by Miki
Kino takes the book gently from me and closes it. Too late, I’ve already figured out the sketch is of me. He lifts me to my feet, looking intently into my eyes. "When this is over, and you have time to have a life, will you consider my suit?" he asks, glancing at the floor.
What is it with these gargoyles? They’re terrific examples of male magnificence that any woman should want, and he’s acting like I might turn him down.
I wait until he raises his eyes, my heart thumping uncontrollably. “That would make me happy, Kino. Give me time to tell Spar and Mica. You understand they’re also my consorts?"
“I do,” he tells me, the excitement evident on his face.
I lean into him and stretch up on my tippy toes, as tall as I can. Even though I’m a tall girl, he still needs to bend so I can kiss him lightly on his perfect mouth. He doesn't pressure me, letting me set the tone. I back away from him. I can tell he’s happy. I tell him, “You had better get going, so you can get back to me.”
He nods, with a grin. Taking out a portal stone of his own he disappears into the opening.
I wonder what the limit is on consorts? I better have a conversation with the others, just to be sure I’m not going to mess this up. How can I want them all? The way I feel about each one of them is so different.
"Time to go, Kendra," I hear from the doorway.
Mica is waiting for me there. I can tell he knows. I take his arm as he leads me into the hallway toward Spar. "I need to speak to you both before sunrise. If that's okay with you?"
"It is okay with us, Kendra. Don't worry, we love you. It’s our way. You’ll get more comfortable as time goes by, and you’re able to learn more about our people. I’ll always love you. We’ll all be happy together. If we have problems, we’ll work them out."
I should have known he’d have everything figured out. He already knows me so well!
Nineteen
Numbers
Kendra
Entering the meeting hall, I remembered an area in front which had previously been unoccupied. I make my way to the front and motion for the others to sit here. Mega tele-speaks to me, “I have placed Mason and Amber in the back of the room to guard our backs.”
I tell him, “Thank you.”
This time, when the chairman takes the stand, his sour old face turns to surprise as he notices I’ve moved the Ceorfan to the front. He says nothing. I say nothing. Now, it’s just the way the world will turn. The room knows we’d been slighted. They wondered how I would react. Now they know. I won't put up with it. I might as well set the tone from here on out. I’m not the roll over and play dead type.
Staring at the chairman and not diverting my eyes from him, I ask Mega, “Do you know where Eltira has gotten to?”
"I believe she is with the dark man who challenged you earlier, Kendra. Do you want me to find her?"
I tell him, "I don’t like the idea of her taking liberties with a member of TASS. I think it’ll cause problems, but let's not rock the boat right now. As soon as she’s back to her father, send her home. She will have to prove herself to ever be included on a trip with me again."
“I understand. I will see if I can mind-speak to her.”
I notice Mega is concentrating. It lasts several tens of seconds when he stops. “Eltira has a gift that can prevent me from speaking to her. Not only can she protect her mind from communication, she can even prevent anyone from reading her feelings. We had not thought it a useful gift until now. I believe she can stay hidden from me until she decides otherwise."
By the end of the meeting we had set a tentative schedule for each of the planning stages involved to catch what TASS is calling the Horde of Barat. The first meeting would involve only the intelligence parties. It would be held after dinner, until the Ceorfan depart to sleep.
This meeting was long and boring, but necessary. The council assigned tasks to various members. Each task was voted on electronically. Then, it had to be accepted by the member or members who would perform the task.
The Chair stands to release the members. He clears his throat before speaking. “I want to thank Queen Kendra for being a part of these meetings. We try, in most cases, to eliminate the need to call each member group by their country name. Our goal is to stand as a unified world body. In your case, we have not stuck to our charter very well, and I would like to apologize for that and ask your patience and understanding. We are assigned numbers. If you will push the button on the screen in front of you, you will produce a random number. Or, if you would like, you can choose your own, if it is not already in use.
