VII
o0o
Daisy was fully aware of the way Tatanga drank her in with his eyes when she emerged from the captain's quarters on the airship. Although her dress still had plenty of orange and yellow, the elegant gown was constructed with a rich, deep teal as its base color which did well to set off the gold and amber designs on it.
"You are quite the sight, my love," Tatanga whispered as she took her position at his side. She smiled prettily at him before she turned her face to the vista before them. They'd had quite a lively discussion over how to manage this. Should the soldiers simply surrender to Luigi and let him pass, or would that make him wary? On the other hand, if the soldiers went too rough on him, and something happened to him, then his brother would want to intervene.
Finally, it was decided for the soldiers to give him token resistance. A few white flags of surrender, a handful of grateful Sarasaland citizens, a couple of 'spies', and Luigi's approach was easy to see as Tatanga hovered above the small castle in his craft.
"Unhand the princess and her kingdom!" Luigi shouted as he noticed their presence. Daisy wondered if he'd borrowed that line from his brother. Tatanga simply chuckled and raised a glass of wine to his lips.
"Be nice to our guest," Daisy reprimanded him lightly, loud enough for her would-be rescuer to hear.
"I haven't fired anything at him, I believe that is civil enough for a trespasser," Tatanga replied in the same tone. Daisy looked down at Luigi, leaning against the railing like someone on a pleasure craft who was looking down at something that had caught their attention.
"Good afternoon, Luigi! How are you?" Daisy started, deciding to simply dive into the heart of things. "Your efforts to do good are appreciated, but unnecessary. You will be compensated for your troubles, don't worry!"
Luigi narrowed his eyes as he stared up at them. He looked none the worse for wear. Some dirt on his shoes and overalls, but that was to be expected from his long trek here. She wasn't quite certain at this distance, but she was certain he had power-up items in his pockets.
"You would do well to listen to the lady," Tatanga interjected. "She doesn't want any more trouble than you do, though I'm prepared to defend myself – and her – if I need to." Daisy almost rolled her eye at Tatanga at this veiled threat and reached out to touch his arm.
"How do I know she's not being coerced to say that?" Luigi demanded. She felt the muscles in Tatanga's arm tense.
It was a possibility she'd brought up during their previous discussion. And given Tatanga's history with the Mario Brothers, the brothers could hardly be blamed for disbelieving a villain.
"All I can ask is that you believe me," Daisy offered. At a subtle hand gesture, the craft lowered several feet. "If you won't trust Tatanga, then trust me."
"Would he let you talk to me alone?" Luigi asked. Daisy glanced over at her partner. Tatanga's scowl made it clear he was not fond of the idea of the woman he loved alone with one of his greatest rivals. But Daisy, if she used the right word or look, could make her way past these scowls in a way no one else could.
"The sooner I can make him leave, the sooner I can return my attention to you," she whispered. His scowl gave way to a smirk before he sobered, looking at her.
The throne room was empty that day because of the "invasion", so Daisy took her seat on the throne, majestic in the modest elegance of the chamber. Ostensibly, they were alone, but Daisy did not doubt there were those listening.
"Are you really comfortable with this…" Luigi waved his arms, gesturing with his hands. It was not difficult to understand what he was referring to.
"I have handled this situation on my own," Daisy replied.
"Then why was I called for help?"
"The call did not come from me. I hate to say it, but you wasted your time. I welcome you as a friend, but no aid is needed."
Though Luigi was at the bottom of the dais, he was close enough for her to see the glimmer in his eye or the slight twitch of his mustache as she said that. She could not blame his skepticism. His eyes darted around the room, something she would have done if the positions were reversed.
o0o
The early evening air was brisk, and Daisy took a deep breath as she walked along the garden pathway back to the castle. Luigi's sojourn in Sarasaland had been the talk of many a town, and she did not doubt that her handling of the situation was part of that conversation.
However, she refused to feel regret or shame. It came to her easy now, accepting how things had changed, the new reality that she had her own part in making.
