While King Rama was finishing up with placing Gunnolf and Axis in their new permanent domain which they can never see out of it again, Karina was with the Queen and her daughters along with, Shaman Liara in the upper story of the palace. In the Queen's Personal dressing room where she would at times try out the seamstress's latest array of outfits designed personally for her and her daughters use they all sat down on comfortable cushions listening to the terrible tale that Karina had to tell them.
Shortly after Karina had arrived at the palace and was greeted warmly by those that awaited nervously of any news that could lead to any answer of where, Mowgli and Karina were. They were overly happy to see Karina was alive and partially well but the upset look upon her showed she had been through so much and being covered in a blanket to conceal herself added more to the misery she held.
Queen Raksha with her daughters and Liara took her up to her dressing room where they could have privacy and allow Karina to tell them all that had transpired over the days since her and, Mowgli's capture.
Karina talked about how the Primates were waiting for them in the jungle. Once they were in a good open area they sprung a clever trap that knocked out their escort including, Prince Exon. Overwhelmed by the number she and, Mowgli were captured and taken to the ancient ruins of what used to be of man's ownership in the swamp till they either left or perished which such information had to be discovered.
The young wolf girl told the royals and the Shaman how the rulers of the Primates that were gathering there were trying to form an army bent on taking over the jungle. They desired to make slaves out of her and, Mowgli. An Example of what kind of slave she was meant to be showed when, Karina reluctantly opened up the blanket that concealed most of her upper body to show the outfit she was forced to put on by the Queen of the Primates.
Everyone of the wolfs in the dressing room were appalled to see Karina in such an outfit that made her look as a harlot. Not even the outfits meant to wear on their festivals and celebrations were as revealing as the one she still had on.
Karina's tale continued talking on how she was meant to entertain and please the royals against her will while, Mowgli mostly answered to their needs. She talked on how she tried to make them let them both go and even tried to escape by getting, Mowgli out first but to no avail and the tragic day when she was punished to a point where she could barely stand by then.
Queen Raksha's heart along with the others broke for Karina. The Ways she described everything that happened hurt them all so much. Karina had proven time and again that she was a trustworthy friend of the crown and loyal to no fault. To hear her sufferings along with, Mowgli's was hard to bare.
It only got worse when Karina had explained how she and Mowgli escaped by killing the right hand of the Primate Royals and, Karina sent Mowgli off to make it back home if he could while she made her stand to keep the Primates that were chasing them at bay only to be captured again and nearly drowned by the Primate Queen. Had it not been for the timely arrival of Prince Exon and Mowgli along with all the wolfs and King Rama assaulting the ruins she no doubt would have died.
Those that listened to Karina's horrid tale of capture and enslavement along with nearing death was undoubtably monstrous. The Poor Karina having gone through so much in little time and risked her own to make sure, Mowgli was as safe as he could be and to make sure he got away to get help.
If Karina's tale of her second enslavement wasn't horrid enough she talked about, King Rama's discovery. The Pendent that Gunnolf wore was given to, King Louie to make a bargain to allow he and his Primates to rob the wolf kingdom of valuables. In exchange for keeping the secret they had asked King Louie to deal with those they believed were someone of bad nature to the Wolf Kingdom.
Queen Raksha was overly furious hearing that. Her sorrow for Karina and her adopted child turned to anger having listened on how her eldest dared to plot against their own kin and their kingdom like that.
"My Queen!" Karina asked as Queen Raksha was gripping her own hair so tight and was pulling on it so hard that they could hear flesh under her starting to tear.
Queen Raksha was so enraged to discovery the crimes that her eldest had done. She gave them life. Taught them sacred values and to uphold the laws of the Kingdom. For them to do what they had done she never would have believed it to be true. But the confirmation was certain when one of the guards knocked on the door as the Queen answered and she was told what had now become of her eldest by the decree of, King Rama.
The Queen took a few deep breaths to calm herself as her daughters showed great concern and frustration as well. They eldest brothers plotted to have their youngest brother killed and a friend and faithful subject. Once they were beloved brothers they could look up to. They loved them and appreciated who they were but now they were a despicable and traitorous sort. Being told what had become of them made the girls upset. They should have been put to death than be imprisoned even though they were beaten to where they couldn't stand on their own.
"I'm sorry for my rather uncivilized actions, Karina." The Queen Apologized sitting back down on her cushion next to the concerned tribal girl with, Liara on her right of her.
"It is alright my, Queen. I cannot imagine how you feel right now." Karina said sorrowfully. Even though Gunnolf and Axis committed such a terrible crime they were in this world due to, Queen Raksha. She was their mother and their queen. Such a heavy responsibility that she carried with pride and honor. And now she had lost her eldest children due to their own actions of treachery against everyone they were supposed to one day lead and be an example of.
