Taking a deep breath, Tina glanced into the Seasonal Throne Room as Genesis walked away, disappearing into the crowd. So, that was her - possible - older brother. She cocked her head to the side. He seemed stressed about something. She blinked, pushing away anymore thoughts involving her father’s family. She turned to the Court Announcer.

  “May I ask you for you name and house, my lady,” the Court Announcer addressed her. Tina gave him a gentle smile and informed him of her name and house. He nodded, asking “Are you first of your name?” She frowned and nodded. She watched he stepped into the Throne Room, calling out in a strong, loud voice, “Lady Valentina of House Armstrong, First of her name.”

  Tina took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she stepped forward into the throne room. Her eyes roamed over the large room. It had to be at least two football fields long and probably a football field wide. She briefly wondered if that was normal for a throne room. She remembered her conversation from earlier that morning with Sanji and Sebastian.

  This Throne Room was probably a renovation from a medieval version. She didn’t know if the one in the Buckingham Palace was this large or not. She made a mentally note about trying to get over London after her returned home for a visit and possible tour of the Palace. It would be amazing to compare the two Throne Rooms. She saw the walls of the room and it took all of her willpower not to stop and gawk at the masterful art on the walls.

  Focusing on the far end of the room, Tina tried to ignore the curious eyes of the various lords and ladies of the court as she strolled toward the woman at the far end of the room, sitting in the really high backed chairs. She focused on her breathing, trying to keep it even. She remembered when she was in Japan for that blasted Tournament, her great aunt had made the comment about controlling her external reactions, ‘Your enemies can tell if you are nervous or angry. Don’t let see them your external reactions. They will use them against you.’

  Tina schooled her expression into a pleasant smile and tried to relax her shoulders. Her back ached as she fought against the tension she felt. It still ached when she was able to relax her shoulders. As she walked toward the women in the High back chairs, she studied the woman on the far right.

  She was old, reminding Tina of a grandma figure. She had snow white hair with tired sky blue eyes. She wore a white dress. The dress similar to what the Queen of England wore when a USA president visited, back in the 2020’s, a few months before she died. The eldest women studied Tina with a critical eye.

  Tina looked at the next woman. This woman had black hair, styled in a way that reminded her of a Viking warrior. Her angry gray eyes pinned Tina in place, giving the red head young woman the impression that this woman didn’t approve of her for some reason. She wore an outfit almost outlandish, compare to the other women’s dresses. It was a warrior style grab for a Viking woman, preparing to off to war. It was interesting choice.

  There were a group of women standing behind the chairs. They looked extremely well dressed. A quick glance at their hair. They were all wore simple crowns.

  Tina wondered if they were princesses, but when she looked at their faces as she approached, she doubted. They looked older then the woman sitting on the far end of the left side. They stared at her with emotionless faces.

  The next sitting woman was an older woman. She looked a few shades lighter then her skin color, like she was sick or had been under a lot of stress, recently. Her golden hair was styled out of her face with a few strands framing it. Her dark hazel eyes didn’t hold any emotion as she stared ahead.

  The middle chair, set a few feet ahead of the rest of the chairs, sat a young looking woman. She could a few years older then Tina, but she could be wrong. Tina was aware of how some women investing in beauty products to make themselves look younger then they were.

  However, the crown sitting on her head was tall and large, indicating she was more important then the rest of the women wearing crowns. From what Tina knew of what was going on, this woman might be the current Queen. This Queen wore a dress that Tina would have normally raised her eyebrows at. It was cut low, revealing the center of her boobs, squeezed together, before the V of the dress came together. She resisted the urge to hum. The Queen was already looking for a new husband.

  Tina’s eyes slid to the left to what should have been an empty throne, but a young man sat in it, staring at her with a pair of piecing blue eyes. He had to be around her age. His dirty blond hair was held down by a simple crown. He wore an outfit suitable for a prince with golden buttons and rich colored clothing. He slouched in the chair like he didn’t want to be there.

