A Gilded Cage

[Salem Ave]

To path to Ta'a Chume'Dan was narrow and not nearly broad enough to accommodate anything more than a single file procession. In the age of repulsorlift technology, the notion of climbing such a treacherous path - which barely hugged the surface of a black basalt crag - ought to have seemed antiquated, yet visitors to the Queen Mother's residence were permitted no other means of entry.

Although gun turrets were poised to obliterate any craft which came within a parsec of the royal palace, the climb to Ta'a Chume'Dan was not simply a paranoid precaution, intended to ensure the safety of the Hapan monarchy; it was a statement. There was great satisfaction to be gained, believed the late Ishara Alastor, in receiving a ragged, red-faced guest who had quite literally climbed a mountain to meet with you. As he reached the summit of the path, the blazing suns of the Hapes cluster at last eclipsed by the royal residence, Salem Ave smiled thinly in the knowledge that he had not even broken a sweat.

He did not stop to adjust the half-cloak thrown over his shoulder as he strode towards the palace, his every step followed by the eyes of statuesque guards-women in blue and gold. They wore their sense of superiority openly on their faces, looking down on him quite literally by virtue of their height. No stranger to Hapan vanity, Salem merely inclined his head in greeting. His arrival was not unexpected and so the guards-women stood aside, offering no welcome but no obstruction to the former Prime Minister of Iziz.

[Razielle Alastor]

Outside the Royal Bedchamber, which was more a suite of rooms than a single room itself, Lady Lira Terranova balanced a silver tray on one upturned palm, and a datapad in the other, 'knocking' on the gilt-framed double doors with the beribboned toe of her shoe. Much to the immense displeasure of the former Chume's female staff, Lady Lira was the only one allowed to directly attend to Chume Beatrix and her mother, the Queen Regent.

It caused no small amount of chagrin from the other noble ladies at first, as they considered it their duty, their right! to attend the infant Hapan Queen. When they had argued with the foreign-born Chume'la Razielle about it. She had dismissed them all from service. Razielle, the other royal staff had found out, was not to be questioned. Specifically about her daughter's well being.

And so, it was Lira who brought Razielle the proposed agenda for the day, even though it had been gone over the night before. The Queen Regent insisted on being fresh with all plans before going into any situation.

The doors were opened by Razielle herself who was awaiting her friend and confidante. Inviting her in, she took the tray and set it down on a side table, helping herself to a steaming cup of floral tea. She'd given up coffee on her arrival to Hapes. Chume's did not drink coffee, she'd been told. While Lira finished helping her dress in the intricately laced up traditional Hapan court dress, she went over the proposed meeting for the morning. State business. Beatrix was going to be bored, but she would not complain.

Sometime later the doors of the Royal Bedroom opened a second time and the Chume Beatrix emerged before her lady mother, dressed to match her almost exactly. They both wore royal blue gowns that floated around them, and both wore a nations wealth of diamonds that twinkled in their dark hair like a night of a million stars. The bevy of female guards outside the apartment stood at attention as they passed and them followed behind them as they made their way to the throne room of the Fountain Palace.

As they entered the glittering crowd, they were announced.

"Chume Beatrix Alastor, and her mother the Queen Regent, Chume'la Razielle Alastor."

Making their way to the raised dais with the twin thrones, Razielle spared not a glance for anyone gathered. She had become a queen of ice. A stoic symbol of royalty and ultimate authority. Without pause she sat, her daughter, the small Chume did the same. Although Beatrix was little more than a toddler, she too seemed unnaturally mature and somber for a child. Lira stayed nearby, ready to attend her ladies bidding as they began the arduous task of listening to the affairs of state.

After each request or concern was voiced, Razielle would look to her daughter. The Chume would sometimes lean over and raise a tiny hand to whisper into her mothers ear before they gave their verdict or command. This was how Beatrix would learn to rule. She would never really be a child, for she was already a Chume of the Hapan Consortium.

[Salem Ave]

The door to the throne room swung open once again, allowing another pair of the days petitioners to exit. They stalked by Salem without a glance, engrossed in hushed conversation. It was difficult to say, from observation alone, whether or not the outcome of their request had been favourable. Hapan vanity would not allow them to wear their satisfaction or displeasure openly, not in front of an outsider, and especially not in front of their peers. The word of the Chume was final, her judgement absolute.

