Here's the second chapter; it's shorter than the first one, just so you know. Unfortunately, in order to separate the stanzas, I had to put lines in between them; it's kind of obnoxious, but whatever, lol. Hope you all enjoy!

Book 2: “Beth Ann Smith and the Great Queen”

Beth Ann Smith arrived at the castle with her crew, small and weary

To be greeted by none other than the Queen of Alchemy.

She was a beautiful woman, long dark hair and each eye like a sapphire,

Mysterious and dark, which she used now to eye the band of five

With much distaste, for they were still soaked, filthy, and disordered

And not properly suited to make an appearance before a Queen so honored

As the Queen of Alchemy, and so Catalina turned to her knights

And asked, “Who are these people you have brought into my sight?”

Catalina sat on her throne, looking to Drake and Taylor,

And then back at Beth Ann’s scruffy company with their rusted armor.

She then questioned again, “Why do you bring them here before me?”

“This is Beth Ann Smith; she has asked for an audience with thee,”

Taylor explained to the Queen with a gesture to Beth Ann,

“She is a knight from Idiopia, and has traveled from her land,

And the rest is her crew, or what is left of it, for they have suffered much strife,

At the hands of Avarita and at the mercy of the sea’s powerful might.”

---

Upon hearing this, Catalina let out a heavy sigh

And reluctantly said, “Because Idiopia is our ally,

I have no other choice but to offer them sanctuary here.”

The Queen rose from her throne and Beth Ann whimpered with fear

As Catalina approached her with narrowed eyes and a frustrated glower

While her crew to their knees, never before someone of such power

Or beauty as the great Queen Catalina of Alchemy.

And finally she spoke, inquiring, “So, Knight of Idiopia, tell me

What brings you from your home and to my golden shores?”

---

With a sob, Beth Ann clasped onto Catalina’s hands as to not fall to the floor

For her sorrow was deep and her despair was great

Each overwhelming her, awaiting her to collapse under the weight.

But Beth Ann stood fast and did not yield to her own torment

For her heart was still focused on her dear Brian Torrent.

So, she wept to the queen, “Oh, how horrible it was, great Queen Catalina!

Our ship crashed out at sea on our way to the vile Avarita!

But, a worse fate has come from this, more devastating than the loss of ship or the death of men;

Without a ship, I will never be able to sail to Avarita and see my precious Brian Torrent again!

He was stolen away, unjustly, by those despicable brutes from Avarita

And I must rescue him from them and bring him home to noble Idiopia!

But I must go soon, otherwise I fear it will be too late

And my dear Brian Torrent will suffer a fouler fate.”

---

Beth Ann began to uncontrollably weep at the terrible notion

Of what would come of her dear Brian Torrent and what devastation

She would suffer if it were to come to pass; she could not fail.

Queen Catalina, trying to pull her hands from the raving girl, but to no avail,

Spoke now, asking, “Now, listen here, young knight, did you say Torrent of Idiopia?

If so, I believe I may have heard of him.” With hope, Beth Ann looked to Catalina.

“Is he not a famous knight?” asked the Queen and Beth Ann lost all despair.

“Yes, but he is more than that!” Beth Ann declared.

“He is the most amazing creature of all creatures on this earth!

He is the reason why we all exist and gives our existence worth!

He is - ” Beth Ann went to continue on, but was unable to

For she was stopped by Queen Catalina, who

Finally managed to pull her hand from the grip of Beth Ann

And said, “Yes, but I wouldn’t say he is all that,” with a shake of her hand

For Beth Ann’s grasp had been tight because of the great passion

She had for Brian Torrent and her despair for the loss of him.

Then the Queen inquired to the red-haired knight,

“So, you are on a quest to find him, am I right?”

---

Beth Ann nodded and resolutely declared, “Yes!

To rescue him from General Miller, so vile and devious

As to steal my Glorious Brian Torrent from me

And take him to the dreadful Avarita out of cruelty!

Still, I will find some way to restore him to Idiopia, this is my promise!

But, alas, I no longer have a ship; how can I serve justice?

How will I ever sail to Avarita, to where my dear Brian Torrent lies

Without a ship to sail or a crew that’s still alive?

Oh, all is lost; how it is lost! I am simply unworthy

Of rescuing someone as grand as Brian Torrent in all his glory!”

---

Catalina, unsure what to make of Beth Ann’s distress,

Decided, most wisely, that it would be best

If Beth Ann told her whole tale of misfortune, so Catalina could fully understand

What truly happened to Brian Torrent and Beth Ann’s homeland.

“Perhaps it would be best if you start at the beginning, Beth Ann Smith,”

The righteous Queen of Alchemy said, raising her noble hand with

A smile, “as we sit and feast for you all look famished.”

The crew, graciously, rose to their feet, suddenly refreshed

At the sound of resting their bodies and the promise of a feast

While Beth Ann only nodded, tears still flowing down her cheeks

At the thought of her beloved Brian Torrent, still so far from her.

Still, she agreed to the Queen of Alchemy’s offer

And thus the five were escorted to the queen’s great dining hall

And each sat at the table - Beth Ann, her crew, and Catalina at the head of them all.

Then, with a deep breath and a small, weeping wail

Beth Ann Smith began to tell her unfortunate tale.