Beyond - Legends The Winds of Erilnar (AU, OC)

And there's more to come!

...as soon as we write it.

 

Tund
Private Quarters of Rafe Heraat

"The Queen has gone too far this time," Lord Frohm cursed as he rapidly disembarked his shuttle and made his way to the rendezouvs point all the while escorted by soldiers of the Tund legions.

"We must tread carefully," Lord Waalsing, who had accompanied Frohm, cautioned, "her informants are everywhere. If the Queen catches word-"

Lord Frohm halted in his steps as he entered the conference room. "Why? What is the point? What can sh really do? The Queen no longer cares about the Centran nobles. We, the nobles, who helped her ascend to power are now cast aside for her relationships with the Hapans, the Tion Hegemony, the Corporate Sector, and even the Republic. What about us?"

"What about you?" A voice called out from the shadows of the meeting room.

Lord Frohm squinted in the low light of the conference room and took a step back as Rafe Heraat, the Queen's brother, and his wife Isabella, emerged from the shadows. An armed escort surrounded them. He didn't recognize their affiliation. They didn't wear uniforms belonging to the Centran military.

"We agreed there would be no weapons," Lord Frohm said as he gave his daughter, Isabella, a reassuring look.

"I changed the rules," Rafe replied, "once I found out you were bringing him."

The being that Rafe was referring to was Lord Waalsing whose loyalty to the Queen ran deep. But not deep enough to refuse an invitation to a secret meeting about the future of the Centrality. Waalsing had a history of attending meetings fully armed. Too many attempts on his life had made him wary for his own personal security.

"He's nothing to be concerned about," Lord Frohm said shrugging away Rafe Heraat's concerns.

"You think I meant Waalsing?" Rafe chuckled. He shook his head. "I meant him."

Rafe motioned to a security guard near Lord Frohm and Lord Waalsing.

Sean Vehn decided now was the time to reveal his presence. Dressed in the fatigues of the armed escort that surrounded Rafe Heraat, emerged from behind Lords Frohm and Waalsing. He carried with him his personal blaster rifle. He widened his stance as attention in the room turned to him. He was either going to be accepted as a friend or shot as an enemy.

"I've never met this man in my life," Lord Frohm said.

"We know him," one member of the escort surrounding Rafe Heraat stated, "his name is Sean Vehn. He was a Phantom. He's legit. He's clear. We served with him on Trian years ago."

"A Phantom?" Rafe asked, "I thought they were destroyed."

"Not destroyed. Most of us were disbanded," Sean said deciding now was the time to clear the air, "a few of us went dark. Some of us have learned to work for the highest bidder which is why I'm here. Lord Frohm needed extra security and I was aware that a few of my friends were offering protection for you and your wife."

"Well then let us continue our meeting in a safer location," Rafe replied as he guided everyone deeper into the complex.

Sean hung back a second and fired off a single word on a burner datapad.

The word was: entrenched.

Tag: @jcgoble3; @Trieste

 

Druckenwell
II Avali

Nadine rifled through Eleanor Vehn's desk at the headquarters of Vehn Industries while Fenix Tano provided lookout. The pair had spent weeks tracking down the parent company of the manufacturer of open wheeled tires for racing. The defective tires that had killed a few other racers on the circuit and were now being examined for quality control after the fact. Racers that had been good friends of Nadine's. Beings she'd trained with, laughed with, and shared important moments about racing and all that it entailed.

The pair had broken into Vehn Industries using Fenix Tano's criminal skills. They'd given the slip past security and now found themselves in the driver's seat of the most powerful woman on Druckenwell. A woman who did not easily give up information as Fenix had the fortune of finding out.

"Not finding a single thing," Nadine whispered to Fenix.

"Keep looking," Fenix replied.

"I'm afraid you won't find much of interest there," Eleanor Vehn said as she casually strode into her office, "don't bother me with introductions. We have the technology now to run facial scans on the two of you and believe me I know more about you than I wish I did a few minutes ago."

Nadine froze.

Fenix slowly reached for his holdout blaster.

"Please, no weapons," Eleanor said as she sat down at her desk, "I just had the walls painted. Now I imagine you're here regarding the faulty open wheel tires. Tires that have caused an uptick in accidents for open wheeled racing. I want you to know I've personally put an end to the manufacturer. Vehn Industries is handling production now. You won't have any more issues. I promise. I am switching things up and I want you to champion the new brand, Nadine."

"Me?" Nadine asked.

"I'm a big fan of open wheeled racers," Eleanor admitted, "and I'm always on the lookout for way to promote my brand. New talent, young up and coming racers, and I feel that you have a lot of potential to be great."

"I don't know what to say," Nadine said.

"You can thank me later," Eleanor replied, "you two are more than welcome to stay for awhile before you head back to the Centrality. There's plenty of things to do on Druckenwell," Eleanor said, "oh and Fenix before you leave we need to speak."

"We have nothing to talk about," Fenix said already disgruntled about the job not turning out the way he expected.

"I think we do," Eleanor replied.

---

Erilnar

"We've reviewed our agreement with the Hapans," Queen Carley said as she addressed the Centran Royal Council, "and we must say that it is a strong and solid arrangement. Yes, concessions were made in areas that could have made our position stronger. We are confident, however, that the agreement strengthens the Centrality, makes our government legitimate in the eyes of the galaxy, and benefits Hapes to a required extent. We have been informed by the Foreign Ministry that a location has been selected for the formal signing in a few weeks. Moving on to new-"

Lord Erik Frohm stirred in his seat and coughed ever so slightly.

"Something to say, my lord?" Queen Carley asked.

