Zuria Kingdom

The previous night had gone so well, what could it be but the calm before the storm? It rode in on the backs of these Knights and the singular jester among them. Still this morning everyone was in wait for the Queen. They only needed her to arrive to find out about the story of the Knights. But of course, being the sort of dramatic entity she was, she hadn't shown up just yet. Even after receiving word of the Knights' arrival she was taking her time with her morning preparations. Leaving them to wait until she was ready to show up. She'd called for several others to be waiting as well. This day, to the left of the thrones off to the side a busty white haired woman stood seemingly exhausted. She hated being outside of her workshop and looked outright disgusted that she'd gotten ready to be here only to have to wait on Kolin's arrival. If she didn't seem like the best bet to something interesting this particular woman wouldn't have bothered siding with her. 'Stupid cow, bitch. At least be ready when you're demanding everyone's attention...' the thought crossed that woman's mind and seemed evident on her face. There was an eye atop her witch's hat which bounced around like mad, while they waited. At the same time within the cells of the dungeon sat the sorceress confined for her disrespect, a twinkling in her eye as she peeked in on the throne room.

Eventually Kolin would enter and move towards her throne. She sauntered in, fully dressed freshly bathed, and even well-fed. "Good Morning~ I'm pleased you've all returned in one piece. Now, who will be reporting the news of your excursion? I hope you have good news for me..." she said taking time to address the Knights standing but not her tardiness. After all, everything happened at the Queen's leisure waiting on her was their honor bound duty. Beyond all of that she was basically asking who would be falling to her anger should this tale include information which was less than pleasing to her, but they didn't really need to know that information. Kolin's cold expression contained fake warmth, as if she was amused and happy to see this group of people. The truth of the matter was, half of her plans had gone astray since Arthur's arrival. She'd planned to have several pieces out of the way by the time this expedition returned and here they were and none of her plans had ended. By this point she might actually have to sacrifice a few of her knights in order to make this trip if she couldn't get Guin and Emilia to go along reasonably. Ah, but that was something to worry about later, now she needed to see how the biggest of her plans was coming along.

Time passed, and passed, and passed. Kolin eventually decided to grace the court with her presence, as boastfully and demanding of attention as she always did. It was clear to all that she'd taken her sweet time on purpose, though even those who took issue with this had nothing to say about it. In fact, none of the actual knights had anything but respect to offer the late queen, whether they wanted to or not. Who would be the one to deliver news from the recent expedition? Two high-ranking knights were on the journey, but the speaker of the trip would be... the red-haired jester. He slid out into the open, twirling and bowing in the most flamboyant manner, his left arm widely outstretched all the while. "Queen Kolin, it is I~. Who better to sing the song of an epic journey than your most humble~ merrymaker!~" he said, his speech extending words almost as if he were singing when he spoke. Continuing to behave in a rather foppish manner, the veritable clown seemed to make use of magic to conjure... balloons? Yes, balloons. Various colors and shapes were used to create caricatures of himself and the others who embarked on Kolin's epic quest. There were other figures added, including a rather large boat of sorts with a thick-handled yellow mop atop it.

"Only two weeks ago, our queen's finest warriors journeyed far and wide~ all to meet with the blonde hero~," he explained. Every segment of his story was, and would continue to be animated by balloons that moved about like poor cartoon characters. By the time large beasts (basilisks, behemoths and the like) began to appear, certain balloons began popping one by one. "Many were lost in the desert~! Humble servants drew their final breaths, not in laughter, but in pain~ and agony~! Monsters aplenty, their songs nearly ended~ until a mighty gondola happened upon them~! Barely escaping with their lives, the remaining heroes of our tale met Jason~ whose hedonistic ways outstretched the length of his ship, just as our beloved king in the state of his own dreams, no~? Could its length even be greater than the jester's tale~? Yes~ it is so~! Longer yet was convincing the great lord Ja~son to meet the beau~tiful queen Kolin to make an agreement for transport~!"

