Chapter 37: 1-35: Queen’s Request

We arrived at the capitol in due time, skipping over a week of walking, one carriage theft and one dramatic rescue of a child from a burning church. I would have included that but all the pages with it were mysteriously lost when I didn't write any of it down because I didn't care. (Lazy. -Quaza) (Yes, yes. I am.) So, we are now at the capitol, and being summoned before the Queen, Her Royal Highness, Honi Sordi Iralivilsa.

"My daughter, I am glad to see you are safe and overjoyed to see you returned to me."

Quaza curtsied to her mother, "As if I would ever be in trouble, mother."

Her mother chuckled, "Overconfidence is not good for you. By the by, you have companions standing quite awkwardly behind you, would it not be appropriate for you to introduce them?"

Quaza looked back toward us and nodded. She motioned for Nox and Caela first. They stepped up, Nox standing at attention and Caela trying to save a bow into a curtsy with minimal success. "This is Nox, a friend of mine from Honipolis and Caela- same as my Terra and formerly a candidate that began with L."

"Ah, so this is what the suit of armor looks like without her helmet. Quite harsh. A good look human. And Caela, was it? Well, do try and learn what colors go together. It is good to see you smiling however dear."

"Thank you, your highness." They replied together.

Queen Honi looked behind to Hayli and me, a sense of recognition twinkling in her grey orbs. "And the others?"

"Yes, right. Mother these are my blood servants. First the humon is Hayli Reiland von Orache Summer. She's my friend- I guess former friend now- Ilyah's cousin. And of course, next to her is, Terra- as I think you know already."

"Ah, yes. Hayli- I see you take after your Humon mother like Ilyah did. And Terra- I am happy you decided to not break my daughter's heart- and my grandfather's killer no longer exists." She looked back towards Quaza, "Dearest one, go and show the others to the guest rooms- I wish to have a conversation with Terra. Alone."

Quaza nodded and ushered the others out of the throne room leaving me alone with the Queen. She stood up, long legs nimbly leaping off the large throne she had been reclining in, landing softly on the carpet in front of her. She walked around me, eying me over. Her hair was the same color as Quaza's slicked back and held in place by the thin iron crown on her head. She leaned in closer to me, and then grabbed my chin and forced my head up to meet her eyes, "Tell me human, how was it, to give up your autonomy to my daughter? To remove the choice of disobedience? Was it horror you felt, fear at being forced to serve a monster who you blame for your parent's deaths? Are you shaking every time you see her, trying to stop your hands from reaching around her neck and feel the life leaving her? Well? Do you? Are you?"

"I- well, I mean of course I have those thoughts! She caused the death of almost everyone I knew, but-" I replied defensively.

"Oh, but wasn't the fault they all died because you killed my father? That you refused my daughter's option for a more peaceful situation?"

"If you are trying to guilt me, I spent every day for years blaming myself for it already. And if I may continue from before, I also have... feelings that hold that rage back.  So, no I don't constantly want to kill her. And even if I did- I couldn't do it and it wouldn't do anything."

"Such a softie. I can see why my daughter likes you. I bet you'd find a way to serve her even without the blood servitude. You just have that air about you." See patted my head and rustled my hair as if I was a child.

"Are you here to insult me?"

"No, no, no. I am interviewing you, Terra. Tell me, do you plan on taking Iralivilsa wholly, or do you plan on hyphenating?"

"I- I have a girlfriend."

"The von Orache girl, right? No need to worry, polyamory is accepted among demons."

"That's not the point, your highness."

"Oh, you're in denial. That's fine. Well, if you do, I am fine with Quaza taking you as her wife- but, for now you can play the game you want to play human. I have a request for all of you, but it is late. Find Quaza and see where you're sleeping, servant."

I watch as she sits back down and back out of the room, keeping my eye on her. The halls are the same as when I was a child, but even if they weren't I could thankfully not bother with that as Quaza was waiting down a hall for me.

"What did my mother want?"

"Nothing more than to make sure I am your obedient little servant."

"She didn't say anything weird right? Like anything about marriage?"

"No?" I look at Quaza quizzically. 

"Oh, thank deities." She wiped her brow. 

"So, where is Hayli's room."

"Oh, you're sleeping in my room with her. And me."

"Do I dare ask?"

"Oh, I just don't want the servants to have to clean the sheets. And besides, I enjoy sleeping with company, makes me feel safer."

"I mean we could sleep in separate beds, or Hayli with you and me alone."

"Hayli's already soaking in my bath, it's too late for that Terra. Besides my bed is huge- even now that we are grown."

I surrendered to her, "Fine. Not like I had a choice anyway."

She smiled, "Nope, none. Come along."

