Alarica and Melisandra left the manor for the guesthouse on the back of the property. Alarica was in need and the queen had a duty to fulfill. It would be difficult to accomplish either or both in the communal sleeping chamber. They talked long into the night with intercourse to follow. Alarica left the guesthouse early the next morning feeling nothing other than satisfaction of a physical need fulfilled.
Melisandra still had the lingering feeling of fingers and tongue sensually touching her wet folds, sending her to the heavens as the orgasms came one after another. For the queen it was much more than sexual gratification, it was a connection of souls a connection of love. For the sovereign, it was only satisfaction of a physical need fulfilled. Realizing that caused tears to fall down her cheeks unhindered, realizing as well that they will never connect as one as other sovereigns and queens had in the past. Her dreams will never come true.
Alarica walked into the house ready for a bath. She had a need to wash off the after effects of the session she had last night with her queen. Probably the only thing that she does right is not to leave any visible marks. I have to face the public and I cannot do that if I reek of sex. She felt the only reason it lasted as long as it did, was Breanne's face appearing before her eyes. The slightest sound would cause reality to interrupt the vision . . . If it only could be. Finally, the session ended with the sovereign on top of her queen.
Alarica noticed her family walking into the bathing chamber. It was a weekend and the girls were looking forward to going to the town square to do a little shopping and maybe watch a movie. All of them earned it. Melisent and Claryvorra helped each other with their studies, earning good grades in return for their hard work and Emily, exploring the vast world around her learning new things each day.
Breanne kept her head down with her shoulders slumped. It worried Leonessa and Alarica. Alarica as usual followed the girls while Leonessa stayed with Breanne. Leonessa thought it was strange that Breanne did not play with the water. She always did, except today.
"Breanne, child, is something wrong?"
Breanne looked up to see Leonessa and that was when Leonessa noticed the circles and the dark shadows beneath the eyes. Breanne only shook her head no without a verbal answer. I haven't slept in days. I know I shouldn't be afraid but . . .Leonessa thought Breanne had fallen asleep, but the circles and the shadows were telling a different story. Alarica had grown concerned and moved to the other end of the pool.
"Mother, what is wrong? This is not like Breanne. By now, she is splashing the water and watches as the water ripples. What has happened?"
"I do not know. She is not speaking and I do not think she slept last night." Alarica and Leonessa agreed to switch places. Leonessa would spend time with the girls and Alarica stayed to be with Breanne.
"Breanne, what is wrong? Will you tell me?" Alarica made a move to place her hand on Breanne's shoulder. Breanne misinterpreted the gesture and moved to protect herself. She did the best she could. She used every reference she could find. She even asked Elmira to proofread the document. What could have gone wrong?
"Breanne, minime uni it is all right, it is me Alarica. Calm down and tell me what is wrong? You know not to fear me do you not?"
Breanne did not respond. She stood there motionless waiting for the beating. Alarica wanted to reassure Breanne as Breanne had done with her many times before, but Alarica was fearful that Breanne would not understand. "Breanne, are you scared? Are you afraid of my in-laws? Have they threatened you as a result?"
No, aren't you mad at me? Breanne replied
"There is no reason for me to be angry with you. On the contrary, I am very proud of you. You proved yourself yesterday. You cast doubt on those who do not believe in you. You showed the people many things. A lesson I will always remember, the disciplinary measures do not need to match the crime, and on the contrary, the measures can be used to teach a lesson instead, very well done my minime uni." This time Alarica was able to place her hand on Breanne's shoulder. Breanne remained stiff, but as she gazed into Alarica's eyes, she saw what she always did, except this time fear had clouded the vision.
Breanne relaxed her posture, breathing deepened, and her arms came down. Please, don't hurt me or the girls. They're just kids. Please?
The pleading look in Breanne's eyes crumbled Alarica's resolve. Breanne knew she did not need to fear Alarica, but there will always be flashbacks to a time that she never knew and to always expect the worst. Taking a deep breath, "Minime uni, there is nothing to fear. The girls are fine. They are doing very well with their studies. I do not know if you have knowledge of this, but mother was a little angry that Melisent's teacher gave her such a poor grade on a paper that she truly worked very hard on. She went to school with Melisent, and spoke to her teacher. I am not sure what she showed the teacher, after that though the grade remarkably went up. Mother will not tell the story in detail either, only saying that she should not expect anything resembling intelligence from a man. So you see my minime uni, everything is fine."
Breanne continuously blinked her eyes as if trying to clear them. Then she truly did see Alarica's eyes. They showed her what they always did in the past. The fear was gone and she could truly see again. She was happy. I'm sorry I doubted you. I thought you would be mad at me. I love you Alarica.
