Long Live The King

It was a warm, soft morning in the forest that you woke up to. For once, you had slept in longer than your companions, and felt quite refreshed, as well as surprised. Leaving your bedroom, you see Bruce in the kitchen with your mother. The two prepare breakfast together in pleasant company, sharing stories of cooking disasters and tales of parenthood. This is wholly unexpected, but you cut through the house without interruption, hoping they can continue to bond. The surprises didn't stop there; as you exit the house, you see your father Yuliy with the Dowton's, tending to and feeding the horses together.

"Ahh! Good morning flower! Come, say hello to my newest friend" He was beside himself, brushing the hair of one of the rented horses. Kraig and James gave a gentle wave, paired with bemused faces.

"Father, I didn't think you cared that much for horses" You say as you approach, unable to mask your disguise.

"So did I. I always thought these things were better off alone, free to roam the countryside, as all of nature's creatures are. Still do, but a chance to see them up close, to really appreciate them, changes one's perspective." He wraps his slender arms around the creatures neck "To think I spent all this time believing everything I needed could be found in books."

"Father?" You ask bewilderedly, "Are you okay? If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were in the middle of a midlife crisis"

"Oh, Fiana" He let go of the horse, stepped back to look at it in the face "a midlife crisis is behind me, I'm afraid. But, having you come home, with these friends of yours.." he paused for a second "I feel half my age, eager to go see the world, traveling in whatever direction the wind may take me."

"It's not too late for that, you know" James piped in, followed by Kraig.

"He's right. The two of us have come across Elves older than you on our journeys. Wandering the landscape, loving every day they have."

"That sounds nice." Yuliy said with a gentle smile "With everything that's going on here, perhaps we should take a long holiday. Enough about me, you're clearly on a mission this morning."

"Yes." You nod simply " I would like to visit the palace, to see if there is anything that can be done for the King."

"I fear it may be a fruitless effort, but it may do you well to pay your last respects"

"We'll be here when you get back" James commented.

"You aren't coming?" You asked an admittedly self-evident question.

"Nah," Kraig added in "This is elf business. All we'd do is get in the way and cause trouble."

"I understand." You are still slightly disappointed; you know none of them have had a chance to see an elven palace before. Their logic makes sense though, so you leave them to it, and make your way to visit the king.

There is rancor and hostility around the palace. Groups of elves congregate, wearing bands of different colors in their hair or along their arms to display allegiance. It hurts your heart to see this; nobody around the palace seems to have any faith that the king will survive whatever ails him, and have resolved to lay claim to his throne no sooner than his ancient heart finally stops beating. Even if you can't help the king, at this point you will be pleased if you don't get involved in it yourself.

The guards are, predictably, incredibly suspicious. The last subjects truly loyal to their position and to the crown, anyone who approaches may be trying to instigate a coup. They waste no time in displaying their vigilance, pointing their lances straight at you as you approach.

"State your name and your business. This isn't the place to loiter!"

"My name is Fiana Windblossom. I request a moment to see the King."

"The King isn't taking any visitors. With his health so poor, anyone might be the one to try and end him."

"I don't think a Lute is going to be what kills His Majesty..." As you pull your trusty instrument from your pack. "I've been away from the forests for a long time. I just found out he was ill last night. I would like a chance to make his remaining hours more comfortable, with a song."

The guards look at each other, than at you. "Fine, but you leave everything else here, and one of the guards will be escorting you in. Do not take too long." You leave your haversack with the front guard as your led into the palace. The escorting guard speaks quietly, and grimly.

"His Majesty, Yalph the Wizened, is not himself. He is tired most of the day, and does not have his wits about him even when he is awake. Do not count on him even knowing you are there."

" I understand." You reply simply, looking around. The morose mood throughout the kingdom starts to wear on you, and you can sense it all around you. The entire castle feels sick. This should be a lively, vibrant place, but there's hardly a soul. You are brought into the throne room, where the king is propped upright. Although there's no immediate sign of a specific illness, he clearly looks unwell. Emaciated and frail, he carries a distant expression. On seeing him, you begin to understand why your fellow elves have surrendered to despair. The guard announces your presence as you enter.

"Your Majesty, the bard Fiana Windblossom. She wishes to play a melody for you, to ease your pain." As you approach, the distant expression gives way, his eyes starting focus on you.

"Come..closer" The King orders through labored breaths, trying to have his voice carry through the hall. Although not courtly behavior, you scurry towards him, hovering close.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"I have...seen you before. In my...dreams. You've been...." His eyes wandered aimless for a few moments as he heaved his breath, causing the guards to press closer "My child"

"Please Your Majesty, be at peace. Relax, and listen. I hope this is pleasing to your ears, and eases your soul" You take your lute in both hands and begin playing. Using your skills of bardic magic, you create phantom sounds of other instruments, being a one elf band. The song that enters your mind is honestly somber; more so than you can remember playing in quite some time, but it seems to fit, and you feel as though it carries a haunting beauty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1gFJ55_51I

Having finished the song, the King does look to be in slightly better spirits having heard your song. He even fashions a smile as he looks upon you.
"Thank you Fiana" He says in one clear breath. His improved state is swept away quickly as he grabs his chest, beginning a terrible coughing fit. As he coughs, you hear a discordant tone; notes that no one else can hear. This can't be coincidence you think, and so you take up your lute again, and begin to play again. For some reason, your mind gravitates to the melody of Veserae. You play it loudly, to overpower whatever this other noise is. It picks up in volume as well, as the King wretches harder. The guards start to think you are responsible and charge towards you. Unflinching, you play even louder, until the last second. A cloud of darkness fills the throne room, as the phantom noise stops, replaced by an otherworldly shriek. A terrifying, ghastly figure emerges, glowing in the dark.

The figure disappears with a frightful, shrieking laughter that digs into your bones. The guards, fearful for their king, swarm him, checking for any signs of life. One has enough sense to ask you.

"What in Ten Hells was that thing!?"

"A Banshee, a member of the undead." You respond affirmatively, but nervous "I've never heard of them being in Elvish lands before. Whoever, whatever, that was, seems to be the cause of the Kings illness."

"Well, whatever it is, we need to figure out a way to stop it. The King's hanging on by a thread. Go. Now!