The Deeplands

Chapter 2: A Prisoner of Lies

I am finally alone. Things have happened so fast I'm not quite sure where to start. I suppose I will start with who was at the door.

It was the Guard, the Queen's soldiers. "Yes, sir?" I asked the commander standing on my doorstep, staring at me oddly.

"You are to come with us, Miss Alexandra. You may bring any items that will fit in a MageBag." He replied curtly.

I sighed. MageBags could hold large amounts of objects, but they were quite small and it was difficult to fit larger objects through the opening. "Yessir." I nodded and returned to the house.

I grabbed my Magebag that I used for everyday items and went through the house, gathering the primary objects I would need for time away from home. Clothes, books, and snacks disappeared into the bag. I grabbed my hunting bag, bow, quiver, arrows, and daggars, and shoved them all into the bag. Finally, I decided to speak with the guards about the Horsings and Eileena.

I went out and addressed the dilemma of my animals with the commander. He said that I could bring them with me and that they would be well treated. I agreed, only on the condition that I could care for them mostly by myself. He consented.

We packed up and off we went. Through town and onto the main road that led to the Fortress of Queens. Along the way they asked me questions about me and my family. I answered partially truthfully, hoping to protect identities of friends and that they wouldn't figure out about Mom's use of Common Magic, which is not illegal, but highly discouraged. As I kept on telling more and more lies, I found myself becoming their prisoner. There more lies I told, the more I had to strive to remember what I had said and stick to it.

Eventually we came to a stop and were told to settle in for the night. I was led to a cart that had been set up a living quarters for me. I settled in and began to write.