<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-size: 13px;color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family: arial,sans-serif;"><marciajwick@gmail.com><sitting.duck@springmail.com><group1@bluegrasspals.com><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>sigh, I don't know what the deal is with blank lines.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>the first 2 times I pasted it, it took them out. The third time it added an extra blank line. So, I decided it was better to hav too many than none.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Sorry about that.</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>cleora</o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><o:p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><a name="_GoBack"></a>1576 words</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">part Fourteen</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Home</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting hopped off the griffin’s back. Spreading her wings,
she glided safely to the ground. The griffin lowered and turned its head to
look into Sitting’s eyes. She touched its beak gently with the tip of her bill.
“Thank you, my friend,” she said. It nodded, then turning and walking a short
distance away, it spread its powerful wings and with a final backward glance,
leaped into the air. Sitting watched until it was out of sight. Dropping her
gaze, she surveyed her surroundings. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">The crystal pond glistened in the noon sun, but something
seemed different. A harpy sat on a rock at the far edge of the pond. To the
left of the pond, a sparse but green forest had almost completely replaced the
charred remains that had been there when she flew away what seemed like weeks
ago. Walking over to the edge of the pond, she gazed down into the water
sweeping her head left to right searching for the queen fish. “Where is the
queen fish?” she asked, looking up at the harpy. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“I was the queen fish,” said the Harpy. “Welcome home, my
queen. I am Fuchsia.” With that, she slid off the rock and dove deep into the
waters of the pond.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">A puzzled Sitting watched for a while hoping she would come
back up. A rustle of leaves drew her attention to the forest. Several
magnificent griffins stepped out into the open. One, apparently the leader,
stepped forward, and lowering his head, bowed deeply. “Welcome back, my queen,”
he said. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sittings eyes widened, and her bill gaped. “Who are you?”
she stammered.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“We are the former katydids,” he said. I am Caster.” We are
ready at your command, my queen.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">‘So, this is what Dread Demon had meant,’ she thought.’ He
had said that now that she had committed to take command and see Hades Legions
through this war, her army would appear and her subjects would take on the
proper form for her province.’</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Thank you,” she said. Then turned toward the castle.
Marching straight through, she peeked out the back door. The ant hill was gone.
In its place stood a barracks with a young man in peasants clothing leading
against the door jamb with his arms crossed. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“queen ant, I presume?” </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Straightening, He bowed low. “At your service, my queen. I
am Anthonee.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting turned and stepped back into the castle. Welcome
home, my queen,” said a tall fellow in a long robe and pointed hat. Several
similarly dressed humanoid beings stood behind him. They all inclined their
heads respectfully.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“The fireflies?” she asked.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“At your service,” said the lead wizard. “I am Fire Light.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting nodded her head. “Thank you,” she said. Spreading
her wings, she flew up to the second level and landed in front of the door to
her command center. A very large, impressive, and handsome (if she did think so
herself) drake stood on guard beside the door.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Welcome home, my liege,” he said.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“ Queen bee?” </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">He nodded. “I am Driver. I have the news for the province
since you were last here whenever you are ready.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Excellent, she said. “I’ll need a little while to get
settled in, and then I want to meet with all the rulers in my conference room.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">He bowed his head, “I’ll see to it immediately, my liege.” </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Door open,” she commanded. The door opened and she walked
into her command center. ‘Well, I guess its official,’ she thought, her gaze
taking in the room.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">‘Looks that way,’ grasshopper thought back.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">‘Do you ever have the feeling you have absolutely no idea
what you’re doing?’</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Never,’ thought grasshopper, and immediately, the thought
quivered in Sittings mind, indicating he was lying.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">She made a sound almost like a chirp or bark, but the air
came from deep within her throat making it sound more like a squeak.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Are you laughing at me?” said grasshopper.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Who, me? Never.” she said, and squeaked again.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting walked over to her command chair, flapped her wings,
and with a little hop, landed in the seat. The red message light on the crystal
ball was flashing.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Get messages,” she said.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“You have 15 new messages waiting.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Read them starting with the most recent.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“On May 10, YR2 at 4:10 we received this note...</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">To The Honorable Lady Sitting Duck</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">You have seen what happened to the previous monarchs. I’m
instructing my wizards to cast hail, storms, and drought on your province.