"I love you as well Breanne. Are you going to have any lessons this morning?"
Breanne shook her head no but continued to look at Alarica whose face was getting red. Alarica found the sponge and held it in her hand "Then could you please scrub my back? Please? Pretty please?" Breanne giggled and started scrubbing Alarica's back. All was right with the world again.
Alarica left Breanne as she started to play with the water. It was time for a morning chat between mother and daughter. They left the girls in one corner to stand in another corner of the pool. "Did you have a nice chat last night?"
"Yes mother I did. I also had a need fulfilled."
"I assumed that is why you did not return last night."
"Mother, does Breanne understand the relationship between a sovereign and her consors?"
"Yes she does. I explained to her that while the sovereign shares her heart and her secrets with her consors, they would never be intimate. It is up to the queen to satisfy the need for intimacy not the consors."
"Thank you mother, I was worried. I think she is better now. The past will haunt her I expect for the rest of her life. She will always expect the worst."
"You are welcome and thank you. What was wrong?"
"She expected to be beaten, if not her then the children, because of last night's events."
"She expected to be beaten?! Last night I was filled with pride as Melisandra read the document. Everything was as it should be. The document was expertly written. Why would she expect to be beaten?"
"The past mother, the past haunts her still. I cannot imagine what sort of torture she had to endure. I take that back yes I can. As much as I try to forget the images, I cannot. That beast that calls herself Breanne's mother tortured her just short of death." They stood there looking at each other saying nothing neither knowing what to say next. Everyone finished preparing themselves for the day. Lady Leonessa, Breanne, and the girls left to have a little fun in town. The rest stayed behind to attend to business.
Alarica called for her mother-in-law to be presented to her. The sister-in-law sat on the floor cushions waiting for the events to unfold. "Madam, this is your last chance to apologize. These events are being recorded for later viewing by the rest of those involved."
"I already apologized but if you need to hear it again, I will say it again."
"This was your last chance to present your apology. From this day forward, you will be shunned from society. You will no longer be recognized or remembered. Your property and wealth will be taken and distributed, your name will be erased from the archives, and your children will be remembered as vagrants that you had described the children of this court. You are dismissed."
Alarica immediately rose from behind her desk. A dagger immediately made itself known and cut through the clothes that her mother-in-law was wearing. The mother-in-law was shocked beyond words. She expected to be forgiven; after all, she was the queen's mother and she had done nothing wrong. The guards escorted the prisoner out of the manor.
"Elmira, I need to speak with you immediately. Get the queen and tell her, her presence is necessary." Alarica had that authoritative voice again; it always caused Elmira to stand at attention.
Elmira and Melisandra entered the study "The proceedings for shunning need to begin immediately. The queen's mother failed to apologize properly. She was given a full explanation of the consequences for failure to present a proper apology. She has been stripped and is no longer a member of society. Elmira, contact Ethelmona to let her know I need to speak with her immediately. Contact the Superintendent of Archives to have mother-in-law's name erased. It will be known from this point forward that the children do not have a family. I took pity on them and adopted them into my household. Contact the chancellor to have her property dealt with. Her name is to be erased from the deed and sold immediately. If the property cannot be sold within one month's time, it will be distributed among the villagers. Contact the Ratio Imperator to have her wealth dealt with. Her name is to be erased from all of her holdings. A complete record is to be prepared and presented to me immediately. I will decide what to do with her wealth. Elmira you are dismissed."
"Imperium, are you not being cruel for not giving her a second chance?" Melisandra was in tears. All that she knew is now lost.
"Queen Melisandra, sister-in-law, the both of you have been stripped of everything-family, wealth, and identity. It will be recorded that I took pity on the both of you and adopted you into my household. I had given your mother a second chance and failed to rethink and retell her apology. Any recognition any resemblance of assistance from either of you and you too will be erased. Am I clear?" Alarica needed to be sure her point was heard loud and clear.
"Yes my imperium, your thoughts and orders have been made clear. I understand them." Melisandra had nothing else to say. She was crying now that her family had been torn apart. She would like to blame Breanne but realized that at least there was still a Queen Melisandra. There would be time for blaming later.
"Yes my imperium, I hear your orders loud and clear." The sister-in-law wanted revenge but not now, not with so many eyes watching. She will pay for this.
"I suggest to the both of you that you pay attention to me. If either of you plan or speak of retribution towards Consors Breanne, not only will you be erased from society, your memory will be erased as well. Queen Melisandra you are excused."
Melisandra walked away with her head down and shoulders slumped. Who would she blame if could not blame Breanne. This would not have happened if Breanne never became a part of this household. She had to accept her sovereign's decision, but she did not have to like it.
