Cotadela House served as the meeting venue for the Elder Fae Council meeting that morning. Cotadela House was an expansive, palatial private residence in the suburbs that once belonged to a manufacturing titan who made their fortune during the early1900's. The generations that followed had since moved the company's headquarters to another city, and did not want to maintain the upkeep of the place up so the family sold it to a real estate subsidiary held by the Kavanaugh family. The Kavanaugh's then turned it into a venue that could be rented for public and private events.
Mr. Woods, the infamous bounty hunter Bo and company encountered close to 13 years ago when he warded off the Dal in efforts to capture an escaped convict from the Dark Fae Prisons, was hired by Tamsin to ward off Cotadela House for security. Wood's security measures were reinforced by the joint security forces controlled by Tamsin and Reed, and then topped off by a ring of The Regnant's own Regnant Guard. The security breach at the Dal during Hale's failed inauguration as County Ash caused by Dr. Issac Taft's henchmen nearly 14 years ago still kept the Elders on edge. However, seeing the three rings of security made them breathe a little easier.
Dyson, Erik and Reed dispersed themselves among the invited guests not only to mingle but also act as roving security. As Dyson passed each Elder they offered him an quick nod and a long look hoping he would stop and engage them in conversation so they could pepper him with details as to why the Elders were called together so urgently, but he kept walking. Dyson actually took a moment to savor it all. He wished Hale was here for this one. This meeting planned to be a barn-burner. Dyson especially enjoying the fact that Hale's father, Sturgis Santiago of the Clan Zamora was here. While Dyson loved Hale, countenance of his father was another matter entirely. He saw Hale's sister, Val Santiago, across the room. She was engaged in conversation with Stasio Alesandese, Evony's formal Number Two under the Dark Fae hierarchy and head of Clan Drassiter. Val met Dyson's gaze, nodded, and continued on with her conversation with Stasio.
As he turned to make his way to another part of the room, Sturgis Santiago, the one person he tried to avoid suddenly blocked his path. He was flanked by Loaghaire O'Quinn, head of Clan Finn Arvin, and Iyas Ghannam of the Clan Bukharin.
"Your Excellencies." Dyson greeted with a slight nod of his head before the three Clan Leaders.
"Regent Thornwood." His Excellency Santiago replied. "I can see you have perfected the art of the duck-dodge."
"I have no idea what you mean, Your Excellency." Dyson replied.
"Conveniently avoiding all of our calls and inquiries about this meeting. What is with the all of the secrecy?" His Excellency O'Quinn answered.
"Yeah, what is with all the mystery?" His Excellency Ghannam added.
"Is this about Bo? We all recognize that Bo will be the next Queen of the Fae Realm." His Excellency Santiago said.
"When The Ash and The Morrigan arrive everything will become clear." Dyson replied.
"What is this about Regent Thornwood? It is not like we all don't have other responsibilities to attend to." His Excellency Ghannam said.
"Like what, Your Excellency?" His Excellency Stasio Alesandese asked as he approached with Val who went and stood next to her father.
"Since Regent Thornwood is disinclined to share with us what the great mystery is maybe you can." His Excellency O'Quinn said.
"When The Morrigan and The Ash arrive everything will become clear." Stasio replied.
"Did you two get together and practice your lines?" His Excellency Ghannam asked.
"Good minds think alike." Stasio replied.
"Well, I hope these good minds will enlighten us soon," said Her Excellency Yoshe Sasaki, Leader of Clan Matsuda on the Dark Fae side. She had His Excellency Matheus LaSalle of Clan De Sauveterre, and His Excellency Anastase Bonheur of Clan Ellet, both also part of the Dark Fae with her.
"Hmp! I doubt…" His Excellency O'Quinn was interrupted by the announcement that both The Ash and The Morrigan had arrived.
The Ash and The Morrigan entered the room and were greeted with the customary half-nods and expected lowered whispers. They were joined by Dyson and Stasio who flanked them. Reed and Erik stood near the door from where The Ash and The Morrigan entered.
"Please, can everyone move into the Great Room and take your places. We are about to begin." Trick said.
"Your Excellency, can you fill us in on what is going on? His Excellency Santiago asked.
"All your questions will be answered her shortly, Sturgis." Trick replied as he motioned the Elders into the next room.
Once they enter the main hall the Elders took their places in front of their designated chairs and remained standing in front of a raised dais that had five seats on it, one was clearly raised and had a decoration that some had not seen in a long while. Trick and Evony took flanking seats: Evony stood in front of the seat to the left of the raised dais. Stasio, as her number two stood in front of the seat next to her on her left. Trick stood in front of the second seat on the right the raised dais, leaving the seat closest to the raised dais open.
