Jez:
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"Introducing, High Lord Jacob Tervion, Master of House Tervion, and the next in line for the Imperial throne." The herald announced, as a man entered the main room. The tall dark haired man in the mirror stood alone at the stairs, silver embossed chain glinting in the lights. Watching from a magical mirror, Kim stared intently.
"Will you relax? You're making me nervous." Adam grunted at Kim, pacing the floor, tugging at his formal armor. Ron and Shego were playing chess,sitting at a table across from the mirror, while waiting for the call. Shego was handily beating Ron.
"I just want to be able to recognize these people." She replied. He opened his mouth to say something, but a voice from above cut him off.
"House Marcae Party to the entrance, you're in two turns." Adam offered Shego his arm, as they moved out the door, followed by Kim and Ron, also arm in arm. The Herald had just announced the party before them, as they stepped up. Kim stared as unobtrusively as she could at the room. It was over twice the size of the auditorium at the high school, with a high, vaulted ceiling, that presented the illusion of open air above them, giving the room the feeling that it was much larger than it really was. Grey and blue streamers hung from the ceiling, and walls, even the food tables to one side were draped in them, which she recognized as the house colors.
"It is my pleasure, and honor, to introduce the delegation from house Marcae, the House of the Ten Setting Suns. First, I introduce, to those few who know him not, Lord Adam Marcae, Master of the South Lawn, a Knight of the Sovereign code, and possibly, one of the luckiest men I've ever seen. Beside him strides his new High Lady, Countess Shiela Hilda Elaine Gonar dul Marcae. She's politely known as Shego." The man announced, as they stepped out. They moved aside as Kim and Ron came through. "Next comes High Lady Kimberly Anne Possible dul Marcae, Guildmistress of the guild of Heros. Beside her, strides Lord Ronald Stoppable dul Marcae. Thus stands the delegation." There was a smattering of applause as they descended the stairs, and not a few dirty looks.
"What's with those looks?" She asked.
"Part of being one of the most influential houses in the empire, you're bound to make more than a few enemies." Adam replied, smiling at someone deep in the crowd. Shego noted how nervous he was.
"What's the matter?" She asked
"I truly hate these...." Adam muttered to Shego, cut off, as a pair of men approached.
"Begone wench, my master and Lord Marcae need to speak of important matters." One of them commanded. She hit him, or tried to.
"Onaria, stand down, or I'll gut you." The other man ordered. "Excuse me milady, my bodyguard is a bit old fashioned."
"He's going to be dead as soon as I get my hands on him!" She strained against Adam's grip, which had turned to iron. Then he let go. The man vanished, along with Shego, hands glowing.
"She's a bit crankier than your usual fair." He commented. Adam shrugged.
"I know what you mean, Lord Orova. Better talk fast then." He smiled.
---
"KP?" Ron asked, looking around.
"Yes?" Kim answered.
"Is it just me, or do you also feel like the pre-meal snack in a shark tank?" He wanted to know. She smiled. They seemed to be surrounded by eager 'party toads', each looking to try and use them to their advantage.
"Ron, relax. We're perfectly safe." Shego ran by, chasing the body guard. "Of course, I've been wrong." She commented.
"Excuse me?" A man spoke up. She turned back, facing the tall, dark haired man. "Are you part of the Marcae delegation?" She nodded. The man peered around.
"What can I do for you?" She asked.
"Pass a message to Adam, that 'The Birds of Dawn, are seeking blood for the Feud.'" He spoke low, as if afraid of being heard over the din. "He'll understand." He vanished into the crowd.
"That was weird." Ron whispered, a bit nervously. Kim nodded.
"Very."
---
For another three hours, the party dragged on until only a few dozen guests, mostly higher ranked lords and ladies remained. Two men, one in red and gold livery, and one in black and silver, nagged at Kim's mind. She finally asked.
"Who are those two?" She asked, pointing. "The memories won't identify them."
"Mainly because I do my utter best to forget they exist. Those are the Royal and Imperial heralds." Adam replied, swallowing hard. "They travel only in forebearance of the Emperor, and the Bitch Queen."
"The what?" Ron asked.
"Emperor Rendare, and the Bitch Queen, Jezrianna." He replied. The second name blended together, showing both disdain and respect. The two entered at the same moment, announced each by their own heralds.
"His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Rendare Athalia Master of the Knights, and Greatest of the Centurions." The man stopped for a breath, as the Royal Herald began his introduction. It was almost a practiced cadence.
