Images flashed in Siesta's mind. Images of pain, death, and other horrors that she was forced to face at such a young age. Amidst the heat of battle against the combined Albian and Void Shade forces, she had not registered quite everything she had gone through. Now, however, the events haunted her dreams, and she often found, while spending time with Louise or friends, that her vision would suddenly become blurry and unfocused and it would be difficult for her to move. More than once, Louise had to snap her out of it, and Siesta was unsure how long she could keep brushing it off to her. Tonight was a particularly bad night. As images of Wardes' decapitated body and severed head in the chapel at Albion tormented her. She wanted desperately to look away, but she could feel, from behind her, that she was held in place.
"Look what you did," an unfamiliar, masculine voice whispered menacingly in her ear.
"No, I had to, he was-," Siesta struggled to reply as her burning eyes, held open by this malevolent tormentor behind her, welled up with tears.
"How will she ever forgive you?" the voice taunted. At that, the door to the chapel opened, and Louise walked in.
"No! Please! You don't understand!" Siesta pleaded as Louise walked closer and inspected the body.
"How could you? He was my fiance," Louise said accusationally as she knelt down and took the severed head of Wardes in her arms. "You're a monster, Siesta."
"Yes, only a monster would kill someone in cold blood like this!" Wardes' head yelled mockingly as it started to laugh and blood began to pour from the exposed neck below onto Louise's lap.
No, Siesta thought in denial as the roof of the chapel tore open to reveal what looked to be dragons, but with their flesh and organs rotting off their broken, exposed bones. Atop them were men who appeared as corpses, covered in blood and their flesh also falling from their bodies.
"Murderer!" the haunting, corpse-like figures shouted at her as the laughter of Wardes' head intensified.
"No! No! No!" Siesta shouted over and over as she desperately thrashed about, trying to release herself from her captor. With great effort, she was successful, and turned to see, but only for a moment, a vision of a man, probably not much older than her, with similar black hair and black eyes and wearing a leather top that exposed his muscled chest. The vision faded immediately, though, as she was pulled back to the waking world by the feeling of a cold, wooden floor making contact with her face.
She was sweating profusely, and the images of her nightmare, while fading, still tormented her.
"Siesta," a soft voice, filled with concern, above her said, "are you okay?" Siesta could feel small, delicate arms wrap around her torso that was partially off the bed, and an attempt to pull her back up. Siesta cooperated, and was successful in getting back into the bed.
"Yes, Louise," Siesta replied, attempting a weak smile as she rubbed her aching forehead. Louise replied with an unconvinced frown, which compelled Siesta to elaborate, "It's just everything that happened still feels heavy, you know? Before you I never imagined I'd be fighting so much. And… killing." Siesta looked down and away from Louise, feeling shame and guilt building within her. In response, Louise gently took her hand.
"Hey, you did what you had to do, to protect yourself, to protect me, and to protect this country," Louise reassured with a smile. Siesta lifted her head to gaze into her girlfriend's eyes and smiled back.
"I understand. It's just… I'm still not used to violence, and especially killing," Siesta replied.
"Well, it's probably a good thing, right? That you don't look at that so casually?" Louise asked, imploringly.
"I suppose you're right…" Siesta replied, her voice trailing off. "But I still worry. The battle of Tarbes was devastating to both sides and even though there's been no more attacks, I still worry about what is to come, what with Fouquet still at large and her group in possession of more otherworldly artifacts. Are they stronger than we could ever imagine? Can we even win?" Siesta fretted as her eye contact with Louise once again broke.
"No matter what, I believe in you. I believe in us. No matter what happens, we'll face it together," Louise replied, soothingly, as she gently placed her hand on Siesta's face. Siesta took the hand upon her face in her own.
"I'm glad I have you," Siesta said affectionately. Louise leaned in to give her a quick kiss.
"I'm glad I have you, too," Louise replied with equal affection. The couple embraced each other and fell back asleep, with no more tormenting visions coming to Siesta.
Meanwhile, beyond their room in one of the dormitory towers of the magic academy, Zeratul felt a disturbance that roused him from his meditation. The malevolent presence that tormented Siesta was felt in the old Protoss Dark Templar's mind as well. It was a foreign presence, but human all the same. He surmised it would have to have been a powerful psionic to project such intent without also being close enough to alert Zeratul to their presence. He decided, however, to let his disciples sleep, and rejoice in what little rest they would have before inevitably having to face this dark trial.
Zeratul, I have urgent news that requires your presence on the Spear of Adun, a familiar, young Protoss voice echoed within Zeratul's mind.
Very well, Hierarch Artanis, I am prepared to warp in at your command, Zeratul replied. In a flash of light, Zeratul was whisked away from the academy grounds and found himself in the golden halls of the Protoss Arkship: the Spear of Adun, a ship designed to be used only in his people's darkest times, in order to safeguard their future. A ship that could house tens of millions of Protoss, should their race ever be in such peril as to need to store that many warriors, and wage interstellar wars on its own. It still left Zeratul in awe despite being here twice before. He made his way to the bridge, which appeared to be open to the cold void of space but was forcefielded to allow maximum view for the bridge crew to navigate and commanding officers to make the best tactical decisions. Upon arriving he was greeted by his Hierarch, supreme ruler of the Protoss, Artanis, whom he had served with through many battles. Though he was young, by Protoss standards, his prowess in battle and diplomacy had won him this most high position through which he unified the long-divided factions of Protoss to ensure the survival of their people… and the reclaiming of their homeworld. With him, as always, was Zeratul's Matriarch, Vorazun, most high leader of the Dark Templar, who valued solitude and individualism, and Alarak, the supposed "Highlord" of the extremist and fundamentalist Tal'Darim who valued nothing but power.
