Nearly a week and half had passed since the fight with Chas Marrero at Engelram's Warehouse and the County was in chaotic motion. The Convocation was to commence in a couple of days and the greatest question that ever faced the Fae on the Human plane was about to be decided in five months' time – Inclusion.
Evony, Stasio and Dyson and the army of personal and policy staff had already departed for the Presidium to settle in. Evony also brought several of the Fae Elders along with claimed humans whom could assist in the Inclusion discussions. As a point of honor, Their Majesties sent the Bostanji of the Regnant Guard, Jedrik Leonhard as Evony's personal escort accompanied by 10,000 of the Regnant Guard and a contingent of the Knights of the Guard. The short departure event at the Ducal Compound reminded Tamsin of a Military Tattoo. The Guards had worn their formal regalia with yellowish gold capes, helmets ornately garnered with majestic blood-red plumes, and carried equally as ornate goldish long spears. The Guards surrounded Evony, Stasio and Dyson and their retinue in a square formation with Bostanji Leonhard standing several steps in front of them and on center. When the transport vortex opened Bostanji Leonhard led the formation in an organized march through the vortex. It was the first time in a long time Tamsin felt the immense sense of pride the Fae had as they watched the impressive formation move inside the vortex. Tamsin heard droplets of conversations of how hopeful the Fae felt for Inclusion. If successful, they would no longer need to hide themselves. Before Dyson stepped into the vortex he gave Tamsin a quick wink and then disappeared inside.
Bo and Lauren were already back at the Presidium after having spent a few days with Mary in Grimley after Lauren was discharged from the JFM. Dakari, Primus Levasseur, Agent Prime de Lucia and Deputy Agent Prime de la Brosse had all returned to the Presidium, and Crystal returned home but not without the extra security Lauren insisted she have not only to manage some of Cramb's unruly clientele, but also keep an eye on Crystal, post - Chas Marrero.
In the swirl of the Convocation planning meetings it was Tamsin's job was to stay focused on the needs of the County while Dyson focused on the Inclusion efforts. Tamsin would laugh whenever he would come home, bee-line it straight to the bar, open a bottle of whiskey and collapse in the nearest chair, and take a huge shot followed by several more before he would finally slow down. Dyson was steadily reaching the realization his daily schedule portended a rigor he was reticent to accept.
"Isn't Bo supposed to be the Chosen One?" Dyson would quip every now and then.
Tamsin, however, didn't laugh as she observed Evony making preparations for the Convocation and honestly, couldn't help but be impressed. Stasio had once said now that Evony was reconnecting with the Presidium her old self was coming out. Tamsin nor Dyson really understood what it took to spearhead a discussion for Inclusion until they walked into Evony's conference and their mouths dropped at the sight of three, 20-foot long conference room tables covered in stacks of paperwork. Both the Ducal Staff and the Presidium staff, sent by the Special Staffs of the Parliament of Fae poured over the final details. Evony had to be versed in every aspect of human life: economical, spiritual, cultural, militaristic, social, technological. Evony's expertise as a formal Grand Ducal under the LauDessar Dynasty was showing itself.
Even in the swirl of preparations Tamsin still found herself both nervous and a bit scared; Everything that Trick had planned months ago was coming to fruition and for the next six months she would lead the Fae on the Human plane, her authority superseding their oldest traditions and established laws. Tamsin felt her eyebrows go up at the thought of it. How the heck does that happen? From a drunken bounty hunter to County Regent, Tamsin thought.
She received an ego boost when she and Deputy Regent Elena Prescotti met on the comms to discuss some Convocation arrangements and in course Elena complimented her on her handling of the Chas Marrero situation.
"And here I thought you were going to join the bandwagon and chastise me for that." Tamsin said.
"Why would I? We are Regents. We are often called to make the hard decisions. Your actions were both incisive and efficient." Elena replied.
"Your Serene Highness, will all due respect, but my County Regent responsibilities are that of a plebian compared to yours." Tamsin said.
"Makes no difference. Our responsibilities are the same: the protection of the Fae Realm in the name and authority of Her Majesty." Elena replied. Tamsin smiled.
Tamsin had finished chairing her first meeting of the Ducal staff and associated interests that included presence of the DRM, JFM and Agency staff. Kenzi was also present and Tamsin could feel the prideful beam of her smile throughout the meeting.
After Tamsin concluded the Ducal staff meeting she and Reed headed over to JJI to meet with Clio and Julia. When they arrived Clio happened to arrive right behind them. Lise greeted everyone at the front entrance and escorted them into JJI's main conference room. When Clio saw the bar she bee-lined straight for it.
"Gosh, I need a drink today!" Clio said as she grabbed a bottle of whiskey, went and plopped in a conference chair, poured herself a steep drink and then put her feet up and downed the drink.
"Guess so Tamsin replied.
"Is everyone safely off to the Presidium?" Lise asked.
"Yep! Dyson, Evony and Stasio left a couple of days ago." Tamsin replied.
"So you're wholly in charge of our little Fae world now?" Lise asked.
"Yep!" Tamsin replied.
"My, my such power." Lise said as she twirled her hair. Clio and Reed shook their heads then Julia walked in.
"Hey guys" Julia greeted then turned to Lise. "Thanks Lise!"
"Of course!" Lise said as she batted her eyelashes hard at Tamsin. Everyone else grinned. Once the doors closed everyone took their seats.
"One day, you are going to have to deal with that." Reed teased.
"One day." Tamsin replied.
"So this little side posse we got going on is getting way too close for comfort!" Clio added.
"I know, but we had to let the situation at Engelram's play out." Tamsin replied.
"That was a lot to play out, Tamsin!" Clio said as she poured herself another drink and then gulped it down.
"Clio has a point. That was a dance we danced too close. We have to find this relic." Reed replied.
"Did you bring the information I asked?" Julia asked Tamsin.
"Got it right here." Tamsin replied. "Basically it's a history of the War of Five Monarchs."
"That's a start." Julia replied.
"What are you looking for?" Reed asked.
"What everyone else is looking for." Julia answered.
"I'm not following you." Reed said.
"When Engelram was dying he kept sputtering the word "Kamu.' I believe he was trying to say 'Kamucet.' That was one of the dynasties involved in this War of Five Monarchs."
"That makes sense." Reed replied.
"Yeah, so I asked Tamsin to chase down some information regarding that so I can see if I can piece any clues together." Julia replied.
"Who gave you the information? Clio asked.
"I would have asked Bo to grab it for me but she was obviously indisposed so I asked Rimma." Tamsin replied.
"So what's next?" Reed asked.
"Going to check out that town of Oldhurst. But wanted to wait until the coast was clear first." Clio replied as she filled her glass again and took another gulp. "How much time do I have?"
"You have until everyone gets back from the Convocation and the Installation." Tamsin answered.
"Alrighty then." Clio replied.
