-Two Worlds II- (Chapter Four: Business as Usual)

["Cilia" <cilia@xxxxx>]

Now just what is the Heart of Darkness, well read on :)


Title: Two Worlds II: The Heart of Darkness
Series: Royalty
Book: 4
Chapter Four: Business as Usual
Author: Cilia
Author's e-mail: cilia@xxxxx
Pairings: Well duh!
Distribution and Archiving: List archivers and anybody else who has my stuff
can go ahead. Other's please tell me if you chose to archive this.
Disclairment: Joss owns some and I own some. But hey I think I write better
then he so he can just pucker up and kiss it for all I care.

Summary: Nine years have past in the Old Realm since the deperture of
General Elisabeth Anne Summers after the Battle for Necirs and the following
Search for Willow. Now Willow Summers, her wife and Leader the Alliance
Council must bridge the gap between the worlds to seek out her out, the
darkness is rising and the Last Hero of Necris is needed now more then ever.
So the final story in Royalty Epic begins.


-Two Worlds II: The Heart of Darkness-
Cilia

Chapter Four: Business as Usual

Elisabeth looked out over the city of Necris, the home of the Queen she?d
sworn service to two years prior, nine years ago actually in relative Realm
time but thinking about it would give a normal person a headache. The light
from the portal died behind her and her eyes took a moment to adjust to the
darkness and waited for the enchantments to kick in.
?Knew that one would come back and bite me,? she muttered to herself as she
fastened her cape and thought about her promise to Tessa.
?Piratess wants to have a word before the meeting, so I suggest you get
going,? Willow said calmly.
?Wow that was quick, are you always this professional Wills?? the Slayer
asked.
?We?re at war,? the Mage stated firmly and started walking towards the
Alliance Council Chambers and Headquarters that stood where the old throne
room had been.
?She?s not usually like this you know,? Litni Speed, Willow?s bodyguard,
who had only been a child the last time she?d been here, said before
following her.
?Great, now who?s going to give me directions?? Elisabeth said to nobody in
particular. She could see from the skyline that the city had been rebuilt
extensively over the course of the nine years that had passed since her
departure.
?Maybe I could be of assistance,? a smooth and elegant voice said from
nowhere.
?Stjar?a!? Elisabeth said with a grin as the half-drow stepped out of her
globe of darkness and into what little light illuminated the city. She
hadn't changed much from the elf that had accompanied Al?x when he?d
returned, her flowing purple and black clothes marked her clearly as drow,
still she was notably paler and if not for the silvery hair one would think
her a native. ?Time as been kind to you too,? she commented.
?As it has for you General, but I feel that more has passed for me,? Stjar?
a said. ?My Grandmother awaits you in the palace and I would be glad to
escort you there.?
?That would be nice,? Elisabeth nodded as she followed the Princess of
Necris through the rebuild streets of Necris. They passed various buildings
flying banners from across the lands; She recognized some of them but many
where foreign.
?Grimm has proved himself I see?? she asked.
?Yes, he?s one of the pillars of the Alliance aside from the Red Mage and
Kings and Queens,? Stjar?a answered.
?How?s Cordy doing??
?She comes and goes? it?s kind of hard with her being Guardian and all,?
the princess explained looking up at the palace gates. ?I assume you can
find your way from here?? she asked.
?I?m not that old you know,? Elisabeth said with a smile. ?It?s good to see
you again Stjar?a. We?ll talk later okay?? she added.
?Good to see you again too, General,? the Princess said over her shoulder
as she walked into the palace.
Staring up at the dark palace for a moment, she took a deep breath before
walking through the gates. The streets had been notably empty, so she
assumed it was night, but the Guards never slept.
?Halt!? the Guard ordered just as she stepped under the gate arch.
?Who goes there?? the one to her right asked.
?General Elisabeth Summers of the Roses,? she answered with a smirk as she
looked at the guards who looked at her in disbelief.
?You can?t be her, she?s taller,? the younger one of the pair said. Drawing
herself to her full height and moving her cape away for reveal the golden
rose crafted onto her breastplate she caused the guard to take a step
backwards.
?You may pass,? the older guard said nervously.
?Thank you,? she nodded and walked past them with a deliberate wiggle in
her walk.

