It was somehow expected, but them sending scouts in my Domain was rather sad. They will not trust me, so I have a hard time to trust them. To be fair, they would not be going far, with Snow guarding the place. But it is better to stop the snooping, before it comes to a clash.
The gate falls, drawbridge gets pulled and door closes. That was enough for them to understand, they have been found out, and escape right away. Maybe I should have captured them, but I try to be as hospitable as they are right now. Without their courtesy I might have, so lucky them.
Waiting for the audience was rather long and no one disturbed us, expect for someone asking if we would like a hot tea, which we accepted. I take it neither as positive nor negative, so scoreboard is still nudging toward positive.
Six hours later the audience finally is granted and we walk to the large tree.
“Your weapon please.”
It was courteous, but a bit annoying. Disarming someone right before entering the heavily guarded throne room is a bit concerning, but I have contingencies.
“Leaf, is it a necessity to disarm yourself to go in front of your Queen?”
I know the answer, and it is ’no’ but I need to play my part.
“Definitely not, Lord. Normally only parties coming for a parley or mistrusted people got this treatment. I do not think our Queen has a hand in this decision.”
That answer was rather sad in two ways, but it is what is to be expected from her mind. Keeping up the play, I give my Sword to the second guard.
“I am sorry, sir Null. It was not my Queens doing.”
The first Guard apologizes, which shows how embarrassed they too are. Well there is definitely brewing something.
While the lianas draw the way forward open, we walk slowly to the throne room. On the throne sits someone with the first time not gray hair. Her hair is golden, seemingly glowing a warmth that appeases the mood of the people seeing it. Her crown is, obviously, a living plant. Some special kind of vine having silver leafs rather than green.
“An audience with our Queen, Protector of the revived Forest, chosen by and with direct ancestry of the first Child, is requested by Sir Null, Lord of the fallen star crater, in attendance with Falling Leaf, former resident of the Forest.”
How rude. Even the Queen looks at him not amused and he falls directly to his knee. What in the Void is going on? Are they really that brazen with their open hostility even in front of the Queen? How curious and extremely foolish.
While I was standing Leafy fell to her knees and bowed in full respect. The Queen seems to accept my non bow, but the elders around are looking rather angry.
I rather think of her title. I thought the Name in the letters were already the long form, but it seems it was the short version. Is it something important to be in direct line to some kind of first Child? And I thought the Root are all incestuous related…
“We have seen Lord Null from the Crater. To what do We have the honor of your visit?”
With light bow I answer. Now that she has shown me courtesy I can give some back.
“Esteemed Queen of the Forest, there were some rather rude guards last time your ambassador visited. I wanted to ask what was this about and if I have to take it as the position of the whole Forest.”
“How dare you question…”
“Silence. We heard of an outing with the guards, but have not much information about it as the descriptions were quite apart like leaves on different branches. Please do tell the happenings out of your perspective Lord Null.”
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
The Elder who wanted to interject was silenced with a rather calm and not even loud voice, at least they know who their Queen still is. Well, it would be good to explain all the happenings as truthful as possible.
“There are a few discrepancies with their behavior and our status as allied, esteemed Queen. The first was the inclusion of Weapons in my Domain. I was not aware before of the need to disarm yourself like I did when entering the vicinity of the Ruler, but those guards did not do that.”
“You uneducat…”
“Silence. We are perturbed by the thought of you thinking it necessary, it was an error to take your weapons, as you are not an enemy, and this should be seen as an error today. Guards are mainly not needed for visits, but were requested to be sent by some of our Eldest Mothers.”
“I understand now, your Majesty. Then this will be water under the bridge and I will resume my telling. After changing into a better environment, as houses are not well suited for your esteemed Root kind, Leaf was asked by me to cook tea. Albeit I would have understood the tea to be denied, the Guards did not even react as if she were air. Afterwards I thought of leaving my voice and your competent ambassador alone to talk, but they refused leaving the side of their person to guard, which was very odd, as no danger was even close in the vicinity.”
I let the slight on Snow slide, as she is a monster, and would be ignored, but I will not ignore it.
“As they did not leave, I was not quite comfortable with them there and Leaf being all on her own, so I was with them. The talk about the Mana dew and what we would like for compensation for the trade was friendly but competitive, as expected for our two chosen speaker, while the guards did nothing but stand, until they ordered your ambassador to start finishing.”
“They did what?”
“Preposterous, obviously they would nev…”
“Silence. Did they really do that?”
Looking at Leaf, she nods to me.
“As I was there, at the start of dusk, the Guards wished to go home, the tone was rather rude not only to us, but to Shimmering Petal too.”
“We understand. Please continue.”
My cue to get back to the story.
“Well after suggesting to stay, as we especially had gazebos planted out of living lianas and young trees to be as comfortable for Roots as possible. They did not care about our hospitality and even shouted back. In the heated argument they called my voice a ‘potted plant’ and even forced your ambassador with heavy hand out of the gazebo for talks.”
“We assume you know our lingual meaning of what they said?”
“Obviously, dear Queen.”
She nods.
“Anything else, what happened?”
“As we exited the gazebo ourselves, we gave them notice of our arrival today, for an explanation of this rude behavior, and were told we were not welcome, as the authority lied with them to decide this. As I told them, how I already have the right of visitation from their Queen they threw half a slur while trying to draw their swords, when I used a bit of pressure to remind them in which place there are right now.”
“You attacked them with Magic!”
“I did no such thing, otherwise they would be dead.”
“Who do you…”
“Silence. We have heard your side of the story and are rather disturbed about those insinuations. Those guards will be punished accordingly. Do you wish for anything else?”
“I accept your judgment in this event, as I was only angry about the direct slight against my voice. My anger is abated, if my voice is content with the ruling.”
Put in the limelight Leafy was shocked. With how flustered she is, even with her strong composure she stutters a bit.
“Ah… I, I am completely con...content with the ruling!”
Nodding the Queen seems a bit torn.
“We see how well you treat our lost sapling. Would it be possible to let Us take her back?”
This can sadly not happening. Right now she is mine and I do not want her to be taken away just like that. The reaction of Leaf by the question seems to be shocked and signs of not asking that to the Queen. Does she not want back?
“I am sorry, but right now she is needed as my voice and is a great asset to understand plants and many nuance aspects of the Forest. With her by my side, our relationship between the Forest and the Crater will steadyly bloom.”
“We… understand. For now We will not ask for her return, and only ask to care for her. While the slight is now resolved, there is still something We need to address and it would be good for you two to bear witness.”
Huh. This should be the end, as next time no grumpy Soldiers will come and I would add a small addendum for the trade later. There seems to be some hidden card I did not expect?
“Dewy Leaf, We would like an explanation of the happenings around here, for the recent events. What have you to say for yourself about the obstructions you created in this cooperation between the Crater and Our Forest?”
Who in he Void is Dewy Leaf? I thought the ringleader is Silent Dew. They have both Dew in the name, so maybe they are related?
“Grandmother?”
OK, the outburst of Leafy shows, she is maybe in a way more precarious position, than I expected. What is going on right now…