Fic: A Close Call
May. 17th, 2013 05:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meridian_roseTitle: A Close Call
Fandom: Original
'Verse/Series: Kat (High Queen)
Pairing/Characters: General Series
Rating: R for one use of strong language
Word Count: 1233
Summary: Shortly after becoming High Queen, and before the Tour, Kat is goaded to the point of releasing the curse.
Content Notes: No standard warnings apply.
Index Page for this series: DW/ LJ
Kat was – finally - crowned High Queen. She had proven she could take her rightful place. She was at the pinnacle of her power now, unless the mythological Triple Crown fell into her lap, making her Empress.
That didn't mean the Council respected her any more than they already did – or did not – as she was frequently reminded.
One such occasion occurred on a pleasant afternoon, one that should have been spent outdoors. Instead, Kat was dragging her heels on her way to one of the regularly scheduled Council meetings. She arrived just behind Elias, who paused at the door to the chamber, and looked at Cal, who was carrying a box of more papers.
"I can't find my glasses," he said, patting at his pocket with one, the other balancing books and papers.
"I picked them up." Cal nodded to the box. "They're in here."
"Ah, good, good," Elias said, beaming. He bowed his head in Kat's direction. "Apologies, Majesty. I did not mean to delay you."
"Don't mention it. The meeting cannot start until I arrive, so we're not late." Truthfully, she could do without yet another meeting. Still, they all entered and took their seats.
As anticipated, the meeting of the Council was by turns aggravating and dull. Kat gave her 'aye' or 'nay' as appropriate, overruled a proposition she found distasteful, and signed four documents. A headache was starting behind her eyes and, anxious for some air, she called for a recess.
"We're almost done for the day," Honor assured her in the corridor as Kat leaned out of a window, soothed by the afternoon breeze on her face. "Two more reports and then we can go for a ride if you'd like."
A ride might clear her head. Kat pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. She took a few deep breaths and then motioned that she was ready to return to the chamber. She took her seat, noting that her goblet had been refilled by one of the attending pages. She sipped at it, grateful for the coolness of it on her tongue.
Briana delivered her report on various legal matters. There was a dispute over land ownership that legal writs and mediation had been unsuccessful in resolving, and she asked for any advice from the Council before moving to more forceful ways of ending the conflict. Honor offered to go personally, as an envoy of the Queen, to talk to both parties.
The final report was by Lyonel, who spoke on matters of trade for an interminable period. After he had finished with the list of figures he removed his glasses and Kat sat up straighter, like a child eager to be dismissed from class. She wanted to go to her room and take a draught of the potion that sometimes helped with her headaches, and then get out of the castle for an hour or so while it was still light.
"One of the concerns being raised by our trade partners is that of the kingdom's stability," Lyonel said. Kat's heart sank. He wasn't finished, and by the sound of it, he was going to make a speech.
"How so?" Honor asked, in a tone akin to the careful drawing of a dagger.
Lyonel did not heed the warning. "A High Queen is something many fear. The last High Queen died without issue –"
"Yet the kingdom is still here," Honor said, leaning forward to stare down Lyonel.
"Be that as it may," Lyonel said, "I am not the only minister to feel that we would be better served by a High King." The other council members began to murmur and whisper, and shift in their seats. Lyonel raised his voice a little to be heard over the hubbub. "On behalf of all who fear for our future, I put it to her Royal Majesty, that she should make it her first priority to marry."
Kat was on her feet in an instant, seeing stars. The room was hot and stuffy, and she felt her skin tingle, as if a thunderstorm were imminent. Her head was pounding and she fought a wave of nausea to point one finger at Lyonel.
"How dare you! The Council has no authority to force the monarch to wed!"
"True," Lyonel said. He'd gone pale but he stayed on his feet, meeting her gaze. "We cannot force you but we can ask for you to exercise basic common sense."
Honor stood, one hand on Kat's elbow, trying to distract her.