Reaching out I push the button on the screen. It stops on 505. The members clap, then the Chair says, “The dinner bell will be ringing in about twenty minutes. Your butlers will collect you from your rooms at that time. The groups numbering 1, 40, 72, and 505 will meet in the library at 4:00 am. Meeting adjourned.” Crack, his gavel hits the wood on the desk where he is sitting.
On the way out of the hall, I just manage to look down and see Mason. He is so still, he looked like a statue. So cute! So beautiful! I could feel he’s concentrating on what is going on. No wonder he and Amber can infiltrate so easily; I almost didn't even notice him.
Getting to my room to change for dinner is a chore. I have only a few minutes to get ready. Good thing Amber is here to help again. She has my clothes laid out for me. I guess this is a little more formal, just by looking at the dress. She helps me slip into the form-fitting black evening gown, turns me, and zips up the back. Well, what there is of the back. It’s low-cut in the back, with pleated draping in the front. The neckline is scoop-shaped, showing off my mother's necklace beautifully. She sits me down and starts on my hair. She just combs it, lifting one side and clipping it with a graceful red dragon clip. It must have cost a fortune.
"Where did this come from, Amber?"
"I hope you don't mind. I gathered it and a few other things from your vault."
"I have a vault?"
“Uh huh, dragon...” as if that were the only explanation I would need.
I laugh at her. “I love it, thank you. Thank you for helping me dress and making sure I look like a queen. I’ve never been able to spoil myself. I kinda like it. I wouldn't know what to do if you weren’t here to help me, though."
"We are family. It makes me happy when you are happy, Kendra.” When she sees my eyes get wet from a few unshed tears, she adds, “Get up now and put on your heels."
She hands me some slim, glittery black heels. Thank goodness they are not that tall. “You look amazing, and all in five minutes flat. Let's go see your consorts.”
"What? Who told?"
"You! You can’t fool a gargoyle, Edling.”
We walk into the living area and Kino is already back. Oooh, he gives me shivers. He, Mica and Spar are standing together talking. I secretly hope it’s about me. They look so nice in formal wear. I know it’s not fun for men to dress up sometimes, but damn, they look sexy!
They turn as one. My face heats up when I see they’re feeling the same about me. Thurston is at the door, waiting for us. Spar holds his arm for me. I take it, making sure to rub it across as much of him as I can.
Okay, cocktails first in the waiting area. It looks like a ballroom. My preparation guide told me this is where the real politics are orchestrated. We make our way to as many of the members as possible, trying to appear friendly.
I feel like I’m on repeat. “The Ceorfan are not violent and protection is in our DNA.” Each restatement is pushed with as much of my belief as I have. Later, I’m hoping, when enough of them believe me, we can vote the Ceorfan reintegration into regular society into law. Some of them have already gone to bed, but we were still able influence quite a few.
Dinner is as wonderful as lunch. This time the waiter doesn't even pretend to ask me what I’d like from a list of choices. He just brings my plate. If I continue to eat like this, I’m going to need dieting advice. I laugh and tell my waiter, “You’re wonderful, and can I keep yo
u?” He’s taking pains to care for my people and me. I also ask him if he will hug Chef Ron for me, as he has, once again, outdone himself. I’m pleased.
Twenty
Decisions
Kendra
“I need to speak with Mega,” I tell the others in the common area of our suite. “I’ll be out after I change.” I put on comfortable clothes for when I need to stand guard over the torpified Ceorfan, ones that will be loose enough to take a short nap in when Jared takes over his shift.
For now, I need to meet with Mega. I find him waiting for me on the patio. “Mega, have you found our absent miscreant?”
“We have found Eltira. She has been with the olive-skinned man the entire time. She told me she wishes to leave with him and start a life with him. I must admit, I am at a loss of what to do, Kendra.”
