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AHAHAHAHAHA I have wanted to put one quote in this story ever since I started it, really. Let's see who spots it.
Chapter 25: The Queen
I've been here before. The room was massive, and lined with torches along the walls, illuminating tapestries and the giant curtain on the other side, where a lone woman knelt before what looked to Tobi like a large marble. The woman prayed quietly behind the curtain as they got closer, and Tobi pulled himself lower into the bag, trying to avoid notice. He felt… shame, in this room, like he should know better than to be evil.
Protect us from evil… the words echoed in his mind, but for the life of him Tobi couldn't remember where they were from. Protect us from evil…
"Ma reine," the man called Waka said, and Tobi's attention snapped back to the woman, "We came as soon as she was able."
"You mean as soon as I got you to wake up," Iris grumbled, and Tobi heard Waka chuckle a bit. Without warning, the curtain pulled back, and the woman turned to face them, face partially hidden by the fan in her hand.
"Iris," Queen Himiko said, and Tobi felt the bag shift as Iris struggled to stand up straighter, "It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I am sorry it could not have been under better circumstances."
"The honor-" Iris coughed into her hand, "is mine, your Majesty." Tobi glanced at her – her face was still a bit pasty, and the cold sweat was returning to her brow. "You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," Queen Himiko nodded, "I do. I believe it is time," she glanced at Waka, who Tobi couldn't see, "to explain exactly what is going on."
Iris sighed in relief. "Thank you, your majesty." Waka gently set her down, and she sat with her legs folded, hands in her lap. Waka sat down next to her a moment later.
"Before I explain," Queen Himiko said, setting her fan down, "tell me everything you've worked out for yourself."
"Well," Iris said, pushing her hair out of her face. "I know that I have to collect a few things – a fortune tenner showed me a dress, a sword, the comb, and a long ribbon that glowed gold."
A long ribbon that glowed gold…
"Go on," the queen said, "anything else?"
"Well," Iris said, "I know that I'm supposed to slay something that had nine… heads? It looked like nine heads, I'm not sure… and it's all because a girl named Ayame is dead, and two men are trying to bring me to this "Lord" guy who wants to… marry me, I think, because I'm Ayame's… reincarnation?"
"Yes," Queen Himiko said, "You are." She gestured to one of the walls, and Tobi and Iris looked to the painting that hung beneath the torch.
Being female and Japanese was where the resemblance between Iris and Ayame ended. Her long, straight and shiny black hair was pulled up in a high bun tied by a string of pearls, while Iris's hung in tangles at her waist. A kimono, regal blue and lined with a rich scarlet, wrapped her body elegantly, accentuating the smooth and subtle curves of her body. Her skin was the color of fresh snow, and her lips were a dark ruby. All of that, combined with a smooth jawline, elegant eyebrows and small nose, made her look like a perfect porcelain doll.
"That's Ayame?" Iris frowned slightly at the painting, pushing another strand of hair from her face.
"Yes," Queen Himiko said, "at least, that is what she looked like. Ayame was the daughter of a high-ranking lord of Nippon, and a dear friend of the King's." She sighed. "She was to be married to the lord whose men have been pursuing you… Actually, it was them that brought you here."
"That explains how they knew where I was…"
"Indeed. Actually, it was I who sent those two men to him, after Ayame's untimely death. You see, Iris, we needed you." She gestured to another portrait, and Iris froze as she looked at it.
"Whoa." Tobi couldn't see the painting, but the fear in Iris's face told him enough.
"That," Queen Himiko said, "Is the Lord of Darkness, Ninetails. He has been tormenting this part of Nippon on and off for years; but now, I fear, he is ready to destroy us once and for all. That is why we need you, Iris – we need you to destroy him before he can."
"Yes, your majesty." Iris frowned. "But, all due respect… why me Why do you need the reincarnation of Ayame?"
"That," Waka said, "is technically my fault. I foresaw a woman – a woman that was and wasn't Ayame – driving the blessed sword, empowered by the Prayer Ribbon, into Ninetails' body. I told the Queen what I saw…"
"And we prepared accordingly." Queen Himiko continued. "Unfortunately, the only thing you need that the demons didn't manage to steal from us," she stood, and walked over to a nearby drawer, "is this." Tobi could barely see the Queen as she brought a folded stack of fabric to Iris, and set it in her lap. There was a dagger, inscribed with various holy symbols, on top of it. "This is the gown and robe that Ayame was to wear when she faced Ninetails in battle," Queen Himiko said as Iris inspected the fabric. "It is made of good, strong material, guaranteed to be as effective as one of my soldier's armor. The skirt of the gown has been cut and re-sewn into legs, so you can move better. This dagger," she held it up, "will be of great help to you in the coming days. We believe that the stolen Prayer Ribbon has been possessed by a demon. Stab him with this," she said, "and the possession shall be broken. However, where it and the sword are in iuncertain."
"Huh?"
"I have seen three places guarded by Ninetails' tube foxes," Waka said, "the ones who stole the artifacts. But no artifacts." Waka started to stand, slinging Iris's arm over his shoulder again to lift her up. "However, that is a problem for another day."
"Excuse me?"
"You need rest," Queen Himiko said, "until this disease passes. We will let you stay here, and as part of his sentence for revealing information I specifically told him not to," she looked at Waka, "Waka will remain as your bodyguard until you have recovered."
"Wh-what?!" Iris started trying to walk away, but Waka picked her up before she could, and her body did not help her fight back. "I'm fine! I can handle a cold! Put me down, Waka! Put me down!"
"Don't be so frustrated, ma cherie! Just think of all the fun conversations we'll have! Besides, I think this will be a good exercise in working with others."
"Whadaya mean, I don't work well with others?!" Tobi sighed to himself as Waka walked out of the Queen's room after giving a respectful bow, while Iris kept struggling.
This is going to be a loooong recovery.