It is good to see you again, old friend, Artanis greeted as Zeratul joined them.
I sense the tidings of this reunion are not as glad as you would like, Hierarch Artanis, Zeratul surmised.
Indeed, Artanis replied gravely as he directed Zeratul's attention to the massive viewscreen ahead of them. Zeratul did not need further explanation upon seeing what was being portrayed before him.
Impossible, Zeratul whispered to himself in denial as he saw what were unmistakably Zerg bioforms being detected on one of Halkeginia's twin moons.
And yet, here it is, Artanis answered. It appears nowhere is safe from the scourge of the Swarm.
But these readings would indicate that these Zerg have been here for far longer than I. Perhaps even far longer than any evidence of our home sector of Koprulu I have seen on the surface. Why have they not attacked and infested the world below? Zeratul mused in confusion as he looked to the unspoiled green and blue world of Halkeginia where Louise and Siesta soundly slept, not knowing a world-ending threat was poised right above them this very moment.
What does it matter, old one? Let us burn this moon and be done with this, Alarak chimed in aggressively.
There is no reason to draw unnecessary attention to our actions, Alarak. Normally I would agree with this, but we have interfered enough in the lives of those lower lifeforms below, Artanis protested.
You Khalai and your codes… and then you wonder why Aiur was ever lost in the first place, Alarak chided mockingly.
You would do well to be silent 'Highlord', Vorazun shot back at the Tal'Darim.
I do not understand why you have called me here for this, friend. Though I am pleased to see you, the modest size of the hive cluster seems quite manageable for the forces aboard this ship, Zeratul informed.
It is because of the nature of this cluster. Look closer, Prelate, Vorazun advised. Zeratul looked over the information once more and in a moment, the revelation dawned on him.
Could it be…? Zeratul began in disbelief, his voice trailing off.
Yes, Prelate, the same signature as the Cerebrate who gave the Queen of Blades the ultimate victory over us on the Omega platform. The same Cerebrate that caused you to have to kill my mother, Vorazun explained. Zeratul now knew why he was summoned here, and what he must do.
And as it is a Cerebrate, only your Nerazim energies will be effective against it, old friend, Artanis informed.
Surely there are other Nerazim, Zeratul said as he looked to Vorazun.
You speak truly, but your experience with this particular one would be a great boon in expediting our campaign, Artanis replied. Zeratul took a moment to consider.
I ask that I at least inform my disciples of my departure. One of them is my sacred charge, after all, Zeratul requested. Artanis nodded in response.
Of course, Zeratul, we will await your return before we commence our purification campaign.
On the surface of Halkeginia, night gave way to day and an excitement buzzed throughout the land of Tristain. Today was the day of Princess Henrietta's coronation, and more than many were eagerly anticipating the proceedings. Henrietta herself, however, could not bring herself to feel anything but anxiety and shame. All she could think was that this was theater, an act to give a show of solidarity and strength to her people in these uncertain times of war. She was constantly consumed by the horrors of the battle of Tarbes and the massive losses to her ultimately useless army. She had unknowingly led her people to their deaths, and were it not for the miracle appearance of the Protoss, their lives, their country, possibly their whole world would have been forfeit. Henrietta's wallowing was interrupted by something metal beginning to touch her head, and she turned to see her royal dresser, the official crown of the queen in her hands. The crown her mother had always worn, but was now relinquishing to her.
"No, I don't think that's necessary," Henrietta protested as she gently pushed the crown away.
"That is not for you to decide," the authoritative voice of the royal court's religious representative, Cardinal Masarini, stated. "Must I explain how this is to happen, again?" His voice was almost threatening, and with his position and connections to the church, no threat was ever empty from his mouth. Henrietta removed her hand from blocking the dresser from placing the crown upon her. Once she felt the full weight of the crown upon her head, she stared into the mirror, doing her best to push down all her doubts and fears to practice the brave face she needed to put on for her people. "Do not be selfish, your highness, we are in the middle of a war. Although we have halted Albion's advances, we cannot let our guard down. We must show our enemies both within and without that the throne is stronger than ever. It is not just the will of the royal court, but the will of the people that you ascend to be the true Queen… and bring swift defeat to our enemies."
If only they knew the truth, Henrietta thought to herself as her gaze slipped ever so slightly into solemn contemplation once again. Once her preparations were complete, she was escorted to her royal chariot where she met with Agnes, a woman with short blonde hair, a face that seemed to be trapped in a permanent scowl, piercing green eyes, and standing at least a head taller than herself and, of course, her most trusted protector and leader of the newly-formed musketeer squadron.
