merendinoEmilano: You'll find more talking in this chapter… and a little more drama.
/*-*/
Sonic took a deep breath as he woke up. Sonic's mind didn't even have time to warm up before it reminded him that the nobles would be arriving that day, and he would be responsible for housing most of them.
Sonic turned to see Sally, her eyes already wide open, her chest rising and falling aggressively. Sonic's eyes met hers and he leaned down to kiss her as some form of comfort. She let his lips fall on hers, and Sonic realized she had been up all night. Her heart beat so fast against his chest.
Sonic wrapped arms around her worried form to try and give some form of comfort, "Relax, it'll be alright."
Sally was so still under his arms. Sonic pulled her closer, causing her to groan as if she was being woken. She was awake, but her brain was sleeping. She was stressed, and Sonic hated that, "Hey, What if Elias took the floor, just for a little bit, let you get some rest."
Sonic hoped she would stay there clutching his body, but then she seemed to wake up, "No, I can't, they need me there. I'll get up… I'll get up." Sally shook her head, still exhausted.
Sonic caught her as she stumbled out of bed, "I mean, you have to remember-"
"Remember what!" Sally snapped at him as he tried to help her along, "That I'm a princess? That I'm a girl? That I'm not fit to lead?" Her fists were shaking and her glare was angry and almost panicked.
"No… You're tired. You didn't get any sleep last night, did you?" Sonic asked, realizing he would need to be very careful about how he was going to phrase everything.
Sally slumped against his shoulder, as if to answer his question. Sonic he carried her to the table, and then, once he was certain that she was asleep, zipped her back up to the bed, and ordered Christina to not to go in there.
"My lord-a, Are you-a sure?" Christina asked, holding up a cinnamon roll.
"She need her sleep… I'll put Whisper on guard duty if I have to." Sonic growled, very protective of his beloved princess.
Sonic turned around to find himself face to face with the masked wolf. She stood there, quiet, in her hands rested her revolver with its large barrel. Sonic felt like she was upset over something, but she just stood there.
Sonic realized she was waiting for him to say something, "Uh… can you watch Sally, make sure she gets some sleep. We have a meeting with a bunch of nobles tonight, and she needs to be rested."
Whisper let out a breath, sounding mildly annoyed, but nodded, "It shall be done." She sounded quiet.
Sonic walked down the stairs and actually got to finish his breakfast. Then he went out to check on the stage with Elias. Everything went surprisingly smooth. Even with some of the strong winds, the stage was fine, the chairs were fine, the lights were fine.
Sonic then walked down stairs… where he saw someone pleading with the Freedom Fighters and Geoffrey. Hamlin…
Sonic walked inside the command room as Hamlin pleaded, "You don't understand! There's nothing we can do!"
"What happened to you?" Elias asked, shuffling forward, very angry, "I gave up my throne under your vote, and now you've sold my kingdom!"
"You didn't even want to rule!" Hamlin growled, before flinching as a screen turned on.
"I didn't, but I didn't want Nagus ruling either. Now you miserable pig, why are you here?" Elias growled, practically standing over the Pig.
Hamlin cowered down, and Sonic had to smile. It was about time Hamlin got humbled. "Listen to my words…. He's out there, plotting our down fall. We have to strike first!"
Elias grabbed the pig by the collar, and raised him up, "What is going on? Who?"
"I need your word… I need immunity and protection! Do you hear me! I won't say another word unless you can guarantee my safety!" Hamlin shouted at them, but he was still shaking.
Sonic didn't care, the guy was a rat… or an insult to rats. The pig was easily on Sonic's least favorite republicans list.
Still… Elias froze, "I think you're manipulating me and everyone here." He growled, gritting his teeth.
Hamlin whined, "Believe what ever you want. I need a pardon and protection!" he continued in his frantic posture… and in that moment, Sonic realized that he was… genuinely terrified.
"Pardon? What have you done?" Elias snarled, balling his fist again.
"Give me a pardon, and I'll tell you everything!" Hamlin demanded fiercely.
Elias frowned, "I think you need to leave. We have a big meeting coming, and you aren't going to mess us up!"
