The following day, a stranger arrived at the city gates and asked for an audience with the Queen. At first, the guards refused to let him pass as he looked both bizarre and malign, but then he told the guards the purpose of his journey to Yrkanis and the guards escorted him straight to the Queen.

Later that day the Queen published the following pronouncement, to be heard by every Matis in the kingdom:

To our dear loyal Matis!

As the Queen of the Matis and the head of our country in the absence of my husband Yrkanis, I have a very important matter of state to discuss with you.

You have probably heard various rumours about the disappearance of my son and your Prince. Unfortunately these rumours are all too true. As it turns out he has been kidnapped by still unknown people,and I have just received their demands to exchange for the lives of the Prince and indeed all of you. Your lives, you wonder? Please attend a meeting tomorrow Friday 14th July at 8pm BST at the Palace Steps in Yrkanis and I will give you more details.

Citizens of Matis, believe me, your lives too are in great danger! The more of you that can attend, the better for us all, as this now concerns every single one of us.

Signed,

Lea, Queen of Matis.
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