Once Bo, Trick, Dyson, Tamsin, Clio, Julia, Kenzi, Elena, Ryan and Jock reconvened in Lauren's private office. Bo turned to everyone.
"So we need to get to the heart of this fast." Bo said.
"You have no idea the pressure we are under." Trick responded.
"Is that true about the extermination bit?" Julia asked.
"Very much so." Trick answered.
"How is that even possible?" Julia asked.
"It is possible in The Queen Consort." Jock responded.
"I beg your pardon, Your Serene Highness." Dyson asked surprised.
"The Queen Consort is quite capable of destroying this plane herself." Elena replied.
"I have to sit down." Julia said as she took the nearest seat.
"Trick, I know The Queen Consort is powerful, but…?" Bo asked.
"The Queen Consort's telekinetic abilities are strong enough to destabilize this plane and cause its destruction. If The Regnant dies, you will ascend to the Throne for sure, but there will be no saving this plane from the retribution of the Presidium. They will destroy every living thing here as punishment, and The Queen Consort possesses the abilities to do it." Trick replied.
The room went silent for few moments.
"Okay, I am afraid just standing here knowing that kind of power is sitting in the next room. Who walks around with these kinds of powers?" Clio said then quickly looked at Jock and Elena. "My apologies. I meant no offense so much as I am just floored."
"None taken." Elena replied.
"Your Serene Highnesses aren't a couple of world destroyers too are you?" Clio asked. Elena and Jock only smiled in response.
"We need to speak with Sadie." Kenzi said as she looked to Bo.
"I anticipated we would need Sadie back here when I called them with the order. They were turning around as we speak." Tamsin replied.
"ETA?" Bo asked Tamsin.
"Should be here anytime." Tamsin replied.
"While we wait, I need to make a quick call, but there is one thing I need for everyone to do." Bo said.
"What's that?" Kenzi asked.
"Don't say anything to Lauren about the plane-destroying part. Have enough on my plate just trying to keep her on an even keel about moving to the Presidium." Bo said.
"No doubt." Tamsin commented.
"Our lips are sealed, BoBo." Kenzi added.
"Excuse me for a moment." Bo said as she pulled out her phone, and walked into a side room adjoining Dr. Lewis's office. A few moments later, Dr. Lewis walked in.
"Oh, a party in my office?" Dr. Lewis queried as she went over to her desk to grab a file folder.
"Bo had us reconvene in here." Kenzi replied.
"Where is Bo?" Lauren asked.
"I assume making a call to Maddy, checking on the four little amigos." Tamsin replied as her phone rang, and she stepped off to answer it.
"Good. I forgot to grab this file." Lauren said as she opened it to assess its contents.
"Doctor? Are you hopeful for The Regnant's recovery?" Elena said as she stepped closer to Dr. Lewis. Dr. Lewis straightened up.
"Your Serene Highness, The Regnant is resilient fighter. I have every confidence." Dr. Lewis replied.
"I must commend you, Doctor. If it weren't for you, Mummy would have most likely died." Elea said.
"Like I said The Regnant is a fighter. She is giving us the time to help us help her." Dr. Lewis replied. Tamsin stepped forward.
"That was Grace. Sadie is here. They are bringing her up." Tamsin said. Bo then stepped back into the room.
"Hey!" Bo said when she saw Lauren. "Sorry that we commandeered your office."
"No worries. Was that Maddy you were talking to?" Lauren asked.
"Yes. The children are fine. I told Maddy we have an unpredictable schedule today, so she is staying put." Bo replied.
"Unpredictability is fast becoming part of our lives again." Lauren said as she glanced at Bo who gave her brightest, hopeful smile in response.
"Sadie has arrived, and is on her way up." Tamsin reported to Bo.
"Good. I want to question her out of sight from Evony." Bo said.
"I have to say The Queen Consort is a class act. Here she is worried about The Regnant while managing the two of the Regnant's previous lovers, making sure they don't kill one another." Clio commented.
"I know. Gotta wonder how many more are going to come out of the woodwork?" Bo asked to no one in particular.
"A question coming from someone who has three of hers standing here right now in the same room." Lauren said as she smirked at Bo and then walked out of the room, file in hand while Dyson Ryan and Tamsin suddenly found the ceilings, walls, and windows very interesting. Trick shook his head smiling at Bo's bemused look.
"Like sands in the hourglass, these are the Faes of our lives." Kenzi quipped.
A short while later Sadie entered Dr. Lewis's office escorted by Grace McCarrick, a Fae who was also one of Julia's investigators at JJI and Dakari.
Sadie looked around the room, saw Bo and curtsied to wit Bo acknowledged with a nod. When she rose from her curtsey she scanned the room and her eyes fell upon Elena.
"You must be Underfoot?" Sadie said which made everyone look at Elena not sure of what she might say or do in in response.
"You know my nickname?" Elena replied.
"You followed Ari around everywhere to the point they called you Underfoot, Your Serene Highness." Sadie commented.
"I am at a disadvantage." Elena replied.
"I left the Presidium soon after Ariella was born, Your Serene Highness. I trust she is still called Junior?"
