Can't We All Just Get Along?

In the long walk down the hall, Noble was filled with a million questions. 

How had Nic gotten here? How long had he been in the nightmare? How much did he know about the central conflict?

Her brain was clouded with confusion, concern, and joy. 

"That cloaked man seemed familiar," Counsel broke the silence. 

"Nickel is a messenger. Perhaps you have seen him before?" Noble hedged. 

"It is possible," the man pulled his lips to one side. "That message he delivered from the man who has your heart. I am not sure it was worth the trouble." 

"It most certainly was!" the woman snapped. "Why? What did he say to you?" 

"Less than he must have said to you while you were alone for you to be so defensive." The blond man looked at her meaningfully. 

"I only wish we had more time to converse. I barely got any information, and none that I really wanted." Noble shut her eyes for a moment as they swirled uncontrollably.

'I wish I had asked him if he had any news from Fort and the kids. But there just wasn't time.' When Noble opened her eyes, they filled with tears. She longed to know that her family was alright. 

Seeing her distress, Counsel took her hand. "Don't be nervous." 

Noble pulled her hand away gently. "I'm not nervous. I was just...contemplating..." 

"Contemplating what?" Counsel frowned. "Are you considering the Queen's offer?" 

Noble's eyebrows shot upward. "You mean her demand that I abandon you? No. I didn't even entertain it. It not only runs against my goals; it would be wrong to condemn you to death when you have worked so hard to help me." 

"I see. I knew you would never turn your back on me." Counsel nodded firmly. "You hear that?" He shot Alyx a triumphant smile. 

"Such a waste," the other man scoffed. "Lady Brenna deserves better. Only a coward hides behind someone else the way you do." 

Counsel squared his shoulders. "If I could challenge the Queen on Lady Brenna's behalf, I would, but..." 

Noble ignored both men as they fell into a petty argument. She needed to focus. 

Her mind went over and over the plan. Noble visualized how she wanted things to go down to the last gruesome detail. 

If Emira wouldn't see reason, then the death of the Queen was imminent. 

'It is just like the Dreamscape. No, it's even more pretend. This is just a Nightmare and these people died long ago.' 

It was hard to let go of that part of her humanity, especially because the person would not disappear or return in a blur of sparks. There would be bloodshed and a body that would need to be taken away. 

'I hate the Spell. Why did it do this to me?'

She wanted to complain, but hope burned brighter than her anger.

At least she wasn't alone now. At the eleventh hour, she had been gifted with a most useful ally. 

Noble had no doubt that Nic would be able to infiltrate the palace and find her quickly. All she needed to do was give him enough time to get in place. 

The phantom assassin would save her if things got grim. With Nickel watching from the shadows, Noble was almost positive she would survive this fight. 

'I just have to stall until I know Nickel is there.'

Counsel and Alyx fell silent as they reached the throne room. They could not meet in the Great Hall as before. It was likely being repaired--if repair was even possible. 

Noble had hoped that if they fought, it would at least be in the arena below the palace. But it seemed her wish would not come true. 

'This place is too small for a battle. Surely she knows that!' 

But there was no time to question the location as Noble and Counsel were ushered in alongside Alyx. 

The throne was empty, but not for long. Alyx went to a side entrance and escorted Emira to the gilded seat. 

"Your seat, Your Majesty," Alyx cooed, much to Noble's frustration. 

He would be switching his tune soon enough.

Noble turned her attention to the Queen. Emira's hair was in two simple braids on either side of her head. It was a far cry from the wild woman that Noble had left the day before but also more functional in a battle for keeping things out of her face. 

Emira was wearing armor, forgoing her usual emerald dress. That did not bode well for any kind of negotiation. 

Alyx stood beside the throne, ready to defend the Queen if needed. 

'She will need defending, just not now...' Noble glared at the man.

His cocky smile made him look more like the insufferable man she knew. "Lady Brenna and her Counsel are here to see you." He added like it was a royal announcement. 

"Lady Brenna." Emira took on a formal tone as she looked pointedly at Noble. "Do you know why you are here?" 

"I do." Noble straightened her back. 

The Queen stared down her nose at the bottom of the dais. "Then tell me why you are in my esteemed presence." 

'What kind of game is this?' Noble felt like a mouse being toyed with by a cat. 

"I have come to reject your offer. I will neither renounce my claim to the throne nor disown Counsel. I cannot in good conscience do either while you allow the Lord of the Mountain to live." 

"I see," Emira tapped her chin. 

Expecting the room to get warmer, Noble had already placed the fire charm in her armor. It had not fully healed from the damage that it received the day before, but it was far better than having no protection at all. 

Somehow, the Queen maintained her temper. 

Feeling emboldened by the calm, Noble gave peace one final try. "Have you considered my proposal?" 

Emira's face puckered. "Which one?" 

'Did I make more than one?' Noble felt like she was losing her mind. The Queen seemed genuinely confused and frustrated. 

"Lady Brenna demanded that you help her on her quest to defeat the Lord of the Mountain! Something you have expressly refused to do! Why are you toying with her emotions?" Counsel's outburst caused Alyx to reach for his sword. 

"You will address the Queen with respect or suffer the tip of my blade." The man pulled out the weapon halfway. 

"She is not my Queen. Not anymore." Counsel responded evenly. 

'They really don't like each other, do they?' 

Noble could not help but smile at the random thought. 

'They certainly do not. I doubt they ever have. Fighting over the same woman will do that sometimes.' 

'Ah, that does explain it.' 

Noble froze. There was a second set of thoughts in her head that were not hers. 

Touching her ear, Noble felt for [The Other's Voice]. She scanned the room for recognition in any of the soldiers' eyes that they had heard her thought. 

"Silence both of you!" Emira ordered with a wave of her hand. "You are acting like children. Stop fighting over Lady Brenna and act like men!" 

Turning her head slowly, Noble met Emira's gaze. The Queen's eyes were not on fire like they usually were after such an outburst. They were bright and clear. 

And laughing. 

'...Sarai?' 

Emira allowed a ghost of a smile.

'Hello, Noble.'