"Kenzi! I was glad to hear you wanted to join me for breakfast." Trick greeted as he walked up to Kenzi with open arms. Instead of embracing him Kenzi thrust out a piece of paper. He took it and read it. Then took a deep breath and looked at Kenzi.
"What is this?" Kenzi asked evenly.
"Nadu discovered it was the Santiagos, namely Eulises Santiago, Sturgis's father and Hale's grandfather who had spirited away the Athenaeum after the War of Five Monarchs." Trick replied. Kenzi sank into the nearest chair.
"Kenzi, you have no idea the importance of the Athenaeum. It is the key by which all Regnants, past and present are linked." Trick explained.
"This is Hale's father!" Kenzi said. The words faltering as they left her lips.
"I know."
"So I take it Eulises is dead?"
"Very."
"And so Hale's father is to be punished by death for the sins of his father?" Kenzi asked.
"Sturgis is not innocent. He knew and understood what he had in the Athenaeum, and he chose to keep it spirited away from the Presidium." Trick replied.
"What could he have done? You all left the Presidium!" Kenzi pleaded.
"Just because some Fae left didn't mean they couldn't return. Some Fae did return, but found they could not return to the same circumstances from which they left. That deterred a great many from coming back. The sole reason why the Presidium did not pursue designated enemies of the Realm on the Human plane of existence was that The Queen promised me she would not interfere."
"So this is The Queen's order then." Kenzi said matter of factly.
"To be more precise, the Parliament of Fae's order. After the War of Five Monarchs, the Parliament issued a standing order to root out and destroy the enemies of Regnant Einiah by any and all means possible." Trick informed.
"So now you've opened the door for the Presidium to exact their revenge."
"You know I had no choice if I was going to prove that Bo's destiny lay here! At the Presidium!"
"And I have to kill Hale's father. By my own hand!" Kenzi said angrily.
"Sturgis could have rectified the situation himself, but instead chose not to! Why, no one knows, and how the Athenaeum ended up in Engelram's hands we're still not entirely clear, nevertheless, Sturgis made his bed, and now the judgement of the Parliament of Fae will be had!" Trick shot back.
"Does Bo know?" Kenzi asked quietly.
"I'm not sure. But even if she did there's nothing she could do about it." Trick replied.
"I'm not sure I can do this, Trick. In fact, I can't! This is Hale's father!" Kenzi stood up shaking from frustration.
"This assignment was not given of out ignorance. It was intended for you to choose. Not only to demonstrate your allegiance to the present Crown but to Bo, or to a legacy, a memory that was Hale."
"I'm not sure I can choose."
"Then you risk everything. Including your very self."
"What do you mean?"
"You've already died once over your pain for Hale. This time, if you choose the Santiagos over the Crown, over Bo there will be no lifeboat. It will be over for you Kenzi."
"Maybe this is what my life has come to." Kenzi said as she stood up and walked out the door.
Trick watched Kenzi walk out the door exasperated. Then the Seneschal appeared.
"Where's The Princess Royal?" Trick asked. The Seneschal looked off for a moment than back at Trick.
"In her private chambers." The Seneschal answered.
"Good. Let her know I'm coming."
