Chapter IX

After the delegation had detailed their new report from Kandrakar, Caleb pulled aside Her Majesty to discuss what he had learned of the Trial. Queen Elyon sighed with relief, though as Caleb gazed at her, he noticed a lingering fear in her eyes.

"With your permission," he began, "I'd like to read ahead on my own."

"Not. A. Problem," she replied. "That thing is all yours. You can just give me your notes because that whole thing before now? Total stressor until now!"

And so, when time opened itself to him, Caleb tackled the journal again:

I do not know if these words I write shall be the last of my written accounts. Let it be known: I choose to ignore the fear of my Councillors and the anger in my own heart, so that I may accompany Mulga back into that den of Evil. She has explained: The 'Majestic and Terrible Lady Olindoyo' desires my audience, away from the other queens, to explain all the reasons she subjected me to the Trial. I did not trust Mulga until she, in hesitation but nevertheless of her freewill, swore upon the name of her own mother that I would be safe. 'You suffered enough,' she had said, 'and we would be fools to withhold the truth.'

And the safety of my people? I had asked. Again, she swore upon the name of her mother: 'They shall not be assailed in your absence.'

Laïos has complained to me, and surely, I do not blame him. The anger in my heart beats like a war drum; yet, after that abominable trial, did the shape-shifters follow us? Pursue us to make us their supper or sacrifices? Were the heralds, who had preceded Mulga, come with guards and belligerence? Is Mulga not come alone?

I am a fool. Her vows mean nothing if some creature, some deviant manages to circumvent her vows; for how can she control for the abhorrence that dwells among her people?

Fool, fool, fool, four times and five times and so on, and so forth am I a fool!

Yet, Queen Chesed had followed Lady Mulga, and she had learned.

Lady Olindoyo had told her tale after tale of Escanors and Galhots, sauntering into the Realm of the Lotus, boasting of the exploits of the Five Saviours as though such affiliations warranted automatically sharing the land with them. Some colonists had gone so far as to use their stories to justify seizing acres of land. Others had come to believe the Aaronagim as stupid, too aloof of the politics of outsiders to know who truly was the Light of Meridian or the so-and-so relative of the Saviour-Prince Grendal, and so on, so forth.

Therefore, the highest-ruling Ladies had consulted their Gods, and They had bestowed upon Lady Olindoyo the gift of the Trial of Behold.

Unsurprisingly, Queen Chesed had considered the gift strange and far too dangerous to administer in the future; but Lady Olindoyo supported the decision. After all, her people had asked the Gods for Their help, and the Gods had answered in the way They had seen fit. Lady Olindoyo could choose to not administer the Trial; however, she had managed to strip frauds of their deception, and rarely but worthy of note, she had delivered justice against enemies whom had strong powers and whom were credible threats to her people.

Again, unsurprisingly, the ever-frustrated Queen Chesed had wondered: Why test her? Why not ask the Gods who was a fraud or not on an individual basis?

And then, the Lady said unto me: 'You have heard me, but you have not listened. The Trial is about more than unmasking deceivers. It is a gift. It is a way to protect my people, for the Gods are like our worldly mothers. They are not always able to answer prayer, but They can arm us for when They are absent. And so, I shall speak no ill of my Mother's gift.'

Caleb knitted his hands behind his head, sat back, and sighed. He respected Lady Olindoyo's loyalty to her gods, though to be completely honest, her devotion made him nevous.

The priests of Shaubnagurat had justified their fealty to Phobos by claiming that their gods had approved of his reign; and they had seemed to sincerely buy into their reason. Now take their own admission that they weren't nearly as connected to the Other-World as Lady Olindoyo and her people. So, what horrifying things could They Born Straight From the Mother potentially justify under the shield of sincerely-held beliefs?

Groaning, Caleb tapped his fingers upon the journal. He dug beneath his shirt and pulled out the Gift of O'hiyowo. He gazed wearily at the pendant as he thumbed it before closing his eyes.

Please, please, the Queen safe, he prayed, and then he spoke: "Please... You know me. You know that I can deliver on my promises to the Gods, but I don't know what You want this time. I don't know what You desire in exchange for keeping Queen Elyon safe. If it's something as simple as getting to know more about You or... or if it's... something more... a sacrifice?" His heart choked him before he continued: "Please... whatever it takes for this journey to be a success... help me."

The Gift did not glow, and he heard nothing from Cedric's gods.

While Caleb, Vathek, Alborn, and Miriadel would accompany the Queen on her quest, Julian, Aldarn, and Drake were among the high-ranking officers who would remain to maintain security throughout the queen-dom. Meanwhile, the Council of the Light of Meridian would administrate in the Queen's absence (although, to be honest, considering how much of a hand they had already, the arrangement continued business as usual).

