As I entered the Royal Court of Atlantis with my full retinue at my back, I noticed the absence of the erstwhile King Munin. Most of the lower members of the court appeared fearful and leery as we entered. I would get confirmations later from young Kestrel that the whispers of the Usurper Queen’s curse upon the throne without real facts to back their fear. I ignored their whispers and fear filled glares to march with dignity up to the foot of the dais before Annianka. Sert, Meli, and Cole formed a perfect triangle behind me with Redpath centrally placed directly behind me. I bowed deeply in proper royal Atlantian formality holding my servile position. My entourage followed suit a few feet behind me giving all a clear view of Redpath standing as one of mine.
“Rise Lord Kestrel, a dark deed has occurred and We, the throne, requires your advice and assistance.” Annianka stated clear and strong in the room. “What have you done?” mentally slapped me. I slowly rose to my full height while my team remained dutifully prostrate at my back.
“What could have occurred for your Holy Highness to call upon a lowly Envoy such as myself?” I asked her feigning humbleness. The strangled gasps from the crowd and from Cole nearly shattered the servile scene I played for them. Dispensing with this game, I let my shoulders slump slightly as I paced before her. “Your Royal Advisor, Coltæn, being found dead in a dolphin pool along the pathway to the harbor?” I mused out loud. “Or the boat full of foreigners butchered in your harbor?” I continued in that musing tone. “Which deed rarely seen upon Atlantis do you speak of, your Highness?” I concluded stopping before her throne.
The court erupted in gasps and shouted accusations targeting me directly. I stood calm and silent my eyes directly locked with hers. My mind remained tightly locked away from her prying thoughts while my retinue finally raised but staying in position behind my back as they all faced the throne. Sert and Meli looked annoyed at the insults leveled towards me but held their tongue and place in this triangle shaped box around Redpath. Without needing to look, I knew young Kestrel stood in perfect parade stance ready to perform his duties to me on this day which only he knew.
“Your gift of visions serves you well, Lord Kestrel." Annianka finally replied. A strangled silence descended upon the room at her words placed their accusations sheepishly subdued. “A nearly empty bottle of strong liquor laced with Dragon’s Blood found by the dolphin pool explains our Advisor’s demise at the hands, per say, of the dolphins he must have tried to violate in his stupor.” she informed the room. The stunned moments of silence gave me a minute to mentally thank Chichi for dropping a bottle by the pool as he returned to the Royal Kitchens.
This silence was ruptured by a pair of event happening nearly in sync. Ambassador Socotra’s entrance, howling for justice for his slaughtered countrymen, and the King’s unceremonious arrival, swatted in one of his concubine’s night robe improperly closed, had the room erupting once more with activity and comments, not all whispered. I side-stepped as the raging Ambassador stormed passed my retinue and myself, in a vain attempt to climb the dais towards Annianka. Crosses pike staves blocked him once he stepped beyond me pushing him back to where I stood. Still enraged, Socotra moved to repeat his actions towards the King, but none visibly moved to stop him.
“Do your guards believe me more of a threat to your Queen than yourself, noble highness.” he arrogantly stated. His face was livid as he thought he mocked the royals that allowed his people to be slaughtered in their harbor. All his weapon became alive as I stripped them from his body to scattered them by my feet.
“No, the guards do not wish you to be utterly destroyed by the Queen for your arrogance.” I remarked in a deep, loud, but calm voice. “As for being a threat to the King,” I stated with a derisive chuckle. “You had no chance of that before dying.” I added. This gain me a dark glare allowing me to point out the concubine behind the throne and the feline diagonally behind me. Redpath had an arrow notched and aimed at him. The Ambassador’s glance glided from my name-sake to the corner behind the King. The half dress concubine held a loaded hand-crossbow aimed at his heart. The ignorant King grinned like a silly idiot as he sat unknowing about the secondary layer of protection upon him.
