5-6-14

It turned out that guards from the entrance of the Mountain always did checks on the ground before escorting anyone up to prevent aerial battles, on the rare occasion that someone was making trouble. As a result, the non-flying members of your group were carried up by complete strangers. I’m not sure if that helped or was worse but I had a great time, the huge smile across my face coaxing an indulgent grin from my ride. He was a beautiful glimmering green, my favourite colour, and was kind enough to linger until last so I could enjoy just a little longer in the air.

Eventually, we alighted in the entrance way and I grinned happily at my escort. “Thank you!” He inclined his head in acknowledgement and we parted, me to return to my party and he to his watch post. It seemed that, now we’d been cleared, we didn’t need any further escort, the original Drake delegation were enough to ensure we behaved. The patrol were the first to leave, presumably to be tended to, debriefed and get decent food before crashing. If their commanders were kind, they may even get the next patrol off. As they left us at the entrance, many directed shallow little bows towards the Icanthie delegation. Fennick-tianNaj A’Zadack Pashna was the only one to stop, though briefly, and his bow was deeper.

“Belanor.” I responded, both an acknowledgment and a greeting, and we smiled to one another before he left to follow his comrades.

Now I had joined them and the patrol had been seen on their way, the majority of our group moved off as we followed Thespenia down large, echoing halls. Not far in, Calessi, bracketed by four guards, was guided away into, what I assumed was, the infirmary. Here we were delayed as the brave little Drake, Zhenzii-tianVann A’Fiee Quist, refused to stay so she could be checked over and healed of any ills. She had a fierce yet quiet discussion with Thespenia and Seska-tianNaj A’Zak Vorda, who had primarily been watching over her since her discovery. Although I had been aware of the small presence in our travelling party, I hadn’t had much to do with her. The Drake delegation had guarded her fiercely, seeing to her every need and tending her through the shock of what she’d seen and done. She was cocooned in love and safety so she’d slipped to the back of my mind. Now, in the safety of her home, it seemed the fire within her had rekindled and it was good to see her confidence blossom as she engaged in what I would almost have called an argument considering the intensity of it. Yet I highly doubted any Drake, let alone one of the Royals, would behave in such a manner no matter how young they were nor how strongly they felt. Regardless, I couldn’t hear a thing so we waited until, surprisingly, the young Royal seemed to win her case. With a satisfied air, young Zhenzii-tianVan fell in behind Thespenia, who appeared resigned, and we resumed our trek through the halls until we eventually ended up in a comfortable and well furnished room.

The Queen’s waiting room. Kine had something similar in the Heart but I’d never really seen it. Such rooms were located near the monarchs office but not too close. A waiting room just outside the Royal Office, or adjacent to it, meant the monarch couldn’t avoid unwanted visitors nor make pesky persons who had an appointment squirm as the monarch went about other business. Knowing full well the busy schedules of those that worked in the Heart, I resigned myself to a lengthy wait but I didn’t mind. The journey had been tiring, not so much physically, because I was used to that even if I’d had a break from it for the last two moons. But dealing with such large groups of people, people who were unknown and one who proved hostile, had drained me emotionally. Still, I couldn’t relax yet, we had so much more to do. First things first, I needed to talk to my cousin.

I made myself comfortable in a remote corner of the room, and my excellent team immediately noticed, moving to ring around me, providing both privacy and security. Being the cautious person that I am, I had extra measures available to me to make sure not even my Icanthie team would hear a thing either of us said. Discreetly swiping at my wrist link, I activated a small, very hard to detect sound barrier around myself. I kept it close just in case, to reduce the risk of it being noticed. Everyone had their back to me so they wouldn’t realise straight away, and I could see it to emit location appropriate white noise, like breathing and screen taps. No doubt the Drake instance of DESS (Dedicated Security System) or some other expression of BOAD (Being of Organic and Artificial Design) would notice it but I wasn’t sure they’d flag it. The odd behaviour and comments from my MACC (Medical Assistant for Complex Care) when I first arrived at the Capital played on my mind and I wondered if the Drake systems would feel that same and if they had hidden many of my kind herein the Mountain.