"I feel…angry and yet empty." Queen Raksha replied in a low frustrated tone. "My heart feels crushed knowing my own flesh and blood plotted as they did against this family and this very kingdom. Where did I go wrong?"
Shaman Liara put a comforting hand on the Queen's shoulder. "Do not put your blame on yourself. One as wise as you cannot always see in the future. Your son's actions were only due to their misguided sense of preserving the kingdom. Nothing against your own actions. You raised so many wonderful children. Each of them are an aspiring example of what it means to be ones with royal titles." She proclaimed making Meadow and Keva blush at her kind words.
"Your words are meaningful." Queen Raksha smiled slightly at the shaman. "But it doesn't take away any fact that due to not addressing the issue at hand to a better extent my eldest have committed the worst crime in this Kingdoms history. All will know that my own flesh and blood plotted against the very place they were born and raised in."
Queen Raksha lowered her head down sadly as her daughters put comforting hands on their mother while, Karina looked at the queen with great pity. It was very rare to see the shining Queen who's smile could brighten the days of anyone. Her Kindness was something to behold. To see her like this hurt, Karina as much as the Queen. Forever she will have a stain on her heart.
Everyone stayed silent for a few minutes to let their minds ease. Heavy burdens on their hearts will bare on them for a time due to, Gunnolf and Axis's actions. The Betrayal of family was something once unheard of in anyone's time. Now it has happened, and history will remember those that nearly cost the lives of those that lived in the kingdom and even the kingdom itself.
Another knock came from the door that broke the silence of the room. "Come in!" Queen Raksha called. The Door opened to reveal the guard that told them the news of what was done with, Gunnolf and Axis.
"My Queen and ladies." The Guard bowed, respectively. "King Rama awaits in the throne room with, Prince Exon and Prince Mowgli."
"Father is finally back along with Mowgli and Exon!" Meadow beamed happily.
"Come, Mother! I'm sure Mowgli will want to see us all!" Keva said as she eagerly got to her feet. She had missed their father and brothers very much. Especially Mowgli who as what was told by, Karina had been through so much and no doubt he would want to see his Mother and sisters.
Queen Raksha smiled widely. Of course, she would love to see her youngest child. The Poor boy had been through such a terrible ordeal that was far too much for one of his age to have gone through. But she was proud of him. From what Karina had talked about him he was brave and strong during his captivity. He went into battle alongside his father and brother fighting through dozens of primates to save someone he cared for so much. He had made his mother proud.
She was about to stand but till she looked at Karina seeing she was still in the blanket that covered her hiding the disgraceful outfit she was forced into back when she was enslaved by the primates. She would not have that. After what Karina had gone through with her child and had risked so much to ensure his safety at her own expense she needed something far more proper for a lovely young wolf girl to wear.
"Daughters please go and see your brother I need take care of, Karina first." Queen Raksha said to her young children. "Would you take them my daughters and our Shaman to the throne room?" She asked the guard.
"Of course, your highness." The Guard replied bowing again. Meadow and Keva gave Karina kind smiles before they left the room. Shaman Liara helped Karina to her feet and hugged her.
"It is wonderful to have you home, dear child." The Shaman hummed softly very grateful to the spirits for granting the one who was like a daughter to be returned safely.
"I'm happy to be home, Liara." Karina replied hugging her mother figure close feeling as if she was about to cry all over again. She had nearly lost hope back in the ancient ruins, but her faith did not shatter, and she was so happy to have kept herself true and that helped her return to what is her true home.
Queen Raksha adored the scene. Shaman Liara and Karina were like mother and daughter. They were not bound by blood but since the day they let, Karina into the kingdom the Shaman took her in without even being asked. Since then, they have been close as family could. Karina reminded her a lot of how they took in, Mowgli. He may not have been one of them or part of the kingdom, but he became family to them and had made them proud. Karina had done the same having gone through many a peril to safeguard, Mowgli and be the true friend he needed.
Eventually the two let go of each other as, Shaman Liara gently stroked the side of Karina's face affectionally before leaving. Karina so happy to be home no words could express how relieved she felt but then the blanket she had around dropped leaving her exposed in front of the Queen. Karina blushed as the outfit she wore was something she wished the Queen did not have to see her in. She was about to grab it, but the Queen took hold her hands.
"There there, my dear. Don't feel embarrassed in my presence. This...poor excuse of a garment is something not something of your doing." Queen Raksha assured taking another looked at the frail pieces of colorful cloth with veils on Karina. The Queen herself wouldn't be caught in any eye of her subjects in that and the poor tribal girl had to wear that for countless eyes to see.
