SLEEPING AID - START

  ***

  An expectant silence filled the air of the grand hall.

  A drowsy queen, curled up languidly on the imposing throne.

  A concerned dame, standing rigidly by her side.

  A nervous guest, looking up at them from the entrance as she wiped her tear filled eyes.

  “Lys? Are you…alright?” finally offered the monarch in a hoarse voice.

  “I feel great, Your Majesty! You’re back! You’re back!!” the guest expressed as she ran, practically leapt, towards the throne.

  Her arms wrapped themselves around her long lost friend. The queen’s own arms responded meekly, and the two were united in an awkward hug.

  The cold touch of a hand on her shoulder interrupted her brief moment of joy.

  “My dear, Her Majesty still requires some time to recover.”, the dame’s sickeningly sweet voice poured into her ears, “I appreciate the strength of your emotions and the…depth of your yearning, but would you be so kind as to grant her some space?”

  “Ah, of course.” acquiesced the guest, as she broke the hug and stood up to face the disgustingly familiar figure behind her. “Wouldn’t want to get in the way of your quality time together.”

  “Getting in my way? Hardly. I was just watching over Her Majesty as she’s been getting her bearings after a long absence.” retorted the dame, in her usual sweet tone.

  “Then, would you mind if I joined you?” inquired the guest, a note of indignation in her tone.

  “An utterly unnecessary question. Naturally, as a loyal retainer of Her Majesty, you are more than welcome to stay at her side.” explained the dame, ”So long as you take heed of the delicate nature of Her Majesty’s condition.”

  “How surprisingly cordial of you.” remarked the guest.

  “Come now, my dear.” spat the dame, “No need for all this hostility. It brings down Her Majesty’s mood. Besides, how many years has it been since the two of us had last spoken like this? Surely, we too, may be permitted to indulge in a sweet reunion filled with strong feelings and fond recollections?”

  “My apologies, but I don’t think so. Far too much has happened.” curtly responded the guest, “But you’re right that we shouldn’t bring it up here, while Her Majesty is like this.”

  “Let us wait in silence, then.” remarked the dame, as she turned to look at the queen. Who had, at some point, fallen asleep again.

  “Yes, let’s wait.” agreed the guest, a sad smile on her face.

  Though neither spoke of it, both were acutely aware.

  That this banter was all make-believe.

  That this calm mood would soon be broken.

  That when, at last, the queen truly awakens, nothing would ever be the same again.

  ***

  “Welcome, traveler.”

  “...”

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Rough weather we’re having today, huh? Have you ever seen rain so red?”

  “...”

  “So, can I get you anything?”

  “Glass of water.”

  “Sure, coming right up.”

  “...How far…?”

  “Sorry, can you repeat that?”

  “How far to the nearest station?”

  “There’s a train station to the north of here, should be about an hour away on foot.”

  “Too far.”

  “Yes, with this weather, I wouldn’t dare venture out.”

  “Not that, the time. It will be too late.”

  “Ah, you mean in an hour, it will be too late for the last train?”

  “No. In an hour, it will be too late to save the world.”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “I failed. I will have to do it here. Where is that water glass?”

  “Ah, sorry. Here it is.”

  “Thanks.”

  “...What is that capsule? This is a clean establishment!”

  “Cheers! May we meet again…in a better world!”

  “Hey, stop! Don’t drink that!”

  “*gulp*...It’s already too late.”

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  “It’s always…been too late. We were just fooling ourselves…when we thought we… could change…anything”

  “Hey!!! I think you should lie down, maybe…”

  “...Late…far too late…”

  “But I don’t understand, why are you doing this!?”

  “I…am sorry. I…We’ve…failed all of you. Sorry for that.”

  “Whatever this is about, it’s alright, just please don’t die!”

  “Die?...Silly. No…death. Just…a short nap.”

  “Hey, stay awake! Don’t close your eyes.”

  “...”

  “Wake up!”

  “...”

  “Great. What am I supposed to do now?”

  …

  Dear Councilor Joy,

  I have a way out. Me and Councilor Revelry have put our heads together and come up with a solution. Should the worst come to pass, we can still make it out of this in one piece.

  We’ll wait a bit longer to see how the situation develops, but it’s pretty clear which way the wind is blowing at this point. We must make our move immediately as the dissolution motion passes. Not a moment later.

  At that time, you should leave the council chamber. Two things are crucial. First, you must leave alone. Second, everyone else must remain inside. We can’t risk anyone else getting out.

  Head straight to my chariot, it’s in the northern gardens. Councilor Revelry has already prepared the way, so your path should be clear. Once there, tell the driver the code word ‘Molting Lion’. He will know to trust you. Get on and tell him to bring the chariot around besides the third floor Portrait Gallery windows. There, we will join you after completing our parts.

  I implore you, whatever happened between us in the past, whatever you think of me or of Revelry, please put all that aside and concentrate on the present. This is a pact of mutual survival. You are the only one of these hyenas we can put our trust in.

  This is the only way any of us can survive the coming tragedy.

  Sincerely, Councilor Sax

  ***

  Having left the Council chamber, Echo had only one destination in mind.

  She would visit the reception hall again. That’s the only place Avila could be.

  Leaving Her Majesty unattended had been a grave error. The guards standing outside prevented any unauthorized entry of course, but they wouldn’t bar a member of the Council. She was too naive in thinking they would all attend the urgent meeting.

  As she approached the hall doors with a crisp, hurried pace, she could only hope that error wouldn’t doom them all. Who knows what venom that poisonous schemer has been pouring into Her Majesty’s ears while she herself was locked away in that farcically pointless meeting.

  All these worries in mind, she laid her hands on the massive doors’ handles.

  But none of her apprehensions could have prepared her for the scene that awaited her on the other side.

  ***

  SLEEPING AID - END