Elizabeth made arrangements for a new person to take the position of Duke of Flowers and packed her things. Racknar put them all in the Dimension Door and hooked up her luxury cart to two spiders. Achilles and Reginald. “You don't mind if I have my siblings pull us instead of using your pride horses do you?” Racknar asked. Elizabeth shrugged. “As long as my hoses make it back home safe, I'm fine with however you want to do this.” She got in the cart as Racknar hopped in the driver's seat. “So other than your personal guard slash maid and your butler all the personnel were part of the position?” Elizabeth nodded as her elderly male butler and her female guard, maid, and friend got in the cart. “Emma.” Racknar addressed her before starting the carriage.
Emma looked at Racknar and Elizabeth, her head going back and forth. “So I'm guessing since Sir Racknar here is driving we'll be able to gate hop the entire way?” Elizabeth nods. “Yes. But that's not what you really wanted to ask, was it.” Racknar let out a soft growl. “I'll remind you, I'm not officially a knight.” Emma chuckled. “Yes yes, not yet anyway.” The butler pitched in. “Only a noble can be knighted in Bramble. There's only ever been a few exemptions and those are only made by the king or queen of the country.” Racknar let out a short nervous laugh. “Hahahaaaaa…. About that. I've actually purchased land in Bramble and am officially a Lord.”
Both Elizabeth and Emma look at Racknar with shocked expressions. “Come again?” Racknar did a dismissive hand wave. “I did a quest for the golden dragon, Kha’makal. She gave my party each a magic item and our literal weights in gold coins. We bought the land the town she's in, the old capitol, and the land around it. It's now the home of Shatterkin, Goblins, Kobolds, and Black Iron Spiders. As well as a number of trusted people including Lisa and Leo Da Vinci. The different monsters help maintain farms to feed the dragon who's currently nesting an egg.”
There's a stunned silence, then Emma slowly moves her head to look at Elizabeth with a smug grin. “You hear that Eli, he's a Lord.” Elizabeth gives her a playful punch on the shoulder and mouths the words “shut it” before addressing Racknar. “So the fact my father let you by the land means you are within the six degrees of separation from a queen. But from what I remember of what you told me of your mom, the only queen you are related to-” Racknar snapped the straps to go faster and interrupted Elizabeth. “Correct. I've got a lot going on right now so I'd rather not get into that.”
Elizabeth understood why he interrupted her, even if she herself trusted Emma, Racknar didn't know her. “But your subclass, wouldn't it-” Racknar interrupted again. “Charity is a Cleric, so obviously not. Though from what I know there should be some sort of complication lore wise even if mechanically it's allowed. Not everything is one to one with what I read.” Elizabeth nodded. “So I'm guessing you have some long term plans that require me back home? I'm guessing you're not going to ask me to move into Camelot Castle.”
Racknar shook his head. “You said the king has all four fragments of Excalibur right? I know Ivory is in the stone of selection because your father asked me to pull it out.” Elizabeth shuffled through a few expressions. “Could you?” Racknar grunted. “I didn't pull the sword from the stone.” Elizabeth sighed. “That wasn't what I asked.” Racknar grumbled. “You never answered about the other three swords either.” Elizabeth sighed again. “Fair. Ebony is locked up in a vault. Clarant and Calaburn are currently in use by two of the top guards who personally attend to the protection of my father. Other mythical weapons of power like the black knight's lance are in the hands of other high ranking members of the crown's guard.”