"You don't understand! It's all part of his plan, he's manipulating-" Hamlin pleaded, but Elias clearly had enough.
"GO, Get out-" The prince growled angrily.
Tails spoke up, "Wait a second… He sounds serious. Maybe we give him what he needs." Tails didn't sound confident, but Sonic could tell he meant well. Tails continued with, " He wouldn't be this pushy unless he had something important to tell us."
Tails looked to Sonic for support. Sonic had a choice, and he wasn't going to leave his little buddy behind. Elias was about to roll his eyes.
Sonic decided to put his weight in, "I think Tails has a point."
Elias frowned and glanced at Sonic in surprise, "You're actually giving him the time of day.. . Hmm, I suppose that I must." Elias turned back to Hamlin, "I do not have the authority to grant you any pardon or protection. Sally is the leader of the freedom fighters, and so she is the only one who can grant you what you wish. We will discuss this with her… or rather, Sonic will." Elias glared at Sonic, putting more pressure on him.
Sonic grumbled, realizing the mess he was in. Still, Sally was sleeping, and in a few hours, the guests would be there, and he needed her awake.
Hamlin nodded, and sat down in one of the chairs, before sighing, "I await your pleasant response." He continued to breath heavily as if the dread was looming over him.
Sonic just sighed and zipped back to his house. He found Sally, sitting there, waiting, clearly not in a good mood.
Sonic tried to laugh it off as he approached her, "H-Hey Sal…. We got-"
"-to get ready for the vote and support of the nobles. And you let me sleep in!" She snarled, clearly angry. But on the Brightside, she had energy.
"You needed sleep." Sonic mumbled softly, tapping his foot as he nervously shifted from her angry gaze.
"I NEEDED TO GET READY! NOW I LOOK TERRIBLE, AND AM ABOUT TO STAND BEFORE A COUNCIL OF 300 PLUS NOBLES LOOKING UNPREPARED AND UNFIT." Sally barked down at Sonic.
He saw Whisper standing up at the top of the stairs, watching everything unfold, quiet as always. Sonic probably couldn't expect a verbal defense from her.
Sonic smiled weakly as Sally looked like she was ready to rip his throat out, " I mean… you have a couple hours to get ready… and there's something going at the HQ." Sonic tried to laugh it off.
Sally's eyes practically explodes out of her head as her jaw locked, before her head twitched and her arms clenched. Then she panted before trying to sigh, which came out more as hyperventilation, "Alright, I'm going to go get ready… Hopefully I'll have enough time to look… presentable."
She walked back to the room and Sonic slumped back against the door. She must not have heard him when he said that they were having problems at the headquarters.
Sonic glanced at Whisper, who simple stood there up at the top the railing. Sonic sighed up at her, " You let her out of the room?"
Whisper simply stood there, and Sonic continued to sigh, "Right, I guess I told you to make sure no one wakes her up. I never told you to put her to sleep."
Whisper still was quiet. Sonic just shook his head and walked into the kitchen for some lunch. The Idea that Hamlin was waiting there was honestly pretty satisfying as it was. Did Sonic mention how little he was a fan of Hamlin?
Something about the food was starting to feel… old, like he had gotten used to the flavor. It was still good, just not as good as usual.
Sonic finished up and checked on Sally. When he got to the room, she was twirling around, checking every patch of fur, every little stretch. She was stressed beyond any point of reason. Sonic knocked on the wall.
Sally jerked around, "Oh thank goodness, Sonic, Tell me what I need to work on? I can feel it, there's a hair out of place, or maybe I have a tag somewhere." She began to pant aggressively.
Sonic zipped forward, and noticed how her hair was done up flawlessly. She looked royal with the bun, and her dress seemed fresh and perfect. Sonic pulled her into a gentle hug, "You look great. Stop worrying."
"I need to look good for this." Sally whined, still clearly tired, but at least she had enough energy to move and keep going.
Sonic stroked her back, "You look fantastic, very royal, very in charge."
Sally's face lit up, and she seemed to snuggle into Sonic's chest, "You really think so?"