Once I was absolutely positive that we wouldn’t be overheard (I couldn’t do much about lip reading but I could mute my body language), I swiftly produced my larger screen and pinged my cousin. Kine answered quickly, so I guessed he’d been waiting for my call. We’d kept in contact every rotation, sometimes twice a rotation, ever since I’d left but it was usually quick text messages or a static voice message via our nanites, so I wouldn’t have to risk losing or breaking my screen.

“Sierra! How are you?”

It was so nice to see him again and hear his voice. Though, now I got a good look at him, he seemed a little… something. And his greeting was a little concerned rather than just inquiring. It wasn’t anything obvious, he was well put together, no rumpling of his clothes or hair. His manner was a little stiff but he probably thought he was on a more visible platform so it wasn’t unusual. What was it? I couldn’t put my finger on it but he was just a little off. Hmmmmm.

“Hi Kine! I’m fine. We’ve just arrived at the Queen’s Waiting Room in the Mountains Heart so I thought I’d give you a call. Are you alright?? You seem… off.” He hesitated so I tried to reassure him. “Don’t worry, this is perfectly secure, no one can hear us so we can do away with all the double speak and political talk. I’m too tired to figure it all out right now, though I appreciate the quick lessons you gave me, they’ve come in handy.”

“Hmmmmm, so I’ve heard.” He have me a look. Someone had been snitching on me. “While I’m glad we can talk without concern, I am very concerned about what I’ve been hearing from Uncle Mathias. What made you think it was a good idea to face off with a desperate Saber and then have an argument with one of the Drake delegation? You could have been seriously hurt.”

“Kine.”

“Are they treating you well? They’re not retaliating are they?”

“Kine.”

“Maybe I should send a few more your way for back-up just in case they react poorly.”

“Kine! Enough now, cousin.” I finally managed to get his attention and we looked into each other’s eyes, me trying to reassure him until he seemed to deflate.

“I’m sorry Sierra. I don’t think I’m handling you being gone very well. From all reports, you handled everything brilliantly. Mathias is full of praise and I can’t fault a thing I’ve heard.” He paused before finishing quietly. “I just wished you didn’t have to deal with it.”

I smiled fondly at him. In the short time I’d known him, this was the most flustered he’d ever been and it was a little amusing, even though I knew he had no cause to worry. He reminded me a little of my dad the first time I went on a hunt with him and we became separated. Nothing happened and I was fine for the short time I was alone but he was a mess. It reminded me that I was loved.

“Thanks Kine. I wish it had been an uneventful trip too but, thankfully, all is well for now. Before we get to the official stuff, are you okay? How are the factions coping with the recent shake up?” I asked, worried for my cousins safety.

“I’m fine. Promise.” He got in before I could challenge him. “There has been some noise making, about what I expected, but the sheer magnitude of Wistra’s crimes has shocked the entire community. Those protesting your new title or actions do so weakly and I think many are rethinking a great deal of what they know. Even still, we have security at very high levels and we’re almost finished securing BOAD and clearing it of any tampering. It seemed we got to it in time, nothing has been altered and we’ve already reformed the checks and balances needed to access any part of the programming. BOAD itself had expressed concern at the recent events and relief at the outcome, which has surprised many. I think sometimes we forget they have very close origins to us. Honestly, I’m having more trouble with the other races. Thane has found some obscure old laws about establishing and using Neutral Territory so he’s busy working away on that. We were going to wait until we’d raised it with the Drake but it seems we need to present it to all parties in tandem so we’ve sent out preliminary proposals. Feel free to answer any questions the Queen may have on it. If in doubt, call me and I will speak to her directly.”

I listened as he spoke in depth though not at length, fascinated to know what had been going on and reassured that my kin were safe. He had the talent of imparting all the crucial information succinctly and coherently which I envied. I was either too succinct with not enough details or overly complex and in depth. Ah well.

“Lastly for now, I’m authorising you to offer aid to the Drake Kingdom Nation in regards to the recent natural disaster. Don’t go into specifics, just offer aid and say I will discuss the detail with the Queen should she accept. Part of my offer will include research into the cause of the problems we are having which should lead nicely into the proposed gathering on neutral territory. I haven’t met the current Drake monarch but from everything I’ve heard, including the impression I got from the delegation I feel she will be open to our requests and suggestions. I hope so because I feel the other races will be harder to convince. The Igidoe have already put off our original proposal and I’m not even sure they read it.” Kine sighed a little but smiled at me and I grinned back.

