The Forgotten Kingdom

Chapter 11

The first thing Carina noticed, was the dark gloom surrounding the town. There appeared to be no one there, and all the lanterns had been broken. She continued to walk towards the little town of Dirtmouth. Frowning as she approached the iron bench in the middle of town, she peered into a few empty buildings. Several of them looked like shops, their wares and supplies covered in a thick layer of dust. She frowned. She shivered and rubbed her arm as a cold wind blew weakly through the huge cavern above. 

She sighed, walking back out to the bench, sitting down and going through her bag. It was strange. She had half expected to meet someone here. She pulled out her maps, finding the one of dirtmouth and the expanse of the town. It seemed even when Cornifer had been here it was mostly empty. She set the map down, looking around, the dying light in a nearby building must be the stag station. Then next door.... A comically large pair of glasses identical to Cornifer's sat above the broken door. She stood, putting her maps away and hurrying into the building.

She had to bend quite low to enter without hitting her head, but she did it. She looked around, like the shops, the single room home/shop was covered in a layer of dust. She frowned, picking up a knocked down picture frame, careful of the broken glass, she dusted off the photo. A much younger Cornifer, and whom she assumed was his late wife Iselda smiled out at her from the faded photo. She teared up a little, smiling softly. Seeing him so happy made her feel warm, and she carefully pulled the picture from the frame. Setting the broken frame on the counter, she pulled out the journal, tucking it into the page with the flower petal, closing her eyes to keep from crying. 

She looked around for a moment, then found what she was looking for. A broom. She set to work cleaning up the little shop, smiling as she did, taking the broken lantern down, replacing it with hers for now. She hummed as she continued to clean, a little tune Cornifer had sung on multiple occasions, often getting flustered and asking her not to repeat it to her parents. He had told her about hearing it from a young miner girl in the Crystal Peaks. Myla he said her name was. "Oh bury my mother, pale and slight, Bury my father, with his eyes shut tight! Bury my sisters, two by two, and then when you're done let's bury me tooo! Bury the knight with her broken nail, bury the lady, lovely and pale! Bury the priest in his tattered gown, then bury the beggar with his shining crooown!" She smiled, thinking, trying to remember the rest. "Bury the vessels, in the abyss below, bury the Wyrm, dies ages ago! A shining creator, his dreams and his light, let him be consumed by our new knight!" She frowned, thinking the song sounded almost unfinished, then smiled. "Bury the dagger, to do no harm, Bury the elder, who dreamed so far. Bury the kingdom, so deep in the ground, then bury the shadow, to never be found!"

She nods to herself, continuing to hum as she cleaned, then she jumped when she heard someone behind her clear their throat, she turned quickly, brandishing the broom handle, the old bug stepping back and putting her four hands up. "Woah! Goodness! I'm sorry, I did not meant to startle you miss. I was at home napping, when I heard someone singing. I thought I was the last one in this old town you see." She smiled cheerily at Carina. "My name is Bretta. I live next door." Carina relaxed, lowering the broom, sighing and leaning it on the counter. 

"You don't have to apologize Miss Bretta. I should be the one apologizing. I'm just a little on edge is all. My name is Carina. It's nice to see someone in this old town..." The old bug nods sadly. "I understand, I would be the same way, thinking that I was alone and then hearing someone behind me. Granted I wouldn't have had such a violent reaction, I may have fainted. What brings you to my old town dear? Surely not riches in that old ruin? I'm afraid there's none left." She shook her head. Carina smiled. "Well. I'm not here for riches, but I am here for the Kingdom. My great grandfather and his wife were the owners of this place a long time ago. My grandfather recently passed away, but he asked me to restore Hallownest as his dying wish."

Bretta stared at her for a moment then smiled. "I remember them, not very well, but I do. They were a kind couple of bugs." She shook her head. "But to make such a wish of someone so young... How selfish." Carina frowned. She could see haw Bretta, or anyone may think Cornifer's last wish was selfish, even she did a little. But she was happy to be there. "I had a choice not to Miss Bretta. I wanted to come here. My home life was, not so happy... Being down here has brought me more happiness than anything else I've ever done. I've learned so much, and I've made more friends than I ever thought I would have." 

The old bug smiled, nodding in understanding. "I see. Well. If you ever feel lonely, I'll be next door. I can make us both some tea and you can tell me a few stories. Of both your home, and the Kingdom below." She smiled again, turning and shuffling out quietly, leaving Carina to go back to her cleaning. 

She smiled, glad she was not alone in this little place. She picked the broom up, and returned to her cleaning, thinking of making this little house her base of operations, at least for now.