"Come on Sal, you always look amazing." Sonic leaned against the side of her hair, being very careful to not mess up her braided bun.
Sally seemed to tense up at those words, "So I look like normal? Oh no…" Sally began to pant once again.
Sonic realized his mistake, "N-Now Sal, come on, I meant you look good. You look very royal, very important." Sonic tried to keep her from slipping into her paranoid state.
Sally pulled back and reached for her hair frantically, but Sonic grabbed her arm, "You-look-Fantastic." Sonic reassured, pulling her hand to his mouth to kiss it, "Stop worrying about, you'll never look good enough if you keep worrying about it. Besides, you're smart, and they know it. They'll listen to you."
Sally jerked her hand away from him, and Sonic flinched, feeling a little wounded. Sally scowled and closed her eyes in frustration. Sonic could feel the insecurity radiating off of her.
He reached for both her hands, and pulled her close once again, "Sally, you are amazing. Don't worry."
Sally sighed, still upset, focusing on tiny little details within her hair, shifting her dress and twisting her shoes.
Sonic finally had enough of Sally running in mental circles, "Alright, that's enough!" Sonic grabbed Sally, who cried out in anger and protest, but Sonic zipped her back to Freedom HQ. He set her down, only to be punched in the chest by his angry girlfriend.
"Sonic, I wasn't ready!" Sally shouted angrily, raising up her hands for another blow.
She has an infection, Sonic, she's not trying to hurt you Sonic reminded himself as he ducked to avoid a blow from her, "Sal, We have stuff that we need you to do here!" Sonic pleaded, stepping to the side as another blow came his way.
Sally stopped throwing punched, and began to calm down, before asking, "What kind of stuff?"
"A Pardon from the Freedom Fighters. Only you can give it." Sonic smiled at her.
"Who needs to be pardoned?" Sally demanded, sounding agitated, but at least a little curious, which made Sonic calm down a little bit… before realizing who exactly was asking for that.
"Well… It's… um… " Sonic remembered all of the bad blood they had with Hamlin in particular. While they did have beef with Rosemary, there was something more personal about Hamlin, and the way he carried himself.
Sally sounded firmer, "Sonic, Who needs a pardon?" She growled angrily.
Sonic smiled weakly, "It's… Hamlin." Sonic immediately moved to the door, as Sally wordless walked towards it, her shoulders up and forward indicating an attack posture. She was going to rip him to pieces in a cold, angry fury.
"Now Sally, He's offering to tell us what's been going on in the capital!" Sonic pleaded for her to listen.
Sally instead got steady and angry, "Sonic, as leader of the Freedom Fighters, I'm ordering you to move."
Sonic gulped, "Now, Sal, Come on, don't be-"
"MOVE SONIC!" Sally shouted at him, and Sonic complied reluctantly, slowly moving out of the way.
Sally pushed inside, "I don't care what you have to offer, you aren't weaseling anything out of us!" Sally shouted, marching into the hallway.
Sonic took a deep breath. Sally should… probably take time off. Sonic noticed how different she was with the infection.
Sonic walked inside and Sally was Shouting at Hamlin, "THAT IS A LIE AND I KNOW IT!"
"I'm am trying to help you!"
"You're trying to save yourself!" Sally barked, "You did something and want an easy out! You won't get it!"
"You are being stubborn! Can't you see, if we don't act soon, then He'll get everything he wants!" Hamlin shouted desperately, "I've made mistakes, I know, but I don't have the power to stop him."
"What did you do? Who are you talking about!" Sally barked in her hostile nature. No one liked how she was being, but no one was going to voice their opposition . Sally needed to get this out of her system, and preferably not in front of the nobles.
"Give me immunity, a pardon, and I'll tell you everything." Hamlin pleaded desperately. He obviously was not going to give up without the pardon, which honestly made Sonic reluctant to approve of the pardon.
Sally balled her fist at her side, before baring her teeth, "Do you know what I think?"
Hamlin froze from her tone, and Sonic had to agree.