"We have agents among the crowds and in vantage points across the parade route. We have heard no whispers of any planned attacks from protest groups, but we are prepared for anything," Agnes informed as she helped the soon-to-be queen into the chariot.
"I can always count on you, Agnes," Henrietta replied with a small smile. As they were about to depart, Henrietta, with almost visible distress, could fight her insecurities no longer and turned to Agnes as she was mounting her horse. "Agnes," Henrietta began with an unsure tone.
"Yes, your highness?" Agnes responded.
"Do you believe in me? As a leader? As a warrior? Do you believe that I can protect our people?" Henrietta asked. After a moment's pause, she felt compelled to add, "I am ordering you to speak freely. I assure you, by my honor as the new Queen of Tristania, that I wish to hear your honest opinion as the most honorable soldier I have known."
"Yes, my Queen. You are as honorable a noble as I have ever served. Your compassion is your strength, and I do not doubt for a second you would give your life for your people," Agnes replied without hesitation. With a small nod shared between the two of them, she mounted her horse, taking extra effort from her still not-fully-healed right arm and leg that had been almost ripped from her body in the battle of Tarbes. Upon seeing the extra effort her protector needed to exert, Henrietta felt a pang of guilt.
"I'm sorry, Agnes," Henrietta apologized with a solemn tone.
"Someday I will be used to the pain," Agnes replied as she rubbed her right arm and leg, "Today is not that day." The procession then began to move as the gates to the castle were opened.
Back at the academy, Louise and Siesta had awoken after receiving a mercifully restful sleep. They each began to prepare themselves for the coronation they were about to attend, with Siesta and Louise helping each other into their most formal attire. Siesta was getting used to wearing tailored clothes, and though the garb seemed much less itchy and ill-fitting to her than before, she still felt as though she were merely adorning a costume and not in her own attire. While getting dressed, she reached for her gauntlet, gifted to her by Zeratul. At the sight of this, Louise sighed, causing Siesta to look at her with confusion.
"The Princess-I mean-The Queen's finest guards will be there to provide the strongest security in the nation, are you sure you want to bring that?" Louise asked. Siesta, after a moment's hesitation, took the silvery-steel gauntlet that cut off at the first metacarpals and placed it on her left wrist, causing the Khalani symbols on her hand to glow once more as the knowledge and experience of how to use this warp blade flooded her mind. She then turned and placed her hands on Louise's shoulders, looking her directly in her brilliant pink eyes.
"I can never be too careful with you, it's my job, after all, as your Gandalfr," Siesta told her with a light giggle. Louise smiled back in response.
"Hey! What about me?!" an irritating voice cried out from below the bed.
"Derflinger, why would I have you around when I could just carry this?" Siesta asked, incredulously as she waved her gauntlet-adorned wrist, not caring that he could not see it.
"We're partners, aren't we? Besides, my insight and experience has been helpful to you in countless situations!" Derflinger protested. Siesta and Louise each gave sighs of defeat as they realized he was right. They never knew when they would have need of his expertise in any given situation, with how often the simplest-seeming tasks had gone awry. Siesta reached under the bed and retrieved a sword still within its scabbard, which was the source of the voice. "And maybe bring Ol' Zappy with you! They could set up a Pylon near the capital then you could warp there using your Void magic!"
"Wait… I can do that?" Louise asked, confused at this revelation.
"Yeah! Your 'magic' is basically Protoss energy, Pinky, that's why you can control Zapper and warp in structures and stuff, at least that's what I've gathered from talking with your original familiar and watching everything and having some stuff START to come back to me," Derflinger answered. Louise and Siesta first looked at each other in excitement, but their faces fell to uncertainty over time as they thought about it.
"I don't know… it seems like that might be disruptive. Those Pylons are pretty big… it'd have to be hidden deep in a forest and at that point why bother when we could just take a carriage?" Louise rationalized. Derflinger let out what could be a sigh.
"Look, if you don't wanna practice your Void skills, that's on you, but maybe ask Henrietta if it's a good idea to put one in the capital so you can quickly get there if you need to. You never know," Derflinger stated in a cautionary tone.
"I can agree to that," Louise answered as Siesta strapped Derflinger to her back.
"Ugh, this kind of clashes with my outfit," Siesta lamented as she looked over her formal black and white dress with a loose bottom half that went down to her ankles.
"I think it's very becoming of you, my beautiful protector," Louise replied lovingly as she gave Siesta a kiss, causing her to blush, "Now, let's get down to the carriage." As Louise finished this statement, a loud crack and a rush of air could be heard from outside, causing the girls to rush downstairs. When they arrived at the academy grounds, they saw a warp rift, identical to the ones that Louise had ordered Zapper to create to bring in Pylons and the Nexus at Tarbes, had formed in the middle of the grass surrounding the academy's central tower. Upon the girls witnessing this, Zapper, the golden, mechanical, floating orb that glowed pink from within, joined them and beeped.
"They said someone ordered them to warp in a Pylon here," Derflinger translated.