"Sister-in-law, my dear dear sister-in-law, did you think you could get away with thinking about retribution? May I remind you that you do not have a mother to run to any longer and your older sister will be kept under foot for as long as I feel is necessary. You harm my consors you will be no longer. It will not matter if it will be by another's hand you will be the one I look for to accuse. Sit down; we have measures to attend to." Alarica, sister-in-law, and Elmira planned how the measures were to be carried out.
Elmira was able to find parenting classes held at the community center three times a week for three hours a day for six weeks. The anger management classes were scheduled at the local hospital twice a week two hours a day for six weeks. Breanne stated the nursing home and/or children's home, but Alarica thought a greater lesson would be learned if her sister-in-law did both. Elmira signed the sister-in-law up for both. The nursing home would be done in the mornings. The children's home would be done after the completion of the classes. Alarica assigned a guard to her sister-in-law. The guard would be held responsible for the sister-in-law's actions as well as seeing to it that she attended her schedule on time. Maybe then, she will rethink her actions before executing them.
Alarica spoke with her prime minister to be sure she understood the measures to be carried out for shunning. It would be up to Ethelmona to be responsible to see that everything was completed. Alarica put the recording away in a safe place. She set the mother-in-law's clothes on fire to turn to ashes. She heard banging on the door earlier. Most likely, her mother-in-law wanted entrance back into the manor. Now it was necessary to alert the guards that her mother-in-law no longer existed, she is a nuisance that must be dealt with, and to alert the rest of the family upon their return to ignore her. Alarica would explain the rest.
The girls returned with bags in hand and a bewildered look on their face. Alarica brought them all to her study to show them the recordings that were made of the meeting. All agreed that it was something that had to be done. They also understood that the mother-in-law was as good as dead. They were to ignore her from now on. She did not exist.
It came time for Leonessa's departure. She had to leave to oversee the changes that had been laid out by the sovereign. They needed to be completed – now. "Many things must be done in light of everything that has happened to this point. I will return in time for dinner with Breanne's mother. I am interested in meeting the woman that calls herself mother. I will make sure that everything has been completed as you have ordered them." Leonessa approached her daughter with open arms embracing her with mother's love the only love she knew how to give. Now that things were well, she could go home knowing that everything is just as it should be.
"Breanne, I want to tell you that I love you. I am very proud to call you my daughter. You are a great artist, consors of the truest nature to my daughter, and a wonderful mother. I have told you all there is to know in the scrolls. Now it is Alarica's turn to train you. If you do not understand, do not be proud ask for assistance. I will return in time for dinner with your mother. We will see each other again do not worry." Leonessa hoped she turned her head in time before anybody saw the tears. If there was one thing she did not like that was saying good-bye. It did not matter if it was forever or for a short time, good-bye was good-bye.
"Well girls, grandmother is leaving again. I will return soon. Melisent remember your manners. It is always best to speak properly. Claryvorra, you are so much like your mother. I see her in you everyday. Emily . . ."
"Gamma, why you cry?"
"Gamma cries because she always has a hard time saying good-bye."
"Then no good-bye say see you later." Emily giggled as she waved her hand.
Leonessa could not help but laugh, after all her granddaughter did have a point. "All right then, I will see you later."
Alarica urged Breanne to stay at the manor stressing that Breanne and the girls would be safer staying at the manor than if she were to return home. Breanne agreed, discussing with Alarica that her house needed to be taken care of. Alarica assigned Elmira that task, to be sure that any personal belongings were to be packed carefully and immediately brought to the manor. Everything else would be donated. Breanne discussed with Alarica about her life's work and her responsibilities. Two things were important to Breanne they were her pictures and the girls. Breanne kept the room she had adopted as her workroom. It only needed a few items to complete the look.
Breanne was worried that Emily did not have a chance to make friends. I don't want Emily to grow up like I did. I didn't have anyone to play with. She needs other kids to play with. Everybody in the manor was much older. Breanne wanted to enroll Emily in preschool. Alarica disagreed because Emily was much too young to attend school and anything that she needed would be provided for her. Breanne learned early on that nobody won an argument, except Leonessa, without providing proof of your side of the argument. She spent a lot of time researching the positive and negative side of children in preschool focusing on the positive. Breanne presented the argument to Alarica who was impressed with the preparation that Breanne had done to prove her point. Alarica did agree with Breanne that there is definitely a positive side to preschool. However, toddlers on Avalon did not attend school of any kind. It was up to the village to care for and educate the toddler as needed. The children did not begin school until six years of age. Before six years of age, it was felt that the child was not mentally or physically mature enough to attend such an institution. Therefore, Emily would not attend school she would instead stay home. As Alarica is the sovereign and head of household her word was final.