Who Bo entered the room Dyson followed behind her. Everyone either bowed or curtsied as Bo took her position in front of the seat Trick left vacant to the left of himself while Dyson went and stood on Trick's right. Bo surveyed the room for a quick second, acknowledged the formalities with a bow, and everyone recovered themselves.
Then Trick nodded his head and then Atticus, who was wearing sunglasses entered the room assisted by Erik which caused some loud commotion and whispers. Atticus smiled to himself in response. Erik directed Atticus to a seat flanked off to the side of Evony and Stasio.
Then the Regnant Guard entered the room, but this time they were not in their clandestine uniform dress, but in the same uniform they wore at the Presidium. His Excellency Santiago whispered to himself "I have not seen that since…," and his answer came into the room.
When The Regnant entered the room everyone in the audience went to one knee and bowed their heads as The Regnant proceeded to the center seat on the raised dais. The outlining staff and the guests in the platform either bowed or curtsied. The Regnant's four sons entered behind her and went and stood behind the raised dais. Dakari and Jock stood behind Evony on the left of The Regnant, while Antony and Julian stood behind Bo and Trick to the right of the Regnant. Agent Chennai came in behind them and went in the opposite direction and stood in the back of the room along with Erik and Reed. Dyson recalled when they were arranging this meeting that between the Clan leaders, Elder Fae and staff, all told there were a little over five hundred people present in the room. The Regnant acknowledged the bows, and then took her seat as the Elders recovered themselves.
"Going to one knee was meant to pay deep homage to The Regnant." Trick whispered to Bo after they recovered. Bo nodded.
"Your Majesty, you do us great honor with your presence." His Excellency Santiago started.
"Please be seated." The Regnant said. Everyone sat down except for the Regnant's sons, Dyson, and the outlining staff.
"Thank you all for making this journey on such short notice. As you can see, I am the reason why you needed to travel here so suddenly and so quickly. Rather than take up valuable time with the usual felicitations, let us jump right to the heart of the matter. As you are aware, Isabeau Dennis will succeed me as Queen. What is not clear to you is how this came about and its downstream impacts on this plane of existence." The Regnant began. Everyone in the audience nodded their heads.
"When Fitzpatrick led a group of Fae to this plane of existence there was an agreement between our plane and yours that there would be no interference of any kind. And we have stayed true to that word. However, circumstances over the past few years has led Fitzpatrick to two conclusions: events were coming to such a head that he felt this plane of existence could no longer meet them effectively without support, and he also believed these confluence of events portended a greater purpose for his granddaughter Isabeau Dennis." The Regnant said.
The Regnant looked over at Bo and Trick, and then back out to the assembled group.
"It seems he was right." The Regnant added with a glint of humor in her voice. Everyone chuckled hard in agreement.
"When Fitzpatrick presented his situation before the Presidium, he did so not under his authority as The Ash as you know him here, but in his ancient capacity as the Rana for this plane of existence. In doing so, he ceded his authority over the Fae on this plane of existence to Presidium rule." The Regnant said. This caused a great deal of commotion and whispered exchanges. Enough to cause The Regnant's sons to perk up, and a number of the people in the audience to notice.
"I understand that shifting from self-rule to oversight rule has its impacts. As leaders, your authority will remain, but will be subject to Grand Ducal authority for this plane." The Regnant continued.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Elder James Olint of the Clan Bukharin. The Regnant nodded.
"Your Majesty, we have a great many considerations. The primary one being one of autonomy from Presidium rule. Some of the Elders present here were part of that journey, while the rest of us have only ancestors who shared their experiences. The journey of the Fae to this plane was a pact, a promise the Presidium made not only to us on this plane but one The Ash made to the Elders present here and to our ancestors for our future. With respect, Your Majesty, a great many of us would consider such a pact immutable. A pact that should be honored because it was a promise made to past, present, and future generations." Elder Olint stated.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Elder Kaylan Winteraus of Clan De Sauveterre. The Regnant nodded.
"I second the comments offered by Elder Olint." Elder Winteraus said.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" The Ash asked. The Regnant nodded. Trick stood up and stepped forward with his arms clasped behind his back, and started to pace back and forth in front of the audience.
"To the Elders in this room who journeyed with me to this plane of existence, and to the generations present representing those who have since passed from us, know that I did not make this decision lightly, impulsively, or inconsiderately. The pact that was made with The Regnant that sits before you remains, for all practical purposes, intact."
"Your Excellency, you play with words." Elder Winteraus said.
"You mean intent, Elder Winteraus." Elder Olint clarified.