"Do they know who?" Siesta shouted over the din from the rushing air of the warp rift that was beginning to stabilize into the form of a floating crystal surrounded in a golden ring, causing Siesta to ignite her black warp blade that erupted from the top of the gauntlet's wrist and was surrounded in crackling red energy. Zapper beeped once more in response.
"Zeratul," Derflinger answered, causing Siesta to deactivate the blade. Once the Pylon's form had stabilized, another bright light appeared around the newly-constructed Pylon, and within a few seconds, Zeratul's form stood before them. Though this old Nerazim warrior had been walking the academy grounds in the open for months now, it did not stop the other students from looking upon him in awe and slight terror as he towered over every human at the academy. Once he had appeared, he approached Siesta and Louise.
Greetings, my disciples, I bear ill news, Zeratul began.
"Wow, not even a 'good news/bad news' to soften the blow, huh?" Derfligner remarked.
I am afraid there is nothing good about this situation. We must speak away from prying eyes and ears, Zeratul advised. Louise and Siesta nodded in acknowledgement as they returned to Louise's room in the dormitory tower they had just exited. We have detected Zerg bioforms on one of your world's moons, Zeratul stated bluntly. Before the shock of the statement could register with either of the girls, he continued, Normally I would say that this bears ill for your world, but these Zerg act strange. Readings indicate they have been here far longer than I. They also indicate they have been here longer than your forebears, Akhundelar Siesta.
"What can we do?" Louise asked, concerned.
My people will lead a purification campaign against the beasts so as to prevent their possible infestation of your world, regardless of the curious nature in which they have kept to themselves. The reason for my informing you is that I shall be away during this time. I do not have a firm grasp on Terrans' sense of time, so I may be gone long, in your eyes. We estimate full purification shall take twenty-seven of your world's rotations, should nothing unexpected occur, Zeratul informed. The girls looked at him in silence, not knowing exactly how to react to the news that the much-touted most monstrous lifeforms of his home universe were positioned immediately above them. All they did know was they were fearful. Fearful not just for themselves or their world, but for Zeratul. A feeling he sensed acutely. There is no need to fear for me, my disciples, Zeratul reassured, as he took a knee before them to meet their eyes. Akhundelar Siesta, I look to you to ensure the safety of Executor Louise while I am gone, Zeratul said. Siesta nodded, and, instinctually, brought her hand to her face and swiped it down slowly as though she were pulling a mask over it.
"Adun toridas," Siesta said in that tone that she had never, herself, heard. Zeratul, were he capable of it, would have raised an eyebrow in response.
Indeed, Zeratul replied as he rose to his full height. The power of the Gandalfr continues to elude and fascinate me. I hope, together, we may one day unlock its secrets. Siesta smiled at Zeratul in response and, without warning, embraced him, with Louise following suit. Zeratul somewhat understood what this action meant, but it was still foreign to him, as a Protoss.
"You better be safe up there, Mr. Zeratul! We're still counting on you to teach us!" Siesta fought to say through her now welling tears.
"Y-yeah! If you die, I'll never forgive you!" Louise declared as tears began to come to her as well.
Zeratul, not knowing how to respond correctly, merely gave them a gentle push away from him as he looked each of them in their tear-filled eyes.
I assure you, I trust my brothers and sisters to lead us to swift and decisive victory over this scourge, Zeratul assured as he motioned for them to leave the room while he followed. Once back on the academy grounds, Zeratul was warped away, leaving the girls to wonder after him, even as Louise, Siesta, Zapper, and Derflinger boarded their carriage and made for the capital.
Upon arrival, the group were greeted with the sounds of excitement and cheering as the people eagerly awaited the arrival of their Queen. Louise grabbed Siesta's hand with the matched excitement of the crowd, eager to see her newly-crowned friend. As they made their way through the crowd, they spotted a familiar blonde pair of nobles.
"Oh! Hello Louise, Siesta," Montmorency, the blonde with the long, curled hair adorned with a red bow greeted courteously. She had grown more friendly with them after the events of Tarbes, most likely due to their status as war heroes and not at all due to any amount of growing acceptance of their taboo relationship. Louise, feeling the infectious happiness in the air, decided to push the conversation further.
"What a lovely dress!" Louise remarked at Montmorency's short, brilliantly pink and frilly dress. With that remark, Montmorency's guard visibly dropped.
"Oh thank you! I had it made specifically for today," Montmorency informed with pride.
"And you look absolutely stunning in it, as you do in everything, my dear Montmorency," Guiche, the blonde, princely-styled medium-haired man that was ever beside her said flirtatiously as he attempted to wrap his arms around her with Montmorency slipping away and turning up her nose. Guiche looked as if he had been punched in the gut at this rejection. Upon his face, too, was a pair of pink, bejeweled spectacles, as was an assortment of marks that betrayed he had suffered physical harm.
"Please thank your sister for sending those glasses to me, it's been very eye-opening to see just how bad this horn-dog gets," Montmorency said in a thankful tone with a hint of irritance directed at her somewhat-boyfriend.
"Of course! I shall let Eleonor know. Though it looks like the results weren't very surprising," Louise chuckled. Montmorency gave a defeated sigh as the glasses began to light up and make small chirping noises. Her face immediately became twisted with anger as she turned to once again slap Guiche.
