‘He will be treated as the most famous Hero of the LittlePeople and I will be his first and only desire, yourHoliness.’
‘Good. He will be the father of many but never realizeit.’
‘There is one problem your Holiness. I have heard they have acertain cockroach that may be a pest.’ said Shastritara.
‘Yes Helix! I will deal with him myself. Once he is out of theway we are clear.’
‘What of Granite, your Holiness?’ askedShastritara.
‘He can do nothing. His Oath of Neutrality bindshim.’
‘What of the Lady, your Holiness?’ askedShastritara.
‘She will not interfere.’
Two wingedNewman-like creatures suddenly appeared and hovered nearby withexpressionless faces.
‘I have assigned two guards for you, Shastritara. They willwait on you day and night and protect you from all. They neversleep and are immune to most magic.’
‘I do not need these guards, your Holiness. My own people willprotect me.’
‘I think you need them, Shastritara therefore I have providedthem. You’re not ungrateful are you?’
‘Oh no your Holiness, thank you.’ she replied.
‘Good. Then we will await the happy outcome. Call me when myeggs are ready.’ And he left.
Shastritaracursed. She would have to fulfil her contract with the High Priest.Still one egg was better than none and there was a chance for manymore. She would soon be the titled the Greatest Heroine of theLittle People and it would be most pleasurable earning it.
***
Miranlla andRori arrived and Rori dashed off to talk to Kami. Miranlla saw Quaband moved over to him.
‘Hi Quab what’s happening?’ she asked.
‘Hello your Highness. It looks like everything is going toplan. They are intending to start the debate tomorrow at dawn. Theywill discuss their grievances all day until dark and then invitethe spirit guardians Loopis and Jacintra to attend. They will tellthe Spirit Guardians what they have decided and ask their opinions.If the Guardians agree then the Conference is over. If theGuardians don’t agree then they will debate it once moreconsidering the spirits advice and call the Guardians again thefollowing night. If the guardians disagree three times then theconference is considered over and they will go home.’
‘What if Aquitain or R’ptor show up?’ askedMiranlla.
‘That is what is causing all the excitement I think. Therecould be a fight between the spirits. I hope Aquitain knows whathe’s getting into if he comes.’ stated Quab.
‘Quab, I am representing Aquitain and I have turned up to tellyou that you must not fight,’ she said seriously.
‘Why?’ he asked.
‘The little people may have been fooled into believing theyneed to break the Pact of Renewal. If they do they may cause theTime of Chaos. We need to ensure the pact continues.’ shereplied.
‘They are also liars and have deceived Aquitain and me in themost terrible way.’
‘What did they do?’ he asked.
‘I cannot tell you but you can be sure that it is particularlyhorrible considering how much we have helped them. We cannot trustthem. You must not help them break the Pact.’ shereplied.
‘That may be difficult as they have offered us an alliance.They will open the temples and we can all live in them together.They are near invulnerable. With little people and druids togetherwe would be safe from the Yith or the Panmagicans.’
‘Oh by the Lady. I can guess why they might do that. You mustnot take up their offer. Please try and convince the king not toform an alliance with them.’ she pleaded.
‘I can’t understand you Miranlla. You and Aquitain virtuallycreated an alliance between us and them at the battle of the templewhere we helped save their children.’
‘It was a sham battle Quab. It was totally false. Even at thetime Aquitain said it was too easy. He suspected trickery.’ shereplied.
‘Well he made a hero out of himself at the battle. It will behard to convince anyone any differently and I would advise you notto try.’ he replied.
‘I have since discovered the little people have a hiddenagenda.’ she replied.
‘Well unless you’re prepared to make specific allegations andshow proof I don’t think the king is likely to listen. He’s moreconcerned about saving his people than worrying aboutspeculations.’ added Quab.
‘I thought that you were a friend Quab but you mock me and saythat my word is just speculation? When have you ever heard me sayanything but the truth? When did I lose your trust?’ sheasked.
‘Miranlla I believe you and trust you but I am not the king. Iwill advise him but I am telling you now don’t expect him tolisten. He is under a lot of stress. He has many things on his mindand so has Featherdown.’
‘Thank you Quab. I know that you will do your best.’ shereplied. ‘Is anyone else here?’
‘Yes your Granddad is here waiting for you in the blue stripedtent.’
‘Thanks Quab.’ And she headed for the tent and raced over toGranddad and hugged him.
‘I need to ask you some questions and if you care aboutAquitain you will give me truthful answers.’ Shereplied.
‘Of course!’ he said.
‘Why did you make the Mask of Chaos?’ she asked.
‘It seemed like a good idea at the time?’ he replied.’ But itwas stolen not long after I made it.’
‘That’s curious since it told Aquitain that every time it wasused it reported to you. So the first time it was used you wouldhave known exactly where it was. It was hardly stolen if you knewwhere to retrieve it.’ She replied.
‘What exactly are you suggesting?’ He said looking ratherannoyed.
‘You’ve been here a lot and know the land well. I’m suggestingthat you and Aquiveritus planned a series of quests to makeAquitain a hero. It may have started out innocent enough but itturned into something more sinister.’
Granddadblushed a little.
‘You’re correct to some extent. It all started whenAquiveritas suggested that Mudrun would be a good place to trainAquitain once he learnt how to shape change. Aquitain had spentmost of his life in the laboratory. We thought up a series ofquests to toughen him up and build up his confidence
