“I heard that issues have arisen regarding the Ice Dragons.” Meli suggested as we reached the roadway to head homeward.
“The Council will possibly have need of me.” Cole interjected with a shrug. “Plus, I have never truly liked cold terrains.” he admitted with a smirk. This moment of admittance to his preferences showed his pleasure and his employers’ pleasure of myself and my newly acquired position as the Throne’s Ear. He stopped to bow at us before going to report to the Council of all this extra information. He stopped barely a few steps away before turning and motioning young Kestrel to him. Purrs and whispered hissing was exchanged before they both laughed and Cole finally departed with a skip in his step.
“He may be a snake of a person but I believe he is fully your viper, Lord Kestrel.” the feline told us while still purring merrily. We continued along the pathway, Meli at my side and Redpath shadowing our steps.
“It can wait a few days while we collect the proper gear for such an expedition.” I replied to Meli. “First to place an Ambassador on notice.” I announced business like. “Then you will explain your comment, young Kestrel.” I tossed back to him. As we arrived home, we discovered how quickly word of my new position had traveled through Atlantis.
Sert stood already wearing his new armor which blended advanced metallurgical and the finest leather available only in Atlantis. The deeply etched emblem of the Royal House of Atlantis and the moniker of Honor Guard shined upon his heart from the silver piping making the design a false three-dimensional image. He held out my new suit of armor in the same original ancient leather style with the hidden Atlantian mixed metal ribbing. The Royal House Emblem and Royal Advisor title were lined in golden piping with the same mystical realistic illusion of three-dimensions. Upon a nearby armor stand sat a new version young Kestrel’s knightly armor gifted to him by Dia reformed into a newly made Atlantian mimic. It was bearing not only his knightly allegiance to Queen Diadem but also had a plainer version of the signet at Sert’s breast side by side over his heart.
“Lady Mekiliean, new armor is in her room presently.” Sert announced to us. “No metal but very different from your original armor, Meli.” he concluded with a quick bow towards her. She waved it off moving toward the kitchen knowing we had a guest that would require a good tea and food.
“Was there any issues with our guest during the walk here?” I asked calmly. I ran my fingertips over the leather of my new armor with one hand while my other hand openly reached out towards young Redpath.
None, but Chichi warned me that today’s meals are being covered by the Royal Kitchens.” he returned while Redpath purring chuckle filled the room. I could hear Meli giggling in the kitchen while Sert chuckled like our feline household member. I sighed but said nothing realizing some of them had already deduced that Chichi had been part of the other violent action of last night.
“Redpath?” I stated with a small sneer on my face. A scroll that had not been presented to the Throne appeared in his padded hand to be placed in mine. “I pray the Ambassador is open-minded or saving his skin was a waste of our time.” I added bluntly. I moved towards the inner garden room. Young Kestrel and Sert stood guard over the door. I knew the feline would keep an ear to anything that would signal that I needed assistance from my Honor Guards.
Keeping the silence entering the room, I placed the scroll in Ambassador Socotra’s hands. He glanced at me but I simply sat silently watching him as the most damnable information only existed in his hands. He slowly unrolled the scroll to read the Royal Decree bearing the royal coat of arms of his own Kingdom. He glanced up at me before re-reading the missive slower and more intensely. His still pale color shifted to a deeper and darker shade of red while anger and disgust filled his eyes. I could feel this building rage for his own Royal house. He examined every inch of this scroll to see anything that would let him know it was false but it was in vain. This was truly a command from his country’s Throne making it an insulting mess to his sense of honor. Now I knew he was a true ally to Atlantis.
“Your opinions?” I asked calmly. The answer was a string of swears to make a sailor shocked into silence. I waited not even smiling as he released all the anger and hatred this Royal Decree caused him. I only smiled sadly at him as he finally stopped and slowly regained his composure.
“I cannot believe his Highness would order the kidnapping of Atlantians as slaves, nor stealing technology that will eventually fail us by running out of power.” he finally stated, breathing hard. “But I will look into this event and fix it.” he continued starting to look more relaxed and focused.
“Please keep me informed since what they were stealing was not only labor and technology but this island’s honor and youth.” I returned calmly.
“Tell me who to report to if you are not present, Lord Kestrel.” he retorted with his grin becoming vicious. “If my King is guilty, his head will be yours even if I must collect it myself.” he concluded. Righteous rage had him standing ready to slaughter anything preventing him returning honor to his kingdom’s name.
