I barely noticed when they moved from between Kestrel and myself to suddenly be at the Queen’s dais. Her Guards were in position to block them but they remained standing in front of her dais. Any hopes of keeping this introduction of the Ambassadors to the Royal Court was gone as they spoke.
“Hello sister!” they both shrieked merrily. The Queen giggled then laughed outright to these two. The groan from Kestrel beside me and how all the color was draining in the King’s face had me groaning as well.
“Play any good tricks on Loki since I have been gone, my brothers? she asked giggling childishly. The nobles looked at each other and their Queen confused and shocked at this new personality her majesty showed. Munin paling face added widening eyes locked on the two brothers. It was not just shock, but fear I smelled from our pretend King.
“No, but we got Lockey to make a rude face at Kestrel!” Cor commented. Her giggling was accompanied with kicking feet like a child at these words. “He actually laughed!” he exclaimed loudly.
“You must have been working on his sense of humor since he’s arrived here, sister.” Twin remarked. A strangle gasp escaped the King drawing their attention on him.
“Did we not paint him blue at one point?” Cor teased while looking at the King.
“I believe we did.” Twin replied. His eyes were locked on the King as well. “I hope you did not take it too seriously, little Munin.” he added. A soft mischievous chuckle passed between the brothers as they took a sliding step towards him. King Munin flinched as he straightened on his throne. The brothers continued to tell stories of the tricks the trio of them had played upon the Asgardian. The mirth was contagious as the nobles started laughing with them about the many adventures this trio had before coming to this world while growing up.
The King was the only one immune to this merriness. I could see him tensing, smelled the fear of these two, and his nervous shivers whenever the brothers glanced at him. With a final humph from the King, he stood to rush from the hall. Shal was giggling under her cloak trying but failing to hide it. I felt her eyes meeting mine as she nodded to me before following the King away from this happy family reunion. I shrugged to Kestrel when he glanced at me simply letting my purring chuckle blend with all the other signs of joy in this Royal Court.
“Enough you two.” the Queen chided them. She had waited for the King to leave and the mirth to fill the room. “You are here on serious business and not a simple family reunion.” she reminded them. Her voice did not hold the seriousness she normally spoke with. It was joyful and playful while still getting respect from all. I looked away from them to gaze at Lord Kestrel. The smile on his face was like a sun and not what now was a shadow previously shown to us. Like the Queen, he was filled with true happiness from these two Ambassadors that both called brothers.
“Can we give our gifts to our niece now, or should we wait?” Cor suggested softly.
“Now would be fine so Princess Sara can return to play and learn with the other children of Atlantis.” she replied casually. I heard Kestrel choke at these words while the nobles stiffened with confusion as I had done. I did not need to look behind me to know Sert, Meli, and Cole had reacted to this in the same tensed manner. I ignored the gifts closely looking at each of the nobles trying to see if they noticed this falsehood as easily as we had. This could be for the benefit of our guest but it felt wrong since her voice held firm belief. I would have to ask Miss Hope about this false reality the Queen believed her secluded daughter lived under. I did notice the wooden blocks of foreign letters and the odd wooden handled sling and polished white stones gifted to Princess Sara. I did not find it odd but very practical gift for a child even if I felt they were below the Princess’ actual maturity. This was followed by another hour of bantering of tricks and deeds in Asgard before their plan was spoken to the crowd.
“With Lemuria seen as a warmonger in the outer world while Atlantis stand for peace-making.” Cor stated calmly to the room.
“If they wish to change this, they must accept disarming their advanced weapons by removing the power crystals.” Twin remarked casually. I saw the Queen ready to object being held silence with a hand each raised towards her. I could see the glare in her eyes as she remained silent.
“It is only their weapons that make the humans and non-humans fear them.” Cor reinforced this thought.
“But their defenses do not need to be removed leaving them safe even if the majority of their attack weapons are rendered powerless.” Twin assured them. The queen shook her head.
“And would they agree to allow themselves placed in such a weak position?” her majesty asked doubtfully.
“I believe that their honor of an equal combat would make it impossible for them to resist such a treaty.” Kestrel remarked. The brother nodded vigorously in agreement.
“It will just take time for them to see it that way.” Cor returned with a shrug.
“We will continue slowly insinuating this idea into the minds of their people.” Twin added with a bow to her majesty.
“We just have a problem with where the crystals could be sent to keep them safely off Lemuria without placing them in Atlantis.” Cor pipped in softly.
“They would never agree handing crystals that could be used for Atlantis to attack them while they are effectively defenseless.” Twin returned with a shrug.
“This treaty is to make the world feel safer, yes?” Kestrel asked. I noticed the instantaneous glare that disappeared as quickly as it appeared. “Would separating the crystals be against their ideologies?” he added smoothly.
“I cannot see it as being a problem since only Atlantis could potentially use the crystals against them.” Cor replied as a smirk formed on his face.
“A great honorable peace offer on their part to hand the crystals to the ones that fear them the most.” Twin concluded the thought Kestrel had started.
