Traitors and Questions (2)

--Azala--

A smile of contentment surfaced as I stepped into my sanctuary. After such a tiring day, the only thing on my mind was a cleansing soak, the terrorization of some wine, and letting my head fall onto the latest pillow, preferably in that order. A glance at the setting halo sun and knowing the Knight wouldn't bother me for a while, assured my the plans for relaxation would proceed uninterrupted.

“Salami?'' I slid the cap away from the speaking pipe with the palm of my hand. “Come to my chambers in fifteen minutes.''

“Yes, my Queen.'' The reply was almost instant. For not the first time, I wondered how she managed to be always within reach.

With Salami summoned, I walked towards my full-length mirror. The visage greeting me was what I expected: damaged scales over my left hand and a burn mark where the accursed collar had been attached. But my scales were not the only area worth investigating. A deeper breath allowed me to focus enough willpower to start the transformation. It itched as my skin absorbed the scales for healing, but best not to scratch the diamond-patterned replacement skin. It was barely more than a membrane. Any damage would take significantly longer to heal, which is one of the reasons I rarely took on this form outside my sanctuary. The other was more selfish: who would follow a queen resembling the species they were fighting against? Given sufficient disguise, it would not be difficult to confuse me for a skin-walker.

But the mirror did reveal some good news. Only two injuries inflicted bodily harm, namely being pierced in the shoulder and the attack from the unknown knight that broke off three scales and left a gaze mark on my arm. But what kind of magic was that? The reflection had no answer. The absurdly long device carried by the knight was surely to blame, but I did not sense any magic when it fired. That frightened me. An attack at that speed with no build up would be impossible to dodge. The thought of what might have happened should it have struck me in the- Ah, so that's what happened to the idiot.

“My Queen?'' Something knocked against the door. “May I enter?''

“Ah, Salami. Yes, you may enter.''

“Thank you.'' She slithered in while carrying a single goblet. She knows me so well by now. As further proven by closing the door immediately behind her, knowing how I felt about being seen without my scales. “I am glad my Queen is relatively unscathed after the battle.''

I took the goblet when she handed it to me. The wine's journey from goblet to stomach was most enjoyable. “The Knight struck me through the shoulder. That was painful.''

“I can also see a mark on my Queen's neck. I trust the Knight met a painful demise?''

“Not quite.'' Still sipping, I pointed a finger towards the red gem in the middle of Salami's forehead. “That's a new headpiece. Where'd you get it?''

“One of the servants brought it to me as a gift. I suspect I may carry his fancy, although I have yet to respond properly.''

“Be sure that you do. It looks nice on you.''

“Thank you, my Queen.'' She bowed her head low.

“Here. I wish for a bath. Join me for a conversation, if you'd like.'' I gave the cup back and walked deeper into my chambers. One of the advantages of being the Demon Queen is having a significant amount of space to yourself. In my case, three large rooms. One I converted into my private sleeping quarters, off-limits to all. The second was the foyer, and the last was a selfish indulgence of my own: a private bathroom. At first, I denied access to everyone, but conversing with Salami while bathing proved most comforting, thus I waved that rule. Still, I will not tolerate sharing water with anyone, not even Salami. No amount of comfort will change that.

“Yes, my Queen.'' She followed me into the bathroom, placing the goblet within reach and dutifully moving to her spot in the corner. For not the first time I wondered whether I should commission a small pool for her. Listening to my ramblings must be tiring, yet she has never complained before.

But such thoughts were interrupted as I sunk into the hot water and a blissful sigh escaped. “Just what I needed.''

“You wished to converse about the battle?''

“Ah, yes.'' I took a second to adjust myself until I experienced peak comfort. “What news have you heard?''

“Only rumors and gossip, my Queen, namely Garlaka's demise and the usage of an extraction collar on yourself.''

“Newt travels fast.'' I scooped some water and gently pressed it against my neck. “But he only managed to do so via betrayal. Lokta tampered with the Bracelet of Aurotok on behalf of someone else. He adjusted the bracelet to nullify almost all my magic and gave the Knight the upper hand in our encounter.''

“Lokta?'' Salami's eyes widened. “Was that why you wished to converse with him in private?''

“He will make an excellent meal for the behemoths tonight.''

Salami nodded. “I trust the knight suffered a significant defeat?''

“Yes, but not by my hand.''

“Oh?''

“Tell me. What is the status of the Dread Knights?''

“The Dread Knights? Still... still the same as before, my Queen. Their kind remain exterminated from over a century ago in the Battle of Kofoka. Any knowledge which may lead to their rebirth has been destroyed. Don't tell me...''

“I'm... not sure.'' I closed my eyes, the water comforting as I collected my thoughts. “The armor bore similarities and the user spoke in a tongue I could not understand. But, whoever, or whatever, saved me is a step above the Dread Knights. A single strike through the head via an unknown weapon eliminated the Knight. I've never seen anything like it.''

“If I may, that sounds hard to believe.''

“If any of my troops were to report such a thing, I would have brushed it off as a fanciful excuse. But I speak the truth. Why lie in a private conversation?''

“Did this Dread Knight attack you as well?''

“Well, yes, but...''

“My Queen?''

“I... don't think it wanted to attack me.''

“Excuse me, my Queen, I find that hard to follow.''

“It... well, it tried to converse with me after eliminating the Knight. Powerless and my spark hovering above me? It could have killed me with but a wave of the hand. Instead, it removed both the cursed bracelet and extraction collar. Only when I started recharging my magic did it try to attack me, which is how I received the burn mark on my arm.''

“Maybe it is unused to magic.''

“The same conclusion I drew.''

“Perhaps you can ask at your next encounter?''

“You assume there will be a next one. The knight teleported away shortly after that.''

“A rare feat, that.''

“Hmm, Salami, I have a request. I still don't know who this entity is, or whether we would meet again, but its presence is a problem. If the Dread Knights have returned, there may be more, and we'll have a bigger problem than a moronic goddess. If not, there is a third factor at play in our conflict. I wish to learn more, so please keep your ear on the ground for me.''

“I always do, my Queen.''

“Thank you.'' I took another sip. “If it's alright with you, I wish to be alone with my thoughts.''

“Not at all, my Queen.'' She left the room after bowing her head, closing the door behind her. Alone, I finished my wine and sunk deeper into the pool until only my forehead, eyes, and nose peeked out from the water. I wouldn't be sitting here if you were a Dread Knight. But... just who are you?