  A movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She glanced up and almost paused as she walked to the bottom of the raised platform. Tristan stood behind the row of chairs. He looked relieved to see her. She blinked as she watched as his shoulders relaxed.

  Tina’s eyes settled back onto the middle pair of chairs where the youngest looking queen sat. Tina stopped a few feet away from the bottom step and curtsied to the Queen, saying in a loud voice, “I’m sorry for my lateness, Your highness, and I’m sorry for your lose. I didn’t hear of the passing of your husband, the late King, until I arrived in the lower town, late last night. I have been busy, traveling the countryside for a while now.” She stood straight and looked the Queen straight in the eye. Mutters broke out around the court as Tina went on, “If I can any service to you or your family, please, let me know, during your time of mourning. If it is within my power, I will see it done.”

  “It’s alright, Lady Valentina,” the youngest queen sent her a grateful smile, however, a surprise gleamed in her eyes. “Is this your first time to our Court?”

  “Yes, it is, my lady,” Tina replied. Her hands folded in front of her skirt. She tried to stand straight and not fidget under their gazes.

  “Then Welcome to the Court of Camelot,” the youngest looking Queen went on. “Please, join the rest of the representatives of the House White Hall.” The queen waved toward Tina’s left. Tina’s eyes darted to the left and saw Remus standing on the edge of the crowd. Genesis stood several feet behind him.

  “Wait!” someone called out from the right side of the room. Heads turned to see one of the older Queens standing up. She asked, “Why did you wait so long to announced yourself when you should have announced last night when you arrived, Lady Armstrong?”

  Tina blinked. It was the warrior looking queen who spoke and the tone she had used when she addressed the red head woman informed her that this queen didn’t approved of something. Tina glanced at the youngest looking queen. The Queen let out a sigh and nodded. Tina smiled, softly, at the warrior queen, explaining, “So, you would preferred to woken up at the crack ass of dawn when it is obvious that you need your beauty rest?”

  Tina’s smile transformed into a smirk as gasps echoed around the room. There was a loud snort of laughter coming from her left, but it quickly covered by a loud cough. Mutters followed. “If you really wanted to be woken up at the crack ass of dawn, I will make sure to do the next time I visit Camelot.” The Warrior Queen’s expression froze, staring Tina. “If you really desire it, I would be more then happy to also announced when I will be leaving, the day after tomorrow. Though, I should warn you, your highness, it probably will be at the crack ass of dawn as well. I have plenty of exploring to do before I head home.” She curtsied, again, saying, “By your leave.” She twisted, causing her skirts to fly out behind her as she faced Remus and strolled over to him.

  Remus stepped forward and held out his left arm. Tina slipped her right arm around his arm. He led her through the crowd to where another red head woman stood with an wide eyed expression and a strawberry blond man with amused brown eyes stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Tina grinned, brightly at them. However, she heard the various voices around her muttered about her short conversation with the Warrior Queen.

  “Lady Valentina, this is Lady Rosemary of House White Hall, heiress of the Clover Manor, a vessel House of the White Hall,” Remus gestured to the other red head woman before he turned the other man with them, “And this is Lord Jacob of House White Hall, a vessel House of the White Hall, Heir of the Morning Gale Estate.”

  “Please to meet you, Lady Rosemary, Lord Jacob,” Tina greeted them. She glanced at Genesis. He sent her a smirk of amusement.

  “Call me Rose,” Rosemary stated, “We are cousins, after all.”

  “Drop the Lord title,” Jacob said, “You know how to rock the boat, Lady Valentina.”

  “Only if you drop the lady title with me, Jacob,” Tina’s eyes narrowed in a playful manner, “And please call me, Tina.” Her eyes, relaxing, darted between her newly discovered cousins, “And rocking the boat, someone has to. Even during these hard times.”

  “I think the name you should be using is Hellion,” Genesis cut in.

  “I prefer ‘Sassy’, Genny,” Tina shot back with a pair of narrowed eyes and a playful smirk.

