Fyora rubbed her temple with slim fingers, trying to smooth the confusion from her thoughts. The well-being of her kingdom had ridden on her shoulders for centuries, but this- this was the first time that someone, a living being, a friend who had helped save her civilization on several occasions, personally needed her help. The faerie queen realized that her kingdom, too, was composed of life, but this- this was different. It was a firsthand issue. Fyora sighed. For the first time in almost three hundred years, she was confused.
The faerie queen looked up suddenly, aware that the advisors she summoned had arrived. She sighed- this was her element- working with dignitaries. She prepared to call a mental roll as the faeries settled themselves in her blue velvet chairs (or pools, in the water faeries' cases.)
Illusen, the faerie queen thought, struggling to see over the faerie heads, the uber-faeries, Taelia, umm, there's Jhuidah. Nereid and Marina, of course, the soup faerie and negg faerie. Iyana the prophetess, the battle faerie, and the tall one with the green highlights. Fyora frowned. The advisors were all here, so this faerie was uninvited. Who is that? Jhudora!
The faerie queen struggled to keep her composure. How many times had that dark faerie collaborated with various villains to get her overthrown? A pity the faerie courts decided that any high-ranked faerie was free to attend private advisory sessions.
Private, Fyora fumed, being the key term. How did Jhudora get to be high-ranked anyway? Fyora bit her tongue to keep from passing a comment that would have been labeled rude. If her subjects found out she had doubts, fears, and impulses just like any other living being, there would be no telling what could happen.
Illusen raised her hand, interrupting the queen's thoughts. "For what reason did you summon us, you majesty?" the earth faerie inquired, as ceremony deemed fit.
Fyora nodded, setting her lips in a thin, firm line. Time to put on the powerful ruler' act again. "I summoned you today to discuss the proposed initiation of the Mage Lilicah, as suggested by Lady Marina." The water faerie blushed. Having just been instated as an advisor, she was unused to the ceremony surrounding the role.
"Now," the faerie queen continued, "Lilicah is renowned for her work with our society, and I feel she deserves our aid because of it. We would have never survived the Happy Valley incident, among other things, if it were not for her services."
The advisors were instantly stirred into debate. "Oh dear," the uber-fire faerie murmured, blushing. "The Happy Valley incident was partially my fault. That does make a difference, I suppose. If it were not for Lilicah, my reputation would be in tatters. I move we help her."
"Partially you fault?" Taelia fumed. "Who's inspired idea was it to melt a third of my property? In case you forgot, I am caretaker of Happy Valley, the Ice Caves, and Terror Mountain. So yes, we should help her, as she restored my property."
"It was an accident," the uber-fire faerie sniffed.
Fyora sighed. "Faeries! This problem goes beyond real estate! If Lilicah is not transformed into one of us by the next month or so, her magic or perhaps even her life could be in peril!" Silence filled the room.
The uber-darkness faerie sighed. "I'm not trying to play the villain here, but" she looked around nervously at her companions, "I don't think this is a good idea."
Fyora held up her hand to stop the rest of the faeries from pouncing on this particular advisor. "Let her finish."
With a grateful nod, the uber-faerie continued rather reluctantly. "If the Mage Lilicah is initiated, every other non-magical resident of Faerieland or even Neopia Central would want to be as well. What happens if we refuse? Revolt. A nasty war and Faerieland tumbles down in shambles." She paused to glance at the battle faerie. "With all due respect, your armies are no match for the millions who inhabit Neopia. It simply because of numbers. They can defeat even faerie magic, you know."
"And if we accept?" Jhudora wanted to know, violet eyes strangely thoughtful. Fyora suppressed a shudder. Whatever she was thinking off could not be good.
The uber-darkness faerie arched her eyebrows questioningly. "We can't," she replied simply. "You know we can't. There's not enough magic to do it, and, with her majesty busy with initiations, someone could take over the realm."
"Yes, someone could," Jhudora's voice was oily, a sly smile twitching at her poison-green lips. Fyora gulped. This was definitely not good.
Nereid's aquamarine fins flashed in the light, as if expressing her indignation. "It's not certain that will happen," she exclaimed irritably, "and you can't put a price on a life. This is Lilicah, for Chet Flash's sake. You know how much she helped us. And I'd hate to disappoint that Korbat of hers. You know how close they are."
Jhuidah shooked her head, brown eyes sad. "You know I would be the last one to say this, Nereid, but it's too much to risk. One life for a kingdom. It wouldn't be fair."
Jhudora surprised everyone with a chortle. "Have a heart, Jhuidy!" she chuckled. "Come one, we can do this!" Fyora's suspicions had definitely been aroused. Jhudora would usually be the last one to accept this notion of Marina's. The faerie queen suppressed a sigh. No doubt uber-darkness's words of conquering Faerieland have gone to her head.
Illusen, apparently, agreed. "Why are you accepting this, Jhudora?" she inquired. "It's common knowledge that you are not quite fond of Lilicah. Planning to usurp the throne, are we?"
It was a joke, but Jhudora blushed. "No"
The uber-earth faerie clapped her hands, business-like. "Enough foolishness. I propose we conduct the initiation in secret, so the rest of Neopia remains in the dark. It will be difficult, but you will manage. All in favor, raise you hand."
All hands were raised, some enthusiastically, some
reluctantly. Fyora sighed, whether from relief or apprehension, she could not tell. Lilicah's future was now in their hands.