Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene XXVI

The plump bird from the hand of Prince Reach swooped down and found the familiar nest of green Tunida, bringing with it the important message. The King of Tunid was greatly relieved to see its contents. Finally, the recipe for black powder had arrived in his grasp; the ingredients of renewal, the formula needed to return the world to order. The one secret that had eluded a kingdom built on secrets, finally known.

The Queen of Tunida sat calmly watching, her tight braided hair billowing softly in the wind. She could tell from the king's body language that the news was good, and though she was eager to hear specific details concerning her son she was content to be patient.

"I don't think it's wise to take the black powder to Outer Tunida," pondered the king out loud, as he considered what he'd read. "It doesn't quite feel right to disturb the outer peace. Twayen is readying the ships, but we'll make the final upgrades here.." He then looked across to his queen, as if looking for approval, before passing the message back to his aide, who went scurrying off.

"And what of our son?" she asked, with a mocking, but gentle tut.

"Sorry," came the hesitating reply, the king realising he hadn't even bothered to share the important contents. "He's good, and healthy looking. Pretty much a man now by all accounts. The whole trial has done him good it seems. The message wasn't long, of course, but it says he misses us and home, but wants to remain there to do his duty. So for now he'll stay and be our eyes and hands in the north."

The confirmation that he was staying brought a heavy shiver of disappointment to the queen's body, as did the knowledge that he'd apparently sprouted to near manhood in her absence. Her mind took pleasure in the facts though, knowing the news could've been much worse. She got up from the wicker chair she'd been sat perched upon, feeling numb, but satisfied, and headed further out onto the balcony, casting her gaze out to the breezy sea.

"Y'know, I think it was a bad portend when Reach tried to send Estorie to Outer Tunida," reflected the king, the possibility of black powder being prepared in the outside realm reoccupying his thoughts. "We can't abuse it as a sanctuary. I think our selfish impulse triggered something. We tested the patience of the stars. Princes and kings can't seek safety out there - only the innocent and the choiceless get granted the trespass."

"Had he asked me, I would've told him not to do so," opined the queen, in lament, "..but it wasn't for me to decide." A touch of anger broke in her voice, but it was tempered with a self-conscious forgiveness. "It was a foolish decision, though," she then added, unable to hold her tongue, "We all know the stories of the gods. It was a desecration to try to hide a prince - a prince born to guard the realm. It was his duty to be here; to follow his father. We can't prohibit others when we do these things ourselves."

"I can't lay the blame on him for my absence," retorted the king, "Plus, I specifically asked that above all he watch over Estorie when I left. I put more emphasis on the protection of you and my son than I did on the realm ..perhaps it was a blessing as well as a curse that he got the fortune to leave the burrow."

"A strange blessing, if it is so," nodded the queen.

With that the wind picked up again.