It was not long after the return of Celthair that a council was called and the Emim were invited. A pact of peace was proposed, and they were to discuss the new arrangement that would be made in the two factions that would ensure this peace would last. Celthair was also to speak her request to be allowed the learn the healing arts of the Anakim, so that she could go back and save her people.

Preparations were made for the next day and Celthair was leaning against Ciaran going over the words she wanted to speak while he read a book on Anakim battle strategy. Dom and Mags were out, enjoying the night life of the city.

It was getting late and almost the middle of the night when shouting began to get louder in the streets. Ciaran and Celthair leaned out the window toward the palace.

“Something is going on; it does not sound good.” Said Ciaran.

They heard shouting and the sound of battle, then a horn blew.

“I think we should go and see what is wrong,” said Celthair.

A loud thumping at the door made them both jump.

At the door Grost looked worried. “There has been fighting, in the palace,” he said breathlessly. “If you are thinking of going there, I am advising you not to. It is too dangerous.”

“We will stay here, said Celthair, Ciaran nodded in agreement.

“Please tell us what is happening as soon as you know,” begged Celthair.

“I will,” said Grost, disappearing through the door and shutting it behind him.

They ran up the stairs and stood on the balcony, looking worriedly toward the palace. The chaos was spreading out of the palace and into the streets. Giants were running everywhere. Some groups seemed to be searching for something or someone.

Terrible thoughts went through Celthair’s mind. Fighting and chaos. Till they were told they could only speculate. Were the Emim responsible?

After an hour of worry and pacing, Celthair could not stand it anymore. “I am going to the palace,” she said.

The sound of fighting was gone but the streets were alive with soldiers and a curfew had been placed. No civilians were to be out on the streets.

Celthair strapped on the sword and Ciaran did so as well.

“No,” she said, I will go alone.

“There is no way you are leaving me here to be twice as worried as you were,” he said determinedly.

Celthair conceded, knowing an argument would only waste time and they left the house, making their way in the shadows toward the palace.

They avoided the patrols and made it there without incident.

At the gate, which was shut firm, Celthair stood there remembering her childhood, when she would sneak into the palace by bribing one of the guards with her own home made, Aetherclaw juice.

She knocked the secret knock that she had used all those years ago.

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There was a brief moment of time, and she held her breath.

Celthair was certain she heard an exclamation on the other side of the door. Sure enough it began to slide open and an eye appeared.

“Can oi be dreamin’? said a voice, is it really you after all this time.

“It is dear Odin,” she said as she and Ciaran slipped through the gate and he shut it firmly once more behind them.

“Thank you,” she said. “Do you know where the Queen is?” she asked.

“I don’t be knowin’ anytin’” said Odin, looking at her hands expectantly.

“Fat lot of good you are then,” she grinned. “No, I don’t have Aetherclaw juice this time. But after this is over, I’ll make sure a shipment comes from Athlethan straight to your home.” Celthair promised.

Odin licked his lips in anticipation and grinned.

“Typical of you giants,” she chided, “In a crisis, thinking of your bellies.”

‘elps in a crisis, it does.” He replied, winking at her as they left.

Celthair made her way to the throne room. They needed to step over two dead giants on the way there.

Ciaran looked closely at the bodies.

“They are Emim,” he said in a worried voice.

Celthair’s fears were coming true. She hoped it was only a few who had rebelled against the majorities desire for peace. Celthair had grave concern for Ariadne’s safety.

She came to the throne room and a scene met their eyes. Several dead soldiers lay sprawled about. The Anakim queens guard were standing around a large group of Emim soldiers who were kneeling with their hands on their heads.

Queen Ariadne held a long sword, and it was pointing at the throat of the Emim Queen.

Celthair could see Baal-Ed in the group.

“Did you order my death?” asked Ariadne.

Queen Darya scowled. She had dropped a sword at her side.

“I was protecting my soldiers, I do not want you dead,” said Darya.

“I did not know they were going to do this.”

Ciaran looked at Baal Ed. She trusted him and knew she could read him like a book. She pushed her way through the guards and stood before Baal Ed.

He saw her and grinned. Genuinely happy to see her.

“What happened here,” she asked him.

“There has been a coup,” he whispered. “Some tried to kill Queen Ariadne.”

“Was your queen involved in the plot?” she asked.

“Alas, if I tell you, I commit treason against my queen.” He whispered quietly.

It was all Celthair needed to hear. If Darya had not been involved, Baal Ed would have told her.

She strode up to Queen Ariadne.

“My Queen, she has indeed plotted to kill you with a few of her soldiers. But not all of them.”

Darya scowled at her.

“You, horrible little self-important brat,” she said nastily. “I wish I had killed you when I first saw you.”

Celthair walked back to Baal-Ed.

“Are any more in your group guilty of this attempt?” she asked him.

Baal-ed turned and looked at his soldiers. He looked each of them in the eye and asked them. If you are guilty of this step forward.

Two soldiers stepped forward.

“Speak for yourselves,” He commanded.

The room was now quiet, everyone was focussed on the two soldiers and their captain.

“We were approached by her majesty; she asked us to join her. We refused and she commanded us to tell no one on pain of death.”

“We speak the truth as one,” said the other soldier.

“You could have told me,” replied Baal Ed, his tone disappointed.

The two soldiers hung their heads.

“You will be reprimanded later.

Baal Ed turned to Queen Darya.

“Your majesty we served you with complete obedience but this attack on our hosts was unjust. We do not condone this.”

Queen Ariadne ordered the guilty prisoners taken away. They would be tried later for their crimes.

The Court emptied and Celthair was left with Ariadne. She bowed to the queen and spoke.

“I am sorry that I bought this trouble upon you, my queen. I encouraged Darya to come and make peace. She gave me no reason to believe that she wanted to attempt to take your life.”

Ariadne smiled at Celthair’s attempt to accept some blame.

“Big steps have been taken towards peace, despite Darya’s treachery. Baal Ed has taken temporary power and speaks for his people until they elect a new king or queen. So, my dear, do not feel bad about anything you have done. Now go and rest, we will go ahead with a meeting of council. You can make your request to our healers.”

Celthair bowed and grinned at the Queen.

“Sleep well my Queen,” she said.

Celthair put her hand in Ciaran’s and together they walked back to their house.

“I feel betrayed by Darya, she seemed so nice.”

Ciaran put his arm around Celthair’s shoulders. Not many people had taken her kindness for granted. She now trusted a little less. No longer would she accept people she met for the first time as they were. They would need to prove their loyalty. Ciaran felt it was a sad day that this innocence in her nature was damaged.