Walking through the corridors of the Palace, she noted the noticeable lack
of guards inside. Usually there would be a guard posted at every door that
held some importance.
They must be spread pretty thin, she thought to herself.
Coming to a stop in front of the door she?d walked out of two years prior,
she raised her hand to knock and then proceeded to enter, like she?d always
done in the past.
She stepped into the well-lit room and the first thing that greeted her was
a large work desk, carved from stone and covered in documents and rolled up
maps. The figure writing furiously looked up from her work and smiled.
?My Queen,? Elisabeth greeted with a bow.
?General please sit and let?s drop the pretense,? Queen Piratess of Necris
said and the General sat down in the chair in front of the desk and crossed
her legs.
?How is life Tessa?? she asked.
?As good as it gets for a Queen I guess,? Piratess answered.
?And Grimm?? she asked with a grin.
?He?s? healthy last time I heard, he?s in Larken,? the Queen answered.
?Are you two still???
?Our relationship is no secret and you?ve missed much my friend that I don?
t doubt you wouldn?t have taken great pleasure in observing.? Piratess
explained. ?Did you have a son or daughter??
?A daughter, June Xare,? Elisabeth answered with a smile.
?How old is she??
?She just had her first birthday three months ago and?? Elisabeth stopped
to compose herself. She?s known from the start that this wouldn?t be easy,
but this was turning out worse that she?d imagined.
?I am sorry that I had to recall you, but these are desperate times,?
Piratess said with a sympathetic smile.
?As much as I would like to chat, we do have a meeting and I need my
sword,? Elisabeth explained, trying to put as much steel into her voice as
she could muster. The Queen had summoned her back and she didn?t need to
undermine that trust by breaking down and crying.
?Of course, it hasn?t left its place in nine years,? Piratess said and
pushed her chair away from the desk and the pair walked over to the
fireplace. Where on the shelf a sleek black sheath rested on a stand and on
each end of it two candles blazed with a blue flame. Piratess gently removed
the sword from the stand and blew a layer of dust off it.
?The Royals wanted to put it on display,? she said and handed Elisabeth the
sword.
?Thank god you didn?t let them,? Elisabeth said as she fixed the sheath to
her belt. ?No doubt some lousy Royal upstart would have wanted it in
battle.?
?Before you leave for the meeting my friend I must ask one thing of you,?
Piratess said, sounding serious.
?Anything,? Elisabeth nodded.
?Try to treat the Royals with some respect,? Piratess said while she tried
to keep a straight face.
?You promised to say that didn?t you?? Elisabeth said with a grin.
?Get going, you?re going to be late,? The Queen said with a knowing smirk.
?One more thing, my soldiers??
?They?re around, although many have chosen to retire,? Piratess answered.
?They?ll return for me I know it,? the General stated firmly and left the
Queen smiling at the bravado.

Finding her way through the labyrinth of halls Elisabeth realized that she?d
forgotten to ask where her room was and more importantly the direction to
the meeting chamber.
?What is with me and getting lost in palaces?? she muttered to herself as
she turned another corner and nearly avoided slamming into Litni Speed.
?You lost too?? she asked as she just gave up and leaned against the wall.
?No as a matter of fact I?m heading to the council chambers,? the elf
answered.
?The meeting is starting!? Elisabeth exclaimed and her eyes grew wide.
?In about half a candle mark, yes,? Litni answered.
?Ugh? you wouldn?t mind giving a lost general some directions??
?I?ll escort you there personally,? Litni said and snapped to attention.
?And don?t do that,? Elisabeth said with a grin.
Three more left turns and two right turns later, they where seemingly on
track.
?Why are there no guards?? she asked.
?The war, General, also with the peace the houses aren?t as ready to
assassinate each other,? the elf explained.
?You know quite a lot about the ways of the Drow Houses,? Elisabeth sated.
?Of course, I?m a proud member of the Third house,? Litni stated and her
chest puffed out.
?I bet that went over well with the Elfin Royals?? Elisabeth asked with a
snort.
?I never pay much attention to them,? Litni said with a wave of her hand.
?And little respect for tradition I see,? Elisabeth noted the golden hoop
in the loop of her right ear, the ears themselves seemed longer than normal
and even more so since they very not hidden by hair because of the tight
ponytail her hair was tied into.
?Oh? that?s nothing, you should have heard the protest when I joined the
House officially,? she said and tapped the black stone that hung from her
headband with a grin.
?The Drow were glad I hope??
?A common elf going to the ?dark-side?, considering that hadn?t happened in
a millennium, I?d say they were pretty impressed,? Litni answered with a
smirk.
?Ever meet Al?x or the others??
?If by the others you mean the Heroes, no I only know Tark and Willow, I?ve
seen the others of course when we celebrated the victory of Necris.? Litni
answered carefully avoiding the promise the Avatar had asked of her five
years prior.
?So no gossip on Cordy?? Elisabeth asked with a surprised look.
?The Ranger Knight was last seen heading deep into the Great Forrest after
returning from a mission to the Dark Lands,? the elf blurted without
thinking and Elisabeth couldn?t help but to smile at the hero worship she
sensed in the young elf.
?My mother?? she asked hopefully once the blush in the young elf?s cheeks
had faded somewhat.
?The Avatar and Al?x Sun where last seen in the Dark Lands, there have been
rumors of an army there led by them, but nothing solid,? she answered.
?You know an awful lot for a simple house guard,? Elisabeth stated.
?I?m friends with many people and I do have ears,? Litni answered and
purposely wiggled her ears to make her point.
?You know? I think we?re going to get along just fine,? the Slayer said
with a smile. A good set of ears would be needed and having a direct link to
Willow wouldn?t hurt either.

