If Things Were Different

Chapter Two: War on the Home Front

The walk back to the castle didn't take long for the queen. It was quick and painful. It wasn't physically painful for her, but emotionally. The queen was left alone to process tje previous events. She entered alone, and went straight to the high commission.

When she entered they all fell silent and stood. Hekapoo was the first to speak, "Where's Princess Moon? We couldn't find her all day, was she with you? "

There was brief silence before the queen spoke, "She's gone. Moon followed me, and I had no idea. The monsters took her, they are demanding peace on their terms and an apology. The general said if we do what he wants we can get her back."

"So what are you going to do to get her back your majesty? You can't just let them take her! What if she gets hurt or worse, killed," young River spoke up. All looked at him as he shyly backed away.

The queen sighed, "We can't just surrender ourselves to the monsters ethire can we?"

"No, you're right we can't, but what about Moon?" River was very worried about the princess. He had a bit of a crush on her. "Maybe, I could go and try to save Moon. I could negotiate with them to get her back."

The high commission laughed at River. He was young and a stubby looking boy. He never had any fighting experience or magic. Omnitraxus knew that in all the time lines, River will never be very strong, but will always have great amount of courage, and bravery.

Rhamblous laughed and mocked him, "You're joking right?" Hekapoo elbowed him and glared at him so he would stop talking.

River looked at his feet ashamed, "No, I just want to help."

"I understand river, I appreciate that, we should wait until tomorrow morning to make a decision," the queen expressed great appreciation to River, but did not want to get his hopes up. The truth was the queen did not know what to do. She wanted her daughter back, of course she did. She also didn't want to make any hasty decisions. It could all be a trap anyways. It was late, and she had a long day. She could think better in the morning.

River bowed before leaving, "Thank you, my queen." With that he left, and went back to his room to rest. All he could think about was Moon. He hoped she was safe, and so did her mother.

Glossaryck was there waiting for her, he comforted her and reasured her that they would come up with a plan.

Tomorrow would be a new day, a new chance to get Moon back. The night seemed to be an eternity. The wait was dreadful and agonizing. All anyone could do was worry about the young princess' safety. It broke her mother's heart to hear her daughter's cries as she was ripped away from her. Her voice still resonating in her head, the sound kept her up all night.

INTO THE MONSTER ARMY CAMP

The trip to the monster army's camp was brief. Moon's sobs soon became silent weeps as the awful creature carried her back. As he entered the soldiers cheered. One of them, a green spiked lizard spoke up over the loud crowd, "You have returned victorious! With a snack even." All the monsters eyed Moon hungrily. This made her even more frightened.

"She is not a meal, she is a prisoner.Her mother must surrender to our terms if she wants to see her precarious princess alive," the general's words were filled with spite and angered the princess. She wanted to run and scream but he held her so tight she couldn't move. All she could do was glare at the army.

Another monster spoke, "So you didn't kill the queen?"

"I was about to when this one jumped out and ran off with my fresh kill. I can tell you about it more in the morning , the battle was not a complete lose men. Get your rest,"
With that the lizard walked off to his tent with Moon. He sat her on her bed, releasing her from his tight grip.

She watched him with an icy cold stare in silence. She raised her hand, and in rage she slapped him. He looked at her surprised at first, but then he started to laugh cruelly at her.

"How dare you speak to me and my mother that way," she hissed at him.

He sighed and backed away from her, taking off some of his armour. "This is war, princess. This isn't just some game. It's not supposed to be nice, but I doubt you undersrand that."

"I know that. You don't need to be so rude. Since it looks like I will be staying here for sometime, what should I address you as, your lizardness," Moon spoke with some rage left in her voice. She was mocking him.

He stared at her for a while before he responded, "Toffee."