“Giving such power into the hands of the humans and non-humans might not be wise.” Annianka stated slowly.
“The non-humans are not the major ones that need to be appeased by such an action.” Kestrel returned. “The crystals would be of no use to them since they lack the technology to use them.” he explained softly. “Peace would be possible as long as the humans accept and believe that Lemuria has actually disarmed itself fully.” he warned them.
“Which would be our job to make them see the light.” Cor accepted smiling.
“It might take longer doing this than convincing the Lemurian to hand the crystals over.” Twin informed them.
“A stipulation in the treaty they sign forcing them to not send them to Atlantis.” Annianke commented. “When we sign the treaty with Lemuria, we would back it by reporting any attempts as part of the treaty.” she added smirking at them.
“Everyone gets something and peace becomes a reality in this world.” Kestrel surmised. “I believe it can be accomplished without exerting force from either Atlantis or Lemuria, other than gentle words of wisdom.” he added with a nod and smile.
“Does this mean we have to leave right away?” Cor whined.
“You must still present these ideas to the Council of Atlantis.” Kestrel stated with a sigh.
“And a formal visit to the island is in order for such dignitaries.” the Queen returned.
“I or Meli would be ready to give them a tour of Atlantis while you prepare the Council for their visit tomorrow.” Sert called out. I hide my purring snicker that they had remained silent throughout the discussion.
“I am certain we can show them many things without exposing them to any real secrets.” Meli added with a smile. They flinched but it was a weaker reactions without the original fear I smelled off them earlier.
“And a Royal Celebratory Banquet would be needed before your departure after meeting with the Council.” Annianka stated happily. “Chef Chichi would have all our heads if we forgot to give him a chance to show off.” she added with a smirk. Laughter filled the room even if some was forced by her comment. We walked with the brothers to the doors before leaving them leave with Sert, Meli, and their selected Guard division. Prince Bryan and Deas, accompanied the brothers suggesting a chance for them to see the training fields. We who remained headed towards the Council Chambers walking side by side.
“You have been uncommonly quiet, Cole.” Kestrel remarked during our walk. We were just passed the mid point before this started. “Any problems?” he added.
“You have shown much advanced political understanding while upon Atlantis.” he mentioned while nodding his head. “Unless the Council is having another ‘absent’ moment, they should accept the ideas fully without complaints.” he explained. He had been slowing since he started talking and we both kept our place beside him. “It is the time table that they might want a clearer details about.” he added softer.
“Patience is the greatest political gift and tool anyone can have in this case.” Kestrel returned. “They will be kept updated as events unfold to smooth over any snags Atlantis might be in position to help.” he added. Cole stopped walking. Kestrel paused next to him while I moved ahead to form a tight triangle for us to talk in quiet voice. I did take a chance to look around us but saw no one within hearing range.
“Will it work?” Cole blurted out. I looked at him understanding why he was asking but feigned confusion. “Does your gift help you know if this is in vain or not?” he clarified his thoughts. Kestrel shrugged at him.
“The future is a malleable thing and not set in stone with the exception of a few key moments that tie the known past with the possible future.” he informed him. “Atlantis must face one of these knots with or without peace attained.” he concluded quietly. Cole looked at him slightly shock at this revelation.
“Can we not unravel these knots to stop them from happening?” I asked pensively. “Or make them easier to face?” I countered as I tried understanding this concept. It felt important for me understanding all of this. I knew how much I wanted to be like Kestrel but this was not the reason I wanted to understand this aspect of him.
“They are moments of great decisions created long before even I existed.” he told us. This was more than I thought he would reveal in front of Cole, but I listened as closely as Cole did. “The outcome of the knots can be changed if the right beings are in the right place at the moment the knot arrives.” he briefly explained. “My gift might help me see the knots coming and give me hints of whom are needed to face it, but not how it might turn out because freewill exists in this world.” he added. I saw his shoulders slumping slightly at his final admission.
With nothing more than a quick look, we moved back into position next to Kestrel. I walked at his right while Cole strode on his left as we continued to the Council Chambers. My mind mostly worked on Kestrel’s words and all the oddities I had met since joining his household. A shift had taken place since he, from Meli’s recounting, released his power to save a child suffering from the plague. Meli added healing and reinforcing herbs to the tea she served to Kestrel without telling him. Sert had been holding back in his own way during sparring sessions against him. Our private discussions were mostly about what was possibly going to happen in ours and Atlantis’ future. Discussions with Cole have been beyond political ideals but focusing on the future. He had allowed me to learn more about the events taking place within the Council and did not ask for my silence about it.
My steps may have been light but my mind felt heavy with all these thoughts and possible futures we might reach. I had pushed myself to improve to the point of being seen as a true Royal Guard at barely a hundred years old. I had wandered Atlantis in the evening meeting others, making friends, making allies, all to be better in serving Kestrel. I sometimes thought I had gone beyond simply trying to be helpful by dealing with issues with only a whispered word. All these thought simmered in my head as we reached to the doors of the Council Chambers.
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