Emily looked abashed. Sabrina had the urge to slap her across the face.
“After we have won Oasi and have sent the city crumbling, with their leaders surrendering or dead, we will enter Colinth Mountain and unleash Oscurilina. I expect my army to keep watch over the city and keep order.”
Some of the men and creatures down the table nodded.
“Is Oscurilina a fairy?” Mia asked.
A sharp shiver stung Sabrina’s back while Ariah smirked from across the table. She didn’t understand why her two most devoted servants asked such stupid questions at the worst times.
Nayara, if annoyed, still answered patiently.
“Yes,” she said. “And she is so very old. Yet she happens to be the strongest being in the universe. An example of how old-age doesn’t mean one isn’t strong.”
Emily knew that she was being spoken to, even if it was indirectly.
Nayara looked around and then called to the last gnome at the end of the table, on Ariah’s side. “Moogert, fetch me the map.”
The gnome obliged and ran out of the room. The candles flickered and cracked loudly in the silence that followed while they waited for his return.
“Good,” the Queen said as he handed her the map which was about as tall as he was. The Queen stood from her chair, unrolled the map and spread it on the table.
“These black lines show the route that we will take,” the Queen explained. “When we arrive, we will give them a chance to surrender. They will not accept. This is the point at which we invade their city and take it by force. Once the city is ours, and their ruling governors are dead, we will rebuild our new one so that the world knows who is in charge.”
The map showed the entirety of Narque, though not nearly as detailed and exquisite as what Katie had drawn. Nayara was not aware of that map. Very few people were. The map the Queen had was impressively laid out as it was drawn only in black.
“After we have released Oscurilina, we will make our way across Narque. We will conquer cities as we go, but our main objective is to unbound Oscurilina completely so that we have her full power. The only question left standing is: who will accompany me while I set forth to free Oscurilina?”
The room went silent, more so than it had before when Moogert went to fetch the Queen her map. Sabrina was holding her breath.
“Sabrina,” the Queen said suddenly, almost making her jump. “I will need you to stay in Oasi and ensure we secure the city. You are heir to the throne and thus I must leave you in command.”
Sabrina hid her dismay as she thought the Queen was going to bring her along. “I expected that,” she replied, with dignity and pride. She let out her breath. “I couldn’t have wished for anything more than to do that.”
“Of course,” the Queen said. “Then who do you suggest to go with me?”
Sabrina looked around as if she were deciding who to choose, though she already had someone in mind.
“I think Emily should go with you,” Sabrina said.
“Why?”
“Because Emily has spied on Katie and the Dimes family for four years. She even faked her death so well that Katie believes nothing else.”
“For once that isn’t a bad idea,” Ariah spoke so suddenly this time Sabrina did jump a bit. He took notice but ignored it to keep his stature while speaking with the Queen. “Sabrina is right. Emily has proven to be useful and more than able to handle any task given, despite other reasons to believe otherwise.”
Sabrina was surprised at Ariah’s agreement but didn’t appreciate his blow on her servant.
“Correct,” Sabrina said. “Emily did exactly what I did back when I was set to spy on the Dimes family. I dare say that she even did it better than I.”
Nayara smiled and let out a small, honest chuckle. “You are correct, Sabrina, but yet still have so much to learn.”
Sabrina didn’t know what to say, so she gulped instead, immediately regretting it when she caught Ariah staring at her.
“Your offer is both intelligent and tempting, yet simultaneously fool-hearted and selfish,” the Queen replied. “I assure you that you shall miss no part of the awakening of Oscurilina.”
Sabrina stayed silent.
“Emily is to be at your side, along with Mia, and at your command,” Nayara stated. “The reasons for this should be obvious enough.”
“Of course,” Sabrina answered. “I should have suggested it myself.”
“No matter,” the Queen replied. “It shows your eagerness and loyalty. It also shows me that you aren’t ready to take the throne. Though I do not doubt your abilities.”
Sabrina nodded.
The Queen turned to Ariah and said, “Ariah will be joining me when I release Oscurilina. We leave in two days.” She now spoke to the whole room. “Be prepared.”
The Queen walked out of the room, though her powerful cold presence remained. Slowly, the others left the chamber. Sabrina held Mia and Emily back.
“Why were you both late?” she asked, annoyed. “You made me look bad.”
“Sorry, Sabrina,” Emily replied. “It was my fault. Mia had to remind me we were meeting.”
“I don’t think they made you look bad,” Ariah said, walking up to Sabrina. “You do that all by yourself. You don’t know it because of who you are.”
Sabrina tensed. Few people knew that she was the Queen’s daughter.
“Give us the room,” Sabrina ordered Emily and Mia. “And don’t be late when we leave.”
Emily and Mia nodded and quickly walked out.
“Is there a reason you insist on disrespecting me?”
Ariah shrugged. “Where would you get that idea?” He started walking towards the door.
Sabrina walked around the table. “I will not stand for it each time you