Having arrived early for the meeting, Buffy took her seat at the table,
which she noted was the same one used for planning prior to the Battle of
Necris, the mark where she?d stuck her knife was still there. She looked up
into the stands surrounding the table, they where probably Willow?s idea, so
the public could watch the Alliance at work. Leave it to Willow to introduce
Earth democracy customs to the Realm. Her eyes came to rest on Litni who?d
taken a front seat close to the floor and one that gave her a clear view of
Willow?s seat and the doors leading into the chamber.

She then watched as the Drow Royals filtered in equal to the number of
Houses, or thirteen. She smiled as she removed her feet from the table, then
came King Einar of the Clan Thunderfoot accompanied by two aids at his side
he nodded at her before taking his seat that was notably higher than the
others to make up for his stature. Next came a trio of humans each
representing a city state, followed by Queen Piratess and last to arrive was
the Head of the Council, Willow, who entered the room and Elisabeth swore
she felt the temperature drop.

When everybody was seated she noticed the chair reserved for the elfin
representative was empty and so was the one marked for the City of Larken.
?Ambassador Grimm has business in Larken and it would appear that the elfin
delegate it running late, but let us begin,? Willow said in a calm and
controlled voice.
?I would like to welcome to the table General Elisabeth Summers of the Drow
Army, she?s returned from her retirement to aid us,? Willow said and
motioned to her.
There was a round of greetings, ranging from short and frustrated from the
Drow Royals to the enthusiasm of the human representatives.
?Good to?ave ya back lass,? King Einar bellowed and caused her to smile at
the Dwarf King?s disrespect for protocol and noise laws.
?Now there have been no?? but before Willow could finish her statement the
doors burst open and a flurry of blue robes entered the room followed by the
Elfin Royal Guard. Willow calmly waited for the commotion to stop and for
the elfin delegate to take her seat.
?Queen Solonus you have news I take it?? Willow asked as Queen Amy Arelys
Solonus took her seat at the table and Elisabeth had to fight her urge to
gape. It was obvious that Amy had aged, she was a full grown and mature
woman, her hair was long and tied up into elaborate braids that framed her
face and drew attention to it and the golden crown that adorned her head.
?The Heart of Darkness has been unearthed in the Dark Lands and restored to
its place in the Fortress of Shadows,? she said bluntly
There was a dead silence around the table and Elisabeth looked around her.
Whatever the Heart of Darkness was it was something big and something very
bad.
?Excuse me,? she said raising her hand.
?Yes General?? Willow asked seemingly unfazed by the news, as was Amy.
?What is the Heart of Darkness?? she asked in a casual tone that seemed to
snap many of the council back to attention. Still Piratess?s gaze remained
fixed on her hands.
?The Heart of Darkness is an artifact of Chaos, believed destroyed a
millennia ago by the Mage Guild, the Drow assisted in it?s destruction since
we didn?t trust ourselves to handle it,? Queen Piratess explained and slowly
looked up.
?So we?re in trouble right??
?You could say that,? Piratess answered slowly as the council chambers
erupted into chaos. It took Willow?s firm pounding of the hammer to stop it.
Business as usual, Elisabeth thought as she watched the debate and the
barely contained panic of the Royals, Business as usual...

To be continued...