Ryzom

It was a beautiful day in the Matis woods … a silent and peaceful atmosphere pervaded the wide green rides of the sleeping forest, as slowly Prince Stevano of the Matis rode through the huge trees. Having successfully managed to escape the stress of the palace once more, he ambled totally at ease with the woods and the greenery that surrounded him.

He knew, of course, that his mother, Queen Lea, would be angry with him, since once again he had ridden out without his escort. He was also fully aware that the queen had every right to be angry with him, because it was very careless to sneak out like this on his own, but he felt instinctively that no harm could come to him amongst these stately trees in this calm and lovely setting. Besides, King Yrkanis, his father was at some important meeting in Pyr, and the court was thoroughly boring at the moment.

Deep in thought he continued on his way, not really paying attention to his surroundings. As he was soon to discover, this proved to be an expensive mistake, for had he been a bit more attentive, he would doubtless have seen the three dark figures hiding behind the trees, ready to pounce....

The next thing Prince Stevano felt was a sharp pain in the back of his head and then he was lost to the darkness.

At about the same time, back in the palace, Queen Lea was pacing up and down in front of her throne waiting for the search troop of guards to return and to bring back the errant runaway prince. She wasn’t even sure if it was still worth being that angry about these incidents, but of course she was concerned about the security of her only child and the sole heir to the thrown of the Matis.

Somehow, deep inside, she was able to understand her son, since she know just too well how stifling formal life in the palace could become and how exhausting it was never to be able to just spend one minute on your own … but this could not be an acceptable excuse to run away like this. Yrkanis would be furious if he found out about this new incident. He was a great husband, father and king; and did not suffer easily such misbehavior and lack of self control.

If only the guards would return safely with her son, she might not even have to bother the king with it, and could deal with Stevano herself.

Right at that moment however, the commander of the guard troop she had sent out was announced; entering the thrown room a few moments later.

By the look on his face the Queen could already tell that the news was bad. “Your Majesty”, he said, “I am terribly ashamed of myself and my men, but we were unable to bring his highness the Prince back to palace. In fact we have not found one single clue as to where about he might be at the moment. We will continue our search, but it will soon be dark and I don’t think we are going to find him before the morning.” The commander kneeled in front of the Queen and waited for her response. The Queen sighed and set down on her throne.

This was the stuff of her darkest nightmares come to horrible reality. Her son had vanished into thin air, and her husband was out of the country.

The following day, a stranger arrived at the city gates and asked for an audience with the Queen. At first, the guards refused to let him pass as he looked both bizarre and malign, but then he told the guards the purpose of his journey to Yrkanis and the guards escorted him straight to the Queen.

Later that day the Queen published the following pronouncement, to be heard by every Matis in the kingdom:

To our dear loyal Matis!

As the Queen of the Matis and the head of our country in the absence of my husband Yrkanis, I have a very important matter of state to discuss with you.

You have probably heard various rumours about the disappearance of my son and your Prince. Unfortunately these rumours are all too true. As it turns out he has been kidnapped by still unknown people,and I have just received their demands to exchange for the lives of the Prince and indeed all of you. Your lives, you wonder? Please attend a meeting tomorrow Friday 14th July at 8pm BST at the Palace Steps in Yrkanis and I will give you more details.

Citizens of Matis, believe me, your lives too are in great danger! The more of you that can attend, the better for us all, as this now concerns every single one of us.

Signed,

Lea, Queen of Matis.

Every able bodied homin should be on the lookout for these renegades. With the recent updating of the Edict of the Four Peoples, this conduct has been summarily dismissed by all our great nations. Let us not point fingers, let seek out and bring to trial those capable of such offenses against hominkind.

Oh dear, I worry for my Prince's well-being, and that of us all. I do hope something can be done to stop these people!

To Queen Lea

My friend, as I was walking in Yrkanis I heard your words about your missing son.
These were ill news indeed and I hope your efforts of bringing Matis Homins together will be successful.

I know of this matter to be a concern to the Matis people but I have a wonder if also Homins of other lands are welcome to give a helping hand in this matter, as if I can aid a mother in finding her son I would like to do what I can.

My hopes goes to that you will soon embrace your son again.

Your friend

//Drakfot

we have your prince......matis meat taste almost as good as tryker

dakhound wrote:we have your prince......matis meat taste almost as good as tryker

Oh Jackoba, do not say such things! The karavan matisians already think the kami followers to be horrible! I do not wish for my King to think the Kami have his son! I may not follow my King's religion, but I follow him in many other matters. I do not wish to have to pack up and leave my homeland because my King fears the Kami!

Revelations

As it was announced in today’s meeting with Queen Lea, the kidnappers of Prince Stevano threaten to infect both the Prince and the Matis population with a very highly contagious and deadly disease if their demands are not met. The Negotiator has told the Matis to provide him with 5000 (total) mats of quality 10, 20, 50, 100 and 150 together with 10,000 (total) mats of quality 200 and 250, and 2000 outpost enhancement flowers, in order to fulfil their first task. They were told to meet him again tomorrow, Saturday, at the Palace Steps in Yrkanis at 8pm BST (3 PM EDT), with or without the asked for Items.

I'd rather take the disease than give these 'bandits' a single dapper. Paying the ransom merely encourages such to do it again. i will not personally allow my Kingdom to be blackmailed in this manner.

For Jena's sake, Aajolea!

If the prince's health is threatened, then the crown is at stake! The Matis civilization might be struck with anarchy and democracy. As a member of Phaedrea's Tears I will give the royal family as much support I possibly can, both in prayer and with my pick.

(Edit: added missing word)