Regina had become far more familiar with army camps in recent times than she ever really expected to be. That meant it didn’t take her long to take in the status of the army they were approaching, and make a few guesstimates about its condition and prospects.

Marquis Lyns had evidently ordered heightened guard shifts, judging by the number of soldiers on duty. The layout of the camp was relatively lax, although the important places were gathered in the center. Regina had seen all of this before through her drones’ eyes, but it was a bit different approaching it from the ground. And, of course, there was the reaction her arrival caused in itself.

The marquis knew she and her companions were coming, and had clearly organized a greeting party. She didn’t see the man himself, but Kiara was there, along with that duke she hung around with - or maybe the reverse - and a few other faces Regina recognized. Via was there too, of course. It felt good seeing her again in person.

The army was obviously glad not to have to fight very much anymore. She could see the muted relief in their faces, not just of the soldiers, but also the commanders. They seemed to have more patched than still intact wagons, the tents were rather threadbare and she saw a lot of soldiers who were missing some equipment or only had shoddy replacements. The greeting party actually looked glad to see her when they approached.

“Your Majesty!” Duke Bluegrass boomed. Regina supposed he was the highest-ranking guy around. “It is an honor and a pleasure to see you again. Please, come in and be welcome!”

“We have been looking forward to your visit,” Kiara added with a smile.

Regina inclined her head politely, but not very far. “Thank you, my lord duke, Lady Kiara,” she responded, briefly wondering if or when she should transition to calling Kiara a princess. “We are glad to be here.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries, and she was introduced to all of the people she hadn’t known before. Regina could have probably just looked up their names and details in the psychic link, even without the System’s help, since she was pretty sure at least someone in her hive would have met them before, but she didn’t really want to bother. She was fairly sure she had a grasp on who the actually important people around her were, and dealing with flunkies was not her idea of a good time. She didn’t want to waste more time on Lyns’ stuff than she really needed to.

They escorted her and her companions through the army camp. Madris had left, presumably because she didn’t want to broadcast their … association? … to Lyns and his people. Galatea was still there, though, although she’d changed her appearance and blended into the background. Regina suspected magic was involved. She was the only person who wasn’t a member of her hive among her group, though.

Regina had also sent word to let Armin go, although he hadn’t reached the other Delvers yet. He didn’t seem in a particular hurry to leave, and had actually hung around and asked the drones a few questions. If nothing else, knowing he was on his way without anything bad having happened to him took care of a potential worry.

"At least they finally moved,” Janis muttered under her breath. Regina didn’t know if the humans could hear her, but she had the impression Janis wouldn’t care much even if they did.

She wasn’t exactly wrong, either. The Cernlian rebel army was no longer in the spot it had occupied during the confrontation, but it wasn’t exactly moving with alacrity. And Lyns had clearly decided to head back into Cernlia now instead of continuing through into Nerlia. She supposed she couldn’t exactly blame him, since they’d been going after the enemy army which the hive had now vanquished, but it still smacked of leaving her behind to deal with Nerlia on her own while he went off to pick the low-hanging fruit.

Regina didn’t actually mind, though. In many ways, fighting Nerlia on her own was what she preferred, anyway. It would give her a much freer hand on how to deal with it.

They finally managed to take her party to their leader without getting stopped every few meters by passing soldiers and their stares or whispered questions, and she refocused on the immediate situation. Marquis Lyns at least came out of what she assumed to be either his personal quarters or the command tent to greet them. He looked a bit more haggard than the last time she’d seen him.

“Your Majesty,” he greeted her, nodding his head. “An honor to see you again. Be welcome. Please, come in,” he gestured at the others to show the invitation was open to everyone.

When Regina stepped into the tent, she paused. The Cernlian king was seated on a chair a bit farther from the table dominating the interior. He didn’t seem to be wearing handcuffs or any other restraints, although there were two warriors standing nearby acting as presumptive guards.