"You'd sell me to the first prince you laid eyes on," Kat yelled, not caring that she was losing her temper, something Honor had told her over and over not to do in meetings. This was her life they were talking about, her body, her soul. "And then expect me, no doubt, to provide you with an heir or three!"
Lyonel might have defused the entire situation with any sign of retreat, one word of apology. He did not. "Majesty," he said, and the title sounded patronising from his mouth, "that is the traditional duty of a queen."
The world spun out of control. There was no air. Kat opened her mouth to speak.
Abruptly there was the clang of metal on stone. Cal had knocked over his goblet, soaking several papers, and sending the metal cup to the floor. "Fuck," he said, getting to his feet, his chair scraping across the floor.
Kat blinked a few times. She was newly aware of Honor, still clutching her sleeve. The threatened storm had passed; she could breathe again.
"Callaghan, that's not appropriate language for the Council Chamber," Honor chastised, but without any sign of anger. He released his grip on Kat's sleeve. She took her seat, though he remained standing.
"Apologies," Cal said, wiping his hands on his shirt and then clambering under the table to retrieve the goblet. There was mirth from some of the assembled, and exasperation from others, at his antics.
Honor shook his head. "Does anyone agree with Minister Lyonel? Let's have a show of hands."
Barton, damn him, lifted a hand. Carina raised a hand too, her lips pursed defiantly. Lyonel lifted a hand, though somewhat reluctantly, it seemed. Ferran considered it, but apparently decided against putting his opinion on record, because he kept his hands on the table in front of him.
"It seems the Council disagrees with your sense of priorities," Honor addressed Lyonel. "I motion that you do not raise this issue again for fourteen moons." It was the maximum number of months a topic could be prohibited from discussion. "All in favour?"
Elias, Briana, Elara, Kat and a handful of others raised their hands. A re-seated Cal and Briana's protégée followed suit; they were not yet Council members and their votes wouldn't count, but Kat appreciated their support. Honor raised his own hand and Elias said, "Motion will carry."
Both Elias and the official scribe made a note of this fact. Satisfied, Honor retook his seat. A somewhat uncomfortable silence settled over the room.
"Are there any further reports, statements, or questions?" Elias asked mildly, pen at the ready. No-one dared to raise any further debate. "Then I think that this meeting is over. Your Majesty?"
"You are dismissed." Kat stood again. She and Honor left the room first, leaving the other council members to disperse as they would.
Fandom: Original
'Verse/Series: Kat (High Queen)
Pairing/Characters: General Series
Rating: R for one use of strong language
Word Count: 1233
Summary: Shortly after becoming High Queen, and before the Tour, Kat is goaded to the point of releasing the curse.
Content Notes: No standard warnings apply.
Index Page for this series: DW/ LJ
Kat was – finally - crowned High Queen. She had proven she could take her rightful place. She was at the pinnacle of her power now, unless the mythological Triple Crown fell into her lap, making her Empress.
That didn't mean the Council respected her any more than they already did – or did not – as she was frequently reminded.
One such occasion occurred on a pleasant afternoon, one that should have been spent outdoors. Instead, Kat was dragging her heels on her way to one of the regularly scheduled Council meetings. She arrived just behind Elias, who paused at the door to the chamber, and looked at Cal, who was carrying a box of more papers.
"I can't find my glasses," he said, patting at his pocket with one, the other balancing books and papers.
"I picked them up." Cal nodded to the box. "They're in here."
"Ah, good, good," Elias said, beaming. He bowed his head in Kat's direction. "Apologies, Majesty. I did not mean to delay you."
"Don't mention it. The meeting cannot start until I arrive, so we're not late." Truthfully, she could do without yet another meeting. Still, they all entered and took their seats.
As anticipated, the meeting of the Council was by turns aggravating and dull. Kat gave her 'aye' or 'nay' as appropriate, overruled a proposition she found distasteful, and signed four documents. A headache was starting behind her eyes and, anxious for some air, she called for a recess.
