The Trio of Trouble

Chapter Six The Water Basin

Chapter Six

The Water Basin

I stood in front of Queen Satery, who was now lounged on her throne, looking down at us. The queen looked up at the chandler, clearly deep in thought piecing together her next words like a quilt.

"Tell me about yourself Jack." Satery finally said, "The boys have already explained a few things, but I want to hear what you have to say."

The queen's question both puzzled and frustrated me. I wanted to know where I was, and why I was here. I didn't want to give this stranger my personal biography. At the same time, It confused me why she even wanted to know my life story. Why would the queen of, wherever we where, want to know about us?

"Well, I grew up in a village in the north with my grandmother..." I started.

"And what of your parents?" The queen asked, cutting me off.

I bit my cheek, wouldn't you like to know? I thought. But I knew I had to do what the queen asked, even if I didn't like it. She was a queen after all. Of what? I still didnt' know.

"They left me when I was a child." I replied coldly, "I don't know where they are."

The queen nodded, like she expected this. "When Marco started to-"

I was stopped mid sentence, by Marco's foot, slamming down in my mine. I bit my lip, trying not to cry out, and I glared at Marco. He gave me an alarmed face.

Ah, I shouldn't mention Marco's magic to the queen. A small bit of pride welled in my chest. Marco is finally thinking ahead, and being careful with information. The rest of my heart was mad that he dared to stomp on my foot like that.

"Um, we ran away...and met Jacos." I said.

"So why are you here?" Queen Satery asked.

"Um, we lost something here a while back."

Queen Satery didn't look convinced; and I didn't blame her. My lying wasn't to it's highest standers today. Maybe it was the fact I was surrounded by swamp monsters. Maybe the fact I had almost drowned. Maybe it was I had no idea where I was. Who knows.

"Children," The queen said after a time, "there is no need to lie to me. I can tell when you do so. In fact, I don't even need you to tell me anything. I wanted to see just how protective you three are."

Jacos, Marco and I all had the exact same face: confusion. The queen climbed down form her throne, and walked past us, flicking her hand, gesturing us to follow. We skeptically did so. Queen Satery led us though the cast amount of twists and turns down the long hallways. Sometimes we would pass by more swamp monsters who would respectfully bow in front of the queen.

So Queen Satery is queen of the swamp creatures, I thought, But she looks perfectly human. How does she even understand what they're saying?

I sighed, I needed answers, and the queen's slow steady pace was only fueling my burning curiosity further. Finally, we followed the queen into a small circular room. In the center of the room was tall table, that took up most of the area's space. She made her way to the table, and we stood ourselves around it. I realized then that it wasn't a table but a basin of clear water; which was the only clear water I had seen in quite a while. Queen Satery stared at the water long fully, she seemed to be recalling painful memories. After a while, she looked up.

"If you hadn't noticed," The queen began, "I am human. Like you. I was just like you actually. I was a thief. But, I was banished from my home and I stumbled upon this place. The Karthos, those things you've seen walking about; they took me in. And I was made queen because of my knowledge from our world. I've been here for..."