Bows and curtsies came her way as she passed servants and guards, and she acknowledged them with a gracious nod as she made her way to her destination. Within the palace she'd grown up in, Tatanga had taken over the small council room that her father and grandfather had used as their study. It'd been strange to be in that room the first time since Tatanga had taken it for his own, but she had come to admit that it was practical. Sarasaland had been a small kingdom, so its palace was modest compared to some of the others she'd seen on other worlds.
The guard stepped aside, giving her easy admittance. Two figures had their back to her, staring out the window to what she knew was a peaceful vista of the stables and the orchards beyond it. Her father had been an avid equestrian before his health failed him, and for a moment, Daisy recalled the rides she'd had with him when she was a little girl.
"The last of our agents has confirmed Luigi's departure," she heard Pionpi tell his lord.
"Very good. Still, keep a watch. I find that goody-two-shoes rarely give up after the first try."
"Giving up is something villains are not known for doing, either," Daisy piped up. Pionpi turned toward her, doing a smooth swivel as he floated in the air. Tatanga faced her less than a moment later.
"And so on it goes, this eternal struggle between good and evil?" Tatanga asked dryly.
"That seems to be the nature of the universe," came her reply. He raised an eyebrow, seeming to have a retort to offer, but checked himself with a nod before turning to Pionpi.
"You have your orders," he said, His right-hand man bowed his head, folding his arms into his sleeves before sliding out of the room, meeting Daisy's eyes for a brief moment. After the door closed behind him, Daisy approached Tatanga, who appeared to be pensive.
"I hope what I said did not upset you," she said.
"No. You have a fair point. Which is why I must stay on guard against the Mario Brothers even though you managed to send Luigi away without any further incident."
Daisy regarded him with a sympathetic smile as she slid into her father's chair, resting her arm on his desk. That was the thing with being a villain. Even if conquest seemed secure, there were always dissenters. There would always be those who deemed the villain wrong, whatever their reasons may be. But then, the work of a hero was not always so easily wrapped up. After a kingdom – or whatever the entity was – was rescued from the clutches of the villain, peace had to be guarded, but sometimes people fell into complacency after so long without a fight, and the cycle would begin anew. And so, a hero would need to come forth, whether it be the same one as before or a new one.
If a villain were destroyed, a new one would come about, sooner or later. There was a chance that Luigi might return with his brother. It was almost hard to believe there had been a time when she'd welcomed Mario and his help. Yet there were times – increasingly less nowadays – when she'd wondered what would have happened if she'd sent out a call at the earliest opportunity, instead of deciding to try to handle Tatanga herself. It was a gamble, but her current situation told her that it had paid off.
She hadn't waited for someone to rescue her. She had different strengths than the Mario Brothers, but it didn't mean she was completely helpless. She'd used the tools at her disposal… and it certainly didn't hurt when the villain was smitten with you.
At first, she'd simply been tolerating him. She treated him with politeness and civility, figuring she'd have better options with relative freedom instead of being in a cell or under strict guard. He was useful as a sporting partner, and his army helped to keep Sarasaland safe. She focused on the positives to make that toleration easier. But then somewhere along the way, she'd come to genuinely enjoy his company. There were times she'd needed to remind herself to not get too sentimental. The old, childish part of herself still reared its head now and then, telling her to fight.
"Yes. You have shown me the value of being on guard," Daisy said. She rose from the seat, intending to take her leave. Tatanga's fingers hooked around her forearm as he pulled her to his side.
"Let's play some tennis," she heard him say as she turned to face him.
o0o
The skin of her wrist was soft and warm under his fingers, and he caressed the inside of her arm with his thumb. He'd repeatedly had to fight back the urge to send his armies at Luigi, but these do-gooder brothers seemed to have dumb luck on their side regardless of the odds against them. He'd been anxious all day but managed to hide it under his calm bravado.
He didn't want to admit it, but part of him was relieved when Daisy had talked Luigi down. There was plenty enough to do without dealing with that asshole and his brother. Although they'd defeated Wario, and in the chaos of that he'd been able to get away from the mustachioed mischief-maker and end up with some of Wario's treasure and weaponry. So they'd done hum a turn of good once upon a time ago, he had to begrudgingly admit.