Then an odd conversation arose one supper:

"You know, you're all probably going to wonder where the real Alborn is," began the commander, "but... as much as I don't want to admit it, I wonder if Kandrakar would allow... Well..."

"Yes?" Miriadel raised an eyebrow.

"Suppose... What if we permitted... him to be around? Temporarily, of course."

"'Him'?"

"Lord Cedric?"

Caleb choked and coughed, while Queen Elyon perked up and wondered, "Seriously?"

"What, indeed, have you done with the real Alborn?" queried Miriadel.

"Now, hear me out! It's not like I've gone soft on him or anything. But so far, since his incarceration, he's been cooperative. Now pair that with his wealth of knowledge. He knows all about Phobos's old allies, enemies like the Yretges; knowledge about locations like the Sei'espian. And the library, of course!"

Caleb sighed. "I doubt the Council of the Light would agree to such an arrangement."

"Besides, I don't think it's safe for him," added Miriadel, "not yet, anyway. I mean, it's a miracle nobody tried to kill him here while he was still healing."

"I don't think he should return yet," said Julian, "but we could arrange the use of the portals used for communication if we need his assistance." Then he chuckled and added, "And if the Council won't talk to him, then I will."

Caleb smiled. "Agreed!"

"Tch! You know me," said Queen Elyon with a smirk. "I'm totally cool with it."

And so, the soldiers agreed that upon the next check-up, the delegation would make the request of Kandrakar.

But the visit would not come to pass.

A portal designed for communication only appeared in the throne room upon that designated day. Hiboshé apologised profusely and explained, "The entrance into and exit from Kandrakar has become highly restricted until further notice."

The delegates glanced at one another, then to their Queen.

"What's the matter, Lord Hiboshé?" asked Alborn.

"Do not be alarmed. Residents in the Tower of Mists are under no danger of escape or harm. The Guardians have been informed, and we are doing what we can to help them help Kandrakar."

Help... Kandrakar? thought Caleb as his eyes widened. Help the sacred Centre of Infinity? The houses where the balance between light and shadow throughout the entire universe was maintained? What in the Inferno—

"She and They Who Were Born Straight from the Mother are not friends of Kandrakar."

Well, of course, Kandrakar had enemies! Not even the holiest beings were free from antagonists! It was a terrible surprise, no doubt about that, but to be an utter shock? Maybe to the rest of the people in the hall but not to Caleb.

Anxiety and speculation filled the great hall after the portal vanished. Puffing his chest, Caleb called: "Listen! All of you! There is nothing we can do. Even if we wanted to help, you heard him: Kandrakar's gates are shut. We're lucky that he even took the time to deliver such a message. The best we can do is pray to our gods and our ancestors; pray to the Worlds Beyond Our Sight to aid Kandrakar through its dire time. And while we do that, we carry on with work as usual. We maintain our own world's security, continue with our missions, and that includes the quest to the Realm of the Lotus."

His speech has stopped the needless speculation for the moment. Nevertheless, every bowed head and crooked back betrayed the court's anxiousness.

Then Caleb turned to Queen Elyon, her eyes glossy. He stepped to the throne and kneeled before her, saying, "Cornelia and the girls will take care of everything. They will. They were able to depose Phobos after all he had done, and they don't even have the years of military experience that many of us do."

He gently grasped one of her hands, and she smiled as Caleb added, "Have faith in them, my Queen."

The second kikehtrix that Vathek had sent had returned as final goings-over commenced.

On that particular day, Caleb had been occupied trying to calm Trill, the lead cook of the expedition. She was mindfully of Queen Elyon's earthling palette—obnoxiously so, in Caleb's opinion—and she had begged him to make more room—much, much more room—for supplies that would give the cook more options.

Caleb huffed. "Don't you think your time would be better spent saying good-bye to the children and Mordent?"

After all, she really didn't need to go on the journey. Still, Trill had insisted. She knew Queen Elyon's preferences best, she had insisted. She trusted none of the other five chefs or any of kitchen staff to cater to Her Majesty the way that she did. The pyrodaemon Coulé especially—by the mercy of the saints! He poured spices on food with such little subtlety! A young queen could get the 'running waters'—

"Oh, my gods, Trill, sto-o-op!" groaned a young woman on the steps.

Trill harrumphed and resumed her mad attempt at altering the inventory.

The young woman looked no older than nine years old, but from what Caleb had learned, she was probably two or three years Elyon's elder. Her thick, jetty hair fell to her waist, and she sported freckles on her snow-white skin.

