Amelia and Aramis emerge from the tent. Amelia hesitates, but she knows that she must see her plan through.
She turns and faces him. “I have something that I must tell you…but you will not like it.”
She continues,” I overheard the Queen of Hearts and her gang talking…and they plan on taking over the throne room.”
“I already know that. She takes over that part of the kingdom and I get the other parts.”
“No, I overheard them saying that they are going to rule the new kingdom…totally.”
Aramis roars in anger. “WHAT! THAT IS NOT WHAT WE AGREED TO!”
Amelia is slightly afraid, but she continues, not sure if Aramis will take it out on her. “I am sorry, but that is what I heard.”
“We shall see about that! Kristopher! Leroy! Let us go to the throne room!” He calls before walking away.
Aramis and his gang head to the throne room where the Queen of Hearts and her gang are waiting.
Amelia, keeping her distance, follows them all to the castle. They have all congregated in the tactical map room.
“HOW DARE YOU BETRAY ME!” Aramis erupts.
“IT IS YOU WHO HAS BETRAYED ME!” The Queen of Hearts yells back.
Amelia arrives in the room and sees that everyone is confused and angry. Queen Chalyela is off to the side waiting to see how all of this will play out.
Amelia sees an opportunity. “Do not allow her to lie. She plans on taking over the throne room and sending you and your gang to the pit.”
Aramis is too angry to speak. He does not want to believe that the Queen of Hearts would do such a thing. “You have got to believe me. Please do not allow this kingdom to fall under her rule.”
Aramis is strangely calm. “I shall not,” is all that he says before walking over to the Queen of Hearts.
A vicious fight erupts in the tactical map room. Amelia acts fast and pulls Queen Chalyela to safety while the gangs of Aarbyville go after one another. Swords swing through the air and anyone who remains in the room faces danger.
In the end, both of Aramis’ men are on the ground. The Grim Reaper arrives to claim their souls.
Across the room lies the Queen of Hearts.
Amelia stands and stares upon the Queen of Heart’s lifeless body, before she too is claimed by the Grim Reaper. Her gang members have suffered the same fate.
The only one still standing is Aramis. He stands to the side dismayed. “What have I done? Aarbyville will crumble without its gang leaders. Amelia! You must help me! I am in danger!”
Aramis walks over to Amelia and pulls her close. “You must help me go into hiding. If I return to Aarbyville, I shall be destroyed.”
For a brief moment, Amelia thinks back on the passion that they shared and she is tempted to help him. She could force him to submit to her and marry him.
But her loyalty is with Archolia. She cannot turn her back on her kingdom or her queen.
Constable Kirk arrives to arrest Aramis. “I trusted you! Amelia! I TRUSTED YOU!” is the last words that she hears before she walks away.
Aramis is led away by the constable. He is to be thrown into the pit of the beast for plotting to overthrow the Archolia monarch.
Aramis is silent as he steps upon the plank in the dead of night.
He glances at the stars and holds out his hands, begging for forgiveness by the Watcher.
Without so much as a sigh, he dives head first into the pit and disappears into the fog.
Amelia makes her way to the pit.
She arrives at the pit, just as the beast decides to make a game out of its fresh meat. Seeing Aramis shout and scream in fear and pain, part of her wishes she had agreed to save him.
Aramis makes one attempt to escape, but he is no match for the beast.
Amelia turns her back in satisfaction just before the Grim Reaper arrives. She realizes that any feelings that she may have had for Aramis is no match when compared to the loyalty that she feels for her kingdom. Archolia is once again safe.
Labels: Bard, Kingdom of Archolia