"If I may speak freely?" Lord Frohm asked.

Queen Carley nodded her head.

"Our deal with the Hapans hardly benefits the Centrality, " Lord Frohm began, "and instead places us, once again, on an unequal footing with the most powerful monarchy in the galaxy. We should have argued for more concessions from them. I am not the only one in this room who feels that our loyal Centran nobility has been cast aside for favor with Hapes."

"Anyone else feel this way?" Queen Carley challenged the room.

Not a single response was given. Queen Carley returned her challenging gaze to Lord Frohm who did not shirk at the intensity of the moment.

"You feel that the Centran nobility has been wronged. That their sacrifices during the Great War have been forgotten by me," Queen Carley replied dropping the formal way of referring to her monarchy, "and somehow I am forgetting who placed me in power. These same nobles who joined the likes of Master Tel Adain or the late governor of Renatasia?"

"I feel that the Centran nobility is being overlooked," Lord Frohm replied, "and that we have long paid our dues. Promises that were made during the war have been unfulfilled. The Tund legions are a shell of their former selves. They grow old and yet do not retire. Infrastructure and rebuilding funds have gone missing on Tund. It is the nobles, the Centran nobles, who have propped up the local government. A-"

"My brother, Rafe Heraat, is in charge of helping allocate those funds to those in need. If projects are stalling, if money is not getting to where it needs to be, then this is a matter I need to look into further," Queen Carley replied.

"Your majesty," Lord Frohm said clearing his throat, "if I may be so bold as to suggest that your brother is not acting in the best interests of the crown. I imagine this information does not come as a total surprise."

A loud murmur shot through the room. Looks were exchanged.

"Lord Frohm and I will speak in private," Queen Carley stated to the room as it quickly vacated.

When the room was empty Queen Carley took a seat and motioned for Lord Frohm to continue.

"Have you any evidence for your accusations?" Queen Carley asked.

"I do," Lord Frohm replied, "and I have Lord Waalsing to back me up. The two of us attended a meeting with Rafe Heraat and his wife, Isabella, just a week ago. There we were made privy to plans to overthrow your reign. It seems Rafe Heraat's primary goal is to rule the monarchy until his own issue can assume the throne."

"You did well to tell me," Queen Carley said as she gave a wave of her hand, "now leave."

Lord Frohm bowed and left the room.

"Thoughts?" Queen Carley asked Lady Catriona Khomri who emerged from the shadows.

"For starters if Rafe were plotting against you he would never do so openly. He would certainly never invite Lord Waalsing and Lord Frohm, whom everyone knows is close to you, to a clandestine meeting," Lady Khomri pointed out, "however in this case maybe that is what exactly happened. Rafe doesn't fear you the way the others may. To him Lord Frohm and Lord Waalsing are collateral damage in any push against your rule."

"Lord Frohm is forming a coalition against me," Queen Carley observed, "a coalition of Centran nobles who all want me gone. They dislike me because I do not champion their cause and because I will not return the Centrality to the old ways. The ways that got us into the Great War."

"You have a plan," Lady Khomri said.

"Yes," Queen Carley replied, "and so it begins."

Tag: @jcgoble3; @Trieste

 

But it's never the tire manufacturer's fault. I'd forgotten that Eleanor had relocated to Druckenwell. That puts her on the same world as her Ypres-Trieste cousins...

Sounds like Vehn and I have some work to do together.

 

LOL! That's literally the first thing I thought of when the open-wheel tires issue came back up in this post.

 

At least later events meant it didn't affect the World Championship standings...unlike recent events.

Are we sure @Vehn isn't writing real life too these days?

 

Tund

"The time to strike grows," Rafe Heraat said to his wife, Isabella, "and the Centralit needs male leadership more than ever."

"The Queen is weak," Isabella replied, "but tell me my lord will you go to war or will you find another way to take what is rightfully yours?"

"I have a plan in motion," Rafe admitted, "one that will strike a fierce blow to Carley Heraat and her husband. When they are dead I shall step in with the Tund legions at my command and take what is rightfully mine. I'll dispatch Lord Frohm and Lord Waalsing for they have served their usefulness and anyone else who stands in my way."

"When will we see the results of this plan?" Isabella inquired.

"Very soon," Rafe replied as he studied a holographic map of the Centrality, "Very soon. Already my knife stands at the ready to slash in the dark."

---

Erilnar

Sean Vehn was used to infiltrating difficult places. His time as an operator had trained him for nearly every situation imagineable. There was nothing he hadn't seen in the field nor trained for that had escaped his rabid attention to detail or photographic memory. Tonight's mission was like the thousands before. The old routines returned hard.

He quietly slipped into the queen's chambers, weapon drawn, and made his way to the bed. It was night on Erilnar and only the moon shone through the curtains of the nearby windows. He raised his weapon as he gazed through his infrared goggles at the targets sleeping in the bed.

The lights to the chamber quickly came on and Sean ripped off his goggles. He whipped to his right, weapon at the ready, as a familiar face entered the room.

"Hello, Sean," Jack said emerging from a nearby doorway.

Sean looked down at the bed and watched to his dismay as two ladies in waiting to the queen emerged from the bed. He looked back to Jack and lowered his weapon. He knew when the game was up.

"Hello, Jack." Sean replied.

The two former soldiers studied one another closely. There would be no blood spilled between them today. They were beyond that now. There would be answers given and truths heard.

"Why are you here?" Jack asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Sean replied.

"You were five minutes too late. We move Queen Carley regularly," Jack pointed out, "and I never figured you for an assassin."

"I never wanted to be one," Sean replied, "but there is an axe over my head if I do not go through with my mission."

