In the Light of Day

Glad you could join us for the next truthful episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

“Why didn’t Quintessa tell me who my mother was?”

“Quin had sworn to keep you safe. If no one knew Persephone had a child, the rebels had no reason to return to the Deep Woods.”

“Your Magnificence,” Elliot wondered, “why did the rebels keep fighting? Why didn’t they just go back to their old lives?”

She explained. “Their rebellion made them criminals against the Kingdom, and not many wanted to pay the consequences of their treachery. I offered each of them one chance to serve the Kingdom in lieu of incarceration or exile, and some of those with family in Fen accepted. Those who did are now respected citizens, their pasts behind them.”

Vernon, Liaison to Queen Lilian, stood in the bower’s entrance, the newly golden pink of coming dawn framing his slender and elegant form.

“Yes, Vernon?”

“Your Magnificence, the Aero Squadron captains await your instructions.”

“Thank you, Vernon. Please tell them I’ll be there shortly”

Bowing, he slipped away in the same silence that brought him.

The Queen turned back to her guests. “The rest are in custody or skulking on the fringes of civilization. No Kingdom wants them. Their life is a hard-scrabble scraping for mere survival, without family, friends, or community.” She glanced toward the entrance, the first rays of sunlight glinting like gilt on her eyes and wings.

“Please, Queen Lilian,” Elliot’s voice recaptured her attention, “may I ask one more question before you leave?”

“Of course.”

“Are you saying King Arnie is Cassandra’s father?”

Gazing at Cassandra, a smile blossomed on the Queen’s lips. “Yes. And soon we will tell him. You are Princess Cassandra the Secret, daughter of King Arnie the Former, rightful heir to the Throne of the Kingdom of Bog.”

Cassandra’s gasp was her only response.

Moving toward the entrance, the Queen laughed, “I’m sure that will take some getting used to. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must attend to the changing of the Troops. Vernon will see to your needs. Rest or refresh yourselves as you wish. It’s been a long night, and this war is not over yet.”

A shadow crossed the doorway as the Captain of the Light of Day Aero Squadron saluted his approaching Queen.

To be continued. . .

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .