I'm actually early for once! Woohoo! I'm pretty proud of the fact that this
is only one week after my last update. All this week I've been itching to
write this part, it just wouldn't leave me alone until I put it down on
paper. But, I warn you my exams are slowly creeping closer and my next
update will most likely be atrociously late. How about I apologise for that
ahead of time? So: I'm sorry for the late update next time.
Thanks to:
Katherine – Thank you. *grins* I'm kinda pleased that even though I'm writing something idyllic (for the most part, at least), me, as a person, am showing as an underlying undertone. Good luck on your final, and keep writing! I love your fics :)
Orange – *laughs* I can totally relate to he whole singing along with a song for a while before you realise that you haven't taken in anything you've read. Then you don't realise it until you read this really important part in the plot then have to read back knowing you've probably spoiled something really significant for yourself. Don't you just hate that? Yes that mysterious grey box aka the computer, is the cause of many the loss of sanity. And it's acting up quite *a-lot* lately, so I'm trying to see if I can get away with throwing it out the window and telling my mother that its destruction was actually an investment into my future sanity. Yes, I know it will never happen, but hey a girl's gotta have something to smile about. Plus yes, the BIG, BIG stuff is on its way. Not this part, sorry, but maybe next part. Then again, maybe not. And Lowan is in the Light World. He just doesn't know it. And thanks I have a little soft spot for Tobias because he's a mixture of my aunt and uncle all rolled into one.
But for your little crack about the crutches: I… I… I AHHHHH! Go ahead, call me a bimbo my cousins certainly do. *Shaking head resignedly* the whole left knee and right ankle thing… well… my best friend told me to say that I tripped over an ant carrying a bread crumb. Hope that explains that! :p
roswellwbfan - Thanks. I'm glad you enjoy it. I didn't notice it, but now that you mention it the prologue *does* have a sort of 'Matrix'-ey sound to it. (I've just re watched the Matrix ~ coincidence? ~ a couple of days ago and maybe you're probably right.) About the Night World bit, well, hopefully the link will be explained soon; otherwise you have my permission to virtually kick me for being deliberately obtuse ;)
And on with the story.
* * *
Part Four
Lowan stopped as he reached a grey stone building he could only describe as a castle.
Lowan stopped in mid-stride. What, he thought slowly, am I doing? And *why* did I send Iris away? I mean, she could have helped me with the exploring, *then* gone to get help. Suddenly he felt like the coyote in the Warner Bros cartoons, holding an umbrella to hold off gigantic boulders from crushing him.
He didn't know how to explain this thing. It could be portal into a new world, or just a figment of his imagination. A heat induced hallucination, or maybe it was a parallel universe. Oh, yes and maybe the tooth fairy really does exist, a snide voice in his mind replied to his musings. But how did this snide voice intend to explain this place he was in?
There up ahead was what could only be described as a castle. But not just any castle in a dust-filled history book, it was more a castle that a little girl would keep her princess Barbie in. A… a castle that inspired the telling of fairytales. The only way he could describe it to someone was to say well imagine when you were younger and you dreamt of living in a castle, whether you were the fair damsel or the brave knight out to save your princess. It was a castle with indefinite sides, it seemed like it was made of stone, and yet when the sunlight hit the walls at a certain angle the stone seemed to be made of the material that made the portal.
In fact, it seemed as though everything in this world took an almost transparent hue when he turned slightly so that the sun shone in his eyes and he was looking at things from the corner of his eyes. Like that… yes just like that, he thought as he turned. He was looking at the transparent grass when suddenly he could see the dessert floor beneath his feet, and then the image flickered once before it disappeared.
He shook his head, and started walking again towards the castle.
He hesitated before taking the last step into the unknown. Why, he couldn't say. Perhaps he was steeling himself for what he was to see and do. Perhaps he stood a moment to discourage himself from entering. Or, perhaps it was simply fear of what was to come. A fear of the unknown. He shook his head to banish these thoughts and promptly dismissed them.
What I am is crazy, the thought ruefully to himself, just plain nuts. There was no great explanation for any so-called strange phenomenon and he didn't believe in premonitions. They were fanciful ideas for those who wouldn't know truth if it came and kicked them in the ass.