“Please sit and relax, we have matters of lesser anger to discuss.” I remarked casually. I motion him to his bench with a wave of my hand. “Many trades could help you discover the viper in your midst.” I added in more friendly manner. Meli’s perfect timing held strong as upon this moment she entered with tea and food for both of us. She placed his tea beside him on the bench with a plate of light snacks while collecting the scroll. She floated to place my cup and my missed morning meal beside me with the scroll on my bench. She stepped back to curtsy at both of us before turning on her heels and exiting the garden in perfect silence. “As for contact, any of my household, other than Colêsträ, would be acceptable.” I informed him. “Also, the Royal Kitchen man, Chilörąn.” I added.
“That Chinese criminal pretending to be a cook?” he asked a little aghast.
“Yes, Chichi.” I returned plainly. “The one your sister seems very fond of.” I commented with a half smile. The Ambassador’s eyed me for a moment to see if I spoke truthfully to him. He slowly chuckled as it became clear in his mind.
“Now I have more faith in Chichi with what my sister has told me of her mysterious lover.” he affirmed looking much more relaxed. “As for trades, other than rare metals, nothing would endear me with my Royals to allow me to see them truthfully.” he concluded softly.
“Damascus has a sizable stockpile of iron, gold, cooper, plus many unknown metals that may prove useful to your country with Atlantian conversion techniques.” I replied after a moment of thought. “I believe produce and some manufactured goods may be enough to seal a deal with them.” I surmised pensively.
“Can you make the introductions so I may start on this immediately.” he said cheering up.
“My time is limited but I can arrange an invitation to a tea time meeting of Lady Mekiliean within a few days.” I replied easily. “But for now, have some tea and food as the tension of this morning dissipates.” I advised him. We sat idly chatting while sipping and eating while the morning is wasted away. As the Ambassador left just before the noontime meal, I assigned young Kestrel to watch over him which was not required as a small group of Ferret Guards waited to assure him a safe trip to his residence. I left Redpath to still go with the Ferrets as a chance for him to witness how the Ferret Guards worked together. I returned to the garden to ponder the possible trip to investigate the Ice Dragons issue as another mission entered my mind. Another millennium was nearly coming to a close requiring me to reinforce a seal within the far southern lands were many ice fields where the Ice Dragons lived. It was a personal task I had placed upon my own shoulders since I was the one that created it in the first place. It held a vile creature from trying to consume this world whole but it had also blocked any hope for beings that could be helpful trapped away as well.
Deas arrived with the meals to hold the household nourished until the congratulation banquet Chichi had planned for them that evening. Unlike the normal noontime fare of nuts and fruits, this meal consisted of oriental delicacies, rice balls, and small warmed bottles a sake with the proper number of glasses. A sniff told me this was sake from Chichi’s private reserve meaning it was strong but very tasty. An origami dragon carried Brother Famine’s report to me making sure it was sitting upon my platter. The other’s joined me in the garden to share in this noontime meal as a family. It also gave us a chant to speak securely together without worrying about Deas presence.
“With Flower gone, Redpath has a chance to have a meal with us without being hidden away.” Ser commented. This earned him grimace from Meli.
“Once he returns from his escort duty.” I remarked calmly. The words had barely left my mouth when a shadow flitted from above us landing by Meli’s bench. He gave me a quick salute as he sat beside her. He did glance at Deas before looking at me. I sensed his unasked question.
“Chichi did add a glass for you Deas, so please join us.” I stated. I created a stone bench for him as I motioned him forward. “I truly doubt he would want you starving on such a day.” I added with a chuckle. Since he did not move, I mentally commanded him to come sit and relax. Deas jumped slightly at the touch of my mental gifts but did finally move to take his place on the Bench between my perch and Sert’s bench. He sat quietly barely looking at any of us as we casually spoke.
“You don’t speak much.” Repath commented. He scurried over with a plate and glass for him. “Just sip it slowly like wine and it should not affect you as much especially if you are eating as well.” he explained slowly to Deas before returning to his seat by Meli. And with this simple actions, Deas calmed down but still silently listened while we spoke.
“When are we escaping Cole and Royal duties, oh great Royal Advisor?” Meli asked with a soft giggle.
“I’m surprised you did not call him Flower this time.” Sert remarked with a smirk.
“Need you two start this again?” I retorted calmly. “We have the issues with the Ice Dragons once you explain what is supposedly happening, Meli.” I told her. “Cole will leave us alone since he dislikes the cold temperature.” I added before she could reply.
“Word from the village’s headman reports passive Ice Dragons have been attacking the village and surrounding area.” she informed us quickly. “With no injuries noted, it appears as an oddity to the headman and the villagers.” she added. I nodded my agreement to this oddness.
