A Long Hot Summer, Chapter 5

"What is this about?" Royal Guard Asuka said as she adjusted her gold armor, having hastily gotten dressed in the middle of the night. She walked towards Qeynos Castle with the rest of Alustrae's group, dedicated servants of the Qeynos Ministry of Justice.

The elven sisters Angelaya and Kaliaya walked ahead of her, meeting Lady Alustrae and her daughter Opalynna at the end of the bridge over the castle's moat.

"Security breach at the castle," Alustrae said. "The Queen is calling us all in."

In moments, the group stood in the Royal Reception Room as Queen Antonia Bayle entered, her anger apparent.

"There has been a security breach," Antonia said, her voice filled with authority. "Someone entered the Queen's Chambers. Information was shared with me by a trusted source, which gave me reason to doubt the effectiveness of this entire investigation."

Alustrae and her team were quiet, as was the rest of the group, who stood nearby.

The Queen walked to Alustrae. "I am removing you and your team from this entire case."

"What?!" Kaliaya yelled. "We have been doing nothing but helping!"

"Silence, ranger," the Queen said, her voice cold. "I have heard of your team's recent...Varlikh problem. You let this entire matter become about one man! A man who works for me! And somehow, people I trust are breaking into my room, begging me to permit them to kill him!"

Kaliaya's face was flushed.

"Your Majesty," Alustrae said, her voice calm. "I apologize. The situation has spiraled out of control, but we have a plan."

"Oh?" the Queen asked.

"Yes," Alustrae replied. "We know where the next group is. We were on our way there when we received your call."

The Queen stared. "So why then has Captain Varlikh become such a hated pariah that the hate for him has eclipsed the threat of hellfire bombs and dire wolves trained to kill innocent ratonga?"

Alustrae and her team stood in silence, as did the others.

The Queen continued, "My own court is in disarray. People are saying Captain Varlikh is a traitor, a spy, or a saboteur. His name is being thrown around like a ball, and no one is looking at the real threat."

"He has his own plan," Alustrae said.

"He works for me!" The Queen said. "I have my reasons, and I am certain you know of them, Lady Alustrae!"

"Of course, Your Majesty," Alustrae said.

"You have not been listening," the Queen said. "I have been telling you, since this entire thing started, that Captain Varlikh's involvement was necessary. He is a vital part of my plans. If he dies, we lose a powerful figure and an important piece in this game. Not for this matter, but who this man is connected to are my enemies, and they are being exposed!"

"What would you have us do, then?" Alustrae asked, her voice strained.

"Do what you must," the Queen said. "Keep him alive. Get him out of here if you must. I will deal with the fallout."

Alustrae and her team remained silent.

"But," the Queen added, her eyes narrowing. "If you cannot protect him, or if he is killed, you and your team will answer for it."

"Understood," Alustrae said, her voice low.

***

The members of Freeport's Crimson Inquisition were the next group called to the castle.

Selinah, the raven-haired templar, and Tamarisyn, the blond Inquisitor, marveled at the grand foyer of the castle.

"I never thought we would be in here," Selinah said.

Trejario, Ophyila, and Gadilus waited inside, with Trejario's tiny spider Nacho sitting on his shoulder and looking around at the grand foyer.

"Neither did I," Tamarisyn said, her blue eyes wide.

"You have been summoned," a royal guard said.

"Yes, thank you," Selinah replied.

Captain Ashvale and the red-haired Scarletina joined them moments after, leaving their stag demon at the door under the eyes of terrified guards.

The group entered the throne room, where Queen Antonia Bayle sat waiting.

"Welcome," the Queen said, her voice echoing in the chamber.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ashvale replied, bowing slightly.

"Captain," the Queen said, her eyes locking onto his. "While this cooperation, I feel, has been good at bringing a greater level of understanding between our peoples, I have lost confidence in this matter entirely and will be sending you and your team back to Freeport and the Overlord."

Ophyila began writing up a bill for everyone's time, and Trejario put a hand on her notepad.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Ashvale said.

"Why are we being sent away?" Selinah asked, her face flushed.

"That is not for me to say," the Queen said, her voice cold.

"But-" Selinah started.

"Be silent, templar," the Queen said. "I will speak, and you will listen."

Selinah fell silent, her eyes wide.

"While you have been helpful," the Queen said. "And while you have uncovered a threat that would have otherwise gone undetected, you have also done grave damage to the relationship between the people of Freeport and the people of Qeynos."

