Lotara delayed them for days and yet they stayed at the doors of her palace requesting to enter and sound their complaints, she knew she had no choice but to let them in eventually and had been using the illness of her sons to slow the visitors down though once her children were sick no longer, she allowed them through in the next morning, she did not eat nor sleep for days and it was apparent on her face even when she attempted to hide behind layers of powder and herbs, it did not help as much as she would have liked it to but it was better than nothing, what she truly needed however was words of good news, she heard nothing of her daughter and nothing of her husband and that put her heart to the test.

  She sat upon her throne as the folk of her city were allowed entry to witness the complaints of Talim second son, the man spoke just as much as his father and she had no patience for it, she could not break her fast that morning nor could she dine the night before, Azar had stirred up more trouble than she needed him to, and while she appreciated his intervening and had no empathy for Talim, a limb would have done the same, splitting a man's head in front of thousands was unnecessary, uncalled for and dangerously troublesome, but it was Azar nature, for that very reason the king did not send him to take on tasks with political consequences, the man used his sword faster before he would utter words, and now she was paying for it, yet she was aware that she is as guilty as Azar was and she will not flinch at his defense, she will see it to the very end.

  The marble pillars and bone molded walls were awfully close to her, her eyes were illuding her as she could do with a bit more sleep and the constant arguing and chatter ahead of her turned from a nuisance to a melody she could sleep to, she bit into the inside of her cheek and kept herself awake, there was at least half a thousand citizens inside her hall, all the tribes chieftains of her council including the newer one alongside a few chieftains of the lesser tribes brought by the recent turn of events, and while they were kept in line away from the queen throne by her own guard, she was not comfortable enough without Xao in the hall, yet she preferred him to ensure no riot would break in the city, not when the man who sought retribution was in the hall, ahead of her across the carpet, Talim's second son, since the day of the reckoning he was raging and fuming, spreading his words to any who would hear it, had she not allowed him inside he would have poisoned half of Asaroth with his words, or Azar would have brought son to father in the afterlife and that she could not afford.

  "He's a murderer and a murderer trial he will face! " The hot headed second eldest son of Talim, Zor, shouted amongst the crowd as he gestured towards Azar.

  "He protected the queen. " The queen's brother Qudor said from his chair next to Azar, his arms crossed and his half cloak hanging gently upon his velvet doublet.

  "From the words of a stubborn old man! " Zor spat. "Since when have we condemned the words of elders and naive children?! "

  Qudor huffed and mocked. "Then I suppose you would prefer to see the dignity of your queen in shambles? "

  "No. " Zor replied. "But I expected less savagery, this is not the ancient ages, we have laws and traditions! "

  Hushed whispers were spreading in the court but they were silenced as chieftain Fodo spoke after being silent on the matter since the beginning of the feud. "Aye, we do have our laws and traditions, and those very things that would have had him killed regardless. "

  "And as his kin I want justice for the way he was killed! " Zor argued.

  Azar's sigh turned the eyes of the hall towards him, he leaned back against his chair, legs crossed and a hand resting upon the very sword he used to kill Talim, his words erupted shortly after and brought gasps to the hall. "Since you moan so much about your kin, perhaps you would like to join him. "

  Zor charged but he was stopped by the guards as they placed their spears in his way, he stumbled and almost fell as he screamed towards Azar. "How dare you! You monster! My brother may fall for your honeyed words but I will not let this offense pass merely! " He turned his face to the citizens and added. "People of Asaroth! Since when did we begin severing heads before justice dictated! I swear to you by the gods of sands and the all creator that if you remain silent today, this will be the fate for the lots of you! The heir of your kingdom is fighting for our very enemies! Your king against a foe that is said to be Invincible! And your queen cannot control her chieftains?! "

  "You speak of treason! " The queen brother's yelled.

  "Enough. " Lotara exclaimed but none heard her, they were too wrapped up in their own words, ideals and thoughts, far too deep that they could not see nor hear what was going around them, not even the words of the queen.

  "I speak of justice, duty and honor! " Zor shouted at Qudor.