“Rhongomyniad?” Racknar grunted “It was actually King Arthur's lance. Why people think it was Lancelot’s is unknown to me. But that's besides the point. My plan is for you to get the fragments, pull the sword, and unify them into Excalibur Equinox or Twilight or whatever you want to call the true form.” Emme pitched in her thoughts. “The Princess would need to know the sword's true name for that.” Racknar growled aggressively. “She knows the answer to that riddle, because I helped her figure it out in our last life.” Now it was Emma's turn to cycle through expressions before bringing up a finger. “I have several questions.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I'll explain later, sort of. Some of it is harder to explain. Long story short, Racknar is a reborn like myself and we knew each other beforehand.” Emma nodded. “I vaguely remember that fact being brought up before. I'm also not surprised that the story and riddle exists in other worlds. But you're telling me in that life not only did he solve the riddle but he clued you in as well? What kind of relationship did you two have?” Elizabeth glared at Emma. “The plutonic kind, just like now.” Emma nodded and smirked. “Sure~”
They take the first gate to the border of Gallia and start crossing it. Emma then asked an important question. “How do you know the Princess will be able to draw the sword from the stone in the first place? The requirements are uhhh… strict to say the least. What will you do if she can't pull it out?” Racknar laughed. “Haha, not really. The wording leaves it open to some interpretation and although most people can't pull it out in sure Elizabeth meets the requirements necessary. Also, though she hasn't had the opportunity in this life, Elizabeth has some experience in pulling out.”
Elizabeth tossed a loose object from the cart at the back of Racknar's head. “Fuck you, no I don't! Anything Duncan said was a lie. He and I never went all the way and I actually died a virgin thank you very much.” Racknar rubbed the back of his head as he headed to another gate. “I didn't mean that as a jab, your love life in this life or the last is not really any of my business. As long as you're happy with who you end up with I really don't care. But you do deserve to be happy.”
Elizabeth looked at the floor of the cart. “After everything you've been through in two lifetimes, so do you.” Racknar chuckled. “Haha, well unfortunately for me, there ain't no rest for the wicked. Money doesn't grow on trees.” Elizabeth continued. “You've got bills to pay, you've got mouths to feed, and ain't nothin’ in this world for free.” The two laugh, then they go through the gate to the harbor town to take the freight to Bramble. “Not much longer Princess.” Elizabeth nodded. “Your plan… it doesn't end with me being crown princess, does it?”
Racknar chuckled. “Nope, that's just the start of it. Once you're nice and established and ascend to the throne we're going to turn this world upside down. The Empire, the Church… Some might say the system is broken and needs to be fixed. Truth is, it's working as intended and needs to be burned down. Rebuild from scratch.” Elizabeth sighed. “Revolution?” Racknar nodded. “We'll create a world, even better than ours. Where all people will have an equal chance for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Regardless of race, skin color, gender, or sexual preferences. It won't just be an empty slogan that gets ignored by a group of loud idiots. I want to build the American dream, in its purest form. But also with people knowing to take good care of the planet.”
Elizabeth smiled slightly. “That's sweet, but also a lot of work. You probably won't live to see it happen.” Racknar shook his head. “No, but that's not the point. I'll plant the seed and hope that the next generations care for it.” Emma looked at Racknar. “What about your life and happiness?” Elizabeth smiled and shook her head. “That's secondary to him. A bad habit of his. Sometimes I swear the only person he sees as unworthy of happiness is himself.” Racknar loaded the cart on the ferry. “We've got several hours before we get there, so feel free to take a short nap. Also, I'll work on my own happiness when I'm ready and feel like it.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Sure~ Have fun staying on watch in a perfectly safe boat. I'm taking a nap.” She laid down in the cart. Her butler and Emma also lay down to take a nap with Racknar remaining awake. Elizabeth was woken up after a few hours to indicate they were docking in Bramble. Everyone loads into the cart and Racknar starts driving it again. Emma dies a stretch. “You're not going to get a nap Lord Aradae?” Racknar grumbles. “Just Racknar will do, and no. I'll sleep when the job is done.”
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Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “This isn't the wilds, you don't need to be on guard at all times or nap in shifts.” Racknar let out a soft growl. “The world can be harsh and so can the people. I am not taking any chances. Even if only my weapon that I can recall and my bag of holding are out in the open. I keep my valuables in the Dimension Door, only keeping what I need in the bag.” Elizabeth snorts. “Of course you took multiple precautions, almost to the point of being paranoid if you did not pass it.” Racknar nodded. “Sometimes it's necessary. No such thing as being too careful.”