Sally continued, "I think you did something so terrible, that Nagus and all of the kingdom would have you killed. I think you want to be safe from that little executioner's axe, so you came here, made up a story after selling out my kingdom, and made up a story about a conspiracy. I-WON'T-PLAY-ALONG!" Sally growled at him, getting lower to his face.
"You are paranoid!" Hamlin shouted, desperately… almost crying? Sonic didn't know how to handle so many emotional shifts.
Sally backed away, "I'm just making sure I do this right. Isn't that what you said to us?" Sally then pointed to the door, "Get out, We have more important matters than you."
Hamlin looked at her, and so many emotions flashed in his face. Pain, regret, anger, frustration… then clarity. He stood up, and marched to the door, "You'll regret this… You will!" He opened the door, and stormed out.
Sally slumped back, and sighed, "Why do I feel like the bad guy?" She rubbed her head in frustration.
"Come on Sal… Let's have a talk." Sonic took her hand, and gave it a light squeeze. She got the message, and nodded. They walked over to the door, only to open it, and find some Finely dressed nobles standing in the doorway.
It was almost time for the meeting.
/*-*/
Fiona slumped against the back of her chair as the Yellow Fox… Lord-prince Dustin or what ever his name was went into another speech about how "His father was a great leader" and how Fiona was "A worthy Queen to a real king."
Fiona smiled up at that, "Hmmm, Queen of the world… You sound like Scourge, you know, back when he attempted to invade the kingdom and stirrup Sonic to take power." She reclined back, knowing what was coming next.
Dustin seemed to pique his head, "Oh my, who was this… "Scourge"?" The fox was certainly intrigued.
"Oh, another universe invader, basically Sonic from the evil universe." Fiona played it straight. The Best case scenario, the boy's always thought she was crazy( because apparently losing your headquarters was "humiliating" and "not a good message"), and the worst case scenario, the boys believed her and worried for their safety/image, and ran off, preparing for an "Imminent invasion".
Fiona, of course, could not get lucky with this bastard. He simply smiled, "Hmmnn, Interesting, and you were a slave to him?"
"A slave?" Fiona hesitated. In a sense, she was a slave to her anger, and Scourge goaded it on a lot. She was a slave to vengeance. But She wasn't a slave to Scourge… was she? "I was his lover. He made me queen, and he got to be king."
"Oh my… You are truly an impressive woman." Dustin smiled, bowing his head as he took another bite of his pork.
Fiona actually felt flattered by that comment, but she could easily see that was his intention, "Well, I was able to convince him to invade here while Sonic was distracted." She was pressing, but Dustin only seemed more intrigued.
"Very interesting. A clever, voluptuous rogue with ambition… I like it." Dustin seemed to get a sly smirk. He clearly wasn't getting the hint, or he didn't care.
Fiona sighed, tapping her foot in an uninterested manner, "I'm very dangerous… but I'm not particularly treasonous anymore. I hope that's not what you were looking for."
The lord-prince seemed to finally be thrown off his game by that statement, "Ah… I see. No… of course not. Still, I suppose we all should work to better ourselves, do you not agree?"
"I agree, absolutely." Fiona mumbled, glaring suspiciously at him. He was clearly trying to trap her in something.
"Then you could see how growing our influence with a union between our two duchies could allow us to better ourselves." Dustin held out his hands before taking up his glass of wine and drinking from it.
"Are you really equating power to betterment?" Fiona almost scoffed at the idea.
"How can you not?" Dustin seemed to laugh as if she was crazy, "Was that not your reasons for working with such a vile emperor?"
Fiona felt her emotional alarms go off. He was trying to corner her, "No, I had my own reasons for working with Scourge." Fiona stood up, "I don't see any reason to continue this. Good bye."
She turned and walked out, into the hall. She returned to her room, and saw the lord-prince riding off in his carriage.
Fiona sighed as she was pretty sure she was going to have to deal with him again. That was not exactly on her list of things to do.
Fiona heard movement in her doorway, and looked up. It was Olivia who stood there, smiling somewhat amused by her display of anger, "Well, A whole hour with that one. Soon, My husband will have to schedule actual dates."
"You know, if Frederick is going to treat me like a trading item, he could at least make me feel like a valuable one and not find the biggest pricks the Kingdom has ever seen." Fiona snorted, slumping back.