  “It’s called using tactic, dear cousin,” Remus said, turning the conversation back Tina’s actions, “Apparently, you have none.”

  Tina glanced up at Remus. The gleam in his eyes informed he was playing. She gasped, “I have no clue what you are talking about, cousin. I have plenty of tactic. I mean I didn’t come out and say that she was being unreasonable after all with her request that I should have announcement myself upon my arrival. At least, I waited until a decent time to do it instead of crack ass of dawn.”

  “True,” Jacob agreed, smirking “However, your uncouthly comments have earned you Queen Belladonna’s wrath.”

  “Now, you have to point out who this Queen Belladonna is,” Tina said, “I have no clue what she looks like.”

  Rosemary grabbed Tina’s shoulders and forced her around to face the Queens, whispering, “The Warrior looking queen.”

  Tina spotted the Warrior Queen. The Queen in question stared at her with a dark expression. Resisting the urge to wave at the Warrior Queen, Tina whispered toward Rosemary, “Isn’t that the same one I talked about visiting her at the crack ass of dawn?”

  “Yes,” Rosemary said then she giggled, “Oh, be glad that Lady Freya isn’t here. She would be very crossed that you used such un-lady like language in Court.”

  “General Genesis, General Honor, General Bartholomew, please give your reports about the security measures for the funeral,” the youngest queen called out.

  “Excuse me, ladies, but that is my cue,” Genesis muttered to Tina and Rosemary before he pushed past them. Tina’s heart thundered in her chest as she glanced up toward the empty high back throne and the blond prince sat, seeing Tristan standing between the thrones. The knight gave her a point stare. She blinked, innocently at him before she turned to Rosemary.

  “So, since this is my first time at Court, could you give me a run down on who is who, Rose?” Tina whispered as Genesis meet two other men at the position Tina had left a few moments ago.

  Rose frowned at Tina, saying “I think I know what you mean by run down, dear cousin. Where do you want to start?”

  “Who are them, the women sitting in the thrones?” Tina waved her finger at the women.

  “Your majesty,” Genesis launched into what kind of security measures the Military has in placed.

  “The youngest queen, in the middle, is the High Queen Kalliope,” Rosemary whispered in her ear, “She will remain in the High Queen until the next Chosen King takes the throne where she will either be forced out of the position by a new Queen or marry the Chosen King.”

  Tina frowned, thinking. She had thought the position of Queen was for life. She knew Queen Elizabeth had been crowned Queen of England long before Tina was born, in fact it was probably during the 60’s, but the Queen hasn’t given up her title of Queen because her husband died. She turned to Rosemary and stated in similar words about that. Rosemary nodded in understanding where Tina was coming from, “Usually, it happens like that. However, Camelot is different. The Kingdom has always been ruled by a King, not a queen, no matter what, all thanks to Merlin. According to the rumor, at least.”

  “So, there is a spell on what?” Tina glanced toward Rosemary.

  “The Holy Sword,” the other woman stated. Tina blinked at her cousin. She filed that away. She started to want to see this Holy Sword.

  “Why is Merlin’s fault?” Tina cocked her head to the side. Her eyes darted toward her older brother, she couldn’t believe she was acknowledging Genesis as her older brother, as he continued to give his report over the various security measures. She briefly wondered if he knew that giving his report in front of this many people was a security risk, itself. There could be an agent of Camelot’s forces hiding among the members of the Court.

  Rosemary whispered into Tina’s ear, pulling the red head woman’s attention back to her, “Merlin was the one who casted the spell on the Holy Sword upon the First King Arthur’s request. There have many rumors about the reason why Arthur had ordered that spell to be casted again. One of the rumors was that Arthur’s Queen was not faithful to him and bare one of the Knights a heir, instead of the King.”

  This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

  Tina nodded with that logic. She knew a ‘bastard’ child would cause all kinds of problem, ranging from a simple misunderstanding about who would inherit the throne to extortion in all forms. She knew that from the various history classes, lectures session, and personal talks with a few members of youkai royalty. She shuddered, remembering how the Youkai Royalty took care of the bastard children.

