Queen Regina's Kingdom - Village Tavern - 5 Years BDC

[Kristi Lynne]

Queen Regina's Kingdom - Village Tavern

The village tavern located in Queen Regina's Kingdom.

Events occurring 5 years before Dark Curse.

[Kristi Lynne]

VILLAGER

"The one thing I know, is that last night, was the very last massacre," the man proclaimed, met by a chorus of cheers from the villagers who had gathered at the tavern. "You know, if I had stayed with that party for another ten minutes, I, too, would be among the dead. And when I think if I’d only doubled back, maybe … I could’ve caught it in the act. Maybe, I would’ve been able to slay the creature."

[Storyteller]

"I, too, would be among the dead."

Red entered into the tavern behind Granny, her eyes searching over the seated crowd until they met the dark brown gaze she was looking for. Peter. He broke into a wide grin as their eyes met and, even with their reason for being there, Red couldn't help but smile back as she walked towards where he sat at the front of the room. She knew he hadn't been among the dead by the well but seeing him sitting there, alive and well, gave her a sense of relief that she hadn't known she needed.

A strong grip caught her arm before she had made it more than a few steps and Red sent an annoyed look in Granny's direction. The look went unnoticed as Granny was focused on the proceedings at the front of the room.

Maybe, I would’ve been able to slay the creature."

"You would not." Granny proclaimed, releasing her hold on Red to step forward.

"Widow Lucas." Mayor Tomkins sounded exasperated that he had been interrupted during his speech. Red knew that her grandmother had been trying his nerves as of late.

"This creature is more powerful than you can imagine. You wouldn’t have a chance. Stay inside, hide your children, forget your livestock."

"You said all this before." Mayor Tomkins replied dismissively, ready to move on.

"But, I haven’t said how I know." Red looked up with interest. Never one to talk about the past, Granny hadn't related that story to her either. When she was sure she had the congregation's attention, Granny continued, "Nearly threescore years ago, I was a child with six older brothers. Big as oak trees, all of them veterans of the Second Ogres War. And my father, the biggest of them all. Come one Wolf's Time, he decided to go out and take on the wolf. A different wolf back then, of course, but just as fearsome. They went out there to protect me. I was supposed to be asleep, but I crawled out on the roof to watch and lay down in the thatch. They had the beast surrounded, the seven of them, with spears all pointed in at it. And then it started. It was lunging – not at the men, at the spears. Grabbing with its teeth, breaking the shafts. They stabbed it with the splintered end, but it didn’t matter. It tore their throats so fast, that not a one of them got a chance to scream… Or pray… Or say goodbye. When my father died, I tumbled from the roof, and I landed in the blood in front of the wolf. I felt its breath on my face. Then, it clamped its hot jaw on my arm and I rolled away. As she spoke her last sentence, Granny rolled up her sleeve to reveal three large, ugly parallel scars on her arm.

For the second time that day, Red felt like she was going to be sick. Granny's protectiveness, her paranoia about the wolf- it all made sense now. She had watched the beast slaughter her family. A general uneasiness fell over the room.

"Then, it looked at me with eyes so black, they weren’t even there. Then, it walked away. You ever see a wild animal just turn its back and walk away like you don’t matter? If this wolf is like that one, there is no defeating it. It’s already won just by existing in our world. You don’t kill it – you just hide." The room remained quiet as Granny finished. Then, as her words seemed to fully sink in, a cacophony of fearful and angry voices filled the room as the villagers began to speak over each other.

Red shared a longing glance with Peter, wishing he was beside her as some of the men began arguing over what course of action to take. Granny seemed to be in a heated discussion with Mayor Tomkins and as he turned back to calm the room, she pushed her way through the throng back to the two girls.

"Come girls. We are to wait outside."

Red grasped onto Mary's elbow as she followed Granny back out the door. "I guess I'll never win the popularity contest now," she joked feebly, trying to lighten the mood.