Kolin almost scoffed. Of course, it would be the the fop who wanted to tell the tale. At least she'd long since done away with the annoyances of his speech which were aimed at her. In fact, he was a bit closer to tolerable when the jokes he made weren't at her expense. "Ack, it's always you... but fine," mentioned Kolin. She wasn't completely displeased but this jester had been particularly annoying when he first showed up. It'd taken personally enchanting him to make him more palatable, but it'd been worth it in the end. So, what story did the lad have to tell. Kolin watched the balloons and listened to the man's voice. She managed to sit in her chair as if completely bored but at least the information was being conferred. According to the clown and his balloons a great many monsters had been faced by this party. Many of their number had died along the way. A tsk came from Kolin at this news. it was rather disappointing that she'd lost so many men. Of course, she wasn't really surprised, the strongest ones were kept at her side, she'd only sent Hector to make sure it wasn't a total wash. Imagine her surprise when among those still here were this annoying jester and the white haired male. She cut her eyes in his direction but said nothing. No, her attention returned to the red haired young man who was still speaking. Apparently at a point of great change, they'd managed to find Jason. And what was more, that man had saved them and apparently was very muscular with a large boat to boot. A wicked grin spread across her face in the moment.

The pot shot taken at Leorio hadn't been missed and such things were always worth a chuckle or two. "You know what since you bring good news and you made me laugh, I'll forgive this longwinded storytelling of yours... Dagonet," mentioned the Queen. She waved her hand to send him on about his way and thought through her next move. She was cleared for a meeting with Jason, securing it was all but guaranteed at this point. This would of course mean that she needed to ready her group to get on the move. Ah, but there were still so many things to do. She needed them locked away so she could freely do what she needed to do to convince Jason to move her and the people she needed. Though if his physique was anything close to his balloon representation, maybe she'd have a good time as well. She also needed to test the use of her new method of transport, for the young women who may not come willingly. "Hector, will he be coming here, or does he expect us to meet him in the desert?" she asked of the more serious redhead in the room. All the while her eyes were moving about. What thing to do first? Well that mostly depended on Hector's answer. Though this group had only just arrived home, they would receive no rest if she needed to act immediately.

Indeed, it was always the one called Dagonet. The others could have spoken, but their tales were so boring. No excitement, no build-up, no fun at all! The jester would always take the initiative to deliver information if granted the chance, so it was essentially Kolin's own fault that she had to deal with it. Even receiving Kolin's forgiveness, he seemed no more or less animated than he'd been at the start. One could even assume his show wasn't quite done yet. "O mighty, radiant, generous Queen Ko~lin! Forgiveness is almost as great a reward as your la~ughter. I am but a humble slave to your will; I would accept only the latter if need be~!" he explained with a bow, stepping aside as ordered thereafter.

Since the jester had been silenced, it was time for a knight to speak, according to Kolin herself. She spoke the name Hector, snatching the attention of a more stoic-looking knight with shorter, crimson hair. This man's bow was not quite as deep and extravagant as the other knights serving Kolin, though it was not devoid of subservience. "The Argonaut will not be moved, my queen. The majority of our discussion was, sadly, a failed attempt to sway Jason. He insisted that since it is a favor of his you seek, there is no point in him leaving his ship to meet you. Though... he does seem excited to grant you passage across the desert, after hearing of you in... finer detail. I should also add that he was perhaps not as respectful as Her Grace would prefer, from my limited understanding."

Dagonet's manner of speaking annoying Kolin to no end. Even so, the words he spoke were ones which she enjoyed. How conflicted she often found herself while the jester spoke. If he was less annoying in his delivery he'd be a perfect addition for her nightly amusement. But, he was annoying to her, and beyond that before she properly enchanted him, he was liable to say something about her which caused murderous reactions from her. Neutering his speech pattern was the best of the options, but he was still a bit of a handful. Ah, but that didn't really matter, he'd stepped aside and done as asked. It was mostly all she needed from those who served her. In the meantime the sorceress in her cage heard the words of Dagonet and frowned. 'Nobody hears him asking for help... people really don't understand how much power words have here...' she thought in the most absent way. Maybe this situation would be changing soon enough. Given what was happening right now, she was right to take her leisure time the previous night.

