Carved

by Miki

  "Yes, that’s perfect. I’ll speak with Kino before he leaves. Fin, I’ve also noticed we’ve been placed several rows away from any of the other participants in this meeting. We’re seated in the proverbial corner. Can you tell me, if you know, why that might be? Should I take offense?"

  "My queen, many humans still have many fears concerning our kind. They do not want us here. We are little more than animals to them. However, they know we can be a great asset as well. They know that in you, we have a great advantage, and they are willing to do as they see fit. Know this, they will go to any length to secure that ‘advantage.’ Some, you will see, are so averse to our kind, they will not touch us and will go to great lengths to avoid us. They also believe our kind has caused the problem, so we should be the ones who clean it up." He just finishes whispering to me as a much older gentleman walks to the lectern.

  I feel sorry for the older man. He is bent from age, and slow to climb the few stairs to the dais. As he takes the mic, he surveys the room’s inhabitants. I laugh to myself as I think, well as I live and breathe, it’s Scrooge in the flesh. Kendra! Stop that. That’s not how we think of people! Grow up.

  He begins the meeting by introducing himself as the Chairman of The Alumbradai Sanctuary State. He looks in my direction. Is that a sneer on his face? His voice weak and shaking from age, he asks, “Will each member please introduce yourself to the new, eehhmm, queen of the Ceorfan and contingent. I’ll begin. My name is Jose Brinker, Chair of TASS.

  As if bored by the process from its outset, each member stands and turns to me, introducing themselves. Some look at me with a genuine smile; many don’t bother to even look in my direction. After the room has completed their introductions the Chairman asks me to introduce myself.

  I stand, taking my time to look graceful. Squaring my shoulders and using my most commanding voice, I say, "I am Kendra Macbard, Queen of the Ceorfan Guild." I make eye contact with each of the 50 members while I’m speaking.

  "I am here to represent my people in this meeting. I come with my Elite Warriors Guard, as well as a few of my most senior council members. If you would like to meet us personally, I am sure lunch will be a wonderful time for introductions. I along with my staff, fully intend to assist with the development and implementation of a plan which will lead to our victory and the total annihilation of our common enemies. I have also noted the Ceorfan Guild does not have a permanent representative in TASS. I would like you to include my brother, Jared Macbard, as my representative in this membership.” As I say this, in the most genteel manner I can muster, I slowly raise my right arm and, using my whole hand, direct it toward Jared.

  I risk a quick glance at Jared to see if he is upset with me for giving him a job he may not have wanted. One which I haven’t even asked him about. He flashes me the slightest of grins, one that only the two of us can share because we know each other so well. I relax. I know we’ll have to talk later about me volunteering him. But in this setting, he’s going to go with the flow. Yep, if I need to fly by the seat of my pants, then so do the rest of the Guild.

  The collective intake of breath is an indicator of the shock I just delivered. They don’t have the nerve to turn me down… Do they? They’ve gone to great lengths to get us here. They’ve even set the meetings around our schedule. Without another word, I return to my seat.

  Glen Hughes pipes up, "I’d like to make a motion.”

  “The Chair recognizes member number three-zero-three.”

  “I move that we increase the number of members in TASS from fifty to fifty-one, and I hereby nominate Jared Macbard as the TASS representative from the Ceorfan Guild."

  “Member one-zero-five seconds.”

  “We have a motion and a second. Discussion?” The Chair looks around the room. Someone screams, “Hell no, throw her out!” Others mumble support.

  “Hearing no discussion, all in favor respond with ‘aye’.”

  A cheery chorus of “Aye’s” follows.

  The Chair says, “All opposed respond with ‘nay’.”

  A volley of “Nay’s” echoes, some screamed and repeated—but certainly far fewer than those in the affirmative.

  The Chair interrupts, “All those who abstain, please stand.”

  The Chair, Mr. Brinker, looks around the room and, after seeing no one standing, he gavels. “The motions carries. Clerk, please ensure Mr. Jared Macbard has the proper credentials by the close of this meeting.”

