The knocking at her chamber door was deafening to the still sleeping princess. Exhausted from her journey, and the duties she had upon her return, Luna had dropped straight into bed but a hand full of hours earlier. A soft and comfortable bed that she found herself jutting up from her rest successfully interrupted. The slight sheen of droll and frizzled hair was an un-princess like image that spoke of deep restful slumber that was grossly interrupted. Her half-lid eyes gazed around the room in a half awake slumber, still uncertain of what was real and what was dream.
Again, the knocking continued. It was a late Thursday morning, right before noon given the direction of the subtle light coming from her shaded windows. At least she thought it was Thursday. She rubbed at her eyes. Her sister had insisted Luna hold night court last night once she got in. Saying, it would be good for her since she’d been away for the past several weeks, closer to month in fact.
Like most things in her life, it wasn’t really a choice. Choice, that explained the dream she just woke from quite well. A choice to drown in a teacup of her sister’s making or be pushed off the edge into oblivion. Again, by her sister’s hand. There was probably some deeper meaning behind it all. There were snakes in the teacup too, maybe? She tried to grasp at the vanishing threads of the dream.
It wasn’t that she had any animosity towards her anymore, not really. But everything Luna did seemed to be dictated by the Queen. It made some sense, after all, her sister was a literally dictator, a Queen. When she dictated that Luna had to travel a week to spend time with the Lamia race in the nearby kingdom, well that’s just what she would do isn’t it?
“Away on a useless trade mission you sent me on.” She mouthed the words in disdain as the knocking continued. Any fragments of the dream had disappeared, and it was clear the person at the door wasn’t about to leave, so there was no point in trying to rejoin it, not that she really wanted to in the first place.
“Coming, hold on!” She shouted, as her body made its way from the bed. Her slender yet somewhat athletic form was mostly hidden by her long silken night gown. Her skin was pale enough that it almost glowed as she passed by the window. Her otherwise silky black hair twinkled with the handful of silver hair strands that mixed with the multitude of black ones. Despite the long journey, her entire form was still well kept. Thanks in part to the magic nature of her immortality.
Still despite her nearly endless lifetime, she still wanted those wasted days of her life back.
The trip really had been a complete waste of time. The Lamia weren’t willing or even able to increase their spice shipments. It wasn’t a question of costs, just limited supply. Their weather had been poor the last few years in the already arid country, and it was effecting everything. All Illania could do was send wizards and mages to help increase the rainfall, but that would take years to bear fruit. Quite literally.
Queen Luminis insisted the trip was still quite necessary, and even fruitful. Though, Luna just couldn’t see how. The Lamia were a nice enough race anyway, at least in small doses. But generally didn’t understand the meaning of personal space. Not to mention their rather strong advances. She had to bolt her sleeping chambers at night to get any peace from them. Even sleeping proved exhausting, never knowing if a ‘friendly’ companion would try to make a bed next to you. It was usually plutonic, being close to snakes the Lamia often sought the warmth of other’s bodies as a survival instinct. It was still an unwelcome annoyance.
Much like this interruption was. The door to Luna’s chamber opened with more force than she intended. At the door to her chamber was a common elf, dressed in Solar Guard armor. She almost recognized him, surely she had seen him around the castle before but couldn’t place his name. He seemed startled by the abruptness of the door, and maybe something else?
Luna’s anger and grimace faded as she saw a small measure of true fear in the Guard’s eyes. Quickly she became aware of a growing tendril like aura around herself, as her magic unconsciously kicked up the air slightly. With a slow breath, she did her best to pull it back in. It was not a side of herself that she wanted anyone to see. The old stories about her were still told after all, no need to add fuel to the nightmare.
“What is it Guardsman?” Her voice was still and flat, as she pushed down her emotions.
“Princess Luna, I’m sorry to interrupt your sleep!” The guard nearly shouted his apology to her with a shaky and shrilly voice. His words and volume caused her head to bang with each note.
With light pressure, Luna once more rubbed at her eyes. “It’s fine.” It wasn’t, but that’s what she needed to say to get the conversation moving. “Now, what is this about?”
“Your sister, I mean, the Queen requests your immediate assistance in the court conference room. I understand there some issue in the Human Enclave and quarters and… I’m sorry I don’t know the details.” The guard stumbled over his words.
Anger turned to confusion and a small amount of surprise, that wasn’t what she was expecting to hear, at all. “The Human Enclave? What does that have to do with me?”
“I’m sorry Princess Luna, I don’t know.”