Surrender now before you are destroyed like your predecessors.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Signed, Sir Fly the Rogue of Farius in the kingdom of Silent
Enigma “</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Read the next one.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“On May 10, YR2 at 4:00 we received this note...</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">To The Honorable Lady Sitting Duck</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Are you there?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Signed, Sir Fly the Rogue of Farius in the kingdom of Silent
Enigma “</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Why would he ask that?” asked Sitting.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“He wanted to establish a live conversation,” said the
Crystal Ball.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting was puzzled. A live conversation? Sitting thought
for a moment. “Isn’t Sir Fly the same ruler that sent me a message shortly
after I became monarch?”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Yes,” said the Crystal Ball. “Would you like me to read
that message again?”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Yes.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“On May 1, YR2 at 4:00 we received this note...</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">To The Honorable Lady Sitting Duck</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">A Queen after 2 kings?</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">It looks like your kingdom doesn’t know what to do.... As
you might have noticed, we’re even getting bigger than you, and the war meter
hardly changes....</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">I’ll give you some advice as a former king: Hit that
surrender button! It’s better for your health, and that of your kingdom!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Signed, Sir Fly the Rogue of Farius in the kingdom of Silent
Enigma “</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Hmm,” said Sitting. ‘That was nine days ago,’ she thought.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Do you have a reply?” prompted the crystal ball.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting ignored the question. She was peering at the other
table. She was sure something had changed since the last time she was in the
command center. “Grasshopper, does the globe look different to you?”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">The other table came into clearer focus as grasshopper
turned his attention to it. “Yes, I don’t see the globe anymore.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting hopped down from the command chair, and repositioned
herself in front of a pedestal standing where the globe used to be. On the
front of the platform was the names of 21 provinces. She recognized some of
them. There was The Crystal Pond, The Dark Legion (Dark Merlin’s province),
Hollow Dogs (Sir Dog Breath’s province), The Flatulent Legion (Sir Regis</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">s province), Legacy Of Dragons (Sir Dragon’s province), and
several she didn’t recognize. Beside each name was her name, the words “no
vote”, or the name of someone else. A few showed a vote for Dragon. Others
showed what might have been the monarch before Dragon. The words “no vote”
appeared beside her name. At the bottom of the list, appeared the number 21,
and the words, “This kingdom has no monarch. To be monarch, you must have a
majority of the votes cast.” She showed to have 5 votes. The same number as Sir
Dragon. “No vote” showed beside her name. In all the confusion before she flew
away, she had never cast her vote. “how do I cast my vote?” she asked.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">A window with a list of the province ruler’s names opened up
beside the name of her province. She touched her name with the tip of her right
flight feather. The window closed and her name appeared beside The Crystal
Pond. The list now showed six votes for her and five for Sir Dragon. The globe
reappeared above the pedestal. The carrier on her head lifted and the strap
extended slightly as a tiara appeared under it. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">At the bottom of the list, appeared the number 21, and the
words, You are the kingdoms monarch.” She showed to have six votes, and Sir
Dragon still showed five. Below that, was a row of lights. The surrender light
glowed bright red and the peace light altered between white and light blue.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“How do you withdraw a peace offer,” she asked </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“A flashing light is an option that is pending. You touch
the light, and tell the globe what you want to do,” said the crystal ball.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting reached out and touched the peace light.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Do you want to withdraw the peace offer to Silent Enigma?”
asked a mechanical voice.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Yes,” said Sitting.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">The light began to flicker. “Touch the light again to
confirm that you wish to withdraw the peace offer to Silent Enigma.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting touched the light again. It flickered for half a
second longer, and went out.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“The peace offer to Silent Enigma has been withdrawn.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">Sitting sat down in front of the globe her heart pounding.
She felt faint. She could hear her blood rushing through her ears. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">‘What have I done?’ she thought.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">‘Jumped up,’ thought Grasshopper back. </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">‘A stupid thing?’ thought Sitting back, not at all feeling
confident.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Maybe,” said Grasshopper.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">“Yep.”</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">She returned to her command chair, and directed the crystal
ball to read the rest of the messages. Most of them were from different rulers
trying to find out where she was. She sent a brief response to each letting
them know she was back, and inviting them to join her in her conference room as
soon as possible.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">A ding sounded from the crystal ball indicating a new
message had arrived.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p><p style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">To be continued...</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br></p></o:p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br></o:p></p></div></group1@bluegrasspals.com></sitting.duck@springmail.com></marciajwick@gmail.com></div></body></html>