"Well, it would help if you didn't see everyone of your potential suitors that way." Olivia smirked, giving a little accusation in her tone.
"Excuse me." Fiona sat up, letting the scowl grow on her face as she felt strangely vulnerable by that statement.
"You've said the same thing about the last four men-" Olivia started in an almost scolding matter, which was hilarious because they were maybe a year or two apart.
"-Boys" Fiona corrected, rolling her eyes.
"-And they have all been very different with how they approach you." Olivia shook her head, "I swear, you are sabotaging both them and yourself. You don't want to give anyone a chance."
"I have given them plenty of chances." Fiona snarled, pointing at Olivia, "I certainly can't make them interesting."
"They were all very interesting." Olivia argued like she was a good judge of that. She married the spice equivalent of Paprika.
"Come on, the fat noble boy… Ramlin, right? Big and fat and only wanted to eat food all-day." Fiona growled, not liking the feeling of being attacked.
"He was trying to find out about the foods you would enjoy. He was trying to find common ground." Olivia scolded, exhausted with Fiona like she was explaining it a child.
"And it had to be about food?" Fiona had already lost. She was looking for an out, a way to win this situation where she knew she was wrong. "What about mister macho? He couldn't see past anything my ass and tits."
"Yo- ok, he was a prick." Olivia sighed, tapping the door.
Fiona took the win, "See, I can't hit it off like you and Frederick did."
Olivia stopped, and shook her head, "I didn't hit it off with Frederick. He was annoying for the first few months I knew him. Then I gave him a chance on a date." Olivia sighed, "While it might have seemed like love at first sight, I was helping a lot of people, and I needed him to stop distracting me."
Fiona stopped, and blinked a moment, "I thought you said it was love at first sight."
"No, My husband said that. For him it was. I… found it later. On that date, I met a new young man. A young man trying to fit into his own mold, always trying to live up to a legend. But he didn't hide it, he acknowledged his own "Failures"…. And he made me laugh." Olivia sighed, before shaking her head, "He tries really hard to do good, and be a good father, a good husband, and a good lord. And I fell in love with someone so honest, but I had to give him a chance first." Olivia raised her eyebrows at Fiona confidently.
Fiona sighed, tapping her foot against the bed, annoyed, "Alright fine, where is my brother anyway?"
Olivia frown, looking down, "He has been gone for a few more days than I hoped.." She started to get worried, Fiona could see it on her face.
As if an echo was born, Alister appeared in the doorway, "Mom, Where's dad?"
Alister didn't seem to hear anything they said, and instead he seemed bored if anything.
Olivia pulled her son inside, "He's out, but I am sure he's thinking about us."
Fiona smiled at that comfort she tried to give her son. Fiona almost laughed at the idea that he would be thinking about anything other than staying alive. Still, She hoped he was on his way back, and that nothing happened to her big brother.
Fiona heard a knock at the door. She stood up along with Olivia. Alister seemed to tell something was off.
Fiona followed Olivia to the door, and waited beside it while She opened the door. Fiona peaked through the crack of the hinge and saw a sheep wearing particular purple robes, surrounded by guards.
"I am here to speak to Lord Frederick by the order of King Nagus." The sheep demanded, his guards standing watch around the mansion.
"He has not yet returned, might I prepare a room for you? He should return shortly." Olivia offered, sharing Fiona's confusion about what this was about.
"No, Simply tell him that by the order of King Nagus, three fourth of his retinue is being enlisted into the state army. He is not to assemble a larger retinue than twenty men. Write a note for yourself if you must." The Sheep turned around at that.
Olivia slowly shut the door, and Fiona growled, "There's no way Nagus could have ordered that."
Olivia raised an eyebrow at her, "Perhaps where you have lived, but those were official men."
"No, I mean, no one is that stupid. No noble would ever agree to dismantle their retinue. You'd need an ego the size of… " Fiona realized this was Nagus they were talking about.
Olivia shook her head, "It's not my place to decide. Nagus has left his order, and I will repeat it to my husband."
Fiona didn't like that answer at all.