With no retinue of his own, Salem was escorted before the Chume and her mother by two of the palace's own guards. Both women carried pole-arms, whose blades were perhaps meaningfully on a level with his neck. Lira Terranova recognised her mistresses next guest but nevertheless went through the formality of glancing over the schedule for the day before she announced his arrival.

“Salem Ave, ambassador on behalf of Queen Adraudia of Onderon, sovereign sister to the Consortium.”

As was custom, Salem fell to one knee some fifteen feet away from the dais. He had been presented before Razielle like this once before, when her father King Raspian had still held the throne of Davora.

“Ereneda,” he said, his head bowed.

[Razielle Alastor]

Impassive as stone, Razielle regarded the man knelt before the royal dais, her chin tilted at a speculative angle. She too was reminded of nostalgic, simpler days. Black sand beaches, the delicate bouquet of tropical flowers on the air and one hoyden of a princess who continually flouted decorum in favor of running wild. Not yet tempered by the forces at work in her life. Not yet hard enough to bear the responsibility that now rested on her royal shoulders.

"Excellency..", she acknowledged finally after long moments. Her hands raised from her lap, bejeweled fingertips flexing upon the arms of the throne. But no sign of familiarity or emotion shown on her features, one way or the other.

"How fares our beloved sister, Queen Adraudia?"

[Salem Ave]

The ambassador allowed himself a small smile. More than a year had passed since his last visit to Hapes, since Razielle had been pronounced Regent of the young Queen Mother. She had taken to the role as if she had been born for it, as Salem had always known she would.

“Her Majesty would wish nothing more than to stand before you here today, but her in absence commends me as her humble servant to convey to you her warmest greetings and fondest regards. The chume is never far from her thoughts, or her heart.”

[Razielle Alastor]

The chume herself glanced over at Razielle. The Regent turned to her daughter with a questioning glance, sensing she had something on her mind, and her desires were of supreme importance. Leaning over slightly, Razielle angled her head downward for her daughter to once more lift her little hand and cover her mother's ear, whispering in hushed tones.

When she was done the little monarch straightened in her seat, placid look of calm once more on her cherubic features. Likewise, Razielle returned to her rigid posture but with the ghost of a smile playing about her lips. "Chume Beatrix wishes to know if you have brought her a gift."

[Salem Ave]

“But of course.”

He would not be permitted to approach the dais, let alone hand something to the young chume. Lira Terranova came forward to accept the offering, the eyes of the royal guard watching her and Salem with renewed interest. She took the neatly folded bundled of cloth from him and carefully unwrapped what lay inside: an impeccable string of diamonds. Laid against the dark cloth, they sparkled like a constellation, like the hundreds upon hundreds of stars that Beatrix Alastor held sovereignty over.

“The diamonds of Arkania are without equal,” he said. “I thought it a fitting token, for ereneda.”

[Razielle Alastor]

Lady Terranova brought the gift forward to Chume Beatrix, the royal guards looking on in mistrust as if they expected the diamonds to suddenly explode in an assassination attempt on the little chume. When one of them would have stopped Lira from presenting the gift, Razielle merely lifted a hand and gestured for her to stop. The guard realized her misstep and fell back at once looking decidedly contrite.

Kneeling upon the blue and gold qashmel carpet, just at the little girl's level, Lira held the strand of diamonds aloft on their dark cloth. Chume Beatrix picked them up and held them before her. Her unusually-hued eyes sparkled like the wind-crystal chandelier above the dais, as she looked on her gift. After carefully inspecting the necklace, her features softened into a smile with an impish look that she could only have learned from her mother.

Razielle did not watch the presentation of the gift, or see the resemblance of the smile. Her emotionless gaze was fixed on the man before them.

"What business does our sister send you here on, Excellency?", she inquired, indicating she would like to come to the point soon.

[Salem Ave]

“Matters of commerce.” Salem said, smiling apologetically. The Hapan court was fond of spectacle and grandeur. There was no better way to ensure that he was summarily ignored by the entire royal entourage than by involving himself with something so yawn-some as shipping forecasts.

“I have been graciously granted an audience with your trade minister, and am expecting to meet with Ambassador Vilissar too in good time.”

[Razielle Alastor]

"Excellent." With a single word, the matter seemed concluded. In reality the details of any trade correspondence would be brought before her for approval, before being implemented. Multitasking the innumerable responsibilities of the Consortium was something she had grown adept at, despite the never ending parade of wants and needs. She knew the majority of the commotion was the lesser nobles way of testing her rule. When they did, they found out that Razielle, like Ishara before her, did not submit to such schemes.