"Who hired you?" Jack asked.

"Before I say who hired me I must know if you'll offer me protection," Sean said, "please Jack think of my family."

"It is not my place to give it," Jack replied, "but based on your reaction I have a good idea who hired you."

"Then you know what she is capable of," Sean said, "and she will know that failure came from my hand alone."

"I might have a way out of your problem," Jack replied, "but you're going to want to sit down and talk to me like the old friend I am."

Tag: @jcgoble3; @Trieste

 

I've suddenly realized that in the Federation and Centrality bedrooms and offices are dangerous places for powerful beings. I think I'd better stay in a motel the next time I visit.

 

Sean and Jack back together, but will anything good or at least useful come of it?

That's technically a bedroom...

 

Yeah, but somehow that feels safer than a palace on Erlinar.

 

​

​

Erilnar Throne Room
Royal Palace
Centrality

"Loyal subjects of the realm," Queen Carley Heraat stated in a gathering of nobles who had sworn fealty to her cause, "it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that traitors are amongst us. My informants have told me of a plot to overthrow my rule, to destroy our recent gains in our agreement with the Hapans, and to reverse policies that have advanced the middle class and the rights of women everywhere."

Murmurs erupted in the chamber.

Queen Carley looked over at Sean Vehn who stood next to Jack. She gave him a small nod of respect. He had told her everything. Everything he knew. Everything about the plot against her. All the names. All the locations. The details. All that he had overheard as a personal guard to Rafe.

"Fear not," Queen Carley explained, "for I have sent my most loyal agents to arrest those who would oppose my rule and undermine all that we have accomplished. There is no place they can hide where I shall not find them. There is no place that their treachery can be undone nor go unpunished...."

---

Renatasia

Lord Terrence Waalsing quietly supervised his estate workers who were busy tilling the arable land near the gubernatorial estates. He loved the quiet beauty of his estates and listening to the morning birds sing their songs of peace and tranquility in the early dawn light. It was here that many of his greatest ideas had been developed, nurtured, and then released to the court. A new sound brought his attention to the long country road leading up to the mansion. The sound of speeders and armor, dust and determination.

The Queen's Guard.

"My lord," an aide whispered sounding frightened, "agents of the queen. They've come for you. You must run. You must go, now!"

Waalsing's heart sank and he realized how guilty he would look if he tried to flee. He knew he wasn't directly complicit in the plots of others but he had been a part of them nevertheless. He only hoped that he could give his confessions without being under the duress of torture. He had heard about how the Centran prisons operated and shuddered at the thought of the horrors that lay waiting for him in their dark and vile dungeons.

"No," Waalsing replied as the Queen's Guard enveloped him, "there is no running away from what I have done."

---

Erilnar

"My reign has not been an easy one. In fact it has been one filled with unprecedented challenges," Queen Carley continued.

"From my earliest days as your leader we have overcome many trials and tribulations. From the assassinations of my blood relatives Rayna and Taaya Heraat. To the treachery of General Traask of the Western Centrality. To the meddling of our internal affairs by the Roon Federation. To the final peace and unification of the Centrality and my coronation as Queen of Erilnar and of the united Centrality. To the defeat of Master Tel Adain and the Tund legions on the fields of Dilonexa.." Queen Carley paused for effect while her audience listened.

---

Tund Outskirts

Lord Erik Frohm gave his wife a quick kiss on the cheek and slipped into the drivers seat. He was late for a meeting with Rafe Heraat. It wasn't like him to be late to meetings. He was always a prompt man. Prided himself on his attention to every detail. Today, however, was starting off poorly.

He waved goodbye to his wife as he stepped on the throttle. A quick turn to the right and he was leaving his villa behind. He never made it to the end of the country road as a convoy of armored speeders quickly surrounded his forcing him to stop in his tracks. He threw up his hands in frustration as the Queen's Guards dismounted.

"You're stopping a lord of the realm on official business," Lord Frohm protested.

"The only official business here is that which is determined by our great Queen Carley Heraat," Centurion Aiden Khairn said with a snarl as he approached Lord Frohm with energy cuffs in hand, "and that business labels you as a traitor to the realm."

"Impossible," Lord Frohm challenged, "I've done nothing wrong. Nothing at all!"

"We'll see about that," Centurion Khairn replied as he slipped the energy cuffs over Frohm's wrists.

---

Erilnar

"Today I stand before you as your queen," Queen Carley said, "asking you, my people, to truly see that I make these decisions not out of a desire to see more death and destruction but a desire to see true and lasting peace. It is that desire that prompted me to sign a treaty with the Hapes Consortium, the Tion Hegemony, the Corporate Sector Authority, and one day, the Republic."

"Today," Queen Carley paused ever so slightly as she examined the packed chambers before her, "I face my greatest challenge yet. Rafe Heraat, has chosen to challenge my reign. My legitimacy. Your sovereign lord. He will not succeed. He cannot succeed for if he ascends to the throne, my lords and ladies, he shall undo all that we have accomplished."

"Let it be known for all who are present that my mother, Taaya Heraat, had no son. Rafe Heraat is a pretender to the throne. He is no blood relation of mine and has no legitimate claim to the ancient throne of Erilnar," Queen Carley stated as her eyes scanned the room daring anyone to challenge her.

---

Tund
Inner City
One Hour After Apprehending Lord Erik Frohm

"My lord, run! They've found us!" Cried out a guard of the Tund legions shortly before a blaster bolt ended his life.

Lord Rafe Heraat quickly gathered his personal possessions and fled with his entourage of guards deeper into the city. He did not hesitate, he did not slow down, until he had successfully made it aboard a shuttle destined to take him off world.

