The Past Is Prologue
Chapter 23: The Queen Wore Orange
I've worked at the palace for most of my adult life, and most of those years were spent under Queen Shuriki. I'd heard rumors about her, of course, terrible rumors. After all, no one quite knew what had happened to the royal family nor how Shuriki had come to sit on the throne. But as a maid I never saw anything untoward. Queen Shuriki demanded excellence from her staff, but if she was not kind she was not cruel either and she paid quite well.
I suppose I was lulled by the familiarity of serving at the palace. I saw the queen every day for years. She was even friendly in a distant sort of way and saw to it that I was promoted.
That's why, when I heard what was happening to you – that there was a warrant out for your arrest – I decided I had to speak with her. I thought that if she knew you were my cousin she might spare you.
How wrong I was. – Consuela Torres, head housekeeper of the palace under Queen Shuriki and Queen Elena Castillo Flores; cousin to the author of this study. A People's History of the Reign of Queen Shuriki, compiled by Professor Catalina de Torres
The Queen wore orange.
To be more precise, the queen wore the old princess gown she'd had on when she fell into the crystal well of Takaína. Since becoming queen, Elena rarely wore it, because as she said, "I don't want everyone to know what I'm feeling at all times." Of course, even without that magical aid Naomi at least was pretty good at guessing what her best friend was thinking. And she didn't need the magic orange-glowing dress to know that Elena was furious.
At least after two years Elena's magic no longer went haywire whenever she felt an intense emotion. The queen could now control the effects and used her magic so rarely that most of her subjects forgot she even had special powers. They loved her for her kindness, courage, and wisdom; her more esoteric exploits were often as not dismissed as embellishments of more ordinary heroic feats. They still knew it was Elena who had saved the kingdom on more than one occasion, even if they didn't quite know how.
Naomi sat on Elena's right and Gabe sat to the queen's left. As the chancellor took in the ten who stood before them to give their testimony, she glumly thought it had the look of a trial. "Remember, we're all friends here," she muttered to Elena under her breath.
"Not now, Naomi," Elena muttered back. Not a good sign. When the queen had suddenly turned to Naomi out of the blue two days ago and said, "Uh, my chanul just told me to use my scepter to check on Esteban," the chancellor had shaken her head, wondering what in the Everrealm her predecessor had done now. Still, it was always funny to see Elena talk to thin air, as Naomi couldn't see Elena's spirit guide, and the chancellor hadn't been too worried. The queen had declared, "Show me Esteban," and an image of the queen's cousin appeared. He was on his ship, holding of all things his blasted staff. Naomi thought he'd gotten rid of that thing years ago.
"Elena, are you there? Can you hear me?" he'd said. "Is this even working?"
"Esteban?!" Elena had been astounded.
"Oh, good. There you are. I have so much to tell you…"
It turned out that Esteban's staff also had a farsight ability. At the moment, he'd been trying to contact Elena and hoped she'd use her scepter to see him. Mateo had summoned Zuzo, Elena's chanul, to carry the message to her. Apparently it had been Olivia's idea.
The Flores cousins had spent the next few moments figuring out how to speak to one another since neither scepter nor staff were designed for communication. Then it had dawned on Elena that Esteban had the same power to view her across distances as she did him. "Did you spy on me?" she'd demanded, outraged.
"I would remind you that you spied on me first with your scepter," he'd replied haughtily. Then they'd bickered for a few more moments until Naomi had said, "Guys, focus!"
"Of course, Chancellor Naomi," Esteban had answered. "My apologies." Then he'd gotten to the matter at hand. Cristóbal was working with Fiero (who was no longer stone) and Ash (who was back from wherever she'd been), and had support from a number of subjects in Nueva Vista. Fiero had murdered a young guard-in-training named César, and would have killed Olivia had Ash not saved her. Somehow, the gang had managed to capture Ash but then let her go. Ash had enchanted Carla and David, but Mateo and the others had rescued them. Now they were all heading back to Avalor City.
Elena had grown quiet during Esteban's tale, leaving Naomi to ask the questions. Finally, the queen had said coldly, "I will see you when you return, cousin."
"But…"Esteban had protested.