Racknar took the cart to the gate, taking the group to Londinium and rolling up to the castle. He gets out and helps Elizabeth down before parking the carriage and sending Reginald ahead to Camelot, keeping Achilles in the stable. He then goes back to Elizabeth and gestures to the door. “I’ll be right by your side, should you need me. Until this task is done.” Elizabeth nodded with a smile. “And should this work, can I depend on you as an advisor?” Racknar smiled with his fangs and nodded. “Of course Princess. If ever you need my advice I'll give it freely and without filter.”
Elizabeth gave him a small mood and took the lead. “I wouldn't have it any other way.” The butler addressed the guards as the git to the castle door. “Introducing Princess Elizabeth Anne Victoria Bramble the first, youngest daughter of King William Autoreus Bramble… you know the rest.” They open up the castle for her, letting her, her butler, and her combat maid in but stopping Racknar who took up the rear. Elizabeth stopped and turned around. “He's with me.” The guards then let him through. The group are then able to make their way to the throne room.
Racknar grumbled to himself as they made it to the throne room where King William, Arcmage Roland, and the Queen who Racknar didn't meet before were all in the throne room. When Elizabeth entered and got her introduction, everyone seemed surprised to see her. William was the one to speak first. “Youngest daughter, although I did receive news of the tragedy around your arranged husband and more recently hear his father has vanished on his way to your castle I'm surprised to see you abandon your post in Flowers.”
Elizabeth bowed lightly to her parents. “Well seeing as I never married I simply held the position till a permanent solution could be made. The tragedy has made the arrangement void and thus I have returned home. Now that I am here I would like to issue a challenge of succession.” The king shifted to sit up more and not slouch as much in his throne. “Although traditionally it is the eldest that takes the throne, you can issue a challenge. Prove you are a better choice for crown princess and it'll be made so. Consider the challenge issued. Your siblings will be summoned and you may invite spectators for your side. As per the rules, the challenger chooses the challenge from a set of options. Those options are-”
Elizabeth put up her hand, the King stopping mid sentence. “I have already chosen. The challenge will be, The Sword of Selection.” Now the queen perked up and was paying attention. The King sat forward a bit. “A classic to be sure, but are you certain that's the challenge you want?” Elizabeth nods. The King stands and does a sudden hand gesture. “Then commence the summoning of my hairs and subsequent challenge. Till then, you may wait in your room.” He then looked to Racknar. “Will a spare room be needed?”
Elizabeth blinked a few times with a blank expression before she realized what her father was asking and turned a bit red. “Yes, a spare room must be prepared for Racknar and his friends who I'll invite to the challenge. I also request that the siblings of Excalibur be made present during the challenge.” The King raised an eyebrow, looked at Racknar, then back to his daughter. “I suppose there's no harm in it as long as the relics are guarded. Go rest and wait for the challenge to start.” Racknar was then shown a guest room that was quickly prepared for him. “I'd whistle if I could.”
After settling down Racknar located the rest of the Monster Mash who had been brought in and given rooms as well. “The party is back together. Once we're out of the castle I've got something for Charity. Long story I'll fill you guys in later. For now all our weapons are stashed away while we're in the castle. Can't be walking around armed to the nines after all.” Davy shrugs. “I'm a caster so being without my staff just makes things a bit more difficult. The only one here who's significantly hurt by not having a weapon in Mari.” Marionette shifts around. “Yeah, but I can summon the whisper blade or the swords of Arachne whenever. Right to my hand. Just like Racknar can with his swords and Krys with their bow.”
Racknar nods. “Although I left my swords with Lisa. She should be able to reverse engineer the technology. Then I can have one sword for each hand. Or maybe I'll go sword and board. I've got plenty of hands.” Ariagoria sighed. “So to recap we are currently waiting for Elizabeth’s siblings to get here for a challenge that'll make her crown princess if she wins. Setting up for our next step in this long term goal. I'm guessing since you said you'd let her sit as crown princess for a while before we make the next big move you have something for us to do while we wait.”
