When I Was A Queen

One

   Eighth Moon, Cycle 1349

    The autumn night had a defining chill to it, a bitter wind that swept in from the northern snowlands. A wind that seemed to mock the last vestige of warmth within the forest. The trees even appeared to weep as their leaves fell to the ground under the somber moon.

   The old mare snorted as her rider dismounted slowly. The horse, cold and hungry, was angry to be out so long.  The rider let out a groan as she straightened her back. Her muscles strained and joints cracked as the cold seeped deeper into her bones.

    She knew it wouldn't be long before the first snow would fall, judging by the constant ache in her hands and knees.
      For a moment she considered lighting a torch, but her night vision was strong, her eyes unaffected by her years. That and the moon would help guide her. She couldn't risk being seen, to fail.

     She sighed as she turned to her old friend, "Go, go home to the warmth. I no longer need your help, you old nag."
      The mare snorted with discontent as she turned and slowly cantered away, unable to reach the swift gait of her youth.
     The rider sighed again as she steeled herself for what she must do. She turned and hobbled into the ruins that were once her home.

     The ruins were slowly returning to nature as trees had grown between the cobblestones and dilapidated walls, ivy rose along the crumbling towers, and a thick bed of moss replaced what would have once been floorboards.
      The old lady could still see the scorch marks from when the land had been sieged and burnt. She trembled, not from the cold but from the memories the racked her tired mind.
Centuries had passed and still that horrible night was still vivid in her head as it was moments after it happened.

    The old lady shook her head to clear the thoughts that she knew would bring her nothing but trouble. She could not afford the time to shake the melancholy that penetrated her essence whenever she dwelled too long on her past.
     The women pressed on down winding streets where she saw the empty shells that were the shops and homes she used to know.
     She walked for what seemed like ages when she finally reached the smithshop; the one building completely designed to withstand fire.
Still she noticed that the smithy still took its toll from nature. The building was covered in flora and looked ready to collapse from the weight at any moment.

      The women prayed that it was still there, that it wasn't a victim of time and decay as she would soon be. She pushed past a wall of vines where she knew the open doorway would be and stepped through the threshold.
     She coughed and sputtered as she kicked up long forgotten dust and ash that had settled in the half open walled room.

     Slowly she walked to the other side and through the next doorway into what she knew used to be a small storage room. It seemed nothing remained in there except some broken shelves and rubble littering the floor, everything of worth had been pillaged either by fleeing city folk or the enemy.
      She made her way to the center of the room, agonizingly she knelt down. Sighing, she started the painstaking task of clearing the debris from around her.
       The women groaned as it wasn't easy to lift and move at such an overwhelming age. However she is determined to complete her quest as she knew it was time.

     Sitting back on her heels, she hefted the last piece of trash and flung it across the room. Pausing briefly she removes the keys from the chain hidden on her neck and beneath her garments. Four keys hung from the chain; each being of different metals and designs.
     Hands trembling she selected the first key she would need. The key was long, narrow, and made of copper. The key was unique, being of a cylindrical design with various teeth and holes. The handle was the shape of featherless silver wing with tiny etchings along its bony edge; a dull red jewel set the wing's base.
     Examing the floor she found the spot, a tiny hole that would go unnoticed unless someone knew of its existence.

     Pointing the wingtip to the north she inserted the key. Muttering quietly, she gave the key a half turn counterclockwise. A tiny click could be heard a the key settled a little further. A small light started to emanate from the dull stone.
      The woman turned the key left and right swiftly while her words became quicker and louder but still unintelligible to the common ear. With each turn another click could heard and the key descended further. The dull red stone appeared brighter and brighter as she worked.

     With a blinding flash of light the key reached the bottom of the lock and the women's word suddenly ceased. The room started to shake as a low rumbling sound came from below.

     Quickly, she grabbed the key and returned to entryway of the store room. The tremors grew stronger as a cacophony rose from the ground overwhelmed all other noises.
     After a few heart-pounding moments everything seemed to still too low hum as the floor slowly melted like butter in a hot pan. Brick by brick the floor seemed to converge within itself creating a wide opening.

      Anxiously, the women stepped forward to peer down the hollow shaft. Still dazed  from the spellflash, She slowy eased herself down until she was sitting perched on a cold narrow step.
     Trembling she reached her hands out on each side until she could feel the sides of the shaft. Confident of her placement on the step she pulled herself up and slowly descended. Above her as she made her way down the opening closed sealing her into darkness.

    Note: Please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!