The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 19 - Waiting Game

Elissa sighs. She is stuck in a conference with the King's Council and is sure that she has never had the displeasure of meeting such a bunch of self-important and condescending men.

Currently, the Walrus, as she has mentally named him, is droning on and frankly she switched off a while ago. He is the Treasurer and from his portly stomach, she muses that he is certainly not one to tighten his belt.

The room, in keeping with the company, is overly stuffy, so she reaches out with her magic and opens a window. A pleasant breeze whips through and sends sheets of parchment flying across the table. Unperturbed, the Walrus continues his monotone, while the Weasel, Lucifer's former secretary, scurries about retrieving the paperwork.

There is a welcome reprieve when the door flies open, disturbing the papers once again. Garrett strides in with a face of thunder and booms, "Why was I not informed of this meeting?"

"The Head of the King's Guard does not normally attend these meetings," comes the oily reply from the Weasel, his hands filled with papers.

"That is irrelevant. Am I not a member of the King's Council?"

"Garrett, you are welcome," Elissa interjects and with a smile, motions to the vacant seat next to her. Definitely welcome – please save me from these bores, she adds in her head.

After another hour of listening to what they have to say and still no sign of any substance, her patience has run out. Standing abruptly, she places her hands together and addresses the room, "Well, thank you gentlemen. I think that is enough. I will consider your advice..."

"But we still have several more matters to discuss," the Weasel complains in a whining voice.

Elissa can feel her temper simmering at the rude interruption and with a withering look has the secretary cowering in his seat, a tick in his cheek.

Garrett speaks out, his voice sharp as the sword hanging at his side, "We are her Highness's servants. We must take our leave at her bidding."

"Obviously we aim to serve, however, her Highness knows so little of the workings of this court that it is our duty to educate her." The pompous Walrus gives a patronising smile and shows no sign of moving.

An innocent looking blue butterfly chooses that moment to swoop in through the open window and flutters directly towards the Walrus. Elissa places a hand over her mouth to mask her amusement at the sight of him leaping from his seat and proving to be rather spritely for such a portly fellow.

Garrett, the last to leave, pauses at the doorway and places a fist against his chest. "Your High... Elissa, you may think what you will of these others on the Council, but you have my complete loyalty."

She touches his arm. "Thank you Garrett, that means a lot. Now, I need some fresh air."

.....

Escaping outside, Elissa finds Seraphina and Dawn, along with several other Dragonite females, sat on the terrace with drinks in their hands.

Grabbing a glass filled with chinking ice and slithers of fruit, she sinks into a vacant seat. As she raises the vessel to her lips, the innocuous looking contents nearly make her eyes water, but after that meeting she could really do with the fortification.

Dawn takes it all in and nods. "You did well to last so long with those windbags."

"They are insufferable." Elissa shakes her head in dismay and takes another draft.

"Darling, the tail does not wag the dragon." Seraphina pulls her chair right next to Elissa's and drapes an arm around her shoulders. "In a few days you will be Queen. Form your own council and fill it with those whom you trust."