Some time with Daisy would be a welcome distraction from these thoughts. His home planet had been so wrecked that little of it was inhabitable at all, so taking exercise in an open space, surrounded by grass and fresh air, was quite the experience for him.
Daisy hesitated for a moment before acquiescing to his request. She was still better at this sport than he was, but he'd come to learn to appreciate tennis as more than a win-lose game. There was much on his mind, and the distraction of a game that required a lot of focus and quick movements was a welcome respite.
Sarasaland was a fertile land with a variety of crops, and Tatanga had taken a liking to mango, lemons, and dragonfruit among other sterling examples of produce. Having a fruit smoothie after a sporting match made the day sweeter, whether he had scored a victory or loss. He closed his eyes for a moment as he felt the ice and fruit slurry slide down his throat, letting out a short contented hum.
Setting the drink down, he did several stretches, feeling the late afternoon sun on his skin. As he did, he glanced in Daisy's direction, seeing her finish off her drink, a glass of water with a slice of lemon. With the calm confidence of a man approaching his lover, Tatanga closed the distance between himself and the princess.
"The evening is upon us, and after a day like this, I thought we could retire… together," Tatanga proposed with a suggestive raise of his eyebrow. Despite his recent exertions against his charming opponent, he still had ample energy for what he hoped would be a pleasing night, using their shared passion as a distraction from the outside world.
"Not tonight," Daisy replied in a gentle but firm tone.
o0o
Daisy rose from bed with morning sunlight filtering in through the long windows. The gold and orange on white of the wallpaper her mother had chosen years ago picked up the light, filling the room with a cheerful ambiance. Sleep had not come easily to her, but she'd finally gotten several hours.
Breakfast was a simple affair of tea, freshly-squeezed orange juice, a poached egg, and toast. As she ate, she perused some of her correspondence. There were appointments and meetings to keep, and people to see, and today was going to be one of those days. Already she wanted a nap.
Several servants and guards accompanied her as she ventured past the castle walls. The marketplace had stagnated for some time during Tatanga's first invasion and again upon his return, albeit with a shorter duration. All four of Sarasaland's provinces had roads that led here, and with plenty to grow in the fertile local fields and valleys, the market normally had a robust vibe. There was jewelry and spices from Birabuto, seafood and pearls from Muda, salt and exotic fruits from Easton, and silks and porcelains from Chai.
Local and exotic produce lined the booths of the open marketplace, where in the center sat a fountain that had been one of Daisy's favorite places ever since she was a little princess on her first trip out with her mother and her ladies-in-waiting.
The sound of gentle splashing surrounded her as she sat on the edge of the fountain, water pouring from several flasks held by maidens with flowers in their hair. The white marble of their bodies glistened in the sun, and the tumbling water reflected dazzle onto the finely-carved stone as it tumbled over three tiers carved into the shape of large leaves before pouring from outstretched tips.
Several people came and went by the fountain, drawing water from it. A couple sat on the other side of the pool. Her attendants stood nearby as she listened to the fountain and the chatter of the activity that surrounded it. Here and there, she saw a soldier, but the native Sarasalanders barely paid any notice. And now Tatanga was hosting what he said in his mother language meant a 'Ceremony of Surrender', but what she saw was comparative to bending the knee once he'd explained it to her. So far, he'd successfully defended Sarasaland against several attempted invasions, the efforts becoming easier each time as her people saw the benefits of his protection and were more willing to lend their support and cooperation.
It'd given her a small start when she realized that a year had passed since Tatanga's return. He'd proven himself an able leader and defender, and Pionpi was a loyal and effective second-in-command. From the outside, it would look as if Tatanga held all the control in Sarasaland, holding its citizens to his whims so they could feed and support his army of soldiers.
But he would not have been so secure in his power if Daisy had fought him. If she'd encouraged her citizens to revolt… But, no. And now, many of her people had come to accept the wisdom in her surrender. Now, Giflint, the heir of the vanquished lord of the Kankuto lands, a mountainous region to the north of Biributo, was coming to Tatanga to formally surrender and accept the terms on behalf of his father and people, having been mightily defeated by the combined forces of the aliens and natives of Sarasaland.