  I can’t tell if he’s happy or upset. His face is simply a permanent grimace. He continues with some small subject that I completely miss as I revel in my small victory.

  Mr. Brinker’s voice gains some gravitas as he begins a new portion of the agenda. "Do we continue to allow larger countries to sanction smaller countries in an effort to stop behavior we deem not for the greater good?”

  The Chair states, “Discussion? Seeing none, all in favor respond with ‘aye’.”

  Most of the members respond with, “Aye.”

  The Chair comments, “All of those opposed, respond with ‘nay’.”

  I hear a few of members get out the “N's” as the Chair dropped his gavel with, “The ayes have it.” Clearly, not following the standard rules of order, I note.

  The Chair adds, “Moving on the matter at hand.

  "Queen Kendra, a few hours ago, a small village in Mexico was attacked and destroyed by the Horde of Baratium. Will you please give us an assessment of the capabilities you and the Ceorfan have to help us win this war? Also, we have not had the pleasure of addressing the Ceorfan Queen before. So will you let us know what you, personally, are willing to do to help us?"

  "Chairman, I have only a few thousand people in total. I do, however, have some of the most talented warriors on the face of the Earth. I can support—“ I hear Mega giving me the details and repeat what he is telling me, “—this council with three teams of specialized soldiers, including black ops intelligence officers. But I do not have access to the type of intelligence apparatus which you have. I need detailed intelligence concerning the enemy. We will need as much information as you are willing to share. Will you work with my General, Megahir, to plan a strategy? If so, we can be well on our way to securing victory. We will brief your commanders and start implementing the plans as I’ve laid out."

  A middle-aged, olive-skinned man shoots to his feet, shouting, "You do not give orders here. You and your pack of freak-show animals are here to listen, and we will decide how to use you and your soldiers. So, shut up and sit down you wretched woman! I will give the orders to your pathetic group of shit!”

  The volume in the room is turned up a few notches as the other members begin discussing the outburst, maybe even choosing sides. Almost as a reflex, I think, If they are choosing sides, I need to give them a reason to choose mine.

  I turn on him before the Chairman can say anything. As I speak, I push my will throughout the room, forcing it into every crevice, "You, sir, are out of line,” I said, trying to maintain the formal tone I had set earlier. I can’t let them get under my skin.

  I continue, “We don’t need you. You need my warriors and me. The Ceorfan have fought and defeated this mage before. You, with your high-minded superiority and high school behavior, have only watched as Baratium has destroyed whole villages and towns. We wish to assist you in ending this scourge, once and for all. We will do so in the name of helping all humanity, even those like you, who have an irrational hatred for us. No matter the names you call us, we will fight and, if needed, die to protect the population of the earth. In return, we only require that we no longer live in the shadows. We must become full members of society.”

  The volume in the room is much higher now, and still growing. I need to quickly reach the conclusion of my little speech. “Sir, before you offend the wrong party, I suggest you sit and possibly have one of these other fine people teach you a little about diplomacy. Nonetheless, no matter what names you call us, we’ll protect the population of Earth."

  Th
e volume is at full now; sides are solidifying. I can’t tell if my remarks have opened more doors than they have closed or not.

  The Chairman continues hammering his gavel and shouting for order. The belligerent man is being held back by his delegation as the Chairman releases the council to reconvene after lunch.

  The Ceorfan gather to my suite to discuss what just occurred in the council meeting. I do notice Eltira isn't with her father. “Maybe you should let me take over, my lady,” the good Count relates. “Some of the members do not want to hear from a woman.”

  "No, they get me. Thank you for the thought, but they get me. We have already made headway with them accepting Jared as my representative. Jared, I am sorry, I just volunteered you without an overture to you.” My tone is still formal from the meeting.

  “Edling,” Mega interjected, “you handled that situation quite well.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I would also like to add, if I may steal one of your phrases, that ‘gentleman,’” over-stressing the last word, “is a real dip shidiot!”

  We all laugh. “Thanks, Mega, I needed that laugh.”