  “Another one, Arthur told Merlin to do to prevent his Queen from being taken advantage of,” Rosemary went on, “Like I said, there are many rumors about the reason Merlin had been ordered to do it. Either way, the commoners basically have been told over the years that the previous King was relative of the new King or the Queen decided to the New King in an effect to keep Camelot from falling in to Chaos.”

  Tina nodded. She understood the reason why the Ruling Family did that. They had to not only protect their image, but they were charged to protect the people of Camelot. She blinked, feeling someone’s eyes on her. She slowly turned her head to the right, trying to figure out who was staring at her. She expanded her spiritual awareness as she physical looked for the person.

  Her eyes ran over the various faces. All of the faces she was able to see had their eyes on Genesis and the two Generals informing the Ruling Family about the security measures. She turned her head, slowly to the left. From what she was able to sense, the person in question was on Tina’s left. She frowned as she managed to narrow it down to a couple people, sitting in the line of chairs.

  She broke out in a cold sweat. They were powerful. She guesstimated, on the Youkai Energy scale, they were an easy high A class or Low S class. Her eyes scanned over the various Queens. A few of them looked bored out of their minds while a couple looked interested in the topic of security.

  The High Queen nodded at what Genesis was talking about. Her eyes went over Tristan, the prince, the knights standing guards, before traveling over the Church Brother, the Pope, the Templer, then her eyes landed on the couple she sensed. A man and a woman sat at the end of the line of chairs.

  They lend toward each other, whispering softly about a subject that caught their attention, however, the fact they haven’t stopped watching Tina for the past few minutes inform the foreigner that they were talking about her. From the kind of energies they radiated, they were at least half human, and half something else. Tina never felt that kind of energy before.

  Tina pushed that away to think about it later and turned her thoughts back this so called Holy Sword and its choosing element. She turned back to Rosemary and stated, “Except for 20 years ago when the Kingdom didn’t have a king for a while.”

  “Yeah,” Rosemary nodded. “All of us still remember that time. I was just a little girl. Most of the younger Knights became Knights to avoid facing that time again.”

  Tina didn’t say anything for a long moment. Nearly everyone she had ran across had the same reaction - they didn’t want to face a time without a leader again, due to the uncertainly of the Kingdom continuing and their enemies marching up to the door. She was sure not a single family who called Camelot home was unaffected by what happen during that time. Rosemary, however, commented, “Merlin and Morgana are watching us.”

  Tina saw Remus and Jacob turned their heads enough to see what Rosemary had said was true or not. Tina said, with a frown, “They have been for the last few minutes.”

  “Wonder why,” Jacob muttered for the cousins to hear.

  “They are probably just as curious as the rest of the Court,” Tina stated, closing her eyes, “About the Mysterious Lady Armstrong.” A playful smile crossed her lips.

  Remus chuckled. His eyes darted to Tina, commented, “Well, it is not everyday we see someone willingly to verbally spar with the Warrior Queen.”

  Tina smirked, “Then they want to see me on a bad day.” She turned her gaze toward the trio of men standing in the center of the room. “They would blush like virgins on their wedding night.” Her eyes darted up to Remus and winked. Remus’ eyes widen in amusement and his shoulders shook. Rosemary let out a soft gasp and slapped Tina’s arm, gently. Jacob’s lips twitched into an amusement smirk.

  “Behave, Tina,” Rosemary chided the red head woman.

  Tina sent her a scandalous look and commented in horrified tone, “Behave? Me? No!” She waved her hand through the air, going on, “I like causing mischief and chaos everywhere I go.”

  Rosemary giggled, behind her hand, “Tell me, how long are you planning to stay in Camelot?”

  Tina frowned, thinking, “I will be leaving probably the day after tomorrow or the following day. I want to see the Funeral and this whole ordeal over the Holy Sword.”

  “Alright. Thank you, Generals,” The High Queen spoke with a note of finality. “Sir Tristan, what were you able to find on your quest for a Cure?”

