I've heard there was a secret chord
that David played and it pleased the Lord
but you don't really care for music do you?
There was certainly unrest in Beqanna. It hung over them all like a thunder cloud- occasionally rumbling and flashing but holding back the worst of the wind and the rain. The air had taken on a static quality, and the shifter king found himself on guard more than usual. Rumors swirled like a wildfire in sage brush, and it was hard to tell what was fact and what was fiction. It didn’t take long for a rumor to take hold, though bits and pieces would certainly be left out each time the story was retold. What did seem to be truth, though, was that change was on the horizon. What form that change would take was yet to be seen, but it was there, lurking just out of sight. Mast wouldn’t let them get caught unawares again.
He smiled as the golden former queen approached. She wore a harried expression, and Mast knew that his own appearance mirrored hers more often than not. He himself had been more busy than usual, what with running a kingdom and helping Camelia raise their daughter. Their daughter had shown herself to be as wild as a fawn, in a constant state of motion. She was quickly becoming a handful, and Mast knew they couldn’t keep their fist closed around her much longer. Eventually, the butterfly needed to fly. Yael spoke, and Mast closed his eyes with a smile at her exotic accent. It was warm and perfectly embodied the Deserts. “Thank you, Yael.” he said, dipping his head. “First and foremost, I want to thank you for the offer you extended to the Gates while we were under attack. It means the world to us, and we must consider ourselves in your debt. Secondly, your son, Gaza. He is a great young man and one the Gates is proud to have.” Her offer had proven invaluable, and he couldn’t bare to think what would have happened to the children had they not been able to seek sanctuary amongst the sands. “Lastly, I come seeking an alliance. The Chamber is quiet for now, but I must admit, I think its simply a ruse to lull us all into a false sense of security. Our kingdoms of course have traditional ties to one another, and the Gates is growing by the day. I find myself wondering if we mustn’t stand together, lest we fall beneath the war machine that the Chamber seems to be eager to create.” he finished, his voice solemn. Perhaps he should have waited for Camrynn, but he knew without a doubt that the magical queen was listening in. Now there was nothing left but to wait for her to show up and either agree, or disagree.
M A S T