Side by side, the the two men’s relation was a lot more apparent. It looked like the king was actually a bit younger, if Regina’s impression was correct. The way they glared at each other didn’t leave any doubt about the strength of their familial bonds, though.

Regina just stared at him for a moment, while he returned her gaze. Neither of them said anything. It was a petty power play, but it felt like whoever spoke first would give something up. After a few seconds, though, it got too annoying for her, so Regina simply entered, claimed a chair and turned to the marquis, ignoring his captive for the moment.

“It is good to be here in person, Lord Lyns,” she told him. “We have recently made some good strides forward, but that means it would be good to sit down and sort things out.”

“I quite agree, Hive Queen,” he responded.

“Your prisoner has not made any trouble?” she asked casually.

His lips twitched slightly, though she wasn’t sure what exactly to make of his expression. “None at all,” he assured her.

“He is still imprisoning his rightful king unlawfully,” said king said quietly.

Regina turned to him. “Nicholas of Cernlia,” she greeted him, keeping her tone neutral.

“Hive Queen Regina,” he replied, his lips curling up in a hint of what she effortlessly pegged as a sneer this time.

She half-expected him to say something else, maybe a biting comment about Lyns’ true master showing up or being disappointed in him for consorting with ‘monsterbloods’, but it seemed the king was smarter than that. Or at least had a sense of self-preservation. He didn’t say anything else and actually managed to keep a courteous demeanor.

“What are you intending to do with him?” Regina asked. If it was something she didn’t approve of, she might have to step in.

“That is not decided yet,” the marquis answered evasively.

Regina narrowed her eyes, but chose not to press him. It might be better to talk about this when the king wasn’t in the room with them.

"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you,” she said, nodding to the king. She thought she found a bit of surprise on his face. Maybe he was astonished that the monster could be courteous.

“I’d like to show you around and guide you to the rooms we prepared for you, Your Majesty,” Kiara spoke up. “You must be tired from your travels.”

“Gladly,” Regina agreed. She gave a smile to Lyns and an even faker one to Nicholas the Third, before she turned to head out with Kiara.

It was pretty obvious that she wanted to talk to her more privately, but Regina was good with that. Getting the scoop on the situation here before she got deeper into any negotiations with Lyns would be useful. Although she knew the relationship between the two of them might have gotten even worse in the meantime.

They didn’t speak for a minute after leaving the tent, just walking quietly through the camp. Quite slowly, so Regina had time to take everything in and consider what to do.

“It’s good to see you again,” she finally said, signaling that they could start the conversation.

“Likewise. I am glad you are here.” Kiara hesitated, then sighed a little. “And not a day too soon, if I may say. Now that we have the king - my cousin - in custody, everything is changing.”

“In what way? Everyone positioning themselves for the new regime?” Regina guessed.

“Well, yes, and … There are many noblemen who were still on the side of the king. The former king, I suppose; I rather doubt he’ll keep the title for long. Anyway, many of them have died in the war, others have fled and are likely to end up losing their lands. There is a lot of ambition among younger relatives, or families married into the bigger houses. And then there’s the line of succession …”

Regina frowned. She really didn’t want to have to deal with this. “I thought you had a good handle on the situation,” she said.

Kiara actually smiled briefly. “I’d say I do, overall. Still, this is an uncertain time when it comes to these things. The disposition of King Nicholas is not decided yet, either. I hope he will be exiled, likely to the south, although what with your war with the gnomes, that might pose a problem.”

“Probably better than the Esemen,” Regina conceded with a sigh.

“Here are the quarters we prepared for you.” Kiara stopped and smiled at the rest of the group, before she started opening the door, or rather latches on the tent walls. Regina walked inside and glanced around. They’d clearly planned on close quarters for the drones, but that wasn’t a mistake; they actually preferred sleeping close together.

“Your Majesty,” Kiara spoke up again, following her inside and ducking under the tent flaps. “If I may ask, how are my mother and sister? How is my mother’s pregnancy progressing?”

“Well, the last I knew. I was about to head back to them to check. The hive’s healers are keeping tabs on them and assure me there are no unexpected issues.”

