Round 3- The Attack

[The Selection Committee]

Blazed has been eliminated due to posting after the deadline.

Nixie and Cerva have been eliminated as well. (The committee had a really hard time deciding, all posts were great, and a joy to read)

All three of you will find that when you return to horse form you will remember all of your experiences so vividly that for the next 2 RL weeks you cannot help but speak and act in the most proper and eloquent way possible. Your words will be in the fanciest of forms and your manners will be tip-top.   

Royal Notice

You wait with the other selected, some are seated others stand quietly off the to the side. The drawing room, which would usually be filled with light conversation and merriment, was quiet minus the few soft sounds of fabric being straightened or a throat being cleared. The few minutes before the Heir entered felt like an eternity. You look around at the others, they all look nervous save one or two who seem to think that they had already won by the extreme confidence and smug look on their faces.  You wonder what they must have done on their date to have such confidence, what they knew that you did not. Your date was one of the first to occur and you know it is entirely possible that the others had better dates or that you had faded into the background.  Your mind wanders to all the insecure and unsure nooks of your mind and your nerves begin to soar. Your stomach drops and your heart secures itself in your throat and no amount of swallowing will bring it down. The infinitely long minutes finally ends when Francis enters the room and everyone stands.

The Heir scans the room smiling, though the smile has a small pinch to it, showing the heir’s own nerves. ”Please, everyone sit, the formality is not necessary here.” The heir is trying to make this light, but it is obvious, to you at least, that Francis is uncomfortable and may even feel bad about the elimination. There is a pause as everyone returns to their chairs and couches, and without a further pause Francis continued, “Deciding wasn’t easy, and keeping true to myself, the duties of my position, and to our nation’s needs was hard to balance. My father told me we were finding a ruler within the selected. It’s more than that though, as the winner will not only be a ruler but my spouse. I enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you. I hope you will remember that.” Francis announced 3 names, and with each name your heart flutters, with a moment of panic and then a small sigh of relief when it is not you. You want to rejoice in your advancement but you hold it in, as the three announced exit their rooms to gather their things and depart the palace. Francis leaves after congratulating those of you left as a whole, and with that you all are escorted back to your chambers.
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Weeks pass, and there had yet to be another elimination. You have grown even more fond of Francis as the time has passed. You have been on a few more dates and had infinitely more conversations, some short and in passing as you run into each other in the halls, other deep and connecting during time alone.  There is obviously a connection between the two of you but you have seen moments of connection between the Heir and some of the other selected as well. The majority of your time has been spent with your court assigned tutor. Since you all are not just here on some courting competition, they have demanded that you learn the full history of Illea, the full duties of all the members of the royal court, the members of the courts that make up Illea's alliances, their alliances' histories, then there are the etiquette lessons, the social engagements (because this is more than just for the Heir, it’s a national campaign to improve relations between the royals and their people), and the dancing lessons. You assume the delay in elimination is due to the fact they( the king, the selection committee and Francis) were watching for who could handle the intense schedule and requirements the royal family had. 

Somewhere in there though, you have come to love the bustle of the palace, the business of it all. It seems to fuel you, knowing that each day had a task (or twenty) that had to be checked off your list. It helps distract you from the fact you see Francis leave on a date with another while you are whisked off for some meet and greet, or to a lesson with your tutor. Others don’t seem to handle it as well, there are moments of tension and tears for many of the selected and you suspect an elimination should be right around the corner. Today, everyone is in one of the many day rooms listening to one of the historians go on about the background of Thurick, a strong ally of Illea.  It is normal, or well what has become your normal... at least until there is a terrible crash that shakes the walls and startles many into shrill screams. Sirens sound and instantly soldiers are running in the halls and outside on the grounds.  The Resistance has risen, and the palace is under attack.

Questions?
PM: The Selection Committee
or post in Connect

Prompt

Here is where your stories my split, you have 2 options, you may only pick 1. You will have the option to change your choice later in the Quest.

1) Be true to the kingdom: You may go hide, fight or both. You must encounter 2 but no more than 3 rebels, they have knives, swords, or other hand combat weaponry (no guns) -- how do you fight back/ escape? You are not equipped with any weaponry but you could potentially find something if you keep your wits about you. Make sure to describe where you are in the castle and where you go as you fight/hide. You must be injured in this attack- nothing too big, no broken bones, but cuts needing stitches, sprains, strains, abrasions are all fine.  At the end of the post, you know that the rebels did not succeed in their ultimate mission of killing the King and Queen. They were chased out by the soldiers and guards. You were ushered back to your room as soon as possible, and you have no idea if Francis is ok.


2) Be a Rebel Sympathizer: You originally came to court to get an inside look at the Palace and the Heir, your end goal was/is to get a someone from the resistance on the throne to force the change that was needed. You may or may not agree with the violent facets of the resistance but you are one of them just the same, so you help them. How do you aid them without getting caught? How do you explain your way out of suspicion when you are found by guards? You must encounter 2 but no more than 3 guards.  You do not have any weaponry on you, but if you keep your wits you could find surely find something (hand combat only tools only, no guns). Make sure to describe where you are in the castle and where you go as you fight/aide. You must be injured in this attack- nothing too big, no broken bones, but cuts needing stitches, sprains, strains, abrasions are all fine. At the end of the post, you know that the rebels did not succeed in their ultimate mission of killing the King and Queen, and you somehow were not found out. The invading rebels were chased out by the soldiers and guards and you were ushered back to your room as soon as possible. However, your feelings for Francis are real and growing, and you have no idea if Francis is ok.


All posts are due by Thursday, May 12 at 4 PM EST

Helpful Info

# Remember this is NOT interactive, your story is yours alone, and nothing you do affects anyone else’s quest.

#The Heir may still be Frances for a girl... we just simplified for the majority in the prompt.

# You may power play servants, soldiers, rebels. 

# You may write in small interactions with the Heir but the day of the attack you should have no idea where he/she is or if he/she is ok

#Your post should end at the end of the day after the attack in your room, all alone.

#As always, please contact The Selection Committee with any questions.