"Her Royal Majesty, Queen Jezrianna of the Seventh house of the Sun Kingdom, by right of battle. A knight-sorceress of the second order, and first rider of the Sun Knights, and misstress of the Sun Shadow Cavalry." He stopped as the Imperial Herald took up again.
"Duke of Areda, master of the Blades, and a knight never errant." The last was met with a wave of laughter, mainly from the northernside of the room. The two Heralds bowed low, as he offered a hand and they descended the stairs.
"Why is she called the Bitch Queen?" Ron wanted to know.
"She earned the title Bitch Queen, by ruling with an iron fist. Her court moves mainly to stay out of her way, and she brooks no discordance with her commands. Admittedly, she's more fair than some rulers, but..." He left it hanging.
"Now, now... play nice." A new voice, this one belonging to the woman, taller than Kim or Shego, wearing a dark black dress, that seemed to almost draw the light out of the air around it. The neck line appeared to stop just short of her bellybutton, though that was an exaggeration. Mostly. Three silver and gold bands, each with a number of black gems, possibly onyx, set into them, held the silk dress to her form. It effected to leave almost as much skin bare, as the dress itself covered. The skirt of the dress was not large, but more consistent with an evening gown. Chestnut brown hair was arranged simply, most of it flowing down her neck, except for a tail in the middle, held in place with a peculiar object, with three rods, one through the middle, and one on each side. Exactly what it was, Shego wasn't entirely sure. The new woman was rather lightly armed, in comparison to the rest of the guests, with only a silver battle axe across her back. The memories noted, that it wasn't a weapon for combat, but instead the Axe of Office, less combursome than a crown, but just as recognizable. She had smooth features, marred only by a short scar on her right shoulder across the top of it, from the neck, to shoulder joint. She was the classic description of a perfect beauty. "You shouldn't talk about people behind their backs dear."
"But it is in fact your title. By Imperial decree." Adam replied. "Not to mention the fact that you've earned it repeatedly." He snorted.
"Are you still sore over me turning you down?" She asked, smiling blithely. Adam turned.
"What's the matter, couldn't afford to finish the dress?" Her expression turned flat.
"I did not expect the chill in the air. Seems to me, that you were expecting a cold front. Aren't you just a tad over attired? You are allied with this house, are you not?" She asked.
"I always plan on a fight. I suppose I enjoy the disappointment when I'm wrong, and the satisfaction of being right." Adam offered smoothly, in a carefully cadenced rhythm. Kim had the feeling this was something they had done before. She interposed herself, to stop the oncoming fight.
"It's a true pleasure to meet you..." She left it hanging, unsure of the proper title.
"We, are known as Jezrianna, you must be the great Kim Possible.
Kim gave the woman a calculating look, but shook it off mentally, and extended a hand to indicate Ron and Shego. "This is Shego, and Ron." Shego inclined her head politely. Ron seemed disconnected from the world, staring at the other woman's great tracts of land. Kim sighed. The other smiled.
"Don't worry, I get that all the time." She smiled.
"Hard for such a beauty not to." Adam commented.
"A compliment? Now, to find the hidden meaning." She laughed, a light noise, that conveyed the happy emotion perfectly. Adam rolled his eyes, and smiled, shaking his head. Shego coughed.
"Just how well do you two know each other?" She asked.
"We met after my ascension to the throne, just ten years ago. He came to offer a..." She coughed delicately. "partnership."
"Really?" Shego asked. Adam looked away.
"Don't be angry, first, it wasn't him, and second, it was a house matter. I turned him down in any case." She shrugged. It was an interesting movement to watch, because her shoulders had the movement completed, long before the rest of her had reached the apex. Shego snorted.
"How exactly did you come to the throne?" Kim asked.
"A fair fight. The grand melee, held once every ten years. The king must participate. If he dies, whoever killed him, becomes king, or queen. I just happened to be the one to do it."
"Why did you come to this particular party?" Kim queried.
"I was invited as his Majesty's guest. Besides, as this area is part of my queendom, it's only fitting that I attend." Adam made a comment, something along the lines of glad our lands aren't here. Kim smiled slightly.
"We'll discuss it later. In detail." Shego growled to Adam in a low voice. A new voice interrupted Adam from fleeing in terror of her promise. It belonged to the man identified as the emperor, he was heavier set than most of them, and only a bit shorter than Ron. He was in full, formal armor, carrying a sword strapped to his back.