However, in any law or rule there is always a loophole. Breanne read the declaration carefully finding something understanding the document as was presented to her. She found that loophole. The document statedEmily, youngest child of this court, is not to be enrolled in any school at any time before approval by the sovereign.It did not mention anything about a day care facility. It was nitpicking and chances are Alarica would be angry, but Breanne was her mother and she felt Emily was prepared to attend preschool. It was only preschool after all, what could happen?
There was a childcare facility not far from the manor. Breanne enrolled Emily for part-time care five days a week for half a day. Breanne thought that would be long enough for Emily to learn and play with other children her own age. Emily was excited to be going to school just like Melisent and Claryvorra.So excited in fact, it was the first thing that Emily told Alarica when she returned from her business trip.
Alarica had a meeting in Washington, D.C. with a Senator Saxon Montgomery. Senator Montgomery promised to hear Alarica and promised to deliver her pleas to the rest of the Senate. However, the only thing that was accomplished at this meeting was the reminder that Alarica needs to be reminded that there is really only one head of household. Needless to say, she was never in a good mood when she returned from the trips. That and exhaustion tended to shorten Alarica's patience level quite a bit. "If I hear one more time one more idiotic statement about women's role in the household heads will roll!"
"Elmira, Secretary of State Crystal Wheaton will be coming tomorrow for lunch. Be sure the cook prepares something suitable. Notify the queen she is to be prepared for the meeting. I will attend to . . ."
"Mama Rica, you're home. Guess what? I go school now just like Meli and Vorra." Emily was excited at seeing Alarica's return she did not realize she set off the bomb in Alarica's head as steam came out of her ears. Elmira only nodded as she looked for a place to duck and cover.
"Breanne! Where are you? We have something to discuss it seems!" Why is it that no one listens to me?
Breanne was ready for this. She prepared a presentation Breanne style. Breanne prepared a detailed picture presentation to argue the reasons for her actions. Alarica was ushered into the front room and made comfortable. Elmira was curious and decided to watch as well. First, an apology was expressed about going against orders. However, the orders stated that Emily could not attend any school without authorization. This was not a school, it was a childcare facility. Emily would not attend all day everyday; she would only be attending five days a week for half a day. Emily was excited about meeting new people and making new friends. Breanne was only interested in socializing Emily the education would come later. What better way for Emily to learn about social behavior, etiquette, and learning about people than a school setting. Sometimes real life experience is better than schoolbooks. If Emily ever expressed a desire to stop going to preschool, Breanne would pull her out of preschool immediately. The cost of childcare per month would be $150 because Emily was part time. Breanne set up the payment for automatic withdrawal out of her checking account.
All of Alarica's arguments were forgotten as Breanne made her points. Now there were two people in the kingdom that was able to win a verbal dual. Alarica could only agree with Breanne stating that Alarica was going to hold Breanne to her promise. Breanne was ordered to change the billing so the payments would be taken from the House of Avalon instead. Alarica called for everyone to prepare herself for supper. Melisandra, Breanne, Alarica, Elmira, and the girls all entered the bathing pool. Alarica kept Melisandra close by since the reading of the document. Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer and queens with a grudge under foot. Supper was eaten in silence. Ernestine could not believe that Breanne prepared the document, it simply could not be. Melisandra lost everything. Her mother always protected Melisandra and now her mother is no longer. What am I going to do now? The sister-in-law was angry and needed to blame someone. There was only one someone that I could blame, but under close supervision and with her day scheduled as it is, it would be impossible to accomplish what she wished to accomplish.
The following day, Alarica and Breanne walked with Emily to her preschool. It was not at all what Alarica had envisioned. She was feeling a little more at ease with the decision to enroll Emily into preschool. After a conversation with the director, they walked back to the manor.
Alarica had been training Breanne on etiquette, expectations, and procedures. Sovereigns had their own wants, needs, and ideas and Alarica had hers. Breanne needed to learn them all because eventually, it would be expected that the consors would be able to anticipate the sovereign's thoughts and actions. There would be no difference. Breanne had been learning everything and doing very well. Alarica found that set up situations were a much better learning tool than any book or lecture. Alarica was very proud.
Emily was to be picked up by Elmira, while Alarica, Melisandra, and Breanne attended lunch with Crystal Wheaton. Alarica did not have high expectations of this meeting. She had read Ms. Wheaton's mind on different occasions and was not impressed by what she heard. This meeting was necessary though as it would give her a closer link to the American President, much closer than the various senators she had met with. The outcome of this meeting was as she expected. Lunch was had with mindless chatter about food and the weather conditions. Alarica was annoyed and wanted to discuss business. However, Ms. Wheaton always steered clear of those subjects. She left leaving an annoyed sovereign, bored queen, and confused consors.