[Mary Margaret]

"I guess I'll never win the popularity contest now,"

"Well, I'm sure they all think you have a great personality," Snow offered with an encouraging smile after pulling the scarf down from her face. Clearly, the story from Red's grandmother had been a surprise to her as well. Snow had had her share of run-ins with nasty beasts, but Robin and his men had always been close at hand. Now she felt very alone. Granny's advice to hide from the wolf seemed quite sound.

[Storyteller]

"Well, I'm sure they all think you have a great personality,"

Red choked back a laugh that ended up coming out more like a snort for her efforts. Quickly she covered her mouth and looked away as Granny turned around to glare at her. But thankfully the older woman said nothing. It was totally inappropriate to laugh, she knew, with what was going on around them but the sensation still brought a lighter feeling to the atmosphere that she needed. As much as she regretted Mary becoming involved in their village's troubles, she was grateful to have her there.

They hadn't waited long before Mayor Tomkins met them. Red never really cared for the man- he always seemed to be carefully watching her and when he spoke, his tone always gave the impression that wasn't saying what he was thinking.

"Hello Red. I hear that you and your friend have had a troubling morning."

Red only nodded in response, not quite sure what else she could say.

"Well, I will keep this short. I just had a few questions I wanted to ask you both, what with your discovery this morning and your close proximity to the attack. Oh, but excuse my manners." he turned away from Red to look at Mary, "I'm Mayor Tomkins. I don't believe I have caught your name..."

"Mary. She's my cousin, Mary." Red supplied, hoping to alleviate some of the man's intimidating stare.

"Ah. Cousin Mary. Tell me, Mary- what is it that brings you to our village? It's awfully brave of you to be making such a trek all on your own. Especially with such a monstrous beast on the loose."

Red opened her mouth to answer but a sharp look from Granny stopped her. She got the message loud and clear- if they were to dispel the distrust and suspicion, Mary would have to answer for herself. So instead, she shifted closer to Mary, trying to provide an unspoken support.

[Mary Margaret]

"Ah. Cousin Mary. Tell me, Mary- what is it that brings you to our village? It's awfully brave of you to be making such a trek all on your own. Especially with such a monstrous beast on the loose."

"Well, Mayor, sir, it was indeed bad luck for my journey to coincide with Wolf's Time," she replied. "My brother was meant to accompany me to King Midas' kingdom, in hope of securing a place as lady-in-waiting to his daughter Abigail. He was taken ill but since the travel arrangements had already been made, I thought it best to leave before the weather turned worse. Red and Granny have given me lodging until it is safe to travel again, and I am grateful to your village for its kindness."

[Storyteller]

Red marveled at how naturally Mary related the false story. If she didn't know any better, she would have believed it. Now to see if it got past Mayor Tomkins. The mayor seemed to be scrutinizing the both of them and she willed herself not to look uncomfortable under his gaze- to do that would give him cause to question them further. Finally, he seemed satisfied and said, "You know, I do believe I see the family resemblance...."

She wanted to sigh in relief as Tomkins began to walk back into the tavern. If he believed their story, soon would the rest of the town- he was an effective public speaker and it was rare for the majority of the village not to follow him. But her reprieve was short lived as he turned back towards them.

"Oh, one more thing, Red. Where did you go after the hunting party left your cottage last evening?"

The question struck her as odd. It was Wolf's Time, even she wasn't foolish enough to go out at night. "No where, sir. It was late, so I went to sleep."

"You've asked your questions, Tomkins. I am now taking the girls home." She winced as Granny took hold of her upper arm with a bit too much strength. "If you have anything else to ask, you may do so there."

"No, no. That will be all, Widow Lucas. Thank you for your cooperation. G'day ladies." Tomkins took his leave, tipping his hat at them before he disappeared in the tavern. As they began the trek home, she could feel the weight of eyes upon her and she took one last look at the tavern. Her heart swelled as she realized Peter stood outside of the building, watching them go. When he saw her look back, a smile passed over his features and he gave a small wave. Knowing she couldn't make any such gesture without Granny noticing, Red simply smiled back but it was enough.