"Founder! Even Louise? Zero Louise?" Montmorency cried out in disbelief. Realizing what she had said, she turned back to Louise, shame in her face. "I'm so sorry, it's an old habit, I swear I didn't mean-"
"It's fine." Louise still smiled politely, but Siesta could easily tell that the remark still cut her, even to this day. Siesta squeezed her hand, which she had not let go of since they arrived, and gave a reassuring smile, which softened Louise's expression.
"Here comes the main event, lovebirds!" Derflinger announced. The two turned to look at the oncoming procession, led by the new Queen's musketeer squad, headed by Agnes, a short-haired, dirty-blonde woman with piercing gaze of green eyes that felt as though they could stab into your very soul and had visible scarring that began at her right shoulder. She was flanked, on both sides, by additional musketeers, all women, and they were followed by the main reason for the festivities.
"The Queen!" a voice in the crowd announced as the excitement, and resultant noise, grew. Soon enough, Henrietta could be seen. Adorned in a flowing, white cape with gold trim, a ceremonial, sky blue dress with puffed shoulders and jewels around the neck and chest, and atop her shoulder-length, purple-haired head, the silvery-platinum crown of the Queen. Though none could see it, and she bore a small smile, her eyes betrayed an internal solemn feeling. Still, though, she waved courteously to the people.
"Princes-! I mean, Queen!" Louise called out as Henrietta drew near. Henrietta turned and faced her, Siesta, Montmorency, and Guiche and her smile grew ever so slightly upon seeing friendly, familiar faces. Just then, a slapping noise could be heard. Louise and Siesta turned to see Guiche once again being stricken by Montmorency.
"Even our Queen?! You are shameless!" Montmorency shouted, her face bright red with embarrassment. Louise and Siesta laughed at this, and though they didn't see it, Henrietta found it amusing as well. Their jovial moment was cut short, however, as someone shoved past the group. A figure shrouded in a tattered, brown cloak positioned himself between them and the Queen and her escort.
"Death to the monarchy!" the figure screamed as he tossed a small, cylindrical object at the chariot and just as quickly shoved his way back through the crowd before anyone could react. One of the musketeers immediately dismounted and batted down the thrown object, and Siesta, the power of the Gandalfr instinctually moving her, wrapped her arms around Louise, Guiche, and Montmorency and used her psionic powers to their fullest extent to push them and as many of the crowd as possible, back. After the one moment in which all these things occurred, the royal procession was rocked by an explosion that spooked the escort's horses, bucking the riders, and causing Henrietta's chariot to be tossed on its side. Siesta, her ears ringing from the explosion, and her body feeling sore and sluggish from the sudden impact of the ground she had thrown herself to, rose to her feet to assess the situation. The musketeer who had batted the object away was now nothing more than a humanoid figure of charred, meaty remains, with her skeleton, missing many parts, and flesh pulverized by taking the full force of the explosion. Her horse, or what was left of it, was in not much better shape as it clung to life while missing half of its body. Agnes, recuperating from the attack rose, drew her sword, and mercifully ended the creature's life before she began shouting orders that Siesta could not make sense of due to the ringing in her ears. In a few seconds, the ringing began to dull and the words began to become recognizable.
"...resT OF YOU! PURSUE THE ASSAILANT!" Siesta could finally hear that Agnes shouted as she pointed in the direction of the fleeing attacker. While half of the surviving escort stayed with the Queen, the rest ran in pursuit of the figure, as ordered. Siesta took a moment to look down at Louise and the other two before making up her mind on what to do.
"Louise, go to the Queen, make sure she knows you're with her! Her guards should protect you! I'm going after the one who did this!" Siesta announced as she tore at her dress to increase her mobility and used her psionics to dash through the crowd and leap upon the rooftops to spot the fleeing attacker. Thanks to her powers, her hunt was short, as she saw him running through an alley. She decided to drop in front of him, causing the attacker to skid to a halt and about face. Siesta, with her psionically-enhanced superior speed, caught him at that turn of his heel and ignited her warp blade, the snarling, red-engulfed energy of the black blade crackling to life and causing the air to have a whiff of ozone. "You're not going anywhere," Siesta announced ferociously as she struck an aggressive pose with the tip of the blade poised to run through the unknown assailant's face. The cloaked figure backed away in fear, his hands raised defensively.
"Just walk away, Siesta, this doesn't concern you," a familiar, young, teenage, masculine voice answered, which gave Siesta pause as she loosened her stance.
"Could you be…?" Siesta's voice trailed off as she squinted at the hooded assailant. After a momentary pause, the attacker lowered his hood, revealing a face that shocked Siesta to her core. "Julien!" She cried out as she deactivated her warp blade and rushed to embrace her brother, completely forgetting everything that had just happened as she was overwhelmed with relief at her brother's appearance. After what felt like an eternity of embracing and sobbing in relief, she suddenly remembered why she was here and backed away from her brother, shoving him. "What have you done?!" she shouted desperately, as her brother was unable to meet her gaze, anxiety etching his face.
"Like I said, this doesn't concern you, Siesta," Julien answered in a cagey manner as he clenched his fists by his sides.