  Tina watched from the corner of her eye as Tristan left his position behind the blond prince and strolled to the place where the Generals vacated. Surprise darted through her as she watched the Knight move. She hummed. Her eyes switched from the man she had traveled with to her brother and saw the worry flashing through his eyes as he approached the White Hall family. However, the worried look disappeared as soon as he joined them.

  Remus lend toward Genesis, commenting, “Well, the Noir Queen didn’t chew you up for the security measures.”

  “Yet,” Genesis replied. His tone was weary, like he was used to reporting and dealing with this Noir Queen. Tina glanced up at the line of the women and spotted the Viking looking woman. She would have to agree with them when addressing this Queen. She did look like a Black Queen with the way she was dressed.

  “Your majesties,” Tristan started with a bow toward the Ruling Family, “Unfortunately, I didn’t find anything related to a possible cure for the curse.”

  Tina’s eyebrows raised at that. A Curse? Things were starting to look more interesting by the moment, beside the fact she possible found her father’s side of the family. She started to turn to Rosemary, intending to ask about this curse when Genesis placed a hand on her left shoulder.

  She paused, looking up at him. He stepped closer and lend toward her ear, whispering in a low voice, “The curse Sir Tristan is talking about is the one placed on the Holy Sword by the Death Mage Rowena over 1500 years ago and it kills the King after 10 years of sitting on the Throne.”

  Tina frowned, thinking. It meant the King - King Uther, if she remembered correctly - was chosen about 10 years ago and the Kingless Kingdom Era was about 20 years ago. She spoke, “Assuming nothing happen to the King in question to cause another causing in during that 10 year period.”

  Genesis nodded and went on, “The Magi - Merlin and Morgana - have tried to break the curse throughout the years, but they haven’t had any luck on the subject.”

  “And Camelot needs a Chosen King or face another time without a king and the risk of being destroyed by outside forces,” Tina added.

  “And inside forces,” Genesis finished. Tina stared at him from the corner of her eye for a long moment, thinking about what he just said. There have been inside forces working against the Throne or desiring to take it for themselves?

  “Talk about the Game of Thrones,” She muttered, thinking about the show. It showed an unique fantasy concept of how people who wanted power tried to keep it when they had it. She knew the concept of the title wasn’t limited to the story. History had prove that. It was a game that nearly of the royal family played during the middle ages. One war came to mind - the War of the Roses. It was a huge family feud from what she remembered learning.

  The concept of the game had changed since the middle ages. It changed when the colonies before they had became the United States went to war with the King of England then it was every 4 year cycle.

  “Yup,” Genesis agreed, “I am planning to get in on that Game.” Tina’s heart jumped as she registered those words.

  Her chest tightened in response. Her thoughts darted through the various possibilities of that action, all the infamous ‘What-ifs’. Her breath caught in her throat. Her body tensed. A flash of pain danced through her body, harshly. She hissed through clenched teeth. Her vision darked around the edges.

  Genesis’ hand slipped from her shoulder to her upper arm. She lend against him, trying to catch her breath, her head on his upper arm. Her eyes darted. She spotted her cousins watching her with worried expressions. One of the magi, Merlin Tina guessed, straightened in his chair as Morgana’s eyes narrowed. Genesis’ voice held concern in it as he spoke, “Are you alright, cousin?”

  “As well as I can be with an injured back,” She acknowledged.

  “An injured back?” Genesis asked. She nodded before she pointed at her ear then at Tristan.

  “I was captured by a village of Fawns on my way back to the Castle,” Tristan started to explain, “However, I managed to escape with the help of a strange woman. It was thanks to her that the village was destroyed. She fired an flaming arrow at a shipment of black powder causing it to explode.”

  “They had a shipment of black powder?” Belladonna asked, “How did they get it?”

  “I don’t know, my lady, but I did run across another group of non-humans,” Tristan said, “This strange Lady called them Youkai. She didn’t give an explanation on the Youkai, but the one we did encounter had animal like features - a tail of a canine, pointed ears like an elf, and speed of a centaur. I’m sure if this lady would have gave me more information on these Youkai if I ever ran into her again.”