"How many times do I have to tell you people, you can't let those two get that close. It'll always start a fight." He laughed out loud, though seemingly to no one in particular. There was a smattering of rather surpressed laughter at the joke. Adam spun around, bowing low. Jezrianna only inclined her head. "Stop that you two." He ordered.
"Sorry." Adam responded. Jezrianna didn't seem to hear him.
"What is it with you?" The man asked Adam. "Why must you insist on hogging the beautiful women all to yourself?"
"Not something I do on purpose." Adam replied, with a shrug. "Kim, Shego, RON!" He yelled the last, bringing Ron's focus back to reality. "May I introduce to you, our noble Emperor, Rendare Athalia." He swept his arm out grandly. Ron bowed, the girls curtsied.
"Stop that." The emperor replied automatically. "I get enough of that at court, I don't enjoy it at parties." He glanced to the sides and behind him. "Any idea what all that fuss was before we landed?" He asked. Adam shook his head.
"No, but my captain is investigating the matter. I'd keep an eye out however, it didn't seem directed at anyone of the four ships, though, that might have been to allay suspicion." He coughed delicately. "Might also be the work of the bitch."
"You are looking well tonight my Emperor." Jezrianna commented, stepping around them.
"And you. Tell me, are you ever going to accept my offer, so that I truly am?" He asked.
"Mayhaps." She smiled winningly. Kim noted that the emperor's armor seemed to be melting. Appearently Jezrianna noticed as well, because she turned the smile down a few notches.
"What offer?" Ron asked Adam quietly.
"He still needs an Empress. She's the prime candidate, but she won't give him a definite answer." He replied, loud enough for all three to hear it. "She appears to be currying favor with him. I'll let Andrew know to watch out for her. She might be planning something. Again."
"Why her? If she's such a bitch?" Kim asked.
"She's a bitch yes, but she's the most powerful ruler, aside from the emperor himself. They all answer to him, but she is strong enough, that he's terrified of her. If she decides to strike against him, I doubt anyone will be able to stop her. The sun kingdom provides at least half the Imperial army, and the rest of us would be hard pressed to stop her. So far, I've only seen Triaxx stand against her, and only then after instigating the confrontation directly. No one else has survived the end of the day after trying that."
"What happened?" Ron asked.
"She imagined an insult it seems, and was going to attack the house. Triaxx needed the house intact for one of his private endeavours, and had to head that off. Going after her was the simplest method. His original plan was to seduce her, but he ended up on the flip side of the coin." Adam grinned. "We applauded her for deflating his ego. It managed to make him mad enough to go after her directly."
"Why did he have to instigate the confrontation?" Shego wondered.
"She almost never enters a battle, unless all else has failed. It's part of what makes her so dangerous. She doesn't have to step into a fight, she can win most of them without soiling her hands." He shuddered. "I'd never want to try and face her down."
"I believe that it is our turn." A hulking man snapped from behind Shego.
"Hello Franor." Adam snapped. "We were just moving. The air has suddenly turned foul. Your majesties." He bowed to them, and walked away.
"What the hell was that about?" Kim asked, as they moved towards the staircase.
"That's Franor, of house Dragonoria. We're allied, but there's still a lot of animousity. Check the memories, it's too complex to attempt to explain." She did, and it was. Nine thousand years of animosity, starting with the formation of the two houses. Until the formation of the Empire, three thousand years ago the two had battled almost constantly. The first emperor took a direct stand in between the armies of the two houses. The next wasn't quite as stupid, and made his stand from a battleship, floating in the air between the two armies. The fact that he had the entire Imperial army backing him, didn't hurt matters either.
"Can you not play nice with anyone?" Shego asked.
"They started it." He retorted. The memories pointed out that it was infact House Marcae that had begun the fighting, but only after an insult passed between the houses. It was not clear which way it had gone however. In any case, it escalated into a full blood feud. A young man approached them.
"Hello Uncle. It's been a long time." The blond young man smiled widely. He enveloped Adam in a huge hug. "So, did you enjoy the party?"
"Enormously Jason." Adam replied. "And your gift?"
"Perfect, as always, thank Andrew for me." Jason grinned. Adam laughed. "I've got to go, but it was nice to see you." They two shook hands.
"Time to go then." Adam commented, heading up the stairs. They followed him, without saying a word.