"When you return." Abruptly Elena had cut off the connection and the floating image of Esteban had vanished. Elena had been unnaturally still when the lemonade glasses on the table had suddenly flung themselves against the wall.
"Naomi," the queen had said quietly, "I think you'd better leave."
"Uh, Elena, maybe you should calm down…?"
"If I could do that I wouldn't ask you to leave." A book went flying off the shelf. Naomi yelped and ducked. "I'm not angry at you, but my emotion magic is about to go haywire. So go!" The chancellor beat a hasty retreat. "And tell the servants to bring a mop and bucket and leave it outside the room!" Elena called. "I'll clean the mess up later."
Naomi understood why Elena was so angry. Cristóbal had betrayed Elena, and both Ash and Fiero had tormented the kingdom for years. And while Elena had forgiven Esteban for his multiple betrayals, Naomi knew she would never forget how Esteban had once teamed up with the murderous Ash. This had to be bringing up all sorts of painful memories.
But that conversation had happened two days ago. Naomi had hoped that Elena would have calmed down by now. She was in absolute control of her magic, but her as her dress indicated, not of her anger. The fact that the queen chose to wear this particular dress at this particular time meant she wanted everyone to know it.
And know it they did. When Elena had entered the room flanked by Naomi and Gabe, they had all bowed to her. The young chancellor knew that it would have been unremarkable in other, more formal kingdoms, but in Avalor under Queen Elena Castillo Flores? Queen "just-call-me-Elena"? It showed that her closest courtiers understood just how much trouble they were in.
This had the unfortunate appearance of a trial, and in a way it was, so much so that Naomi had taken the precaution of asking Isa to keep a lid of Flo (and told Flo she needed to distract Isa.) The bouncy alebrije had an unfortunate habit of barging in at the most inopportune of times.
At least Elena had taken the time to assure the crown princess that her cousin wasn't going anywhere this time. Isa had been beside herself with worry for Esteban. Though no one ever talked about, they were all still haunted by Esteban's trial two and a half years ago. While she'd never gotten along with her predecessor, Naomi had felt sick when honor demanded she vote to maroon Esteban on a deserted isle. He was guilty of regicide, after all; he was lucky not have been sentenced to death, though he hadn't seen it that way. Esteban's exile had been so much worse for his family.
This time, Esteban was probably safe from anything worse than a tongue-lashing. The others, though…
Naomi went down the line of "Esteban's Crew." (The thought that Esteban even had a crew made the young chancellor shake her head in bemusement.) Ixlan, standing impassively on the far left of the council room, was perhaps the most innocent of those assembled, although didn't she have some sacred duty to protect Elena, as prophesied by the great oracle Quita Moz himself? Not that it would bother Elena.
Antonia was probably all right, although apparently she'd played a role in letting Ash go. Rico, though…
Gabe had been the one to inform César's parents that their son wasn't coming home. The tragic irony was that as a cadet, César technically wasn't even allowed to travel yet. Rico had taken it upon himself to help the young guard-in-training gain more experience without going through proper channels. Gabe had been furious, and privately told Naomi that Rico should be court-martialed. But when the passengers on the two ships had disembarked and were bundled into waiting carriages to take them directly to the palace, the usually cocky guardsmen was broken. He had offered his resignation on the spot, saying he had failed to protect César and didn't deserve to stay in the guard. Gabe had put his hand on Rico's shoulder and refused to accept his resignation.
Next to Rico stood Esteban, who looked, well, haughty and aloof. It was a look Naomi hadn't seen on him since he'd been forgiven by Elena. The young chancellor didn't like seeing that now, especially as she finally knew it for the protective mask it was. If Esteban was retreating into that persona, it was a sign of how truly frightened he was.
Olivia stood next to Esteban. Poor kid. Naomi had quietly cheered when she'd heard Mateo's first apprentice had set off on her own. The chancellor knew the royal wizard meant well, but Naomi had thought Mateo was being too overprotective for a while now; the only way to learn anything was to just get out there and do it. But the apprentice had gotten a bit more than she bargained for.