During supper, Emily had her chance to tell everyone about her first day of school. She was very excited and very happy. She could not wait to tell gamma.
Leonessa arrived the next day excited about the news she was to deliver. She expected to see the baby but didn't find her. She became increasingly worried and wondered if Breanne's mother had arrived sooner than expected and found another victim.
"Breanne, child, where is the baby? Where is Emily? Is she hurt? Is she ill?" Leonessa was concerned and was growing irritated since Breanne started laughing.
Breanne gave Leonessa a note that said Em is fine. Come and see, I have something to show you. Breanne led Leonessa to her workroom and showed her everything that she used to make a presentation to Alarica. Leonessa studied everything carefully.
"So, what you are saying is you enrolled Emily into a childcare facility against orders from your sovereign?" Leonessa was shocked that Breanne would do something like this. Breanne did not understand the tone and thought that maybe she just did not see everything. Breanne took the information back to find the information that she needed to show Leonessa. Breanne gave that particular piece to Leonessa to show her why. Leonessa saw the picture and still did not understand.
"Alarica, my sovereign, please explain to me why you let a yearling be enrolled in school? Against orders at that?" Leonessa needed to find the answer not seeing the answer in the information that she was given.
"Mother, Lady Leonessa, I am her sovereign and she is my consors. Part of her duties includes seeing to the well being of the children, whatever that may entail." Alarica searched through the presentation pictures and information to find the one that she needed. Leonessa started reading and looked at the pictures again this time without anger clouding her vision.
"I am sorry. I did not intend to be so harsh. I miss the yearling running to me calling for gamma. I was shocked and hurt that she is not here. Could I come with you to pick up Emily? If I understand the pictures she finishes her day a little after midday, would I be able to come with you?" Breanne nodded her head and embraced Leonessa letting her know everything was just fine.
Emily was excited to see her gamma return. Melisent and Claryvorra returned home later that day. That was when Breanne was getting increasingly nervous. Leonessa thought that maybe the news that the council signed the appointment papers would relieve the nervousness. Alarica was at a loss as to what to do, nothing worked. Melisent told everyone it was because her grandmother is coming to dinner and nothing will calm mama down until grandmother leaves.
Breanne was trembling uncontrollably so it was up to Leonessa to see to it that Breanne was prepared. Alarica prepared Melisandra giving her a lecture at the same time. The sister-in-law was kept in her quarters due to the seriousness of this dinner. Breanne tried, she tried hard to explain to Leonessa that the girls would be safer in another room. Leonessa just had a hard time understanding. When words fail, a picture will speak the words that a person cannot. Leonessa finally understood. She spoke with Alarica showing the picture as well. Alarica understood and agreed. She called for the girls to explain the situation and reluctantly they agreed
Breanne's mother arrived for dinner, a half hour late. She always felt that it was best to be fashionably late. It was what was expected.
"Breanne, are you here?! Where are you stupid child?"
"There is no need for vulgarity in this house. You are in the House of Avalon and you are expected to abide by our customs and rules. I am Lady Leonessa; I will escort you to the dining table."
As Leonessa escorted Breanne's mother to the dining room," Get up from the table! What are you doing sitting down before the food is served. Babies wait until the grown ups eat. I said get up!" Alarica, I love you, help me please.
Alarica acknowledged Breanne's plea and was annoyed that this woman felt it was necessary to belittle her consors. "Madam, might I remind you that you were invited to my house for dinner. We are all seated here at the table waiting for you. The invitation stated that dinner would be at six o'clock this evening. It is now 6:35 in the evening. Please do not further embarrass yourself by continuing to belittle a member of my household."
Mother was stunned. Breanne had a friend and treated her as an equal. Attempting to keep some dignity intact, she did not respond any further and sat down in the spot appointed just for her, much to her annoyance. Breanne's mother was seated next to Alarica. It would be easier to control the situation. Alarica rang the bell for the food to be presented to the table. Breanne was still trembling and was finding it extremely hard to hold onto anything at the table. Leonessa left her hand on Breanne's lap to comfort her. Breanne's mother found these events amusing. Alarica was aware of all that was happening and pinched Breanne's mother to get her attention. Breanne's mother simply ignored Alarica.
"Baby baby, I want more wine. Go get it." If there was one thing she liked that was wine. Breanne started to get up but was held down by Leonessa. Breanne was confused. Her mother ordered wine and she was supposed to go get it. Alarica ordered more wine to be brought to the table.
