The Top Secret Meeting
"Now that we're all here. Shall we take a seat and start this meeting?" Kygo calmly said.
"If everyone is ready, then I suggest that from here on out, your lips will be sealed and that everything that will be said in this room will remain with those who are in this room. This is to limit the number of people who know of our steps moving forward. Understood?" he continued, his expression unwavering as if not wanting an answer that says otherwise.
Everyone in the room nodded their agreement and took a seat. They were currently in the war room, and inside it was a big round table with chairs around it. Jago's presence as the children's acting guardian was also notable with the council and the kids.
"The other reason why I called you here besides Moi-" He caught himself midsentence, coughed, and then continued as if he did not almost utter Hurricane's true birth name.
"-Hurricane's summons is to tell you about the info we got from our trusted source. Zarino, care to tell us?" He said pertaining to the elven king.
Zarino stood up and cleared his throat before speaking, "Yes, according to my intelligence, ships have gathered near the naval borders of the Central Kingdom and are set to sail in all four vassal kingdoms. They found out that it was a direct order from the crowned queen to send her soldiers to us to force us to honor our oath and assist the Central Kingdom."
"So they want the food and supplies," Jago commented grimly.
Indeed it was a part of the oath that the vassal leaders took when they signed the pact to be a loyal country and ally to the Empire of Titania. They had to send assistance when the Central Kingdom is in need whether it be food, supplies, and weapons-applies vice versa. But ever since the vassal kingdoms refused to acknowledge the newly crowned queen, trade and contact between the vassal countries and the central kingdom have also been cut off.
The Central Kingdom would still have survived living without the aid from the vassal countries but since the rise of Queen Uriah, her rule has been run with greed, corruption, and debauchery. This must have angered the gods greatly for they were cursed with droughts and floods and other calamities that took thousands of lives.
The once-great Central Kingdom of Titania is now plagued with curses and deaths.
"The situation must be at its worst now for Uriah to send in her enforcements to scare us. That or she's planning something again. When will she ever learn? She can never really conquer us because we will always be steps ahead of her. After all, we knew her best." Kygo exasperatedly ranted-throwing a glance at Seraphina when he said the last part.
Seraphina flinched almost unnoticeably before replying,
"Well it wasn't always that way, remember?" She snapped a little annoyed.
"Ugh, that dratted woman could harbor a grudge. Well, the good news is, my resources also found out that Uriah is still sending her beasts to the other world. This must mean that she still doesn't know that the children are back in Titania. This could buy us time to prepare the kids for what might happen in the future." Zarino beamed a little proud of his little news.
"Uh, you meant Earth?" Aquamarine pointed out. This comment earned a glare from Jade and Mint. She could be clueless sometimes.
Zarino just smirked at her in reply. The elven king doesn't seem to mind her comment.
"You're right, but that wouldn't be for long. I'm pretty sure she has spies on our end that will tell her about their whereabouts soon. In the meantime, let's devise a plan on where we can hide the children once Uriah's fleet visits our lands as well as how we can make them go back to their wretched lands." Jago pointedly said.
A chorus of agreements was heard from the council.
Soon suggestions were raised and argued within the room-the eight mainly listening and only commenting when asked.
This was usually his kind of scene. Just plotting strategies make him thrive but today seemed to be different… it wasn't long for Cyclone to zone out and just stare at the room before him.
Maps and little colored armed soldiers, both humans and other folks with flags and chariots, littered the table like it was a big Risk board game that Cyclone usually played back home in Earth with Hurricane and his parents.
Parents… The word left a stinging pain in Cyclone's heart. It was nice to be a part of a complete family for once, even if it's only made up because of a spell. 'Now I'm an orphan once again…' he lamented internally.
It was their Saturday night's family tradition--although Hurri only joined grudgingly because of their mother's urging. That's how he became mad good at strategy games.
He let out a heavy sigh before turning his focus back to the ongoing conversation. He was mildly surprised to see his sister standing on the small raised podium before the table. They must have already concluded the first topic.
"I beg your pardon, your Majesty, what do you mean by appealing for a retrial?" Kygo asked, shocked by Hurricane's request.
Seraphina fanned herself in frustration. It seems that the true heir is turning delusional! How could she think of saving that dratted creature! He ruined her beloved home!!!
"Retrial? He deserves no such privilege!!!" Gunther seethed.
Since they expected this reaction from the council, the Blacksmith kids calmly remained in their seats and made no certain reaction.
This caused the four elders to be wary of them. An overwhelming feeling of dread overcame the council…
Emman would've loved to see his cousins evoke this reaction from the council. Jethro could almost imagine his kid cousin calling them cool for this. He secretly smiled at the thought.
"I agree," Hurricane said while glancing at the elders. She started to walk around for effect. Slowly,
Seraphina let out a start of a smile too soon.