  “He’s talking about me,” Tina whispered, “I will explain later, Genesis.”

  “General Genesis, General Honor, General Bartholomew,” Belladonna snapped out harshly.Tina took a deep breath and straightened as Genesis squeezed her arm in silent acknowledgment on what she said before he stepped through the crowd and joined Tristan in the middle of the area before the steps leading to the Ruling Family.

  “Why didn’t you report us about the missing shipment of Black Powder?” The Warrior Queen asked in cold tone.

  “Forgive us, your highness,” Genesis bowed toward the Ruling Family as he acted the spoke person for the three generals, “I did not think it would appropriate to bring up any type of issues with the Ruling Family during your -”

  “Did not think? I think it is quiet obviously you did not think,” Belladonna stood up from her chair near the far right side of the throne. She marched down the steps, heading to the Generals.

  Tina frowned as the members of the Court shifted. She noticed many of the lords shielded the ladies before Remus stepped in front of Tina, blocking Genesis, the other two Generals, and Tristan from Tina’s sight. She turned her head to see that Jacob did the same for Rosemary. She turned to Rosemary to ask what was going on when a slapping sound echoed through the silent throne room followed by a thud.

  She peered around Remus to see Genesis, laying on his side. His eyes glared at the stone floor before he blinked and a calm expression spread over his face. She spotted a red mark on Genesis’ cheek. Her eyes darted up to the Warrior Queen.

  The Warrior Queen’s expression was dark, promising something akin to pain. Tina felt something land in her stomach hard as a bad feeling spread through her veins as she watched on. She glanced up at the rest of the Ruling Family. The High Queen looked pale, her eyes wide with an emotion that Tina didn’t want to identify. Her eyes went down the line.

  Some of the Queen looked exasperated. One of them was deathly pale. The oldest Queen looked furious at the Warrior Queen. Her eyes switched over the King’s side of the line. The Prince clenched his throne’s arms with a pair of white knuckled fists. The Brother of the Church looked on with worry, the Pope frowned at the Warrior Queen, and the Templer Knight watched on with an dark worried expression.

  The magi sitting on the end of the line had stoic expressions, but their eyes glinted with worry, anger, and another emotion. Tina’s eyes drifted over the rest of the Court. The ladies that Tina could see had fearful expressions on their faces while their male counterparts tried to hide their negative emotions behind expressionless facades, but it was their eyes that inform Tina how they felt. They all feared this Queen for some reason.

  “You maybe one of the three Generals of the Camelot Military,” Belladonna hissed, “But you answer the Ruling Family. It means any issues you can not handle needs to be brought up to us, rather it is appropriate or not.”

  A dark presence entered the room as Belladonna stood over Genesis. Tina blinked as she recognized it was one of the weak youkai classes that specialized in procession. She questioned how one of those Youkai got into Camelot when Belladonna announced, “I think 15 lashes will do.”

  ‘Lashes,’ Tina thought. Remus stiffen. Jacob straightened. Rosemary gasped beside her, softly. Mummers drifted around the room.

  “Each,” Belladonna added after a moment. Tina stepped out beside Remus and saw the other two Generals’ stiffened. “That would be including you, Sir Tristan.” Tristan looked at the Warrior Queen with an amazed expression before it transformed into a seldom one. “You did not bring this woman back to Camelot when her knowledge would be…valued dramatically.”

  “Grandmother!” The prince shot to his feet. His voice rang through the room like he had shouted. Tina peered in his direction, seeing his expression livid. “You can not do that one of our Knights!”

  “You have gone too far, Belladonna,” The High Queen finally spoke up.