It was a formality. The kingdom had already been vanquished and was now the newest province of Sarasaland. But the former Prince Giflint of Kankuto would bring tribute – gold and silver among other precious metals and stones from the rich mines of the former kingdom – and accept the position of conditional governorship. Tatanga had seen the benefit of working with the people of Sarasaland and took the sage approach of applying it to his negotiations with the countries that had brought conflict to Sarasaland's borders.
Without Tatanga around, there was a very real chance that she might have been the one surrendering to the ruler of Kankuto. She was pulled out of her reverie by a greeting and a rustle of skirts. Looking up, she saw two faces that she recognized, albeit one more quickly than the other. Petunia and her granddaughter Polly were representatives of one of Sarasaland's oldest families, the Rosesmiths.
"How nice to see you out and about, my lady," Petunia said with a curtsy, the perfect image of a well-off and charming old woman in her purple dress and elegant wide-brimmed hat.
"It has been a lovely day," Daisy said, making the customary small talk before she glanced over at Polly. The young woman had cut her hair dramatically short, which was why Daisy had not registered her immediately. "I trust things are well for both of you?" she added solicitously.
"Yes," the older woman replied. "I will be there at Tatanga's… uh, Ceremony. It should prove interesting, hmm?"
Daisy looked up at this longtime member of the Sarasaland royal court before she nodded. "Yes. Interesting, indeed." Tatanga had given her a good idea of what the ceremony was to be like.
Much like Muda, Eaton, Chai, and Birabuto had done centuries ago, bending the knee to the ruler of Sarasaland, so Kankuto would be doing now, avoiding further conflict. In exchange for a ceasefire from his now-impressive army, Kankuto would pay tribute in the bountiful extract from its mines, including metals that would increase the strength of Tatanga's armed forces. In due time, Kankuto citizens would be allowed to join the army.
Despite setbacks, Tatanga had proven himself to be a capable military leader. And though it was a learning process between him and the citizens of Sarasaland, he'd gained begrudging respect from a fair amount of the populace.
"I'm sure she has enough to do, getting ready for that," Polly said as she lightly nudged her grandmother. She wasn't quite sure if the other young woman was snubbing her or trying to be polite, but she decided to play along with it, as Polly wasn't far from the truth.
"You're not wrong!" Daisy said with a small laugh. "I was just taking a quick rest before you came across me. It's been too long since I had some fresh air and sunshine."
"You look well. It was nice to see you again," Polly replied with a quick curtsy.
"Have a blessed day, my lady. May we find one another in good spirits when we next meet," Petunia said with a bow of her head. It was a common, and old parting message, an uttered goodwill. Daisy certainly hoped that there was plenty of good spirit at the ceremony.
o0o
The golden sands of Birabuto stretched out before them, several pyramids visible at various distances. The tawny waves of the desert made the sky seem bluer, and there was a sparse amount of clouds. Beyond the pyramids were the mountains of Kankuto.
Several of Tatanga's banners and flags adorned the buildings that surrounded the grand plaza, reminding native and foreigner who the ruler of all these mighty lands was.
Daisy wondered if her distant ancestor, the first lord of Sarasaland, had felt triumphant as the former ruler of the Birabuto kingdom bent its knee to him in surrender. She'd sat at Tatanga's side, looking down at the son of the former king of Kankuto. The burly youth had observed the script that had been assigned to him, and the Ceremony of Surrender had passed peacefully, the treaty signed by both parties. Kankuto was now part of Tatanga's domain.
She sipped her wine as she listened to Lady Petunia, looking over at the river that lazily passed by the pale buildings.
"My grandson is now training to be part of Tatanga's forces. My nephew has a contract with the army which will provide well for his family. I might be a stubborn old woman, but I am no fool," Petunia said with a shrug. "I certainly had my worries when he came back, but I must say you've handled yourself decently through all this…" She waved slowly at the mixture of people and representatives that milled through the space, enjoying the appetizers and refreshments offered by Daisy's palace staff.
Daisy let out a small, wistful sigh. "It was not an easy choice to make. I am only happy that my people have benefited from it." She glanced over to see where Tatanga sat on his throne, conversing with his guests, including the Kankuto representatives.
