Settling Down

Lord King was, of course, either insane or ensorcelled. Slaughtering one hundred knights would enhance Beatrix' reputation on a battlefield. Slaughtering one hundred Alexandrian knights would cement her reputation as an unstable psychopath and actually serve to isolate her from her own support. The first Climhazzard knocked approximately fifteen knights to their knees, and as their fellows scrambled over them Beatrix caught Lord King by the collar and charged through, swiping another three with the flat of her sword in transit. Bursting through the doors onto the deck, a Stock Break incapacitated another dozen or so knights, as she spun to face the remainder.

Suddenly, they were less eager to approach. In an open space, they couldn't hide from her techniques, and three successive Climhazzards had the main deck resembling the climax of a Lord Avon play. One single attack took down at least a score, leaving just over twenty knights considerably less confident in their attack, and Beatrix's magical capacity entirely depleted. Twenty three to one, with the General of Alexandria drained of magic but not yet short of breath.

By the time she got to the last seven, she was tired enough to stop sparing lives.

0000000000000000000

Lord King stepped off the platform. A clean snap. He'd met no one's stare on the way down, proving something of a return to his senses. A public denunciation of Kuja from a convicted traitor would, strictly speaking, strengthen his position as someone a traitor fears. However, it would also mean Kuja would have every noble in the court keeping a very close eye on him. Beatrix was now convinced Lord King was ensorcelled. The hundred knights was clearly an attempt to eradicate the General, leaving the Queen open to his influence.

His execution marked the end of the queen's mourning period, and was also the new Lord King's first day at court in his official capacity. This was an uncharacteristic flash of vindictiveness on the part of the Queen, with the Lord dying meeting the eyes of his replacement.

As court was about to adjourn, Kuja swept back his hair.

"May I make a request, Majesty? As a newcomer to your court?"

Brahne turned to look at him.

"I'm not entirely familiar with the castle. Would it be acceptable for General Beatrix to do me the honour of a brief tour?"

Hisses from the nobles at the new member's audacity. General Beatrix was indisputably one of the Queen's stalwarts, which meant that by associating with her, he would appear to have ingratiated himself with the most powerful faction in court. While apparent power was not real power, it would be enough to make the weaker houses wary of the new Lord King, and allow him to take his position much more smoothly than might otherwise have been the case. Daring.

Ordinarily, Brahne would never have allowed something like this, but she was not currently at her peak of mental agility, and merely turned away in disgust. It was hardly clear assent, but unfortunately, enough. If she was to refuse him, Beatrix would need a reason why. The initial response, "I'm a knight, not a tour guide" almost escaped before she bit down on it as hopelessly petty.

The assembled Lords and Ladies burst into applause as she stalked off with Alexandria's newest court mage in tow.

He judged her mood perfectly...If this was an ordinary new appointment, I would be irritated, but from one who was instrumental in her husband's death...but I'm the only one who knows that, or would trust a traitor's testimony.

"Down here are the dungeons. I believe you're already familiar with them?"

His hand flexed. "Briefly."

"Most Alexandrian nobles don't need to know about them, but I think you might be an exception."

Teeth. Beatrix flicked her hair back over her shoulder, turning her head away in the process

"Nothing of significance has ever happened in this tower, or will ever happen. As far as I know, it's in the name of symmetry."

And so time passed, Beatrix giving as little information as she could reasonably get away with.

Until. "This is the Princess' room. Stay away from it." Beatrix took a step forward, watching Adelbert Steiner's arm flash across her path...literally, sunlight reflecting from his vambrace. She arched an eyebrow at him.

"Do you believe me a threat to the Princess?" They did not pretend to like each other, but he could not justifiably doubt her loyalty.

"And your...companion?"

Oh, she wanted to hit him for that. Already, Kuja appeared to a careless onlooker to be favoured by the Queen.

"Why, Adelbert, you're guarding the Princess' chambers. It's entirely your decision as to who you choose to admit."

The hand withdrew as General Beatrix stepped forwards...and snapped back in place as soon as she passed. The doorframe cracked under the impact. Beatrix flicked her hair across her face, bowing her head briefly.

"General...please tell your man to stand down."

Schooling her face, the General turned. "My man? The Knights of Pluto are not under my command, my Lord. Regrettably, I have no power to do as you ask...and if I had, I wouldn't. I doubt the Queen would react amicably if I included the inside of her daughter's personal quarters on your tour of the castle. I came here as it is part of my duties to check on her wellbeing, not as a favour to you."

Kuja's hands sparkled. There was a shift in stance from Steiner, and the clatter of his gauntlet closing on his sword hilt.

Beatrix blinked. That's the most obvious reaction he's given so far...are you going to forcibly enter the Princess' quarters? Her own hand drifted towards Save the Queen.

Lord King calmed. Wondering whether or not to be disappointed, Beatrix closed the door.

The following day, Royal Court...

"Majesty, I believe a show of strength is truly important at this time, to prevent nobles or Burmecian rats from taking advantage of the current situation."

"What do you suggest?"

