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Great Chapter :)
The intrigue and the plot thickens. I can't wait to read this fated meeting :).
Sunday
We have Sunday again. This is good.
Eleanor: "I'm just an adventurer." Everyone else: "Uh, huh. Right."
There was one line I did not understand, and would like to have explained: ""Is, as in mockery," I whispered. "Set, the spring, the summer, the childing autumn, and the angry winter."
A quote from Shakespeare.......
A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Queen Titania speaks, “And thorough this distemperature we see The seasons alter: hoary-headed frosts Fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose, And on old Hiems’ thin and icy crown An odorous chaplet of sweet summer buds Is, as in mockery, set. The spring, the summer, The childing autumn, angry winter, change Their wonted liveries…”
She speaks of the mood represented by the seasons, sad, angry, chaotic, and happy.
D. Eden
“Hier stehe ich; ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir.”
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Thank you
Thanks for the explanation. I am sure I did not understand the line when I heard it in "Dream", either.
it's a line from Shakespeare
It's a line by Titania in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Been too long since I read it that I don't remember most of it except she is arguing with Oberon over some jealousy during the monologue, but figured if nothing else since the outfit she changed into was based on the Titania character from Magic-Life so...
The King and Queen of misrule
I used to belong to local group The Twelfth Night Society that recreated the costumes, banquets, dances, cooking, etc. of the Elizabethan English era. For the 12th night of Christmas banquet we would somehow elect or appoint a King and Queen of misrule for the banquet. I remember one year, just after they had sat down on their wooden thrones I recited a poem for them that welcomed them to their kingdom and told them all of the things we had done to prepare things for them, including freshly varnishing the thrones just this morning. Snerk.
Basically, in some English nobles houses the staff would hold a festival once a year where a lord and lady of misrule would be appointed for the day, the real nobility would pretend to be commoners. The lords of misrule would issue all sorts of nonsensical orders that would be acknowledged but not carried out. Think of Alice in Wonderland. I forget what time of year the festival was normally held.
So politics rears it’s ugly head......
We just can’t seem to escape from it. Let’s just hope she doesn’t run into The Donald somewhere - that would certainly spoil a wonderful story!
The nobles are obviously worried about who she is, who she is allied with, and just how powerful she truly is. The fact that she was not the least bit worried or bothered by the soldiers surrounding her is a pretty blatant statement which was not missed. Not to mention the fact that her inadvertent wearing of the diadem in front of her ladies maid will probably get out, only adding to her fast growing legend!
One thinks that Lady Eleanor will become very popular with the common folk very quickly - especially after graciously giving away her share of the treasure garnered from the adventure in the labyrinth. She is easily seen as being of a higher class in the way she dresses and speaks, yet she does not take on airs - and her ingrained exhibition of noblesse oblige is very endearing to the average citizen.
Looking forward to more!
D. Eden
“Hier stehe ich; ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir.”
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus
Diadem
Unless compelled, Roselyn will not tell anyone about the diadem. She is far too good a lady's maid to let out a secret like that.
Rosalyn probably guessed by the second day
Remember Rosalyn was raised around and served ladies in waiting to the Queen. She knows royalty when she sees one. A crown isn't necessary for a noble to be one of the royalty. Also think back when Lady Eleanor first entered the Inn and several there thought she was the Queen raised from the dead. "She carries a presence about her" were other remarks.
"A diadem is a type of crown, specifically an ornamental headband worn by monarchs and others as a badge of royalty."
If Rosalyn was guessing before, there is now no doubt she is serving a Princess or a Queen.
And yes, she will keep the secret. In her own way Rosalyn is as strong a woman as the one she serves.
Amazing skill at writing with Elsbeth dropping hints throughout since the very first chapter.
always,
Barb
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
Politics
I agree in part! She could run into a traitor like old Hilary... that'd stew the pot.
Argh
Once again, lost in this wonderful story only to be interrupted by the kudo button! Ah well, one week to go, with hopefully Freya's Daughters in the week to keep us going.
Wonderful as always :)
When are her ears going to appear?