"I know, dear. I… we appreciate the work you do. Lovely ceremony and reception, by the way. Your personal touch here softens the blow a bit for that lad from Kankuto," Petunia gave her a small smile before retreating. Casually, Daisy turned around, surveying the people milling about. Music wafted through the air, provided by the locals of Birabuto, harps and drums mingling with reed flutes.
The Ceremony of Surrender had been handled in all solemnity, and Tatanga made a clear display of his power here, not that the Kankutans had not witnessed it already when he'd defeated their invading forces. The first of Kankuto's tributes had been presented to Tatanga.
She doubted that the former prince of Kankuto was happy to be here, but she was determined to make the right impression on them. They saw what had happened when they made an act of aggression towards Sarasaland and Tatanga. Now let them see how generous Daisy could be if peace was accorded. They would eat well here, and she intended to send them home with some foodstuffs from the orchards and farms of Sarasaland, preserves and jams along with dried and candied fruit that were normally a hit among guests and dignitaries. Even Luigi had gone off with some of it – hardly a consolation prize after he'd come here believing she needed help – but it was better than nothing.
She lifted her face to the breeze before feeling a hand gently touch her arm. Polly stood at her side, dressed similarly to her grandmother, but with more sharp and modern lines in shades of pink and violet.
"I hope you have been enjoying yourself," Daisy said politely.
"I can't fault the hospitality, but…" Polly frowned slightly.
"If you have something to say to me, then please do so."
"Is this the last Ceremony of Surrender Tatanga intends to hold?"
Daisy let out a small sigh.
"Do you support him in this?" Polly queried. Daisy thought of how she felt, sitting at Tatanga's side as the Kankutans bent the knee and offered their tribute.
"What would you have me do, fight him?" Daisy shot back quietly. A wry smile appeared on Polly's thin lips.
"No, I get it. I've been paying attention to the news. When I was a kid, it never occurred to me that Sarasaland would be part of a war. We learned the same thing about history. War was a thing of the past. We'd just go on with our happy little lives, enjoying our sunny days in our quiet little corner of the world. But as we learned, the world is a much, much bigger place."
Daisy could tell that there was something on Polly's mind. But the young woman seemed hesitant to offer her deeper thoughts. Did she have a complaint about Tatanga or the way he ran things?
"Is there something you wish to ask me?" Daisy asked. Polly blinked before taking a sip from her glass.
"My grandmother wants me to stay home and be a proper lady and all that, but I'd like to travel, and experience other cultures." She looked down at the floor for a moment. "But I don't want to be a soldier."
"… I see." Daisy tapped her chin thoughtfully. "You know, as much as Sarasaland has benefited from Tatanga's protection, I think our fine country needs to have a variety of strengths to choose from." There was no denying the power of Tatanga's forces, especially now that he'd had time to replenish and strengthen his legions. But as she'd experienced personally, a carefully placed word, a meaningful comment or observation, could shift a situation to one's favor.
She tilted her head in Tatanga's direction before looking back at Polly. "We need to develop our own skills. Then we will need to rely less on the protection others have to offer."
"It's good to see that not all of the fight has gone from you," Polly said with a wry smile.
o0o
Polly's words remained in her mind as she looked out at the river, seeing the crescent moon's reflection on its surface, silvery shards moving to and fro along the current. The crisp night air was a welcome change from the midday heat from earlier, and she also enjoyed the quiet after the hubbub of the ceremony and banquet. Outside, several Gao guards prowled the Palace grounds, silent and efficient sentries as they padded along on their large paws with feline grace. Intruders would be quick to learn of the Gao's ability to spit out fire.
She almost couldn't believe it had been over a year now. In what seemed like almost another lifetime, she would have never imagined willingly receiving Tatanga's affections, or actually being grateful for his protection, even though his first invasion was why she'd needed the protection in the first place.