"I wanted Breanne to bring me my wine. After all, she is my daughter. I can do with her what I please." If anyone said that Leonessa was angry, that would be an understatement. Leonessa was a student of battle strategies. Breanne's mother just declared war and Leonessa did not believe in surrendering.
"Madam, the wine was brought to you. Breanne is seated here comfortably eating her meal. Is there anything else you desire madam? Perhaps a contest, physical in nature, in the morning would interest you?" Leonessa was not going to let this woman go without a show of arms.
"I have you know I am very fit for my age. I am in better shape than Breanne. You against me tomorrow morning sound like a fine idea. An obstacle course I think like they have on TV. Then when I beat you, I will go against the woman seated next to me. When I beat her, I will take Breanne back to my house. There are a few lessons that we have not completed yet."
Alarica saw the panicked look in Breanne's eyes and felt it was her time to step in before the knife looks even more appealing. "Madam, we will see who wins the obstacle course tomorrow. Breanne and the girls will remain here at the manor. The contest will begin at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. You will go against the both of us. You do not appear on time it means forfeit. Do you understand?"
"Oh good, I get to show the both of you just how much in shape I am." Everything that Breanne's mother had said up to this point was a complete contradiction to what she was doing. Five bottles of wine, the appetizer, main course, and dessert later she was still boasting just how much in shape she was. This night was educational in both patience and strategy.
"Well, I should be going home. Breanne, there is something I would like to discuss with you."
Alarica followed behind ready to protect Breanne. The images that she saw in Breanne's mother's head lead Alarica to believe she could not be trusted.
"I want to talk to Breanne alone. This is a private matter."
"In this house, privacy does not exist. Breanne is a member of this household as well and I have a right to know her business."
Breanne's mother could only stick her nose up in the air. She was stuck in this house without anyone to help defend her. "Breanne, I went by your house and saw it was for sale. You will move back in immediately. I already called the real estate office. There are some papers that needed to be signed. I would do it for you, seeing as you are only a baby, but they need your signature."
Breanne used the warrior signs that Alarica taught her to use. Breanne did not want to risk speaking knowing how her mother would react.
"Stop that jibber jabber and foul language. I told you . . . "
"Madam, she said she will not go to the real estate office. It is not necessary to have a house that I will not be occupying. I am an artist, mother, and confidant. I can read, write, and do arithmetic by myself. I have a responsibility to fulfill."
"I see, and she said that?"
"Yes she did madam. There are many ways of communicating." Lady Leonessa returned after seeing to it that the girls were all right.
Lady Leonessa held up a large piece of paper that Breanne had written in a moment of frustration. Audio, EGO animadverto, EGO perceptum, proinde, EGO agnosco.
"What is that gibberish supposed to mean? That is not even a real language."
"Yes madam it is a real language. It saysI hear, I see, I learn, therefore, I understand. Nobody showed Breanne how to write this. This was done out of frustration. I could spend the entire evening showing you how intelligent Breanne truly is, but we have a match tomorrow. We will see you in the morning." Leonessa just smiled using every force imaginable to control the outburst waiting to come out.
Breanne's mother turned around and walked away. Leonessa put away the paper and left for the yard to work off some frustration. Alarica would have followed but Breanne's needs were more urgent. It took quite a bit of effort for Breanne to calm down, relax, and go to sleep-the events of the evening finally taking their toll. Alarica finally joined her mother to work off some of that frustration. The rest, Melisandra will work off later that night.
"Melisandra, it is morning and time to rise. Get out of bed so we may prepare ourselves for the day." Alarica waited for a count of 10, then picking up a goblet and filling it to throw at the queen. Melisandra did not like this. She would rather sleep for as long as she could, savoring the visions and the feelings, but if she did not get up out of bed, she would suffer a goblet thrown on her.
Melisandra and Alarica waited for everyone in the bathing chamber. Melisandra thought that since they were alone, she might have a little fun. Last night was glorious and well worth the marks. However, she wanted to continue the feeling of leaving love trails on her sovereign. Alarica pushed away Melisandra's advances, Melisandra tried again and only stopped due to the threat of finding a separate sleeping chamber with an assigned guard.
Everyone showed up to bathe together and get ready for the day. As the course was set up outside, Breanne brought out a few first aid supplies just in case. First an archery course, then a tunnel, three hurdles, tires, a rope to swing to a wall, and then a 10-yard dash. The one with the most points and fastest time wins the contest. In the minds of Leonessa and Alarica, it was a basic course that anybody would be able to accomplish. Just for fun, while nobody was there, at least so she thought, she completed the obstacle course. Breanne had never done anything like this before, but it looked too good to pass up. She was happy she completed it without breaking any bones. Little did she know Alarica was watching and timing her. Alarica snuck back into the house and told mother what she had seen. Leonessa did not think it would be possible for pride to swell to such proportions. It did however, whenever it involved Breanne.