"To her loving frustration." Jock replied.
"Now I am at a disadvantage. Who is this rather handsome man?" Sadie asked.
"Sadie, this is His Serene Highness Jock Prescotti." Ryan answered.
"So what position in line are you, Your Serene Highness?" Sadie asked.
"I am sixth born." Jock replied.
"I want you all to know I loved your Mummy. I would never have placed her life in danger. No matter what Evony may think." Sadie said.
"You were the last one to communicate with the contact that led to the attack." Bo said.
"Your Royal Highness, I communicated through an intermediary. Someone who has a closer ear to ground when it comes to movements between planes. Someone who actually coordinates such things." Sadie replied.
"That's a job?" Kenzi asked.
"Quite the niche market don't you think?" Sadie replied.
"Is this someone you can reach again?" Dyson asked.
"Yes, but I will have to return to my plane to do it." Sadie said.
"That would be a no go. We need you to make contact from here or to the Grand Ducal's dungeons you go." Tamsin replied.
"Grand Ducal? Evony has been made a Grand Ducal?" Sadie said incredulous as she looked at Ryan.
"Yes." Ryan answered.
"Over this entire plane?" Sadie asked incredulous.
"Yes." Ryan answered again.
"As if she needed more power in her grubby little hands. What was Ari thinking?" Sadie said.
"Well, we can save the cat-fighting for later. How do we make contact with your contact?" Kenzi asked. Sadie sighed as she looked around and her eyes rested upon Clio.
"Well, if you are not going to allow me to make direct contact then we going to need her." Sadie said.
"Why?" Bo asked.
"My contact's name is Olan. He is a Monolith." Sadie said.
"Oh c'mon!" Clio said exasperated.
"What is a Monolith?" Bo asked.
"A Fae that is rock-based, but Monoliths are also volcanic." Clio replied.
"Like a Cherufe?" Kenzi asked.
"Without the horns. This is going to be a great trip." Clio replied.
"Can't we draw it here?" Kenzi asked.
"Monoliths can only take on humanoid form for a brief time then they have to return to natural volcanic habitat. Trust me, you want that shift to happen on their plane of existence." Clio replied.
"Sounds like you will need backup." Ryan said.
"I will get Leighton to go with her." Julia said.
"No. I will." Everyone looked at Ryan.
"Ryan, you are a Loki, not an Elemental. How are you going to survive such an environment?" Bo said.
"I have my ways. Besides, I have two dogs in this fight now between The Regnant fighting for her life, and Sadie fighting for her innocence." Ryan replied.
"Don't forget my children have a dog in this fight as well. Namely their Godfather and namesake Ryan. Don't get killed." Bo said.
"I won't." Ryan replied.
"I will go as well." Dakari said as he looked to his siblings.
"You know, I am not going to even ask." Bo said.
"That would be wise, Your Royal Highness." Dakari replied as he smiled.
"Well, let us get this show on the road. We have no time to waste. Shall we?" Clio said as she motioned to the door and led them out.
Once the door closed behind them, Sadie said, "I understand I was released at The Queen Consort's request. I trust she is here."
"She is in the Observation Room." Tamsin said.
"I would like to see her." Sadie asked in the direction of Elena and Jock.
"I think Mother would appreciate that." Elena replied as she motioned Sadie out the door.
XXXXXXXX
Clio, Ryan and Dakari arrived at the entry point for which they were about to make their jump. It was a door to a vacate building on the outskirts of the town. Clio looked to Dakari.
"Your Serene Highness. If you have a shape-shifting trick up your sleeve in order to withstand our jump now would be the time to employ it."
"Understood." Dakari said as his entire body suddenly became engulfed in one luminous flame, his eyes turned orangish-red, causing both Ryan and Clio to step back, and put their arms up to their eyes momentarily.
"So you are the Fae Torch?" Clio asked.
"My Mother's side." Dakari replied.
"Clearly." Clio said as she turned to Ryan. "And you? What trick do you have up your sleeve?"
Ryan smiled as he raised his hands upward, and his two - piece navy blue suit shifted into one, long black body suit, then a hardened breastplate formed over his chest, then a sheath of clothing formed over his head, and then a helmet with horns that protruded about two feet, and then curved. A seven-foot staff appeared in his left hand, and lastly, a belt formed across his breastplate with a knife in it.
Clio's mouth went agape.
"I thought you were a Loki, not THE Loki." Clio said still astonished by his transformation.
"I am not THE Loki. A lot of us use the look to spread the mythos that we are THE Loki. Thought it might help with the interrogation. Plus, I also needed to shift so I can survive within the Monolith's home territory." Ryan replied. Clio shook her head then turned and banged on the door. The door slowly opened and a ploom of smoke escaped.
"Ready?" Both Dakari and Ryan nodded.
"Stay close. The first step is a doosey." Clio said as she stepped through the door followed by Dakari and then Ryan. When Ryan stepped through the door it slammed shut behind him. He looked at it briefly then turned back around. When he stepped again the ground beneath his feet gave way and he fell into a free-fall.