“Bah!” Munin interjected. He stood quickly, unfortunately revealing he was barely done with his concubine, to shove back the Ambassador from his dais. “Stay in line or we will make you leave, underling.” he threatened the man. He plopped back upon his throne with a sneering grin that arrogantly showed his belief that he was untouchable by mortal bloodlines. A slew of mental curses poured forth of Annianka as she glared openly towards her forced husband to regain her rightful throne.
“Well said, Your Highness, but a vanished village attests to never underestimate your wife’s ability to protect herself and those faithful to her.” I stated plainly with a hint of a smirk towards the King. Annianka’s dark glare snapped for but a moment upon me before returning to keep a smouldering hatred towards her false King. “As for the slaughter in the harbor.” I remarked getting the attention of everyone within the throne room. “These documents may clarify unknown information about the ship, crew, and it’s captain that would have lead to such answering why a slaughter occurred.” I exclaimed to all. Redpath darted forward to the throne laying scrolls, letters, and memory crystals at the lowest step of the dais before the Queen. He kept his eyes toward the throne as he slide back in place between Sert and Meli with Cole guarding his back. The Ambassador’s eyes remained locked upon the feline’s graceful moves that showed both respect and allegiance to The Queen and myself only.
“What of the captain?” Socotra asked in a calmer controlled voice. His missing weapon were ignored as he moved to my side facing me directly. I could sense the suspicion filling his mind about that ship’s true purpose in Atlantis. This simple reaction proved to me his innocent and ignorance in all the machinations now exposed at Annianka’s feet. The Holy Queen quickly leafs through the evidence before passing them to the King. Her face remained passive learning this dark plot, but Munin’s countenance turned into a mask of blood filled rage.
“Will Ambassador Socotra explain the actions of his countrymen upon Atlantian shores!” he squawked-bellowed at the man. He tossed the first of many scrolls at the Ambassador as he raised to his feet. “And will our noble and trusted Envoy explain how he discovered of these deeds.” he stated as his glare shifted from the Ambassador to myself. He glared from one to the other and back rising to his full height. Anger, and awe shifted in his eyes depending if his gaze was at the Ambassador or myself. Redpath had a gentle hand at Coltæn’s elbow and back gently drawing him back while the rest of my team moved to place him securely within the protection of their triangular position. He could not run but was protected from the livid rage of King Munin.
“He does as time care for his people.” I mentally remarked to Annianka.
“Or it’s a show for his court and consort.” she retorted in my mind. The harsh edge showed she doubted any show of kindness or caring towards Atlantis from this man. I sighed taking a half step towards the King.
“Best I explain first Your Majesties as the Ambassador discovers things he is ignorant to.” I replied calmly. I take another step to place myself between the King and the Ambassador. “In part my information was gleaned from my gift of seeing events without being present.” I began with a hint of musical tones slipping into my voice.
“A very useful talent indeed.” Munin returned. His focus slid upon me as I felt his rage ebbing into annoyed anger only.
“From this I sent my newest retainer, and name-sake, to investigate to retrieve proof of my vision.” I stated in a slow measured pace. “The rumours would easily be dismissed as hearsay by the any noble hearted ambassadors while I was able to gain assistance from the Royal Guards and the Council Guards to gain the documentations you have seen.” I continued calmly. The tale I weaved pulled in how I resorted to use all possible resources to uncover this hidden plot. “Between young Kestrel of the Redpath clan and the Royal Archivists, I was able to collect all these documents with proof upon memory crystals of the combined reports of the Guards of Atlantis.” I explained the sheer volume of information being presented. “But I can shed no light regarding the slaughter other than calling in Atlantian justice at work.” I concluded with a sigh.
With a quick glance, I saw that Ambassador Socotra had read through the scrolls and letters realizing what was happening behind his back. The florid color of his anger was sifting into a pale skin with fear and disgust. He moved to my side and knelt down on one knee with his head hanging low in shame. He held out the few scrolls he had read toward the King in a trembling hand. He remain in this position waiting for the scrolls to be taken from him. Once the scrolls had been removed from his hands and returned to the King, he rose slowly but kept his eyes upon the marble floor in a submissive show of his shame over these events.