Though Altaira was no member of the kitchen staff, she might as well have been given how often she had spent time there.

"See?" groaned Altaira. "This is why I called you. This!" Then she raised her voice and exclaimed, "They need. To rati-on... You. Madwoman!"

"Humph!" Trill whipped around with a large bag of flour tucked beneath one arm, scattering some of her assistants. She shook a portly finger as she retorted, "This girl, general, this girl—she raise herself on sewer troopers and Whomper fish. What meals are those, hmm? What. Would. This. Poor. Girl. Know? Hmm? Nothing! She was made to run wild! Eat nothing but filth thanks to her skiving mother!"

As the young Andandsee-ite groaned again and buried her face in her hands, Vathek marched down the steps. Caleb sighed in relief.

"What news, old friend?" asked the young general.

Vathek lifted the rolled parchments and replied, "We should be good."

The young general smiled. "Thank the gods! You know, I'm almost ready to go simply to get Her Majesty's mind off Kandrakar."

"I do need to discuss some things with you."

Caleb's smile flattened, and he nodded.

"Ladies," he said with a tip of his head as he followed Vathek up the stairs.

As the men walked through the hall, Caleb asked, "What're the complications?"

Vathek paused, unfurled the papers, and read:

"'By the time this letter reaches Meridian, the expedition might have set forth. While we feel this is rushed, to whomever does receive and open this letter at the Castle of the Saviour-King, be assured: The capitol is aware of the Queen's intended coming. We appreciate the forewarning and look forward to her arrival, whenever that is.'"

Caleb tipped his head. "Interesting."

Vathek continued: "'To Vathek, son of Motassem—or to Whomever Must Be Concerned—be aware: While the Highly Excellent One and They Who Are Born Straight From the Mother are prepared to receive the Queen, not every citizen—either Aaronag or hahal—knows that she is abroad.'"

Then he paused and sucked air between his teeth before he read: "'Therefore, the Rulers cannot guarantee the safety of the Queen or the members of her party. Nevertheless, we shall attempt to forewarn as many of our citizens as we can. Keep in mind: Even with the threat of unbearable punishment lurking above their heads, the more dedicated of grudge-holders may attempt to maim, murder, or devour the 'lapdogs blinded by the Light.'"

Caleb harrumphed and rolled his eyes. Of course...

"'I have included several pages of maps, in case Cedric's maps have gone missing. If Vathek receives them, I have outlined paths that, I pray, are the safer, more manageable routes. If he has not, leaders in Port Tristan can point him in the correct direction (albeit with immense reluctance, I'm sure); and in that case, if the Castle's administrators receive the maps, they have some idea of each main thoroughfare and location.

"'We wait patiently for the Queen's arrival, and we are eager to meet her. The Rulers shall not bestow Their favour upon her without an audience. They shall not bestow Their favour unless she can prove her worth. (Take a little heart, though, They are pleased to have received her forewarning, for the absence of any such message was an enormous mistake by Queen Chesed.)

"'Honourably, Great Lady Cecelia.'"

Caleb stroked his chin as he processed her words. He glanced at the letter, took special note her parentheses, and thanked Vathek.

"Ladies Above and Below," he profaned and then smiled wearily. "If I could, I'd haul something a lot stronger than Idier whiskey with me—and lots of it for when we finally make it to Olindoyo's—"

Crash after crash interrupted the young general, causing him and the other veteran to jump and tense. They glanced rapidly at one another before dashing to the kitchen entrance, down the stairs, and into the thick of a huffing, snarling Trill.

"That devil! That mischievous, motherless devil!" she roared. "You know what she did? I tell you! Spilt all my spices! All of them! Ones I was to bring on the journey! What kind of discipline is this, eh? We show her kindness. We give her a chance. We all think she maybe a spy when she cozied up to us, and what does she do? What does she do to repay the Queen for her kindness, he mercy? Spill. All. Her spices!"

While Vathek and several staff members tried to cox out Altaira, whom was cowering in her true form inside a cabinet, Caleb pulled Trill aside and spoke as calmly but firmly as he could. He would be a damned man if the two women absolutely crossed paths during any leg of the journey.

Annotations:

Trill (person) In this alternative universe, Trill is not Nerissa in disguise. She's a married woman of six (four of whom have survived), and while she did not play a large role in the rebellion, she was a small actor within it.

Altaira (person) one of Miranda's daughters and sons. Like many of her folk, Miranda abandoned her offspring after they hatched. While the servants didn't trust Altaira to not betray them, nevertheless she developed the reputation of a "lap-spider," nibbling scraps and occasionally curling beside resting servants when a small window of leisure time opened up for them.