"It does now! What about papa? What about mother? What about-?"
"I know that! But you should know that what I'm doing I do for all of us! Can't you understand? These nobles sit in their gilded towers and send us to die in wars for their causes! I was one of them! I'm only fifteen, Siesta! And there were boys there at Tarbes younger than me who were torn to pieces crying out for THEIR mothers and for what? Some noble power struggle between monarchs and the rich? Oh Founder… I can still hear them wailing for their parents," Julien grabbed his head as his face turned to horror and tears began to stream down his face.
"HE WENT THIS WAY!" a distant voice of one of the pursuing musketeers shouted, causing Siesta to look over her shoulder.
"What are you gonna do, maid?" Derflinger asked. Siesta, who had no time to chastise him for the remark, quickly ran through her options until she decided on the only one that she could allow herself.
"Put your hood back on, run, I'll hold them off," Siesta ordered to the still sobbing Julien. Lacking a response, and needing one in this very moment, Siesta slapped him, which jerked him out of his crying fit. "Listen!" Siesta hissed. "I don't know what's going on or why you're doing this, but you need to cover yourself and run! If they catch you there's no telling what they'll do to you or our family!" As she announced this, she could now hear the clanking footsteps of the approaching musketeers.
"YOU THERE! HALT!" one of the two musketeers ordered as they dashed for the pair. Julien quickly shrouded his face once more. Siesta, knowing they were now too close for him to escape without somehow incapacitating the pursuers, used her psionics to move some of the alley trash in their way and trip them to aid in her brother's escape. She then used her psionics to place him upon the rooftops while they were recovering from their fall. Siesta and her brother exchanged one last knowing glance before he disappeared. The musketeers now approached her, swords drawn, while Siesta raised her hands in surrender. "You are under arrest for being party to treason!"
Derflinger gave an exasperated sigh, "Oh boy… how're we gonna get outta this one, girly?" Siesta truly had no idea, but she hoped, desperately, that Louise did.
On Louise's end, she rushed to see if Henrietta was alright, but found herself blocked by the musketeers, who trained their swords on her.
"I am her Highness' court lady, Louise de la Valliere! I need to see if she is alright!"
"Stay back!" the closest musketeer ordered as she stepped forward and shoved Louise to the ground.
Louise frantically looked for Agnes, and saw her just beyond the guards, tending to the Queen, "Agnes! You know me! You know my relationship with the Queen! Tell them to let me through!" Agnes lifted her head to see Louise and then nodded to the guards, as they let her go to the Queen's side. Upon reaching Henrietta, she saw that the Queen was dazed and not fully responsive.
"She might have hurt her head, she's bleeding, and she might have internal injuries as well that I can't discern," Agnes admitted as Louise knelt by the groaning Queen. Louise took Henrietta's hand and tried to tilt her head to look directly at her.
"Highness, look at me, look at me, it's okay. You're going to be okay. Siesta took off after the attacker, she'll catch him for sure. It's going to be okay," Louise assured both Henrietta and herself. The next moment she was hit with a realization, "I'm here with a water mage friend. She's fairly skilled and may be able to help." With this information Agnes nodded to her once more.
"Guards, let her though! She's going to fetch aid for the Queen!" Agnes ordered as Louise ran through the parted guards to where she and the two blonde nobles were thrown by Siesta to escape the blast. She found the two still in the same position, holding onto each other in terror.
"Montmorency! We need a water mage and you're the closest one on hand, come help the Queen!" Louise implored as she reached out her hand, to which Montmorency reached out her own and rose to be with her.
"Wait! Don't leave me!" Guiche cried out desperately as the two girls left to go back to the Queen. Montmorency quickly assessed the situation and began her work in stopping the bleeding and relieving the Queen's pain. Her work was quick, and the Queen began to regain her senses.
"Louise…?" Henrietta asked weakly as she looked up into her childhood friend's concerned pink eyes.
"Yes, your Highness, I'm here, don't worry," Louise reassured her with a smile as she held the Queen's hand in her own hands. Henrietta smiled back at her, but their moment was cut short at the arrival of two other musketeers escorting a cuffed prisoner before them. "Siesta?" Louise asked, concerned.
"Are you with her?" one of the musketeers demanded.
"Y-yes…?" Louise answered, unsure.
"Sir, this one," one of Siesta's captors began as she shook Siesta, "is responsible for the escape of the attacker. If they are together, then they are both party to this treasonous attack." Agnes looked to Louise and furrowed her brow in anger. Before she could order her arrest, however, the Queen sat up and placed her hand upon Agnes' shoulder, calming her.
"Your Majesty, you shouldn't be exerting yourself so soon!" Agnes admonished with concern.
"Louise was here with us the whole time and helped save me, there is no way she could be part of this attack," Henrietta stated. "As for her? I'm sorry, Louise, but if what these soldiers say is true, then we must bring her in for questioning."
"But it's not true! Right, Siesta?" Louise asked, hopefully. Siesta did not respond, choosing instead to ponder the road in which they all were positioned. This was all the response that was needed for Louise to surmise what had happened, however, as her face fell and her heart grew heavy with dread.