' "If she were a beastmen, I'd say she's a relation of Queen Clíodhna," Sir Odo commented. '
If you recall, when reminiscing about the Halloween events, a pair of Fox Ears was mentioned. How long until she shows them off (innocently, of course - just like the diadem)?
Eleanor is quite the fox
To come full circle Queen Cliodhna should be fox-kin.
Now, what was with the panic on the Baron's part? Why did he nearly beg to be reassured that Eleanor was human?
Elsbeth, your magic touch of
Elsbeth, your magic touch of pen to paper is a gift. When Lady Eleanor was marshaled into the carriage by four guards, I was grinning. She was "amused" and they had no concept they were treating what is probably the most powerful person in that world like a piece of baggage. In the castle she's treated like a peasant, kept waiting and surrounded by guards who aren't there to protect her but to keep her in line? Sir Odo, realizes a mistake has been made the moment he lays eyes on Lady Eleanor. He's confused but can't figure it out.
Protocol is shot to hell as Lady Eleanor and retinue is sent to a room to refresh and wait while The Baroness, is busy. Confusion is the name of the game as the Baroness and her court gather to discuss and try to figure out exactly who and what Lady Eleanor is or isn't. The woman is an enigma, a host of contradictions, her carriage, her manners, her actions, her clothes says she High Born, her easy grace, her kindness says she isn't high born. Her retinue of one Lady's Maid and one apprentice says she is a lower ranked noble, her magic, her armor, her weapons, her ability to fight says she's an A ranked Adventurer. Her spirit horse, her blood weapons, her skill with magic, weapons, and fighting says she more, much more.
I'd say you painted a very well crafted web of confusion among those trying to figure out Lady Eleanor. The only thing they are all sure of is they aren't sure of anything about who Lady Eleanor is or isn't.
Hugs hon, love your story
always
Barb
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
Great summary
The whirl of confusion around her is getting wider and wider, I share your admiration of our author’s prowess in growing such an intriguing story.
And, yes, I doubt those guardsmen in front of her would survive a minute with her even with her unarmored.
"Oh, I forget that the green
"Oh, I forget that the green dress was part of the Midsummer's Event unique armor set."
She is everything but unarmored ;-)
Unarmored? I doubt it.
She may look unarmored but I'm sure she's still heavily armored. Remember she has spare jewelry to loan out that provides enough protection to survive a basilisk attack. And the pretty clothes she wears while strolling around a village market are made of high grade cloths with enchantments sewn in.
I agree
Think the Baron had it right in the end... "she's no simple adventurer." she's more than she appears :).
she’s no simple adventurer
Why do I get that Star Wars vibe of ‘that’s no moon ...’?
Anyway, the reports on her are incomplete as only Roslyn knows of her ability to auto-equip. That would be very useful of course if she needs to switch to her heavy duty armor.
Blood bonded weapons?
It's been a while since I have read this in its entirety, but I don't recall what a "Blood bonded weapon" is.
Sword
In this case it would be her sword. As for use, it'd be usable to anyone of her direct line; if I remember the rule sets right :).
Blood bonded weapon
At what point is it discovered that Eleanor has a blood-bonded weapon? I don't remember this. It is not the fact that she can summon it from her inventory; she can summon anything from her inventory, so being able to do so does not distinguish her weapon. So what did Eleanor do that made people think she has a blood-bonded weapon. Is it simply the fact that here sword and spear have names? If not, what is it?
Her tale of fighting the Black Knight
The sword was what allowed her to pass through the arch to enter the poisoned land. She fought her way through many who were in the towers until she met the Black Knight in the Hall and defeated him. At which point the sword was bestowed upon her as a gift for releasing the captured souls and cleansing the kingdom of darkness.
Leo, Iona, Karin, and the two girls heard the story. No doubt one repeated the story to the Captain. He was in contact with the Baroness court and passed the word along. A "gifted sword" passed to Lady Eleanor who is the only person who can call it forth and weld it.
Unless I am completely off track on how it became known she carried blood weapons.
always
Barb
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
more more more
iiii...ammm ggglaad dtoo haveee fixx butt iiii needsss moreee
(still shaking with withdrawl symptoms)
World building
The world building here is a lot of fun and well done, definitely looking forward to more!
