Galactic Gale

Chapter Twenty-Four

Discussions

The Queen of Uterca coughed at Nona as she took the seat by the end of the bed. No doubt Telion was wondering where Traen was, or what in all the great cities Nona could possibly have to discuss with her without a crowd of administrators.

Nona easily ignored the insult. Once she was crowed, it would be her duty to make decision on behalf of everyone in the golden city. Despite the staff of the palace, Traen, and the countless other officials who would offer advice, every choice would be hers alone to make in the end.

Many of the things she wanted to change about the city were already written down. She had kept a notebook in the lower drawer of her bedside table for quite some time. When she was granted a blissful moment alone, she scribbled down her thoughts. A queen should always be prepared.

No number of advisors could change her mind on the majority of the matters Nona wanted to deal with. She would listen to them, of course. But she would politely point out their errors, tell them they were wrong, then make her final word law.

It was both a terrifying and thrilling prospect. The fate of countless lives would be in her hands.

She forced a smile for Telion's sake and uncrossed her arms. "I wanted to speak with you regarding an important matter of state."

Even in her worsening condition, Telion was able to raise her eyebrows, her purple forehead crinkling. "There's no need to try and impress me with your new jargon. Kael has run off. It seems you will get your way with the crown after all."

"You speak as if it's my fault the Trials were cancelled."

"I have no doubts that you are behind Kael leaving Uterca. He was always so desperate to please you. Always cleaning up in your wake, trying to smooth over your mistakes. I don't think you realise the extent of what he's done for you."

Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Nona clutched her hands tightly together on her lap. "I understand perfectly well what Kael has done for me. Just as I understand what you have done – and what you failed to do."

The icy words sat between them for a while. They might have well have turned into sentient beings and sat on the edge of the bed. Their presence shattered the calm Nona had tried to preserve between her and Telion.

She should have known better than to think this conversation could become anything other than an argument.

"He cannot clean up after you when you are queen," Telion said at long last.

"I don't need him to. Kael has his path, and I have mine. We're responsible for ourselves." Nona suppressed a laugh. "Do be proud, mother. You have raised two very capable children."

"What I raised was a king and a fool. You will destroy Uterca. I don't need the powers of the priest-seers to know that."

Nona turned her head towards the rays of light streaming in through the stained-glass windows.

The priest-seers had seemed so fantastical when she had been younger. She had rushed to their temple with Kael thousands of times to ask them pointless questions about their future. The priests had laughed in their friendly manner and sprouted riddles in return.

There was no power in their words. What they said was nothing more than the first nonsense poem that they could produce. Still, they were a fun means of passing time and they had been a part of Uterca's history since the city was founded.

"Hershyl Biirton Kromestian. I don't suppose your familiar with the name." She faced Telion again, her jaw set and gaze unflinching.

Telion's laugh was short and bitter. "What makes you think I would?"