  “Not far enough, in my opinion,” Belladonna shot back, “You are a spineless Queen, Kalliope. You shy away from the hard decisions. I am once again doing your job.” The High Queen paused. Tina’s eyes darted back and forth as she watched with mixed feelings. “Sir Tristan is lucky I am not stripping him of his knighthood.” Tina knew there should be gasps, but there wasn’t any. She glanced up at Remus. His expression was cold, not betraying anything. Neither his eyes. “He is to be included in the lashes. Guards! Take them to the whipping posts.”

  Transferring her attention to back to the four men standing in front of the Warrior Queen, they looked resolute as they stared a head of them. Guards marched down the center of room. Tina saw Genesis turned to them and stared pointy at Remus and Jacob before he turned to the guards. She noted the emblem on the guards’ breastplates before Genesis stepped in the middle of four guards and was escorted out of the throne, followed by the other two general and Tristan. The Ruling Family filed out of the Seasonal Throne Room with the Magi and the Christan Religious leaders.

  “How often does this kind of shit happen,” Tina asked. Her question drifted through the air. The Religious leaders stopped a few feet away from the White Hall cousins. Their escort paused, waiting for them. The Magi drifted past them, pausing by the doors, looking back at the trio of Religious leaders as the rest of the court moved toward the doors.

  “Belladonna has it out of our family,” Remus answered, “I don’t know why, but she does. As for this happening - it happened a few months ago…nearly 8 months ago, in fact.” Tina allowed that knowledge to sink in. She frowned. “Come on, Lady Rosemary, Lady Valentina, Jacob and I will escort you back to the family wing.”

  “No,” Tina snapped. “I will stand witness to this.” A gut feeling made her turn to Remus and glare up at him as he started to protest. “Rose,” Tina blinked, losing her glare as she fix her cousin with a hopeful look. “I need you to go back the family wing and prepare the main family suit, request any healers to come up there as soon as they can. Make sure they have hot water and other items they will need to treat the Generals and Sir Tristan’s lashes. If they can’t spare any healers, see if Sebastien will send the needed supplies up.”

  At first, Rosemary looked at her with surprise before she nodded with a hopeful smile, “You got it, cousin.” She hurried away.

  “Jacob,” Tina turned to the other cousin, “Is it safe to assume you know who the seconds of the Generals are?” At Jacob’s nod, she continued, “Track them down and inform them to take the Generals to our main family suit after they set free.” Jacob smirked and hurried away. “Remus,” she turned to the remaining cousin, “See if you can get any volunteers to help us to get Tristan and one other General up to the Family suit.”

  Remus slowly nodded before he asked, “Why Sir Tristan?”

  “I’m the reason why he is in this mess,” Tina confessed with a sigh. “That woman he spoke of..was me.” Remus sucked in a breath. “I don’t know why he didn’t point me out to Belladonna. I’m sure he has his reasons.”

  “Alright,” Remus nodded.

  “I believe I can help, Lady….Armstrong, was it?” Tina turned to see the Templer Knight standing nearby. When Tina nodded, the Templer Knight went on, “I will allow you to barrow four of my knights to get the General and Sir Tristan to your Family Wing.”

  “Thank you, Lord Templer,” Tina bowed her head in thanks.

  “Templer?” the three leaders echoed.

  “Aren’t you a Templer Knight, Sir?” Tina asked, “I kinda assumed since you are wearing the red cross of a Templer Knight.”

  “My order hasn’t been called that in a long time, Lady Armstrong,” The Templer Knight said, “We are known as Paladins, now.”

  “My deepest apologizes, Lord Paladin,” she said. She noted the curious glint in the Paladin’s eyes. However, he called out, “Jackson, Anderson, Valentine, Luke, go help Lady Armstrong with her task.”

  “Come, my children,” The Pope said, “I think it would be best if we were not late for this unfortunate event.” They walked away without another word. The four named Templer Knights - ‘Paladins’ Tina corrected herself - waited for Tina. She took a deep breath and centered herself. She didn’t know what she would have to do in the after math, but she knew she would do what would be necessary.

  ‘For my family,’ Tina thought as she opened her eyes and hurried from the Seasonal Throne Room with Remus at her side and The four Paladins followed.

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