  “Sis, at first I was going to ask if you would choose someone else. For now, I think I’m the best option. I accept your appointment, my queen,” he finishes with a bow and a smile to me. “Sis, I think I’m going to like this appointment. Hell, it also gives me a chance to take some upfront and personal care of a few of my European companies."

  I decided on a course of action regarding our seating, while in the meeting earlier, and now is the time to let everyone else in on it. “When we go back into the meeting, I want you all to follow my lead. We aren’t going to sit in the corner anymore. Kino, I need a flag. I understand you might be able to help with that—what do you think? How fast can we get one made?”

  "Edling, I have been planning a design for you for as long as I have known you. I have several sketches completed already. When we finish here, I will show you the sketches I have. Then you can tell me what your ideas are. You have a royal designer. It will only take him a few minutes to transform raw goods into materials. Any design you choose is possible. Quickly. I will ask Jericho if he will supply a portal stone or take me to Navan to see the designer. I could fly home, but that would take days.”

  "Awesome! That makes me happy. I need it hung in the meeting room ASAP. Spar, please find someone to help you hang it and remove the current banner by tomorrow night’s meeting. If we aren't going to be equal with the other members in number of citizens, at least we’ll have flair. I’ll also do my best to make some friends at lunch.

  "Mega, what is your take on the TASS members?"

  "You have most of them eating out of your hand, Edling. Most were impressed. Others hated you before you spoke. I now believe you are correct. Persuasion is a gift you control. Even the chairman was taken with you. There are a few who resent us being here. They will never want the Ceorfan here and may cause trouble. I want you to have a guard with you at all times. The feelings of hatred in the room began to show depth after your speech. Both jealousy and fear were very present with the hate. Edling, remember, all three of these, regarding us, have an irrational basis. They fear us from a place they never saw. We were there. We know how the humans learned to hate us.”

  Mica speaks, and it startles me a bit. He has been in the background, focusing on my safety so I’m not prepared when his deep voice booms out, “If you do have the gift of persuasion, my queen, and it’s anything like I have seen of old, gazing into the eyes of the one you want to persuade will help. You should know, though, there are those who can resist it. I’m not sure how it’ll work. Let’s test it and see. Will you?”

  “Sure.” I turn to Flint and gaze into his eyes and plead, “Will you please get me some hot chai tea?”

  Without a word, Flint jumps right off to the kitchen. I raise my eyebrows, mildly surprised.

  “Now try on Jericho. He might be more resistant,” Mica says.

  “Okay,” I start, but Jericho isn't looking at me. With one finger I push up gently on his chin, raising his face to mine. “Jericho will you make me a portal stone?”

  Immediately, Jericho responds, “Here it is, my queen. I have this one in my pocket, just for you.” He snaps out of his trancelike state when he sees the beautiful blue portal stone in the palm of my open hand.

  I hold it out to him. He folds my fingers over it. “My queen, it is a gift I should have given you much sooner.”

  Right on cue, Flint returns with my tea. I take it from him with a smile and tell him, “Thank you. Mmmm, it’s very good. Flint, can I make you the royal tea getter from now on?"

  Everyone laughs; Flint blushes.

  “I’ll get your tea, any time you wish, my queen,” making the others laugh louder. On which he grumbles at them, “Shut it! While I was getting tea, my queen...”

  "Kendra," I interrupt.

  "Kendra,” he repeats, “while I was getting tea, the chef told me to let you know lunch is being served."

  "Sounds good to me. Does anyone have anything to add before we go eat? “No? Okay, let’s all go make some friends. Mega, I can hear you wherever you are. Is it alright to keep Mica close to me?"

  "That is most acceptable, Edling."

  It is the most amazing thing to watch the Ceorfan in action. They’re working this room like a used car salesman with a chance to win a trip to Hawaii. It makes me happy to see them this way. I make my way around the room with Mica. I talk to a few people and meet a few others before we sit for our lunch.

  The waiter tells me, “The chef has prepared your lunch, Queen Kendra. Would you like it served now?”

  "Oh yes, please. I’m hungry."