Kiara nodded. “That is a relief. And, if I may ask, are you aware of the child’s gender yet?”

Regina frowned. “If I knew, I should talk to your parents about it first,” she replied cautiously. She wasn’t really comfortable with hiding that knowledge, but it did seem a bit like a potential match for a fire, and throwing that match without understanding the situation wouldn’t be a good idea.

“Is it actually that important?” Janis asked, glancing at Regina before looking back at Kiara. “I mean, the Hive isn’t going to care, you know that, right? And, correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t your grandmother being pushed aside the entire reason for your father’s claim?”

Kiara smiled at Janis, her eyes lighting up and her features softening slightly as she looked at her. “Thank you. And yes, you’re right. She was the older sister of the current king’s father and predecessor.”

“Then why is he so set on having a son replacing you?” Janis asked with a scowl. “I mean, I don’t want to pry into your personal affairs or anything, it just seems ironic.”

Kiara sighed. “I suppose it is ironic,” she said. “I suspect the way his mother was treated and her claim dismissed made an impression on him, and Father does not want history to repeat itself and his line to be pushed aside. Even if he’s precipitating the very thing he’s afraid of,” she muttered.

That did seem like a tricky situation, and from what Regina had seen, Kiara was probably right. It was as good an explanation as any, anyway. It also put her in a bit of an awkward position. Regina much preferred Kiara as heir to any yet-unborn baby, but she also didn’t really want to involve herself in internal Cernlian issues like this, especially a succession dispute. Well, I might not have much of a choice. I’m sure I’m already considered to be on her side.

There was a short silence, but before the conversation could continue, someone rapped on the tent pole and then pushed the latch open. Regina felt Max and the other drones tensing, but she told them to relax after she recognized the visitor.

Margaret, the daughter of Duke Bluegrass and, as far as she knew, Kiara’s closest confidante, seemed troubled. She immediately looked at Kiara and only seemed to remember where she was as she opened her mouth. Then she bowed towards Regina. “Your Majesty. Please excuse the interruption.” She turned to Kiara. “Milady, I have urgent news.”

Regina waved her hand dismissively, although Kiara gave her a sharp look. “What news?”

“King Nicholas attempted to escape and sustained fatal injuries in the consequent fight.”

Kiara stared at her for an instant, her eyes widening. “Really?”

“Well …” Margaret shuffled her feet, her gaze drifting downwards.

Ah, so he was killed ‘resisting arrest’ rather than killed actually trying to escape, Regina realized.

“He’s dead?” she asked sharply.

Margaret nodded. “Yes, he breathed his last just a few minutes ago, Milady.”

Regina tugged on her mandible. There was a moment of silence as they all digested this news and its implications.

“Couldn’t wait for you to talk to him, could he?” Max muttered.

Lyns most likely didn’t want to risk Regina making any demands regarding what happened to him, Janis said silently. So he probably moved up his plans.

Regina frowned. I have to admit I didn’t expect this. I probably should have. The reasons for eliminating Nicholas are pretty obvious, after all. And they were in a war. It still took her by surprise a little.

She could sense that most of the others felt the same way. The drones actually seemed to be more disapproving of it. Regina had the distinct impression they didn’t like the concept of family killing each other.

“We were still family,” Kiara muttered, a deep frown on her face.

Margaret didn’t say anything and appeared to try not to look at anyone.

“Well,” Regina finally said. “He doesn’t have a clear successor, does he?”

“No. There are a few bastard sons, but no legitimate ones. It appears there will not be much to contest my father taking the throne,” Kiara said, but she still didn’t look particularly happy. She was probably considering how this affected her own position.

Regina exchanged a glance with the others, then rubbed the bridge of her nose. Killing a prisoner was pretty distasteful, but she wasn’t really in a position to cast stones, she supposed. What was done was done, even if she didn’t like the way Lyns unilaterally handled the issue, although she supposed it was a Cernlian matter. At least now she had a better idea of how things stood.