laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

The sweet smell of burning oil filled the air as Kailee stood quietly and allowed the oracle to drape a long cape on her shoulders, then tie it's golden ropes to the black shoulderpieces adorned with a bold, red trim and gold filigree beautifully inlaid from their corners. Butterflies fluttered within her as the nervousness grew.

"My lady will acknowledge the faithful families to the crown and hear their renewed fealty, then give a few words on her goals for the future. A celebration will begin in the Great Hall and last long into the evening," the gravely voice informed.

Kailee heard the words as if spoken to someone else as she stared blankly into the tall, oval shaped mirror before her, seeing only the clothing without a face. How did she get herself into this?

"...and will be milady's escort.."

"Stop," she stated as she turned to the elderly sage. "I'm not in line to become the queen of these people. Why are you doing this?"

"Because, milady was destined to this position. She said herself that her only wish to see our people emerge from our home and extend our boundaries again. Become open to our neighbors. Were those not your words?"

"Yes," Kailee nodded. "But, not to be led by me. Your king was the one..."

"Begging your pardon, madam. Our king only wished for glory in battle the way his fathers did. This is the dawning of a new age and you are the one to bring us into it. Accept your destiny with us," the oracle straightened as blind eyes seemed to search Kailee's soul. "We can't do this alone. It's been proven time and again. We need your vision."

Sighing, she realized this was her idea and words when she arrived at the gates of this city whose homes and workshops delved deep into the mountain. "I don't know how to be a queen," she replied quietly.

Placing her gnarled hand gently on Kailee's cheek, the oracle smiled. "You were born to this day."

* * *

Enestius stared quietly out across the tall grey walls towards the distant mountains as he lounged, crosslegged on a thickly padded sofa in his study. The campaign in the Macau lands was going well, the Astaran armies had dug themselves into a war whose end may not be for some time yet, allowing his own prophets and spies to infiltrate the various governments in the world. He smiled with satisfaction at the world whose new beginning was coming into focus that would welcome their new leader with open arms. The son of Sater was no longer in his father's shadow.

The door opened quietly behind him and he immediately recognized the sweet perfume of his love and greatest spy as he half turned his head. "Afternoon."

She approached the arm of his sofa and he could immediately tell she had bad news as he looked up and noticed the blue eyes of his elven mistress glance to him. Rounding the small table, she sat at his side. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her near, then kissed her on the forehead as her long black hair spilled down between them.

Aaliyah straightened and looked into his eyes. "We have a problem."

"Nothing that can't be solved," he smiled confidently. "You need to have more faith.."

"Wroclaw has a new queen."

Smile faded, he tried to fashion her thoughts without the surprise of the news. "Oh? That's alright, we'll just buy them off the same as...."

"Kailee."

A long quiet moment lingered as he tried to find the humor in the joke, but found none. "How did this happen?"

"When she went to gain their support, he was murdered in his sleep. Now they're crowning the vampire whore their queen. You know what this means?"

He nodded as his eyes drifted towards the large set of windows he had previously been staring out of. "Minor setback. In truth, this could be a beneficial arrangement."

"How?"

"That means Warwick is less well defended," he glanced back to her and smiled. A glimmer of hope in the darkness.