He took those last steps into the castle and was suddenly bombarded with colour and sound.
* * *
It was like a dream, or a hallucination. She felt dizzy watching the dancers twirl, their skirts a blur of silver, blue and red; their legs kicking in the air at regular intervals, the movement in sync. They danced to the front of the great hall in front of Maya before the group split in two and the dancers twirled until they were swallowed by the crowds lined up on either side.
The acrobats in green, yellow and purple tights came flipping to the front. They jumped and flipped in time with each other, each movement a marvel to watch. They formed a circle linking their arms before spinning around, looking from overhead very much like a carriage wheel. One of the twelve men broke away from the group and took a run up before flipping into the air and landing in the middle of the other men's tightly gripped hands.
They flipped and performed a series of gravity-defying tricks before they too were swallowed by the crowds. Maya watched her eyes wide, her whole being transfixed in place. She had never seen such pomp and pageantry before. The university did have its own celebrations for its opening and other such holidays. To her they seemed to be the height of all celebrations, but after seeing this she changed her mind.
"All of this for me," she whispered, not noticing her thought was spoken aloud until Tobias looked at her in question. She just shook her head, this was something she was going to ponder herself, and Tobias needn't know every thought she had.
Tobias leaned down to her seated level and murmured, "Are you okay? You're looking a little flushed m'lady." Then realising his mistake, he quickly changed that to, "I mean, you are looking flushed with joy m'lady and it's bringing such a nice rose colour to your cheeks. Your face is lighting up and you look positively enchanting."
"Tobias you're going too far now."
He nodded wisely, "Yes, I see m'lady. Do you suppose it was the "enchanting" part or the "rose colour to your cheeks" that tipped that save off the balance?"
Despite herself, Maya giggled, "I think maybe when you said that my face was lighting up. Your compliment went downhill from there."
"Hmmm, you don't suppose it might be when I said you were looking positively enchanting?" Getting a look at her body convulsing in laughter, he felt his lips curling upwards. "So you're laughing at my prose on your wonderful beauty. I'm devastated." He put a hand to his heart in mock pain."
"Tobias!" Maya still giggling said, "Come on be serious."
It was then that the trumpets signalled the beginning of the actual ceremony. The dancers, the acrobats, the musicians and the children carrying bouquet after bouquet of flowers were only the townspeople showing off the grandest of their talents. A hush fell over the crowd as they waited expectantly for the real ceremony of crowning the queen to begin.
Tobias wearing a purple velvet robe studded with diamonds was holding the gold and ruby encrusted sceptre. He stood in front of Maya and gestured for her to rise. A lone trumpeter signalled the beginning of the crowning. Maya leant on her knees in front of Tobias as he pressed the sceptre first to her right shoulder then to her left. His voice in an official manner intoned, "The great queens of old are rising from this sceptre to guide you. Their wisdom in decision and their bravery in war are with you. Rise and take their offered gifts."
Maya rose shakily to her feet. Her face carefully blank, but her heart racing with nerves as she thought of the responsibility that awaited her. Her chest squeezed painfully before a warm gliding feeling washed over her. She actually *felt* the wisdom and bravery of the queens of old. She knew that it was impossible and that she was probably thought she felt it, but her heart disagreed. It's real, her heart whispered to her, willing her brain to believe what it could not understand.
Tobias again spoke and banished the thoughts from her head. He handed her the sceptre and motioned for a boy to bring the crown from its bejewelled resting place on a red coloured pillow. Crowning her he said, "The thoughts of the old queens. May they live through your judgements. May your decisions be steeped in the patience of the soul. We the gathered here, crown you our queen. Raise your eyes to the heavens and seek guidance for your decisions as we, united, give you our lives to rule as you see is just."
He put the crown on her head, and in a gesture of enriched in symbolism he took off his purple robe and place it around her soldiers. The prince regent had given away his claim to authority and in a gesture of subservience, he bowed low in front of her to mark his deference to her power.
He turned and looked at the crowd behind him that were dressed in their finest cloths and awaiting their chance to meet their new queen. "Come my friends and pay your compliment to your queen. She is happy and willing to meet each and every one of you."