"We're almost done for the day," Honor assured her in the corridor as Kat leaned out of a window, soothed by the afternoon breeze on her face. "Two more reports and then we can go for a ride if you'd like."
A ride might clear her head. Kat pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. She took a few deep breaths and then motioned that she was ready to return to the chamber. She took her seat, noting that her goblet had been refilled by one of the attending pages. She sipped at it, grateful for the coolness of it on her tongue.
Briana delivered her report on various legal matters. There was a dispute over land ownership that legal writs and mediation had been unsuccessful in resolving, and she asked for any advice from the Council before moving to more forceful ways of ending the conflict. Honor offered to go personally, as an envoy of the Queen, to talk to both parties.
The final report was by Lyonel, who spoke on matters of trade for an interminable period. After he had finished with the list of figures he removed his glasses and Kat sat up straighter, like a child eager to be dismissed from class. She wanted to go to her room and take a draught of the potion that sometimes helped with her headaches, and then get out of the castle for an hour or so while it was still light.
"One of the concerns being raised by our trade partners is that of the kingdom's stability," Lyonel said. Kat's heart sank. He wasn't finished, and by the sound of it, he was going to make a speech.
"How so?" Honor asked, in a tone akin to the careful drawing of a dagger.
Lyonel did not heed the warning. "A High Queen is something many fear. The last High Queen died without issue –"
"Yet the kingdom is still here," Honor said, leaning forward to stare down Lyonel.
"Be that as it may," Lyonel said, "I am not the only minister to feel that we would be better served by a High King." The other council members began to murmur and whisper, and shift in their seats. Lyonel raised his voice a little to be heard over the hubbub. "On behalf of all who fear for our future, I put it to her Royal Majesty, that she should make it her first priority to marry."
Kat was on her feet in an instant, seeing stars. The room was hot and stuffy, and she felt her skin tingle, as if a thunderstorm were imminent. Her head was pounding and she fought a wave of nausea to point one finger at Lyonel.
"How dare you! The Council has no authority to force the monarch to wed!"
"True," Lyonel said. He'd gone pale but he stayed on his feet, meeting her gaze. "We cannot force you but we can ask for you to exercise basic common sense."
Honor stood, one hand on Kat's elbow, trying to distract her.
"You'd sell me to the first prince you laid eyes on," Kat yelled, not caring that she was losing her temper, something Honor had told her over and over not to do in meetings. This was her life they were talking about, her body, her soul. "And then expect me, no doubt, to provide you with an heir or three!"
Lyonel might have defused the entire situation with any sign of retreat, one word of apology. He did not. "Majesty," he said, and the title sounded patronising from his mouth, "that is the traditional duty of a queen."
The world spun out of control. There was no air. Kat opened her mouth to speak.
Abruptly there was the clang of metal on stone. Cal had knocked over his goblet, soaking several papers, and sending the metal cup to the floor. "Fuck," he said, getting to his feet, his chair scraping across the floor.
Kat blinked a few times. She was newly aware of Honor, still clutching her sleeve. The threatened storm had passed; she could breathe again.
"Callaghan, that's not appropriate language for the Council Chamber," Honor chastised, but without any sign of anger. He released his grip on Kat's sleeve. She took her seat, though he remained standing.
"Apologies," Cal said, wiping his hands on his shirt and then clambering under the table to retrieve the goblet. There was mirth from some of the assembled, and exasperation from others, at his antics.
Honor shook his head. "Does anyone agree with Minister Lyonel? Let's have a show of hands."
Barton, damn him, lifted a hand. Carina raised a hand too, her lips pursed defiantly. Lyonel lifted a hand, though somewhat reluctantly, it seemed. Ferran considered it, but apparently decided against putting his opinion on record, because he kept his hands on the table in front of him.