“It’ll be hard, but I know on some level you relish forging this new path. It feels right. Don’t worry too much okay? If the other races dig their heels in, I have some contacts I can get in touch with to get a better idea of how to approach this or even ask them to intervene for us. We’ll find a way, even if we can’t involve the others. We can’t afford not to.” I said. It would be a risk, most of my contacts relied on secrecy so suddenly drawing attention to themselves could be dangerous. But my Myath secret was out of the bag and we’d already started the ball rolling. Change was coming, inevitable and relentless. We had to roll with it of get smooshed.

“I know. Thank you for offering, I know a great deal of what you do relies on secrecy. I’m not sure to what extent you are in charge but I have the impression of many, many lines radiating out from you, stretching across the entire Planet, gently tugging on them to see what responds. I’ll try my hardest to make sure you don’t have to cut any Sierra. I don’t want to interfere and I trust you to know how best to proceed… I should let you go. We’ll talk again soon yes? After your meeting with the Queen?”

A little surprised that Kine had spoken so openly about my odd behaviour, and impressed with the conclusion he had drawn, I decided it that was best to wrap things up before we both gave into the temptation to try and unravel that mess. “Alright Kine. I’m sure Mathias will keep you abreast of things if I get caught up. Be safe.”

“And you little cousin. Bye.” The comms dropped and I leaned back, thoughts churning and a happy smile on my face. I felt good to have someone care again, to have someone to miss again. Still, He’d given me a lot to think about.

I had hardly finished my comms with Kine when the door opened and an official looking Drake ushered our entire group out of the waiting room and along the halls. Were we being shown to our accommodation? I confess, I wasn’t sure where the Drake would house their visitors but I’m sure the nature of the difficult entrance to the Heart only served to complicate the matter.

I tried not to worry about it as there was literally nothing I could do until we’d met the Drake Queen and pled our case, but anxiety wound a thorny ball in my sternum. Realising that I had become tense and was getting concerned looks from my team, I practiced my calm breathing as quietly as possible and tried to just let go. It would be what it would be.

It was only a few moments later, after a right turn, two left turns and two more right, that I realised we weren’t going to our accommodations. Our official knocked firmly three times, an odd custom when he could just ping the door, and waited barely a breath before it slid open and we were led in. Ah, perhaps he had pinged the door. Regardless, we were expected.

I was met by the sight of a beautiful woman, garbed in a well oiled leather uniform with only a few embellishment to identify her as the Queen. She reminded me a lot of Kine, poised and capable, though not as warm as Kine tends to be. Then again perhaps she had cause considering everything she was dealing with, then a foreign delegation on top of all that.

“A’henthay, kenn ann astreth fallon keteth a’drann. Welcome to the Drake Kingdom Representative of the Icanthie.” The Queen began, her voice low and rich.

“Fallon keteth, A’nara.” I responded. Even though she was the Queen, I still had no idea of her personal titles and skills, so I stuck to the safe address to the unknown, even though I have to assume her title would be high to have been tested worthy of being a monarch. Greetings aside, I waited for the Queen to lead the conversation.

“And welcome home my loyal delegation. Thank you for your hard work and for bringing home one I had thought lost.” Her eyes had fixed on the young Drake, half admonishing and half relieved love. “Zhenzii-tianVan, why are you not with a healer? You have had quite the ordeal and I must know you are no worse for it. I know the rest of the family will agree with me on this.”

“I’m alright Aunt Coilna, I was brave.” Zhenzii responded in that childlike logic that made the world so simple.

“You were very brave child, but bravery does not preclude harm. You may feel well, but such a long journey, with little food or rest after seeing such sad things is certain to have a negative affect on you. we just want to do everything we can to ensure you recover properly. So, please let the guards take you to the infirmary.” The Queen responded.

