The Queen of Isles: The Trial

She sat on the throne, in a grey gown.Her eyes were puffy and sore from crying.
Her cheeks were pale and stained from tears running dry.
Her lips cracked.
Her hair was a little shabby, and she looked dull, very dull.

"I am not guilty, Your Grace." said Portria.
She stood in the conviction box, before a Jury consisting of five members.
The leftmost position was occupied by Sir Lann Grey, the defense minister.
Then sat Charles Hugh , The Justice of Lea.
In the middle, sat Rincy Matilda, Queen of Isles, Ruler of the kingdom of Westerhall and the Ultimate Chief Justice of the nation.
To her left, sat Love Cruz and Charles Jackson, Justices from other parts of the country.

"Speak when you're given a chance"ordered Rincy.
"The trial, shall begin." she announced.
"My client, Portria Jaccob has been convicted of murdering the late Queen of Isles, Ruler of Westerhall, Ra.." 
"Get to the point Advocate Max", cut in Rincy.
Ben Max was an advocate in the High court of Lea. He was a criminal lawyer,well  experienced and of know reputation. Reputation to not lose a single case, he fights.
He now fought for Portria Jaccob.

"The late Queen's death was recorded to be on the 12th February, this year, at 20:54", said Max, stating the obvious facts.
"My client, Ms Jaccob was on duty that day. She was scheduled to hold a meeting in conference room one,at 20:00 which lasted for an fifty minutes. So, obviously she couldn't have committed the murder." he argued.
 Love Cruz intervened, and asked,"Can you prove to this court, that Ms Jaccob was in the meeting?"
"Yes, of course." said Max, with confidence.
"I request, Your Grace's permission to play the video of the CCTV footage of the camera from the conference room."
"Granted." said Rincy, her eyes, still sternly focused on Portria.

The video played on a screen that hung on the wall.
It showed Portria lead the meeting, with three other members in the conference hall at 20:15. The video ran till 20:50 and then stopped.
"So , Your Grace, from the video, it is clear that my client was in the conference hall while the murder had been committed. It thus, is proved that she is innocent."
"Your video lasts till 20:50. And the time of death is 20:54. She still could have done it." argued Lann Grey.

Max smiled, and said,"The late Queen was found dead in the circum office. And the circum office is on the first floor. Where as conference hall one is on the ground floor, and it takes six minutes to reach there. If time of death was 20:54, which is gives four minutes in hand, Ms Jaccob couldn't have reached in time." he argued.

Rincy stood up.
Her eyes fixed on Portria.
Everyone stood up, tensed.
"Unless, Advocate Max, unless, the meeting wasn't held in conference hall one."
All eyes turned to Portria.
Portria's face turned pale.
Her heart beat fast.

"Rincy, you have to trust me! I didn't kill your mother. And why do you believe Theodon?" she asked.
Rincy looked around the crowd. Theodon stood in a corner, among other ministers.

"The court is adjourned for the day. The next meet will be tomorrow, at 10:00" she announced.
 She walked down the Diaz, and towards Portria.
"I won't let you escape this one Portria Jaccob. Be ready to face the worst days of your life.", she whispered, and walked out of the hall with poise.

The Queen of Isles: The Murder

"She was intentionally set ablaze."
This sentence resonated in Rincy's ears like church bells.
She was completely shaken.
She did hear Theodon say often, that her mother had enemies. But not once did she think, that her mother's death could be a murder.

Her throat ran dry.
Her forehead glistened with beads of sweat.
Her calf muscles turned weak, and she stumbled to catch a seat.
Her thoughts were all haphazard.
Several questions arose.


"My MOTHER was murdered???" she yelled.
Theodon, coming back to his senses, registered what he had just done.
"Crap! What did I do? She wasn't supposed to know!" he thought.
"Theodon Matilda, answer me!" she yelled again.
Theodon looked down and gave no answer.
Rincy got up, and ran to him, caught hold of his collar,and shook him fiercely.
"Theodon Matilda!", she cried,"Tell me now, tell me" she cried, as she slid down to his feet and cried profusely.
Theodon was out of his wits.
He held her shoulder, and picked her up. He enveloped her in a tight hug, as she continued to weep.
"Little coz, Rin, sweet Rin, do not cry..." he tried to comfort her, but in vain.
He made her sit on her seat, and gave her some water.
"Tell me, Theodon, please. It's important for me to know. I deserve to know!" she argued, as tears rolled down her pink cheeks .
"Yes, little Rin. What you heard, is the truth. Aunt was intentionally set ablaze." he said, still trying to calm her down.
"And what were you all doing? Uncle Raymond?Was no one around?" she asked, furiously.
"No. That's what I've been telling you. Aunt never agreed to keep guards. She thought she was doing it right, but she wasn't. She too had several enemies..."
"And who did this to her?"she yelled.