If they are this wound up
If they are this wound up about her arrival, they would absolutely lose their minds if the rest of her group showed up.
Archmage
It would be interesting if the archmage was picking one of them up.
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna
a Queen in their presence...
I can only imagine Rosalyn's thoughts upon seeing the crown (diadem) appear on Lady Elanor's head. I would think that at this point she can only assume she's not a hand-maid to nobility, but to royalty. The way Elanor has passed off other things she has said or done, I can think that surprised would be an understatement. A diadem of the finest silver would only be available to the Crown and family. If I remember my medieval history from 45 years ago in college, "silver flowers like a wreath" would be the diadem of a young lady first in line to be Queen but unmarried. Royalty indeed hence Rosalyn's surprised, nae shocked expression. A truly difficult secret she must now quietly burden.
Yay
She is so busted no one is buying her story.
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna
Is he out searching for the LOST QUEEN?
"Archmage Phexidis to appear in Harmon immediately afterward if I didn’t know he hasn’t been seen since before the wedding."
It seems the archmage has come up missing about the same time Lady Eleanor arrived in this world. He wasn't at the wedding which was probably a major gaff and a demotion to a servant cleaning the stables if he wasn't The Archmage. Me thinks our achmage felt a ripple in the magic of the Kingdom and went looking for the cause, if he didn't already know from scurrying, a Queen had arrived.
There are so many innuendoes in Elsbeth's story telling, it's next to impossible to figure out where she's inserting real relevant parts or only story filler.
I never like crossword puzzles but am loving this story with all the cookies dropped along in each chapter.
always,
Barb
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
Ripple
Maybe? The only thing the story tells us is that Phexidis was summoned to some temple so I wonder why the monarch would not be informed?
Archmage absence
Clearly, the archmage was informed that the fish were biting, and he is out chasing them with a rod and line.
Or perhaps not.
I have had a lot of theories about what the archmage has been doing, but they have all collapsed because of the fact that the Archmage is the one person in the kingdom who does not have to worry about travel time. Once he has done whatever he has to do, he can portal to wherever he needs to be. So whatever he has had to do, it can not simply be to find out some piece of news; if it were, he would be back by now. I had hopes, for example, that maybe some other members of Eleanor's guild had arrived at the temple, but if that was everything, he would be back. So whatever he is doing, it takes some time.
Hence the fishing theory. 🙂
Questions
Maybe the are being held for questioning.
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna
Phexidis
My pet theory is that he is being briefed by the patron deity he was summoned to.
Alternatively, he may have been rendered incommunicado somehow and those around him have to get the message back to the monarch the usual way instead of magically.
Protection rings
I do not remember reading whether or not Leo and Karin returned the rings that Lady Eleanor gave them at the beginning of their adventure.
Deen
Information overload
Sometimes the trivial things in stories the authors are writing must be filled in with the reader's imagination. Returning the rings is not a story changing event. Neither is returning the disk to the Captain which gave her authority over all adventuring bands if he wasn't present. If Elsbeth was fleshing out a novel and getting monetary return for her labors, I'm positive all the small trivial things readers want to have answered would be included. Unless I'm mistaken, she is writing this story on the fly. It isn't completed, she is writing each chapter every week or so.
Elsbeth, along with many other writers amaze me with their talent by putting pen to paper writing a chapter a week. I have stories in the mill I have been working on for several years and short ones I jot down in a couple hours. But to write a chapter a week is not happening in my life.
Leo was wearing a full suit of armor when he boarded the barge. (full armored adventuring party) Most certainly neither he nor Karin had an arcane bag. Neither his armor nor her bow was mentioned when they left the barge. Again, the reader must flesh out the details their own questions bring forth. Details which are explained in full length novels, no so much in short stories. Although Elsbeth's The Lost Queen is now closing in on two hundred and fifty pages, I would no longer call a short story.
Wish you happiness in life, everything else will find its place when you do.
always
Barb
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
The rings
The rings have to be at least A class gear since Jeffrey was astonished she survived a basilisks breath weapon.
