A Tale Of Queens

The Feast {Part Three}

Something is not right, Alti thought.

As the party swung into full gear, the band  ramped up the liveliness of the music, plates of food were emptied, wine goblets were getting refilled and some people were even getting up to dance.

But it seemed that not a single person was affected by the wine.

Her eyes were narrowed with suspicion as she turned to Rwawa who was on his fourth goblet for the night. His eyes were still sharp, bright and alert.

She grabbed the untouched drink in front of her and took a sip.

No. Her tongue deceived her.

In her second attempt, she downed the full goblet in one go.

No slight burn in her throat. Nothing.

Then she realised.

Sa-Alti had played her for a fool. Whatever her daughter planned to tell them tonight, she wanted the people to be in full control of their wits.

How could she not have double checked?!

She had never been so furious with herself.

Under the table, she grabbed her daughter's wrist without facing her, plastered a smile on her face and murmured so that only she could hear.

"What, in the name of all that is sacred, are you doing?"

Sa-Alti's smile was just as wide as hers as she tried to shrug off the nails digging into her skin.

"Nothing, Mother."

The nails pierced into her wrist even further.

"Whatever foolishness you are planning, don't you dare bring shame to this family."

"Oh no, Mother. You have already made good work of doing that."

Alti was about to retort but never got the chance.

Because Sa-Alti was already rising to her feet.

She let go of the wrist she was holding and saw the blood on her finger nails.

+*+*+*+*+

Sa-Alti took in a huge gulp of air.

She felt a strange mix of nervousness and defiance as the music slowly died down and the attention of the people rested fully on her. She looked to her other side and met Jyaret's gaze. It was full of warmth and encouragement.

Somebody from a table at the back proclaimed, "Hail, Queen Sa-Alti of Khelet!"

"Hail!" the people chorused, voices filled with solidarity.

For now, they were behind her. Her next words would determine how firmly they stood.

"Men and women of our great kingdom, I thank you for honouring the invitation to this feast," she began. Took in deep breath again. Then went on. "It means the world to me as a young ruler that my people have chosen to rally around me tonight."

There was a great cheer following her statement.

So far, so good.

Sa-Alti could not help the appearance of the genuine smile on her face. She was getting more and more confident that she could sway the people to her side, make them as passionate to rescue Vileytna as she was.

She could practically feel the heat coming off of her mother. She had to be hating this.
Good thing that her opinion on this matter had seized to hold water a long time ago.