Glancing at her daughter once more, Razielle took note of the glassy look coming over her eyes. Beatrix would sit upon that throne all day if required, as was her duty, but she was still a small child and as such she did grow tired quickly. Flexing her pale, bejeweled fingers once more, Chume'la Alastor shifted her position slightly, toward the Ambassador of Onderon. "When your business is concluded you will come back to us. We wish you to courier a gift to our sister Queen." It did not sound like a request so much as a dismissal. Razielle caught Lady Terranova's eye and instantly she was announcing the retirement of the Chume and the Queen Regent.

[Salem Ave]

Salem bowed his head once more.

“As you wish.”

With that, the guards who had escorted him into the presence of the young Queen Mother and the Queen Regent moved wordlessly towards Salem Ave. He stood up straight as they fell in step beside him, sparing only a moments lingering glance for the young Queen Mother before obediently following his escort.

Guests to the Hapan court were well kept, particularly those whom the Consortium valued. No expense had been spared in the lodgings that Salem found himself ushered to. The view of the city was breath-taking, the rooms themselves lavish. Salem considered the opulence with a clinical eye, unmoved.

Two hours passed before he was permitted to meet with Chume'la Alastor once again. A new set of blue and gold clad guards-women formed his chaperone, not a hint of an expression on any one of their finely sculptured features.

[Razielle Alastor]

The dual-escort stopped at the doors which led into the Queen's Drawing Room. It was a suitable receiving area for a familiar, and most welcomed, guest. Many of the Consortium's own nobility had never been invited behind these doors. To be called here was both a high honor, and a sign of trust, as these rooms connected directly to the royal apartments where the little Chume herself resided. The guards looked to each other, clearly uncomfortable with this ambassador entering such hallowed halls as these.

The awkward silence was broken as the ornately carved doors opened to reveal the familiar face of Lira Terranova, now Lady Terranova, the first of Beatrix and Razielle's attendants. At present her task was to dismiss the guards-women. "Chume'la wishes to receive her guest for an informal visit, to better enjoy news of her dear Queen Adraudia. Her Highest Grace has already retired, so your services will not be required. I will serve as chaperone to Chume'la. You may go.", her superior tone was a new addition to Razielle's long time confidante, and one that she had obviously had to perfect around the Hapan court.

She stepped backward out of the way, opening the door wider. "Excellency, if you please? We do not wish to keep our lady waiting."

The moment the door closed behind them Lira's demeanor shifted from unyielding to her familiar friendly self. "I am sorry for that display, my lord.", she explained, though she probably did not need to. "Their diligence to our little Beatrix is commendable, but they are frightful difficult to shake."

Lira led the way through the opulently appointed series of rooms that made up the 'Queen's Drawing Room', each more grand than the last. Passing beneath the twinkle of a Kamarian-crystal chandelier, they were greeted with the sound of little-girl laughter. It came from the parlor just ahead. Clearly Lady Terranova had lied most neatly about the Chume being put down for the evening, though she no doubt would be soon. The lady stopped walking and gestured ahead with a wise, but reserved smile. "They are waiting for you."

[Salem Ave]

The great wealth and even greater vanity of the Hapan Court was plain to see in the chambers that Lira ushered Salem through. Each was more fantastic than the last, full of paintings, tapestries and plinths that carried trophies taken from all the worlds of the Consortium and beyond. A bust of the late Ishara Alastor stood on display in the last room, the late Queen Mothers proud features cast in ivory as cool and flawless as the woman herself had been.

“They are waiting for you,” Lira Terrnova said with a smile. Salem drew his eyes away from the face of Ishara, still a hint of a smile on his lips too. Without any further delay, he pushed open the set of double doors in front of him and entered the private chambers of the young Queen Mother of Hapes.

[Razielle Alastor]

She could feel it. The connection between them was ever present, writhing through her blood and her mind, guiding her decisions, reminding her why she was here in this gilded cage called the Consortium. The proximity of one half to the other had caused the arcane binding between them to stir.