The crowd surged forward as each person was expected to compliment the queen. This stage of the ceremony was a tradition from the days of old to highlight the people's love for their new monarch.
* * *
Lowan was watching fascinated with the process, even if he was so far away that he couldn't actually see the queen. It seemed as though every person who lived in this – He suddenly realised that he didn't know what to call it. A village? A suburb? A town?
A hand clapped on his back and pulled him from his place at the back of the hall. "C'mon lad, it's time to meet our queen. Because you're such a young 'un I'll tell you that you have to compliment the queen then kiss her hand. Remember that, okay?"
Lowan looked up when he heard the scratchy voice and stared at the wrinkled face of an older woman, whose grey hair was neatly pulled into a tight bun and her stooped frame was bent over a walking stick. She raised her bent head and Lowan gazed upon the greyest eyes he'd ever seen on a human. "What, son? Cat got your tongue?"
"Um, no ma'm. I heard you."
"Well then boy are you too uppity to talk to the likes of me? I'll have you know that in my prime I was the personal maid of the queen. Oh, yes, old Lynnette was the queen's favourite. Now, son, don't look at me like that, age has taken its toll, yes, but my mind is still sharp as a tack. I wasn't meaning this queen," Her gaze then became dreamy as she looked onto the distance at images only she could remember.
"I was talking of the old queen. This one's mother. I haven't seen the child since she was a wee little girl. She was a sweet little thing, but cheeky to be sure. Took after her mother she did."
Curious now, Lowan asked, "What about her father?"
Lynnette's lips tightened slightly, an almost imperceptible gesture, "Now let's not ruin such a fine day with talks of the likes of him. But the child doesn't know and we mustn't tell her. Let her keep her memories. She wasn't here for ten years and two, you know. Was safely tucked away for years in a secret place. No one knows where."
She had stopped her commentary and her slow shuffle and Lowan realised that it was now their turn to meet he queen. Lynnette had stepped in front of him, blocking his view of the monarch. She dipped into a curtsey and Lowan was too worried that she might fall flat on her face and embarrass herself in front of her queen that he did not look up when her back dipped enough for him to get a glimpse of the queen He heard her scratchy voice lower in reverence, and his eyed bored into her back, eyes wide. "Your majesty, this is an honour meeting you."
"A pleasure to be sure," Lowan heard a melodious voice reply in return, the voice tired as though the greeting was repeated often.
"You know I was your mother's personal maid. God rest her soul."
"Oh?" This time the voice answered in genuine interest.
"Aye," Lynnette's head bobbed furiously, "you look just like her. She was also a beauty."
"Thank you," the tone had warmed considerably. "I'd like it if we could meet later and you could tell me about her."
"Oh, Majesty that would be a right pleasure to be sure." She kissed the monarch's hand and shuffled off, leaving Lowan a clear view of the queen.
He took the step to her throne and stopped in mid stride. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he knew that it definitely wasn't her. She was clothed in a magnificent red velvet gown with pearls sown into the waist line and pearls at her neck. But that wasn't what held him arrested in his position.
It was her face. It wasn't that she was beautiful in any sense. She had angular features, making her look like a pixie in a fairy story. He almost expected to see pointy ears. Her large blue eyes were the most prominent feature in her face, made her look youthful. She wasn't beautiful, but was… cute. Yeah, that's it, cute. But, that wasn't it completely either. There seemed to be this pull, he had a sort of tunnel vision where everything was blurred at the edges and the only clear thing was her.
Still stunned, he said the first thing that came to mind, "You… you're young!"
A dry voice came from her right. "Brilliant observation young man. Truly brilliant. I wonder, do you always come up with such brilliance? Or is it just our lucky day?" The man who had spoken looked to be about the same age as Lynnette and yet still retained an almost youthful look. He had, to use a much used and unoriginal cliché, aged gracefully.
His posture was straight; his face had only acquired the bare minimum of the required amount of wrinkles that must be shown in old age. He looked to be about forty, two decades younger than he was. In fact, the only clues one would have to his real age were his full head of white hair and his aged eyes. They were teddy brown eyes that looked so morose that it seemed that he had seen all life had to offer, and that it was far from pleasant.