Dr. Padameshi was in The Regnant's room reviewing her vitals when he noticed The Regnant's eyes were open. He took his pen light and flashed it across her eyes for a response. The Regnant's eyes dilated. He put his pen back into his pocket then called for Drs. Lewis, Prescotti, and Makar.
A few minutes later all three doctors walked in, and saw that The Regnant's eyes were still open. Dr. Prescotti rushed up to the side of The Regnant's bed.
"Mummy! Can you hear me? Mummy!" Dr. Prescotti said as she gently turned The Regnant's head towards her. The Regnant looked at her daughter groggily.
"Your Majesty, I am going to check your pupils." Dr. Lewis said as she flashed her penlight and The Regnant's eyes dilated again.
"A good sign there is no brain damage." Dr. Lewis said as she began to check The Regnant's other vitals as Dr. Makar and Dr. Padameshi monitored the medical screens for any changes.
The Regnant moved her head from side to side then fell back unconscious.
"Mummy! Mummy!" Dr. Prescotti gently tapped her on her face to see if it would wake her again to no avail. Dr. Prescotti let out frustrated breath and then at down next to her Mummy's bed, and gently rubbed her Mummy's face.
"Are you okay, Dr. Prescotti?" Dr. Padameshi asked.
"I will be once Mummy wakes. But that she woke up briefly is a good sign." Dr. Prescotti responded.
"I agree." Dr. Lewis said. "Her vitals are still holding strong."
"I am still worried about a fever." Dr. Prescotti responded.
They noticed a bit of a commotion and saw The Queen Consort looking in through the Observation Room window with Antony, Jock, Julian, and Elena. Drs. Prescotti and Lewis stepped out into the Observation Room to meet them.
"Ari was awake?" The Queen Consort asked.
"Yes. For a few minutes. We checked her responses to light and her pupils dilated so that is a good sign."
"Did she say anything? Try to?" The Queen Consort asked.
"No, Your Majesty." Dr. Lewis responded.
The Queen Consort looked long at her wife lying in the next room.
"Has she been responsive at all since she first collapsed?" The Queen Consort asked.
"Beyond asking for Dakari, no?" Dr. Lewis replied.
"She asked for Dakari?" Helen asked as she looked to her daughter.
"Yes. I thought it was just out of general concern for his safety." Dr. Lewis said as she followed The Queen Consort's look, and noticed that Dr. Prescotti had a focused look on her face then turned and moved back inside The Regnant's room.
"Is there a connection, Your Majesty?" Dr. Lewis asked The Queen Consort.
"There may be." The Queen Consort replied.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. If I had known." Dr. Lewis said.
"No apologies necessary, Doctor. You are not familiar with our family's history so you would not have understood the intent of Ari's request." The Queen Consort replied.
They watched as Dr. Prescotti searched the charts, saw that she found what she was looking for, and then came back out in the Observation Room with a chart in her hand. This time Drs. Makar and Padameshi followed.
"What report are you looking at?" Dr. Lewis asked.
"The Toxicology Report." Dr. Prescotti replied as she opened the report.
"What are you thinking about?" Dr. Lewis asked.
"That we may not need a sample from that Basilisk after all." Dr. Prescotti replied.
"What?" Dr. Padameshi asked.
"I believe we can take a different approach altogether." Dr. Prescotti replied.
"Which is?" Dr. Lewis asked.
"The same approach Mummy was thinking when she asked for Dakari." Dr. Prescotti replied
"I don't understand." Lauren said
Dr. Prescotti flipped through the pages of the report, saying to herself, "Where is it? Where is it?" as she hunted for something inside the report. Then she saw the piece of information she was looking for.
"There it is! Dammit!" Dr. Prescotti exclaimed. The Queen Consort tilted her head, giving her daughter a reproving look. Dr. Prescotti quickly looked up at her Mother. "Apologies." Emilia said while her siblings smiled.
"The routine protocol is to treat an envenomation by developing an antitoxin based on the source." Dr. Prescotti explained. "If you cannot obtain a sample of the source then the next step is to use a polyvalent antivenin. On the face of it the Toxicology Report showed nothing out of the ordinary from what we understood of a Basilisk's venomous make-up, but what we did not consider was an equally proto-polyvalent antivenin to combat in lieu of the source toxin."
"Okay, I am following, but the amount The Regnant would need would be so potent that it would be like we were burning the poison out of her." Dr. Lewis surmised.
"Correct." Dr. Prescotti replied with a hint of admiration in her voice.
"That is why she asked for Dakari." Dr. Lewis said.
"Correct." Dr. Prescotti replied.
"But how can Dakari assist? Is he some of sort of poison specialist?" Dr. Lewis asked. Dr. Prescotti looked to The Queen Consort.
"Not quite." Dr. Prescotti replied with a slight smile.
"Jock, see if you can make contact with Dakari. Tell him we need him back here as soon as possible." The Queen Consort said.
"Yes, Mother." Jock replied and left. The Seneschal entered the room.
"Your Majesty, Regent Saladin." The Seneschal reported. The Queen Consort nodded, then took one more look at Ari then left with Antony, Jock, Julian, Elena in tow.
