A Dime a Dozen

The Flow

"They've reached the city gates," the captain reports.

Gasps flit about that room. I look towards my husband. He stares down at the map of the country, one hand stroking his beard. He finally looks up.

"Evacuate the city to the citadel. Prepare to open the escape route in the event we fail to hold the city."

The captain nods then turns and leaves.

"Aline," he says, looking to me, "I want you to oversee the evacuation from here."

I nod. "Of course."

He looks across his nobles. "All of you are to help in the evacuation."

They all nod, chorusing "Yes sire."

He finally looks to our son. "Dimitri. I want you to stay here."

"Father-"

"I need you to be here. If anything should happen to me, you need to be here, able to take control."

Dimitri bows his head. "Yes, father."

My husband leaves and within minutes the city is in disorder. With the nobles and my son, we usher the people along to the citadel, through the courtyard to the path that leads up the mountain.

"Queen Aline!" I hear a voice call out. I turn towards it. A figure wrapped in a white cloak moves quickly against the crowd to me. Another figure in a white cloak chases after them.

My two guards move to block their advance and the first figure reaches up, removing the hood. I immediately recognize her black hair and green eyes.

"Stand down," I order my guards. "She's a daughter of the temple of Nyssa."

My guards obey and within seconds, she has reached me. I catch her arm and pull her to the side. "What are you doing Lena? You need to evacuate."

The other cloaked figure has reached us and I recognize her. She's Diaphanes, the head priestess of the temple of Nyssa. "My apologies, Queen Aline. Come, Lena, we need to go." Diaphanes reaches out and takes Lena's arm.

Lena shakes her hand off and turns to me. "Please, Queen Aline. I can help."

"No," Diaphanes and I say simultaneously.

"You have to let me help," she pleads. "The kingdom is in the balance."

"Lena, what are you talking about?" Diaphanes asks.

Lena ignores her. "King Gregor has messed with the balance. I can feel it. If you don't let me help, the kingdom will fall."

I feel my blood turn to ice. I know better than to just dismiss Lena's concern. She was the daughter of Keeper of the Gates, after all. I look at Diaphanes. Her face is white, but she shakes her head. "Lena, you're not strong enough for that. You could die if you attempt anything," Diaphanes warns.

Lean's green eyes are hard and determined. "I have to at least try."

"What do you need?" I ask.

"A torch, blood grass, and a temple."

"A temple would be preferable," Diaphanes says, looking at the ground. Then she looks up. "But with your connection to the flow, any open space inside will do." She gently smiles at Lena, who returns her smile.

"Come," I tell her. "The physician keeps blood grass on hand and I'm sure the throne room is about as spacious as a temple."

I lead them towards the entrance of the castle. Turning the last corner, we run into Dimitri. He looks surprised. "Mother?"