The Queen of Isles: The Game Begins

Rincy fumed.
Portria had a lot of things to explain.
The pot of ash.

The warning about Ceasar Flickerman.

This new promotion.

Something she was going to say,just before Louis intervened.

Rincy stood up, and fastened her grip on the sword.

"I am going to first find Portria, and ask for explanations. Else I will get intertwined in this political mess,that is waiting to engulf and drown me."she thought.

Just as she was about to leave, James Hemsworth came to her.

The man was charming and his eyes dazzled. His smile , deceitful. His face could easily hide his true age. 

He walked up to Rincy and greeted her.

"James Hemsworth, Your Grace. We have met before, if you can recollect", he said with a smile.

"I am not a woman of poor memory Sir." she said and tried to leave, but he blocked her path.

"Aye, you ain't an ordinary woman either, my Queen. And please call me James. It's a beautiful party, and it would go waste without a dance with the Queen."he said putting his hand forth, asking for hers.

Rincy hesitated at first, but then gave in. She placed the sword on the throne, and walked down the Diaz, with James.

The music turned up, and couples began to speed up.

They danced to the music with much swiftness.

Rincy knew how to dance in a ball, but not at that speed. It was a part of her training, as a royal kid.

James held Rincy's right hand and put his left around her waist. Rincy placed her right hand over his left shoulder, and they joined the dance.

James helped her get accustomed to the steps and the beats.

Slowly, couples withdrew to stop and see the Queen's dance, until it was just Rincy and James on the dance floor.

The crowd hooted and cheered, as Rincy matched James's swiftness, and he twirled her around.

After a good lot of fifteen minutes, Rincy withdrew, asking to leave.

James griped her, and bent down towards her ear.

"The game begins, young lady, reaching its height , at mid night. And at 12 o'clock, when the masquerade ends, masks shall fall, and the truth will be revealed."he whispered.

Leaving Rincy bewildered, James Hemsworth left the ballroom.

"So it's a game!" she mocked.

"I ain't going to play along, James Hemsworth. I am the Queen, and the Queen gives path to the game. It's vital to make impact while we play, for, when the game ends, the pawn and the king go back into the same box."

"And now, before someone else gets hold of me, I must leave."she thought.

She picked up her sword and left the ballroom from the side door.

"Shut up Effie!"snarled Raymond.

Rincy stopped by their door.

"Listen Raymond, It wasn't a good option to just throw her out of the city! That would lead to rise in suspicion. And at this stage, we cannot fall."she reasoned.

"Promotion? Was that the solution? What will you answer Mr Gladsmith? And Sir?"he asked.

"It's enough father."interfered Theodon.

"Mother is right. We must instead thank her for her spontaneity."he said.

"Now I'll handle this matter. The headquarters of Rhue is at Ream, and that city is leagues away. We can get Portria shifted there. That shouldn't be a problem."saying so, Theodon left the room.

Rincy hid behind the pillar.

"So even Theodon didn't know of this promotion. Then how could he maintain his calm? As if, everything were going as per plan?"she questioned.

"This trio is working for some Sir, and I bet he must be leading the oppositions to the throne.I have to find Portria. But now, I don't even know if Portria is trustworthy. She didn't tell me about those papers"

Rincy walked down the hallway and head to the council library. On her way to the library, she overheard Portria arguing profusely with someone.

Rincy tried to peer through the key hole, but that wasn't enough to get a glimpse of the other person in the room.

"I am not going to Ream, do you get that? It might be a huge pay cheque, but I ain't sworn for money.And you now that much better than anyone. I have made enough mistakes, which have begun to haunt me. And I won't leave the palace at any cost." saying so, Portria stormed outside the room.

Rincy followed Portria, and then over took her.

She stopped Portria, and eyed her suspiciously.

"What is wrong with you Rincy? Give me way. I have no time."she argued, trying to make her way out. But Rincy held her arms apart, blocking her way.

"What do you want young woman?"she asked in a hoarse voice.

"Answers."demanded Rincy.

"What answers?"asked Portria, acting like she didn't understand.

"You know very well what I want Portria."

"I don't have time..."

"Make time."she commanded.

"Very well. If you want answers, you will get them. I swear by my honour, to return to you by dawn. But now, you must let me go." she requested.

Rincy was doubtful. 

"Where did Portria have to go so urgently, that she can't even answer my questions? What's more important than this?"she wondered.

But she let her go.

Portria was a woman of honour and people of honour never break their swears. 

After all, she wasn't that untrustworthy yet, that Rincy would have to doubt her swear.


© Srinidhi Iyengar