Indeed, it seemed that it was his tart mouth that had stayed the same now as it was when he was a young youth in his prime.
"Did the proverbial cat catch your tongue? It would be a pity as she'd be preventing us from hearing more of your intelligent wit."
The queen giggled softly into her hands trying to stifle the sound. Tobias had continued a continuous monologue through each person's compliment. However, this time, he directed his cutting remarks at the boy and not just for her ears alone. She didn't mean to laugh, really, she assured herself, and it was entirely the boy's fault for his astounded look. How was a person supposed to keep her dignity and royal blank expression in place when confronted with such a comical facial expression?
Lowan couldn't believe this. Here he was making a fool of himself in front of a queen and who seemed to be her trusted advisor was making fun of him. Had they been in his…? What was he supposed to call it? 'World?" He would have given the man a lesson on how to treat a Wilde, but now, in another place, he was at sea to what he was supposed to respond. The man was looking at him expectantly as if waiting for a reply.
What was he supposed to say? On one hand he had been taught to respect his elders, and on the other, how could he keep his pride by being respectful?
"I'm sure the cat has decided that your excess of "tongue" is enough for any conversation… sir." After the words flew from his mouth he wished he could reach out and grab them back. He should stay inconspicuous not call attention to himself.
But surprisingly, the man didn't take offence, in fact, he laughed. "This one's got spunk."
"I agree," the queen turned towards Lowan. "Thank you. You may go."
Obviously, he was now dismissed as the queen was no longer looking at him, but through him, as if he were now invisible. Pride stung, he quickly walked away, hearing the sounds of someone complimenting the queen on her beauty and her answering reply. Fake, it's all fake; he wanted to yell it out.
He then felt a tingling in his brain. He didn't know what it was. He could only describe it as the taste of fairy floss melting on your tongue, and the sight of a rainbow after hard rain, and the smell of the first flower in spring. It seemed so intangible, yet at the same time, so tangible. He couldn't explain it, it just was, and it just existed without any conscious thought on his part. He felt a… a… a thought enter his mind, yet not a thought. Just a suggestion.
Like remembering the taste of chocolate when you're craving it. Tasting it so much you think it's almost real then you lose concentration and the taste disappears and with it all evidence of the taste. He sensed an *urgency* to be in the courtyard after the ceremony. He knew it wasn't his own thought because he didn't know there *was* a courtyard here, but even as he thought that, his mind conjured a picture of it he instinctively knew was real. The directions to it sprang to mind and he followed them out of the hall.
He had come to explore and he wouldn't turn down this offer. Whatever it was. Accepting now, not questioning.
* * *
Grumbling foul things about domineering, bossy, rude, unappreciative younger brothers, Iris stalked to the ute. "Chauvinist, overbearing, boorish and – and…" struggling to find more words to describe him, Iris flung open the door and threw herself angrily onto the seat. "And why did I go and leave him like an obedient puppy dog?" She threw her hands up in the air in frustration. "Because I'm an idiot!" She said it slowly in triumph as if she had just figured it out herself and was telling a very slow person.
I could help him in there, with the navigation; Lowan had always gotten lost even with a compass and a map. Two people could explore larger piece of land faster than one ever could.
'So why is it that I always find the right arguments way too late?' she thought, slamming her fisted hand onto the steering wheel. Debating whether she should just go in after her brother or go and do as he said, Iris kept biting her lips as she weighed up the pros and the cons.
The pros of going after her brother: she'd see that weird place *she* discovered; she's be able to royally piss her brother off; she'd be able to take the credit with him as they *both* explained the place to the Council.
The cons of going after her brother: She'd piss her brother off, which while tempting could be actually quite dangerous; her brother may have already gone deeper into the place and she may get lost trying to find him.
The pros of going to the Council: she'd get to tell the Council her story before her brother gave himself all the credit for finding *and* exploring it; she'd be doing what's good for the Night World.
The con's of going to the Council: she won't get to see the place in the portal if the Council commands it; she won't be one of the first to see the place, if she is allowed to accompany the exploration party.
