Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene LIV

"Are we back to paying tribute in flesh, like our weak and mythic ancestors?"

"Is this our peace??"

The cries and questions came at Queen Aglaia from all sides of the house. She stood at the lectern, fishing for a break in the din to reply. Outside, on the streets of Maiden's Tower, people were equally angry, and her imperial guard were alert and prepared to use heavy force if necessary to keep order. All this as war plagued her crumbling kingdom.

"We demand to have details of the negotiations with the mainland kingdoms!" came one call, bellowing from across the front benches.

The word 'demand' especially pinching a nerve in Queen Aglaia's metaphorical back.

"I'll do as I deem - I AM A TYRANT ..and WE are at war."

Roars and condemnations came loudly from the chamber as she snapped back. She stood taller against the furore, and looked down condescendingly on the mobbing scene. Turning almost full circle as if to fix her teacherly eye upon each and every member of the house. Those on the streets outside could almost feel the tension doling out from the building. Its ancient beams now conjuring in echoes moments from its old, deep history: long forgotten terrors, and the heavy disagreements that preceded them.

"First you cowards refused to fight," she screeched, further gaining her voice, "Called me a war-monger - a monster - for torching our enemy's ships. Now, apparently, I am the appeaser." She paused for a moment, but not so long that her shrill words could be interrupted by further harrying. "Here we are - on the edge of this world. Our gentle flower of civilisation on the brink of being trampled under foot. Crushed by harder things than we. I will do what I must to make sure we will re-flower."

As she gave these words one of the more elderly members of the house shot back in response, his ancient skeletal frame trying to muster every sinew in his voice, like a dying soldier striving to make one more heroic pitch in battle. "What civilisation is it that throws its flowers to the sea??" he asked, hoarily, "Sacrificing the fair and the innocent that the aged might sleep safely?!"

"Those girls will be safer than anyone in this realm - safe from war and this failing world. I do not lie," cut back Aglaia.

"She confirms it with her very words," muttered the ancient house member, hoarser still in response, exhausted from his initial outburst.

Queen Aglaia looked across at him with steely eyes. Then turned and motioned to her guards to have him removed. Without hesitation they headed to the old man and dragged him from the chamber. Further roars of protest wailed. From the balcony above Prince Reach watched everything below. He banged the wooden rails audibly with the hilt of his sword as the old man was forced from the chamber. Then, in a strong voice, he called down to those assembled. His words deep and hollow with reverb beneath the lofty ceiling.

"We don't have to do this, we have more ships and supplies coming. Lots more ..and more soldiers. We need to fight on.  We must fight on. To the death if needed. And I believe we can - and will - win."

The queen looked up, shocked and affronted by the disobedient outburst. Cheers tinged with gratitude, in direct antipathy to her, went up around the chamber. The credit Prince Reach already had for his kingdom's support now amplified by his plea to battle on. The heroic tone in stark contrast to the queen's seeming surrender. She stared at him angrily, then stormed from the house. Her long embellished dress trailing behind her.