Mother arrived on time that morning. She was brought outside to become familiar with the obstacle course.
Alarica met mother outside "Good morning to you. This is the obstacle course. Take your time to familiarize yourself with the course. We will begin when you are ready."
A half-hour later "I'm ready how will this be done?" Mother was anxious to get this done. She wanted Breanne to return home and would do anything to accomplish that.
"It is very simple. The three of us will complete the obstacle one at a time. The person who has the most points and the best time wins the competition. One of my staff will keep time. Are there any questions before we begin?" Alarica knew what Breanne's mother had in mind.
"Okay, looks easy enough. Let us begin then. I will go first." Breanne's mother started the obstacle course. Not one arrow hit the target, she was able to get through the tunnel however toppled over all of the hurdles, tripped through the tires, was not able to climb the rope nor swing the rope, therefore walked around the wall, and walked the 10-yard dash. Breanne ran in to fix the course while the times were recorded.
"I will go through next." Alarica was confident she would be able to accomplish the course, blindfolded even. The arrows hit their mark, crawled through the tunnel, cleared the hurdles, ran effortlessly through the tires, climbed up the rope, and easily swung over the wall for the 10-yard dash for a time of 1:45 and 22 points. Breanne did not have much to clean this time.
"It looks like I am next." Leonessa passed the course easily with a time of 1:40 and 22 points. She was not even breathing hard where as Breanne's mother was still attempting to catch her breath.
Waters were given all around for a brief rest before discussing the results. Alarica and Leonessa were both smiling with pride. "It seems as though we have a winner." Breanne's mother immediately got up from the bench to grab Breanne's hand and just opened the door "The winner of the obstacle course is Breanne with a time of 1:38 and 22 points. Congratulations Breanne, you should be proud." This caused Breanne's mother to stop in her tracks.
"You are not telling me that this stupid girl had completed this course. I know she couldn't have because I didn't see her do anything."
"On the contrary madam, she completed the course before your arrival. I had witnessed the event myself." Alarica only had one thoughtnever underestimate the enemy.
"How do I know you're not lying to me? She would do anything to get out of working. She is a very lazy child. She wasn't here when we started and she didn't agree to do the course."
"Madam, if you do not believe her then you will believe me as I will show you the recording of the events myself madam. As far as Breanne is concerned, if you will not accept her scores then you must accept mine." Leonessa was at a critical breaking point, whether or not to break every bone in this woman's body that is.
"Well, I'm sure it is a lie. This course was rigged. It was set up so that you could keep her from me. You will not I am her mother. I can do with her what I wish."
Alarica had enough, no one would dare hurt her family "Madam, you seem to overlook the simple fact that you completed the obstacle course with a time of 5:10 and 1 point. Breanne is a part of this agreement and I feel that her scores should be taken into consideration. However, you are correct she did not state any desire to be a part of this contest. What was stated was that you must defeat both Lady Leonessa and myself to be able to take Breanne away from us. You had stated so yourself. You had not accomplished that."
"You rigged it. You rigged it so I would lose. The arrows are crooked, the hurdles too high, the rope doesn't work, and there is no way to go up the wall. I will take my daughter right now."
Alarica called one the guards of similar height and weight to Breanne's mother. The guard was able to complete the course in 1:45 and 22 points. "As you can see the course was not rigged. You will not take Breanne anywhere. She is a valued member of my household. In the end however, the decision lies with Breanne. It is up to her to choose." Breanne heard and understood what was being said. For Breanne it was never a question. She struggled to free herself from her mother to embrace Leonessa, her mother of the heart.
"You come here immediately baby. Baby you come here this instant or no dinner for you. Stupid baby, I'm warning you." The guards surrounded her to be escorted immediately away from the manor. She was not to return to the manor.
Breanne looked up into Leonessa's eyes and signed I'm sorry and thank you.
"My child, you have nothing to apologize for, and you are welcome. You are a treasured member of this household." Leonessa embraced Breanne with the only kind of love a mother could give, unconditional love.
The day proceeded as usual, the girls came home from school, and there were duties to see to. Melisent had a matter of own to see to "Mama, we have to go shopping for our Halloween costume. I want to be Hermione." If there was a story that attracted Melisent it was Harry Potter. She read all the books and seen all the movies. While she thought Harry Potter was cute, she admired Hermione for many reasons; Breanne thought it was because of Harry Potter. So the discussion started and an agreement was reached. Melisent would be Hermione and Breanne would make the costumes. The last time she asked Emily she wanted to be a bunny. That left Claryvorra, and Breanne felt that just because Claryvorra was not her natural born daughter did not mean she did not need to take care of Claryvorra. Melisent had been hinting that Halloween would be soon and a decision needed to be made.