"Please sit." Trick motioned to both standing Elders. They took their seats. Trick resumed his pacing before the audience.
"While I commend Elder Olint's rather eloquent statement let us also be reminded that soon after we arrived here factions had formed from amongst ourselves that resulted in the Great Fae War and the Fae Rebellion. As an outcome of those conflicts, I had no choice but to create the Blood Laws that formed the Light and Dark factions in efforts to preserve the tentative peace that still exists between us today. However, over the last fifty years both factions have seen increased challenges by forces that seek to destroy that peace, through a strength of means that even when our forces are joined indicates a need for additional support. But even more so, these attacks signal a blatant disregard for factional authority and for the Blood Laws to the point that many corners of our Fae world are lawless, if not outright feral." Trick said.
"Your Excellency!" shouted His Excellency Bonheur as he shot out of his seat. "You, sir are just as much as responsible for the current state of affairs with those insipid, untenable Blood Laws you yourself wrote that spawned murdering butchers like the Una Mens! To imply...!"
"Resume your seat, Anastase." Evony said evenly. His Excellency Bonheur shot an apprehensive look at The Morrigan then looked at The Regnant, "My apologies, Your Majesty," and sat back down.
"You forget Your Excellency Bonheur, we are just as culpable for allowing the actions of the Una Mens to go unchecked rather than challenging it." Elder Yohn Kishane of the Clan Zamora said. "After all, it is not like there isn't precedent." That caused some low chuckles.
"That is why I stand here today, and admit before you that our Fae structure and the laws that govern it are no longer tenable." Trick said.
"Are you saying that our move here was a failure?" Her Excellency Yoshe Sasaki asked.
"I am admitting that our life here needs the support of the Presidium. We have tried to stand alone, and all it has done is create even greater divisions amongst us. And now between these increased threats and the revelation that Her Royal Highness, Isabeau Dennis will be the next Regnant I believed our Fae world needs to be both supported and protected by the Presidium." Trick replied.
"Your Excellency, these threats have largely come from…untamed Under Fae. How do we know some of those threats did not emanate from that sitting over there?" Elder Kaylana Caudill of the Clan Finn Arvin said as she pointed at Atticus.
"You forget yourself Elder Caudill." Trick admonished.
"Your Excellency, I am more than able to defend myself. After all, I am here at the behest of The Regnant herself. Your Majesty, if I may address the audience?"
"Please, Atticus." The Regnant responded.
Atticus struggled a bit to stand, but could sense one of the Regnant Guard heading his way, and held up his hand. "I can manage." The Regnant Guard stepped back.
"Your Excellencies, I can personally attest that none of the Under Fae under my care are the cause of these attacks over the past ten years. However, I share your concerns that recent attacks over the years implies there is an undercurrent of Under Fae acting independently, yet in concert towards some larger purpose."
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Elder Richard Bashacher of Clan Ellet. The Regnant nodded.
"These attacks all seemed to be random." Elder Bashacher said.
"On its face, certainly, but look again and you will see a pattern."
"Explain." asked Her Excellency Sasaki.
"I, too have been following the attacks over the past ten years because they were largely being carried out by Under Fae fearing it may have been Under Fae from my communities. When I realized they were not the instigators of these attacks, but rather Under Fae that can exist in the Human world I kept my ear to the ground to ensure my communities of Fae were not being exploited or used as scapegoats in these attacks. However, my observations revealed also lead me to believe these attacks are systematic, targeted, and have purpose." Atticus replied.
"To what end, Atticus?" Her Excellency Sasaki asked.
"Not entirely clear. But I assure you these attacks do not stem from the Under Fae that are under protection and care." Atticus replied.
"Thank you, Atticus." The Ash said and Atticus resumed his seat.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Elder Evelyn Batthews of Clan Finn Arivin. The Regnant nodded.
"Your Majesty, what both His Excellency and the Honorable Atticus have explained is all very well, but we also have another rather prominent consideration. The Humans. We are in the distinct minority here on this plane of existence, and save for the ones we have claimed, or through chance encounters, the humans are unaware of our existence." Elder Batthews said.
"I am aware." The Regnant replied.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Elder Kishane. The Regnant nodded.
"Are you also aware that the ones that are aware of our existence have tried to harvest us, like animals, for our powers?" Elder Kishane asked.
'Yes, Dr. Lewis filled me in during my tour of the JFM." The Regnant replied.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Elder Bashacher again. The Regnant nodded.
Elder Bashacher quickly looked at Bo, "Your Royal Highness, forgive me, but I must point out to The Regnant if she is also aware that Dr. Lewis is the one who perfected the technique to harvest our abilities."
