An hour later, Trick, Kenzi, The Regnant, her sons, and their contingent of Regnant Guard arrived at the opening of a street tunnel. They were greeted at the opening by Bo, Dyson, and Erik. Bas Gunther deployed the Guard to set up a perimeter, and then took a position behind The Regnant.

"So Fitzpatrick, where does this Atticus reside?" The Regnant asked.

"Inside here, Your Majesty." Trick said as he pointed to the tunnel opening. The Regnant looked at the tunnel then back at Trick as if she questioned whether he had the right place. Trick held her look. Kenzi let out a breath and stepped up.

"Your Majesty, Atticus is a reptilian Under Fae who lives in the Underground tunnel system. He protects other Under Fae who cannot live openly among the Humans because their form is not humanoid. Bo and I met him about 13 years ago while investigating the disappearance of an old friend of mine. Just so you know, I also used to live in these tunnels myself when I was young and ran away from home." Kenzi explained. The Regnant looked at Kenzi for a moment.

"Understood." The Regnant replied.

"Please follow me, Your Majesty." Dyson said as he motioned the group into the tunnels.

Dyson and Erik led the way as The Regnant and Trick followed. Kenzi was about to wait for The Regnant's four sons to go ahead but Antony stopped, smiled a broad smile, and motioned she and Bo go ahead of him and his three brothers. Kenzi offered a broad smile back at Antony's gentlemanly gesture and played with her hair as she and Bo went ahead to the notice of Bo who smiled. Bas Gunther and two other members of the Regnant Guard followed behind them all.

"Looks like he is smitten." Bo whispered to Kenzi as they moved through the tunnels.

"Oh…Well…Ok…I guess." Kenzi stumbled.

"Looks like you are interested in his interest." Bo teased. Kenzi smiled and decided to change the subject.

"How did the 'meet and greet' go at the Presidium?" Kenzi asked.

"Well, The Regnant gave the children four hand-made shawls made by The Queen Consort." Bo reported.

"That was nice."

"The Regnant also noticed my mother wasn't there, and said something about it." Bo said.

"I am frankly surprised that one in her position noticed Mary's absence at all." Kenzi said.

"She has a big family, and from what I observed at Presidium both she and The Queen Consort come from close families." Bo replied.

"Did you explain to her why your Mom wasn't there?" Kenzi asked.

"Tried, but she is insistent my mother comes to know the Presidium regardless." Bo said.

"Well, it has to happen someday." Kenzi said.

"I know and I will, but not now. Right now, the priority is Lauren's emotional transition." Bo replied.

"How is she handling everything? The move and all?" Kenzi asked.

"Well, the Regnant Guard she gets, but the Seneschal are another matter. Having staff that can anticipate your needs may sound cool, but it can also be rather unnerving when they pop out of seemingly nowhere. Now with this move we are about to make with the children, and the job transitions, which by the way they also have a job waiting for Lauren when she arrives, Lauren's emotional plate is pretty full. I am just trying to be supportive as much as I can." Bo said.

"A job too? That is way cool. Talk about true acceptance." Kenzi said surprised.

"Yeah. Lauren was in shock about that too, and now her mind is just going about all the possibilities for scientific collaboration between the JFM and Presidium." Bo replied.

"I can see her mind moving from here." Kenzi said. Bo chuckled.

"Is Maddy going with you to the Presidium?" Kenzi asked.

"Actually, no. The Seneschal will be taking over the nanny duties. Maddy will remain here and be available when we visit my mother." Bo replied.

"Won't you have the Seneschal with you whenever you visit your Mom? Those guys seem to be everywhere." Kenzi asked.

"One thing at a time." Bo replied. Kenzi actually chuckled.

"So the big news that I learned. Did you know The Regnant and The Morrigan were an item?" Kenzi said.

"Get out!" Bo said in utter surprise.

"Yep, apparently The Morrigan comes from some ancient dynastic family, and fought in that battle of the Monarchs with both The Regnant and Trick. Trick spilled the deets." Kenzi informed.

"That woman never ceases to surprise me." Bo replied. Kenzi nodded her head in agreement.

They finally reached the closed entrance to Atticus's Lair, and Dyson pounded on the entryway. After a few moments the door opened to reveal an Ogre Under Fae. He grunted loud and hard at both Dyson and Erik which caused Dyson to shift his face and bare his teeth in response.

"We are here to see Atticus." Trick called out from behind. Atticus emerged from a dark corner behind the Orge.

"It's alright my friend. We need to demonstrate grace in our hospitality. Let them through." Attitus said in his classic Southern gentlemanly accent. As the Orge Under Fae moved aside, Atticus came forward.