Theodon stood silently, his head held low.
"Who murdered my mother Theodon?" asked Rincy, in a soft sarcastic tone.
"Theodon Matilda! Who murdered my mother?" she yelled, never as loud before.

And spontaneously came the answer.
"Portria Jaccob!", he yelled back.


Sometimes, there are a lot of secrets. Some we want to know, while others we deserve to know. It will always be better to be hurt by the truth, than be comforted by a lie. 'Cause, a lie doesn't come alone. Like a hover of crows, who bring along fellow crows for supper, a lie comes along with several more. 
John Green correctly quotes,
"The thing about pain, is that, it demands to be felt."

So, shall Rincy Matilda, feel the pain. The agony of her mother's loss.
But was it really Murder?

The Queen of Isles: Blaze

The sky was bare. Dark and cloudless. 

Tranquility before a storm?

The small stars twinkled in the distance.It's incredibly ironic, that we call stars small. Science proves that they are much much larger than our very Earth or even the Blazing sun. Yet, stars are small. At least, that's what we teach our children in nursery. Twinkle, Twinkle little star.

Stars will remain small to us. 'Cause that's how they appear to us.
And so will problems.

"I am indeed proud of you Cynthia. Your efforts are much appreciated" praised Rincy.
Cynthia smiled and curtsied. Then she left Rincy's room.
Rincy picked up the file.
In two minds, she was. 
"Should I open it?" she thought.
"I am strong. And I'm Queen. I should be ready to face any kind of information, however personal it may be." she decided.


"So, how's it going Portria Jaccob?" teased Theodon.
Portria grinned from ear to ear.
"You seem happy! Nice." he remarked.
"I'm amazed how you won't stop stabbing my back Theodon" she said distastefully.
"Why, I can stab you right in your chest, no need of going behind your back, dear Portria."
"Very well, that's anyway what your doing. I know you dislike me..." she began only to be interrupted.
"Me disliking you is a complete understatement Portria." said Theodon, in his usual stylish voice.
Portria realized that it was a complete waste, trying to speak with him.
She filled her bag, and left for the Headquarters of Rhue.
"Theodon Matilda!" called Rincy, from across the hallway.
"Yes, My Queen!" he said walking to her.
"If your done with torturing Portria..."
"Me? I don't torture Portria!" he argued, like he were a small kid caught stealing candy.
"Of course, you leave not one opportunity to. But siding that, get me today's schedule, and be fast." she ordered.
"I already have it, Your Grace. In fact, I have the entire week's timetable, and here it goes." Theodon handed over the folder with Rincy's schedule for the week.
"Great." she said with a wry smile, tore the sheets into two, and handed it to him in his hand.
Theodon stared at her blankly.
"Wondering why?I'll explain. You won't decide my schedule henceforth." saying so, she left for the Cabinet's Board meeting.


"Good Morn!" greeted Rincy, as she sat down at the head of the table.
"Greetings, Your Grace. We have some important affairs on the agenda." began Reene Duke, in-charge of Home Affairs.
"Yes, get started."
" Edward Chase is going to come to Lea, this week. He, I'm sure you know, is the CEO of the Marks, our supply to the military forces."said Lann Grey.
" Good. What are his deals of late?" asked Rincy.
Sir Lann Grey produced a file, with supplies, quotations and other related details.

The Board meeting went on for over an hour, minus Theodon.