The Queen's Guard, meeting fierce resistance from those soldiers loyal to Rafe, were slowed and unable to pursue. Violent blows were exchanged as the Queen's Guard pushed deeper into the city. They hadn't prepared for the kind of resistance that faced them now.

Alarms went up throughout the city as the Tund legions struggled to mobilize. Confusion reigned throughout as orders came down from Centran Royal Command to stand down. A few soldiers resisted the Queen's Guard but most did not put up a fight. They were unwilling to risk the few gains they'd achieved under Queen Carley Heraat for a man they had known for a short period of time.

Centurion Aiden Khairn entered the chambers where Rafe had once planned his coup and was pleased to find the weeping form of Rafe's wife, Isabella Frohm, collapsed in tears on the makeshift throne. The sounds of battle raged all around him as he knelt beside her and took off his helmet so that her eyes could look upon his face.

"What is to become of me?" Isabella asked trembling from shock and fear.

"You are to come under custody of the Queen's Guard," Centurion Aiden Khairn explained, "and then you shall be questioned and tried for treason."

"But I have done nothing wrong! I've done nothing wrong!" Isabella screamed.

"That is not for me to determine," Centurion Khairn replied, "but a jury of your peers shall decide your fate."

Isabella cried out and buried her hands in her face. Everything she'd worked for had crumbled in a matter of minutes. All of her hopes. All of her dreams. They were gone. Now she faced the terrible realization of treason and the punishment that potentially such a claim against her would entail.

---

Erilnar

"I will not stand aside and watch our great Centrality be torn asunder by the blind passions of a group of traitors!" Queen Carley Heraat declared, "For I have always had your best interests at heart, my lords and ladies, and I ask you now to trust me. More than you have ever trusted me before. We are not through these challenging times yet. Lean on me, follow me, believe in me, and I shall bring you the peace and security that you desire!"

"Long Live The Queen!" Erupted one lord.

"The Queen!" Erupted the entire chamber.

"The Queen!"

Tag: @jcgoble3; @Trieste

 

Long live the Queen indeed.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

 

​

Erilnar

"The verdicts are in," Lady Catriona Khomri said as she presented the information to Queen Carley, "and the results are guilty across the board."

"The death penalty," Queen Carley replied knowing the punishment for high treason against the crown, "somehow I knew it would come to this."

Lady Khomri quietly nodded and did not say a word.

Centurion Khairn who had led the arrest of most of the conspirators cleared his throat and quietly said, "A word, Your Majesty?"

"Go on," Queen Carley replied as she reviewed the information before her.

"The Tund legions continue to show questionable loyalty to the crown. I lost several men trying to apprehend Rafe Heraat who I remind you is still at large. He could, in theory, mobilize an army to march against Erilnar. What are you going to do about them? They supported Master Tel Adain once and are clearly easily swayed by a strong leader."

"They must not view me as strong if they continue to side with the opposition," Queen Carley replied, "and that concerns me. I'm afraid my measures in the rising with Master Tel Adain were not strong enough. I had thought by reorganizing the Tund legions enough of the rebellious officers and men would have been dispersed. Apparently I was wrong."

"There is one solution," Centurion Khairn offered, "it's a little extreme but these are extreme times."

"Continue," Queen Carley replied.

"Strike the legions from existence. Disband the armies and dismantle any connection Tund has to the military. The Royal Army is strong but it needs to be based on Erilnar. Not on Tund. The Tund legions were built for a different time. A different war. The Great War is over and now is the time to enact sweeping military reform. If you must offer an incentivized retirement package to the veterans to get them to remain at peace then so be it. You don't need them any longer," Centurion Khairn suggested.

"A good plan," Queen Carley replied, "I shall issue a royal edict immediately. See to it at once."

"My Queen," Centurion Khairn saluted before leaving the room.

A heavy silence descended on the chambers.

"Your Majesty," Lady Khomri gently said, "what of the others?"

Queen Carley lowered her head and closed her eyes. Lord Waalsing and Lord Frohm had been with her since her earliest days as queen. Now they were found guilty by a jury of their peers for the crime of high treason. She did not wish to sign their death warrants hastily. Not without considering all of the facts of the situation.

"I need time," Queen Carley replied.

"We don't have time. They have been found guilty of high treason," Lady Khomri replied, "and you know as well as I do that justice must be served. It is the Centran law as has been handed down for generations. You must sign the death warrant."

"I am the Centrality," Queen Carley snapped in frustration.

"You are not above the law," Lady Khomri calmly replied, "and if you want to keep the remaining Centran nobles in line you will use their deaths to set an example of the consequences of treason."

"Leave me," Queen Carley said with a wave of her hand, "I will let you know my decision shortly."

"As you command," Lady Khomri replied.

---

The White Tower
Erilnar

Isabella Frohm could hardly eat. She felt sick to her stomach as she sat alone in the dark and slightly damp cell. She had been interrogated by the Queen's Guard and threatened with torture if she did not confess her complicity in the plot to overthrow Queen Carley Heraat's monarchy. A tour of the torture chamber pushed her into confession without a blow ever landing upon her body.

She told the Queen's Guard everything she knew about Rafe Heraat and his conspiracy. Everything. Even details about how they had met and what had inspired their union. She was aware the information was being presented before the queen. Now she could only hope that the queen would show mercy upon her and spare her the fate that awaited everyone implicated in the plot.