I pause for a moment, reflecting on the bigger picture, and say, “Well, we do want to live in the open. If Eltira begins a new life with the olive-skinned man, that’s part of what we want. Mega, tell me about Eltira’s background. I know it’s different than most of the Ceorfan. I’d like to understand her.”
Mega, looking solemn and as if this past was part of the troubled times the Ceorfan have faced, says, “The Countess could not have children when she was alive and young. She begged the Count for a child. When they found the young woman who would become Eltira, she was nearing her last breath. Conveniently, they found a wandering mage nearby, to inquire if she would consent to be their daughter and to explain the Resurgere to her. She agreed. However, the Queen, fearing something of which she never spoke, denied the Resurgere request from the Count. Edling, it is important to understand that all mages are not like Jericho. Many mages during that time were not affiliated with any magical order. They were usually not trustworthy, and many fought against us. I believe the Queen feared something in the Resurgere process would endanger the Ceorfan. Nevertheless, and despite the Queen’s edict, the Count requested the mage complete the Resurgere. Accordingly, he carved out a piece of the Count to make Eltira his daughter, a carved gargoyle. We know Eltira has always been hard to handle, willful, and cared more for herself than others. Even when the Countess died, Eltira hardly noticed she was gone. It is rare for a gargoyle to behave this way. I believe the mage may have intentionally made her hard-hearted and obstinate, thinking she would help him by betraying the Ceorfan.”
“Where is she now?”
“I still cannot feel her. She is blocking me from her mind.”
“Okay, give me some time to think about it. I'll come up with something. In the meantime, don't push her away. Let her believe she’ll get her way. Let's not shame or embarrass the Count either. Right now, I need some rest. I need stay awake for guard duty while our team is torpified. Mega, when you enter the strategy meeting, be careful. Don't give away much about our capabilities, just give them enough to finish the job of destroying the Horde. Volunteer for the jobs we need to complete and tell them you’ll report any results.”
"Yes, my queen, I will do that. I will see you soon."
Mega leaves and I motion for Spar to join me on the patio. The rest of my Guard, recognizing I want some privacy, slip away, leaving Spar and I alone. “Spar, tell me the truth, can you handle me having Mica and Kino as consorts and as part of our relationship? I know it’s the Ceorfan way, but I won't do it if you say no.”
“Kendra, my love, my life. Please give me room and time to explain my feelings. I love you no matter what you choose. I’ve been reading about our people for a while. Never has a Carved had children. I know you want them someday. Please, don't make me live knowing it’s my fault you’ll never have them. This isn’t the only reason you should choose the others as consorts. It’s a very good one, though.”
“I understand your reasoning. But…” I try to interrupt, unsuccessfully.
“Kendra, please let me finish. The Ceorfan haven’t had children since the last queen. You’re queen, and it’s important for you to continue your line. You’ve seen our suffering etched before your arrival, and the joy that followed your ascension to the throne. Our history is clear: Dragon Queens heal those in need and bring prosperity to the Ceorfan. So much so, that not only does the queen have children, but the Ceorfan and even non-Ceorfan who are around her do too. When the queen has children, our people have a better chance at survival. I like the idea of knowing someone will be with you when I can't. I won't have to try to be everything you need. We four can share the load of your needs to make you the happiest queen ever. Would that be so bad?”
“I just want to be sure you won't stop loving me. I don't want you to be jealous, either. You do know that if I choose you, Mica, and Kino, you will be princes to our people?”
“Yes, honey, it’ll be okay. We’ll be okay.”
I snuggle into his broad chest and ask him if he’ll hold me until I fall asleep. The release of pent-up worry about talking to Spar about Mica and Kino must have drained what little energy I had left. I fall into a deep sleep.
What feels like seconds later, Spar wakes me as he moves to get off the bed. “Kendra, we need wake up now. The others are waiting in the living area.”
“How long was I asleep?”
“Almost two hours, Hun.”
