Strange Aeons [Book 1]

26. Winds of War [part IV]

«I see.» her voice was delicate but thundering, at the same time. It was incredibly confusing for whoever listened to it. «The Mages come crawling to the Fairies.»

«We are honored and humbled by the grace of Her Majesty, and bask in her incredible beauty and wisdom.» Thanatos still bent over in a deep bow, greeted her as manners request, trying to feign tranquility he was far from feeling.

Beside Titania, something started to break through the floorboards. Black vines started to sprout right under the Queen, and under the amazed gazes of the Enforcers, a convoluted, elaborated throne was born right there, ready to accommodate the gracious figure of the fairy. The throne had many swirls, and three ovals pointing right, left and up, forming its seatback. It was creepy and majestic at the same time. Titania sat down with catlike movements and lazily leaned her cheek on the back of her hand, her eyes transfixed on the men and women in front of her.

«Basking is a privilege I don't offer for nothing, Enforcer Commander Thanatos.» she said, with boredom in her tone. «I hope the Order has something to offer to me, for such an outrageous request.»

«Gracious Queen, your benevolence in according us to an earlier meeting...»

«Quit, quit this, obvious pleasantries bore me. Tell me, why do you beseech the Fairy Queen and her eyes, Enforcer Commander? Be brief, and I could consider giving you something you actually need, apart from basking in my perfection.»

«Have you heard, oh gracious Queen...»

«Hm. No. You are always so pompous. You remind me of my court, and I'm so bored with my court. If I graciously come here to answer your prayer, you could at least make it worth my while.» The Queen interrupted him.

«I... of course, Your Majesty. What could we do to... make it worth your while?» Thanatos was taken aback. He had direct dealings with the Fairy Queen just twice before, and it had been quite different. She had come to the Finnegan's Wake, just like now. She had asked what he wanted, listened to his request and granted it, barely looking at him, barely letting a hunchback goblin take what she had asked in return and left. Time spent: five minutes, three of which of general courtesy and title-calling. Plus, he was with Della Rovere at the time, not solo like this one, and the Councilor had made most of the talking.

Today she was remarkably different, with a strange light in her grey eyes, and a smirk fighting not to appear on her thin pale lips.

«Do I have to explain everything? I'm sure you know how to please a Queen. I must have already told you.» she said, moving a hand gently in the air. «Haven't I? Of course, I have.»

Thanatos started to feel the anxiety rise. There were tons of lore about pleasing the Fairies, but the same folklore was quite clear about what could happen if the method was chosen unwisely. A streak of fear started to go around, as Titania's eyes went around, stopping in each and every one of the Enforcers'. Everyone was waiting for Thanatos to make the first move.

«Should I bring you something rare from the deepest of our Vaults? Such a marvel everyone would envy Your Majesty?» he offered, remembering the long essays about the Fairy Court need for dark pleasures. The disgusted noise coming from Titania's mouth declared his failure. Last time, she clearly requested something in exchange for the information they needed, and there had been none of these theatricals.

«O, what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, alone and palely loitering? The sedge has withered from the lake, and no birds sing. O what can ail thee, knight-at-arms, so haggard and so woe-begone? The squirrel's granary is full, and the harvest's done.» exceptionally good pronunciation and rhythm made everyone turn and stare.