As Related by Lord Chief Justice Ross Adare, J.D., LL.CD
Lord Danak is absolutely right: at this point, Venahalee has a legitimate claim to the throne. But Battlequeen Escharton is correct also. When the Archon was an Arya Nau’gsh, it didn’t matter who held the Staff. But if the Archon is a Cu’enashti, it’s essential that the Matriarch be his Chosen. A Cu’enashti’s loyalty must always be to his Chosen: it’s an ethical premise and a biological fact. But from the point of view of good governance, an Archon with divided loyalties is a disastrous proposition. When all of this is over, I’m going to propose an alteration to the Constitution of the Realm.
« Tielo should easily be able to locate the Staff, » says Ailann. « And with the power of Yggdrasil behind him, he could easily wrest it back from that upstart sapling. »
« Tielo can’t tie his shoelaces at the present, » Lucius counters. « He can’t even get the message out to Tara. »
The message he was supposed to get to Tara was this: take care of Molly. She was in prison; surely it would be easy enough to sedate her?
« It would probably be best to have her executed, » says Ailann.
« Ailann, are you alright? » I ask. His suggestion is both pragmatic and just, but very much unlike him.
« I’m fine, » he replies. « I just don’t like feeling so helpless. How is the repair on the mecha coming? »
« We lack supplies, » says Wynne. « Fortunately, Owen is primarily a mining engineer, and he was able to locate some copper ore in the mountains. He’s fashioning a few makeshift replacement parts. »
« He should try for achievement 47: “Collect all seven planetary metals,” » says Balin. « He’s got the right skill set. »
« Owen says he found some iron, too, » says Chase. « It’s pretty common. He’s giving it to Rand. »
“His Royal Highness Patrick Fitzroy, Prince Consort of Sideria. 7th to emanate, 63 in the color scale, resonates to 307. 1.781 meters tall, cock size 16.51 cm when erect, apparent age 35. Novelist. Totem is Osmanthus fragrans, the sweet osmanthus or fragrant olive, fixed star is Mira, the wonderful star. Esoteric symbol is the Minchiate trump Il Granduca, the Grand Duke. Dessert is an assortment of petit-fours with nau’gsh and vanilla fillings. Function is administrative stabilization, proto-conscious tendency is charisma, designated Beloved. Blazon is pseudo-azure, on a pale endorsed argent, a double-horned grenstag sejant erect affronty, proper.”
« Way to go Patrick, » says Wynne. « What was the metaphor? »
« Nau’gsh-ripened lips. When you think of all the possibilities that implies, it’s quite…»
Suddenly, Marius and Thomas are laughing. I can sense that Manan is puzzled. Then I see what they’re seeing, and I’m laughing, too. They’re looking at the heraldic figures emblazoned on the lotus-petals in the floor mosaic.
« That is not what I drew on Constantine, » Patrick sputters. « My grenstag was simply leaping. »
« Erect affronty, » gasps Harsh. « That’s the sluttiest stag I’ve ever seen. »
« It won’t be long now, » says Marius. « Our main force is on track towards your location. What’s worrying me more is that Molly looks like she’s heading towards us. »
« Damn, it makes sense, » says Balin. « Who are the ones capable of fending off another telepathic attack? Thomas and Manan. »
« It isn’t just that, » says Manan. « The Holy Mountain is our center of spiritual balance. I think she’s planning to disrupt the entire pleroma. »
« We can’t beat her to Mt. Ouroboros, » says Ailann. « The train doesn’t go there, and she has a huge head start if we go on foot. »
« The mecha can, » says Ace, « if we can get it fixed. Even Lugh is helping. »
« It’s not like we’re helpless, » says Marius. « It’s three of us against one of her, and all three are Knights of the Quest. »
The penguin-monk gestures towards the door; Thomas stands and follows him outside. He’s nearly blown off the mountain. « Holy compost! » he yells. « It’s a blizzard up here. »
« See? » says Marius. « The pleroma is with us. That ought to slow her down. »
« Don’t get over-confident, » says Ailann. « Molly is nothing if not persistent. Now does anyone have any ideas about how to get Tielo back to normal?