When the meeting was over, Rincy walked out, to face a stern faced Theodon,arms folded, legs crossed leaning against the wall, staring right into her eyes.
"So, what are you up to, now?" she asked sarcastically, as she walked into her office , with Theodon following her.
"What do you think your doing little Rin?" he asked
"I'm not little coz" she corrected.
"Umm... you are. You don't have even the slightest idea of how to rule a nation. And you want me to stay away?" 
"Not literally. I just don't want you to schedule my timetable!" she said, as if it weren't a big deal, like nothing implied from what she did.
"I know you think I'm evil, and that I want to usurp the throne..." began Theodon.
"Nah..." she said playfully," I know you want to usurp it." she added sternly.
Theodon laughed.
Rincy sat down, on her chair, and looked through files.
Theodon banged shut the files on her desk, with his right hand.
Rincy was shocked.
"What kind of mis behaviour is this Theodon Matilda?" she asked ,astonished.
"Your mother thought too, that she was doing it right. There is a huge list of people waiting to overthrow you, and I definitely don't want to add to the list."
"You don't speak of my mother like that!" Rincy began to fume.
"You don't insult her okay, at least not now, that she's dead!"
"I'm not insulting her, I'm just telling you what I know of her, okay!" he yelled back
"What do you even know of her Theo..."
"I know that she didn't die by accident!!!" he yelled, at the top of his voice.
"She was intentionally set ablaze !!!"


© Srinidhi Iyengar

The Queen of Isles : Ten Days

"Pack your bags and leave for Ream. You needn't stay here henceforth."said Theodon, with a wry smile.
"Ream? Why?"asked Portria, baffled.
"Of course, because you had been shifted to the headquarters, and you haven't left as yet."

"Portria isn't going anywhere Theodon."said Rincy.
Theodon turned around to face Rincy, sword tucked beneath her belt, and Cynthia behind her.
"Portria Jaccob, I give you one last chance to prove yourself faithful to the throne. Make utmost use of this chance to mend all that you broke, cause one small mistake will cost you too much" declared Rincy.

Portria's eyes gleamed with joy.
"Thank you so much, Your Grace"she said and curtsied.
Theodon eyed Rincy crossly.

"So do I rejoin as your assistant and manager?"she asked, her head, now held high.
Theodon's eyes widened.
Rincy laughed.
"Assistant and Manager?"she asked.
The room fell silent, as the tone in her voice changed.
"You were like family Portria, I trusted you. I gave you a place in my heart. But in turn, you broke them. You lied to me. You lied to the throne "she said fiercely.
Rincy's eyes were wide, and almost blood red.
Beads of perspiration covered her fore head.
Her left hand stiffened into a fist, as the other held onto the sword.

Theodon was shocked. Shocked to see such a side of Rincy.
Portria began to weep, and fell on her knees.
"I beg for forgiveness, Rincy. I didn't mean to hurt you. You were more than family to me sweet Rincy. The circumstances are to be blamed, that I have been portrayed in bad light."she cried.

Theodon began to speak, when Rincy lifted her hand, asking him to stop, and keep away.
"I am giving you one last chance Portria. You'll stay here in the palace, but will work in Rhue "she announced.
Portria was utterly mystified by Rincy's announcement.
"But I have been posted at the headquarters, which is in Ream. How can I..."
"I have brought the Headquarters of Rhue, to Lea. "she declared.
Theodon's face turned expressionless again. One couldn't make out whether he was happy or annoyed by this decision.

Portria got up and advanced towards Rincy, but Rincy turned away, and walked out of the room, with Cynthia following her.
"Your work begins from tomorrow"she said, as she left.

Rincy entered her room, and sat down on her bed.
"Cynthia, I still want you to keep a watch on Portria. Her lies shall be unveiled within the next ten days, and this is Rincy Matilda's promise."she decided.

Cynthia bowed, and left her room.
Theodon came in, and stood right in front of Rincy, just as expressionless as ever.

"Now what, coz?"she asked, irritated.
"Nothing. Just came to tell you, we need to go to the Royal Library in an hour. I'll be back to pick you."saying so, he left too, shutting the door behind him, gently.

Rincy frowned.
She had encountered a lot of drama that day.
Firstly, there was a sword, ready to slit her throat, and let a waterfall of blood flow out. Secondly, she found out that Portria has lied about a lot of things. A LOT OF THINGS. Now that she has decided to unmask Portria, Theodon is behaving awkwardly. 

She laid down on her bed, and stared at the white ceiling.
"I so wish, mother was here" 

The next ten days shall be the most difficult days, in Rincy's and Portria's life. While one has to assess, the other has to pass a test. A test, that shall decide future relations. A test that shall prove one, innocent or guilty. 

Just ten days.