Blinking a few times, Luna shook her head and turned, “Ok, I’ll be down in 15 minutes.” Before she shut the door she looked back at the guard and in almost pleading tone asked, “Can you please make sure there’s a very strong cup of tea waiting for me?”
He nodded and moved, rather quickly, down the hallway away from Luna and her foreboding bedroom. She suddenly missed the snakes.
Normally the Princess would spend a half hour or more getting ready for her duties and the day, or rather evening. Though, most of that was dilly-dallying, slowly working though things and of course nursing her tea, which would have been delivered. Without any of that, she could be quick, when needed at least. A quick wash in the bason. A casual but still semi-formal dress that was easy to put on, and she was ready. Her stomach rumbled lightly. Sighing at her own body’s needs, she should have asked for a pastry or sandwich to go with that tea. Well, no matter, the Guard wasn’t a waiter after all. There was a chance he wasn’t even going to have the tea ready. It wouldn’t be the first time.
The walk down the castle hallways was often a lonely one, even in the light of the day. It wasn’t that most people were afraid of her, warry would probably be the best description of it. They weren’t particularly fond of her personality either which made it worse. Even after 500 years, she still had her mood swings, and could be quiet, terrifying. Even without meaning to be. The guard from earlier being a perfect example.
Add to it all, the rumors, myths and legends sounding her and, it was easy to understand why people might actually be afraid of her. Those deep echoes of a past now wrapped in myth were hard to shake. She claimed not to let it bother her, but it was obvious to all watching that it did. Maybe that’s why she enjoyed that human’s company so much. He never looked at her with anything resembling fear, terror or even concern. If anything, he was infatuated with her, for reasons she couldn’t really understand. After all, she never saw herself as a beauty like her sister was.
Still his attention was, enjoyable. A slight blush crossed her otherwise pale skin, and she passed a window looking out to the court yard full of broken statues and rubble. A bitter smile crossed her lips as she looked away, painful memories crossed her face. “It would never work though.” She wasn’t sure if she said those words or merely thought them. Regardless, they were still true.
The conference room next to the throne room was the second largest in the castle, and the one most often used. The large space provided ample seating for all manner of dignitaries, merchants, and even the occasional normal citizen. It was the same place they had hosted the Ice Queen a month earlier. Luna sighed at that thought, their next meeting with her wasn’t that far off.
Thinking about it, the trip into the Lamia territory had taken their toll on her. Even if Queen Venustas was closer to Illanina, it would have taken more than a day and could not have been an easy trip. Why she chose to do it, Luna would never understand.
Opening the large ornate doors Luna wasn’t surprised to see a conversation already in progress. There was, of course her sister the Queen. Opposite side of the table to her, a general of the High Guard Pinguis, an overweight and over barring elf. To his left, a common Guard General Seadh, a somewhat older halfling woman. Despite her size, Luna remembered seeing her not long after Queen Venustas was defeated, she was fearsome in her own right. Next to each of them were a handful of what appeared to be various captains, and then at the end of the table, on the same side as the Queen were the most curious of all, her assistant and a very old bat kin with more scars than fur.
Luna walked through the verbal battlefield to sit next to the last two at the table, listening to the conversation as she took her seat.
“The humans were rioting. We had no choice but to use force.” The heavy General Pinguis spoke in that common high-born tone that made it sound like his word was law.
“You don’t need to use force on the humans, not like that anyway. You get in, do what you need and get out. But no, the high guard couldn’t be bothered to do things the right way.” General Seadh had a similar tone, but it was more like a grand mother who knew what was best rather than the over bairing blowhard.
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“You watch your tone you diminutive, little-” General Pinguis was intrupted.
“Generals, please! Not again.” Queen Luminis practically begged the two generals as they continued to banter between themselves. By the sounds of it she had been at this for a while now. Luminis did her best to bring the conversation under control, while Luna found her promised cup of tea waiting for her next to the rabbit. The Guard from earlier had come through, mostly. She looked at the deep red liquid with a subtle frown. The fact that she could tell its color was a problem. Meaning, it was weaker than she liked. Oh, well. At least it was something she continued to sip.
Looking around, Luna noticed something strange. Her assistant, the rabbit Coruscis didn’t have one of her normal books in front of her. Instead, she was writing something down, by the looks of it, they were frantic notes. For Coruscis to pay attention to a meeting, even more to take such detailed notes, this must have been important.
A fist struck at the table, the loud thud causing a moment of silence as the Queen glared across the table in frustration. “General Pinguis with all due respect, you have no idea the turmoil your Guard have caused this city!” Her sister’s outburst grabbed Luna’s attention. It was very rare for the Queen to ever raise her voice.