Hector a man of better speaking quality gave her the information she needed without hesitation and with the insight of a well-seasoned Knight. Beyond that his words maintained a level of respect which kept Kolin pleased with him. What was a bit alarming were the words he shared. Apparently this Argonaut thought himself above her summon. He likely didn't know who she was, or maybe he was simply vying for her attention by making himself different from her perceived type. There were a few options for this and none of them made her completely upset. After all, her true type as unknown to those who occupied this low world. What she truly desired was a different type of man all together and everyone else was simply place holding. What she would say aloud didn't have any misgivings in it. "I'm pleased you'd inform me of all of this Hector. There is nothing to give me great concern, all good dogs come to heel with the right treatment~" she said with nothing shy of her normal confidence. Still, nothing shy of a strong statement needed to be made. If this man was truly a hedonist, he could probably be quelled with a gift and she could take the best of her Knights with her for protection if anything went awry. There was hardly any real risk involved when men were the targets. Nothing to worry about. "Leorio, make sure you are fully ready for transport to the desert." she gave him that order and expected it to be followed. But her mind was racing... there were several other things she needed to do. Who should she potentially offer as tribute to this man and his crew if she alone for him wasn't enough? Well, her eyes travelled over the white haired court mage. That one was not really worth keeping. Yes, she'd helped with her coup, but... it was hardly worth trusting a woman who turned on people so easily. She'd not even been broken nor had anything happen to her. Her loyalties were questionable. Maybe that one wouldn't be enough though... she could probably offer Guin and Emilia as well just to make sure. If she seemed benevolent enough to allow them to travel with the group, the Knights looking after them wouldn't really object. Then... she could leave them with the crew and order the Knights to leave them to pay off her debts with them. It wasn't above question for the Queen to offer lessers in her place. Anyone would understand. Ah, that Merlyn girl too probably, but she'd have to actually deal with her directly. She couldn't enchant women and he had nothing to hold over her. Perhaps an offer of kindness which ended with either death or servitude would work in the long term, then she could be seen as kind in the eyes of Arthur, right?

Hector bowed his head upon hearing that the queen was pleased with his information. He did as he always would, sparing no truth when reporting to his superior. "I have faith that you will spare no wrath for those who cross you," he stated. Cador heard this exchange, and felt strangely about it. Jason... he knew of that name from his own visit to the desert, though he'd never met the man himself. The stories he heard made him wonder how things would truly turn out, for the one known as Jason was considered quite twisted in his own right. Well, that wasn't the problem of most people here. The big problem was how ready Kolin was to set out immediately. A quick glance occurred between Cador and Arthur, both believing things were soon to take an earlier turn than they'd hope for.

Most excited of anyone (bar perhaps Dagonet, as he generally was) was Leorio. Finally, his darling queen had proper use of him! The king wore an ear-to-ear grin as he rose, more than prepared to escort Kolin at her leisure. "Of course, my darling!~ I'll summon our Love Chariot right away~" the young king said, wasting no further time before making his way out. He would go on to summon a large chariot boasting a blue and silver motif, seemingly self-driven and large enough for three riders. In addition to this vehicle, there were numerous smaller chariots each large enough for two. This was Leorio's ability─ the mounts to carry forth a small army with his own power. The courtyard would soon be used as a runway for his mounts' takeoff, whenever Kolin emerged from the castle and gave the order to transport her forces. Meanwhile, Cador spoke up at last. "Your Grace, may I ask if you intend to deliver our full forces right away?"

Yep, Hector was definitely one of Kolin's favorites. He understood her very well, if the ship's captain didn't simply go along with what she wanted. She'd make sure he suffered after she got where she wanted to be, after all, she was quite patient, as was made obvious by the long and drawn out plan she had. Though most would just consider that sheer madness if they knew both the plan and the reason behind it. "I'm pleased Hector, though I can not allow you rest at the moment, you will be rewarded at some point for your words," Kolin stated plainly. She did love having her ego fluffed, even if that wasn't the intention. Though this wouldn't last too long as a sigh would soon escape her. If she managed to get all of them passage across the desert she'd likely heave Leorio overboard at her earliest convenience. She'd have him to wander the desert for the sin of possessing such a tiny dick and such a random amount of infatuation. It was as if he actually thought himself worthy of attention. His words even managed to irritate her further, their 'Love Chariot'? Transport was about the only thing the boy king was good for, but no matter. If her performed properly at least his departure wouldn't be a death for him. She scoffed and shoo'd him away with a wave of her hand, it was about as much acknowledgement as he'd ever receive from her.