Then there was Mateo. He and Naomi had gone to school together when they were kids, but had only really gotten to know each other when they found themselves fighting alongside Elena to save Avalor. Mateo was a genius when it came to magic, and he was the kindest person Naomi knew; but he had an un-royal-wizard-like naivety and could be boneheadedly single-minded when he got an idea in his head. It was idiotic for him to have believed Ash, a malvaga whom Mateo had once dubbed the most powerful wizard he'd ever seen; and if Elena and wanted to ream their friend out in private Naomi would have led the charge. But Elena acted as if it was a betrayal, not just Mateo being stupid again. Naomi really hoped Elena wouldn't say – or do – something she would regret later.
It was hardly the first time Victor and Carla Delgado were in trouble. But Naomi had never seen Victor so angry before. He was positively seething. The chancellor couldn't figure out who was the target of his anger. He wasn't in that much trouble – he'd left without permission, but Elena understood it was just to go after his daughter. Still, he could show a little more humility.
Carla was the one who had actually committed a criminal act; she'd stolen a boat, after all. She hadn't been alone though. Clinging to her, looking bewildered, stood David Fisher, childhood friend – and Naomi's brother.
Naomi had always been bemused by all the drama surrounding the Castillo Flores family. Her own family, though unconventional, was pretty straightforward – at least, that's what she had thought until five days ago. And now David was in the thick of things. Of course, her brother was also a Flores. Naomi sighed.
Elena banged the gavel. "We are here to find out what happened in Nueva Vista and to decide our future course of action. Do you all swear upon your honor to tell the truth?" All those present gave their assent. "Here is what I know – a boat was stolen, a cadet guard was murdered, and our enemy Duke Cristóbal Castillo has the aid of the malvagos Fiero and Ash. You had Ash in custody but then let…her…go." The queen spat the last three words. "I want to understand how all this came to pass." She turned to David and Carla. "Mr. Fisher, Señorita Delgado, let's begin with you." Naomi winced at the formality in the queen's voice.
"Carla is not to blame," David said quickly. "It's all my fault."
"It certainly is," Victor muttered. Naomi glared at him.
"David didn't even know we didn't have permission to take the boat," Carla broke in. "If you're going to blame anyone, blame me!"
"You should listen to her, your grace," Esteban suggested.
"I was the one who wanted to stop Cristóbal Castillo," David insisted. "I dragged Carla into this."
"No one drags me into anything," Carla responded hotly. "I'm the one who came up with the plan. David is innocent, your grace. If you must sentence someone for borrowing the boat, it should be me."
David and Carla went back and forth like that for another few minutes, with both Victor and Esteban chiming in. It was very much in character for the boy Naomi had played with as a child to try to take responsibility and protect others. It was decidedly unlike Carla. The chancellor wondered at the closeness between them that the former spy would want to protect David.
Finally, Elena rolled her eyes and cut them off. "This is getting us nowhere. As I stated before, I am simply trying to find out what happened. I think I understand how and why two arrived in Nueva Vista. What happened then?"
Carla shrugged. "We tried to track down Duke Cristóbal and, well, failed. Then my mother found us…" Her face darkened.
"What happened then?" the queen prompted. What did she say?"
"She said she was happy to see me," Carla laughed bitterly. "She was lying, of course. She only wanted my tamborita." The apprentice wizard seemed to be choking back tears. Naomi felt bad watching her.
"Did she mention Cristóbal?" Elena pressed on. "Did she tell you his plans?"
Carla shook her head. "She mostly talked about me, trying to get my trust." She stopped. "How could she even be alive again?"
Naomi thought that was an odd thing to say. As chancellor, she thought she should get to the bottom of this. "What do you mean, Carla?"
"She means," Victor ground out, "that we didn't expect to see Ash again because the Queen herself told us she was dead!"
"I said no such thing!" Elena responded. "I told you Ash was in the Spirit Realm."
"That means she's dead!" Victor shouted.
"You saw me go into the Spirit Realm at the same time as Ash, and I'm not dead!" Elena shouted back. "I meant it literally!"
"Forgive me for being a bit fuzzy on the details," Victor responded sarcastically. "I was busy being transformed into a peabunny, if you recall."
"Wait, you were a peabunny?"
That's right! Elena had already fallen into the Spirit Realm with Ash when the Shadows of the Night turned Victor and Carla into peabunnies. Naomi had been the one to scoop them up and get them back to Avalor City in the desperate hope that Mateo could find a way to reverse the spell.
