Compartmentalizing You

Chapter 10

Bow

He found his starry spelled Goddess perched upon her bedecked throne at the forefront of the Council table. Legs crossed, hands clasped together in her lap, chin up and eyes cast down- she watched his every moment: looking every bit the Queen she was meant to be. Her hair luminously shimmered, the violet locks swept into a low bun that rested gently at the nape of her neck; a style she had begun wearing more often. Applied conservatively, Bow noticed the slight tinge of a fuchsia rouge dancing across her lips and the striking flutter of her lashes. The simple combination, alluring alone, enhanced the seductiveness of her iridescent eyes. The startling change with the tweak in her cosmetics and wardrobe, made Glimmer seem years older than she was. It helped, Bow bleakly noted, hone her authority.

Despite the warmth spreading up his spine, Bow felt his heartache. A perforated sadness that seeped into the morrow of his bones and made him feel frighteningly brittle. He always felt like he was invincible with Glimmer at his side. That their gathering as a pair enhanced their completeness as joined halves. One incapable without the other.

Yet, the divine beauty before him was not the little girl in a closet whispering incantations into the darkness. This woman, this queen, was every bit a separate entity. An adult having come of age during a time of war. Just like him. They weren't halves anymore. The realization was so jarring that it sent Bow's mind reeling with a flurry of emotions. He couldn't even remember the last time those captivating eyes had peered up at him, hungry in their need to consume him. To find a type of solace only he could give.

"Advisor Bow, take a seat. We will wait for the rest of the Council together." She didn't ask; she demanded. He hadn't realized he'd been openly gawking at her till she had acknowledged his presence. Her hidden smirk did not escape him as he purposely chose to settle in a seat at the far edges of the opposite side of the table. Her change in appearance was a ruse and she wanted him to know it. What are you playing at, Glimmer? He thought as he tried to get the image of her gasping beneath him out of his mind. They had been children then, seeking to replace grief with pleasure. Hoping that they could find together, their missing pieces. Those had been the early days at the end of the war. When they thought they had nothing left to lose. Their desperation for each other had snuffed itself out at the end of the war when Glimmer found herself with a kingdom to lead and Bow, an unquenchable need for justice- for his fathers. Their separation had happened so subtly that now, he did not know if she was the regent of him or her kingdom.

Trying to refocus his mind, Bow tried to find answers in Glimmer's sudden change. Yet, the only thing he could think of is that she wanted to prove something. An unspoken issue that had gone on unresolved between them. Of the many things, he could not think of what it could be. They had left so much unsaid the last night they'd been together. It had been a night of hushed moans and escaped sobs. Of pleads and selfishness. Something had broken between them then. Something he couldn't fix and wasn't sure he wanted to fix. The Glimmer before him was a person he no longer recognized.

"Nothing to say for once, Bow?" She teased. He looked away, trying to break the spell she had cast upon him. He had found himself consumed with thoughts of her. Of who she used to be. He needed to focus if he was going to stand up against whatever plan Glimmer had been forming. He needed to make sure that the policies she enacted were what was best for Bright Moon, for Etheria. He'd have to simply wait and see what she had in store for him.

After what appeared to be an agonizing hour of complete silence, eventually, the rest of the Council filtered in. No one dared to breathe a word until Queen Glimmer addressed them. This was how all meetings went, but normally the Council formed in a matter of minutes. No one would dare to leave the Queen waiting. The very act, an offense to the monarch herself. Yet, with a quick glance to his Queen, dispelled any thoughts that the audacious act had fazed her. He felt a twinge of pride at her composure.

Quietly, Bow inwardly seethed at the realization that their lateness meant they had been discussing something without him, yet again. Even with Pessimis gone, they would not treat him like their equal. They would take any chance to subterfuge his authority. They believed he held too much power: once closest friend to the Queen, influential leader of the Rebellion, previous Consort, head inventor, advisor to the crown. He bore too many titles, had his hand in too many places. They wanted to restrict his ability to sway the Queen outside the Council's guidance. His vote alone changed the course of all meetings. They hated him for it.

