Chapter Thirteen - "Diplomacy"
Randor paused before entering the courtyard. He was unsure just as how Marlena would take what he was about to show her. About to . . . give her. It could potentially upset her, but it may give Marlena the chance to have some closure. Whatever the case may be, it was something he felt the need to do.
"Marlena, my love," he addressed.
She looked up from the books she had immersed herself in (she was slowly but surely mastering the Eternian language) and smiled as her love came to her.
"Hi sweetie," she said and touched his hand.
"I have something I would like to show you."
She nodded. "Okay. What is it?"
He smiled at her. "Come with me."
Marlena followed Randor into the Palace, through several corridors and into the Lab.
"What is it? I'm dying to know, Randor," laughed Marlena.
"Just come here."
He took her to a huge computer system. "I've been working with the astronomers at some of our science stations. Corresponding with the Elders. And . . . you're gonna love this."
Randor began to punch commands into the computer. On the huge screen appeared the following:
V 1220006615 05285-00179'
16107 91335
V 818 3457414 4720847'''
Marlena perked her eyebrows, not sure at all what this meant. "Okay . . ."
"These are coordinates."
Marlena blinked. "What?"
"Coordinates . . . for Earth."
He punched in a few more keys. The coordinates vanished and were replaced by a vast star field. A red circled appeared around one of the stars and zoomed in on it. There wasn't much to see - only a star and a barely visible solar system. But it was home . . . it was Earth.
"Oh . . . oh Randor . . ." Marlena gasped and grabbed his hand. "Oh, I can't believe it. It's home."
The impact hit her harder than she would have thought. The fact that her home world was right there, on the screen. Barely visible? Yeah. Vague? Sure. But there? Oh yes. A few tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. Randor reached over and wiped them away.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry," he apologized.
She put her hands on his chest. "No, sweetie, it's not that . . . it's just so strange . . . and so wonderful."
He smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Well, then, I'm glad."
"Me too."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. A young aide walked in, looking unsure if he should be interrupting the king and his girlfriend.
"Pardon me, your majesty, Lady Marlena."
"What is it?" asked Randor.
"The Royal Council wants to see you."
King Randor groaned. He had been afraid of this meeting for quite a while. It wasn't one he was not going to be walking away happy from.
"I'll be back in a while, dear."
"Okay. Love you. And thank you."
Randor offered a kind smile. "For you, my love, I would move Eternia."
He kissed her hand and walked out of the lab. Concern knotted in his stomach. He knew exactly what this meeting was about. The Royal Council had been created centuries ago in the aftermath of one of the mad kings of old. They weren't exactly the power behind the throne. More along the lines of a representation of the people of the kingdom.
King Randor entered into the Royal Council chamber, located exactly one floor below the throne room. They all stood at attention.
Laslos, counselor of Health and Wellness.
Tobias, counselor of Leadership.
Bertha, counselor of Science.
Daniel, counselor of Diplomatic Affairs.
Thomas, counselor of Military.
"Royal Council," King Randor addressed. "Please be seated."
"Your majesty," they said in unison and sat down behind a huge, solid wood table. Papers and files were piled in front of each one and Randor was suddenly aware that there was something else they were looking discuss . . .
"What do I have the honor of this meeting?" asked Randor, sitting across from them.
"There are a few matters that we need to address, your majesty," replied Tobias. "The first is a rather sensitive matter. One we've been debating for quite a while. It concerns Lady Marlena Glenn."
Randor's mouth turned up in a small smirk. He saw this one coming. "What about her?"
Tobias cleared his throat uncomfortably. "There's some problems we foresee if you wish to pursue in a long-term relationship."
"You mean if we get married."
"Yes," Daniel answered. "If the two of you get married."
"We need to make something clear, King Randor," Laslos started. "We have nothing against Lady Marlena. She is a person of excellent character and she has adapted well to her environment. However . . . she is a newcomer to Eternia. For her to be citizen, there is no problem. For her to be the future queen, though . . ."
"She can not be future queen," Bertha fired. "She is not from Eternia. She is not of this world."
King Randor grunted. "The Council of Elders checked her. Everything she has told us is true. This should not be an issue. And it's my decision whether she becomes queen or not."
"Perhaps," Tobias replied. "But be prepared for a fight on this, your majesty."
"Are you threatening me, Tobias?"
"Making you aware? Yes. Threatening you? No."
Randor shrugged. "Okay. Fine. What's next?"
Daniel sighed and scooted around some of his papers. "There's a problem with one our trading routes. The Cats are expanding their kingdom, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, though they're not talking to anyone about it - as usual."
"What's the problem?"
"Our trading route intercepts their new land."
Randor grunted. "Anything we can do about it?"
"We're exploring other options," Laslos added, "but it's a difficult area. We'd be tacking on another four hours if we change the route."
"Alright. Get a Cat ambassador in here and let's do some brainstorming."