“I withdraw my petition in this case.” he murmured quietly in the silent room. His head finally rose to give Munin one quick look before turning to face me. “True justice was served by this slaughter.” he stated clearly in the room. A barely noticeable nod towards me was all I received before the man turned to leave in a numb mental state.
“I would request that the Ambassador allow my man Sertian to accompany him to my lodging so we may discuss a small matter unrelated to this revelation.” I suggested as Sert moved to Socotra’s side. With a simple nod of agreement before drifting out with my warrior assisting him. The silent court waited to hear what had actually happened but they could wait until everything about this case could be completely understood.
“He should be held accountable for his people’s actions.” Munin grumbled after the Ambassador was safely away. The edge of anger was clearly in his tone but misdirected in this case.
“With the lack of an advisor, may I offer counsel to the Throne?” I asked with a bow to both Royals.
“You are one of the few beings that both I and my wife trust, noble Envoy Kestrel.” the King replied softly. He glanced at his wife as he turned to return to his seat. He sat straight back with a regal bearing he had never shown before to the court. I stifled smirking at the mental gasp I received from Annianka as she herself straightened in her seat. She gave her husband a look hinting at surprised respect as he shyly smiled back at her. “We shall head your words of wisdom in this instance.” he finally added as both set of eyes joined all others focused fully upon me.
“Would you condemn a man if a member of his household performed a heinous act?” I began calmly but did not permit them to interrupt yet. “Or would you hold him responsible to handing out just punishment to the one that infracted your laws?” I quickly followed. My gaze went from the Queen to the King waiting patiently.
“It would be his right to dole out punishment without interference as long as he actually does so.” Anninaka replied softly. A slow nod from Munin had her continue her thoughts. “But it is not the case we have before us.” she concluded still calm. She eyed me with curiosity flooding her mind.
“But it is unless the foreigners upon Atlantis suffer from a secondary set of rules that do not apply to Atlantians.” I returned easily. I scratched at my chin looking pensive while waiting for them to understand my counter comment. A slow hesitant nod cam from both Royals for me to continue. “And he has agreed that the slaughter was just punishment, therefore the criminals have been properly punished for their crimes.” I concluded. They glanced at each other then back towards me. A small smile had formed on Annianka’s face while a pensive look ruled Munin’s face.
“Wise words indeed, Noble Kestrel.” she admitted. She glanced once more at her husband who appeared still doubtful.
“What would be gained by punishing one that will heed rumors about his people more closely to keep them in line?” I asked Munin directly. A mix of understanding and anger warred clearly on his face.
“Nothing but showing the vengeance of Atlantis.” he returned without conviction.
“But is it vengeance or simply revenge?” I retorted quickly. “And what would he be replaced with? A man that will not see the honor in what has been done? A person that will deny the facts and claim themselves above such laws?” I charged forward. He had no chance to reply nor argue my points. “A being that will poison the society of Atlantis directly like what was being attempted?” I added bluntly. The murmur of my revealing partially what was behind the slaughtered ship event. I saw Annianka move so subtly it was a bit of a shock even to me. Her hand touched her husband’s arm drawing his eyes to hers.
“His words are wise, my husband.” Annianka stated in a soft caring tone. I could see the pensive nature that had Munin not replying to my verbal assault. Silence stretched until it snapped with a sad but genuine smile upon his face. He nodded to her before turning to face me once more.
“It is best to have a man whose honor is known than a dishonorable stranger in our midst.” the King concluded calmer. The potential of being a truly noble ruler was shown in this simple statement.
“My husband?” Annianka said quietly. He turned to face her once more without losing his noble regal air, this once. “We still will require a Royal Advisor that we both trust and will stand even against us for what is best for Atlantis itself.” she stated as the crowd of nobles in the throne room oddly stepped away from their dais. “And I believe, he stands before us now.” she nearly whispered her words to Munin. I heard the quick reversed step of my remaining retinue to give more room between themselves and the event being forced forward. A soft chuckle escaped Munin as he nodded while turning to face me with his wife.