Before Glimmer spoke, Bow was quick to note the uneasy exchanges the other three advisors shared before they took their seats next to and across from him. The absence of Pessimis bore heavily in the room as Judicious sat at the end of the table directly in front of the Queen. It signified the change in the Council that he was the new Top Advisor. The chair to the left of Bow remained empty, he didn't care. Queen Glimmer would conjure some poor village leader to take the spot. It was tradition. A representative of the people must always sit at the Council. It was law. Absently, Bow wondered if Pessimis was delivering on his promise. He'd know soon enough.

Judicious broke the silence with a shaking cough. His chest rattled with the effort. Sweat began to bead above his brow and he appeared decades older than he had been the day before. The man had been the commander of the Bright Moon army, had served along Queen Angella long before he had been promoted to a seat at the Council. Only the most favored citizens could sit here. He often said little in words but said a lot in actions. His humble background- a sobering reminder of his fortitude as an individual, for one did not easily find themselves a farmer's son and suddenly, one of the most revered citizens in the country. His normally pristine appearance was in clear disarray as Judicious grasped weakly at the collar of his robe in an attempt to get more air.

Bow was unable to make any further observations before someone silently took the seat next to him. Next to Glimmer. Eyebrows raised, four sets of eyes suddenly landed on the shriveled body of a man that appeared neither young nor old. Silvered hair sat in a perfect bun above his head. Shockingly azure eyes flittered in all directions, searching for an unknown place to settle but choosing to never land on Creata's face before him. Thinning lips curved into the ghost of a smile seemingly choosing to be fixated somewhere between morose and mischievous. Hunched in on himself, he leaned forward heavily on a gnarled stick, Bow could only assume was a makeshift cane.

"I have come as you have commanded, my Queen." He rasped, his vocal cords straining with the effort.

All attention refocused on the regent before them, as Bow felt his stomach twist with unease. Glimmer's eyes peered back at them, her expression completely guarded. Her every movement, twitch and pull, a calculated effort that left Bow reeling in the strangeness of the situation. Of Glimmer's changed appearance. Of the Council's lateness. Of this strange man beside him. Bow was a man of numbers, he did not play with fate or faith but in the dices of mitigated risk. Never would he walk into any situation unprepared- a scholarly concept hammered into him by his fathers. And for the first time, he found himself in such said situation- unprepared for what was to come.

Glimmer, what are you planning? Once more he thought to himself, panic beginning to fog his brain. He needed to control this. Control Glimmer on whatever dangerous plan she had concocted. Since she had taken the throne, she had only been constantly daring the authority of any wisened advisor, arrogantly stating she knew more about statecraft than the masters of it. That she alone knew what was best for Bright Moon. A precarious beam to balance on. All their fighting had just been him trying to guide her away from her recklessness. Away from her destructive behaviors that would not only end her reign but devolve Bright Moon into a civil war. Factions were brewing against her and she did not even know it. All he wanted was to protect his world- what was left of it.

"Good Afternoon, Council, I hope that you all attended the Judgement Declaration. Any questions about that before I proceed?" She asked, coyly, while crossing her legs at the knee and leaning on her head on her left arm as if in boredom. The movement- an age-old court insult meant to provoke them.

"My Queen, the Council has decided that the best way to deal with She-re is to have her tried for the murder of Cedric of Thrllwyn and ask for the assistance of the neighboring kingdoms to locate her and bring her in. We understand your emotional ailment towards the situation is clouding your judgment. Therefore, we are enacting the Council Privilege to bypass your edict. You have not been Queen long enough to be able to handle such a delicate situation. For this single decision, could spiral all of Etheria back into war. Our job is to know when to step in and guide you on the right course." Judicious wheezed, ignoring her provocation. Despite his frail state, he gazed at Glimmer with the confidence of a seasoned soldier, of a younger man. Bow held his breath as he waited in anticipation for Glimmer to throw a fit, to break out into a scream. A habit of hers he was well accustomed to. Nervously, he chewed at his lip awaiting a reaction.

Cooly, Glimmer frowned and sat up straight in her chair. She tilted her chin up till it was parallel with the floor and looked down on them, anger dancing in the depths of her glowing eyes. The simple motion suddenly aged her from the bored twenty year-old that she was into a confidently collected regent, years older.