Reflexively her thumb rubbed at the third finger of her left hand, as if to toy with a ring where there was none. All the jewels of the Chume and the Queen Regent had been safely returned to locked boxes, upon beds of satin. The pair of royal ladies had changed from their cumbersome court gowns into more agreeable wear, Beatrix into a short-sleeved nightgown of peach silk, and her mother into a sheer blue evening gown. Both ladies, however, were conspicuously barefoot, preferring to pad about the polished tiles and thick-piled carpets unimpeded by restrictive shoes.

The burning sensation encircling her finger intensified. Close now.

The square-shaped parlor was sunken at the center of four hallways, each leading to a different area of the living quarters. Three steps from each direction led down to a sitting area. Beatrix, safe behind locked and guarded doors, played on the floor. Smooth blocks of what appeared to be precious stones were scattered on the floor around her. All save two which hovered in the air before her, the source of her girlish giggles. Razielle sat in a straight backed chair, long ropes of her dark curls spilled over her shoulders as she watched her daughter at play. When the doors opened she looked up, very slowly..

[Salem Ave]

As he descended the steps to the sunken parlor, Salem Ave regarded the young Chume at play. She was so delighted at the sight of the blocks turning and revolving in front of her that she did not see the white-eyed man watching her. With a gesture as if he were snatching an irksome fly out of the air in front of him, Salem called the blocks towards him. They landed in his hand with a clack of stone against stone, the sound silencing Beatrix's laughter. Salem glanced at the blocks, then at Razielle.

“Did you teach her to do that?”

[Razielle Alastor]

Beatrix did not fuss or complain, as any normal child of her age would have. Rather, she simply turned around and gave Salem the full force of her 'displeased face' for taking her toys. Her cherubic countenance changed from angel to irritated imp in the blink of an eye, but she said nothing. In contrast, Razielle's placid expression did not change at all. She shifted in her seat a bit, but otherwise did not react.

"Hardly. Some things, the Chume just knows. She is a most brilliant little monarch.", she smiled in obvious pride down at her daughter's turned head.

"Beatrix.", she said, softly instantly claiming the child's attention. "What is the rule?"

Rising from the floor, Beatrix stood before her mother, hands tucked behind her back as she recited. "Only with you, Mama."

Her obedience faltered a bit as an excuse bubbled out of her. "It is not my fault. He snuck up on me." Disdain, dripped from the four-year-old's tone.

"Did he? Or were you just not paying attention?", Razielle quizzed her with a grin. Her gaze shifted behind Beatrix, to Salem again, to see his reaction to a misbehaving Queen Mother.

[Salem Ave]

“I see that the Chume has inherited her mothers capacity for discretion,” Salem observed as he set the blocks down on a nearby table. Beatrix peered at him, not understanding his words but evidently recognising the tone in his voice.

[Razielle Alastor]

Razielle knew this game. Calm, rational Salem, baiting her with her own flaws until the simmer of irritation boiled over into a full-blown rage and she did something ridiculously stupid. She recognized the board being set.

Beatrix was now looking at her with confusion. No one spoke to her mother that way, and if they did, they disappeared shortly thereafter. Razielle gave her a wink and slowly pushed out of the chair. "No, she inherited my penchant for bending the rules to suit herself. Her stubbornness, however, I'm quite certain she got from her father. "

Bending at the waist, Razielle gave her daughter a kiss on the tip of her nose. "Lira says she drew a bubble bath for you and that your warships are floating and ready for conquest. Off you go. I'll see you for breakfast, we'll take it in the garden, if you like?" Her irritation with Salem forgotten, Beatrix brightened and ran off on barefeet down one of the four hallways, after Lira.

[Salem Ave]

Salem stood in silence until he could no longer hear the pattering of small footsteps receding.

Then, still facing towards the hallway Beatrix had disappeared into, he turned to look side-on at Razielle.

“She seems... happy.”

[Razielle Alastor]

"As happy as anyone bred in captivity can be, yes." Despite her words there was no anger in her voice, no regret, just simple truth. Her expression remained as cool as virgin snow. Beatrix had no friends her own age, because Razielle could not trust anyone. The children of the other highborn families could potentially be used to harm, or influence her daughter. Chume'la Razielle would suffer neither contagion or scheme where the girl was concerned.

Lifting the hem of her gauzy dress, she ascended the steps opposite the direction Beatrix has disappeared. At the top, a subtle pull at the corner of her lips threatened to reveal itself, but vanished just as quickly. "Walk with me..?", it was a polite invitation, but she had grown so used to absolute authority that the request sounded almost..forced.