  "Enough !" She yelled out as she stood from her throne, the old chair almost fell back down into the floor if it was not for the guards who stood behind her, the very same voices who once complained, argued and whispered all fell in silence of the court, they went too far, she told herself as her breath grew faster, she took a second to calm herself and collect her thoughts as she was not one to say a word without planning ahead else it will be used against her.

  Once she was calm and so was the court, she declared with icy courtesy. "You may argue and scramble amongst one another, but my brother in law acted on my behalf same as commander Xao in the reckoning, I admit that emotions were high and it should have been done correctly out of respect to your heritage and blood... However, that does not change that he spoke and acted as a traitor near the end of his life. "

  She began walking down the steps, one by one all those around her straightened their backs and gulped, similar to Zor who stood tall and yet oddly low compared to her stature, her eyes narrowed as she knew he was nervous as he should be whilst she approached and added."Still, you continue to defend his treachery and spew words in the ears of our people... I warn you, lord Zor, if you continue to behave this way, you will be treated the same as your father... And you will get a traitor's death, here and now!!! " She shouted her last words and the man flinched as he stepped back, she was too exhausted for their games and far too old to play along, thus she almost snapped, and if she did indeed snap, there would be blood and it would not be hers.

  "Then we have nothing to speak of, I shall travel back to my tribe home and serve as its guardian. " Zor answered, his tongue and his words were pulled back similar to his stance.

  "Then I bid you farewell. " She replied and he left by the time she made her way back to the throne and their dispute came to an end, shortly after that, the newest council chieftain Talim's eldest son Barot began swarming her with apologies and excuses, she cared not for what he said as she knew that they were nothing short of courtesies and chatter, though it did sway the citizens who were allowed into the hall and for that at least she was content, she would not have a riot while her husband and daughter struggle for the survival of Asaroth, they will find the city the same as they left it, for the most part that is, she did not know how many traitor heads would show, and how many would bite into her flesh before she severs them, it brought unease into her shoulders as she sat uncomfortably on her throne, she did not realize that there was brewing tension until her husband departure, perhaps his presence put the fear of the all creator into their souls, but that solved nothing, it only delayed the inevitable and further taught them to plot smarter, after all if Talim had not been emotional and planned his revolt, it would have been her head instead of his, and her children instead of his, she shivered and her eyes almost watered at the thought, yet she maintained her composure with a shaky breath.

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  The doors were barged open as commander Xao made his entrance, for an injured man he looked quite well, his arm and leg was thoroughly bandaged and he wore no armor besides the shabby grey linen cloth, fastened by his wrists and ankles, his dark eyes were delightful, a change of heart from the atmosphere of the hall.

  "Your highness. " He addressed her as he bowed his head and held his spear by his side. "News of the king, and guests sent on his behalf. "

  "Allow them in. " Her words slipped her lips without thinking, she was impatient and she did not realize it, she did not think, she did not wonder, she wanted to know, she wanted to hear word of him and her youngest, she wanted to listen to good news, she needed it more than ever before, and to her answer the doors were creaked open and a man dressed as a Shaman limped ahead until he was close enough to the commander.

  The shaman lowered his head whilst his hands gripped tightly to his staff and his necklace of feline teeth clanked into one another while he spoke. "Your highness, queen of Asarothians, wife to the rightful ruler of all Tatarian land from the east to the west, I bid you my thanks for welcoming me into your home. "

  "Any Asarothian is welcome within my domain in hours of need." She replied and forced a smile, her fingers clenching the hands of her throne. "I've been told you have news of the king, we are anxious to hear them."

  The shaman nodded before he talked. "Of course your highness, however it is better if you see for yourself... If you would welcome others whom the king and the princess had rescued."

  "Make space for them." She ordered eagerly and without delay, the guards began making the crowd split into the sides allowing the middle section of the hall empty, and as the refugees made their way into the hall, gasps came along, shocked words and mutters, even prayers, for those refugees carried with them a head unlike no other, it took five of them to carry it with the help of a guard, she had seen nothing of the sort even in her wildest of nightmares, a flayed head with a singular crimson eye, diagonal mouth with razor sharp fangs from corner to corner that would cut a man in half with ease.

  "A monster! " A voice from the crowd exclaimed.

  "Abomination ... " Another said.