  The waiter returns with a dish of salmon and something called neeps and tatties. I eat it all, surprising myself. "That was good. I’ve got to tell the chef how much I enjoyed it. Do you mind?" I asked the waiter.

  “Let me bring him to you, Queen Kendra.”

  The room quiets some as the chef makes his way to me. Not knowing how to properly thank him as the Ceorfan Queen, I tell him, "I’ve not eaten so well in such a long time. I so thoroughly enjoyed my food, I wanted to make sure to tell you, face to face. I almost licked my plate," I added with a gentle laugh. I pushed a bit to set the compliment firmly in his mind.

  His smile was so big. He took my hand, after verifying with a questioning look to Mica. “I am Chef Ron. It is my honor and privilege to cook for you, Queen Kendra. May I say, the stories of your gratitude are only outdone by those of your beauty. I will happily pass along that both are true. Queen Kendra, whatever you wish to be served, please only ask. It will be my pleasure. I will provide for you an epicurean adventure during your stay.”

  I giggle and thank him.

  I’m just about to devour a just delivered chocolate dessert, when I notice Eltira talking to the olive-skinned man who had yelled at me earlier. Good. Maybe he’ll like her better than he likes me or the others. I nod my head in her direction, smile, then look at Mica. He takes the hint, looking where I nodded. We agree she has captured the man’s attention. Laughing, we both eat the most decadent chocolate dessert I have ever had the pleasure of tasting.

  My stomach full, I'm ready to take on a bear. Time to wash up and head back to the meeting. I have about 30 minutes left when I enter our suite of rooms. Just inside the entry, on the floor, I find a note. Someone must have slipped it under the door. The note is written in cursive and has this warning,

  “Be careful when you sleep.

  Hammers are cheap.”

  Anger flares, as I read the note. “Just try me, asshole!”

  We’ve already taken measures for our safety. Mica and I will stay awake in shifts to guard the others. In fact, now that Jared is staying on in a more permanent basis, he can also be part of the watch rotation. I hadn’t considered that others might think I torpify the same as the gargoyles. I hand the note to Mega.

  Amber comes forward and sniffs the note. "It smells like ci
nnamon. I will see if I can find who wrote it, but it's a long shot."

  “That’s a good idea. Let me know if you find anything.” I reply.

  Taking a minute to get control of my thoughts I think, this is going to take me a while and I only have minutes before I have to be back in a meeting. I’ll consider more options for recourse later with my advisors. What I can do is pick one of Kino’s flag designs. At least, if TASS is treating us differently we’ll have class.

  "Kino let's look at your sketches quickly. Shall we?"

  His room is just like most rooms in a luxury hotel. What’s somewhat unique to Kino is, that nothing out of place. He’s very neat. Sitting on his nightstand is a beautiful wooden box. It’s made from burl wood, and darkly stained. There is a sizable lock on it as well. Kino takes a key from his pocket and opens the box. He pulls out a book filled with sketches. We sit on the bed and review the relevant ones. His work is amazing!

  I stop on one I like—a red dragon with wings extended, stalagmites in the foreground. Gold shoots through the picture like sun rays on a solid black background. There are four stones above the dragon’s head: blue, green, red, and purple. "Tell me about this one, will you, Kino?"

  "It is black, because we are creatures of the night. The red is for you, Kendra, you are a red dragon. The gold is your gifts to the Ceorfan Guild. The stones above you are representations of power. Power, I have faith, you will control. They represent Water, Earth, Fire, and Magic."

  "I love it. Do you mind going now to get the designer to make it before the meeting tomorrow? You might have to torp in Navan. If you can get back tonight, make sure I know, will you? With the threat to our people, I want to make sure I know you’re safe."

  I keep turning pages in his sketchbook as I’m talking and come to a picture of a beautiful, nearly nude woman relaxing by a pool of blue water. The pool is constructed of white marble with marble columns. The view to the pool is protected by vines and bushes. The lady has a towel arranged across her lap, protecting that part of her womanhood. Looking closer...