Luna had no idea what was happening, but this sounded deeply serious. Once more Luna turned to the rabbit next to her and whispered, “Coruscis, what happened?”
The blue hair rabbit paused her note taking. “There was a conflict in the human encampment earlier. The high guard went down there to arrest someone and complete a search, a couple humans died.”
Luna’s eyes opened wide in shock. That was almost unheard of. What could possibly have caused this?
“Sister…” Queen Luminis finally addressed Luna’s presence. “I’m sorry for interrupting your sleep. I know you’re still weary from your travels. But Coruscis is right. This is a very important matter and… I feel you’re the only one who has a hope of reducing the tension in the human enclave.”
Luna blinked a few times, unsure if she heard that right. “Of course, I’ll do whatever I can but, I don’t understand what I can do?”
Luminis smiled softly towards her sister, “The human’s don’t respect any of us, and they barely tolerate the Common Guard. But, there are some that find you more reasonable. We need you to try and head down to the enclave and calm things down.” Her voice seemed, almost general, pleading even.
It was unusual for her to sound so submissive. Which was why Luna was more than a little suspicious. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d been used by the Queen. It wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, for everyone else. The Queen did have Illania’s best interests in mind and heart, but that didn’t mean it was a good thing for the individuals she used.
As she thought about the correct response, the High Guard general huffed, “No offense my Princess, but you aren’t much better than the Dark Races yourself. I don’t see you being much help.”
That was not the right thing to say. Like her shout earlier, it was rare to see the Queen angry. Like Luna, she had more magic potential than she knew how to handle. The Queen’s anger spread through her, causing her magic to shine out in an overpowering aura. The light from her body was enough to nearly blind all those in attendance even with their eyes closed.
Holding a hand up to block the light, Luna protested in defense of the General, and her own eyes, “Sister, please it’s all right. I’m sure the General just misspoke. I’m not offended.”
“In-indeed. Forgive me your highness, I didn’t mean anything by it. Just words spoken in frustration.” The general cowered under the magnificent brightness that was quite literally burning his skin.
The Queen pulled back her magic, and the glow in the room subsided. It was hard to tell, but it almost looked like Pinguis was a shade redder, and not from embarrassment.
“So you did.” Queen Luminis’ voice was terrifyingly calm and flat as she spoke. “Since you like to speak dear general, perhaps you can explain the situation to my sister. The situation as I see it and have laid out, and General, do not leave out any details.”
For perhaps the first time in his life General Pinguis felt truly beneath someone. It was a humbling experience or would have been for anyone else. For him, it was just an embarrassment to deal with. The general cleared his throat, and spoke with an almost sarcastic tone, that was in truth just his normal voice, “A month ago, we got word that a human in the Enclave had stolen… Sorry, taken possession of an artifact that was reported stolen late last year. It was a valuable artifact, so of course the owners wanted it back. The Common Guard, through no fault of their own, were not able to accomplish this task. The Nobel in question came to the High Guard on his hands and knees begging for our assistance. So we were obliged to lend that assistance.
Our initial searches were fruitful in getting information, but I admit, perhaps more forceful than called for. This morning, our Guards breached a house that was refusing to open up for inspection and, we’re still not sure how, but two humans were fatally injured. The six Guards each gave a slightly different accounts… and the surviving human we took into custody is giving a very different account from all of them. The humans, in their misunderstanding, are threatening to run riot and we currently have the enclave under lockdown. But it won’t matter if enough of them push, they could break through our defenses. Human’s can’t use magic, but they are still terrifyingly brutal despite their weak forms.”
The silence afterwards was the only signal the General made that he was done. However, General Seadh wasn’t satisfied and poke further, “Remind me, did your people at least find the artifact we were looking for?”
General Pinguis looked away from the other general. “…No.”
Once more, a modicum of silence while Luna digested.
Eyes were looking towards the princess now. “I see. That certainly is a lot. Have we tried to speak to humans? What are they demanding.”
Sensing the other general wouldn’t respond, Seadh answered Luna’s question. “They want the heads of the Guards. Quite literally I must say. The common guard has had a cool, reception with the humans before but they tolerated us. We sent several of our captains out to talk peace with them, but they refused. One even came back with heavy welts and a broken collar bone. By the looks of it, the humans’ had been using slings to throw rocks.”
Nodding, Luna understood the situation, and how dangerous is was.
Seadh continued, “That’s why they need you, my Princess. We can’t send the Queen, not only would it be dangerous they probably won’t even listen to her.”