  "How can one kill this thing?"

  "The gods! The gods themselves must have blessed king Roegan!"

  "He will save us and kill them all! "

  She smiled to herself with satisfaction, she filled with pride and delight, the weight on her shoulders was less intense and her eyes felt rested, she could sleep if she so desires it or eat if she so desires it as her anxieties and worries were erased, the king had delivered the first of his promises and brought her the head of the first celestial, had he not sent it, the people of their city would have been more skeptical, especially after what happened between her and Talim, but now as she looked into their eyes she saw only two things, wonder and hope, the latter being the most of importance, they needed hope, she needed hope, she leaned ahead and commanded. "Share with us what happened. "

  The shaman began his retelling of what occurred in their village and mountains, the death of Egor in the hands of the king and his youngest daughter and the giant centipede whom carried the survivors to her city, she watched her people listen in awe, pride and curiosity and she was glad of it, their hearts would be somewhat put at ease, they will forget or forgive what came from Azar actions and her choices, they had other things of greater significance to speak of in the streets and in their homes, the king helped her far more than he could predict, and finally she was in control of her surroundings.

  As the Shaman finished his talk, she rose from her throne and so did her voice. "All of you saw the proof with your own eyes, the head of Egor and the words of the witnesses, your king's quest is not in vain as some would claim it to be, I say that once and only once, do not let your fear create doubt in your king, he fights for you and we shall hear from him again! Him and my eldest daughter and heir soon enough! Call on the maidens! Open the doors of my hall and we shall begin a feast that stretches from my steps to the gates of the city! In honor of our first victory against those who would want us to kneel! "

  The crowd cheered, roared and laughed alongside her as they began their preparation for the feast, pelts had been taken out and silverware of all kinds, meat and bread was made and all beverages were either brewed or brought from the storages they had, it took hours upon hours and by the time it was near sunset, from the steps of the throne all the way to the gates of the city, they set their tanned pelts and plates and mugs surrounded by candles and flaming torches and hanging scent herbs, the feast was grand and all were welcome, all men and women sat equally at the ground and each shared a plate with another, she herself shared her plate with her hand maiden Solya and her twin children, breaking her fast at last and with that, she became dizzy and wished for nothing but to sleep after the feast, the day was long and her week was longer, half a month since her family left, she swore that it felt same as a year, she missed them greatly, their presence would have lifted her burdens but those were matters she did not have the soul to ponder on tonight, she will eat and forget.

  From the corner of her eye, she saw her commander arrive, she pulled a pelt from her side and set it near her, the commander quickly took a seat beside her and smiled lightly as he began eating, his spear resting behind him. "Your highness. "

  "Commander. " She replied.

  "I heard what happened, I am surprised you did not make a feast out of Zor for his insolence. " He joked, as he always has.

  She chuckled and teased. "My, I am certain that not even our hyenas could handle his rotten flesh. "

  They exchanged a short laugh but when silence came, save for the noises of the feast, he spoke his mind, clear and honest. "I urge you to be careful with Azar... Too much freedom for that man, and you'll have a headless city. "

  She did not know whether to laugh or agree, she glanced forward at Azar who was seated in the distance and ate, unconcerned of all matters, however his crimson feline eyes observed his surroundings, she always adored feline eyes, her husband's and her children's, but Azar eyes were different, pure predatory, she sighed and whispered at Xao. "Your concern is noted, I suspect you are not here to tell me the obvious. "

  "Wise as ever. " Said Xao. "The shaman told me other things in private that he did not wish to share in front of the hall audience. The king sent you a message, he said that no letters are passing into our city, either by bird or crawler, he suspects sabotage in your city. "

  She felt sick, her stomach turned and she lost her appetite, traitors at every corner, how far would her husband's absence reveal, and more questions and worries came to her mind, she recalled on her daughter lack of news, wondering if Yemna had sent a letter for help, or worse, a letter on her behalf to bring bad news to Asaroth, she did not dare imagine would happen afterwards and she could not know what the lost messages contained, all she knew was she had to reopen a new line of communication and protect it at all costs at this vital time, and most importantly, more heads awaited severing, and if so they dared sabotage her nation, she will be happy to oblige.