"How?" Gadilius asked, his eyes locked on her breasts.

"Gadilus," Ashvale growled.

"I am speaking," the Queen said, her voice low.

"My apologies," Gadilius said, bowing his head and smiling.

"Continue, Your Majesty," Trejario said, his deep voice booming in the chamber.

"Your people have been making waves, and not the good kind," the Queen said. "People have taken notice, and they have taken action. Captain Varlikh has become a hated pariah, his name synonymous with the threat we are facing. People believe he is a spy or a traitor, and I have my doubts that I can convince them otherwise."

"That's ridiculous," Selinah said. "Everyone knows that already!"

"I did not say it was not," the Queen said. "I am merely stating the facts. I am also stating, for the record, that your actions, as well as the actions of Lady Alustrae's group, have jeopardized the safety and security of this city and my realm."

"But-" Selinah began.

"I will speak," the Queen said, her eyes flashing with anger. "Captain Varlikh is an agent of mine, and you will treat him as such. If he is hurt, or worse, I will hold all of you responsible, and I will not tolerate another word of disrespect from any of you."

The group was quiet, save for the sound of Gadilus' mouth opening and closing like a fish.

"Do I make myself clear?" the Queen asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ashvale said.

The group bowed, turned, and walked out of the room.

"That was weird," Gadilius said, once the group was out of earshot. "She knows we work for the Overlord, right?"

"It was," Ashvale replied, his voice low.

"Something is up," Trejario said.

"It appears so," Ashvale agreed.

"So what do we do?" Selinah asked.

"Write fines for everyone involved," Ophyila said.

"We stay on task," Ashvale replied. "Bring our demon back to Freeport and continue the fight on our own."

***

While Captain Varlikh's group was called last, Varlikh never showed up.

The high mage Jingzangzin walked in, his dark skin, handlebar mustache, bare chest, and graying afro giving the man a feeling of danger and eccentric importance. Talianimi, the dark elf, waited in the foyer to hear word if he had been found. The dark elves she felt were her sisters, the ranger Wildsong, and the creepy doll-fascinated Illastria, who waited silently for word. The other two members of the group, the towering Iskar Dragskarr and the black-furred ratonga Blaquetail, waited silently as well.

Jingzangzin addressed the Queen. "Captain Varlikh is nowhere to be found. No magical trace of him has been found, his last location was wiped, and it is like a powerful being came in and erased the man from existence."

"He can't just vanish," the Queen said.

"But he did," Jingzangzin replied.

"This is not acceptable," the Queen said. "You will find him. You will find out what happened to him."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Jingzangzin. "The mages will begin investigating immediately. But I doubt we will find anything more."

"Bring in Talianimi and the rest of his assassins," she said.

The doors opened, and Talianimi strode in.

"Your Majesty," she said, bowing.

"Have a seat," the Queen said.

Talianimi sat, crossing her legs and leaning back.

"Captain Varlikh has disappeared," the Queen said. "No one has seen him since the incident. Do you have any knowledge of where he might be?"

"No, Your Majesty," Talianimi said, her voice smooth.

"Can you provide any information on the nature of his disappearance?" the Queen asked.

"Unfortunately, no," Talianimi said.

"What of the rest of your unit?" the Queen asked.

"They are working tirelessly to find him," Talianimi said.

"Good," the Queen said, her eyes narrowing.

"If I may, Your Majesty," Talianimi said, her eyes locked on the Queen.

"Go on," the Queen replied.

"I think you have made a mistake," Talianimi said, her voice firm. "The people are talking, and they are not happy. Captain Varlikh has become the target, the focus of their anger and frustration. They are turning on him and blaming him for the problems that have plagued the city. I think you should consider withdrawing him and sending him elsewhere."

"And why is that?" the Queen asked, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Because you have lost control of the situation," Talianimi said, her voice soft. "Captain Varlikh is a wicked man, and he is loyal to you, but the people do not see him as trustworthy. They see him as a villain, a shadowy figure lurking in the streets, spreading terror and chaos. They see him as a threat, and they will not hesitate to destroy him if they get the chance."

"That is unacceptable," the Queen said.

"It is," Talianimi agreed. "But it is the reality of the situation. I know you are doing everything you can to keep the peace, but I think you have made a mistake."