"I am aware." The Regnant responded.
"Then I trust Your Majesty is also aware Dr. Lewis developed a serum that can, simply speaking, de-fae a Fae." Elder Bashacher added.
"I am of the understanding that serum proved unstable." The Regnant replied.
"Your Majesty, it proved effective enough, long enough to serve its purposes." Elder Bashacher replied.
"If you are that concerned about Dr. Lewis why have you not taken steps to dispense with her?" The Regnant said to everyone in the audience. Both Bo and Trick shot a quick glance at The Regnant who maintained her focus on the audience. Everyone in the audience quickly looked between both Bo and Trick.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood His Excellency Santiago asked. The Regnant nodded.
"There were…considerations to be had." His Excellency Santiago answered. There were quite a few head nods of agreement.
"With respect to Elder Bashacher, his comments regarding Dr. Lewis are made within a vacuum so to speak. His concerns are valid, but we all have to remember that Dr. Lewis's actions were not without…" he quickly glanced between The Ash and The Morrigan, "motivation. We also had to consider Dr. Lewis's indispensable medical knowledge of the Fae, as well as her continued commitment to serving the needs of the Fae." His Excellency Santiago finished. Both Bo and The Regnant smiled. Elders Bashacher, Kishane, and Batthews all sat down.
"Speaking to the larger concern raised by Elder Batthews our presence here is largely clandestine. Speaking as one who knows of the Presidium only through stories and pictorials passed down from my ancestors I understand enough to know the Presidium does not operate in a clandestine fashion. I am curious to understand how Presidium rule will be enacted on a plane where the Fae are in the distinct minority and are largely invisible." His Excellency Santiago queried. Trick looked to The Regnant and their eyes met. The Regnant nodded, and Trick resumed his seat which prompted His Excellency Santiago to resume his seat.
"When Presidium rule is enacted there will be complete transparency of our existence on this plane, and Presidium rule will not be simply over the Fae on this plane, but over the Humans as well." The Regnant declared.
One could have heard a pin drop. After a few long moments His Excellency Ghannam stood and broke the silence.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" The Regnant nodded.
"With the greatest possible respect, but that is not as simple as it seems. While we may be Fae such transparency will encourage fanatics like that butcher Dr. Taft to hunt us down like dogs, openly, and perhaps even with the support of governments. How will we be protected as this transition happens?"
"The Grand Ducal for this plane will have the full weight, support, and resources of the Presidium at their disposal." The Regnant responded.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Elder Olint. The Regnant nodded.
"May I ask who will be the Grand Ducal for our plane of existence?" Elder Olint asked.
"Evony Fluerette Marquis will serve as the Grand Ducal Serene Highness for this plane as the Presidium's 25th Delegation." The Regnant answered.
The announcement caused a mixture of supportive nods, shocked looks, and whispered commentary, all to wit Evony just smiled. So did Stasio. Bo and Trick however, were also surprised by The Regnant's choice, but knew well enough not to allow their expressions to reveal otherwise in the presence of the audience.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Her Excellency Sasaki. The Regnant nodded.
"Allow me to be the first to extend my heartfelt congratulations to The Morrigan upon her assumption as Grand Ducal!" Her Excellency Sasaki said. Evony nodded in response still smiling. This caused the audience to stand up unevenly and offer their bows. Evony bowed her head in response and then everyone resumed their seats.
"What is the plan for making this transition?" Her Excellency Sasaki asked. The Regnant looked to Evony.
"The plan will be three-prong: First and foremost is general security. A contingent of the Fae Army will arrive in the next several days, and will be deployed throughout all of your Fae communities here on this plane under the direction of the Clan leaders. They will not be as transparent as the Guard you see here today, but will be part of your everyday lives. Your concerns are valid, once it becomes known that the Fae exist we need to have a defense against any extremist response." Evony answered.
Heads nodded throughout the audience.
"Second, will be the infiltration of Presidium agents into all aspects of law, intelligence, business, politics, and the scientific fields. We have Fae employed in many of these areas already of their own accord, but now they will be used as our eyes and ears in efforts to anticipate any threatening actions against the Fae on this plane until an accord is reached between us and the Humans." Evony continued.
Heads nodded again throughout the audience.
"Lastly, and this is only for the short term, emigration from here to the Presidium. If there are Fae such as Atticus and his communities of Under Fae who wish to emigrate to the Presidium they have the option to do so." Evony said. That caused the audience to look around and whisper to one another.
"Your Excellency, if I may?" stood Elder Winteraus. The Regnant nodded.