"I know just what you need. Please wait a moment." The Queen said leaving Karina's side and headed to the other side of the door of the dressing room. There a few cabinets filled with many different garments and outfits and some sacks that were tied onto hooks on the wall. They had new types of garments that seamstresses had created and placed in the dressing room and would wait till the Queen's or the Princess's call for them to gather in and try on their latest additions to see if they would be befitting for their stature and always they never would create anything that would disappoint them.
Karina watched the Queen go through the sacks on the wall looking through them. She was rather embarrassed even though the Queen gave her assurance earlier. She stood where she was wrapping her arms under her chest feeling so low with the Queen nearby.
Queen Raksha grinned as she looked at the last sack hanging on the wall. It had just the right kind of outfit that would be far more suitable for Karina. She took it off the wall and walked back over to the shy tribal girl.
"I think I found just what you need, my dear." She smiled putting a kind hand on, Karina's shoulder as, Karina returned a rather awkward smile to her.
"Come along." The Queen wrapped her arm around the shoulders of the rather shy, Karina gently pulling her to a curtain that hung from the ceiling near a large mirror at the corner of the room.
She put the sack in Karina's arms when they got next to the curtain. "Now why don't you put this on. I think it will be look most fetching on you." She said opening up the curtain for Karina.
"Yes, my Queen" Karina nervously replied as to receive something from the Queen was a special treat. One that she felt unworthy of even if she had done a few good deeds for the one she cared for so much. Karina stepped behind the curtain as, Queen Raksha shut it behind her.
Karina felt a familiar memory when the curtain close. She silently growled remembering how that wretched Queen Abra did the same. Put her behind the curtain with an outfit that at first she refused to wear only to be threatened with nothing at all. But here the Queen of the Wolf Kingdom was gentle and kind. She was giving her something that had to be far better than the outfit she wore now. Without taking another second she immediately slipped off the top and bottoms and flung them out the side of the curtain hearing a satisfied chuckle from behind the curtain.
Karina pulled out what was in the sack and it was amazing. The Bottom part of the garment was a long skirt that only had her right leg partially exposed that dropped down nearly to the floor. The top covered her chest with one strap over her shoulder and it was in her favorite color pink as well. She had eagerly put it on without hesitation.
The young wolf girl looked down to admire herself. It was certainly far better than that of the ridiculous two piece she had on. Taking a breath, she opened up the curtain and the Queen saw what her gift to, Karina had done for her.
"Oh my! How marvelous!" She smiled widely her voice filled with joy clapping her hands together. "How do you feel?"
Karina moved her hair away from her face. "I feel so much better, my Queen."
"Better? I say it's a tremendous improvement and such a good look you, my dear." Queen Raksha giggled taking, Karina's hands and pulled her in front of the mirror and stood behind her with her hands on, Karina's waist.
Karina looked at herself in the mirror. She was so shocked by what a difference the outfit had done for her. She looked almost like a princess her eyes began to fill with tears.
"Aww don't feel sad, Karina. Please feel happy for yourself. I know I am." The Queen told her moving to, Karina's right side so mesmerized by how, Karina's new apparel looked on her. The Seamstress's once again pleased her, and she would soon give them the praise they deserve.
"My Queen this is a very generous gift. But I don't know." Karina looked down sadly. "Am I even worthy of such a thing."
Queen Raksha turned Karina to face her. Putting a finger to her chin making her look up at her. "My young and dear, Karina. This is my gift to you. For all that you have done for, Mowgli, my son. For being true and faithful to this Kingdom and being a dear friend this token I give upon you is the very least of how I can show my thanks to you." The Queen pulled her into her chest and hugged her close.
Karina returned the hug feeling a fresh tear come down from her eye. "Welcome home, Karina. This is where you belong. Now and forever. Don't ever let anyone ever say otherwise." Queen Raksha said holding the young wolf girl close. She couldn't describe how good it was to have Karina back. Much like Mowgli she had become special to her and her family.
"I am happy to be home, Queen Raksha." Karina sighed feeling happiness wash over her like a river. They soon broke away from the hug while, Queen Raksha gave her a very kind smile that warmed Karina's heart.
"Perhaps we should go see your son now?" Karina suggested taking a step back.
"I think that would be a wonderful idea. I look forward to seeing how all will react to your new look. Which I must saw is quite fetching. I think you will gain my child's heart sooner than you think." She implied with a wink to, Karina making her blush.
Taking Karina's hand, she opened the door and left the dressing room and took her with. Karina's new outfit certainly was more comforting, and it made her feel more impowered and happy. It signified the Wolf Kingdom and having been a gift from the Queen herself it made her quite humble, and she too looked forward to seeing and hearing everyone's opinion when they reached the throne room.