Now that she thought about it, Naomi could see the source of the miscommunication. "She's in the Spirit Realm now" was a common Avaloran euphemism for death, but Elena, who had gone there on more than one occasion while still retaining her life, would never think to say it that way.
"Ok, quick review," the chancellor said. "When Elena was trying to stop Ash and E-," she stopped herself from saying Esteban's name, "-er, Ash, they both fell through the portal Ash had opened to free the Spirits of the Night. They turned the Delgados into peabunnies and Mateo evil – "
"Crazy, not evil," Mateo corrected.
"I concur," Ixlan added. "My mind was addled by their spell as well. I had no evil intent."
"Anyway," Naomi took up the reigns of the conversation again, "back in the Spirit Realm, Elena and Ash went to the, uh, Big Bird Spirit to ask him to send them back to the living realm. He said he would only send one back, and would decide which one by whoever won an olaball game. The other would remain as his 'guest.'"
"Mami played olaball?" Carla was shocked.
"I can see how you won, your grace," Victor observed wryly.
"Actually, your wife won," Elena started to explain. "You see…"
"Does any of this matter right now?" Gabe asked. "I want to know how Ash escaped the Spirit Realm."
"I can answer that," Olivia piped up. She shifted nervously when all eyes turned towards her.
"Please continue," Elena told her, marginally less hard than she'd been with the Delgados.
"Wel, um, Fiero did a spell to get her out from where she was trapped. The Spirit Realm, I guess."
"How would you know that?" Victor asked scornfully.
"I heard some stuff when I was captured by Fiero."
"That was my fault, your grace," Rico said. Naomi didn't think she'd ever heard him humble before. "It was my responsibility to protect César and Olivia, and I failed. I am prepared to tender my resignation."
Both Olivia and Antonia protested. Gabe said, "That won't be necessary, lieutenant. We will talk later." He turned to the queen. "If that's acceptable to you, your grace."
Elena nodded. "I'm more interested in how Fiero reversed the spell on himself when he was stone."
"That was Javier," Olivia stated.
"Who is Javier?" Naomi wanted to know.
"Javier from the Science Academy?" Elena asked, her dress growing more orange by the second. Her gavel began to float off the table. "He did this?"
So Elena knew him, by her reaction. Naomi grabbed the gavel and whispered to Elena, "Remember to keep your cool." The queen took a few deep breaths, and the gavel stopped fighting Naomi. She carefully set it back down on the table.
"Forgive me, everyone," Elena said in a tight voice. "I've had dealings with this Javier before." How did Naomi not know about this? She didn't think it was a secret – more likely Elena just didn't think it was important enough to mention. Except now it was. "Olivia, how did Javier free Fiero from Mateo's spell? Is he a malvago now?"
"Er, no," the apprentice responded. "He said he invented a scientific formula to undo the spell."
"That's impossible!" Mateo protested. "You need magic to undo magic."
"That's what I said!" Olivia echoed.
"But why would Javier even think to do such a thing? Last I heard he was still making Isa's life difficult at the Science Academy." The queen stood up and paced to the window, too agitated to sit still.
Elena's question was rhetorical, but Olivia had an answer. "He told me he's Duke Cristóbal's godson and that his godfather promised him he could be royal inventor."
Elena whirled around. "Javier is Cristóbal's ahijado? Just how many allies does Cristóbal have?"
The young apprentice continued. "Well, when Fiero captured me, he took me to Count Cantú's hacienda, so him and all his people, I guess."
Count Cantú had allied with Cristóbal? That was not good. The nobleman was quite influential in Nueva Vista and could rally others to his cause.
"Captain Erauso told us that many of the guard in Nueva Vista might also be compromised," Rico added. "She doesn't know who she can trust."
"Why am I just hearing about this now?" Elena said, obviously (and rightly) upset. Naomi wasn't too thrilled that this was the first time she was hearing of unrest in Nueva Vista. She glanced over at her novio, but Gabe shook his head, looking grim. This was new to him too.