"Take her away," Agnes ordered, and, with a nod, the guards shoved Siesta onward to her place of imprisonment.
Siesta, stripped of Derflinger and her warp blade (which was taken not because they knew it was a weapon, but simply as it was deemed a valuable to be seized), sat, alone, in her lightless cell far below the palace, contemplating what had happened with her brother. His words echoed in her head. The words of a traumatized child forced into battle and forced, still, to endure seeing his peers die horrifically in front of words of her own little brother, who she could remember vividly bickering with when they were younger, over silly, stupid things like him copying her or taking her toys, tormented her to no end. How many other little siblings had their lives cruelly cut short by wars for the problems of the rich and powerful? The thought that haunted her most, however, was… what if he was right?
Siesta's thoughts were interrupted as the hinges on her wooden cell door loudly creaked to life, indicating an incoming visitor. She perked up, hoping to see the face of her girlfriend, but was instead greeted by the regal figure of the newly-anointed Queen Henrietta, in her usual royal attire that she had seen her in more often, and her most trusted bodyguard, Agnes. Siesta shifted herself to her knees to bow respectfully to the incoming monarch. "Your Highness," Siesta respectfully acknowledged. The Queen wordlessly placed herself upon her knees in front of her, sullying her pristine, white, royal dress and her purple cape in the process. "To what do I owe this honor?" Siesta asked.
"I wished to speak with you," Henrietta replied, coolly.
"May I ask what about?" Siesta wondered.
"I think you know damn well what about, traitor!" Agnes snarled as she produced a primitive flintlock pistol and aimed it directly at Siesta's head. Siesta did not flinch, to which Angnes' face twisted in rage, "Your majesty, please permit me to shoot this treasonous swine!" In response, Henrietta merely raised her hand, which caused Agnes to lower her weapon.
"Allow me to speak to her alone," Henrietta requested.
"But-!" Agnes began, only to be shot a commanding, silencing look by Henrietta. Agnes relented, and cast her gaze upon Siesta once more, "Be grateful for her Majesty's infinite mercy, for if it were up to me, you would be dead." With that snarled declaration, Agnes stormed from the cell, slamming the door behind her.
"Now that we're alone," Henrietta continued, "Based on everything I know of what happened at Tarbes, it was you, Louise, and a certain otherworldly warrior called 'Zeratul' who were responsible for saving our forces. And me. We are certain that, had you not intervened," Henrietta lowered her gaze and a certain tinge of shame appeared upon her face, "we would have fallen." A heavy silence hung over the two for what seemed like an eternity, before it was finally broken by Henrietta rising to her feet, doing what she could to dust off her soiled dress. "I just wish to know… how could one of the saviors of Tristain also allow a terrorist to go free?" Henrietta looked down to Siesta, who could not bring herself to meet the Queen's accusatory face. After yet more silence, Siesta felt she had to say something.
"I cannot say, your Highness," Siesta answered, sheepishly. Henrietta, if Siesta could have beared to look at her, contorted her face in frustration before finally heaving a frustrated sigh. She gathered her feelings back to neutrality, at least on her face.
"The power demonstrated at Tarbes," Henrietta continued, "I need you to lend it to us once more. You were there, Siesta, you know the devastation our people faced. It is a popular sentiment among the royal court and other military leaders, who simply saw that battle as a swift, decisive victory, that we should counterattack Albion." Siesta finally looked to Henrietta, now filled with concern. More battles? After the disaster at Tarbes? She began to think once more of her brother. "Siesta," Henrietta continued, "I want to avoid open conflict as much as possible. I think you do, as well. I ask of you, please, lend us your power that we may bring a quick end to this war. Besides, should you refuse, I shall be forced to pursue the matter of your treasonous actions this day." The Queen's ruthless political ability slid through with her final barb as she emanated a threatening aura.
"I see," Siesta replied, once again breaking her gaze from the Queen. "Louise always said she'd do anything for you-"
"I am asking you, personally," Henrietta interrupted. "Being a monarch, and now, especially, with being a Queen, has proven to be inconvenient. I cannot tell who I can trust has my best interests at heart anymore, nor can I tell who understands me, personally. I had hoped you would be one of those that would." Henrietta betrayed a solemn disappointment in her tone that hit Siesta hard.
"I will see your request through, your Majesty," Siesta replied with a bow.
"Despite the events of today," Henrietta began with a sigh, "I am still relieved you say that." The Queen then stared at the wall with a stare that looked far beyond it. "I wish to keep your roles secret until I have need of you. Even in our own borders, the enemy works against us."
"Spies?" Siesta inquired, to which Henrietta nodded.
"Just a few hours ago, in a special prison for nobles, the captured Lord Cromwell was assassinated," the Queen announced, which caused Siesta to rise to her feet in shock. "The spells used to secure him were some of the most powerful our mages could muster, and, yet, they were all broken through."
"I see," Siesta replied as she pondered this situation.
"Despite your actions, I still feel I can trust Louise, and if she trusts you, then I have no choice but to put my faith in you as well," Henrietta returned her focus to Siesta's eyes, "and, as reward for your cooperation, you will be cleared of your charges." Siesta nodded in acknowledgement, which Henrietta followed with turning to the door, "Agnes, please let Louise in."