"Does every member in this Council agree with Judicious? Will you enact the Council Privilege on me? For this? You get one use of it in a monarch's time, is it worth it?" She cavalierly questioned, holding eye contact with all of them except for the newest occupant in the room. Bow could only watch the scene play itself out. He knew nothing of either game being played but could only put his judgment where it was needed most. Inwardly, he seethed at his ignorance- forever the strategist with an overwhelming urge to control.

"Yes, my Queen." Creata replied first. His voice trembled but his eyes flared with an unbridled determination.

"Yes, my Queen." Perceptis whispered. A man having spent a lifetime agreeing with any ruling party finally having found his rebellious spirit. It was no small wonder that Judicious had been made top Advisor and not him. Bow was secretively appreciative of Glimmer's intuitive choice.

All attention was suddenly turned to Bow, as they awaited his response. Judicious did not hold back the threat in his eyes as he coughed and hacked into the sleeve of his robe. They had decided this without him. Instinctively, he knew he should support his life-long friend. His life-long love, but he knew better than anyone how dangerous Glimmer's decision of exiling Adora was. Unhinged, uncontrolled as she was, she could finish what the Horde had started. She could kill them all with the flick of her sword and the power of She-ra. She would take the last person Bow cared for away from him. It was no longer a matter of if, but when. He had watched Adora spiral, just like Glimmer and Catra but unlike them, he did not let love veil his eyes. He saw what Adora was. What she had become. Could see the instability in the way she watched the shadows, the distance in her gaze, the twitch in her fingers. She was a taut string, one second from snapping. She was an unquantifiable variable that Bow could not factor. A risk he was not willing to take. It was experience that told Bow that Adora was a weapon that they could not so easily forget.

Resolve hardening, Bow finally met Glimmer's imploring stare with his indifferent one. Their shared gaze was void of any childhood affection. "Yes, my Queen." He replied flatly. He was quick to catch the shock that registered in her eyes, his heart pounding in fear. This was it. This was the final severance to their relationship. His stance against her, that he didn't trust her opinion. Didn't trust her to rule. Can we come back this?

When her face unexpectedly relaxed and broke into a languid smile, Bow felt perspiration beginning to drench his shirt. He suddenly realized that she had planned for this- for his betrayal. Once more, Bow felt himself unable to recognize the woman before him as the little girl with the stars in her hair. All her warmth, all her love- vanquished underneath the weight of her crown. Before him remained, the aloofly unperturbed exterior of a ruling regent.

"And Convictious? Do you agree with the rest of the Council?" She asked, patiently waiting for the man beside Bow to respond. The man, who stared at nothing. It dawned upon Bow that he was blind as he turned his head to the sound of Glimmer's voice but stared at the wall to the left of her.

"No, my Queen." He replied. Despite the rasp, his voice was low, tempered with age. Suddenly, a fist slammed against the table as a chair went toppling backward.

"My Queen! This is outrageous! This man is not a part of the Council! You have to abide by the law- the Council Privilege has been passed! To challenge this puts your right to rule at risk!" Judicious screamed. His face reddened with rage, huffing for air.

"I am a part of the Council. You signed me into position months ago, Judicious." Convictious smoothly rebuked as he turned his unseeing eyes directly at Judicious. The movement was jerky as he used his cane to help him twist in his seat.

"Do not spew lies! I did no such thing!" Judicious hollered, the veins in his neck protruding with the effort. His face reddened with rage.

"Yes, you did, and here's the evidence to prove it." Convictious reached one slendered hand inside his robe where he took out one rolled, ribbon-tied piece of parchment and slid it down the table towards the seething Advisor. Bow could hear the echo of his breath in the silence of the room as every present body feared to breathe. Some in excitement, others in apprehension. Shakingly, Judicious quickly snatched up the discarded parchment and unfurled the paper. Quietly, as he read, his face visibly paled. After a long minute, he exhaled in exasperation as he put the paper back down onto the table, righted his chair, and sat down heavily in disbelief. He did not cough.

"So, it would seem. The Council Privilege will not be passed today." He stated, his voice monotone in disbelief before he lost himself in another coughing fit. Incredulous, the remaining occupants could only stare, mouth agape at the events that had transpired. Judicious was not one to be so easily conceded, especially considering his recently acquired position. Yet, while he was always ambitious, he was not foolish. He had experienced a magnitude of success during his time as the Commander of the Bright Moon Army, he was not prone to rash decisions. Seeing Judicious attempting to discreetly hide his embarrassment almost sent Bow reeling into a fit of laughter. Even the mighty Judicious could be humiliated. Serves him right for holding a meeting behind my back. I could have helped avoid this whole situation if he had merely included me in the conversation. I know how Glimmer thinks.

