Throughout the day and into the late evening, whether in private counsel with her ministers or presiding over public events, Queen Areathea of Yann is a model of steadiness, resoluteness, dignity, confidence, eadership and hope. But in the dark of the early morning hours, Areathea paces the floors of her private quarters, tears flowing down her cheeks, her lips twisted in anguish. Finally alone, she weeps incessantly for her late husband, King Alfredo and her only child, her son, Prince Randal. Three weeks ago, Alfredo and Randal had led the kingdom's best warriors on a campaign against the incursions of Hiram, King of Alegonne. It seemed every spring that Hiram claimed some part of Yann or one of his other neighbors. This year, he was claiming the lush Plain of Alto for annexation into his own realm. The two brief messages from Alfredo were full of confidence and good spirits as the two armies closed upon each other. Three days after her husband's last message, a weary courier had hurried through the hallways of the castle to her throne, despite his own wounds, to inform her that husband and child had both been killed early in the battle. The King had died first, followed by her son shortly after. Without King and Prince, and the deaths of the most able warriors, the resolve of the Yann army melted away and the battle became a rout. Hiram gave no quarter. By afternoon's end, the pooling blood of the slaughtered Yann covered the battlefield. More bad news followed as the remnants of the Yann army stumbled back to the capital--no more than a third of the army survived and many of those were wounded. A handful of nobles and other officers remained to try and reorganize their defense, for Hirman was busy gobbling up over two-thirds of Areathea's kingdom. If Areathea had not kept her grief and despair in check, it would have caused irrepairable damage to their almost nonexistant morale. No, she had to project confidence and hope so both the army and her people would gain enough of both to stop Hiram and to begin to take back their land. However in the deep night, Queen Areathea, crushed and despairing, weeps for her loved ones and for her broken nation. Credits: Queen: V3, morphs and textures by dalinise and Stormi. Sorry don't remember who made the hair. Table, chandeliers and wall sconces are by Alexey Gorbunov, although I changed the textures. Large Candle Stands: Net freebie; don't remember who contributed it. Large medieval seat by G. Gilsoul (Evanara). Tapestry: Queen's quarters: modeled by me in Bryce5, but windows and door arches are net freebies. Rugs, wicker chest/seat, and pillows: by me. Thanks for looking and for any constructive or encouraging comments. Jeremy