“Well, I suppose I am more disposable than my sister.” Luna laughed at her own gallows humor and held up a hand to stop the complaints and protests before they started. “I jest. Even in a worst case, I don’t think the humans pose a threat to me, with my magic.”
Again, Luna nodded, the slight smile still on her face. The sudden adrenaline and shock waking her up more than any tea would. She wouldn’t say it aloud, but a part of her felt almost excited. But how would she fix this mess?
Lumins smiled at her sister, and nodded genially, “Well, I’m happy you agree sister. What ever you need we will make available.”
For the next several minutes, the Generals and Queen talked amongst themselves, Luna spent the time discussing a few minor items with her own council before the Queen finally announced, “I believe we are done for right now. General Seadh you may leave.” Turning, Luminis smiled at her sister once more, “Luna you, Coruscis and General Torrent may also leave. I need to have a short discussion with General Pinguis, alone.”
Nodding in agreement Luna stood up to leave, while the other two bowed slightly before following. Outside the door, the three listen carefully to the mumblings behind it. Just in case there was any more useful information to be had.
General Pinguis protested almost immediately once the door shut. “My Queen. You rule over Illania and my allegiance is to all of Illania. But, per my oath I serve all the Nobility, including you. I have to take all their concerns into account. The common Guard was not doing the job, so we had too.” His voice was once more arrogant, and full of himself. Despite the unwanted suntan, he did not seem to have learned any lesson.
“Is that so.” Queen Luminis’ voice smiled, but in a way that was darkened and foreboding. “General, I have many things I want to say to you. But, I can tell that will take a lot of time. You and I will have to discuss this more later, today. For now, please continue to sit this conference room until I return.”
“Your highness I have-“
“As one of the Nobels you claim to serve, I insist you stay in this room until I return. For your safety.” Again, Luminis’ voice sounded almost twisted. If Luna could have seen it, her sister’s face would have shown a soft and serein smile, above the tone that had something vile and dark behind it. No one was ever killed by the crown in Illanian, there were no assignations, no unwanted deaths. For the most part anyway.
That is what everyone believed, but even Pinguis knew not to press his luck, and that it wasn’t a request, “Yes, Queen Luminis.”
Leaving the conference space, the Queen was already aware of the three still listening outside. She ignored the liberties her sister took. There were other far more pressing things to worry about.
There was no smile on the Queen’s face now as she asked, “How much time do you think you’ll need, sister?” Luma sounded almost as tired as Luna was.
Luna thought about it for a moment before looking back to the otherwise silent old bat. Without waiting he spoke, “My Queen, your sister will need about two hours to prepare. We will of course, want some of the Luna Guard present and that will take time to muster.” His voice was raspy, and old. But still, had a subtlety vitality to it.
“Very well. If you need anything from me or my Guard, it will be made available to you. Otherwise, I trust you, my sister.” Luma smiled warmly and honestly at her younger sister, who smiled and nodded slightly back.
The Queen left, leaving the conference room foyer and throne room letting the general stew for an undetermined length of time. Luna stood in the small hallway between the two, thinking.
She turned to her rabbit, “Coruscis I saw you taking notes. What did I miss and what aren’t they telling me?”
The rabbit smiled, “Surprisingly, not that much. But, they had already talked at length before General Torrent and I were invited in so there were likely somethings we missed. What I know for sure, the raid the high Guard did was worse than they’re claiming. Pinguis’ troops had no reason to search that house. I don’t even think he knows why they did and is covering for his men. It’s also not just the deaths, that house was being used to store food reserves for the enclave. It was lit on fire when they left. No one knows by who or how much was lost.”
For a moment, Luna looked shocked but quickly composed herself. “So that’s what this is really about. The humans want food.”
Both the general and the rabbit nodded. “I’m sure they want justice for their dead, but yes. I’m betting they want food first.” Coruscis flipped through her notes for a moment looking for something else, before shaking her head.
“Have we offered that to them yet?”
The general took a breath, coughing slightly as he did. “Sorry my Princess. I’m fine.” He held up a scared hand, that was missing at least part of an index finger. “No. If they are to be believed, neither your sister nor the other Guard have been able to communicate with them. But…”
A knowing smirk crept up Luna’s face, “There’s the possibility they aren’t telling me everything. Perhaps hoping I can take some of the blame if this fails.”
The old bat’s face twisted up slightly, “You would have made a fine regent, my Princess.”
A slight glow came from Luna’s magic, she felt, invigorated. “General, get some of your men together. Let’s try some diplomacy.”