I gotta know which way to go - Part 1

[missrecalled_mods]

The announcement

 

 The King and Queen had discussed everyone's feedback, and working together they made a decision. While the path Mallia found had cleared a far larger area than any other method to date, the fact that it was in the wring direction could not be ignored. While searching for other such paths and areas were on the table, without understanding the way they worked or where they might eventually lead, getting to the people trapped on the Isle had to be the priority.

The announcement went out to all people currently in Auradon to gather for a speech on the steps of the castle. With so small a group it seemed silly to use the balcony, and while the throne room would have also been a traditional choice, they were hardly in a typical situation. They also weren't typical Auradon monarchs. 

And so a more informal gathering on the steps. The only nods to their status that were obvious were that they stood at the top of the stairs - with Sylvando to one side like an honor guard a single step down - and that they both wore formal wear. Including their crowns. 

For those new, this might be the first time they saw King Ben and Queen Mal as King and Queen. And that bright blue lit from within gem in Mal's crown certainly caught attention. 

 

"Missrecalled of Auradon," King Ben said, addressing them all. "Thank you for being here with us today. We appreciate it, as we appreciate your efforts and patience thus far. After much discussion we have come to a decision. Thanks to Mallia's clever discovery of the path to the museum, we have access to more than we did before. And we agree that we are likelier to have an easier finding another such path than we are pushing through stubbornly to Belle's Harbor. However, we do not know where these new paths will take us, but we do know that there are people on the Isle who need our help, who need us. We cannot leave the situation as it is any longer than absolutely necessary."

"And," Queen Mal said, taking over as smoothly as if they had rehearsed this. Which they might have. "None of us here seem to be afraid of some hard work. So, we're going to make one more concerted push towards Belle's Harbor. From there we can open the bridge to the Isle. One thing we had to adjust to, those of us who came to Auradon from the Isle, is how much stock people here put into believing in their dreams. If we are to believe in the ones we most recently have, there are more people trapped on the Isle than we had at first estimated. The sooner we can reach them, the sooner we can help with the situation they are in. I have lived on the Isle, in better circumstances than the current ones. And even then it was dire. So we will be gathering first thing tomorrow morning to do whatever it takes to make our way to the Auradon side of the bridge."

"Those of you," King Ben picked up the speech, "who need to rest to use whatever abilities might help, please make sure you rest well tonight. Please be aware that once we open the bridge we will not be dropping the barrier completely, but opening an entrance. If you intend to explore the Isle at all, be prepared with whatever supplies you wish to have in hand. As for the journey to the bridge itself from where we left off in our efforts last time... in normal circumstances it would be a short enough car or carriage ride. But we expect it to take a few days of constant work to break through. But as the Queen said, we are willing to put in that work. We hope that you are willing to join us. If you have any questions, please ask. We will remain out here for an hour or so, but then we will also go inside to rest and otherwise prepare."

"In case it needs saying, if you can use magic to help, without harming anyone, that magic will be welcome for this," Queen Mal added. Those who had come to know King Ben well these past few months might possibly be impressed by the control he had over his expression. Just enough there for the really observant to guess that part hadn't been rehearsed, or discussed - but no more.

And with that, the King and Queen moved to sit on the top step, ready to answer questions.

Breaking through

When the King and Queen said that this would be hard work, they hadn't been kidding! How long it would take would depend on how many people were helping, and what they were doing. Of course, some people were asked to help by staying behind and packing up supplies to drop at the Isle, and some people just weren't up to it. Or didn't feel a responsibility to help. The king made it clear, if anyone asked after those who were missing that they were not to be harassed or questioned. He was sure they had their reasons.

All the same, the group was facing a seemingly never ending tangle of fallen trees, crashed cars, tangled fences, and very nearly every other possible once beautiful now broken obstacle. Somehow it didn't actually look like the endless maze of trash it probably actually was...

 

 

Comments

[queen_butterfly]

"Fair enough." She hesitated again, and then eyed the two, unable to keep herself from smiling some. "I'll hold aside a bit for breakfast for you. And should you find any better vessels, I'm certain you'll be able to find me."

She turned to leave again.

[missrecalled_npcs]

"We'll find something," he assured her.

Mal nodded, distracted as she opened her book and started to sketch in it.