She was in a difficult position. In all the races, children were precious so prioritising Zhenzii’s welfare was paramount yet it put her very close to breaking etiquette with my Icanthie delegation if this went on much longer. We had not even exchange names and titles yet, leaving a gaping a chasm of problems we could fall into. I wasn’t going to begrudge her the welfare of the child, neither would I take advantage of it but Queen Coilna (I presumed) couldn’t take that risk. She would keenly feel the pressure of meeting all her obligations according to etiquette.

Zhenzii-tianVan dropped her head and said in a small voice, “I don’t want to be in there with mean Calessi-tianArden A’Dess Sylvia. She broke etiquette and hurt Ambassador Sierra.”

The Queen looked sharply up from her niece to Thespenia, stating quietly, “You mentioned nothing of injuries in your report.”

Before Thespenia could respond, Zhenzii continued. “Not that kind of hurt, the other kind. I saw it in her eyes. She was hurt but she didn’t break etiquette. She always used the right titles and spoke properly.”

Everyone turned to look at me and I felt embarrassment, not just for Zhenziis keen observation but also because I was certain this was not a conversation the Drake’s would have wanted us to hear. I did the only thing I could think of, try to reassure the child.

“I am well Zhenzii-tianVan A’Fiee Quist both I thank you for you concern and kindness.” I finished with a little bow, hand over my heart.

“Well,” the Queen masterfully brought our attention back to safer ground. “I can understand your reluctance to share space with one who has so badly broken etiquette. Will you consent to seeing the Royal Healer in my quiet room, next door? She can bring her portable instruments and MACC will help. How’s that?”

Zhenzii eyed the door to the indicated room before nodding her consent. “Yes Aunt Coilna. I can do that.”

We waited a very short time before the Healer arrived and ushered his little charge off into the room, coaxing her to a slightly more animated demeanour. That sorted, the attention was back on us and the difficult task of navigating politics and diplomacy began. I missed the distracting presence of Zhenzii already.

Thespenia took up her role of Ambassador and began with introductions. “Ambassador Sierra, may I introduce to you Coilna-tianDavarden A’Fiee Quist Queen of the Drake Kingdom Nation.”

I bowed as was appropriate and Queen Coilna-tianDavarden returned her own shallow bow. I was right not to attempt to guess her title. -tianDavarden indicated that she had gained multiple titles of Master (-tianArden) in distinct fields. They were rare as the hard work required to achieved mastery in more than two areas was colossally high. I understood why she had been selected as a monarch candidate. Thespenia then introduced our delegation of two, seeing as the guards were not technically authorised to speak on behalf on the Icanthie Kingdom Nation.

“Queen Coilna-tianDavarden A’Fiee Quist, please allow me to introduce to you Sierra, daughter of Feenya of House Kuthar of the Icanthie and Galen of the Myath, Royal of House Den and Icanthie Ambassador to the Drake Kingdom Nation, her Advisor, Former King Mathias of House Den, the Silent King and their contingent of guards.”

Introductions complete, Thespenia stepped back and I was left to navigate the waters alone. I waited for any sign the Queen wanted me to speak but it seemed she wanted to go first.

“Thank you for coming all this way, Ambassador Sierra, despite the difficulty you must have experienced on your journey. You have done the Drake Kingdom Nation a great service by your actions and I have had a good telling of you from my loyal Ambassador, Thespenia-tianNaj A’Lass Belkor. I regret that you have come at a time of turmoil for the Drake Kingdom Nation and that you have suffered at the hands of one of my chosen representative. I will ensure that the individual, who may lose her title and position, is properly dealt with. Please know that her views do not represent me in any way, though I must take some of the blame for choosing poorly.”

I hurried to reassure the Queen. “Thank you Queen Coilna-tianDavarden A’Fiee Quist. I do not hold anyone responsible for another’s actions and views and I am quite used to dealing with such sentiments. I know that my status as a Myath is unsettling to many who are unfamiliar with us. May I extend my condolences, those of King Kine, in the face of your recent tragedy? King Kine and the Icanthie Kingdom Nation extend to you an offer of aid should you need it.” I tried to phrase it in such a way that I didn't imply the Drakes were incapable of dealing with it themselves. That wouldn't go down well. Hopefully, mimicking the language of the very formal Drakes would prevent any confusion. Not all races chose to use the original official title of Kingdom Nation, even the Icanthie usually shortened it to Kingdom, but the Drakes weren’t ones for nicknames and loose titles.