Isabella heard a noise outside her cell door window. She peered out through the narrow opening and cried out in shock as her father, Lord Erik Frohm, was dragged from his cell by two guards. Father and daughter briefly locked eyes with one another before he disappeared around a corner.When Isabella saw her father return to his cell hours later he was barely recognizeable from the interrogation and torture he had endured.

It was in that moment that Isabella Frohm resigned herself to her fate.

---

Erilnar
Hours Later

"Have you reached a decision?" Lady Khomri asked.

"I have," Queen Carley stated as she stood and walked to a nearby window. She folded her arms across her chest and quietly examined the comings and goings from her castle.

"And?" Lady Khomri pressed.

"Lord Waalsing is to be fully pardoned. He was dragged along into the conspiracy and played no active role in undermining my reign," Queen Carley, "besides I have uses for him that go beyond treachery."

"And the others?" Lady Khomri inquired.

"Lord Erik Frohm and Lady Isabella Frohm shall be executed for high treason. For them I can offer no mercy, no clemency, for they willingly sought to end my reign," Queen Carley replied, "here are my signatures authorizing the death warrants. Their deaths will send a message to Rafe that I mean business."

Lady Khomri gently scooped them into her hands with a knowing smile.

"Anything else, Your Majesty?" Lady Khomri asked.

"No, that's all for now," Queen Carley replied, "let the people know. They will want to attend. Everyone loves a good hanging."

"As you wish, Your Majesty," Lady Khomri replied.

Tag: @Trieste; @jcgoble3

 

If the Frohms die, which of their children succeed them? Asking for a friend (named Morningstar).

 

The two younger sisters who married into the Morningstar family. Isabella is actually the oldest sister of the three siblings who are all daughters of Erik Frohm

 

​

Erilnar
White Tower

"My lady," a Royal Guard stated, "it is time."

Lady Isabella Frohm stood, shakily, on her legs as she finished her morning prayers. The hour of her execution drew near. No amount of fighting or resisting what was to come could stop the inevitable now. She had resigned herself to her fate. She only prayed that her passing would be quick and merciful.

She was escorted, carefully, by the Royal Guards out of the tower. The skies were overcast and threatened to rain adding to the overall sense of gloom and despair that would have taken the hearts of lesser nobles. She saw that a cordon of Royal Guards was holding back a crowd that seemed eager to witness the day's events. A crowd that contained not only Centran nobles but members of the rising aristocracy, women, and even young teenagers of both genders.

Isabella looked up at the scaffolding that had been erected for the coming execution. Masked men stood atop the scaffolding awaiting to carry out their official duties. She was surprised to see that the scaffolding did not contain gallows and a noose. She was slightly confused and turned to the nearest guard and asked, "Am I not to hang today?"

"The Queen determined that your death shall be swift and relatively painless," the Royal Guard replied and gave a look as if to say that was all he was at liberty to discuss.

"I see," Lady Isabella Frohm replied and happened to glance behind her as her father was brought out under his own escort.

"Father," Lady Isabella called out.

"Isabella!" Lord Frohm replied.

---

Royal Chambers

"The executions are about to begin," Lady Catriona Khomri said, "and you have two visitors who wish to speak with you."

"No visitors now," Queen Carley replied.

"I think you may wish to see them," Lady Khomri insisted, "the daughters Morningstar."

"No doubt here to plead for their father and sister's lives," Queen Carley replied.

"Perhaps," Lady Khomri said, "shall I see them in?"

"Bring them here," Queen Carley said.

Lady Anna Morningstar and Lady Sophia Morningstar, daughters to Lord Erik Frohm and sister to Isabella, curtseyed quickly before Queen Carley then rushed to speak.

"Your Majesty on behalf of my family I ask that you spare the lives of my sister and father," Sophia blurted out, "whatever they have done wrong surely it does not warrant the death penalty! I swear to you if you let them live they will trouble you on longer. Surely you are a monarch with mercy in your heart!"

"Your Majesty-" Anna began before being silenced by a wave of Queen Carley's hand.

"Mercy?" Queen Carley replied, "Mercy you ask for so that your wretched family may continue to challenge my rule and turn the Centran nobles against my reign? Where was mercy when your father and sister conspired to overthrow me and kill my family? No, my ladies, I have no mercy for traitors who would rise up against peace, security, and justice. Against me!"

Silence reigned in the room.

"If it pleases your pathetic ears I did have the death sentence modified," Queen Carley announced softening her tone, "from hanging to beheading. Read into that what you will. Come close, you two, and stand here to watch your father and sister meet their ends. Do not close your eyes, do not turn away, for if you do I shall make sure that you join them."

---

The Courtyard

"Hands off me!" Lady Isabella Frohm roared at the Royal Guards who stood near her, "I shall walk to my death under my own power."

Lady Isabella Frohm placed one foot in front of the other as she ascended the scaffold steps. She noticed the unruly crowd had quieted as she drew near the executioner. Her eyes scanned the crowd looking for friendly faces before they glanced upward toward the nearby castle towers. There, on the royal balcony overlooking the courtyard, she saw Queen Carley Heraat and her two younger sisters. She wanted to cry out to them. To reassure them. To tell them everything was going to be just fine but her voice failed her.

"Forgive me, my lady," the executioner whispered as he knelt before her.

"There is nothing to forgive," Lady Isabella Frohm replied in a low tone as she helped the executioner to his feet, "I alone made the decision to betray my queen. I alone shall suffer the consequences."

Lady Isabella Frohm stood before the block and stared out at the crowd.

"I stand before you a fallen noble. A lady disgraced. Do not blame our dear queen. She acts in accordance with Centran law. Know that today I die with a clear conscience. I only ever wished to bring about a radical change to the Centrality that the Centrality was not ready for. Do not weep for my death but mourn the death of what I represent. Though I die a traitor may I say with all honesty one thing: Long Live the Queen!"