"So Cristóbal is allied with Count Cantú and at least his household, a decent part of the royal guard of Nueva Vista, Javier, Fiero, Ash…"
"Ash isn't with him anymore," Olivia interrupted the queen. "She defied him to save me."
"You're a fool," Victor spat. Seriously, Victor? Naomi thought as she stared at the ex-malvago. The chancellor understood that this was hard for him, but he needed to stop lashing out.
Elena held up her hand to silence Victor. "What do you mean she saved you?"
"When Fiero captured me, he took me to Count Cantú's hacienda like I said." Olivia looked down and then glanced apologetically at Mateo. "He said he was going to use me as bait to get to Mateo. But he needed a few days to set things up. So he turned me over to Ash. She locked me up in a room. I found a way to escape –" she looked at Mateo and grinned. "I'll tell you about it later." The royal wizard smiled fondly at his first apprentice. Naomi imagined it was some clever magical feat that would go right over her head.
"As I was trying to sneak out of the hacienda, Ash caught me. I thought I was a goner for sure. But then Fiero showed up early and Ash motioned for me to hide. She covered for me. I…heard Fiero tell Ash he was going to, um, destroy me in front of Mateo." Elena gasped, and Mateo put a hand on Olivia's shoulder. "After Fiero went away, Ash helped me escape. That's why I'm dressed like this – Ash said I needed a disguise. I was going to leave on my own but some guards caught us, so Ash had to come with me."
Olivia paused, and looking the queen straight in the eye said, "Queen Elena, if it hadn't been for Ash, I wouldn't have escaped the hacienda, let alone made it through the jungle. I owe her my life."
"But why?" Elena asked earnestly. "Don't get me wrong. I'm so glad she didn't hurt you and you're safe. But the Ash I know wouldn't lift a finger to help someone else unless there was something in it for her."
"She said she 'couldn't abide waste.' I guess she thought Fiero destroying me was wasteful or something. There is good in her. I've seen it."
"There's good in everyone," Naomi pointed out. "There's also bad. Do you think Ash still would've helped you if Fiero had agreed to let you go after he got rid of Mateo?"
"I…don't know," Olivia was forced to admit.
Victor made an impatient noise. "Ash was using you, Olivia. She only helped because she wanted something from you."
"It's not like I know any state secrets or anything," Olivia snapped.
"How about magical ones?"
The change in Olivia was immediate. Her face turned pale and she looked down at the floor. Naomi realized the young apprentice probably did have knowledge that someone like Ash would want. She was one of three people Mateo allowed complete access to Alacazar's magical biblioteca – the others being Elena and Mateo's mom. Even Victor and Carla could only go there when Mateo was present. And Olivia wouldn't know to keep quiet. "I'm sorry, your grace," the girl whispered miserably. "I messed everything up. If I hadn't gone, Mateo wouldn't have been in danger and César would still be alive."
The orange of the queen's dress faded to teal. Elena slowly walked around the table.
She stopped in front of the young apprentice and put her hand under her chin, raising it up. "You should not have stowed away, or left without the permission of both Mateo and your parents. You could have been hurt, or worse. But you are not responsible for the evil done by Ash or Fiero. And from what I hear, you helped protect the ship, and without you we never would have known about Cristóbal's alliances with Count Cantú, Javier, or even Ash. That gives us a chance to prepare." The queen briefly hugged Olivia. "I am so relieved that you escaped and are safely home." Elena returned to her seat. Naomi knew teal meant Elena was calming down. C'mon, dress, she thought. Back to red, back to red…
Back to orange. Elena was still angry. Naomi sighed.
"We understand how Ash came to be in your custody. How is it that you didn't bring a wanted criminal back to Avalor City to face trial for her actions?"
Victor, Olivia, Mateo, Esteban, Antonia and Ixlan all began talking at once. "Enough!" Naomi interrupted. "One at a time. Please! Mateo, let's start with you."
"We'd been looking for Fiero and Olivia for a couple of days. Antonia and Victor were scouting ahead of the main group when Antonia spotted Ash."
"Private Bello?" Gabe prompted.
"I saw a woman in white with a holstered tamborita and recognized her as Ash Delgado from her wanted poster. I disarmed her and ordered her and her companion to halt. I didn't realize at first the other party was Olivia."
"Because of my disguise," the young apprentice said almost proudly.