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna
Returning stuff
The captain's badge of authority was almost certainly returned. I believe when she arrived back in town she specifically mentioned that she needs to report to the captain and return his badge. She made the report so the badge was almost certainly returned.
Until the last half hour or so of the boat trip the party wore their armor. It is virtually certain that Lady Eleanor would have insisted that they wear the rings during that time. So if Lady Eleanor got the rings back it would have been minutes before the carriage showed up and distracted her. Personally I suspect that Lady Eleanor would "forget" to get the rings back, and if Karin and Leo brought it up she would ask them to keep the rings for the time being, given how much more dangerous things have gotten lately. After all, they are the aunt and uncle of her favorite student and there is a significant chance that the two of them are going to need good armor again in the upcoming months.
Rings
As Barbie says, that is needless detail at this point.
Good movies, like good writing requires knowing what to leave out, or ‘leave on the cutting room floor’ when we speak of real film.
Sometimes you will find “extended editions” of movies on disc, basically to sell more discs but the extra stuff does not wind up improving the movie.
Details
Yall feel free if I'm wrong here... but I think we all missed something big, or maybe not you decide.
Countess Orebella is a priestess, of what temple we haven't been told; but I find it suspect that neither the countess or Arch-mage Phexidis have been seen since what two days before the wedding. I suspect either the countess with/or without the help of the arch mage directly caused Eleanor's summoning to their world. This is not a case of a botched portal spell, I suspect a divine influence which is why I think the countess found something. Only explanation I can come up with at present for Eleanor going from a vr game to a RW situation. If she's not related to Frea in some way... I'll be very surprised!
Meeting the Baron and Baroness
This will be a very interesting meeting.
The tone of this whole visit will be set when Eleanor first meets them but at this point I do not know how it will pan out: Will Eleanor be the first to curtsey to them or will they be so awed that they are compelled to do so first, thus obviously establishing the social pecking order in one fell swoop.
Up to this point, it was clear those around her were her social inferiors but this will be unknown territory.
Finally, Elsbeth’s story telling answered a lot of my questions about mana stones and the commerce thereof.
So basically the adventurers guild is a state sponsored monopoly. I suspect pricing is government controlled to ensure maximum taxes and to prevent gouging too I think as mana stones are critical to ‘modern’ life via magic items. Pricing them too high would hurt the economy and possibly cause unrest.
Registering as an adventurer
Registration seems to mean she has to swear fealty to estassia.
It seems to me she will somehow never register as she is destined to be queen in her own right and swearing to a magical compact may cause a problem.
Not fealty.
You are not swearing fealty when you register with the adventurer's guild. The guild does not appear to be tied to one country. Nor is it a union, who dictates what wages are and who you can and can't work for. Basically they are professional guild that certifies the training levels of their members, provide job placement services, etc.
Fealty
Then why is the baron saying it would cause a ruckus if Avalon loses a defender?
Because she appears to be a noble or royalty.
Most countries are lucky if they have a single mage that can cast portals. And the mage is associated with the royal court and/or army. They are not wandering adventurers.
And since Lady Eleanor had at least 2 members in her party that can cast portals this makes it pretty clear that her entire party is a more powerful elite strike force than most countries can field. And since Lady Eleanor is obviously a noble or royalty and is in charge of this elite royal strike force, her country is going to try to find her.
That is not my issue
Does the magical ritual for registration, remember that her new registration badge would require a sample of blood to make, hinting that registration may require some kind of allegiance to Estassia.
Badges
I believe the ritual binding the badge to the owner is more like proof of ownership. It guarantees that the person using it is the person it belongs to. So I can't use my Mom's id to go on an adventure I'm not qualified for and get myself and others killed, as an example.
Agreed
I’m pretty sure that is correct and the worry and the kingdom putting up a fuss is probably she might stay there.
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna
A ruckus
I interpreted this as two different statements.
It's going to cause a ruckus in the Estassen guild because everyone who doesn't know Eleanor will only see this "noble" come in as an A rank. And why should she start at the top? Cue jealousy and resentment.