She knelt before the scaffold and placed her head upon the block. As she closed her eyes she saw the quick blur of a vibroaxe whisking through the air. Darkness engulfed her as the executioner did his job swiftly and well.

The end had come.

---

Later that evening...

"What is my schedule for tomorrow?" Queen Carley asked having grown weary over the day's events.

Killing people, subjects, traitors, was simply not something she was proud to do. The law directed she do it and an example had to be set. There was no leniency to be had even though she had changed the type of death to something a bit more swift.

"Lord Waalsing's execution," Lady Khomri reminded Queen Carley.

Queen Carley sighed and buried her face in her hands.

"Your Majesty?" Lady Khomri asked.

"No more executions," Queen Carley replied, "there's been enough death. The message has been sent. The pretender Rafe Heraat knows that I mean business now that Lord Frohm and his daughter Isabella are dead. Any Frohm sympathizers abroad will know not to test my rule. Enough is enough."

"As you wish," Lady Khomri replied and departed.

Queen Carley Heraat looked at herself in a full length mirror. She looked different now. No longer the same youthful monarch that had won a war and united her people. She was now something else entirely different.

A keeper of the peace.

Peace at any cost.

Tag: @Trieste; @jcgoble3

 

Carley is a smart and wise ruler to know when executions of her enemies are necessary and when they are no longer necessary. That she does not rejoice in them, but does them anyway when necessary and only when necessary, suggests that she will be a just and fair monarch. Long Live the Queen!

 

She's pretty confident she's got the Frohms under control now. I'm not so sure myself...

 

​

Erilnar
The White Tower

Waalsing glanced up from his quiet reverie as his cell door opened. He'd long ago resigned himself to his fate which most certainly was his death. The cell block had grown quieter since Lady Isabella Frohm and her father Lord Erik Frohm had been taken to meet the Maker. He knew, deep down, that it was his turn to face death and his time was at hand.

"Mr. Waalsing," a captain of the Royal Guard said, "are you ready?"

"I am ready," Waalsing replied.

The captain stepped aside and stated, "You are free to go."

"What?" Waalsing asked.

"The queen has seen to it that your sentence is commuted. You may return home to your lands but your titles have been stripped from your name until further review. For now you should be thankful to have your life," the captain said.

Waalsing hurried out of his cell and disappeared into the dawn.

Today he had been blessed with his life.

---

Queen's Chambers
Conference Table
Erilnar

"You're probably wondering why I brought you here," Queen Carley said as she addressed her husband Jack Vehn, Sean Vehn, Gryffyn Karr, Lilly Vehn, Fenix Tano, and Nadine Noor. The pair had only recently arrived back from Druckenwell.

"Your Majesty," Fenix said interjecting, "before we begin I must state one very important thing to you. Nadine and I were met in Druckenwell at Vehn Industry headquarters by Eleanor Vehn. She insisted on surprising us. We were caught off guard. She promised us rewards, money, gifts, if we did one thing for her."

"I think I know what she was asking," Sean Vehn piped up, "for it is the same reason that I was hired as well."

"She wants me killed," Queen Carley replied.

Fenix nodded. Nadine had tears in her eyes.

"I suspected as much," Queen Carley said as she made her way around the conference table, "and that is precisely why I have gathered you all here today. I have known for some time that Eleanor Vehn has it out for me. Ever since I defeated the Federation backed forces in the Great Centran War. All of you have been directly effected by her rule. Her choices. Her decisions."

Carley paused as she examined those present in the room.

"It is my goal to right the wrongs that she has committed. To balance the great power of the Federation with a stable realm in the independent systems. That is why I have worked so hard to build a network of allies or at the very least economic partners. The Hapans, the Tion Hegemony, the Hutts, the Corporate Sector Authority, membership in the D13, and preliminary contacts with the Republic," Queen Carley explained, "and it has been my goal since the very beginning to prevent foreign powers abusing the Centrality the way they used to do during my mother's time. During the Great War."

"What do you need us for, Your Grace?" Sean Vehn asked.

"Leverage," Queen Carley replied, "and perhaps revenge. For starters, Gryffyn Karr, you were ousted from your family's company by Eleanor. Now your company is gone. Destroyed. Sean, Jack and Fenix know what trials and tribulations they faced while serving with the Phantoms under Federation purview. A unit that did some great deeds but also some things that shall never be able to be spoken about because of their illegality in the face of interplanetary law. Lilly, you of all people know that I hold you in the highest regard for the way that you stood up to the Federation and for your brother, Gryffyn. Nar Shaddaa has been kept under the thumb of the Federation for too long and I stand here whole heartedly ready to support Nar Shaddaa in their newfound relationship with the Hutt clans. Nadine, even you fell under the manipulations of a power hungry rival of mine. All of you stand to gain from Eleanor Vehn's downfall."

"If it is war with the Federation I'm afraid you will lose," Jack said.

Queen Carley shook her head, "Not war, dear friends. No more wars. The weapon I have will be fired without a single loss of life. This is a weapon that will destroy Eleanor Vehn in a way that will be total and complete."

"What weapon?" Lilly questioned.

Queen Carley held up a lone datapad.

"A datapad?" Nadine asked.

"Not just a datapad," Queen Carley said, "but the truth about how the Federation military, under the direction of Eleanor Vehn, hacked into the Corporate Sector Authority following the conclusion of our Great War. Right after the Federation and CSA signed their peace treaty. The virus that was installed has been siphoning off small amounts of credits from the CSA coffers every day and funneling into secret Federation bank accounts on Druckenwell. It was Eleanor's way of weakening a very dangerous enemy."

