Rulid and Royalty

Met the Queen today. We have Völd to thank for that.
 
Heard a caravan coming from the north when we were about five miles from Rulid. We’ve seen Delver and merchant wagons, but this was something else. Fit for nobility and so close to Louvain, it had to be a royal caravan. Tried to clear the road but the kid’s damn curiosity got the better of him and we caught their attention.
 
Most of the wagons passed by but the last one stopped to pick us up. Never felt more out-of-place in my life. Spacious with furniture worth more than we could earn in a lifetime. General Rousseau was on board, looking rougher than the last time I saw him. Didn’t recognize me, but he noticed my old patch and sympathized with another vet. His prettyboy shit of a son wasn’t on the same page. Didn’t seem thrilled to have us along for the ride. The kid caught most of his attention and annoyance. Can’t blame him, the way the cat tinkered with things.
 
Rulid’s like any other village we’ve been through, nothing special. Fields and honest farmers. We fit in better than the royal caravan did.
 
Things got weirder the moment we stepped out. Queen Andolesia popped out the roof of another wagon and gave a real nice speech. No shit. People were so stunned at her arrival, probably didn’t process half of what she said. Understandable, the capital might as well be on a different plane from these villagers. Most of the merchants from Louvain probably had only seen images of her. Not that they live up to the real thing. And unlike the General’s tryhard kid, there was something effortless about how the Queen presented and carried herself. Wouldn’t have believed she fought through the same shit as we did all those years ago if I hadn’t seen her with my own eyes. Guess some of us came out worse for wear than others.
 
This town won the shit lottery. As if the arrival of a bunch of outsiders–Krynn, I heard someone say–wasn’t enough, some kids are missing. Rulid’s too small for coincidences. Queen said she’d help, and then Völd found some suspicious wheat. That spellslinger’s got more balls than brains, he went straight to the Queen without hesitation. Maybe those frozen north folks don’t understand royalty.
 
Queen Andolesia’s a bit reckless. Guards couldn’t even secure the town before she showed up. Took the high ground to look for danger. If those Krynn were looking to hurt us, this was a perfect opportunity. Wasn’t up there but a few minutes before something fucking exploded.
 
Guards thought it was an attack and half the caravan took the Queen and left. The Krynn fought each other like a damn tavern brawl before a beast of a bull separated them and stopped the fight. Might’ve overestimated them. They’re a diverse group, probably a couple unfriendly factions. Hardly an organized invasion force.
 
The kid ran off to some bright-ass wagon in front of town. Probably saw something shiny. When he came back he was hyped up to join an expedition a few days to the east. He’s even more reckless than the Queen, but without the army to protect him. Doubt he’ll make it back to Oria alive if he keeps this shit up.
 
The younger Rousseau did some digging and reported back to the remaining wagons. The Queen must’ve liked what she heard because she and the General returned with him shortly after. Not sure how she got back. With half her guard gone and the rest trying to keep the peace, she seemed unguarded, so we covered their flanks as they returned to the field.
 
The Queen’s Seer did some spell to find the missing people. Most awkward silence of my life, but I guess it worked, because she sensed them far to the east. Weird coincidence that the unusual wagon is also heading to the east. Rulid’s too small for coincidences. I said as much. Speaking up felt even more awkward than the silence. I asked Völd’s pet to get a belonging for one of the missing kids. Got a locked journal and gave it to the Seer. Smart kid, I should lock mine too.
 
Anyway. Missing people are further east than the wagon was going, but something doesn’t feel right about all this. Maybe we should tag along and keep the kid’s out of trouble a bit longer.