The Queen's Guard

Part Four

The road was too narrow for regrets. Domna sighed. There was really no time to look back at that ivory palace, to think of all the lives that wilted beyond the Queen's bejeweled gaze. He kept moving, trying to wedge his mind into his sprawling home, his jolly loud aunts, his messy, curious job at the Royal Zoo. Well! The Queen was a good boss, and there was no home finer than the Humble Blossom palace complex, but was it worth the pain? At best, it was comfortable yet unfulfilling, and at worst, it was a blood-smeared nightmare. He cringed, recalling his fantasy of a cushy Palace job. But anyone could think that. Just look how the Royals live!

"So there you are!"

Domna whirled around. The Queen stood behind him, taking a walk through her gardens. She glowed in a glossy jade gown, opening a lace fan from one plump, jade-encrusted hand into another. Even when shocked, she took on a Royal pose.

"You're a bold man, Domna. I'll be sad to see you go."

Domna opened his mouth, but his voice was stuck in his throat. How could he possibly tell the most powerful woman in Splendora about the horrors of Guard life?! And even if she believed it, how could she dismantle the Guard so devoted to her protection? He felt sorry for her; this poor woman is kept so far from common issues she can't even see what they are!

He nodded, locking his eyes deep into the Queen's dark, lumpy-lashed ones. Her square face was soft and mournful, like that of a mother whose child just failed a test or burned a cake.

"If this is about Sergeant Gorello...." she began.

"You have no idea what happens in there, do you?"

"No. Please tell me."

He opened his mouth, yet nothing fell out. Nothing but a slow, shaky rasp:

"I-I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I should never have disrespected your position. I see how painful, how isolating...it really is."

"Domna, wait...!"

Too late. He vanished past the tall ivory towers-- ones inscribed with the image of the plump, regal Goddess. The Goddess with fear glinting in her marble eyes.

XXX

The Queen held an Address. This was unusual timing, considering Domna's sudden departure. Even more unusual was the Queen's insistence on opulence, despite the gravity of the discussion. Smooth ivory fountains erupted with blue-white waters as violet-robed Oracles and Priests shivered and chanted with the Spirit of the Goddess. The Queen and Prince Consort arrived by giant elephant. They rode the wrinkled, gray creatures into the Military Courtyard, struggling not to slide off the rose-patterned blankets hanging from the elephants' rounded backs.

"My dear, are you falling?" Eryx asked.

Clotilda wriggled to her feet, feeding her elephant Honeybee juicy chunks of melon.

"No. But I'd like the image to stay for future reference."

"If you mean the grave picture, that should be us kissing while riding these elephants."

"Indeed, if we were more graceful!"

They staggered to their thrones and sat slowly, terrified of their own Royal Guard. Clotilda set a smooth, bright daffodil in her Ming bowl, symbolizing her Welsh and Chinese heritage. Eryx gobbled candy from a clay dish.