Every night for nine weeks a queen dreams of herself being surrounded by nine hooded figures she almost recognizes in the deepest sanctum of an abandoned castle. Each stabs her once until the ninth drives his blade through her heart. Terrified, she begs Wraithvine, and anyone ze might need to help, to find the truth of these nightmares haunting her sleep. -- Deathshead419
It had to be a portent. Every night for nine weeks, the Queen Chrysanthemum had the same dream. A ruin of a castle. A dungeon's depths. Nine hooded figures, standing above her as she lay on a sacrificial slab. Each with a knife. Two each for her arms. Two each for her legs, and the final one plunging their knife into her heart.
Chrysanthemum sought out seers, wise folk, and living legends. Polite invitations, if somewhat desperate. She promised a great reward to any who could provide a meaning and, if dire, a way to prevent or ameliorate the foreboded doom.
She had nine days' relative rest before the dreams began anew.
They plagued her. For all that she tried to identify the ruins, or any one of her attackers, or where or when the ruins were, nothing gave her any hint. There were no stars. The ruins she could see were not distinct, and the hoods of her attackers held only darkness.
The wise folk and witches consulted could only say, "You fear betrayal by your arms, legs, and heart. Look to who you love, who defends you, and who moves your realm forwards."
Wraithvine listened to this and added, "You also fear ruin of your realm. Not from betrayal, but by the consequences of your action. The one part of you not attacked was you head. Allow me to help you to use it."
It required a deep dive into the workings - the foundation - of the kingdom. It's strength and -ha!- arms. As well as the movers and shakers in the realm. In the process of investigation, they uncovered nine who were using their power and influence to -ha!- strike at the heart of the kingdom.
Her subconscious had been trying to warn her, so it was a foreboding.
Forewarned and forearmed, the nine traitors were easily dealt with. Ironic justice came to the fore, sentencing them to become part of the kingdom's arms. Right at the worst border for them guard.
They would not last long, there.
Nine weeks, at the most.
[Photo by Pinto Art on Unsplash]
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