© Srinidhi Iyengar

The Queen of Isles: Lies

Rincy gasped for breath, as Edmund tightened the sword's grip against her neck. He caught hold of her hands and held them with his left, behind her back. 
Rincy looked left and right.
The world around her seemed to drown, her head pounded with pain, blood rushed into her face, as she turned pink with fear.
Within a second, Edmund released his grip on her, and she fell to the ground.
Rincy looked up, in utter shock, still gasping for breath, trying to understand what just happened.
"Rincy Matilda, you are indeed a poor swordsman. Do not judge your opponent by their looks. A bee is a small invertebrate, but it's sting can be as fatal as death itself." said Edmund, holding his hand out to Rincy.
"You were going to kill me?" she asked, aghast.
"Nay, You think me a fool? Kill the Queen, and get hanged? That's not what interests me. This encounter was your first lesson." he laughed
Rincy stumbled and stood up, still relieving from after shock.
"You weren't paying attention to your motive. Your motive was to strike me. Instead, you were busy thinking about your moves. In sword fighting, there is no time to think. You have to strike and defend at the fall of a feather. "
"He's right! I was thinking, not acting!" she thought.
"And, your biggest mistake. You were listening to what your opponent was saying. Speech is for diversion, and you got diverted. Pay attention, do you get that young girl?" he said authoritatively.
Rincy held her head low, and nodded,"Pardon me Sir, I will pay more attention."
"Very well." he declared.

The next hour, Edmund taught Rincy how to strike. He taught her how to hold the sword correctly while striking. 
From Edmund, Rincy learned that, the way one holds the sword, reveals their mental state, and this knowledge helps deduce the opponent's next move.

Rincy and Edmund practiced again and again. 
He attacked, and she defended, trying to stay upright for longer than before.
Her clothes were drenched in sweat, and her arms ached. Her calf muscles burned with the strain, as she struggled to continue standing.

"Rincy Matilda, it was good training today. You show me good spirit, and I am glad to coach you" said Edmund Calvin, and he bowed before her, holding his sword horizontally away from himself.

Rincy panted, and held her sword, in a similar manner and bowed before her teacher.
"It's an honour to learn from you Sir, I hope to fulfill your expectations..."
"Nay, I want to to exceed them." he interrupted.

A few minutes later, Theodon walked in, and lead the duo for lunch.

"Hey! What are you doing ...?" began Raymond.
"Father", interrupted Theodon.
Rincy saw Theodon glare at Raymond.
"This is Edmund Calvin. Rincy's new sword master." introduced Theodon.
"Greetings Sir" wished Edmund as he shook hands with Raymond, and smiled.
Raymond smiled awkwardly, and looked from Theodon to Elain to Edmund.

"You know him from before? Uncle?" asked Rincy, seating herself at the head of the table.
"Nay. Not at all!" he blurted.
Rincy eyed him questioningly.
"I mean, he looks like my pal from Ream, who was a childhood mate" he clarified.
"Well, Sir, please take a seat, and join us for lunch."

Portria walked in to find Edmund seated next to Rincy, on her seat.
She walked up to Edmund and glared at him.
"Find yourself another seat Portria Jaccob" ordered Theodon.
Portria's glare shifted from Edmund to Theodon.
Edmund smiled sheepishly.
Portira grabbed a seat next to Edmund, and sat down.
For a second, Portria and Rincy made eye contact.
Portria's eyes filled with guilt and sadness.
Rincy's, filled with anger and anguish.
They broke contact and focused on their food.

Edmund and Raymond got along well, discussing Royal politics, tactics, history and a lot more.
Rincy got up and left after finishing her food, to eliminate the awkwardness that surrounded the table.
Portria noticed Rincy's reluctance in speaking with her.
"How do I regain her confidence and trust?" she thought, as she put a piece of chopped broccoli into her mouth.


"Your Grace!" Cynthia blocked Rincy's path to her room.
"What is it Cynthia, I am very weary now. Can this hold on for a while?" she asked in a tired and coarse voice.

Cynthia looked left and right.
"Portria Jaccob is not married, Your Grace!" she blurted.

Rincy was aghast. All the pain in her limbs and all the pounding in her head vanished.
She looked at Cynthia blank faced.
"My Queen, you hear me right. I have been tracking her off late, just like you told me to . She hasn't met anyone in person, but has made several calls to a man named Ceasar Flickerman." 

The little colour left, drained off Rincy's tired face, as she tried to gather the pieces of her broken heart, mind and trust.

When one lie leads to another, all it makes is a mountain out of a mole hill. Portria's lie lost her, Rincy's trust, faith and love. The same Rincy, who once considered her mother-like and family, now has put people behind her to track her activities.

It won't be long before Rincy gets tangled in this humongous web, unless she thinks and acts carefully.

© Srinidhi Iyengar