Hurricane was quick to catch this. She then slyly continued speaking.
"However, after hearing the story of what happened from King Zarino… I thought about it, and I realized that you guys are lacked proper investigation on the matter and hastily made a conclusion. Did Garuba willingly commit the crime? Was he aware of the deed? I understand that grievances have been made, and…such grievances shall be repaid. This is why I'm asking for a retrial. This may be harder since years have passed since that unfortunate situation, but I believe that reopening an investigation might be giving us answers about the Beast Queen's plans in the future."
The council looked at each other. The true heir indeed got her point across. Reopening the case and conducting an investigation may give them the answers left unanswered in the past. And in doing so, they might get ahold of the best queen's plans, and at the same time, Hurricane and her cousins will be able to get what they want. It was like hitting multiple birds at once! What a way to have the council back down!
Jago looked at his master with pride. He might not have seen her for eight long years, but this child's growth was tremendous. For a moment there, he could see the late Emperor Hanson-Hurricane's father in her being. If he could only see her now, he would have been proud of her too. It's amazing how those eight years could change this lady so much. She might not have undergone management classes like she had to if those tragic killings and usurpation did not happen. But looking at her now handling this situation, she's indeed born to rule…it's in her blood. He thought silently.
"If it is what you say it is, then, who do you suggest conducting this investigation? We lost a good number of spies in the past just trying to sound them out." Zarino asked before anyone from the Council could voice their agreement. It was a chance for these kids to show if they could stand by their words. If they were the ones foretold to save the rest of Titania for Uriah, then they should at least be able to do this much, right?
Hurricane smirked at that. The Elven king just issued a challenge for them. Out of all the council, though a bit wary, he was the least hostile to Grub. But that doesn't mean he'll be on their side.
Looking at the exchange between their cousin and King Zarino piqued Jullian's interest. 'Hmm… this just got a lot more interesting,' she thought while slyly plotting to join in on their fun, of course not without looping her brother in on her plans.
Cyclone, who was just seated beside Jethro, saw Jullian slowly elbowing Jethro under the table. Jethro looked at Jullian with a smirk. Their eyes were shining with pure mischief.
'Shit.' He thought in a panic. They are doing the twin telepathy thing again! He sent an alarming glare at Jade, who sat across him, then gestured to the twin beside him with a look that screamed, 'Stop them!!!!'
"What!?" Jade whispered shouted to Cyclone. She stared at the twins in question and was about to comment when Hurri spoke.
"I will take care of--" Hurricane got cut off mid-sentence when Jullian piped in.
"We'll do it." She said confidently. Hurricane frowned at that. It was not part of the little 'agreement' they made before coming here, which was mainly to let Hurricane do the talking.
"What do you mean?" Jullian asked her cheeky cousin. If the twins were smiling like that, it just means they're up to no good.
"Did I stutter? Jethro and I will do the investigation. Right Jet?" Jullian replied while side glancing at her twin.
"Right." Jethro mimicked in agreement.
Hurricane wanted to slap herself in frustration. It seems that Jullian's calm days are done now and as usual, she's dragging Jethro in her plans which makes this twice a headache than it's supposed to be.
"I-I can't possibly agree to this. If you so conveniently forgot, the Beast Queen is still out for our heads right at this moment. I can't have you guys jeopardizing yours and the rest of the eight's hides! This idea is preposterous!" Hurricane thundered.
This doesn't seem to faze Jullian even for a bit because instead of cowering, she smiled coyly as if challenging her cousin.
"Come on Hurri, 8 years have passed since she last saw us. I'm pretty sure she doesn't remember any of our faces anymore and neither does her hounds. Plus, King Zarino said it himself that she still has no idea that we are back in Titania. So why don't you give this chance to Jet and me to prove ourselves? I mean, we make one hell of a good duo of trackers and spies right? You and Cyclone know that better than anyone." She replied suggestively.
Cyclone who was also listening in to the exchange stood up with an incredulous expression plastered on his face.
"That-That is so wrong on so many levels!!!" He all but shouted in disbelief.
"Why the hell do you say so?" Jet countered.
This shocked and intrigued almost everyone in the room. It seems as if the temperature just rose a hundred degrees with how heated their ongoing encounter is.
"Is there anything we need to know about?" It was Jade who asked in confusion.
"Yes. Yes, you do." Hurricane replied with a grim expression.
Author's note:
And that's Chapter 19 folks!
oooh, what do you think happened in the past to make Hurricane and Cyclone get all riled up with Jullian and Jethro doing the investigation? are you excited for a throwback? I'll drop hints on @grubisthebest IG account so give me a follow. Also, let me know what you think will happen? Will Jullian and Jethro succeed in convincing Hurricane and the council about doing the investigation?