Chapter Ten

Expectations and Revelations

It was a long two weeks that followed Lord Helios's letter. The Royal Family of Swenyos was coming the same that the Immortals were expected to arrive so the Palace was abuzz with activity. Only a few members of both courts were invited to attend the meeting and had to swear to secrecy. Sir Juno was among them, and she made it her business to check and screen the names of the others attending with scrutiny. It was only after the third time she made inquiries that the Queen stepped in to call it off but she could not deny that the warrior had done well. Still Queen Selene kept a watchful eye over the former soldier and tried her best to get her to relax and maintain her health. Strangely enough, it was Serenity who finally persuaded the Captain.

Serenity, bored and lonely without Endymion, had taken to following the woman around like a baby chick. At first, Sir Juno tried to avoid the overly energetic toddler but try as she might, she couldn't shake her off. After four days, she finally gave in and let Serenity trail behind her like a tiny talkative shadow. Although she wouldn't admit it, Sir Juno was becoming rather fond of the tagalong Princess and was almost regretful that in several days she'd have no time for the girl.

The night before her best friend was meant to come found little Princess Serenity awake and impatient for the night to be over. Still, even as she fought to stay awake, sleep caught up to her and she dreamed of Endymion and the special person her mother had told her about.

Queen Selene had been cautious in picking her words when she had prepared her little speech. She didn't want Serenity to be confused or worried by too much information but she also knew that Serenity would have to be told something about the many visitors and meetings that were going to be in the Palace within the next few days.

"Serenity, do you remember Uncle Dagda and Aunt Gaia?"

Serenity perked up and looked at her mother hopefully.

"They visiting?"

"Yes, but they aren't going to be able to play with you, love. Your papa and I have to talk about a lot of things with them so we won't be around much either. But Endymion and Michelle will keep you company." Serenity's eyes shone with wild glee and she hugged Queen Selene fiercely. "Tank you!" She was about to go tell Sir Juno when Queen Selene called her back. "Serenity," She said patiently. "There are more visitors coming, too and they will want to meet you. Please be good for them."

"Who're they?"

Queen Selene frowned. How does one describe the Immortals to a toddler?

"They are….teachers." She didn't know what else to say so she kissed the Princess good night and closed her door, leaving Serenity with a very unsatisfied curiosity.

Still no one was more anxious and impatient for the coming visits than Queen Selene. The lack of information she had received earlier frustrated her and she could only imagine what was so important that Lord Helios couldn't bother to mention in a letter. A deep unease came over the Queen as the hours and days passed.

At noon the next day, thirteen adults filed in to the Chamber of Counsel and settled into their respective chairs. King Apollo glanced at the clock across the room, silently praying that the Immortals would be on time. He was relieved to hear a soft knock on the door and the voice of a page announcing their presence. The door swung open and two more people walked in.

Lady Setsuna and Lord Helios bowed tiredly and apologizing for their lateness, quietly took their seats. King Apollo addressed them. "Lady Setsuna, Lord Helios, I'm afraid to tell you that we are at war with Calpeart. What you discovered in your absence may be crucial. Would you share it with us all?"

Lord Helios began. "I had left Swenyos several months ago in hopes of tracking Lord Danburite. I was suspicious of the rumors of strange activity in Calpeart. I wouldn't believe anything until Lord Danburite confirmed it so I began my search. I found Lady Setsuna confirmed so I began my search. I found Lady Setsuna who was also looking for him and so we worked together and managed to capture him and get the truth behind the rumors."

"What were the rumors?" Queen Gaia asked. Lord Helios was silent. Lady Setsuna nudged him and upon noticing him stiffen, continued. "Well…it's more fearful than we had heard…if we'd only known…Queen Beryl has the Incubi and Succubae on her side and poised to attack at anytime."

The Incubi and Succubae? Are you sure?" Queen Gaia gasped, alarmed. "It's unmistakable, Majesty." Lord Helios had found his voice at last. "Lord Danburite told us so and we would not have believed had we not journeyed through the caves of northern Calpeart looking for proof. Which we found." From inside his cloak he pulled out a stoppered vial with a swirling sickly yellow gas tinged with black-red. He set it on the table where the two scribes were taking notes. At the sight of the bottle the two cringed.

"Is that…" One of them began, looking too fearful to finish speaking. Lady Setsuna nodded and the two abandoned their seats entirely fleeing to the safety of the farthest wall from the monstrous thing inside the vessel on their table.

For the first time, King Dagda looked angry. "Lord Helios, bottled Incubi is forbidden! How could you bring it here?"

"My apologies, Majesty, but there was no other way you have believed us." Lord Helios explained. "But look here." He picked up the bottle and muttering a few words let it fall from his hands.

Everyone started.

The bottle smashed on the ground, turned to dust and disappeared. There was no sound but for the faintest scream.

King Apollo stared, speechless. Noticing his shock, Lady Setsuna launched into an explanation of her own. "Just outside of Galbraith, we came upon two Incubi. I trapped both but it took a few days for us to recall how to destroy them." At this she looked apologetic. "It's been nearly three thousand years since I've seen one."

"How do you destroy it?" King Dagda interrupted.

"I was getting to that. To end the Incubus, I casted a freezing spell. It traps the creature in ice and makes it weak enough to be destroyed using any physical means. Unfortunately, it would be nearly impossible for both Lord Helios and I to extinguish them all on a battlefield. However there are people who can."

"Who?"

It was a grim-faced Lord Helios who answered for Lady Setsuna.

"The only other people who can perform this are those whose blood is directly connected to Jorden itself- in other words, current royalty."

A stunned silence hit the room. While it was not uncommon for a King or Prince (and yes in some places, Princesses and Queens too,) to be trained to fight, or enroll in an Academy, the idea of them actually putting it to use, in a war, no less was unthinkable! Absurd! A dark-haired man stood up from his table and strode to where the two Immortals were standing. He bowed in deference before the Council and straightened up.

"I'll go."

"Artemis!" King Apollo protested but the Prince was adamant. "Teach me the spell," He said imploringly to the two Immortals. But before they could open their mouths in dissent, Queen Gaia rose to her feet. "I'm going, too." She smiled and made to stand next to Lord Helios. King Dagda shot up and followed his wife, slipping his hand into hers. "Well, if the Queen of Swenyos is going, then who am I to stay behind?" He joked. King Apollo looked pained. "How can you treat this like something trivial? Prince Artemis," He addressed the stubborn man. "My brother, have you not thought of how much I will suffer if you die, knowing I have sent my younger brother to his grave?" The Prince crossed his arms. Suddenly, there was a rustle of skirts and Queen Selene was standing with the others, sadness and decision in her face. "I will go as well," She said, eyes searching her husband's face. "If I cannot stop them from going, then I will, too. I'm a Queen by marriage, I qualify." King Apollo sighed heavily. There was nothing else he could say to sway their decision.

"So be it."

Lady Setsuna and Lord Helios were solemn in their assent. Prince Artemis caught their eye and startled, glanced back his brother. There, reflected in their eyes was decisiveness, guilt, and was it…worry?