The Court room

Ustra's Stallion was escorted by some Warriors and stout figured Men.

They were her bodyguards.

One of the Commander stopped me as I followed closely behind Ustra's lead while we arrived at the palace.

"You go no further.!" He yelled.

"She is my newly maidservant, I will show her around the palace and provinces for some reasons known to me, let her in at once!" Ustra intervened.

She already have me covered the lower part of my face right from underneath my lower lashes to my chest and instructed not to utter a word or look into anyone's faces.

Ustra disguised me as her maidservant. The first of its kind ever, as she had never had one all her life.

She said for some personal reasons, as she disclosed to me while we were on our way to the palace.

We passed through a very tall gate and the very greenish plain before us seem unending.

The buildings and castles seemed so far that they looked so tiny.

To me, walking that long for everyone was a punishment.

Horses were not allowed.

One of the major things I also noticed were the flag poles all around the plains. Some flags had something like snakes like pythons, Some had foxes on them, some elephants, some hyena, on them.

There were some I didn't get the privilege to see clearly, as we moved faster due to the delay.

We had passed through the land of flat plains interspersed with beautiful scenery of hills and mountains.

There were quaint little towns set on the Eastern part of bucolic surroundings,and the picturesque hilltop villages that looked as if they were propping up the vast unblemished blue sky.

Ustra tilted her head slightly and sniffed in some air.

"How I have longed to serve you oh province of the Spirits!." She said.

We arrived at the Palace's terrace.

I watched as other palace officials stood in two's and three's.

Some of them were pointing at Ustra as she walked slowly down the isle. Face covered.

They kept murmuring and she ignored.

She stopped abtruptly and turned,

"Remain calm..." She said, As we finally walked into the court room.

The room was, from the entrance a very long narrowed passageway leading to a very big semi-circle court room.

It was on the east wing of the main palace.

I could see some officials floating in the Air.

They appeared to be on the second floor in the court Room as some remained just below them.

I could recall there were about thirty officials on each sides.

Just then Ustra bowed and I mimicked her.

"Step aside" she said quietly, almost whispering.

I raised my head slightly to see if I could catch a quick glance at everyone.

To my greatest surprise, Myian, My stepmother Beatrice's brother was there. He stood firmly behind the person I think Ustra has been referring to as Fyren.

"What is Myian and Beatrice up to? What is he doing here?.. or has he sold us to this people?" My eyes dilated in bewilderment and confusion as I muttered underneath my mask.

Fyren appeared to be much lanky and very handsome.

He looked more of a full built figure just opposite our direction.

He also had a very long brightly peached colored extensions, a slightly narrow nose, broad chin and deep grayish-brown eyes and a moderately small lips.

His flowing wine and greenish tainted silk robe held so much beautiful designs and royal patterns at it's hem.

I could perceive a strong scent of alcohol from him.

"Was that Fyren? The prince?" I wondered in delight as I remained motionless.

"Why couldn't he float in the air too?" I muttered to myself.

Obviously, no one knew. But it was like my sense of smell heightened and I could perceive different aromas, ointments, spices, wines, all at once streaming from the palace surroundings.

I started feeling nauseous again so, I staggered a bit and straightened up.

Instantly, I noticed an empty place beside the one who appeared to be the emissary, as the title on his robe directed.

Immediately, Ustra filed in with me and I watched slowly as she ascended above me.

She was standing afloat, all by herself, just like some of the powerful looking officials in the court room.

A figure I figured was the queen, hollared from behind the skillfully woven baroque patterned fabric curtains used to cover the royal seat from the ordinary officials.

"As I have spoken, so it must be done!" The queen said.

"MAINE-ARMIN-AHAL!" The cDominic came rumbling as we all fell to our knees. Even those afloat knelt in the Air.

"Ustra? I heard you brought in the the Blue Moon Werewolves, for what reasons have you done this?" The queen asked with a stronger tone.

"Yes, I am I need of an urgent thing I seek amongst them. They left me no choice than to bring them down, for I'll be able to retrieve what I seek amongst them under my supervision and in my territory!." Ustra replied.

The Prince I perceived to be Prince Fyren Interrupted the conversation,

"You still find it hard to honor your queen? Your territory?! How insolent of you!. I am the heir to the throne Yet you say your territory?.

Your act of foolishness has moved the Emperor of the Northan gates to move against us!" He stamped the ground fiercely.

Ustra folded her arms as she watched him below her heels,

"Fyren! This is non of your business!" She pointed at him in fury.

"Your grace", Ustra turned to the queen.

"I believe as the eldest daughter and the rightful heir to the throne, I have the right to do as I please in my father's kingdom.

As long as I tread with much grace and wisdom. I'm in no competition with your son! Stop questioning my actions!". Ustra replied.

"Oh? Would you tell that nonsense you just said now to the Emperor? He requested for the spoils to be sent as a retribution for the peace threaty we both signed!. We were constrained not to go past the border for the next Seven months and you intentionally broke it!" He yelled.

"A rightful heir who goes about breaking rules I see!" He gave her an eye shoot.

Ustra smiled sheepishly,

"Oh, King Fyren do you feel threatened now? Do you feel I might get my hands on that pearl before you do?." Ustra flinched her head lightly.

The queen, I observed from the distance, as I can could see through the curtains. Was biting at her nails and blowing air slightly to the golden jewelries on her fingers as though no one was there.

I doubt she paid much attention to the officials.

For a moment I paused and wondered what pearl they were referring to.

I gulped hurriedly and looked keenly at my wrist.

I could see the pearl of ottsa slightly glow and come alive as they conversed.

I tried to slowly conceal my hands underneath my gown.

"You!"

A voiced called out amidst the uproar and arguments among the captains and ministers, and all dignitaries.

It was the priestess floating beside the minister-of-the-right.

Everyone's gaze got fixed on the priestess and myself.

The court instantly shimmered.

"Who are you?" The priestess asked.

She motioned closer a little bit, almost crossing over to our side which was on the left side of the court room.

I began to shiver from my stomach.

My heart raced and throbbed with so much pain and ache.

I remembered very vividly that Ustra had previously warned me not to stare, maybe I had become more like my stepmother Beatrice, I forgot for a moment that not everyone was Ustra.

I wished on that instant that the ground had opened up and swallowed me.