The Queen of the World - Chapter Three

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Prologue

Chapter One

The meeting of allies took time to set up. After all, even messenger birds could only fly so quickly, and some of the attendees were travelling from the far corners of the empire.

As such, it took time to gather all of Alexandra's far-flung allies together in one place.

This was perhaps a good thing, because Alexandra's handmaidens were emphatically not in favour of her leaving their well-protected isle. Had Thalia still been with them, Alexandra might have conceded to allowing her sister to double in her place, but that was a thought still too raw to dwell on for long. The worst part was, they had a point.

Alexandra's allies were mostly composed of friends or at least neutral acquaintances - the ones who were openly hostile toward Alexandra and her rule had not been invited - but some of the neutral acquaintances were only supportive because the disorganization that came with the Usurper negatively affected the trade deals that Alexandra had honoured. If Kerdos and the traitorous councilors managed to pull themselves together, the support of those specific allies would vanish like dust in the wind.

Alexandra had never been so glad that her spare handmaidens kept her abreast of the gossip in their courts. The information gained from those missives was invaluable. Perhaps it was Theodora's influence, or perhaps just common sense, but Alexandra always preferred unpleasant truths over a pretty lie.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Alexandra also had a point that they simply didn't have enough people for a full guard, especially if Milche was to remain behind on the isle. With only the two of them remaining of their dynasty, it was too dangerous for both of them to venture into potential danger at once. As much as Alexandra disliked being away from her son, she couldn't argue with the practicalities of the situation.

Sayfiya folded her arms, not giving up the argument. "Most of your allies prefer you to your uncle, I know, but I'm not taking chances with your safety. Pelagia, Melissa and Zoe will be adequate to guard Milche here, but I want Theodora and Penelope with us as your security."

Alexandra started to argue, but Sayfia cut her off, "I know that it's important to show trust, especially since you'll be trusting them with your kingdom and your people soon enough, but not all of them can be trusted. I hope it is only a feeling, but I cannot protect you if you don't let me."

Pelagia could control the already-tempestuous waters around their isle; and nothing passed through without her say-so. Melissa had the strength and muscles of a smith, and could run a marathon while carrying a man in full armor (Ramessu - the memory of her husband and friend was a softer grief than thinking of Thalia and Agathe - had been less than pleased at being used to demonstrate this fact), as well as being very good at wrestling and hand-to-hand combat. Zoe could summon and command the dead, and with the sheer number of shipwrecks around, she would have no shortage of restless spirits to choose from.

Many believed that to be a ruler was to have complete say over one's own life, but a wise ruler listened to their bodyguard, and Sayfiya hadn't been wrong yet. "Very well. Yourself and Penelope to guard, and I'll see if Theodora can be subtle enough to reveal any secret hostile intentions that I don't pick up on."

Abioye was already present, and only needed to send a messenger pigeon back to his grandmother, the Delta Matriarch of Matriarchs, for instructions and limitations on what he could promise. The lady in question had been favorably disposed toward Alexandra, viewing her as Dorion finally seeing the 'correct' way of leadership, and thoroughly approving of her determination to lift women up to something approaching an equal standing with their male counterparts. Abioye and Bhute had been two of her most serious suitors, and their wives her former handmaidens, and the four were set to inherit the Delta throne. Thus, she anticipated few problems with getting the people of the Delta, whose men earned status through prowess in combat and therefore tended to be formidable warriors, on her side.

Alexandra only wished that the rest of the world could be so reasonable.

Varos was the next to arrive, another former suitor on her shortlist of serious considerations, a close friend, and her second almost-confirmed ally. His wife, Arete, had been one of her most fanatically loyal handmaidens, only her lack of demigod powers barring her from the inner circle, relishing the opportunities for education and political advancement that came with Alexandra's rule. Even had Varos not been supportive, Arete would have done her best to persuade him.

The third person to arrive for the meeting was an unexpected surprise: Alexandra's Mother-In-Law Takhuet. They had never been close, Takhuet viewing Alexandra as a way to get back into power through marriage to Takhuet's son, and Alexandra seeing her in-laws as an asset to make sure Ramessu didn't run away or abandon her at the alter.

Perhaps that was the reason for Takhuet's presence; she wanted to stay as close to power as possible, and that meant safeguarding her grandson's position as heir. Kerdos disliked Alexandra's Mother-in-Law nearly as much as she resented him, and Alexandra would take whatever she could get at this point.

Beggars - or temporarily-deposed Queens - could not afford personal sentiment to make them picky in the choosing of their allies, after all.

There were a number of suitors that Alexandra did not expect to make an appearance, either due to sheer distance or because they preferred the instability of Kerdos's rule. Hattusa in general and its Prince in particular would likely refuse, though Kleia, another of Alexandra's former handmaidens who had married one of the various heirs and younger sons sent to court Alexandra, kept her informed of any potential threats from that direction.

Alexandra still found it occasionally amusing that the wives and daughters-in-law of various rulers comprised one of the largest information networks in the known world, but gossip had always been the lifeblood of any royal court, and any ruler who wanted to stay in power kept an eye on both enemies and allies. It was actually quite impressive that the Council had managed to keep their planned coup a secret long enough to keep Alexandra unaware long enough to spring their trap. She would not make that mistake a second time, no matter how much she trusted the new council she selected.

Alexandra did not intend for the current council to get a second shot at the same, and a number of arrests were first on her agenda as soon as she reclaimed her throne, followed by very public executions as soon as she stabilized conditions within her empire.

All the planning and potential bloodshed would be for nothing if she immediately faced a popular uprising from the common folk who had been pushed to their limit.

Gods knew that Kerdos and the Council had little care for anyone who wasn't bribing or controlling them. Alexandra had always known that an empire's strength lay in the satisfaction or rebellion of it's people, not merely the nobles.

She intended to remind her enemies of that.

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