The Second Carpenter

LXIX

LXIX_I_Coagula_-_Necrocitizen

Queen Maytha lay curled up in her grotesque throne in her mobile citadel, her lady-in-waiting, Morsal, still afraid to ask for her orders.

"She would have been enough . . ." Maytha said with a quiet, shivering voice.

"My Goddess?" Morsal asked.

"Kayla . . . My baby girl . . . I drove her to suicide, didn't I?"

"I . . . wouldn't be able to answer that, My Queen."

"Do you think she died happy? Well . . . she obviously didn't . . ."

"May I speak, Your Magnitude?" Suamak, the eyeball- shaped undead intervened.

"Yes, love."

"I deduce that Princess Kayla's sorrow came from the way Your Magnitude were treating yourself and your power in her eyes. Concerning herself, I would say that she was happy, for being loved by Your Magnitude was all she needed, even if My Goddess was heavily distracted by your warfare. Not that I agree with the princess's feelings. I tell you my logical deductions, but as far as I'm concerned, the Goddess has led us in the right path as Queen Necromancer. It is our nature to pillage and dominate as representatives of our queen. The princess's emotions were her weakness."

"Thank you for being honest with me, Suamak. Say, what happened to the slim sisters?"

"They're already at the Moon; they have been there for a while."

"So, my Kayla isn't alone . . . that's awfully reassuring. Morsel, why don't you say anything, girl?"

"I do have a question, but it terrifies me to ask even if I'm permitted."

"What if you are ordered to ask it?"

"I am worried that My Lady may . . . My Queen, now that you are seemingly done with your campaign, are you going to abandon us?"

"Never, love. I don't want to be even lonelier than I already am. You may leave if you want, but I'm never going to leave you myself."

"We actually can't leave, My Queen," Suamak interjected, "We can only survive in your vicinity."

"I'm sorry . . . I should have been more careful with your creation. If I disturb you, I can promise never to talk to you again even if you are in my home."

"You are all we have, My Goddess," said Morsal, "Why would we want that?"

"That's such a relief . . ." she exhaled, "Thank you. I already know Suamak's answer."

"It is illogical to leave the entity that gives me order and purpose."

"Don't be redundant, love; I said I know your answer. But you were right; my campaign is over. I don't regret it. I regret that it destroyed my precious daughter, but I don't regret the thing itself. I'm happy I pursued that pleasure. It felt wonderful to exercise my power. It felt even more wonderful to love my girl, and I will forever live with the guilt of destroying her, but I'll also never regret this campaign. I enjoyed being a warlady; but I'm also very much tired of it. Suamak, Morsal, can you come closer? No, even closer, sit on the throne with me."

Even though Morsal was devoid of facial expression, the awkward embarrassment of a formal lady-in-waiting suddenly sitting next to the Queen and being held kindly like her daughter was noticeable.

"You lie on my lap, Suamak dear; sorry for not giving you limbs."

"They would have been counter-produc-"

"Ah, shut your-Fuck, I didn't give you a mouth either. You are my children too, you know?" she had started to caress both of them, "I'm proud of you and I love you. Don't answer that."