Thinking for a while, Iris nodded before making her decision.
* * *
Any comments or criticism? Just click that handy button on the bottom left corner.
Thanks to:
Katherine – Thank you. *grins* I'm kinda pleased that even though I'm writing something idyllic (for the most part, at least), me, as a person, am showing as an underlying undertone. Good luck on your final, and keep writing! I love your fics :)
Orange – *laughs* I can totally relate to he whole singing along with a song for a while before you realise that you haven't taken in anything you've read. Then you don't realise it until you read this really important part in the plot then have to read back knowing you've probably spoiled something really significant for yourself. Don't you just hate that? Yes that mysterious grey box aka the computer, is the cause of many the loss of sanity. And it's acting up quite *a-lot* lately, so I'm trying to see if I can get away with throwing it out the window and telling my mother that its destruction was actually an investment into my future sanity. Yes, I know it will never happen, but hey a girl's gotta have something to smile about. Plus yes, the BIG, BIG stuff is on its way. Not this part, sorry, but maybe next part. Then again, maybe not. And Lowan is in the Light World. He just doesn't know it. And thanks I have a little soft spot for Tobias because he's a mixture of my aunt and uncle all rolled into one.
But for your little crack about the crutches: I… I… I AHHHHH! Go ahead, call me a bimbo my cousins certainly do. *Shaking head resignedly* the whole left knee and right ankle thing… well… my best friend told me to say that I tripped over an ant carrying a bread crumb. Hope that explains that! :p
roswellwbfan - Thanks. I'm glad you enjoy it. I didn't notice it, but now that you mention it the prologue *does* have a sort of 'Matrix'-ey sound to it. (I've just re watched the Matrix ~ coincidence? ~ a couple of days ago and maybe you're probably right.) About the Night World bit, well, hopefully the link will be explained soon; otherwise you have my permission to virtually kick me for being deliberately obtuse ;)
And on with the story.
* * *
Part Four
Lowan stopped as he reached a grey stone building he could only describe as a castle.
Lowan stopped in mid-stride. What, he thought slowly, am I doing? And *why* did I send Iris away? I mean, she could have helped me with the exploring, *then* gone to get help. Suddenly he felt like the coyote in the Warner Bros cartoons, holding an umbrella to hold off gigantic boulders from crushing him.
He didn't know how to explain this thing. It could be portal into a new world, or just a figment of his imagination. A heat induced hallucination, or maybe it was a parallel universe. Oh, yes and maybe the tooth fairy really does exist, a snide voice in his mind replied to his musings. But how did this snide voice intend to explain this place he was in?
There up ahead was what could only be described as a castle. But not just any castle in a dust-filled history book, it was more a castle that a little girl would keep her princess Barbie in. A… a castle that inspired the telling of fairytales. The only way he could describe it to someone was to say well imagine when you were younger and you dreamt of living in a castle, whether you were the fair damsel or the brave knight out to save your princess. It was a castle with indefinite sides, it seemed like it was made of stone, and yet when the sunlight hit the walls at a certain angle the stone seemed to be made of the material that made the portal.
In fact, it seemed as though everything in this world took an almost transparent hue when he turned slightly so that the sun shone in his eyes and he was looking at things from the corner of his eyes. Like that… yes just like that, he thought as he turned. He was looking at the transparent grass when suddenly he could see the dessert floor beneath his feet, and then the image flickered once before it disappeared.
He shook his head, and started walking again towards the castle.
He hesitated before taking the last step into the unknown. Why, he couldn't say. Perhaps he was steeling himself for what he was to see and do. Perhaps he stood a moment to discourage himself from entering. Or, perhaps it was simply fear of what was to come. A fear of the unknown. He shook his head to banish these thoughts and promptly dismissed them.
What I am is crazy, the thought ruefully to himself, just plain nuts. There was no great explanation for any so-called strange phenomenon and he didn't believe in premonitions. They were fanciful ideas for those who wouldn't know truth if it came and kicked them in the ass.
He took those last steps into the castle and was suddenly bombarded with colour and sound.