"If I might add," Jack interjected, "I spoke with the ExO of the Corporate Sector and it was confirmed that small amounts of money were leaving Bonadan. They could never figure out how or why but it left their accountants absolutely baffled and confused. You can imagine if this information were to get out how damaging it would be to the Federation."

"Suddenly everything becomes so clear," Gryffyn Karr said as he collapsed into a nearby seat, "everything."

"What do we do next?" Lilly Vehn asked.

Queen Carley smiled ever so slightly and replied, "We strike first. We finish something that should have been finished a long time ago."

Tag: @jcgoble3; @Trieste

 

Druckenwell
Vehn Industries HQ

"Grace," Eleanor said as she finished reviewing a few files on her computer, "you're early. We weren't supposed to meet for another half hour."

"This can't wait," Grace tersely replied.

"Oh?"

"Don't play dumb with me, mother. I want to know where you've sent Sean," Grace said getting straight to the point.

"Oh," Eleanor quietly replied, "he had to do some family business for me."

"Business in the Centrality?" Grace pushed.

"You already know the answer to that question," Eleanor said, "and I'm not sure I like your tone."

"Recall him at once!" Grace said raising her voice.

"He is quite safe I can assure you," Eleanor said, "and he will return when his mission is complete."

"What mission?" Grace asked.

"Why the only thing he was ever good at doing," Eleanor replied, "killing people."

"And if he kills the wrong people then the entire Centrality will go up in flames!" Grace replied.

"I think the Centrality has done enough damage, wouldn't you agree?" Eleanor replied.

"So you sent him away from his family. From me and our daughter. And if he dies-"

"He won't die," Eleanor replied.

"If he dies," Grace continued, "I shall never forgive you."

"That will be something you'll have to work through, won't it?" Eleanor replied, "Besides Sean owes our family a great debt. A debt of honor."

"He owes you nothing," Grace replied, "nothing at all. You and I both know that you used your power to send him to the Centrality on some fools errand. How did you even get him to go, anyways? How did you convince him to take up arms once again when he promised me, he swore to me, that he would never kill again!"

Eleanor didn't reply.

Grace tried to feel out with the Force but nothing came to her. It was as if the Force wasn't there. Or as if she were being blocked somehow. She felt her hand twitch as she slowly reached down toward the lightsaber clipped to her belt. Her mother had crossed a line. The dark feelings of old, the killer instinct, surged again inside of her. She could strike quickly and take away all that her mother desired.

Grace stopped short of placing her hand on her lightsaber hilt.

Eleanor remained stoic. Unreadable. Unapproachable. Still there was a hint of contempt in her eyes as she looked upon her daughter's face.

"I see," Grace said nodding her head as the pieces of the puzzle came to her, "you used his sense of duty. You used his time with the Phantoms to push him back into service. Well, mother, one thing has become very clear to me in all this."

"What's that, Grace?" Eleanor said.

"You're no better than Master Tel Adain! Your own personal cult of assassins still answers to your beck and call," Grace replied.

Eleanor flung her chair back against the wall as she stood. The chair hit the wall and crumpled into a few pieces. A nearby vase fell off the pedestal upon which it was placed and hit the floor sending shards everywhere. Eleanor was absolutely livid with anger and with a shaking hand she leveled an extended finger in the direction of her daughter.

"How dare you!" Eleanor yelled shaking with fury.

"No mother," Grace calmly replied, "how dare you. You would destroy the happiness of your own family to pursue your own personal vendetta against a young queen who has never done you wrong. Not once. A young queen who is simply rebuilding her kingdom from the ashes of a war that the old RTO started and the Federation perpetuated. A war that has taken everything from a good and kind people. I don't care what happens to you anymore. I'm leaving Tesserone. I'm leaving and taking Jennifer with me and we are never coming back."

"You don't mean that," Eleanor weakly replied.

"I do," Grace said, "because it is clear to me that you are lost."

Grace turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Eleanor asked.

"To the Centrality to find my husband," Grace replied, "and get the frak away from you."

Eleanor trembled with rage as Grace left the office. She screamed and swiped her arm across the desk sending everything on it flying in every direction. Her rage, her anger, was so strong that even the ysalamir who'd found a home underneath her expansive desk, and subsequently blocked any powers of a nearby Force user, made a startled sound as if to express fear of its own.

A fear unlike anything it had ever experienced before.

Tag: @Trieste; @jcgoble3

 

For a moment I thought, "Grace will go to Bakura. The rest of her family is already there."

 

Erilnar
Centrality

"You wished to see me, Your Grace?" Nadine Noor stated.

"Yes," Queen Carley replied looking up from reading another report of the Centran economy, "come closer."

Nadine complied.

"When you envision the Centrality of the future what do you see?" Queen Carley asked.

Nadine took a moment to consider her thoughts before speaking freely. "I see a strong Centrality one built upon success for all rather than success for the few. I see a Centran government that looks after its citizens and avoids war at all costs. I see youth that no longer have to go to Hapes to learn bring fresh new ideas to our corner of the galaxy. I see peace and prosperity."

"Then tell me, Nadine, what is the best course of action to achieve those goals?" Queen Carley asked.

"Expand the middle class. Raise families out of poverty. Give them the tools they need to succeed in the modern galaxy," Nadine replied, "and stop fighting for the remnants of the past."

Queen Carley nodded and replied, "We share the same vision for the Centrality. And yet despite my vision and all my power I cannot simply will such things to happen overnight. The system, the bureaucracy, the very nobles I seek to lift to their station slow me down."