"Well, you may remember the General pledging a 'personal demonstration' of her abilities to me when I first arrived at this court. With that in mind, I feel a public duel between General Beatrix and Captain Steiner would be a fine showcase of the military strength of Alexandria's household guard. Any foreign powers will doubtless hesitate at the thought of such fine warriors facing them in battle. "

"Is this really necessary? We're knights, not Bandersnatch you can set on each other for entertainment."

Lord King widened his eyes. "Entertainment? This isn't a matter of passing time, general. Given the uncertainty in this court of late, we need you to prove your strength to watching enemies."

"I was not aware that it was in doubt." And now, she could get away with some iron in her tone. Some nobles smiled at the newest appointment's misstep.

"Then there's no need to worry about your supremacy."

"I'll allow this." Brahne. "Once, Kuja. But you are proving presumptuous. Make this your last request of me...ever."

Even more smiles. Brahne had given her General a lifeline. If Kuja continued his request, he'd be incapable of gaining any further royal favours...something no noble would willingly undertake for a relatively trivial concession. There was no need to prove Beatrix or Steiner's abilities...both of them were renowned for their implacable will and unshakeable support for the Queen.

"I'll accede to that, Majesty, given this one favour. Please believe me, I act only in the best interests of the kingdom. Any benefit to myself is incidental."

Open, scornful laughter from the onlookers, but Brahne had already committed herself.

Beatrix swept back her hair. "Fine. But I too have one request, Majesty...that the Princess witness this charade. I would not have her in danger with her bodyguard committed to a duel for...what reason was it again, Kuja?"

"Lord King."

"Oh, I see. That explains much."

"Enough!" The Queen once more. "I granted you this favour, King, now you will be silent! This duel will be held at three tomorrow. Both requests granted, before the court. I apologise, General, for demeaning your office, but King's request does make some sense. Forgive me."

The Next Day, Alexandria's barracks.

"We should never have sent Doctor Tot away...I'm a soldier, I'm no politician." General Beatrix stared at her sword.

Her attendant looked at her. "General, it's a duel. With Steiner. Why are you worried?"

"Because I don't think I can win!"

Eight Alexandrian soldiers turned to look at her. "What? General−"

"I could kill him easily, but Adelbert Steiner will not concede defeat if I cut his arms off. If I draw the battle out, or am seen to hold back, I'll humiliate him. The Captain is a behemoth, he will not tire, so I can't exhaust him into submission. And, regrettably, I need him. I need him guarding Garnet's door, keeping Kuja from charming her. So...what am I going to do? Suggestions?"

"Well, you could knock him out..."

"...Have you ever tried knocking an armoured knight unconscious? When he's fully aware of your presence? Even I would take wounds trying that, and I'd be seen to be holding back. It won't work."

The door opened. "General, it's time."

The General took her stance across from the Captain. Trapped. No matter what happens here, one of us is eliminated...And thus far, he's been better able to protect the Princess than I have the Queen.

...Do I have to throw this fight?

No...that will serve neither of us. So what?

A whisper from the crowd. "That's not fair, he gets to look down her breastplate."

The General looked up. "If you wish to take his place, my Lord Thornton, feel free."

Muffled laughter from the crowd yet again. Lord Thornton made no reply, allowing the general to return her attention to her opponent. He certainly was not leering, staring into her eyes with hate and concentration.

"Are you ready, Adelbert?"

Nod.

"Good. Shock!"

Armour clattered on stone, and every noble was on their feet –That was usually a killing technique. Beatrix stood still.

"Does that answer your questions as to my ability, gentlemen?" It was a whisper, but pitched to carry.

No one made a reply. General Beatrix turned away, then hesitated at a series of clangs from behind. A gauntlet crashed into the ground as Captain Adelbert Steiner got to his hands and knees, bloody foam dripping from between his teeth.

Every noble watching saw Beatrix snap back into a guard stance, an instinctive, impossible to replicate reaction. After, a moment, Steiner gained his feet, unsteady but prepared for battle. Surviving a Shock was surprising, but getting up after taking the impact was more or less unprecedented. She'd counted on his legendary resilience to have him survive, but actually standing up afterwards was...impressive.

"Don't make me kill you, Steiner."

Bloody parody of a smile. He took a step forward, swordpoint dropping. General Beatrix drove forwards, locking Save the Queen with the Captain's dull iron blade. The impact swept her hair forward over her face, and the General stepped closer, dropping her voice.

"Would you have the Princess' door unguarded tomorrow, Captain?"

Something ignited in his eyes. Muscle bunched, and Adelbert Steiner broke the lock, forcing the General back three steps. She regained her balance instantly, but her opponent was already toppling forward in a clatter of plate armour. After a moment, ensuring he truly was unconscious, Beatrix turned and walked away.

Later...

The new Lord King leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes.

"I've used all my breathing space. Any more mistakes, and the show's over."

"Wise, was it, an open clash to seek?"

"Possibly not. I was certain I was going to discredit one of them, but she stepped out of my snare. There's no shame in failing to withstand a Shock. And her treating him as a serious threat may have actually raised his reputation. But...she could not be certain that he would survive the Shock. If she killed him in public before the court, she'd have been tried for the murder of a member of the royal household. She put her career and life at stake, for the sake of Captain Adelbert Steiner. I can use that."

"I've got you, General."