"Then the others joined us and we had to decide what to do with Ash," the swordswoman continued.
"What decision was there to make?" Elena demanded. "You had a clear duty to bring her here to stand trial."
"That was my fault," Mateo admitted. "Ash had already turned on Cristóbal and Fiero by rescuing Olivia. There was so much we didn't know about Duke Cristóbal's plan. I felt with Ash's help we could turn the tide."
"You felt," Elena snapped. "You decided. Even though last I checked I'm still the Queen of Avalor and it should be my decision. Do you even realize what you've done? Some might even label it conspiracy…"
Naomi wasn't the only one to gasp at that. The chancellor gulped as she realized that technically under Avaloran law Mateo had aided and abetted a criminal. But surely Elena wouldn't press the issue. Mateo had meant well. Naomi wracked her brain to find an argument in defense of the royal wizard.
But it was Gabe who came to the rescue. "You know, your grace, if I'd been there I might have made the same call."
"You would?" Naomi and Mateo said at the same time. Elena just looked perplexed.
"Sure. Cristóbal Castillo is the greater threat. Ash had made herself his enemy, and time was of the essence. If Ash could be convinced to work for us, she would be a powerful asset."
"I argued against it," Ixlan mused, "but the reasoning of the wizard was sound."
"The fault does not lie with Mateo," Esteban declared. "I vouched for Ash. If you wish to blame someone, blame me."
The queen rose again and slowly walked around the table to face her cousin. Naomi appreciated Esteban's attempt to draw fire from Mateo. Of course, that meant the fire was not directed at him.
"Don Esteban," Elena said coolly – no, coldly. "We thank you for taking the time to give testimony, especially since you are a private citizen with no role in this government. Of course no blame will fall on you for giving your opinion. That falls upon those who have positions in my court." Ouch. That was the harshest reassurance Naomi had ever heard.
Dress still orange, Elena returned to her spot at the table but did not sit down.
They were interrupted by a timorous knock on the door. Naomi closed her eyes. She'd given orders they were not to be disturbed. "Who is it?" She called out.
The door opened a crack and Armando ducked in. "Begging your pardon, Chancellor Naomi, your grace," he said as he nodded to her and bowed to the queen. Naomi didn't think she'd ever get used to Armando calling her chancellor. "It's just that Olivia's parents are here and they want to see their daughter." Olivia started at that and craned her neck to try to see her parents. But she didn't move from her spot. "I sent word to them that Olivia was all right, and would return home after this meeting. But they didn't want to wait and just showed up."
Elena sighed. "You did the right thing, Armando. This meeting is at an end. You'll be notified if we need any more information from you. Carla and David, we will expect you to make restitution to the fisherman whose boat you stole." She paused. "And David, I hope to get to know you better once things have calmed down. I know you've had a difficult time of it.
"Master De Alva, please stay behind. I would like to have a word with you in private." Mateo bowed his acquiescence, looking understandably nervous. "The rest of you may leave." The ten before her all bowed, and Naomi and Gabe stood up.
"I can stay and play referee," the chancellor murmured to the queen.
"I'll be fine, Naomi," Elena whispered with a hint of exasperation.
As Esteban reached the door, Elena called out, "Cousin?" He turned back quickly, hope and fear clear in his expression before his mask of haughtiness fell into place. "I think it would be best to turn your staff over to the guard for safekeeping in the royal treasury, don't you? The jacket as well."
"Of course, your grace. At once." He bowed, and was through the door.
As soon as they were dismissed, Olivia bolted out into the arms of her parents, who at that moment looked more relieved than angry. Naomi was the last to leave, shutting the council doors behind her. She did not envy Mateo.
AN: A story cannot contain a song, of course. But if you would like one, imagine this: Isabel singing a dramatic song in the style of Disney Channel's Descendents. She had lost so much in her life; first her parents and her childhood best friend, then her grandparents. Her cousin Cristóbal had tried to murder her family when they were in Nueva Vista. She had to face a prophesy that she might lose Elena, and did lose Esteban for nearly a year. And now, she was desperately afraid she could lose what was left of her family. All she wanted was to keep her sister and her cousin in her life. Surely that was not too much to ask?