The door once again creaked open as the small, pink-haired form of Siesta's girlfriend, flanked by Agnes, was revealed. Upon the two seeing each other, Louise threw herself into Siesta's arms and began to sob. Siesta held her close and stroked her long, flowing, pink hair soothingly.
"It's okay, Louise, I'm alright," Siesta assured her girlfriend.
"You idiot," Louise sobbed into her girlfriend's chest as the two embraced. She then raised her head to meet Siesta's gaze, "How dare you make me worry like that." Siesta could only smile at this display of loving concern.
Later, and with Siesta's belongings returned to her, they were escorted back to the academy by a surly Agnes, who drove their carriage. Within, the two pondered the parting gift that the Queen had given them. A small, old book, bound with a locket marked with the same feathered-wing-style Protoss symbol she saw upon Zapper when he was first summoned. Heresiarch's Book of Invocation, it was called, and it had apparently been passed down through Tristain's royal family. Opening the book revealed the pages to be, confoundingly enough, blank.
"According to Headmaster Osmond's research, it should be full of Void spells," Louise remarked as she flipped through the pages, looking for any content. By the end of their journey, she had finally been through the entire book, and found nothing. Day had surrendered itself to night by the time they had arrived at the academy, and as the girls exited the carriage, they looked to the sky, to the moons, specifically, and pondered the state of their teacher and the other Protoss above.
"From now on, Miss Valliere, the Queen's words shall be passed down to you via a member of the Musketeer Force," Agnes informed bluntly, interrupting the girls' contemplation. "Your team code name is 'Zero', understood?" Despite the pang of shame she still received at that moniker, Louise nodded in acknowledgement. "And Siesta Sasaki?" Agnes addressed, with a threatening tone. Siesta looked to her with steeled resolve. "It is only by order of the Queen that I overlook your treachery. One more mistake and it will be the end of you, no matter her orders." With that last remark, Agnes cracked the reins to the horse of the carriage and left the two to wonder about their possible fates. They stood in silence for a small time, before Louise turned to Siesta, giving her an imploring look.
"Siesta," Louise began. "Did you really let the attacker go?" The shame that welled up within Siesta made looking at her girlfriend unbearable, which was all the answer she needed. "Why?"
"I-I can't explain, I'm sorry," Siesta replied with overwhelming shame. Louise appeared absolutely crestfallen in return.
"Don't you trust me? Please, I'm begging you," Louise pleaded with her. Siesta now felt the guilt reach a tipping point as she could feel that she was about to relent.
"Alright, but not here," Siesta replied as the two made their way back into their room. Once within, Siesta locked the door and sat on the bed next to Louise. "Before I continue, you must swear to me, upon everything you hold dear, that you will not tell anyone," Siesta began with a grave, pleading tone.
"Of course," Louise replied calmly.
"I mean it, Louise, what I'm about to tell you could put not just me and you in jeopardy, but my family, and possibly my whole village would be in grave danger as well," Siesta informed with increasing severity in her tone.
"Siesta," Louise began as she sat beside her girlfriend and took her hand, "I swear, upon my own family, my honor, my Queen, and my country, that I will keep your secret." Siesta, feeling reassured enough, took a shaky breath before speaking.
"It was Julien, my brother," Siesta admitted. Louise, for her part, was completely unprepared for that explanation and sat there, wide-eyed, in stunned silence. "You understand now, yes?" Siesta asked as she gave Louise an imploring look. Louise, at first unable to keep eye contact, centered herself and gave her girlfriend a determined look.
"I do," Louise replied with a nod. Siesta could feel a heavy weight fall from her spirit and felt she could breathe freely once more.
"Word of this can't get out, who knows what they'd do to my family to get to him," Siesta fretted.
"I know," Louise responded. "And my promise holds true, dear, I will protect your family." Louise gave her a reassuring smile. The two kissed, and both finally felt as though the situation were at least partially resolved. Still, however, Siesta did feel she had one more thing to add.
"I need to be the one to find him. And confront him," Siesta told Louise as they changed into their nightgowns to ready themselves for bed.
"I understand, darling," Louise replied understandingly as they each put out the candles and climbed into bed. "But what will you do? When you do find him?" Louise asked, concerned.
"I don't know yet," Siesta replied as she made herself comfortable. "I just hope against hope everything will just… work out."
"Me too," Louise responded as she cuddled against Siesta. "But like I said before, no matter what happens, we'll face it together." It was a comforting sentiment that the two fell asleep to, with thankfully no nightmares tormenting them this night.
Come the morning, they were startled awake by a banging on the door. Siesta leapt out of bed, drawing Derflinger from beneath it and unsheathing him as she approached the door. "Who's banging on the door this early?" Siesta demanded.
"It is Agnes, open this door immediately!" Agnes' voice demanded from the other side. In response, Siesta carefully leaned forward and opened the door, keeping Derflinger at the ready. Agnes burst into the room, struggling to breathe as she appeared to have sprinted up the tower. She did not register the armed welcome she had received, trying instead to catch her breath. Once she had gathered enough, she rose to attention. "The Queen has been kidnapped."