Racknar nods. “We’ll take a trip to Midterranus to the temple. After we grab the elf that knows the way. If I remember correctly she said the Tapestry was there. I'm hoping the temple has some sort of clue or something that'll lead us to the next part. Because it's that or do things the long way by using the badge as a compass to find the closest artifact. That might take a while.” Ariagoria scoffed. “Well then it's a good thing we'll have nothing but time and won't have to worry about the safety of our families since we have an entire town as a homestead now.”
Racknar nodded and the group spent a week and a half waiting for the other princes and princess as well as any high enough ranking noble who wished to join the challenge to arrive. All in all, ten people had come to accept the challenge. The Monster Mash was invited to observe. Everyone gathered at an arena where the sword of selection was sat in the middle stone and all. Before entering, Racknar gave one final advance to Elizabeth. “Go last.” Elizabeth nodded in understanding. Everyone sat and an announcer introduced everyone participating in the challenge.
“First daughter of King William, current crown princess, Victoria Scarlet Bramble. First son of King William, William Autoreus Bramble the second. Second son of King William, Arthur Silva Bramble. Second daughter of King William, Diana Argentum Bramble. Third son of King William, George Harold Bramble. Third daughter of King William, Elizabeth Anne Victoria Bramble. First son of Duke Miles, Frederick Miles. First daughter of Duke Mann, Hilda Mann. First son of Duke Jacobs, Johnathan Jacobs. And finally, first daughter of Duke McConnell, Meredith McConnell.”
The announcer allowed a pause before continuing. “As per the rules in the royal decrees that predate the Empire our nation is now a part of, the challenger can now select the method of how the order of participants is set up and her place in it.” Elizabeth took a step forward. “I choose the order to be determined by lottery, with myself going last.” Ariagoria looked at Racknar. “So could you explain why you advised her to choose last?” Racknar nodded. “The choice in order and where you place yourself on it says a lot about the person making the challenge. By going last it makes sure that when she does go everyone else has already tried and likely failed.”
Racknar paused for a moment as the lottery started. “However, if she chose order of status or reverse order of status it would make her look bad. Choosing to place themselves below everyone makes one look weak and unconfident. Put yourself above and you are cocky and arrogant. So naturally the lottery is the only choice if you want to intentionally go last without looking bad.” Marionette watched as Johnathan Jacobs failed to draw the sword. “What if someone besides Elizabeth draws the sword first?”
Racknar hummed and thought for a moment. “The odds are low but in that case it becomes a sort of tournament for those that pulled. They can then fight themselves or use a proxy. The fighter chooses a weapon from a selection brought forth. Whoever wins the tournament is the next heir to the throne.” The party then watched as George Bramble failed to draw the sword. The various children of Dukes one after one failed with Meredith McConnell stepping forward. She drew the sword and everyone cheered. The process continued with William and Victoria going last before Elizabeth. Both pulled the sword from the stone. The sword was returned and Elizabeth was the last one up to the stone.
She put her food on the stone, both hands on the sword, and pulled with everything she had. The sword came out with extreme ease and she fell on her ass with the sword in hand. She then looked at Racknar wondering what to do next because she was to unify the swords. Racknar from a distance made motions with his hands to indicate she was to wait till after the tournament. The announcer addressed the cheering crowd. “Since we have had four successful participants we'll now set up a tournament to determine the final winner. Participants can choose to either fight themselves or via proxy. Once a fighter is chosen they can't be swapped out and the fighter must be loyal to the participant and not a hired mercenary.”
The announcer paused. “Let's check the bracket that was set up via lottery. William the second will face Victoria. Elizabeth will face Meredith. William and Victoria will have their fight first. Victoria, who will be your champion?” Victoria stepped forward. “I will be participating via proxy. My fighter will be Leopold Ironheart.” William chuckled. “I shall not be using a proxy.” There's a collective gasp as the arena is cleared for the two fighters. Both donning simple armor. Leopold, an extremely large and muscular man, chose a warhammer as his weapon. William the second chose a sword and shield. The announcer made some distance, and indicated for the fight to start.