"It seems the Council disagrees with your sense of priorities," Honor addressed Lyonel. "I motion that you do not raise this issue again for fourteen moons." It was the maximum number of months a topic could be prohibited from discussion. "All in favour?"
Elias, Briana, Elara, Kat and a handful of others raised their hands. A re-seated Cal and Briana's protégée followed suit; they were not yet Council members and their votes wouldn't count, but Kat appreciated their support. Honor raised his own hand and Elias said, "Motion will carry."
Both Elias and the official scribe made a note of this fact. Satisfied, Honor retook his seat. A somewhat uncomfortable silence settled over the room.
"Are there any further reports, statements, or questions?" Elias asked mildly, pen at the ready. No-one dared to raise any further debate. "Then I think that this meeting is over. Your Majesty?"
"You are dismissed." Kat stood again. She and Honor left the room first, leaving the other council members to disperse as they would.
no subject
Date: 2013-05-18 11:30 am (UTC)But I'm glad that Kat can express her feelings without making excuses or trying to find explanations for herself. She feels how she feels and she's strong enough to not be afraid of it. She will not be a "good girl" who's trying her best not to "make a scene". And I admire her for it.
BB, thank you for making me questioning myself. I need it.
*HUGS*
BTW I loved that little dialogue between Cal and Elias because, awwww, glasses! *having Giles feels* :D
no subject
Date: 2013-05-18 12:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-18 12:49 pm (UTC)The emotion is justified, yes, totally. What scares me is acting upon an emotion without having time to process things properly. Which I myself do all the time. I guess reading Kat is kind of like therapy for me. It gets difficult at times but it's something that I really need if I ever begin accepting myself.
So thank you for writing this, bb! *HUGS*
no subject
Date: 2013-05-17 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-18 07:47 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-05-20 04:25 pm (UTC)I like how you describe the storm of the curse, and how Cal and Honor work to avert it.
The heir issue seems to keep coming up for poor Kat; I wonder if there's any way she could take on a royal apprentice. After all, Honor points out that the last High Queen may not have had kids but the kingdom is still here, and some members of the Council would clearly have more respect for Kat's husband even though he'd be marrying into the title of High King, so blood isn't the highest priority for the heir.
Of course, any apprentice-High-Queen/King would likely try to usurp power, like a grand vizier. So that plan also has drawbacks ;)
no subject
Date: 2013-05-21 08:28 am (UTC)The issue of the Triple Crown will definitely come up again :D
I figure it's like the British monarchy bloodline - if the monarch has no surviving children, then there are other potential heirs in brothers, nephews, cousins, etc. I haven't worked out all of the family tree and I do need to start keeping a record of at least the previous monarchs I invent as I go along! A High King would still be expected to provide an heir - although if he had a child with another woman then the bloodline would be interrupted. I imagine though the Council has ways of justifying this - governments always find ways to interpret laws and traditions that suit their own best interests!
Ideally an apprentice would be chosen as you suggest, but without the Triple Crown the monarch cannot chose their own successor without the blessing of the Council, who'd have their own ideas about a suitable person for the position. As you say, it's a chance for the successor to try and usurp their way to the throne early!
no subject
Date: 2013-06-18 01:47 am (UTC)I really liked this - the pressures that a lone female ruler has to face - although I imagine male rulers have had the same pressures, too.
I read everything I can find about Queen Elizabeth I, and this reminded me of the constant pressure she dealt with over the decades to marry and give birth to a (preferably male) heir. She managed it pretty adroitly for more than 40 years, while being a pretty awesome queen.
I always love the Kat-verse, and am so sorry that I've gotten behind in reading about her.
no subject
Date: 2013-06-22 10:08 pm (UTC)BTW, I've replied to a couple of comments that you made tonight in response to my comments to you (I know, confusing!) but you won't get notifications because they came to me as 'anonymous' and I had to unscreen them to even reply. :)
no subject
Date: 2013-06-22 11:37 pm (UTC)Gloriana
Date: 2013-06-24 11:10 am (UTC)