“Wow. I feel better, though. Let’s go to the meeting,” I say, rubbing the sleep from my face. I'm glad everyone’s back together. I ask, “Do you want to stay inside or be on the patio?”
Almost like a football team chant, they roar, “Patio!” I’m just waiting for the, “Ready, break!”
“Mega, how’s the security situation if everyone’s on the patio?” I ask.
“We are on the first floor with a patio and long sight-lines. Torpifying on the patio or in this room is irrelevant to our safety. A committed team in a determined assault will take either location in the same amount of time. At least if we are on the patio, our protection—Queen Kendra, Jared and Mica—will be able to see all of us. If we are inside, one of the three must stay inside to guard the door, leaving only two outside. All in all, I do not like the situation and will ask that we adjust tomorrow. However, we have been given no cause to worry. Consequently, I do not have any major concerns about our location.”
“Outside it is then,” I add.
A few minutes later, Mica moves to the middle of the Ceorfan delegation, holding our guns and extra magazines. The sun begins to rise, Mica takes my hand and we watch as our people torpify into their hardened state.
I recline in a chair near a wall of the castle, while Mica stands watch further out in the garden area. I hear voices approaching from an area that’s supposed to be off-limits. When the strangers approach, Mica disappears into the brush around the garden. Quiet as a mouse, I lay down on my stomach and inch back into the hedge behind me, my gun drawn, phone in front of me.
Why would I have my phone out, you may ask? For one, I learned the value of video in my time as a park ranger. I had several cases dismissed for lack of video evidence. For two, well, I don’t know. I just did, okay?
Adrenaline is coursing through my body. Time and activity around me begins to slow. My body prepares for the fight. I’ll protect my people, I vow.
I start the video. I’ll have something to show my team, as well as the other members of TASS, after this is over. My adrenaline-soaked senses tell me where Mica’s moving through the garden. The strangers cut through the bushes. No wonder they chose to come through there. That’s the perfect spot if they’re avoiding our sight-lines.
“Oh, what do we have here?” slobbers the greasy-looking one. Looking at him, it’s apparent he hasn’t focused much on his personal hygiene. He stumbles slightly as he wipes at the slimy shine on his oil-covered forehead with the back of a hand that holds his beer bottle.
“I knew they were here,” said the tall one contemptuously. He wiggles his ass as he digs for his pecker. Finding it, he tugs it out and urinates on several of the Ceorfan. “I hate them. Let's destroy them and go back to Jafer and tell him we
couldn't help ourselves.” Completing his desecration of my friends, he mostly avoids urinating on his pants and fingers.
“I thought you wanted to fuck that one Jafer had in his bed last night,” says Greasy-guy.
“It’d make me puke, but it’d be fun to rape or torture a few of them,” says Little-pecker. He adds, “Did you bring anything to destroy them with?”
“No, you don’t do nothing! We’re to report if it’s true that they turn into stone in the daylight and where they’re staying. Once Jafer gets enough information from the two that’re helping him, he’ll send a missile to wipe out their hiding cave. Then these ones’ll be easy to get.” Greasy-guy says.
Well, it looks like Greasy-guy is the ‘brains’ of this operation. I’ll snap his neck first, I think.
Little-pecker asks, “What else does Jafer need? The fat gargoyle told him how to destroy these things. And the girlgoyle told him where the gargoyle city is. We can destroy them all now, and get rid of this filth forever.”
“No! He needs to know how to control the mage, so we can use his magic to run the world, remake it the way we want, with our laws and our culture.”
Just for pissing on my friends, I’m going to kill these two. Maybe, just maybe, we should capture them for now, then take them to Chairman Brinker.
Bam! As soon as I think it, Mica swings a shovel and cold-cocks Greasy-guy. He turns, hitting Little-pecker in the face so hard, I hear the bones in his jaw break. Both dirt-bags drop like shit from a horse splashed onto the curb.
I check to see if they’re breathing, while not touching them. Yeah, they are. Too bad.