Separately, Lady Eleanor is a powerful adventurer and may be depended on for defending her home country's interests. The Baron thinks losing track of her will cause Avalon to send out search teams to find and rescue her.
I've just re-read volume 2.
I have finally decided that there are to many chapters to re-read everything from the start of volume 1. Especially considering how many times I have already done this by now.
It is every bit as awesome as it is to read a new chapter. Even more awesome, in fact, because there is no sudden jolt of suddenly seeing the kudo button and realizing you have to wait a week for the next chapter.
Thank you Elsbeth.
Fantastic so far...
This is not the first Isekai story I've read, but it is definitely one of the best. There is something about it that just draws me in and compels me to finish a chapter when I see it. Great work!
I do wonder how the meeting with some actual nobles are going to go, and if people mistaking Eleanor for a noble is a good thing in the long run.
Also, I'm curious about the world she's in. It would seem that it is a different one from both the game and the real one, but it might just be that the areas of the game are some ways away from where she is now.
Well, now I'm caught up and the waiting starts. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter!
-Winlyn
Different world
Where Eleanor is is clearly a different world from the game. The mechanics are different. Monsters have mana cores in this world; they did not in the game. That it is different from our world, is, I hope, obvious.
Mana stones
I was very surprised when Lady Eleanor said she had no use for the mana stones, barring the one from the basilisk. I remember she was wondering earlier if she could use them to power written spells (I forget the name of these things) so that mage could cast a one-time spell that is above their power limit. She would need some cores to experiment with. I could also see her wanting to experiment with creating magical devices. Or enchanting permanent ones.
Yes, I know her class is primarily a fighting class with some mage extras but I remember Lady Eleanor thinking she wanted to improve her mage capabilities now that there was no class limit insisting a trade off between fighting and mage abilities beyond the time and effort required to nurture both.
Good question...
My guess would be that she is pretty confident in gathering her own cores solo? And that she simply wanted to help the party by letting them sell the cores.
But eh, that's just a guess.
-Winlyn
Second chapter I think
Lady Eleanor was thinking what it took to create different strength spells. What it took in her situation was parchment, fabric, or skin. What it was written on made a difference. Dragon skin giving the biggest push and the strongest spell. Then there was the medium used for writing the spell. Ink of different mixtures, and dragon blood again being the strongest. She has dragon skin and blood. Cores weren't necessary to write magical scrolls. Keep in mind she has bailisk skin, core, poison sack, and the fluid that turns stone victims back into eatable meat. Lots of goodies for writing scrolls. Again chapter two, she now understands magical script, how it is used, and can write it.
She is a formidable warrior, and a powerful madge. Possibly everything needed to restore a kingdom and become the Queen.
always
Barb
Oklahoma born and raised cowgirl
I think this somehow ended up in the wrong place.
Sorry bout that
Yes =)
Of course I realised that it's a different world, and I see how my wording might have seemed like I doubted that... Oops?
No, what I really meant was geographically. Obviously several things have changed so it can't be the exact same world, but since the monsters have mostly been
the same (with the exception of the cores), the locations of the game might still be there. Even if they, like the monsters, are known by different names in the part of the world she is currently in.
Did that make it more clear? I have a tendency to ramble while trying to explain things, which doesn't really help...
-Winlyn
Interesting idea
This is interesting. Eleanor never was able to buy a map in the market was she?
Actually, it seems odd that there wasn't a single map for sale in the town.
So it is possible that the geography is very similar to Magic-Life, even if the place names are all different. Of course, it is also possible that the geography is completely different, or that it is the same, but on a different continent. We will see, I hope.
I was good until 4 pm.
I only checked every hour or two to see if the next chapter was posted. Then I started checking every 15 minutes or so. I think I'll just go re-read the last two chapters while I'm waiting. I really do look forward to reading Elsbeth's Sunday treats.
Superbowl
I was really hoping the new chapter would be released before the Superbowl. As it is, I will either be elated or depressed, and either way the emotional impact of a new chapter will be muted.
You could always wait until tomorrow to read it.
Nah. Snerk. Who am i kidding.
Tonight
She said she would post tonight late before midnight.
hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna