Day 9

Viola and her new friends crept thought the castle towards the throne room. Viv was going to the next level to set up a shot. Rider walked with Viola to where the queen was. Xoma stood guard outside the door.

Rider approached with his hoot low over his face.

When Rachael came in from a side door.

“Tẽra, please may we talk?”

Viola froze and held Rider back.

“That’s English from earth.”

Tẽra replied

“Sure, let’s talk.”

Rachael took a deep breath.

Tẽra sat and Otchulissa jumped onto her lap.

“How do I tell Viv not to take the shot?” Viola asked Rider.

“It’s too late.” Rider answered “Are you backing out on us?” he asked as if he already knew.

“No, I just don’t think that’s the queen.”

Viola walked into the light.

“Sorry, I am lost. How do I get to the dining room?” she asked.

Tẽra looked her over.

“Come here.”

Viola came over.

“Who are you?” Rachael asked.

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“My name is Viola.”

“I know you.” Tẽra said but it was more like a question

“Yes, I know you. You are Fiona’s missing sister.”

“You know my sister?”

Viola knew she had to do something quickly or Tẽra was going to get an arrow through the heart.

“Please walk with me and tell me how she is doing?”

“I don’t really feel like going anywhere.” Tẽra replied.

“Maybe something a little stronger to drink then?” Viola tried.

“I’ll have a servant bring something.”

“Let us go, this room is… unsettling.” Viola said.

“I could do with a drink” Rachael urged.

So, the woman left.

Rider was fuming. Viv and Xoma where confused. Why had Viola saved the queen and ruined their chances of saving Jacob.

“Is Fiona here?” Viola asked.

“No, she left with Nikki, they are climbing the mountain. The man Ranger was here but she sent him away. Guess they broke up or something.”

Viola was relieved that Fiona was alright.

They drank a large bottle between the three of them. More like Viola had one glass and Rachael and Tẽra drank the rest.

“Are you the queen?” Viola asked.

“No, Yes. I am not. No one knows where the real queen went. Her tigers were poisoned and she’s missing. Everyone asked me to be queen to help them. Then they got busy with their own things and left the country to me. I am trying but it’s not fun. I have called a peace meeting and I hope it will be a start in the right direction.”

“You are pretending to be the queen?” How has no one noticed?”

“Some have but they are helping me fake it. Tiffany’s handmaid Hannah has been correcting my speech so I don’t sound incorrect.”

“This could get you killed.” Viola said.

Rachael lay down waving her hands above her. She hummed something.

Then said

“People here don’t die. It’s purgatory.”

“What?” Viola asked confused.

Tẽra continued talking like she hadn’t heard Rachael at all.

“On this rock, walking outside could get me killed. However, I am making a difference. I sent James the ecologist to resolve the bug problem that’s eating away the country’s food. I have Joe training a small group of trusted people. Spice is an excellent doctor. Rachael needs therapy. Are you a shrink?”

“An air-hostess.” Viola replied.

“You and your sister like to fly.”

Viola smiled. She had never thought about that. But then again she wasn’t as air-hostess.

“So as queen, I can help. I tell everyone that I lost my memories from a head injury in an attempted assassination. I use that excuse for everything and if I get unbelieving looks, I say something like: Are You Daring To Disagree With Me. They very quickly back down. We even have a child with some kind of super power. She causing animals to become panicked. It’s a strange world.”

“I have met others with super powers.” Viola said.

Viola had not reviled that she understood the local vernacular. Nor did she intend to let anyone know. She was going to keep her secrets.

Once Rachael and Tẽra fell asleep after finishing the bottle of strong wine Viola went to her room where three unhappy people waited for her.

“Explain yourself.” Rider demanded.

“She’s not the queen. She came from earth with me. She just looks like the queen and the real queen is missing so she took the job. Her name is Tẽra Trazzie.”

Xoma and Viv breathe a sigh of relief.

“I knew you had a good reason” Viv said.

“How are we going to find the queen and save Jacob?” Xoma was worried.

“I have an idea.” Viola said.

“We say we have the queen’s head and meet them with someone else’s head in a bag soaked red in berries.”

Rider looked at her in surprise.

“That might just work” he said.

So, the four planned their rescues mission. Which involved the hunting down and killing of everyone involved in Jacob’s kidnapping.