* * *
It was like a dream, or a hallucination. She felt dizzy watching the dancers twirl, their skirts a blur of silver, blue and red; their legs kicking in the air at regular intervals, the movement in sync. They danced to the front of the great hall in front of Maya before the group split in two and the dancers twirled until they were swallowed by the crowds lined up on either side.
The acrobats in green, yellow and purple tights came flipping to the front. They jumped and flipped in time with each other, each movement a marvel to watch. They formed a circle linking their arms before spinning around, looking from overhead very much like a carriage wheel. One of the twelve men broke away from the group and took a run up before flipping into the air and landing in the middle of the other men's tightly gripped hands.
They flipped and performed a series of gravity-defying tricks before they too were swallowed by the crowds. Maya watched her eyes wide, her whole being transfixed in place. She had never seen such pomp and pageantry before. The university did have its own celebrations for its opening and other such holidays. To her they seemed to be the height of all celebrations, but after seeing this she changed her mind.
"All of this for me," she whispered, not noticing her thought was spoken aloud until Tobias looked at her in question. She just shook her head, this was something she was going to ponder herself, and Tobias needn't know every thought she had.
Tobias leaned down to her seated level and murmured, "Are you okay? You're looking a little flushed m'lady." Then realising his mistake, he quickly changed that to, "I mean, you are looking flushed with joy m'lady and it's bringing such a nice rose colour to your cheeks. Your face is lighting up and you look positively enchanting."
"Tobias you're going too far now."
He nodded wisely, "Yes, I see m'lady. Do you suppose it was the "enchanting" part or the "rose colour to your cheeks" that tipped that save off the balance?"
Despite herself, Maya giggled, "I think maybe when you said that my face was lighting up. Your compliment went downhill from there."
"Hmmm, you don't suppose it might be when I said you were looking positively enchanting?" Getting a look at her body convulsing in laughter, he felt his lips curling upwards. "So you're laughing at my prose on your wonderful beauty. I'm devastated." He put a hand to his heart in mock pain."
"Tobias!" Maya still giggling said, "Come on be serious."
It was then that the trumpets signalled the beginning of the actual ceremony. The dancers, the acrobats, the musicians and the children carrying bouquet after bouquet of flowers were only the townspeople showing off the grandest of their talents. A hush fell over the crowd as they waited expectantly for the real ceremony of crowning the queen to begin.
Tobias wearing a purple velvet robe studded with diamonds was holding the gold and ruby encrusted sceptre. He stood in front of Maya and gestured for her to rise. A lone trumpeter signalled the beginning of the crowning. Maya leant on her knees in front of Tobias as he pressed the sceptre first to her right shoulder then to her left. His voice in an official manner intoned, "The great queens of old are rising from this sceptre to guide you. Their wisdom in decision and their bravery in war are with you. Rise and take their offered gifts."
Maya rose shakily to her feet. Her face carefully blank, but her heart racing with nerves as she thought of the responsibility that awaited her. Her chest squeezed painfully before a warm gliding feeling washed over her. She actually *felt* the wisdom and bravery of the queens of old. She knew that it was impossible and that she was probably thought she felt it, but her heart disagreed. It's real, her heart whispered to her, willing her brain to believe what it could not understand.
Tobias again spoke and banished the thoughts from her head. He handed her the sceptre and motioned for a boy to bring the crown from its bejewelled resting place on a red coloured pillow. Crowning her he said, "The thoughts of the old queens. May they live through your judgements. May your decisions be steeped in the patience of the soul. We the gathered here, crown you our queen. Raise your eyes to the heavens and seek guidance for your decisions as we, united, give you our lives to rule as you see is just."
He put the crown on her head, and in a gesture of enriched in symbolism he took off his purple robe and place it around her soldiers. The prince regent had given away his claim to authority and in a gesture of subservience, he bowed low in front of her to mark his deference to her power.
He turned and looked at the crowd behind him that were dressed in their finest cloths and awaiting their chance to meet their new queen. "Come my friends and pay your compliment to your queen. She is happy and willing to meet each and every one of you."