“A most generous offer, I shall think on it for there is much to do and no easy solution. Now, the true reason you are here. I have received the proposal that has been sent to all Kingdom Nations concerning the formation of a Gathering on Neutral Territory, the purpose of which it to discuss the strange phenomena that have been experienced around the Planet. It is evidently far more widespread that we had thought. Examples in the proposal include falling debris, floods and changes to the weather patterns putting strain of the Global Weather System. As you can imagine, given the recent disaster on our northern coast, this piqued our interest. I’ve had my staff researching the laws around Neutral Territory as well as the listed phenomena and have come to the conclusion that this gathering may have merit. But why have you come here if this proposal already covers the issue?”

I paused briefly as I ordered my thoughts before replying. “Originally, my purpose was two fold. One to present the proposal to you, as it was not yet intended to become common knowledge and gauge your reception to it. We hoped we’d find you supportive and perhaps, with two Kingdom Nations already in agreement, the others would more easily follow. I’m given to understand that the law made it necessary to deliver the proposal simultaneously there fore my first purpose is a moot point. My second purpose was one of research. I have taken samples from the debris that fell close to and on the Capital City of the Icanthie Kingdom Nation and run molecular analysis to try and determine what it is and the cause. Searching the entire Icanthie databases and some other sources at my disposal, I was able to determine that it is most likely moon rocks. I’ve found out as much I can about the moon from the sources available to me but there is scant little there to work with. I hope to gain your permission to search the Drake databases for anything new.”

After dropping such an unexpected piece of information, I expected incredulity or a barrage of questions, however I was surprised when Queen Coilna very quickly accepted my results.

“Ah I see. Yes, we’d narrowed down the source of the debris too. Unfortunately, the problems to the north have diverted many of our available resources and further research was delayed.” She paused and walked aimlessly around, head down in thought and hands behind her back. Seeming to come to a decision, she straightened as she faced me. “The Drake Kingdom Nation cannot afford any further unusual events. We welcome the Gathering on properly established Neutral Territory and invite the Icanthie delegation to assist in our research with the understanding that all data found on the moon and any found on other potential causes of the phenomena, will be shared in both directions.”

I bowed before responding. Thankfully, this had been in the preparations Kine had gone through with me before we left. The whole idea of the Gathering was to share information to find the cause and a solution so hiding anything was counter productive.

“Thank you Queen Coilna-tianDavarden A’Fiee Quist. Mutual sharing of all data found on the moon and any found on other potential causes of the phenomena between the Icanthie and the Drakes is most welcome.”

“Good. I’ll house your entire delegation in our research centre if that it acceptable to you. It’s a secure area so you’l be safe and it means you won’t have to travel too far. I’ll also make sure the Head of Databases is fully informed and provides all the help you need.” She smiled, though it was understandably a little strained. “I wish you all the luck on Planet. Please keep either Thespenia or I abreast of your progress.”

“Of course, thank you for your time. I will share our data with your Head of research so we can begin to collate a single, comprehensive database.” I hesitated, but decided to continue as Coilna-tianDavarden had proven to be reasonable and receptive. “If you should desire, King Kine has offered a dedicated comms link between the two of you, the most secure available to us. I can give you the details, should you wish.”

This was a bold move, but I believed it was necessary. Communication is important and sometimes, just knowing you had an unfettered link to key people was all that you needed to use that link. And right now, we needed open, easy communication. It seemed the Queen agreed with me.

“Thank you ambassador Sierra. Please send it to me.” A quick flick of my hand and she had the secure link details. She checked it and nodded as she returned her attention to us. “I have your escort waiting for you outside. You are my guests, if you need something, just ask and we’ll do what we can. You can contact me through your escort or you can link directly to Ambassador Thespenia-tianNaj. Get some rest, I know you will sorely need it, and good luck.”

With that dismissal, we bowed and turned to leave the Queen office, filing out so we could meet our escort. Just before I left, I glanced back and saw the Queen tap on her screen where an image of my cousin appeared. I turned back to the door and left with a smile on my face. It was a good start.