well, my friend."