Disclaimer: these stories are a work of fiction.
Back: Chapter Eight
Alyssa entered the inner room in the crypt, and everything was the same, with the lid of the sarcophagus pushed to one side.
She could lift the sarcophagus easily enough with her inhuman strength, but there wasn’t any point to her bringing it back with her now. She still had no idea how she could trick or force the Illusti back into the sarcophagus. But she could hide it.
She reached for the lid, and her armor froze her in place.
Instinctively she struggled, but was unable to move.
The Illusti walked around her into her field of view.
“You’re in violation of your oath, Alyssa,” he said mildly.
They held the trial in the lowest dungeon of the castle.
Her sister Queen-Consorts were there, serving as her jury. Nali looked unhappy, Cawyn spiteful.
Alyssa was naked, her arms bound behind her by her armor, much like the arm binder the Illusti had used when he first captured her. She shivered in the dank cold.
The Illusti finished describing what had happened, and asked Nali and Cawyn for their verdict.
Nali said, “Not guilty, my lord. While Alyssa may have been foolish to visit your sarcophagus without telling you first, there’s no evidence that she acted from anything but curiosity. Or nostalgia.”
“Guilty,” said Cawyn. “Totally guilty.”
“We appear to have a hung jury,” said the Illusti. “Thank you, my Queens, you may go now.”
Nali bowed, Cawyn curtsied, and they left.
The Illusti turned to Alyssa. “Well, Allysa,” he said, ”it would seem that we have much to talk about.”
Then he also left, leaving Alyssa alone in the cold and darkness.
The next morning the Illusti returned, with tea and breakfast.
Alyssa would have refused out of pride, but she had a rule to never give up an advantage. And so far, she was still alive, where more stubborn adventurers weren’t.
“Tell me Alyssa,” the Illusti asked, “why did you seek to trap me?”
Alyssa’s tale spilled out.
The armor flowed away, releasing her aching arms.
The Illusti gathered her in his.
“So you wished to hold the sarcophagus in reserve, in case I started eating human babies?”
“Yeah. Or whatever, if you turned out to be evil.”
“Alyssa, I assure you, I have no interest in human babies, to eat or otherwise. I care about you, and my other Queen-consorts.”
Alyssa waved her arms. “But we can’t go on like this! We’ve part of a kingdom! At least I am! And there are laws and priests and things!“
“I will not swear fealty to your human king.”
“But couldn’t we, I don’t know, cooperate or something? Have an alliance? Agreements? Treaties or stuff?”
“You are my First, such details are for you to choose.”
“You don’t mind if I go talk to the king? One of the kings anyway?”
“The power of the Illusti is yours to wield in the mortal world for as long as you are my Queen-consort.”
Next: Chapter Ten
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