Still there were other more pressing problems to deal with, and Cador seemed most apt to speak. Since he'd approached that sentence in the proper way, she'd make sure to praise him before sending him to do his part. "Yes, that is my plan. How very clever of you, Cador... you aren't my best for nothing it seems," she said offering praise to one while shaming the others, another way to keep them mostly on edge around each other. She'd go on to explain herself very carefully as if the plan wasn't obvious to all present. "If we can be off quickly it would be for the best. I'd like to move on from this frozen wasteland and to somewhere warm," she exclaimed seemingly happy about the potential change in climate. "Ah, but I haven't forgotten there are several loose ends to take care of, bring the sorceress here. I've decided what I am going to do with her," she mentioned with a knowing smile. She also knew Cador was the only one besides one of the new ones brave enough to broach that woman for whatever reason. No matter, it would be fine. She'd turn her gaze towards the court mage and gesture to the area in front of her. With a sigh the buxom woman stood before her, tapping her staff on the ground. This would create the anti-magic circle of Kolin's creation for the sorceress to stand on. 'Stupid cow is nothing but cautious when it comes to her own safety. Well at least there isn't any worries of magic flying at us this way,' thought the woman. "I'm glad you still take orders without being told, Nerys." Kolin mentioned as she wait for the sorceress to be brought before her.

"Thank you, my queen. I will look forward to it. As always, I await your command," Hector stated. Meanwhile, the jester Dagonet was experiencing mock outrage due to the compliments paid to Hector. "What a sha~me. I deliver a most amu~sing tale, yet all credit goes to a lowly knight. Is it the folly of comedy that puts me in this situa~tion? I should consider being more stoic after all~!" he chanted to the universe at large while Hector awaited further instruction.

The praise of Cador's assertion warranted nothing more than glances from most knights... though Lot was an exception among them. The king's own brother, the knight who truly expressed the highest dedication, should have been the one treated in such a way. He should have been even greater, beyond Kolin's top knight; he should have been king! Enough of Cador; that wretch would be dealt with in due time. For now though, he had his uses... like being the one sent off to retrieve that damn sorceress. The purple-haired knight was off after a bow, quick to make his way into the dungeons where Merlyn waited. It would be mere minutes before he stood in front of an open cell, thinking there was little need to explain the situation. "It's half past showtime, Merlyn. And here I thought we had another full day to wait. Oh well; what's to be done about it?"

Hector took his praise as gracefully as ever, Dagonet on the other hand, was full of jokes. Perhaps the queen wasn't as easily amused as she thought, something about that man's speech pattern always seemed to annoy her. Her took a jab at the extra praise offered the others and Lot looked about as pleased as a wet cat when Cador was giving praise. This sort of discord was exactly what she aimed for though, so she was nothing but satisfied with it. While the court bristled in its chaotic climate, Merlyn opened her eyes beneath the cover of her hood to view Sir Cador near her open cell door.

He claimed it was half-past showtime. And asked what was to be done about it. A little smirk came over this woman's face, there were a few things which could be done, and all of them would happen in the order they needed to. "Oh, Sir Cador... I thought you liked not being in the know?~" she teased the man as she stood. She pulled that hood of hers just a little bit further down, so that it cloaked the entirety of her face in shadow, and hid all of her person from view. It was rather important that she not be properly seen for a while. "I knew she would falter sooner rather than later, can't trust the timeline of a chaotic psychopath with a god-complex~" she said with a knowing smirk. She wouldn't keep the Queen waiting, there were funny things about to take place. The Queen's plans for her and the others were quite rushed, not well developed or thought through. "I can tell you, it is her general plan to get everyone onto Jason's boat, and then give away myself, Emilia and Guin to Jason in exchange for safe passage. She's even going to offer me a deal... it's so very generous my refusal will get me into a load of trouble~" she said as if the entire thing was amusing. And it was... but that was because there was a bit more to what was going to happen here than what most could know.

Merlyn was indeed prepared for departure. Cador didn't truly expect to be told anything; he'd simply been talking for the sake of doing so. "Well, whether you share or not doesn't matter. I was mostly venting frustration as a question," he said with a shrug. Even so, Merlyn did divulge the queen's plan. It sounded about right; Kolin would easily reduce other women to the playthings of men who sought her favor. On that same note, she would just as easily have them thrown aside for speaking negatively in her presence. Such a thing would be what Merlyn chose to do, without a doubt. "My my. I'll be sure to get a front-row seat, and maybe I'll be lucky enough to take part in the show. Now... my apologies," he concluded as he reached out to take Merlyn by a shackle applied to her neck, while applying a smaller set to her wrists. He could only drag her into the queen's presence in this state, lest things go sour before anything proper could begin.

As if she actually needed to, Merlyn spoke of the 'trouble' she'd be getting in. Cador chuckled, knowing this day would be filled with nothing short of excitement, at the very least. One could only wonder what she would say. How quickly could she antagonize the queen, and how much could said queen actually do in response? What would the attempt even be? There were so many questions, with only the ability to... wait and see.