The crowd surged forward as each person was expected to compliment the queen. This stage of the ceremony was a tradition from the days of old to highlight the people's love for their new monarch.
* * *
Lowan was watching fascinated with the process, even if he was so far away that he couldn't actually see the queen. It seemed as though every person who lived in this – He suddenly realised that he didn't know what to call it. A village? A suburb? A town?
A hand clapped on his back and pulled him from his place at the back of the hall. "C'mon lad, it's time to meet our queen. Because you're such a young 'un I'll tell you that you have to compliment the queen then kiss her hand. Remember that, okay?"
Lowan looked up when he heard the scratchy voice and stared at the wrinkled face of an older woman, whose grey hair was neatly pulled into a tight bun and her stooped frame was bent over a walking stick. She raised her bent head and Lowan gazed upon the greyest eyes he'd ever seen on a human. "What, son? Cat got your tongue?"
"Um, no ma'm. I heard you."
"Well then boy are you too uppity to talk to the likes of me? I'll have you know that in my prime I was the personal maid of the queen. Oh, yes, old Lynnette was the queen's favourite. Now, son, don't look at me like that, age has taken its toll, yes, but my mind is still sharp as a tack. I wasn't meaning this queen," Her gaze then became dreamy as she looked onto the distance at images only she could remember.
"I was talking of the old queen. This one's mother. I haven't seen the child since she was a wee little girl. She was a sweet little thing, but cheeky to be sure. Took after her mother she did."
Curious now, Lowan asked, "What about her father?"
Lynnette's lips tightened slightly, an almost imperceptible gesture, "Now let's not ruin such a fine day with talks of the likes of him. But the child doesn't know and we mustn't tell her. Let her keep her memories. She wasn't here for ten years and two, you know. Was safely tucked away for years in a secret place. No one knows where."
She had stopped her commentary and her slow shuffle and Lowan realised that it was now their turn to meet he queen. Lynnette had stepped in front of him, blocking his view of the monarch. She dipped into a curtsey and Lowan was too worried that she might fall flat on her face and embarrass herself in front of her queen that he did not look up when her back dipped enough for him to get a glimpse of the queen He heard her scratchy voice lower in reverence, and his eyed bored into her back, eyes wide. "Your majesty, this is an honour meeting you."
"A pleasure to be sure," Lowan heard a melodious voice reply in return, the voice tired as though the greeting was repeated often.
"You know I was your mother's personal maid. God rest her soul."
"Oh?" This time the voice answered in genuine interest.
"Aye," Lynnette's head bobbed furiously, "you look just like her. She was also a beauty."
"Thank you," the tone had warmed considerably. "I'd like it if we could meet later and you could tell me about her."
"Oh, Majesty that would be a right pleasure to be sure." She kissed the monarch's hand and shuffled off, leaving Lowan a clear view of the queen.
He took the step to her throne and stopped in mid stride. He didn't know what he was expecting, but he knew that it definitely wasn't her. She was clothed in a magnificent red velvet gown with pearls sown into the waist line and pearls at her neck. But that wasn't what held him arrested in his position.
It was her face. It wasn't that she was beautiful in any sense. She had angular features, making her look like a pixie in a fairy story. He almost expected to see pointy ears. Her large blue eyes were the most prominent feature in her face, made her look youthful. She wasn't beautiful, but was… cute. Yeah, that's it, cute. But, that wasn't it completely either. There seemed to be this pull, he had a sort of tunnel vision where everything was blurred at the edges and the only clear thing was her.
Still stunned, he said the first thing that came to mind, "You… you're young!"
A dry voice came from her right. "Brilliant observation young man. Truly brilliant. I wonder, do you always come up with such brilliance? Or is it just our lucky day?" The man who had spoken looked to be about the same age as Lynnette and yet still retained an almost youthful look. He had, to use a much used and unoriginal cliché, aged gracefully.
His posture was straight; his face had only acquired the bare minimum of the required amount of wrinkles that must be shown in old age. He looked to be about forty, two decades younger than he was. In fact, the only clues one would have to his real age were his full head of white hair and his aged eyes. They were teddy brown eyes that looked so morose that it seemed that he had seen all life had to offer, and that it was far from pleasant.
