Sharin quietly made her way outside to the patio, breathing
deep of the cool air, leaning up against the railing and gazing out at
the twinkling stars. The blonde searched for her home sun for a little
while but finally had to give up with a soft sigh, that point of light
just too far away to see, even with her eyes.
"You miss it, don't you?" the quiet voice asked her softly.
Somehow, she wasn't too surprised to see Milly emerge from the
shadows, the pretty redhead dressed in her maid's uniform. "How do you
do keep doing that?" Sharin asked her crossly as the girl settled in
to stand beside her.
Milly flicked her tail, "I am part cat, you know."
"True," Sharin admitted.
"I know I miss it," Milly said softly, "I miss the Queen's
court. I miss the plots, the intrigue," her fangs showed as she
grinned suddenly, "why, I even miss protecting Mistress Jenna from all
the suitors after her money and power."
A surprised Sharin looked over at her curiously to ask, "But
why you aren't bothered by her and Allison being together?"
"No, I'm not bothered," Milly agreed. "Allison hasn't got a
clue that Jenna will someday be the queen of all of this," she
gestured to the stars above them. More quietly she added, "The
feelings that Allison and her share are real."
"You've got a point," Sharin admitted. She returned her gaze
to the stars, "But you should remember that Jenna only inherits if the
Queen doesn't disown her."
"True," Milly's tail began to lash back and forth, "What was
her majesty's mood like, when you left after Jenna?"
"She certainly wasn't very happy," Sharin quietly admitted to
Milly as she sent her thoughts back to a few weeks ago...
Sharin paused for a moment at the great doors themselves,
letting the guard who was standing there recognize her formally. All
of the proper traditions had to be observed, even when one had been
called forth by the Queen herself. The doors opened up grandly and
with a gulp Sharin entered into the throne chamber itself.
It was said that the monarch could see over all he or she
ruled through the great viewscreens on all sides of this massive
chamber, but for today the view was obscured. Countless courtiers and
minor nobles scurried around the throne, all trying to get the
attention of the woman now sitting on that uncomfortable throne.
Taking pity on her Sharin loudly announced, "The Questor
Sharin is here on business most urgent with the Queen!"
A few nobles squawked out in protest, and Sharin smiled a
cold, dangerous little smile. The smarter ones who knew her, either
directly or by reputation, fled immediately and the rest ran when
Sharin ignited her energy blade and charged the mob. With much
bleating and cries of fear the nobles fled, leaving the Queen and her
alone.
"A trifle overdone," the Queen noted with a little smile, "but
very effective."
"Thank you," Sharin let the blade dissipate as she smiled
grimly, "but considering my mood it was a real relief to cut loose."
She took a nervous breath, "I'm sorry to report that I was to meet
your daughter today, but she never turned up."
The dark haired woman on the throne eyes' darkened as she
softly murmured, "I know." She met Sharin's gaze steadily as she
continued on gravely, "It seems that my daughter Jenna has chosen to
take her personal servant and flee."
"What?" Sharin blurted.
"Indeed," the Queen nodded grimly.
"But why?" Sharin looked clearly confused. While she wasn't
Jenna's best friend, she knew her fairly well, and had seen no signs
that she was that unhappy.
"I knew she was displeased with the latest marriage meetings,"
the Queen sighed, "they were not what she might have hoped for."
Sharin winced. That was something of an understatement. She
had seen the portly, older man, and the spindly, gray haired man whom
the last marriage meetings had been with and felt relieved that her
guardian hadn't sent them after her.
Banishing those thoughts Sharin asked, "How can I be of
assistance, my Queen?"
"Do you know where she would run to?" the Queen asked Sharin
intently. Much more softly she added, "If Jenna does not return here
to seal the agreements with a marriage, the consequences for us could
be.. most dire."
Sharin thought for a moment, "I think she'd run to the very
rim of our colonized worlds, and maybe beyond that."
"Like some old holo-novel," the Queen murmured.
"Maybe," Sharin agreed, "but that's how Jenna thinks, my
Queen."
The Queen settled back in her seat and said, "If you feel so
certain, would you take up this Quest for me, Sharin?"
Sharin didn't hesitate, "Of course."
"Then do and bring her home for me," the Queen ordered. As
Sharin walked towards the doors the Queen added, "Do so, and the
rewards will be great. But if you fail me," she paused, "I would not
recommend returning at all."
Sharin stepped through the doors, "I understand,"
Milly was gazing up at Sharin in shock as she finished
recounting her encounter with the Queen. "What?" Sharin finally had to
ask.
"Was she truly so cold?" Milly finally asked, clearly hoping
that it wasn't so.
Part of Sharin wanted to soften it, and she didn't quite
understand why. As gently as she could manage she said, "I've never
gotten a sense of the typical feelings between a mother and daughter
with the Queen and Jenna."
Milly nodded grimly, "Please, don't tell Jenna what you just
told me."
"I won't," Sharin promised. She moved to go inside, then
paused, "You asked me if I missed it, being back home?"
"Yes?" Milly looked over at her curiously.
"No, I don't," Sharin said quite seriously. "Back home, I'd be
waiting to be married off, too. Here, I'm free, more so than I've ever
been," she smiled. A short pause, "And I'd have never gotten to know
you better back home."
Milly looked a bit startled, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Sharin shrugged.
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