"Please enter." Atticus invited then turned and led the group slowly down another tunnel. As they continued to move deeper into the secondary tunnels the group saw three adjoining tunnels with Under Fae moving about their business.

The look on The Regnant's face spoke volumes as Bo and Kenzi saw the look she gave Trick: a look of genuine shock. When they reached Atticus's inner sanctum The Regnant looked back at Trick again who met her gaze with a plaintive look, but said nothing. From observing that exchange, Bo resolved that if it were ever in her power to eliminate the conditions Under Fae were forced to live in on her plane she would.

"To what do I owe the honor of your visit?" Atticus then turned and faced the group. Dyson was about to say something when The Regnant stepped forward.

"Do you not recognize your Queen?" The Regnant asked. Atticus head went slightly up into the air, faced the voice, and then went to one knee and bowed.

"Your Majesty, I now recognize my Queen. Forgive me, but I am blind." Atticus replied.

"Rise, sir." The Regnant said. Atticus stood up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Sounds like there is quite the entourage with you." Atticus said.

"Atticus, it's me Trick. In addition to Dyson and Erik, Bo and Kenzi are here, The Regnant's four sons, and three of the Regnant Guard." Trick introduced. Bo and Kenzi stepped closer.

"Hello Atticus." Bo said. Atticus bowed again, and remained that way until Bo realized she had to acknowledge it, and so she went up and touched him lightly on the shoulder.

"Thank you." Bo said.

"Your Royal Highness. Congratulations on your anointing. Many, many blessings." Atticus replied.

"Thank you, Atticus." Bo said.

"Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, Your Excellency, how may I be of service?" Atticus asked.

"It is my understanding you care for Under Fae who cannot live among the humans on this plane of existence." The Regnant said.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You are to be commended for your charity and hospitality." The Regnant said.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"How did you come by this responsibility?" The Regnant.

"My kin were part of the Ohdrain Dynasty that served in the War of the Five Ranas and who had the honor to bear witness to your anointing. After the war, my kin decided to journey to this plane of existence along with His Excellency here. Unfortunately, since humans did not know of the existence of the Fae we had to make a living being sideshow acts for traveling circuses and at aristocratic Fae functions. Some time ago my species of Fae were rounded up and confined by the Elders who thought we suffered from some illness. I lost my sight during that confinement, and that confinement allowed a Fae nicknamed the Pied Pieper to feed off us like cattle which caused the deaths of my wife and child. I met Her Royal Highness and Kenzi when they were investigating humans went missing in the tunnels and believed the disappearances were my doing. It turned out it was the same Pied Pieper who had been feeding off us for years. Bo and Kenzi were kind enough to ensure I exacted my proper revenge on the Pied Pieper, and once had we moved to this new location to start anew." Atticus explained then his head quickly went up again into the air, sniffed, and moved his head around trying to locate the smell.

"Is there something wrong Atticus?" Bo asked. Jock stepped forward.

"Blessings, Atticus. My name is Jock Prescotti." Atticus's sniffing stopped, and his blind eyes moved in the direction of the voice he heard then bowed his head. Everyone was bewildered by the sudden exchange between Atticus and Jock. Except The Regnant and her sons.

"Atticus, I am here at Fitzpatrick's behest to meet with the Elder Fae Council tomorrow to discuss the future of the Fae on this plane of existence. Evony Fluerette Marquis deemed your attendance essential at that meeting, but thought you would be difficult to persuade. I have come personally to invite your attendance to demonstrate the seriousness of our purpose and intent here." The Regnant said.

"Your Majesty's mere presence here demonstrates your seriousness and intent. I will attend this meeting." Atticus bowed again.

"Atticus, I need not simply your acquiescence, but your support, and I need you to clearly understand my objectives here and the ramifications." The Regnant said.

"Your Majesty?" Atticus queried. The Regnant then stepped closer to him.

"When the Odhrain Dynasty left for this plane of existence after the war, I made a promise not to interfere in their affairs here, and I have kept that promise. Recently, Fitzpatrick appeared before me ceding authority over this plane of existence. I have accepted his submission."

"Your Majesty?" Atticus asked.

"I asked for the Presidium's help, Atticus, in dealing with the growing security issues we have been having on this plane." Trick replied then took a deep breath. "In order to address the security of the Fae on this plane, and for Bo to realize her destiny this will entail complete transparency of the Fae to the humans." Trick finished. Bo, Dyson, Kenzi, Erik and Atticus's mouths all went agape looking between The Regnant and Trick.

"Well, that is quite the news." Atticus replied as he swallowed hard. "The Elders here have their establishments. Some will most certainly balk at the possibility of losing their…obscurity. In many ways that obscurity assures their prominence and influence in the Fae world."