"I believe you can carry out great change, Your Grace," Nadine replied, "and I have an idea on how we can achieve that change."

"Stay awhile and tell me about your idea," Queen Carley replied.

---

Tesserone
Roon

"Mother, a moment?" Austin asked.

Verity looked up from an enthralling mystery holobook and smiled. She was pleased to see her son. He was rarely home now splitting most of his time between Ossus and Nar Shaddaa where his wife, Addison, lived with their son.

"For you I'd devote an hour," Verity replied with a smile, "come sit down."

Austin complied and cleared his throat. "I'm not sure how to talk about this but here goes. Eleanor, have you noticed anything different about her? She seems different, off, consumed by something."

Verity listened quietly nodding her head, "Go on."

"I tried reaching out to her in the Force. She's dead to me, mother. It's like she's not there. A void. A blank space," Austin explained, "and then I get this message from Grace last week stating that she was headed to the Centrality to get Sean back. That Eleanor had sent him on a suicide mission to try to take out the queen. The entire idea of it is insanity. I can't believe she'd actually do something like that."

"When did you notice the changes?" Verity asked.

"Awhile ago," Austin realized, "why?"

"Perhaps the Eleanor we know is gone," Verity admitted, "she and I had a talk of sorts. Kind of a come to mama moment. I thought it would encourage her to do good deeds. Instead she has done nothing but acquire and destroy all around her. She has a personal vendetta against Queen Carley and the Centrality."

"Will she ever let that go?" Austin said growing frustrated.

"No," Verity replied, "I'm afraid she will not. I'm concerned her latest actions are going to push an equally hard response from Queen Carley."

"There has to be some way to reach her. Some way to pull her out of this darkness," Austin said.

"I've tried everything," Verity said, "everything."

"I will speak with her," Austin forcefully said.

"Don't do anything to harm her," Verity said as Austin stood and turned to leave.

"Anything I do will be minor in comparison to what she has already done herself," Austin grimly replied.

Tag: @Trieste; @jcgoble3

 

We are headed toward a showdown with Eleanor. This situation is starting to feel like a bomb waiting to go off.

 

Erilnar

"Your Grace," Lady Catriona Khomri said with a curtsey as she was drawing the attention of Queen Carley Heraat.

"My lady," Queen Carley replied, "how are you doing today?"

"Doing quite well, Your Grace," Lady Khomri replied, "and I'd like to introduce you to someone."

"Very well," Queen Carley replied, "show them in."

Lady Catriona Khomri returned with a woman that looked like a younger version of herself. Queen Carley watched with muted curiosity as the newcomer introduced herself as Leeya Khomri, eldest daughter of the queen's advisor.



"Welcome to Erilnar," Queen Carley said as she indicated for Leeya to rise.

"A pleasure being here in your presence, Your Grace," Leeya replied as she rose to stand before the queen.

"Are you here on Erilnar for business or pleasure?" Queen Carley asked.

"Business," Leeya replied, "with Your Grace."

"Continue," Queen Carley said as she shot a look to Leeya's mother.

"It's my understanding that you are about to invest heavily in the Centran middle class. Your deal with the Hapans proves as much. While that investment appears to be paying dividends by sending Centran citizens to Hapes for an education I can't help but feel that we have citizens here who don't have the means to pursue education beyond our borders," Leeya explained.

"If it's a matter of access to higher education I believe we can arrange shuttles for them," Lady Khomri suggested giving her daughter a look.

"Which citizens?" Queen Carley pressed.

"The Tund legions," Leeya replied, "and most of the civilian population."

"They're traitors," Queen Carley scoffed, "they have been disbanded."

"Leading to high unemployment and crime on Tund," Leeya countered, "besides they could be furthering their lives by pursuing state funded education. You owe them that much."

"They turned against my family after decades of loyal service," Queen Carley reminded Leeya, "I owe them nothing."

"So you would have Tund descend into wanton violence. A place where women, the very sex you champion, are abused and exploited? You have an opportunity, my queen, to make a lasting change for all of the Centrality," Leeya said.

Queen Carley didn't reply at first.

"What did you have in mind?" Queen Carley asked.

"A work program. They work four years and get four years of paid education in return. Civil projects for the state. They will never take up arms against you again," Leeya explained.

"How can you guarantee me that they will uphold their end of the agreement?" Queen Carley questioned.

"Because I used to be one of them," Leeya replied, "it was I who thrust the killing blow into Master Tel Adain at Dilonexa."

Queen Carley took a moment to study Leeya Khomri.

"I owe you a great deal of gratitude," Queen Carley admitted, "and since you have come here representing the Tund legions, or rather those who served in them, I am willing to concede a few things as well. Those who have served at least five years with the former Tund legions shall have their education paid for. Those who have served less will have to work for it. I will establish three colleges on Tund. A war college for those willing to impart their military prowess to future generations, a trade school for those willing to work with their hands, and a college for men and women with programs to help them excel in any field they desire."

"Your Grace-" Leeya gushed.

Queen Carley held up a hand as the room fell silent.

"In exchange I fully expect you to report directly to me," Queen Carley said, "as you are now working for the crown."

"In what capacity?" Leeya questioned.

"How does Minister of Labor sound?" Queen Carley said, "I've been needing to fill some vacancies anyways."

Leeya Khomri knelt before the queen and replied, "I am your servant."

Queen Carley chuckled and replied, "We'll see how willing you are once the job is officially yours. You start tomorrow and with you go the futures of our great Centrality."

Tag: @Trieste; @jcgoble3