Yet, here she was, ruling Sarasaland at his side. And now, because of him, she would also become queen of whatever lands Tatanga added to his empire. Although in that case, wouldn't she then be an empress? She looked down at her cup, dark tea within pale, finely-sculpted clay. Behind her, she heard soft footsteps and the rustle of cloth as he entered the room before getting ready for the night. Slowly, she set her cup down but did not turn towards him as she heard a brief conversation between him and his manservant.
Then they were alone, and she heard him approach her from behind, placing his hands on her shoulder as he shared her view of the vista that spread out before the balcony, the river and sand, luxuriously dark and bright at the same time under the light of the moon and stars.
"Today went quite well, don't you think?" Daisy asked, breaking the silence.
"I am inclined to think so." She heard him take a slow, deep breath. "This new addition to the empire will do both of us good."
"There is no doubt of that," Daisy recalled the ex-prince from Kankuto. Later on, he had approached her after local Birabuto spice-cakes had been served out as a dessert to the guests. She'd noticed Giflint make his way around, exchanging pleasantries with those he came across after he'd disengaged from Tatanga's company.
She'd had no reason to think he might pose a threat to her – after all, she was surrounded by servants and guards, and it would be a fool's errand to attempt to assassinate her. Though stripped of his title, Giflint was still dressed for someone of his former rank, albeit he lacked a crown or other explicitly royal insignia. He'd carefully held a spice-cake between his thick fingers, though he seemed disinclined to taste it.
She greeted him politely but with warmth. He inclined his head in a slight bow, but there was something about his demeanor that left her unsure if that gesture of respect was genuine or mocking.
"I hope the hospitality here is appreciable," she commented.
"You are a gracious hostess." Now she was certain that his voice had a faint mocking edge to it. No one who was observing them would notice anything amiss, and Daisy wondered if she was simply anxious because she wanted the gathering to go well and had put a great deal of work into planning for it, Part of her would be sincerely relieved when the whole event was over. She regarded him with a refined smile before inclining her head.
The spice-cake was starting to crumble in his hand, a few crumbs falling onto the ground despite the napkin that was folded around the confection. For a moment, she wondered if she had made a mistake in gifting the Kankutan delegation a sampling of Sarasaland produce. Giflint had accepted the gift politely, but his companions had seemed genuinely enthused about this unexpected boon.
"Perhaps if you had not sent Luigi away, neither of us would be in this situation," Giflint said in a whisper. "You could always call him back." If Luigi fought Tatanga, that would fulfill Kankuto's agreement with Tatanga in regards to them not fighting him. Luigi would provide a nice diversion if Kankuto found a way to drag the plumber and his brother into this.
"And, then what? Ask him to defend me against Kankuto?" She stared at him coolly. He squared his shoulders, adding more dimension to his already impressive bulk. She was tempted to add a comment about how the former king of Kankuto had grossly underestimated Tatanga, but no need to add insult – however true it was – to injury.
"I very much prefer peace, make no mistake of that. But you have seen what happens when one attempts to disturb that peace."
"So I have." Giflint turned away. And that was that, with no more words exchanged but for a polite farewell between the parties at the end of the event.
Daisy let out a quiet sigh of enjoyment as Tatanga kneaded her shoulders. It was nice to forget about politics for a bit and relax under a pair of skilled hands.
o0o
Yeah, I know it's been a while since I updated, but writer's block and stress is a real bitch.
Kankuto and its people were created by me, as there are no other kingdoms in Sarasaland mentioned in canon except for Birabuto, Muda, Chai, and Easton. The way I see it, Sarasaland is surrounded by the four kingdoms, which provided a natural buffer for the original Sarasaland.
I am already at work on the next chapter, which will be an important one. Gosh, I almost can't believe I've made it this far in the story. Writing the first chapter of this story almost seems like another lifetime. I started this story 5 years ago in early 2018 and now it's 2023 and I have been through so much IRL (as have the rest of you, I am sure) and it feels strange to contemplate the fact that this story is almost over, but I do not want to drag this story out. I think we've all seen what happens in various media when you drag things out.
I am not quite sure of how many chapters will be left, but but I intend to end this on a high note, not just for myself, but for the readers and fans who have supported me through the years.
Reviews and feedback are always appreciated.
Much love from me. Stay safe!