"Incisively stated, Atticus. Evony said much the same. Obviously, the transparency of the Fae will have to be finessed, and that is where the Grand Strategum will come into play in, but life as you live it here and now, underground, is over." The Regnant said as she stepped closer to Atticus.

"Now, that being said and the decision of the Elders here, notwithstanding," The Regnant looked around once more. "While your living circumstances here in this manner are…unavoidable, they are by no mean acceptable. How Under Fae live on this plane is not how Under Fae live on ours. Under Fae can live freely and openly as you are in your natural settings."

"And the Monadori Sanctuary has established programs and facilities for Fae who've failed their Dawnings so they can live out their lives without prejudice and without having to be shut away." Jock added.

"As the evident leader of the underground, I will not command you but rather offer you the opportunity: do you wish to come home?" The Regnant asked.

Atticus stumbled back as if thunderstruck. Dyson caught Atticus by one arm to hold his steady as tears flowed from Atticus's eyes.

"Your Majesty, my natural eyes have never laid upon the Presidium, but I suspect if they could it would be wondrous sight." Atticus said.

"We can fix that." Jock said.

"I beg your pardon?" Atticus asked not sure he heard right.

"We can fix your blindness." Jock said again. Atticus faltered again but Dyson held onto him.

Atticus broke down crying. The Regnant went up and placed a hand on his one shoulder.

"I take it that is a yes?" The Regnant asked. Atticus continued to cry.

The Regnant tapped Atticus's shoulder twice and said, "There it is. Welcome home!" The Regnant turned to the group.

"Let's discuss some broad strokes now, and then my sons, Julian and Jock, can work the details." The Regnant nodded to her sons who stepped closer to Atticus.

"Fitzpatrick, everyone. A word outside." The Regnant said as Bas Gunther led the way back up with everyone else in tow.

As they reached the surface The Regnant looked at Trick.

"That living situation is a travesty, Fitzpatrick." The Regnant chastised. Trick looked at The Regnant plaintively but said nothing. The Regnant walked over to one side and rubbed her forehead. No one said a word to break her train of thought.

"Your Majesty…" Trick started.

"I do not blame you, Fitzpatrick for their…situation. It is what it is. They were cast in a set of circumstances, and they responded the best way they knew how to keep themselves safe from harm, and from prying human eyes. But I will be damned if I will accept it." The Regnant replied.

"Your Majesty, what of the Under Fae who may choose to remain here on this plane?" Dyson asked.

"Remaining on this plane is their choice. Remaining in such…circumstances is quite another. Julian and Jock will also tend to that." The Regnant replied.

"Your Majesty, that is a lot to contend with. We have Fae all over the world on this plane of existence. How will all of that be coordinated?" Erik asked.

"Ah, I see. You are concerned about scale of effort?" The Regnant replied.

"Have you ever been to the Presidium?" The Regnant asked.

"Never, Your Majesty." Erik replied.

"If you had you would have known that, in terms of scale, coordinating the transport all of the Under Fae on this plane of existence is child's play. The entire surface population of this plane is what, seven billion, both Fae and Human? That would comprise one Regional Delegation on my plane, and we have 24 of them. Both Julian and Jock are masters at logistics and routinely conduct complex movement operations as part of programs and initiatives we sponsor and support throughout the Presidium. Evony herself lead one of those regional delegations under the LauDessar Dynasty when she was at the Presidium." The Regnant said.

"She ran an entire planet of people?" blurted Erik. Everyone looked at him. "Apologies, Your Majesty." The Regnant smiled.

"Yes she did. Whatever she may be here know that Evony is a brilliant, exceptionally capable, and highly skilled woman." The Regnant informed.

"There is no doubt there, Your Majesty." Trick chimed in as he shot Erik a stern look.

"A facility in such skills are also necessary for a Sovereign who will one day rule nearly 200 billion Fae."The Regnant said as she nodded in the direction of Bo then turned to Trick.

"I know I am supposed to meet with Ryan Lambert after this, but I need to stay here and finish this up with Jock and Julian. I will need you and Bo here too." The Regnant said.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Trick and Bo acknowledged.

"Have Ryan meet me later at the dinner at the Clubhouse. Evony too. We will have much to discuss." The Regnant said.

'Yes, Your Majesty." Trick replied then nodded to Dyson who stepped off to the side to make a call. The Regnant then turned to her sons.

"Antony, Dakari. Go ahead with Miss Kenzi here to make sure everything is ready for the dinner."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Antony and Dakari replied in near unison, and then exchanged quick glances between one another. The Regnant noticed.

"What was that?" The Regnant asked. They both hesitated for a moment then Antony spoke.

"Mother said we are not to leave your side."

The Regnant rolled her eyes and walked back into the tunnels.

Bo chuckled to herself as she, Trick, Dyson and Erik followed.