“Gather round, everyone,” Fadiya said into the crowded room. She beckoned to Ulfric, Murdyn, Hakar, and Zamarak, calling her fighters closest. “I have made a decision,” she said confidently, with a look towards Ralof. Her husband smiled encouragingly at her. “For the past six years,” Fadiya continued, her voice carrying across the chamber in a manner that she knew her father would have been proud of, “my reign has floundered without a purpose. That changes today. In the west wing, at the top of a tower, lies a chamber awash in enchanted purple light. A grotesque and horrifying doorway spilling forth the demons of Oblivion and beyond.
“It has been locked away for many years,” Fadiya continued, “the last soul to venture there, besides myself, was my mother, our former queen, Davila Beleth. I believe some Daedric monster pulled her in all those years ago. They almost claimed me, as well, eight years ago.” She paused, allowing a murmur of appreciation wash through those gathered. “That doorway… makes this castle an unsafe harbor for our children,” she said. “Starting tonight, I plan to send forth parties of two, in a rotation, to close the doorway forever and keep our children safe.”
As the silence in the room grew, Fadiya squared her shoulders. They mustn’t seen their queen back down. But, if she was being honest, this was not the reaction she had anticipated. She had imagined cheers and applause.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ralof step forward. Her heart skipped a beat. “Who will join me,” Ralof cried, turning a warm grin to his wife, “in volunteering with me for our queen’s brave quest?!”
Her heart flat out stopped. She was sure she would faint. There was a ringing in her ears.
But Ulfric was looking at Ralof with glowing approval, clapping him on the back and saying something.
The Argonian, Dull-Scales, was stepping forward, saying something, and then shaking the hands of both Ralof and Ulfric. Mazar stepped forward; Divines help her, Shura would never forgive her. Ugrash and Fortunatus, Galiel.
What had she done?
Inktober 2024, Prompt #13: HORIZON🧡🖤👻🎃
Whitney Writes... 
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