“Yes, my Queen, Lord Kestrel is the only possible choice we have.” Munin stated slowly with a small grin. “Will you accept being our Royal Advisor?” he asked without demanding it from me. The mentally whispered “Please, my love?” was a soft caress without forcing my acceptance. Silence filled the throne room.
I looked from Munin to Annianka and back again, as embarrassment, mirthfulness, and leeriness warred in my facial ticks. My mind touched my silent companions that mostly worried as this being the end of our adventures in the outer world. Only young Kestrel had a different mindset seeing this as the best step to place me beside Her Holy Highness upon the throne. As for the Royals themselves, it was mixed blessing and disappointment in the same breath. Munin saw my acceptance as a fist to crush those that disagreed with them, as a way to spend more time with his consort, and, a small part saw me, as a way to become a better ruler. Annianka was more straightforward as it gained her more chances to be with me that no one, not even Munin, could interfere with. But a small dark part somewhere in her mind hissed with anger and vehemence at me accepting this position. All these ideals, emotions, and thoughts blended with the mass of mental uttering from the nobles present washed over and through me as I stood silently contemplating this possibility. The conflicting madness of pettiness vied against the honorable thoughts from those nobles was the natural extreme I have always reveled in my entire lives.
“Will you answer? Munin asked with a hint of nervousness making his voice tremble. He glanced at Annianka that had paled from my extended silence. “Have we offended you with this request?” he added as nervousness became fear in his tones. He leaned forward as both his eyes and face blanched with fear.
“To be honest.” I stated in a small soft voice. The silence in the room increased into an unnatural state. In the forests, jungles, and plains of the world, this would signal the arrival of the most feared and powerful predator. “You have taken me by surprise even with my gift of precognition.” I stated slowly. The breath that filled the room as everyone suddenly relaxed was like a rolling thunderous rumble. I held up my hand giving everyone a moment to regain their composure and to decide the words I needed to speak. “This request may be a simple decision for anyone else, but not so for myself as the Envoy of the Ones on High.” I admitted to all those within the room. Leeriness and mirthful pride still warred on my face as I tried avoiding making this decision at this exact moment.
“Explain to us where your problems lies so we may know if we can solve it.” Annianka returned quickly. The both leaned forward on their throne to be closer to me.
“After all you have done for Atlantis, we would never belittle your needs, Lord Kestrel.” Munin piped in still worried. “Please tell us?” he added in a softer tone.
“My duties do not reside simply within the lands of Atlantis.” I replied slowly. “They take me far from here which leaves you without a true advisor more often than is proper.” I explained still conflicted.
“But we have the Royal Guard Captains and the Council, to call upon for daily matters and normal circumstances.” Annianka gently reminded me.
“Aye!” Munin agreed vehemently. “Do not feel forced to leave your other duties incomplete because we wish to have your advice over all others.” he continued as a mirthful gleam shone in his eyes. “Noble Kestrel, you are the only being that both of us and all of Atlantis trust which earns you such a perfect and lofty title.” he concluded with a smile. She giggled at his word as they both looked smiling openly at me.
“If it will not conflict with my duties as Envoy, then I must accept.” I answered unable to resist smiling back at them. “At least it will stop others throwing themselves at you to barely fill your Royal needs.” I added in a whisper to them. I cleared my throat to hide the purring chuckle that slipped out of Redpath at my whispered words. The court erupted in laughter and shouts of congratulations while the dissidents to my acceptance left silently at this point. Meli and Cole noted each of them preparing lists for the Council, the Queen, and myself to be dealt with at a later time. After thanking my well wishers, I requested my leave from the Royals.
“We will expect you to be present in the morn to discuss the slaughter and the possible perpetrator of this action.” Annianka stated calmly. I agreed and was given my leave with the feeling she knew who was responsible for the slaughter. I did not see it as an easy explanation about the little culinary inclined butcher. I gave her one last nod before leaving the court hall with my remaining members of my retinue at my side.
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