Ruler of the Realm

Thirty-four

‘That was the worst flyer landing ever,’ Flapwazzle whispered.

‘Were you frightened?’ Blue asked.

‘Petrified. You’re the scariest queen since Quercusia.’

‘I had to get out from under the missiles,’ Blue said, grinning.

‘Might have been more difficult if he’d fired them.’ Flapwazzle made a peculiar movement and it took her a moment to work out that he was scratching himself. ‘I’d like to know why he didn’t.’

‘Maybe I’ll get the chance to ask him.’ Blue said. ‘Now hush – there’s somebody coming.’

She was expecting the servant girl again, but the door swung back to reveal Hairstreak himself. He was a small man, dressed, as usual, in black. He made an elaborate bow and contorted his features into a smile.

‘Your Majesty,’ he said fulsomely, ‘if you had let me know you were coming I would have made proper preparations.’

‘Like shutting down your ground-to-air missiles?’ Blue asked innocently.

Hairstreak smiled slightly. ‘Standard security precautions, I’m afraid. Regrettable, of course, but in these troubled times…’ Something flashed in his eyes as he added, ‘So fortunate they weren’t actually launched.’

‘For me or for you, Uncle?’

‘For us both, my dear.’ He squared his shoulders. ‘But what am I thinking of, leaving you standing on the doorstep? Please come in. You grace my humble home with your presence.’ As he stepped to one side, Blue suddenly noticed a slim young man standing in the shadows behind him. There was nothing untoward about his appearance, but for some reason she shuddered. Hairstreak may have caught the direction of her glance, for he said softly over his shoulder, ‘Pelidne, have the servants prepare a meal for Her Majesty. In the main banquet hall.’

‘That won’t be necessary,’ Blue said quickly. Now they were here, she was very aware she’d set a Countdown in motion. Three days was a good safety margin, but even so there was no sense taking any more time than she needed. ‘This is a just a brief visit. But I would appreciate a few minutes in a secure room.’

‘Of course,’ Hairstreak said smoothly.

He led her down a corridor beside the main staircase and opened a heavy door. The chamber beyond was tiny and furnished only with two chairs and a small table, but it smelled strongly of privacy spells.

‘The matter is confidential,’ Blue said firmly when the Pelidne person tried to follow.

Hairstreak shrugged slightly and gestured with his head. Pelidne left at once. Throughout it all he had not spoken a single word.

As Hairstreak closed the door he said, ‘I take it this concerns the offer I sent by way of your brother?’

‘Yes,’ Blue said.

‘Then let us sit and discuss it.’ He hesitated momentarily. ‘Perhaps your endolg would be more comfortable on the floor than squashed up against the chair back.’

Blue froze. For a second she considered trying to bluff it out – Endolg? What endolg? – but Flapwazzle said audibly, ‘He knows I’m here, Blue,’ and slid out from under her shirt.

Hairstreak smiled a little grimly. ‘Ah, it’s Flapwoggle, isn’t it? The endolg who famously infiltrated my obsidian maze?’

‘Flapwazzle,’ Flapwazzle corrected him sourly.

‘Of course,’ Hairstreak said.

Flushing a little, Blue said, ‘I thought it might be a good idea to have an endolg present.’ Despite the embarrassment, she held her uncle’s eye. ‘For both our sakes.’

But Hairstreak only said, ‘Yes, of course,’ and gestured her towards the nearest chair.

She waited until he’d taken the other seat before she said, ‘Pyrgus told me the Faeries of the Night want peace – is that so?’

‘It’s all most of them have ever wanted, Blue,’ Hairstreak said piously.

‘And you’re now offering to negotiate to that end?’

‘To negotiate a treaty, yes.’

Blue took a deep breath. ‘Is the offer genuine?’ she asked bluntly.

She expected an angry response, but Hairstreak only shrugged. ‘The offer’s perfectly genuine. But ask the endolg. That’s what it’s here for, I presume.’

Blue flushed, hesitated, then said quietly, ‘Flapwazzle?’

‘He’s telling the truth,’ Flapwazzle said.

She suddenly realised the news had thrown her. Deep down she must have believed the whole thing was a ploy. But now, with a welling sense of excitement, the implications began to dawn on her. There was a genuine offer on the table. That meant the possibility of real peace in the Realm for the first time in centuries. The treaty negotiations were sure to be tough, compromises would have to be made, but the goodwill was there. Something absolutely unexpected had happened. She was Queen at a turning point in history. If nothing went wrong, her name would be remembered for a thousand years. It was a sobering thought.

If nothing went wrong…

She suddenly remembered Flapwazzle’s question. ‘Uncle, what backing do you have to make this offer?’

‘Enough,’ said Hairstreak shortly. ‘Every major House of the Faeries of the Night is behind it.’

‘But there are dissenters? Some Houses don’t agree?’

‘As you say, some Houses disagree, but not enough to make a difference to the outcome. If a treaty is signed under the present circumstances, it will be implemented.’

She glanced at Flapwazzle, who said, ‘It’s true, but he’s holding something back.’

‘What are you holding back, Uncle?’

Hairstreak gave a hearty chuckle that sounded entirely genuine. ‘Oh, come now, Blue, you don’t expect me to reveal my negotiating position in advance of the talks, do you? You haven’t even agreed to the basic proposal yet.’

It was reasonable enough. And he was right: she hadn’t even agreed to negotiations yet. At least not formally. In her head, she no longer had any doubt.

She opened her mouth to tell him so when there was a thunderous knocking on the door.