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[PorscheSpyder]

Iolanta went to the kitchen and returned with two glasses of water. She handed on to Audrey and took a drink from the other before continuing with her narrative. 

"When Mother made contact with the Brotherhood, they were at first resistive, but soon agreed to talk. But they said they would make no promises. Even so, Mother was excited that they were at least willing to talk."

"The talks were held in Akzeshtn territory. It was, more or less, neutral ground, so there was little fear of violence. Or at least, my mother thought so."

"Soon after the commencement of the negotiations, my mother fell ill. While unable to attend the meetings in person, she made it clear that all the points presented by the de Brevesket representatives were her points. She was not being influenced by others, although she did seek counsel from more experienced people. For several weeks she remained confined to her room. Nonetheless, she vigorously pursued peace."

"Finally, though still weak from her sickness, she was able to attend one meeting. In that meeting, the Brotherhood dropped all kind pretenses and issued their ultimatum. Either my mother sign over her power to them, or be killed then and there. Soldiers from the Brotherhood appeared in all the exits, blocking any means of escape. My mother and the four other representatives were trapped."
Iolanta paused to steady her voice. She took another sip of water and continued. 

"Security cameras captured what happened next. My mother drew the Ceremonial Sword that she always carried and lunged across the table, slashing at the lead Brotherhood representative. Her sword did its job. The representative fell from his chair. The other four Brotherhood representatives, stunned by her sudden action, sat paralyzed. The four men that were with my mother drew their sabers and went to battle. The Brotherhood soldiers stationed at the exits raced in to deal with my mother. The odds were against her. But she went down fighting. Before she died, she herself slew twenty-two of the Brotherhood. Her four representative took down another fifty-seven before they fell."

"When the Akzeshtn guards arrived on the scene, it was too late to save my mother. But they managed to round up the remaining Brotherhood members and summarily executed them. But the damage was already done."

"Immediately afterward, the Brotherhood released a statement that the last of the de Brevesket royal family had died. They were now the official rulers of the Kytæn Empire. But they forgot one critical component. Or rather person. Me. Lekta Iolanta de Brevesket."

"As it turned out, it was a good thing that I was sent here to out-of-the-way Earth. No one really thinks much about this place. I was completely forgotten by the Brotherhood. That is why there has been no attempt on my life. I received the news of my Mother's death much like you did Zachary's. A messenger came to my door with a silver-edged envelope with the news. Only I was not able to express my grief freely like you could. Doing so may have compromised my identity."

At this point Iolanta stopped her narrative. She took another drink, then went over to the window and looked out across the front yard. 
"I would assume you can guess the rest, can't you Audrey."

Audrey, who had been just watching her friend intently the whole time, nodded. "You became the ruler, didn't you?" 

"Yes. Queen-in-exile, really. In reality, I have about as much power over my kingdom as you do. None. I can only wait and hope that, over time, I may be able to reclaim the throne. But only time will tell."

There was silence in the room for a bit, until the hall clock began to chime. It struck nine times before going back to sleep. Audrey stretched and yawned. 

"Well, all I can say is wow. I would never have imagined that you, for all your plainness and unassuming nature, that you are a queen. I mean, even if you are in exile and have no power, it's still really cool."

"No, Audrey," murmured Iolanta. "It is not cool. It is painful, frustrating, overwhelming. You have never been in a situation where you were forced against your will to be powerless. You, as a common inhabitant of Earth, will never know what I am going through."

Audrey was silent. She now wished she hadn't spoken. Then, remembering the time, she stretched once more and rose to leave. 
"Thank you for sharing with me. I promise I won't tell a soul. I guess I'd best be going. See you later!"

Without waiting for Iolanta to answer she skipped out the door, down the walk and drove away. Iolanta watched silently. She then extended her right arm out in the direction of the full length mirror that hung on one wall in the living room. Starting from the shoulder, her arm once again turned transparent blue. She then made a sweeping motion with her fingers. As she did so, the mirror seemed to turn to liquid. Out of the mirror emerged a long, narrow, double-bladed sword. It was the ceremonial sword last used by her mother. It floated across the room to her waiting hand. 

Grasping the handle, Iolanta ran her left hand across the blade, testing its sharpness. She sighed. It was so difficult to be silent. She wanted so much to reclaim the Kytæn empire which was rightfully hers. But in order to do so, she would need the support of other kingdoms. She would also need an army. And as things stood at the moment, it was unlikely to happen for a long time. 

"Maybe," she thought, "I should visit Cassendane. She may have some ideas or something."

[Deadpoolv3]

i always knew that earth would be the backwater planet of the galaxy. but again i love the back story. on to battle i'm guessing at some point?

[PorscheSpyder]

Deadpoolv3, on 30 May 2012 - 10:37 PM, said:

i always knew that earth would be the backwater planet of the galaxy. but again i love the back story. on to battle i'm guessing at some point?

Yeah, Earth, while frequently mentioned, will be, more or less, minor. Not a whole lot going on....

There will be a battle. There is some work to get there.

There will be a small battle in the next chapter....

[Deadpoolv3]

PorscheSpyder, on 30 May 2012 - 10:52 PM, said:

Yeah, Earth, while frequently mentioned, will be, more or less, minor. Not a whole lot going on....

There will be a battle. There is some work to get there.

There will be a small battle in the next chapter....

i'm going more the "taking back my empire battle"

earth could have been a penal colony instead of a back water place, i'm happy living in the back water i live in the back water now as it is

[UNIQUE]

next ch sounds like a plan