"My brother is an idiot." Evony said.

The Queen, The Queen Consort, Regent Saladin, Agent Chennai, Grand Ducal Evony Marquis, and Rana Fitzpatrick McCorrigan had all gathered within Regent Saladin's Office to discuss what Bo et al had learned from their recent excursion to the Human Plane and to Zandri Labs.

"Have you told Parisa?" Trick asked.

"Are you kidding? My mother thinks he can do no wrong, especially, after I had up and left." Evony replied.

"So, the Viofynne Conglomerate is involved with this Dr. Lavoie. Who's this Lavoie?" Ari asked.

"You would know the family as the Hesbes, Your Majesty." Trick replied. Ari looked to Helen.

"Rodolphe and Floriane, dear." Helen reminded.

"Ah, yes!" Ari said.

"Rodolphe and Floriane Hesbes settled in a European region that is now historically known as Hesbaye, and which produced the Capetian Dynasty that remains to this day." Trick continued.

"This Lavoie comes from them?" Ari asked.

"His family line does, more or less. He's hails from the Bourbos family." Trick answered. Ari looked to Helen again.

"That would be Marcellin and Philomène." Helen replied.

"The House of Bourbon, deriving from the Bourbos, is also one of supporting dynastic branches of the Capetian Dynasty." Trick replied.

"I was surprised to hear Lauren's lineage dates back to the Merovingians." Evony commented.

"So was I?" Trick replied then explained to the rest of the group, "The Merovingians are also closely associated with both Capetian Dynasty and the House of Bourbon."

"We could see she hailed from some type of affluence. It definitely shows." Evony commented.

"It's clear collusion has been happening between the Presidium and Human Plane since Fitzpatrick and Evony left, but all this reveals is an expanded conspiracy, and we still don't know whom is at the heart of it." Ari said.

"But we do what is at the heart of it." Helen replied as she looked to Ari. Their eyes met and then Ari stood up and went and stood in front of the nearest window.

After several long moments The Queen said, "What do you expect I should do?"

"What you've always known you should do. Pose the question of Supremacy. Openly." The Queen Consort replied.

"Your Majesty, you've spent the last 1400 plus years putting the Realm to rights after war, and you have exceeded that task." Regent Saladin added.

"But?" The Queen prompted.

"The Realm has to evolve." Saladin replied.

"What if the present is its evolution?" The Queen posited.

"Ari!" The Queen Consort gently admonished. The Queen turned from the window.

"We have forged a perfect balance in all aspects of the Realm: politics, commerce, communities, health, faith. Why change it?" Ari challenged.

"Because even those areas see opportunities for evolution. Something you cannot stop no matter how perfect the balance has been struck." Helen replied.

"And what is so wrong with that?" Ari countered.

"Nothing. Except the Realm much evolve in its own best interests." Helen replied. Ari closed her eyes in apparent resignation.

"The question can no longer be avoided. No more clandestine intrigues." Helen added.

"I know." Ari replied just as softly then looked to Saladin.

"Saladin, I need to take unofficial soundings."

"Understood, Your Majesty." Regent Saladin replied.

"In the meantime, we need to resume our focus on finding the relic. Kenzi can investigate the deeper issues surrounding what was discovered at this Zandri labs, but given that the plans of the conspirators plans were thwarted, their plans will also accelerate. We need to be in a position to respond without having to worry about the relic as well. Once we find the relic we can put that all that to bed. Finally and forever." Ari replied. Everyone nodded.


"Your Excellency? A word?" Agent Chennai asked after the meeting broke up an hour later.

The Queen, The Queen Consort, Grand Ducal Evony Marquis, and Rana Fitzpatrick McCorrigan had all left, and when the doors closed behind them Agent Chennai turned and faced Saladin.

"What does Her Majesty mean by unofficial soundings?" Agent Chennai asked.

"She means to gather her closest friends and political allies to discuss the question." Regent Saladin replied.

"A gathering of the most premier families of the aristocracy." Agent Chennai said then thought for moment then said, "Her Majesty seems really opposed."

"Her Majesty is really not opposed to the question itself so much as what it represents."

"The end of an age." Agent Chennai said.

"The end of an age." Regent Saladin repeated.

"I know she was devoted to Regnant Einiah so I understand the reticence."

"We both were. But Regnant Einiah more than just a Regnant, he was a mentor to Her Majesty. Everything she has built it was with his tenants in mind." Regent Saladin replied.

"Her Majesty did not simply rebuild the Realm out of war, she elevated it into something far greater than Regnant Einiah ever would or could have. She did more than honor his legacy, she surpassed it." Agent Chennai said.

"I quite agree." Regent Saladin replied.

"And you were there in equal measure." Chennai added.

"My duty is to serve." Regent Saladin said with a smile.

"Is this why you and The Queen are standing watch over Regnant Einiah's Tomb?" Agent Chennai asked.

"To honor him, and his tenants. One last time." Regent Saladin replied. "The Queen has known for quite some time she needed to face the question of Supremacy, but when Her Royal Highness was Recognized it made it a necessity."

"Might I be so bold to add but Her Majesty also seems not to want to face the fact she has surpassed his legacy, and created one that placed the Prescotti Family at the epitome of Realm history."

"Very perceptive, Nadu." Regent Saladin replied.

"Destiny has a plan."

"I have not had an opportunity to speak with you about our other matter. How is everything coming along?" Regent Saladin asked.

"She's settled on the Aennoran Deep." Agent Chennai replied.

"Any trouble?" Regent Saladin asked.

"Only questions."

"I will need you to refocus your efforts back to the relic."

"Understood. And what about The Princess Royal's mother? How will that be managed?" Agent Chennai asked.

"Leave her to me." Regent Saladin replied.