Indeed, it seemed that it was his tart mouth that had stayed the same now as it was when he was a young youth in his prime.
"Did the proverbial cat catch your tongue? It would be a pity as she'd be preventing us from hearing more of your intelligent wit."
The queen giggled softly into her hands trying to stifle the sound. Tobias had continued a continuous monologue through each person's compliment. However, this time, he directed his cutting remarks at the boy and not just for her ears alone. She didn't mean to laugh, really, she assured herself, and it was entirely the boy's fault for his astounded look. How was a person supposed to keep her dignity and royal blank expression in place when confronted with such a comical facial expression?
Lowan couldn't believe this. Here he was making a fool of himself in front of a queen and who seemed to be her trusted advisor was making fun of him. Had they been in his…? What was he supposed to call it? 'World?" He would have given the man a lesson on how to treat a Wilde, but now, in another place, he was at sea to what he was supposed to respond. The man was looking at him expectantly as if waiting for a reply.
What was he supposed to say? On one hand he had been taught to respect his elders, and on the other, how could he keep his pride by being respectful?
"I'm sure the cat has decided that your excess of "tongue" is enough for any conversation… sir." After the words flew from his mouth he wished he could reach out and grab them back. He should stay inconspicuous not call attention to himself.
But surprisingly, the man didn't take offence, in fact, he laughed. "This one's got spunk."
"I agree," the queen turned towards Lowan. "Thank you. You may go."
Obviously, he was now dismissed as the queen was no longer looking at him, but through him, as if he were now invisible. Pride stung, he quickly walked away, hearing the sounds of someone complimenting the queen on her beauty and her answering reply. Fake, it's all fake; he wanted to yell it out.
He then felt a tingling in his brain. He didn't know what it was. He could only describe it as the taste of fairy floss melting on your tongue, and the sight of a rainbow after hard rain, and the smell of the first flower in spring. It seemed so intangible, yet at the same time, so tangible. He couldn't explain it, it just was, and it just existed without any conscious thought on his part. He felt a… a… a thought enter his mind, yet not a thought. Just a suggestion.
Like remembering the taste of chocolate when you're craving it. Tasting it so much you think it's almost real then you lose concentration and the taste disappears and with it all evidence of the taste. He sensed an *urgency* to be in the courtyard after the ceremony. He knew it wasn't his own thought because he didn't know there *was* a courtyard here, but even as he thought that, his mind conjured a picture of it he instinctively knew was real. The directions to it sprang to mind and he followed them out of the hall.
He had come to explore and he wouldn't turn down this offer. Whatever it was. Accepting now, not questioning.
* * *
Grumbling foul things about domineering, bossy, rude, unappreciative younger brothers, Iris stalked to the ute. "Chauvinist, overbearing, boorish and – and…" struggling to find more words to describe him, Iris flung open the door and threw herself angrily onto the seat. "And why did I go and leave him like an obedient puppy dog?" She threw her hands up in the air in frustration. "Because I'm an idiot!" She said it slowly in triumph as if she had just figured it out herself and was telling a very slow person.
I could help him in there, with the navigation; Lowan had always gotten lost even with a compass and a map. Two people could explore larger piece of land faster than one ever could.
'So why is it that I always find the right arguments way too late?' she thought, slamming her fisted hand onto the steering wheel. Debating whether she should just go in after her brother or go and do as he said, Iris kept biting her lips as she weighed up the pros and the cons.
The pros of going after her brother: she'd see that weird place *she* discovered; she's be able to royally piss her brother off; she'd be able to take the credit with him as they *both* explained the place to the Council.
The cons of going after her brother: She'd piss her brother off, which while tempting could be actually quite dangerous; her brother may have already gone deeper into the place and she may get lost trying to find him.
The pros of going to the Council: she'd get to tell the Council her story before her brother gave himself all the credit for finding *and* exploring it; she'd be doing what's good for the Night World.
The con's of going to the Council: she won't get to see the place in the portal if the Council commands it; she won't be one of the first to see the place, if she is allowed to accompany the exploration party.
Thinking for a while, Iris nodded before making her decision.
* * *
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