Hayli called me into the bath as soon as she heard us open the door. I undressed before I went in and was immediately drowned into the bathtub by her. As I came up gasping for air, she laughed and said, "So, the bed sure looks nice and comfortable. Sucks we have to share it, but you know."

I was still coughing up water as I replied, "You could try and make friends with her. Would make this all much less awkward."

"Why would I make friends with my rival?"

"Your rival?"

"For you. I am your number one, and you are mine. And I know that a princess like her would easily replace me. I mean look at her, just the air she gives off is incredible. I'd bottom for her."

"Hayli, I have no fucking idea what you are talking about."

She scooted back towards me, resting her head on my chest. I could hear her making some comments about them, as she was want to do, but I ignored them. It was nice to finally be clean after all the time on the boat and the way here. It wasn't until I felt the grime fall off me that I even realized it. And how sore my body we. My muscles relaxed into jelly as I closed my eyes and let the time pass by.

It was some time before we retired into the bed, which was wide enough that an entire twin bed could fit between us and the royalty next to us. And the bed was soft, like we were literally sinking into it. I was safe in the tail of Hayli like usual, who had her back to me, arguing with Quaza on who would get the bath first in the morning. Her argument was that guests should get it first, while Quaza argued that it was her bath. I stayed quiet and out of it like a good girl. Besides I'd be using it last regardless.

The next morning at breakfast Queen Honi told us she had a request for us before indulging in whatever her daughter had planned. There was recently a surge of magic in an alcove by the shore. It was near the ruins Quaza wished to see anyways, so it was an easy request for our group to agree to. Before that however I was dragged to go shopping with a very nervous Caela.

We made our way through the streets, crowded to a point that I missed the capitol in my country. I felt a bit awkward as a human in such a heavily demon city, but Caela's nervous handholding so we didn't get separated helped me feel a bit better about someone attacking me. 

"Do you even know where the store is, Caela." I ask.

"I know where the area it is in is."

"Why did you need me to come?"

"I'm just nervous. I mean it's a big deal. And I'd chicken out without you here."

"I mean, you want it right? Why would you chicken out without me here?"

"You know why. If you didn't have Hayli would you have taken it?"

I had to give that to her. "Point taken."

We soon reached what appeared to be a shopping area, full of stalls and storefronts. We made it towards one with what looked like a potion flask on the sign out front. A bell rang as we entered. The shelves were full of flasks of liquids of every color, bubbling and sludging about in their prisons. We made our way to the front counter where a small green colored demon with white hair and white ram horns was keeping watch. He greeted us:

"Hello, hello. What brings you to my humble store? Trouble in bed? Trouble sleeping?"

"N-no. Um... I need a potion to make me like Terra." She motioned to me.

"Ah, Lady Grafein's. Yes, we have some single doses of those. Long form like hers as well. Check the wall to my right."

Caela went over to the wall and began to search while I awkwardly stood brushing my dress clean of imaginary dust. 

"You need any potions?"

"No, I am fine."

"I mean the first time after a potion like that can be awkward, I could give you something to help you two with that."

"Oh, no. She's just my friend."

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"Really, she doesn't look at you like a friend."

"She is just a friend. Caela! You find it yet?"

"Yep!" She came over, a small flask in her hand. 

"Five silvers. Are you sure you don't want a lust potion or something?"

"That sounds hot, but I don't have a girlfriend to use it with so it would just expire." Caela replied.

"Hayli is horny enough." I answered.

Caela handed over the coins and placed the flask in a burlap bag. As we walked back, she asked, "How's the taste? Like do I need to pinch my nose or what?"

"Like grass."

"Got it, nose will be pinched." She smiled, feet skipping a bit as she moved along. It was cute to see her like that. I was happy for her, though I wasn't looking forward to having to ask my sister to carry her unconscious body to the shore in a few minutes. Eh, for now watching her made me feel good. She was already cute, so it wasn't like the potion would have as much to work with in the face as me, and she wouldn't need to be taught how to manage to walk in heels or a dress which would be a plus to her.

The others had packed a small travel pack for us and had a few horses out trying desperately to get them saddled. I called Nox over and told her to make sure Caela was safe before grabbing Caela's potion, uncorking it and pouring into the woman's mouth for her. She fainted with unnecessarily dramatic flair. Nox propped her against the wall of the stables as she went to calm down her horse. Quaza's horse was happily grazing as she brushed it while Hayli desperately tried to get hers to raise his head so she could get his bit into his mouth.

