“And now you’ve gone and hurt her feelings,” Sonidia snapped, flicking Blue on the forehead, “She only wants to be more than just a monster for brave heroes to kill. And, as for that the smiting thing, we don’t follow your Lord’s rules anymore. You should’ve thought about that before you went and banished us to this pathetic place.” Sonidia turned around and walked off.*
Blue stood still. She never had someone go off on her before. Getting up out of the bed, Blue followed Sonidia, curious as to where she was going.
Out in the village proper, a well-dressed man leaned on a nearby tent, clearly waiting for someone to arrive. Noting the sudden departure of a Wraith, the man slowly walked towards the hut from where the spirit had left. Just as Sonidia stormed out, the man spoke. “Hello Queen Sonidia. I believe you wanted to talk, although judging by the wait, you’re obviously too busy to meet with a King.” He said sarcastically.*
“I don’t have time for your sarcastic banter, Ari,” Sonidia snapped, walking past the King, “My friendship is on the line because of our ‘heavenly’ brethren’s stubborn nature.”*
“You do realize we need a working relationship with the lazy asses who banished us, correct?” Ari responded, “That’s way more important than Shade at the moment.” The King groaned, irritated at Sonidia’s priorities. “I did tell you that having her here would make your life harder, not easier…”*
“Well, considering that the Humans have decided to try and take our forest by force,” Sonidia ranted, “I had to banish my own treacherous brother and am currently being forced to replace my father. I’m a little on edge, if you couldn’t tell.”*
“Oh, I could tell, I just think it’d be more amusing to mess with you. After all, Misery enjoys company.” Ari snickered, as he nodded behind Sonidia, “That one of your people?”*
“What…” Sonidia started before she noticed Blue, “Hell no! She’s a ‘regular’ one. I’m under the assumption that she’s Griadel’s messenger.”*
“Although she’s one of the fluffier and pampered kind, she probably wouldn’t know any better. Hell, were our tribes so open, or different, at the beginning?” Ari argued, “She’s probably straight from the Gates of Heaven, the ‘teachings’ still fresh in her mind. Don’t be so hasty to assume that foreign Angels are all assholes. After all, that title belongs to me. King of the Assholes… it certainly has a nice ring to it.” The King grinned at the new Queen.
“What… what are you people talking about?” Blue murmured, not being able to understand what Ari was getting at.*
“Just how you don’t seem to know enough about Earth and it’s inhabitants,” Sonidia answered, “Anyway, did Griadel send you?”*
“Uhh...not exactly… I heard there was a new Fallen Angel in power, and I wanted to see who it was. Although, I did find a skeleton holding a tattered letter, if you want it…” Blue replied, turning to head back into the hut. After a few moments, she came back with a practically destroyed letter, the top half of it ripped off. “I found it by the...uh...um...big things?”*
“The giants you killed?” Sonidia said, showing the note to Ari.*
“Oh, Gods...I can barely read this...I think it says, ‘Blessings be... shoved on you?’ I think whoever wrote this shouldn’t have put it in Celestial… something formal...standard bullshit… ahhh, here we go, ‘With goodness to you, Gri...’. The words are too faded to read more of it, but I think this is from the ‘holy’ Lord himself. Tiny queen, what do you think about it?” Ari asked, frowning at the remains of the letter.*
“So, the messenger is dead, that’s unfortunate,” Sonidia sighed, “Now, how are we supposed to send news back and get a new message?”*
Ari smirked at the young Queen. “Why don’t you go with the Angel? It’d be a more effective message to send, and who knows, maybe you can show Shade the ‘Happiest place in all the realms’. I already have my most trusted lieutenant guarding my village, I could stay and look after yours.” The King offered, looking incredibly bored.*
“But, but, but…” Sonidia began, then said, “Fine, I’ll do it.”*
Blue also objected, “Don’t I get a say in this?”
“Hell, no. You’re technically trespassing on Queen Sonidia’s lands, which means you abide by her customs. So, not only are you morally bound, you’re legally bound. And, to top it off, you insulted Sonidia, by emotionally hurting her guest of honor. That is enough for a proper execution.” Ari stated, glaring at the Angel.*