Can’t this wait?

Intervar stretched out his arms and looked up at the ceiling. 

 

  He didn't want to get out of bed, remembering the previous few hours and how exhausted he was, but he knew Miss Katie was waiting for an explanation. 

 

  She sat at the foot of the bed, eagerly awaiting a response. 

 

  She didn't mind that it had been nearly an hour; she could have waited all night if she had to. 

 

  "So, um, I have a meeting with Queen Sei and King Kirk tomorrow night." He stated flatly. 

 

  "Did you have a meeting tonight?" She inquired. 

 

  He sighed and rubbed both hands over his face, feeling a seed of frustration in his stomach when she asked that. 

 

  It wasn't her business, and putting herself in danger was pointless. 

 

  "No, I didn't." 

 

  Miss Katie seemed to have more to say as he glanced at her, but she just stood up. 

 

  "Good night, Intervar, and please be safe," She then walked away, closing the door behind her. 

 

  Intervar didn't do anything else after that, content with the fact that she had finally left. 

 

  He rolled over and cradled Donn to his chest, but he couldn't sleep because he didn't think he could. 

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------

  He walked into the big building and was greeted by the regular guards, who pointed him to a dual set of stairs in front of him. 

 

  There were two long halls on either side of him, both of which took a left at the end.  He ascended the right stairwell to the enormous room. 

Double braided black, frizzy hair reveals a youthful but aged face.  A bullet wound ran from the bottom of her left cheek to the tip of her nose and ended on her top lip, leaving a stinging burden of a great reputation.

This is the face of Sei, a true queen.  Despite her fragile frame, she stands tall among her companions.

  Her guards and some of her help surrounded her, and they were there in case they needed advise on anything. 

 

"Intervar, hurry up and take a seat! What information do you have at your disposal?" She soon summoned him, and one of her guards ushered him to a seat. 

 

  Donn glided alongside him, dangling from his shoulder as well. 

 

  The queen of Onama looked at the guards before looking at Intervar, as if she expected them to do something. 

 

  "Are you going to fetch Donn a pillow or not?" She yelled, and a nervous-looking guard grabbed a cushion and placed it next to Intervar on the table. 

 

  "Please accept my heartfelt apologies, Majesty and Donn." The guard stuttered for a moment before immediately rejoining the other guards in line. 

 

  "Yes, yes, now what information do you have?" She shook his hand and turned to face Intervar, eyeing him down like a wolf would a rabbit. 

 

"I discovered a letter claiming that someone was planning an assassination attempt on me, and Donn, the letter was addressed to Gavin Taer." 

 

"Who did you get it from?" She inquired right away, but it wasn't really a question; she was expecting a response. 

 

"Do you believe someone from Kirk's army has heard about you?" 

 

  He hesitated with his reply. He was still angry at the betrayal and felt completely stupid but he still felt close to his friend and he knew Sei may attack Queen Lota in a fit of rage and we'd all be dead. 

 

 

  "I'm not sure who delivered it, but I'm very sure they wanted me dead." 

 

  For a few moment, Queen Sei remained silent, muttering gently to an attendant beside her. 

 

"Does anyone have any suggestions about how to resolve this?" When she turned to face the others, they exchanged hushed glances. 

 

"The Promise Ghost could help," one mousy man said, "but they'll expect something in exchange." 

 

"Can you tell me who that is?" Queen Sei inquired. 

 

"No one knows for sure; all you have to do is write a letter asking if they can help and deliver it to Cherry Lane in Southbrook, then wait for a response." 

 

At the end, a woman replied. "According to rumor, they've always kept their word." 

"Well, then, send a letter; how long do you think it'll take them to respond?" The queen waved her hand at some guards beside her. 

 

  "He replies rather quickly, twenty minutes to an hour." 

 

  Everyone looked surprised; it was unusual for someone to respond so fast, especially through letters. 

 

  Intervar had his concerns as well; everything seemed too good to be true. 

 

  Being one of the magical folk can help, but it won't allow you to perform miracles. 

Whatever they were, it had to be simply a rumor. 

 

  "If I'm being honest, it seems like a gossip," Intervar stated, and many others nodded in agreement. 

 

  "We'll see in an hour," says Queen Sei, "and one of you will send the letter." 

 

  The queen issued orders to the guards and dispatched them. 

 

  "Intervar, I'll give you an update later." 

 

  Then, as he nodded mutely, everyone stood up to depart. 

 

  He stiffly stood up and walked back down the steps as a guard followed him. He had a meeting with King Kirk now. Because he lacked magical talents, a guard was assigned to create a portal for him. 

 

  As they stood in front of the swirling vortex, a flash of light ruffled Donn's fur and hair, and he stepped through with Donn on his shoulder. 

 

  The structures were near together, but they had different purposes. Kitchens, training, jails, showers, rooms, and King Kirk's personal residence are among the facilities. 

 

  There was a lot of hot sand blowing over everywhere. As he moved into the king's private residence, he nodded to the men and women gathered outside. 

 

  When he came in, he noticed more troops roaming around the house, and they nodded as he walked directly to the bathrooms, Donn trailing behind him. 

 

  He hadn't had time to consider why he was chatting with the Lazap messenger, so he had to come up with something in the short time he had. 

 

  He rubbed cold water on his face and tried to think in the mirror. 

 

  'I was attacked and he decided to seek vengeance? No, that's obviously a lie.' 

 

He poured more cold water on his face, 'I was seeking information, guess it's better than nothing as stupid as it is. Even Kirk, as power-hungry as he is, isn't that foolish.' 

 

  He moved down the hall cautiously, trying not to shiver as he did so, opening the door and looking for Kirk. 

 

  He'll have to wait because the king isn't yet in the chamber, but they didn't have to wait long because they soon heard familiar footsteps coming down the stairs, Donn hurriedly hid under his chair. 

 

'There goes hope about leaving minimal wounds.'