I made my way to the white and black horse grazing by itself after grabbing the stuff I needed and walking over to it. I place the stuff on a stump and brushed the horse with a rough brush, getting it clean and used to me. After a minute more of me petting the beast, I tossed the saddle pad over it and then carefully went and put the halter over its head and the reigns were then attached to that. Then it was simple to hoist the saddle on it, attach the girth, tighten it and then adjust the stirrups to my height. I was the second one to actually mount my horse after Quaza, jumping into the saddle with a single leap from the ground.

I walked my horse who I decided was called Arion next to Quaza who was watching Hayli desperately try to tighten her girth. "Let him relax for a minute and try again." She told my girlfriend who was clearly not going to listen to her advice. Nox had her saddle on and was trying to figure how she could manage to hoist herself and the ragdoll-ing body of Caela onto her mare.

"Don't you have servants to prepare the horses for them?"

"Good practice for them. Or I guess Hayli. You and Nox got it done pretty well."

"Pretty well? I'm the only one on one now."

"I still got on before you."

"I arrived late, Quaza." I retorted.

"Yes and handicapped your sister with dear Caela- who you drugged into unconciousness."

"She can handle it if she handled being your friend."

"Feisty today, are we?" She grinned. "Cutie."

I turned my horse around and let it graze for a bit. Eventually our companions were mounted, and we began on our way. 

(By the way, when did you get over your fear of horse Quaza?) (When they stopped trying to brain me.- Q)

"Why exactly is your mother so worried?" Hayli asks bobbing along on her horse.

"Could be an ancient or demon beast and either waking up would be troublesome."

"And she thinks we'd be enough to kill an ancient?"

"Yes, and she'd be right. I mean either of us alone could take one, Lady Hayli. After all you've already killed one."

"Yeah with a cheap shot and being utterly pissed off. And since I'm not letting Terra out of my sight now that isn't happening again."

"If I wasn't her friend I might consider getting her in harms way to push you harder, but alas I do like her too much to do that."

Nox had Caela's comedically flopping body tied to her back. She was ahead of my arguing girlfriend and Quaza, trying to not have to deal with them. She was stone silent, seeming to be ignoring everything but the road ahead of her. I really wished Caela would wake already so I could talk to her and help her out. Also hear what she would sound like. See what it would be like from the other side of the flask. In the meanwhile:

"Terra, Beast or Ancient?"

"I hope it's a beast, but it is near a ruins and ruins usually have old people."

"That was one ruin."

"What about your grandfather."

Quaza scowled, "Be serious, Terra. No matter what the cause is, we need to take this seriously or my mother might go back on the whole you not being executed deal."

"Fine. By the way, when was the magic detected?"

"A week ago, a sudden shockwave is what alerted her."

"A week?" Hayli looked annoyed. "Who is to even say the cause is there anymore?"

Quaza nodded, "Yeah, but it would probably leave proof if it was detected in the capitol."

"I suppose, but still why send us."

"The ruins, Hay." I reply bluntly.

"Oh, right. The ruins that will not help us at all while the Heroes are exploring ones that are designed to help them or whatever the hell they're up to."

Quaza sighed, "I suppose that might be the case, but never hurts to try."

We stopped talking for a moment and rode on. At this point I could hear Caela snoring just ahead of us. How she hadn't been jostled awake at this point was a mystery that would take lifetimes to solve.  I stretched and pet my horse on the neck as I rode. It was another hour to the town, so I wanted it to not hate me for making it walk all this way and refuse to go back.

"Terra, if there is something to fight who would be more useful?" Quaza asked me.

"Well, Nox would be the most useful in general."

"Between me and Quaza." Hayli replied.

"Where we're going? You. Since it's by the ocean and you literally control water."

"What about my magic?"

"Quaza, what plants grow on a beach?"

"There are plant in the ocean."

"You have to touch them right?"

Quaza grinned, "I have to see them now."

Hayli deadpanned, "They'd still be underwater, your highness."

"Fine. Hayli is the best choice if we need to kill someone at the beach."

Hayli nodded. "Yep a perfect place for regicide."

"I could say the same thing." Quaza replied.

"Glad to see you too becoming friends." I joked. This joke was followed by Hayli complaining she hated Quaza and Quaza annoying her by mentioning that she could at any time command her to be her friend. I rode ahead of them finally and tuned them out. It was not worth it right then to indulge either of them or me in bickering. Besides, it was good to be alone with your thoughts sometimes.

And we rode on, towards the shore and whatever exactly it was we were supposed to find or do. 

(Wow, you really suck at ending chapters.- ???) (Can you not write notes before you show up, or better yet be like Nox or Caela and not do it.) (You told me not to. - Caela) (I don't trust you not to burn it accidentally, like how you burned the sign-in sheet at the capitol gate.)  (Fine, I'll wait. How are you going to- ???) 

(The rest of the page was filled with scribbles and spilled ink as the author fought with her friends)

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