Suddenly, doubt began to edge back into his mind as he realized, frowning, that he wouldn't have been able to suspect this ploy of hers. Again, he was once more reminded of the ever growing schism between them. Meeting Adora had brought them together but now, it was driving them apart. It was hard for Bow, not to blame the unstable blonde. Glimmer had changed so much since they had met the rejected Force Captain while Bow had remained irrefutably the same.

"How can this be? Judicious, explain yourself." Creata demanded as he and Perceptis poured through the parchment Judicious had so easily discarded. Confusion made itself a home in the knot in his brow, as the young Advisor visibly refrained from tearing the document in half. Convictious sat in amused silence, listening. The Top Advisor reflectively smoothed the wrinkles in his lap before he took a rattling breath in.

"Queen Glimmer approached me with a flurry of documents, six months ago, regarding the approval of the promotion of a new Church in Bright Moon, which included in the bottom part of the document of the possible removal of Pessimis and the promotion of an eligible Sage of the advocated religion to be a representative as part of the Council. A representative of our Church as part of the Council is an age-old tradition that we have not seen or used in the past century due to the chaos of the Horde War. I was encouraged to sign it because it meant my possible elevation as Top Advisor. Yet, I was so busy helping the Council prepare with the Reconstruction issues within our economy that I readily agreed." He finished in a rush as the chamber was once more filled with the sound of his coughing. Creata's face stilled to stone at the knowledge that Judicious had made an executive decision without the inclusion of the Council. The action, a severe blow to his reputation among the men at the table. His influence would be forever weakened by this backdoor deal.

"Now that has been settled, you may continue my Queen with your meeting." Convictious indelicately interrupted. The atmosphere grew heavy as Glimmer drew herself up once more, her eyes shining predatorily. Bow shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"Thank you Judicious for the explanation because it brings me into the entire point of this meeting." Pausing before she began, Glimmer nonchalantly plucked a fallen piece of hair that had collected itself at the collar of her dress and dropped it to the floor. Obsessively, pristine. Bow watched the luminescent lock drift slowly to the ground, a discarded piece of her that she so easily and indifferently expulsed. Bow could not help but liken himself to the stray strand. Glimmer was shedding herself of all her unwanted pieces, surgically redacting every flawed part of her story. Bow was one of them.

"So, now that the Council has formally met Convictious," Perciptis, irate at the blatant lie, scoffed into his sleeve to cover any verbal rebukes toward their queen. "I want to inform you about the new branch of the Church of the First Ones. It is called the First Ones Restoration which I have had Convictious write the new text that will accompany the sudden change. It has been updated to cover the hundred year Horde War with the new She-ra. I ordered the new script made as soon as we defeated Horde Prime and just recently finished. I am telling you about this because I think my people need hope and solace to help comfort them during these hard times. No one will forget the damage the Horde War has done to Etheria but we cannot hold onto this anger or it will rot us from the inside out. We need faith to help guide us and as we know, the Church of the First Ones is a chronological historical reference of our history and I did not want the details of the Horde War forgotten. Every battle for the past hundred years has been properly recorded. I am having the new church built in hopes that the people of Bright Moon will find peace for themselves in its halls.

Also, I will not change my stance on the Exile of Etheria. I have royal messengers on stand-by waiting to send word of my Judgement upon the Exile to the rest of the kingdoms. The Council is dismissed. Any further questions can be brought to the attention of the Top Advisor who will answer in my stead."

She was pacing out of the room just as the last word left her mouth. The door was swung shut with such force that it rattled on its hinges. For a brief moment, all was silent before the room erupted into a cacophonous of anger. Fists clenched, Bow gritted his teeth. Glimmer would not be advised, she would not heed their warnings. He could only hope his messengers got to the other kingdoms before Glimmer's did. What are you planning?

I hope y'all liked the chapter. Please leave a review and let me know what you think!

-Danni