"Atticus, you are emigrating back to the Presidium?" Elder Winteraus asked.
"Yes. Myself and my communities of Under Fae." Atticus answered. Elder Winteraus sat back down.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood Elder Idalia Reliford of the Clan Matsuda. The Regnant nodded.
"Why not maintain our concealment? Why the need for transparency at all?" Elder Reliford asked.
"Because you are Fae. And I refuse for Fae under Presidium rule to live cloistered lives as if they should be ashamed or live in fear of who they are as Fae. Peaceful co-existence on this plane with the Humans can be had, it will just take time and understanding. Yes, there could be extremist attacks and yes, we will respond accordingly, but have faith co-existence with the Humans can and will be achieved, but under the oversight of Presidium rule." The Regnant replied.
"Your Majesty, if I may?" stood His Excellency Santiago. The Regnant nodded.
"I also stand in support of the Grand Ducal Marquis, the designation of the 25th Delegation, and the transparency of the Fae in efforts to reach an accord with the Humans to co-exist peacefully."
"Your Excellency, surely you do not agree…!" His Excellency O'Quinn shot up.
His Excellency Santiago quickly turned and faced His Excellency O'Quinn.
"I stand in honor of my son, Hale who, if were here would be rejoicing at this news. It is unfortunate that it took his death for me to appreciate his foresight in this matter." His Excellency Santiago said. Dyson could not help but let out a smile. His Excellency Santiago faced the front again.
"How we can be of assistance?" His Excellency Santiago said.
The Regnant turned to both The Ash and The Morrigan the back at the audience.
"Let us begin." The Regnant said.
As the Elders moved about to prepare for next part of the agenda Agent Chennai noticed a man exit the room in the midst of the shuffle. Agent Chennai had been eyeing him since the start of the meeting trying to determine if he was additional security or not, but when he left by himself it piqued her curiosity and followed him.
When the Elder Fae Council meeting ended The Regnant retired to a set of drawing rooms inside Cortadela House, and her entourage followed, along with Bo, Trick, Dyson, Evony and Atticus.
"Your Majesty, Regent Saladin would like to speak with you when you can." The Seneschal reported. The Regnant nodded then went up to Evony.
"I am placing you in a difficult position, Evony. You will have a great deal to do. Agent Chennai is already coordinating with The Agency to help with the transition process once we reach the trigger point. The Agency will be sending representatives to assist. In the interim, the Presidium's resources are at your disposal. The contingent of Fae Army that are here with me will remain with you. They are yours to command." The Regnant said.
"I understand, and thank you." Evony replied. The Regnant then turned to Dyson.
"I know Evony has her Deputy who I will trust will manage that rabble that call themselves Elders to get them in line, but it will be your job to support Evony as we make this transition." The Regnant said. Dyson bowed his head in assent.
"Your Majesty, a word? In private?" Bo asked. The Regnant saw an empty room nearby, and walked towards it, and Bo followed her. Trick looked after them with a concerned look.
When they entered the room two of the Regnant Guard stationed themselves by the door.
"I know you and Evony…have a past, and I know you have confidence in her, but to entrust her with leading the entire Fae community on this plane of existence? To be honest, a lot of us do not share your confidence." Bo said.
"Why? You think she is incompetent to the task?" The Regnant asked.
"No. Incompetency is actually something I would not label Evony with." Bo replied.
"You think she doesn't have the skills then?" The Regnant queried.
"No. That is not it either."
"Then what?"
"Focus." Bo replied.
"Explain."
"Evony has demonstrated on several occasions that her…personal…proclivities are more important than tending to the greater good." Bo replied.
"Are you saying that Evony is unsuited to the task?"
"What I am saying is that she bears watching." Bo replied.
"That is why I have tapped County Regent Thornwood to serve in an adjunct role with her until as such time we have reached the trigger point for transition the 25th Delegation will be subject to the direct oversight of the Tetrarch as a Ward of the Dynasties." The Regnant replied. Bo let out a sigh of relief.
"Bo, I am not oblivious to who Evony is or what she is capable of. But you are." The Regnant said.
"I beg your pardon, Your Majesty?" Bo queried.
"Recall that you have seven billion people on this plane, mostly human. Evony was the Grand Ducal Serene Highness for seven billion Fae on my plane, in addition to being a battle-proven Warrior, and hails from one of the most esteemed Dynasties in the history of the Fae Realm. Whatever….behavior Evony may display on this plane do not allow that to translate into doubt of her capabilities." The Regnant said.
"I just wanted to express my concerns that is all." Bo replied.
"Understood. Now let us rejoin the group." The Regnant said.
