Chapter 3 Part 3

Morteous Blackheart, half-elven son of the Godking, begs an audience with you, your Majesty."
Queen Sardaa of the ruling Clan of the Snow Bears and monarch of the Ice Kingdom had been dozing on her throne. Listening half-heartedly to the affairs of state that were brought before her, she was caught by surprise at the mention of the name of Blackheart. That name not only sent a chill racing through her spine, but also caused her skin to crawl. The queen stood, adjusted her snowcat fur train, and stepped down from her dais. "Show him in," she instructed her servants.
The hall was far from empty, but even so, the presence of the Master Warlock seemed to suggest that she was standing alone in a vast cavern. Yet the queen stood her ground and hid her apprehension with an impenetrable mask commonly used by aristocrats.
As Morteous crossed the chamber, stares of prejudice and hatred followed his progress. "Beloved goddess of the white world," Morteous said as he bowed low before the queen. "I bring greetings from House Blackheart and the blessings of the Godking."
The queen eyed her visitor warily and felt the rage building within the room, for into their midst had trod a halfelf. The Ice Kingdom was an all-man's land where the passage of non-humans was very restricted. There were no indigenous demi-human races, and usually none were allowed within the capital city's borders at all. For one to stroll arrogantly into the queen's throne room was unthinkable!
"Master Blackheart," she said with forced politeness, "you need not have turned from your important business to visit us. An emissary is all that is necessary for Aspberg to enlist our aid for most reasons." She did not return his bow. Even if he was a quasi deity, he was still a demi-human and in her eyes, inferior.
Morteous smirked within his mind. He could read this woman's mind like a book. "The Ice Kingdom's loyalty is a delight to behold, but my brother, the Firstborn, asked me to personally deliver this private request."
There was an emphasis on the word private that suddenly piqued the queen's curiosity. Although she personally would have liked to have the subhuman thrown out, diplomacy and her fear of the Serpentine Dynasty urged her to act civil toward the Aspbergian emissary.
"We will hear Lord Blackheart's request," she said loud enough for all to hear. It was important that she not appear to be pushed around. "During our midday meal," she concluded.
Morteous showed no sign of impatience as he bowed according to protocol and moved to one side of the court. He was given plenty of room by the others in the hall, both out of respect and disgust. He passed the time by meditating and engaging in mental exercises.
When the gong sounded signaling the beginning of the midday meal, the queen's master of ceremonies escorted him to a seat near the end of a table of about twenty persons. He was seated far from the queen.
"Now that we are alone," the queen addressed him, "what is your master's message?"
Morteous bit his tongue to keep from turning the overbearing, self-important monarch into a penguin. He knew that she was fully aware that he was no servant to anyone. Morteous took a deep breath and stood still.
"The Firstborn graciously asked that his beloved allies in the Kingdom of Ice lend their aid in a mission of the greatest importance." Morteous began to lay the flattery on thick because, despite his powers and the Serpentine forces, too much was at stake to chance the strangers succeeding in reaching their goal.
"They are nothing more than common criminals, who are fleeing the justice of the Firstborn's righteous right hand. The Favored of the Godking asks simply that you execute them in any way that pleases you."
"Why should the capture and execution of common criminals warrant such dire urgency?" The queen sensed that there was more to this request than what was openly spoken.
"Their crimes were political, O mistress of the white world," Morteous lied. "They were involved in a plot to overthrow the rule of the Serpentine Dynasty, and attempted to poison the Freon Guards' food supplies." The last he threw in as an coup-de-gras. Freon was a powerful ally of the Ice Kingdom.
The affect was instantaneous and predictable. The queen became infuriated by an attempt on the militia of her strongest supporter.
She motioned an older man to her side and briefly consulted with the advisor seated on her left for a minute. Then she addressed Morteous. "Inform your brother that he has the full support of the Ice Kingdom. We will capture this criminal dung and I will ship their heads to Freon and their bodies to Aspberg."
Morteous bowed. "Your assistance is greatly appreciated." He again faced the queen. "The Dread Lord advises us that he believes the criminals are seeking the Oracle of the Twilight Dragon."
The queen slowly reseated herself. Her words held a note of boredom. "If so, then our efforts may not be required. No one returns from that place."