As the door closed, Fiona felt a fresh wind blow into the house.
/*-*/
Johan stood among the penal soldiers who sat and listened attentively as Johan Recounted the events, "And He Said, 'LATZURA COME FORTH!'" Johan saw the lowest scum of the land rocking back and forth.
Johan saw how deeply they were listened, "And His voice frightened death, and the man emerged from his tomb, alive, and strong."
Johan had started telling them the stories from the his homeland, which they started out so skeptical to. Now they were fervently heeding the story, the possibility of redemption for both the soul and the body.
"With his power, He banished fear and death. With his power, he gives us the strength to defeat death." Johan raised his fists to his shoulders, flexing his muscles.
The scum looked to their brothers and nodded at each other. Olivar seemed especially excited at the prospect.
"What he demands in exchange, is Your courage, and your loyalty. To out and spread the word and make followers of all nations!" Johan growled, triumphantly raising his fists higher, to be met with a cheer from the soldiers who were listening.
"You cheer now, but what part of you truly believe?" Johan growled, which warranted a silence from the crowd which suddenly prompted them to wait, and shift nervously.
Johan sighed, "You want power, but aren't committed to earning it! You desire easy lives, not to be stronger men!" He stamped his foot, rumbling his voice dripping with anger.
"I will, what do I need to do?" Johan turned to see Gewis standing there, before bowing his head to Johan.
"Come to the river, and you will never kneel to mortals again." Johan growled, and Gewis did as he said.
Johan growled to Gewis, "I baptize you in name of the Father, Son and Spirit. You will never be afraid again." He grabbed the fox dunked him into the water.
When Gewis rose out of the water, his eyes opened with a burning determination. The Soldiers all looked somewhat worried for their friend.
When Gewis rose, to look up, he had a fire in his eyes. Johan smiled down at his right fist.
Olivar the bear spoke up, "I want to be baptized!"
"Me too!" The former convicts shouted. The entire crowd of warriors began to raise their fists.
Johan took Olivar and lowered him into the river, "I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Spirit. You will never be afraid again!"
Gewis also assisted, and they had baptized all eight hundred men by the end of the day.
Johan was happy with the development. Then, Gewis approached Johan, "So what do I do now?"
"Show your courage. Be valiant, and teach others as I have taught you. Fear nothing, and hold Mighty Jesus over the other gods of Tor and Seaxneat." Johan explained to the young fox, "Be ready for the sound of the bells which signal the time to fight."
Johan felt himself feel the moment of joy where he saw Gewis ask questions without fear. Johan hoped he had learned to have that courage and faith, still, time would tell.
This joy was interrupted by a clearly soft wolf walking toward him in robes. He was clearly a man of softness and luxury by his clothes, and weak arms. Gewis sensed Johan's anger and stepped between the two.
The wolf, thankfully, spoke plainly, "I am taking these men, by order of King Nagus to serve in the new royal army."
His plain words were not enough to prevent Johan from stirring to anger, "You will take none of these men! You will have to face me to take them!" Johan smashed the ground as Gewis rolled away, looking angry as Johan almost smashed him.
Admittedly, Johan should have restrained himself.
The Wolf, however, simply laughed, "He told me a lot about you. He told me you were big and intimidating, but ultimately harmless. You can't attack me because you are bound by your honor to not attack anyone in the kingdom!"
Johan smashed the ground again and allowed his mouth to open to glare down at the wolf, allowing the saliva to drip down his teeth. Had Johan truly lost his reputation for being a dangerous enemy? He would have to fix that.
The Wolf seemed unphased by Johan's display of force. Gewis stood up and moved between them, "Listen, Nagus is king… We can't do anything now."
Johan growled as the wolf only seemed so much more smug, "He's right, King Nagus's will is law, and there is nothing you are going to do about it."
Johan growled, and turned around, "Do as you will, but remember that you will face the results of your actions."
/*-*/
Conflict is burning, Sally is getting a shorter temper, and Nagus is making aggressive moves. Johan has converted the penal squad, but has lost them. Can Nagus get away with it?
Leave a review and tell me what you thought.