The Watch Tower

Since her Mother’s death, Princess Orsina has been locked away on a fog-shrouded island with only a loyal guard to raise her. Fortebra was kind and loving to the girl, much the same as an uncle would be.

She was sent to the island until her 16th birthday when she would be betrothed to King Saphyrus to avoid war between the two kingdoms.

Her Mother had been ill and was not able to stop the ridiculous proposal, but as she lay dying, she made the King promise to wait until the child was a young woman before allowing the engagement.

Holding the infant in her arms, the Queen used her remaining strength to cast a spell of wisdom upon the child, hoping she could figure a way out of the bargain.

Fortebra had been the Queen’s bodyguard and had volunteered to watch over her until her betrothal. He was also unhappy about the bargain and vowed to end it.

Each week, a supply ship brought food and a tutor for the princess to prepare her for her royal duties when she ascended the throne as Saphyrus’s bride. Fortebra ensured that the ship’s deckhand was the best witch in the land.

Many years of training passed, and the young princess had become an accomplished sorceress able to weld a wand to enchant even the strongest-willed.

Word came to the island that King Saphyrus would arrive to collect his bride, and they would travel to his palace for a grand wedding feast. Fortebra asked to be excused. He needed to attend to urgent matters at the palace.

Saphyrus arrived alone on his royal launch, and after a tearful goodbye, Orsina accompanied him back to his palace. On the trip, the two got to know each other. Using her craft, the princess weaved threads of control into the King’s mind until he became her puppet.

The following day, the festivities began with the official wedding ceremony, followed by the coronation of the Queen. The evening’s main event was a grand ball, where the new Queen’s father was the guest of honor.

The Queen and King met the royal yacht, and as her father stepped from the boat in full armor, Saphyrus knew it was a trap; unfortunately, instead of calling the guards, he bowed low and had his head removed.

Queen Orsina took control. She disarmed the entire army and signed a treaty with her father to provide mutual support for each Kingdom in the event of an attack from the outside.

Fortebra had done his job by sending a message to the King that all was prepared and his Kingdom would be avenged.

The people of Orsina Kingdom quickly fell in love with the new Queen, thanks partly to her deep caring for her subjects and a little help from magic. They are still enjoying that magic today.