Queen's Quest

Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen Getting To Know You

All three rulers made short speeches welcoming those from earth mentioning briefly the forthcoming hearings to learn of the situation back on earth. Afterwards, everyone broke into small groups but not before our guests were snatched up by reporters for video interviews. All were a bit uneasy about this being used to hiding from the eyes of the public so were uneasy at first about opening up to strangers. I spent most of my time talking to Queen Maguire and her husband although Captain Demlin soon joined us. It wasn't long before Queen Maguire asked my opinion of our guests. I've always had a reputation of being blunt and forthcoming with what I really thought a trait that has got me into trouble on more than one occasion however I'm still here, so I keep doing what I'm doing.

"Your Highness, I think they are going to be nothing but trouble, however I'm not sure about Ciara or "The Nain Rouge. These people are constantly at each other's throats I'm really not sure that things would change were the light Fae in charge. I've talked to all of them and with the exception of Brie, all seem to be hiding something. I truly think they're all looking to us to support them in some scheme to take charge in their private quests for power."

"What about this Brie?" asked the queen. We looked over to where Jina was introducing her to Malcanthet who had a wicked smile on her face.

"I don't like her," commented Maguire, "She's just too sneaky, and calculating but Bivale seems to like her so I don't say anything," then she uttered a nervous chuckle,

"Maybe it's because she likes to wreck marriages by seducing husbands, I certainly hope that woman is built tough "Mal" will turn her every which way but loose."

"I've talked to her quite a bit," I replied, "Brie is trying to take a neutral position on things, but each side seems to think she can be lured to their side, "The Morrigan" even told me in so many words she is convinced Brie is of the dark persuasion but she just doesn't know it yet. Personally, I think that any decision you make towards these people will have to figure heavily on her." Queen Maguire studied me for a moment, then replied,

"I think you're right."

We continued to watch Brie and the Queen of the succubus chatting with occasional bursts of laughter, then Queen Maguire spoke,

"Don't say anything about this Commander but this woman who calls herself "The Morrigan" really has Bivale and I pissed off. My mother is even suggesting that we have her put to death for what she did to that young rating, but then mother knows the family so is naturally outraged. I guarantee she isn't going to have an easy time of it in the hearings; Bivale and I have talked about her quite a bit and will be ready for her. As for this Trick fellow, Furgas is all excited about the fact that one of the members of our "lost Tribe" as the media are calling them is no doubt a dwarf so that should be interesting." Before we parted, I asked her one last question.

"Your Highness, what do you think will happen with these people?" She looked at me and took a deep sigh,

"Frankly Commander, I don't really know, I sent you people off on this little expedition not really expecting to find anything." I looked at her in surprise. With a grin on her face she replied,

"Oh don't look so surprised Commander there was a lot of pressure to do something with all that data we had so we cooked up this little "mission," good for everybody in a round about sort of way, but now that we've found what we were hoping we wouldn't find we've got to do something."

She took a long sip of her drink then continued,

"We certainly are not going to be starting any wars with the humans on earth, we won't be announcing ourselves, or paying them any diplomatic visits that's for sure, this Brie is certainly the "wild card," in this whole affair. Even though I dislike the woman I suspect that Malcanthet is going to figure somewhere in all this, believe me, Bivale my mother and I are going to be discussing this quite a bit, the palace lights are going to be burning very late in the coming days." Then with another nervous chuckle, she added.

"This sort of thing was the kind of crap that my mother had to deal with and the main reason I hated the thought of becoming queen. Now here I am, go figure."

Before I moved off the queen's husband Keith, suddenly appeared, shaking my hand he said,

"Nice to see you commander, Maguire, you look simply ravishing." She glared at him,

"You stay away from Malcanthet, you know my feelings toward her." Her husband grinned, "Fear not my queen, if I need some good loving I know where to go." Then turning to me again, he said,

"Commander, have you spent much time talking to that girlfriend of Brie's?" I grimaced then replied.

"A little, she doesn't appear to be exceptionally bright." Shaking his head the queen's husband replied,

"I'll certainly second that opinion Goks are capable of more stimulating conversation. I was going to try and get her before some of our people at the university but now that I've talked to her I don't think that's going to happen, excuse my vocabulary but this woman is dumber than dirt, she keeps talking about somebody named the "Great and Powerful OZ" who or whatever that is, I certainly hope her countrymen aren't that stupid."

I then excused myself and wandered around the room spotting Jina talking with an older looking Faerie. She saw me and waved me over.

"Commander, I'd like you to meet Darcia who is reigning chair of the witches guild. I shook hands with the woman who smiled and replied,

it's a pleasure to meet you Commander Gambein, Jina and I have just been discussing our "guests" especially this Morrigan woman."

I looked at this woman who was slightly taller than the average Faerie, her ears trimmed with ornate silver ear rims. Her long hair was a silver grey and she wore a long black and grey robe trimmed with gold indicating she was an elder in the guild. On her wrists were two very ornate bracelets trimmed with precious stones with small gold and silver chains that connected with a ring she wore on each finger. Her overall appearance spoke of someone you simply didn't want to fool with she was real power in the flesh.

"So what is the guild's take on these people?" I asked. Her expressing changed to one of concern as she said,

"Jina has been filling me in on her fight with the Garuda which in itself is an extremely serious matter. Here on Isseth to create one is subject to immediate dismissal from the guild, and more than likely a death sentence, it's that serious. The guild will be at the hearings in full force. I called a full guild conclave when I first got the word, sisters are arriving even as we speak these people simply have no idea what they've stirred up. From what I know so far, this light Fae/Dark Fae business is dating very old and uncontrolled magical forces. The senior council will be meeting tomorrow with Queen Kolee over the matter. This Ciara as well as "The Nain Rouge" will be heavily questioned, interesting days are certainly ahead for us all."

I then headed for the refreshment table for a snack when Dyson approached me, "Commander could I talk to you?"

"What's on your mind Dyson?" I replied

"Do Brie and I have anything to worry about?" Looking around the room at the people I'd already talked to as well as those I hadn't I smiled at him replying,

"Oh absolutely, you've rocked the boat and rocked it hard…Maybe too hard. Let me explain something to you," I said moving closer to him.

"This planet has had a very troubled past it's seen it's share of unspeakable horror and cruelty we learned all our lessons the hard way but the thing is that we learned. It's been over two hundred years gone by since the Orc wars but memories are still fresh and nobody wants to go back. Now you folks turn up bickering and arguing talking about starting a war with the humans. Believe me Dyson that kind of crap is going to go over like a lead balloon, I won't mince words you people had better be ready to make some major course corrections or you won't leave this planet alive. The Issethian military's primary function is to maintain the peace and protect the homeland and we're very good at it, ask the Morda who tried to destroy us from within…They simply don't exist anymore, so you had better get the word out you are dealing with some heavy hitters here who are in no mood for games."

I see," he replied, "A stacked deck, I should have known."

"No," I quickly replied,

"Not a stacked deck, a fair deck, I promise you will get a fair hearing, and that means all of you, even "The Morrigan." He then switched gears with,

"Does Brie have to worry about this Malcanthet, she scares the hell out of me."

"As she should," I replied, "If "Mal" likes her she's got no problem but I suspect that since she comes from earth she presents no competition to "Mal," I saw them chatting earlier so who knows?" My answer to that question came later when Brie came up to me and asked about Malcanthet.

"What was your impression of her?" I asked in return. Brie thought for a moment then replied,

"I mentioned that I was desperately in need of nourishment but that I had a bad habit of killing my lovers."

"So what happened?" I asked. Brie began to blush as she replied,

"she had her male counterpart take me to a small room and…Well…Let's just say he took care of my problem." I continued to press,

"So what was your impression of her?"

"Well she seemed friendly enough I think she was surprised there was any Fae left on earth let alone a succubus. She want's me to meet all the others, in fact she's going to be calling them all together right away."

"Word of advice," I said, "Take Jina with you, it's for your own protection, "Mal" can be rather…Intense." We talked further about what she could expect as well as anything else I could offer about Malcanthet. Before we parted, I offered her some advice,

"All of this might seem overwhelming to you and it probably is but some pretty important people have their eye on you, so just be yourself answer truthfully and maintain a positive attitude you'll do fine."

By the time, I made my way back to my room I was beat my throat was sore from all the talking, and I was ready for bed. Tomorrow would bring a fresh batch of challenges but that could wait.