“Visiting this village will also give me a chance to verify a small personal matter in that area.” I returned easily. For them, this was my agreement to dealing with the Ice Dragon mystery.
“A personal matter?” Sert and Meli asked in unison.
“Yes.” I interjected with a sigh. “I must check on a sealed gate.” I explained. “You may accompany me part of the way but this is a duty that only I can accomplish.” I told them. “Royal duties should be dealt with tomorrow morning, allowing us to depart within a day or two.” I concluded slowly.
“Have you recovered enough for this?” young Kestrel asked in a purring whisper. All eyes turned to me with a hint of worry in them. I smile brightly, nodding to them.
“I will be fully recovered from my mistake in that village before we leave again.” I assured them. A wave of relief came from Meli and Sert but young Kestrel seemed untouched by my assurance. The rest of the hour was based mostly on the required gear for this trip into the mostly frozen lands to the south. I did give young Kestrel orders to remain upon Atlantis this time to keep tabs on everything happening while we were away. After the jovial meal much enhance by the fine sake, they withdrew allowing me to read the report from Chichi. It did not alter my emotional state much as I crumpled and burned his origami dragon when none could see it. With a sigh, I raised to me feet and decided to tour Atlantis. I needed the people to know the new Royal Advisor was approachable and open to Atlantis as much as I formerly was.
The evening meal was taken in our dining hall with my full retinue together and present. Though the meal was exquisitely prepared and offered a large variety of dishes, it seem calmer than a celebratory supper within my household. Friendly but derisive barbs were traded between Meli and Cole while neither truly became angry, only mildly annoyed. Cole did seem surprised by Redpath’s presence at our table but did not voice any objections as the feline ate with cutlery and proper polite dignity. Sert and him did banter mildly about chances to train together which seemed but a facade. I already knew my two warriors had been sparring with each other in secret for a while now. I had sensed the feline as a shadow everywhere I was upon Atlantis since my return and had accepted his presence without saying anything outright. The meal completed and the plates removed as we remained speaking softly before going to bed.
The morning found me slowly climbing down the stairs from the second floor bedrooms directly into the foyer. An annoyed Miss Hope waited to personally escort me to Her Holy Highness. I did not need to look into her mind to feel the waves of annoyance erupting from her. She was an Elite Honor Guard having been sent as a messenger and escort instead of watching over Annianka. I bore the new armor showing my status to the Throne of Atlantis gaining myself a less cold glare.
“Miss Hope.” I greeted her with a nod of my head. “Best we hurry to serve Annianka.” I added in a soft whisper to her. This gained me a momentary icy gaze followed by a quick salute. We left rushing back towards the Queen’s private garden area in perfect silence. She ushered me into the garden ahead of her as a trio of Royal Guards moved to keep any from following us. Her footfalls disappeared as I reached the main pathway leading to the center of the Annianka’s private garden. I felt her chaotic mix of emotions long before seeing her sitting on the grass with her knees at her chest.
“Yes dear, Chichi played upon a ship at the docks two nights ago.” I stated bluntly and honestly to her, She glanced up at me with a shy expression that hide the tumultuous emotions coming off of her. I could not speak seeing her eyes in that moment of hesitation staring at me. The moment past as she raised to her feet launching herself in my arms with a kiss filled with yearning and passion.
“I need you.” she whispered. She clung to me eyes glowing with needs she wanted to make flesh. I returned the kiss with the same deep passion. The rest of the morning and part of the afternoon was spent in the same lovers’ tryst we had before my impromptu departure from Atlantis for a decade or more. As we lay spent, she twisted to one elbow to look into my eyes. I had not seen her face looking this radiant since before she had revealed her forced marriage. “I know you need to help the Ice Dragons.” she stated in a soft nearly childish voice. “Go make Atlantis proud.” she added with another soft kiss upon my lips.
And with that last kiss, we dressed and I left to return to my residence alone. I informed my team that the Holy Queen had ordered I deal with the Ice Dragons immediately opening our pathway to escape from Cole’s spying. Young Kestrel assured me he would keep a very close view upon our viper to make sure he bites the right targets. It earned a chuckle from Sert and myself while Meli just glared at him.
“He will be fine.” I told her as we marched toward the harbor once more. Heavy furs and cold resistant clothing had been sent ahead of us to the Herald which had arrived that morning and already resupplied itself for this new trip. We set sail shortly after our arrival upon the deck. In barely an hour from departing Annianka’s side, we set sail towards the southern reaches of the outer world.
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