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We entered the Audience Chamber, once again. The Queen sat in her throne, and at her right hand stood the almighty Bast. The white-furred face of the Queen was such a contrast to the dark, smokey-grey of the Cat-God. She nodded to us both, "Ah, Katja...Krolaun. We've been waiting for you."I curtsied and Krolaun bowed as Bast stepped forward, regarding us both as we stood there, "Well, I have good news...and mediocre news."
The elf raised an eyebrow curiously, and I nodded for Bast to continue, "The good news is that Queen Amyrl has decreed that Shard's sentence will be a Duel to Defeat against Katja."
He paused, looking at us both. Perhaps he expected some sort of reaction. However, I knew it would eventually come to this. Shard and I were enemies long ago, and even then I knew that, someday, it would come to such a pass. As I glanced at Krolaun, I think he knew it too, for he made no move, no motion that he disagreed with the judgement.
"The mediocre news is," Bast continued, "We cannot begin until tomorrow. Preparations are being made in the arena, even now as we speak."
I nodded, "I understand, Bright One."
The cat-god smiled, "The Queen has arranged for dinner and entertainments for the evening, should you wish to partake of them. If not, then the grounds are yours to wander as you please."
I looked to the Queen, curtsying slightly, "Thank you, Majesty."
She nodded in return, and then turned to Bast. The cat-god turned back to her and they began conferring in hushed tones. Taking that as a dismissal, I took my leave of the Audience Chamber, with Krolaun in close attendance.
So it ends, I thought as I summoned the magic, using it to change the elaborate dress I'd bought back into the fighting leathers I'd always known. The Dagger of Mystics appeared at my hip with a comforting weight. As we walked down the corridors of the Palace, I drew the Dagger, the blade glinting softly in the sunlight that filtered through the windows. I took a few sheets and some ink from a small message stand near the main hall.
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© 1999 E. Angeli Mansfield