Exton

After riding for some hours the horse needed to rest and the child needed to eat. Margaret had thought to grab some fruit on her way out of the house with the little girl. Margaret uses her hands to make eating motions and points to the child.

Inari nods, letting the horse stop for a few moments of rest. The brand she bears starts tugging suddenly and painfully. Few knew that the brand on her chest was actually a compass of sorts and pointed her in the direction of the queen when she was needed. “We need to go. I dont think its much further...”

Later that same day, the travelers approached a large grove, the trees rising tall and mysteriously out of the mist. A guard stepped in front of the horse and called “Halt! Do not come any closer.”

Jumping from the horse and tossing the reins to another guard that had appeared, the first guard steps in front of Inari and tells her again, “Halt, you may not come any further. Get back on your horse and take your servant and your brat with...” His speech was halted by a knife held firm against a rib.

“I suggest you learn a little respect. If I tip this knife up it will pierce your heart, a little lower and it will pierce the liver. Either way you will bleed to death and nothing can be done in time to stop it. Now, can we start over? I am Inari. I need to see the Queen. I know she is here....

Before she can finish the sentence, Damon, the queens elderly personal servant is puffing and moves quickly towards her. “Inari! It is good to see you. Please stop tormenting the guard, he is new and green and overly eager to prove himself...” The two exchange hugs and greetings, mutual respect for one another and love for their sovereign making them long time friends.

The guard was instantly flustered when he heard her name, and looking at her chest noticed the brand, a point of it showing above her shirt, ending just below the base of her throat. Looking at his feet he stammered an apology, half expecting to have his head removed from his shoulders.

Damon laughed at the young guards discomfort, “Please see to her horse and.... servant?” He turns a questioning eye to her.

“Not my servant. Its a long story, and the child is human.”

Damon nods and leads Inari into the grove of trees. “The queen is here and will be happy to see you. You have been gone longer than expected....”

Inari nods, “I know, I ran into something else that will have to be dealt with after I find Gareth for the Queen..” She looks up and sees Queen Titania, dressed simply in white silk, her blonde hair almost to the ground, unbound and barefoot. She couldnt look less like a queen if she tried, but there was still something regal about her, something that commanded respect. Inari went to her knees, head bowed.

Damon backs away and says, “I will leave you two alone.”

“Please , will you stop with that infernal kneeling that you do whenever you see me? We arent at court..”

Inari smiles, “But you are my Queen...” It was an old friendly argument between them and repeated many times in the past.

Titania holds a hand out for Inari, “Come, walk with me. I have a million others who would fall to their knees in front of me as a lie found its way out of their mouths a second later. You are different. Tell me what you know and of your trip and of the two you have brought with you. The child obviously human, and the poor woman. What has happened to her? And the two I sent you to find...what news of them?”

Inari explains what happened and what she knows. “I can follow Morgan and get at least close to where Gareth is. Do you want me to bring him to you?”

Titania stops and looks up to the tops of the trees. “I love it here. Its quiet and peaceful. No one needs me for much of anything. I could be just anyone...” She sighs, “But we both know that is not the case. Gareth. I wonder why he is staying where he is. Afraid that Morgan will catch up to him? Or has he found something else, something comforting perhaps? One couldnt blame him after what happened to Conal. I feel responsible for that. I will leave this to your judgment. If he is content he may stay. My small way of apologizing for what has happened. I have sent forces to the edges of our lands. I thought it better to be safe since I had no word from you or them. Do you want me to find a place for this poor maimed one you brought with you?”

Inari nods, “If you would be so kind, your majesty. I could not leave her there. The others are trapped by their fear, but she had no choice after what had been done to her.”

“Your Majesty? Please do not be so formal here. And I swear if you drop to your knees again I will require you to be in full court dress the next time you approach me.” Titania laughs at the expression on Inaris face. “It cant be that bad. You are a stunningly beautiful woman with very little effort. I dont see why you insist on clothing that looks like it belongs to your brother. And braiding your hair like that. Its almost as long as mine and a most unusual color.”

“My clothing and my hair is much more practical when I am working. Its better to be a bit inconspicuous, no one pays a lot of attention to me this way.”

“Well my dear, I dont know about that. I am assuming you will want to leave as soon as possible.” At Inaris nod, Titania continues, “I had my servants bring some of your things, and no, not your dresses. They are down by the stream so you can bathe if you wish. There is food in the tent and you may take any horse you wish but mine. I am partial to my old steed. Yours may be rested enough, its up to you. Damon will see to any injuries that you have. I will take my leave of you now. I have to go back to court soon and want to soak up every second I can in this place. The trees give me strength. We will talk again soon. And as always Inari, thank you for your loyalty and your service.”

Inari bows her head as her queen walks away and into the mist.