Lord Dactys snarled, his upper lip lifting to reveal a set of vicious fangs. All around, his fellow Bats whispered in quiet debate. Dactys leaned forward and stared straight across the table at Hordak and Keldor.
"You want me to ally myself with the enemy of Eternia? Of all Eternia?" Dactys questioned, leathery wings moving unconsciously on his back.
"It's what I offered," Hordak replied. Keldor remained silent next to him. "If you joined with the Horde, you and your people will be considered close allies. Be aware, Dactys, there is a war coming. You have the opportunity to be on the winning side of it."
"No. The Bats will not give into the Horde's threats," Dactys replied.
"Then prepare to be a casualty," Hordak returned and then turned his back to Dactys and his advisors.
Both he and Keldor left the Bats mountain home and stood at the massive entrance. They were in the Santalucia Mountains, a craggy, inhospitable region of the Dark Hemisphere. The Bats were in the heart of it, a civilization of isolation . . . and power.
Keldor could tell that a number of Dactys' advisors were interested in joining the Horde. Dactys himself was against it, but if they could get to some of the others . . .
"Dactys is a fool," a voice said and Keldor was shocked to find it wasn't Hordak.
A man leapt down in front of the two of them. A strange man, at that. Despite the large amount of man flesh, he also had the fangs, ears, eyes, and wings of a Bat.
"And just who are you?" questioned Hordak, his red cape flowing around him, caught in a wayward breeze.
"Call me Batros. I am a freak by most of my people's standards. I am a hybrid Man and Bat."
"I gathered as much," Keldor grunted.
"What do you matter to us?" asked Hordak, just a little curious.
"I have accumulated a number of supporters in the kingdom."
"And?"
Batros smiled, fangs showing. "According to the rite of succession, if I kill Dactys, I will become the leader of the Bats."
"Oh, Ancients . . ." groaned Keldor. "And what about Dactys' supporters? They'll just assassinate you!"
"Dactys has maintained the peace. My people are ready for war! I am ready for war!"
"You're ready for power," Hordak said and smiled. He walked over to Batros and looked deeply into Batros' eyes. Batros did not blink. Hordak smiled even wider. "Then do it."
King Randor gazed up at the Hall of Wisdom and sighed. This was stupid. Very stupid. He should be talking to Duncan about this. Or Dekker. Or even Man-At-Arms. Not Eldor. Not the Elders. They had no place in his personal -
"King Randor! To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Randor turned around and saw Eldor stepping out from behind a large group of trees. "Eldor, I suppose it is foolish to be here, but I - "
"How is Lady Marlena, your majesty?" Eldor asked, seemingly ignoring what Randor said. "Well, I hope."
"Quite well."
"I understand the two of you are very much in love."
"That is true. And that's what I wanted to speak to you about."
Eldor grinned. "Don't tell me. The Royal Council thinks you shouldn't wed."
"Uh . . . yeah."
"Screw 'em, Randor. Do it anyway."
Randor laughed his ass off.
"Well . . . I haven't seen these before."
Susannah smiled. "The Cats are very private. They only come out from their kingdom if they have to."
"And today they have to?" Marlena asked. The two of them were perched on one of the balconies, watching as the Cats met with Councilor Daniel in the courtyard.
"Apparently," Randor said, coming up from behind. He wrapped his strong arms around her waist and kissed his lover on the cheek.
"What's going on?" asked Marlena, a little tickled.
"Diplomatic mess."
"How so?" asked Susannah.
"The Cats are claiming some new land. Which isn't a big deal. Good for them. However, one of our trading routes goes through it."
Marlena furrowed her brow. "How is that a problem? We're friends with the Cats, aren't we?"
Randor nodded. "Yeah."
"Then why don't we share something with them? Give them a gift or something?"
Randor perked an eyebrow. "Gift?"
"Yeah," returned Marlena. "I mean, they've just acquired this new land. Why don't we help them out? As a trade? Offer them supplies or something like that and in exchange, we get our trade route."
Randor smiled . . . and it grew wider and wider.
Ambassador Smokey looked curiously at King Randor. "A gift? A trade-off?"
"Yes," Randor returned. "Building supplies, wood, water, food. We've had our most plentiful spring and summer harvest in years."
"You give us all this . . ."
"And once every two weeks, we fly over that new stretch of land of yours. Simple trade."
Counselor Daniel glanced at Randor before returning his gaze to the thoughtful ambassador. Smokey paused, rubbing his furry chin in thought.
"Alright, King Randor. I'll have to clear it with the king, but I believe this the right course."
"Good! Good to hear!"
Ambassador Smokey soon left the room.
Counselor Daniel turned to King Randor and smiled. "A good job, your majesty. An excellent plan all around."
Randor smiled. "Do me a favor then? Tell the Royal Council about it. And then, tell them that it was Lady Marlena that came up with it."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Kudos to me for sneaking in my cat Smokey. - W