Breanne left her girls to paint a picture in the workroom. After searching the sleeping chamber and the study, the kitchen was the next stop. Claryvorra was in the kitchen getting something to drink for all the girls. Breanne did not know if Claryvorra had the same abilities as Alarica so she used warrior signs to convey her message. Claryvorra was familiar with the signs but not fluent enough to interpret them. Claryvorra led Breanne to the laboratory where her mother had been working "Mother, Consors Breanne is trying to ask me something but I cannot understand. Could you interpret for me please?"
"Concentrate and you will understand. You already know how to read the signs."
"I know what the signs mean but not enough to be able to carry a conversation."
"You need to practice Claryvorra."
"Please mother, just this once."
"Breanne, what is it that you are asking Claryvorra?"
The girls are getting ready for Halloween. Mel want to be Hermione, Em maybe bunny, and that leave you. What you want to be? Breanne thought instead of signed.
After Alarica conveyed the message, Claryvorra gave this question deep thought she had never been asked that question. She was familiar with Hermione; Melisent had given her the books to read. Therefore, what to do, then she had an idea. "I am thinking maybe a wizard. I had seen pictures in the stores and in Melisent's books."
Breanne breathed a sigh of relief. There was something on her lower back. She looked up into Alarica's eyes. That was it. A gift of love returned. Breanne grabbed Claryvorra's hand to take her to the workroom. There was a costume to design. Claryvorra used the colored pencils to create her costume. Now that the costumes were designed, all that was needed was to bring them to life. After a trip to town to acquire the necessary supplies and three days to do each costume they were done. The girls were proud of the costumes and Melisent wanted to show off her costume inspiring the others to do the same. All the adults enjoyed the fashion show, Ernestine aside.
Preparations for the Harvest Festival and Celebration were underway with the girls planning a party of their own. Melisent would be attending the party held at her school with Claryvorra and Emily would be attending the Harvest Festival at her preschool. Luckily, the parties were not scheduled so that they would interfere with each other. Instead, they would be either the day before or the day after.
Breanne had always attended the girls' parties but never a party with adults. She was nervous to say the least. Alarica had a last minute meeting with Lithuania in the hopes of forming an alliance somewhere else with the eventuality of forming one with the United States. Queen Melisandra had been assigned the duty of supervising the preparations for the celebration. Without her sovereign watching over her she was free to do what she pleased, that is if she could get passed the guards. That did not seem possible however. Melisandra sent Breanne to town for a needless errand. If I cannot exact my revenge on the consors then maybe I will have a little fun with her instead. After all, if it wasn't for her my family would not be torn apart. Breanne was glad for the break no matter how silly the errand sounded. Leonessa, in the meanwhile, was having a discussion with Ernestine as to the proper placement of the official documents.
Breanne was doing what Melisandra had requested she do. Melisandra felt it was necessary for Breanne to go to town square to purchase a picture representing the harvest. She offered to paint a picture instead of purchasing such a picture but the request was refused. After leaving the gallery with a picture in hand she was grabbed from behind, her mouth covered, and dragged into an alley to be beaten. Alarica had returned from the meeting feeling something resembling accomplishment. She found Melisandra and requested an update on the preparations.
"Melisandra, where is Breanne?" Alarica knew that Breanne was not home and that meant Melisandra had something to do with it.
"I do not know what you are speaking of meus imperium." Melisandra was getting nervous, how was she to know?
"Melisandra, I left you here by yourself without my direct supervision with the purpose of the two of you finding resolution. The matter is passed. What was done is done nothing will bring back anything that was lost. What happened was not Breanne's doing it was your mother's. Your mother made her choice."
"She caused everything to happen. If she had not been here I would still have my mother."
"Melisandra, you miss your mother because there is no one who will fight your battles for you. This is the first time you must fight your own fight without relying on someone else." Alarica left immediately to speak with the guards and search for her missing minime uni.
Melisandra screamed and cried as a result of the encounter. Her life and family had been turned upside down and Breanne was to blame for it. Right? It is after all Breanne's fault that the queen no longer had her mother to protect her. Nothing made sense any more. The more she thought about the past events the angrier she became. Was her sovereign right?
Emily stayed home to be with her gamma. She wondered what was making that noise. When she saw what it was "Gamma, how come she make that noise?"
"She is doing that because she does not know what else to do. She has relied on someone else for too long. Now she must learn how to make her decisions."