--Duchess—

The Queen was elated. Duchess felt her happiness through their bond, a ticklish feeling that sparkled like Van Gogh’s star-carvings on the palace walls.

Duchess approved of Van Gogh. That itself was a rarity, but he was polite and skilled, and that was just as rare among the courtiers. Not that Duchess had the right to scoff at her Queen’s court.

Still. Puck was insufferable.

That same faerie, Puck, was headed towards the outer court at that very moment. Loathe to follow his lead, but curious nonetheless, Duchess flew there herself.

The outer court was a masterful creation on the Royal’s part. At the front was, of course, a lovely statue of the Queen and King consort, but that was not what Duchess loved the most.

Previously, the outer court had been a terribly ugly room; it had been not only gaudy, but squashed into a disgusting rectangle! Duchess did not usually spend time with their scholarly slimes or engage in philosophy, but everyone in the palace knew circles were the best shape. She herself had been anxious about the matter, wondering if she should bring it up with the Queen (the King consort was a bit rough around the edges for ethical aesthetics, and Princess Astrid too young to understand its importance), but hadn’t wanted to be impertinent. It had been such a relief when they had come to their senses and remodeled; now it was a loop of circle around the inner court.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

The door to the inner court had changed as well, now being on the opposite side of the circle from the entrance. That made it a bit longer of a flight for Duchess, but she didn’t mind. The scenery was beautiful: fast-paced waterfalls curved in and out of the corridor, creating glittering webs and prisms of water (they made fantastic paths for the amphibious members of the court), and shining needles of obsidian and diamond brought variety to the picture. It was one of Duchess’ favorite flight paths so, despite her hurry, she still enjoyed it.

Reaching the entrance hall, she paused behind the archway that separated it from the rest of the court. This entrance hall was decorative (but still circular) and had all the pomp and dignity fitting for their rulers. Duchess was very proud of it. A massive, bejeweled arch let the delvers in, with carvings made by Van Gogh of course, and similar massive arches led either direction to the rest of the inner court. The statue of their Queen and King had a place to give tribute to them, and two very generous magic springs. It was all so benevolent Duchess could scarcely believe it, even now.

And, seeing the delvers that entered, Duchess could scarcely believe them either.

They were gigantic!

Puck was already swooping down at them and, for once, Duchess was impressed. He didn’t hesitate once, even faced with such intimidating foes.

Gritting her teeth, Duchess flung herself into the fight as well.

She wouldn’t let him outdo her.