"I have considered this," the Queen replied. "And I am putting you in charge of the Qeynos Royal Assassins, and you and the four others in your group shall take over this investigation."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Talianimi replied, her voice low.

"Your group has the authority to operate as it sees fit," the Queen continued. "But I expect results. Do not fail me."

"We won't," Talianimi replied.

"Good," the Queen said, her voice cold. She walked to her table, picked up a stack of signed death warrants, and handed them to Talianimi. "These were Varlikh's, and now you need to fill them. There are a few others here involved with the conspirators of this matter. I expect you all to clean this up and erase the problem permanently."

Talianimi took the warrants, her expression grim.

"And, if Captain Varlikh is found," the Queen added. "He is to be brought to me immediately. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Talianimi replied.

The Queen stared at her. "If Varlikh has been killed, I am giving you permission to kill his killers."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Talianimi repeated.

The Queen continued, "I am also giving you the authority to execute the warrants that have been issued by the courts, as long as the warrants were validly issued. Is that understood? Do not let people question them and my authority! We are in a moment of great danger that many cannot comprehend. I will not have innocents killed in my fair city, nor shall I have vigilantes running around killing those who work for me."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Talianimi said, nodding.

"Good," the Queen replied, her expression grim. "Now go. Find Captain Varlikh and bring him back. If he is dead, kill his killers. If he is alive, bring him to me. If he is dead, execute the warrants and clean up the mess. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Talianimi said, a determined look in her strange eyes.

"Good," the Queen replied. "Dismissed."

Talianimi rose, bowed, and walked out of the room.

***

The Queen sat down at her desk and rested her head in her hands. She had known Captain Varlikh would not be easy to control, but she had never imagined that his presence would cause such an uproar. She had always been able to manage his actions, and she had always been able to justify them in her mind.

She turned to the side of the room, where the Storyteller Drulissa stood quietly, having watched all of the groups and the choices the Queen made.

"Tell me what you saw," the Queen said.

"I saw a city," Drulissa replied. "I saw a people in turmoil. I saw a woman struggling to do the right thing, and I saw people struggling to survive."

"What did you see?" the Queen pressed.

"I saw a world," Drulissa continued. "A world torn by war, and a people fighting for survival. I saw a struggle between the forces of light and darkness, and I saw the consequences of that struggle."

"What did you see?" the Queen repeated, her voice low.

"I saw a choice," Drulissa replied. "A choice made, and a choice unmade. I saw a choice made for the good of the many, and I saw a choice unmade for the good of the few."

"Tell me," the Queen said.

"I saw a man," Drulissa said. "A man fighting for his life. A man fighting for his city. A man fighting for his country. I saw a man who believed in what he was doing, and I saw a man who was willing to sacrifice everything to do it."

"And did you see his fate?" the Queen asked.

"I did," Drulissa replied. "He lives. His name is unknown. He has become the enemy. A hated figure. A pariah."

"Will he survive?" the Queen asked.

"His future is unclear," Drulissa said.

"Can I change his fate?" the Queen pressed.

"You cannot," Drulissa said.

The Queen nodded, her heart heavy. She knew the answer before she asked the question, but she had to ask. She had to know. She had to make a choice.

"Then I will live with the consequences of my actions," the Queen said, her voice resigned. "I will do what I can to protect my people, and I will do what I can to ensure that they live a better life than I did."

"You have a noble heart," Drulissa said. "I will be watching you."

"And what of the others?" the Queen asked.

"The other groups?" Drulissa replied.

"Yes," the Queen said.

"Some will succeed," Drulissa said. "And some will fail. Some will bring hope, and some will bring despair. Some will make a difference, and some will not. It is up to them to choose their own path."

"And Captain Varlikh?" the Queen asked.

"He is beyond my sight," Drulissa said. "But his heart feels a truth of wicked conviction, and he is fighting for what he believes in. He is a man who will not stop until his goals are achieved or he is destroyed. His allies wish to see you gone."

"Then I will fight him," the Queen said. "But he is an enemy I must keep close. His allies will stab me in the back should he disappear. I will not give up, and I will not give in. I will not let them win."

"You are a woman of conviction," Drulissa said. "May the gods smile upon your quest."

The Queen sighed. "I will send you word this week if I wish you to continue reporting on this matter."

Drulissa nodded. "Thank you, I shall await your decision and abide."

The Queen nodded, and the storyteller walked out.

Queen Antonia Bayle closed her eyes, her heart heavy.

"The Gods help us."