The Burning Queen

Daddy knows best

At the head of the table in the boardroom in the southern most point in his domain, N'atas clasped his fingers together with his hands resting on one of the many treasures in his kingdom. The handcrafted table, comprised of severed appendages, horns, and bones, consumed the majority of the space in the room. Well preserved hands in suspended animation cupped goblets of the finest specialty brew anywhere in any of the kingdoms. Twelve sons, six on each side stared at the presentation as a general spewed figures and rumors in their direction.

N'atas stared at the empty chair at the other end of the table, the one reserved for the ruler of furnace thirteen. The empty seat reminded him of his decision to banish one of his own from the realm. But with each passing moment, more questions rose about the scenario that forced his hand to make an example out of anyone daring to challenge his power and his authority.

"As you all are well aware of, the outer sanctum is hovering at the edge of chaos."

N'atas raised a hand, the glow drawing the attention of the others. "I have assigned a replacement. He will bring order."

The man at the front of the room cringed, his mouth prepared to offer up challenge. But reason smacked some sense in him, forcing his lips to seal. Instead he offered a nod. "So he shall."

A dismissive wave from N'atas, and the man resumed his spiel. "The world above teeters on war. The mortals are close to anarchy. I propose sending not only the watchers, but a few whispers. With proper encouragement, I believe we can tip the scales in our favor."

The boardroom door eased open, a thin redheaded woman slithering through the open door. She strode past the men, her sights set on N'atas. He frowned at her presence, the interruption unconventional especially with the height of the stakes. If the humans fell into war, it would usher in a new era of abundance for them all.

The woman bowed as she approached, her eyes falling to the floor and remaining there until he gestured for her to speak.

"My liege." She dropped to one knee, still showing respect while invading N'atas's personal space "I apologize for the interruption."

The others continued to listen to the general. N'atas however, turned his full attention to his assistant. "What is it Persephone?"

"You requested any updates."

"I did." He shifted, his annoyance growing at her presence. "Get to the point woman."

"It's furnace thirteen." He sat up straight at her words. "It's shutting down."

The room burned brighter though the others played their roles continuing with the charade pretending the information from the man at the front of the room trumped any tantrum beginning at the back of the room.

Through gritted teeth, a feat in and of itself, N'atas replied. "What do you mean its shutting down?"

"The residents are dying. Many are already abandoning their posts, seeking refuge and passage through the twelfth kingdom."

"Then deny them," He said dismissively.

"We have tried. But it is not just the shift of the population, the land grows cold. The rivers have molted over. The volcanos have fallen silent. The kingdom is literally drying up and dying. There is fear this will spread."

N'atas's hand slammed into the table, the echo of bones breaking filling the room. He knew the risk of his decision, the potential fallout. He'd hoped to buy some time with the ruler's replacement. The man was capable if not efficient. He'd figure out a way to restore order. They just needed to review the current situation and place temporary fixes until he instilled a permanent solution.

"How much time do we have?"

She scanned the black tablet in her hands. "If calculations are correct, at the current rate the furnace becomes irrevocably inoperable in five days."

Anger surged, a roar escaping from N'atas that shook his kingdom spreading outward until all in the realm understood the severity of the brewing situation. While he never intended the banishing to be permanent, he planned to teach a lesson, one that apparently would have to wait. "Send him for her."

"Are you sure? Jesar is still unstable and Eldon is currently unaccounted for."

He leaned in close, flames from his fingers licking at her chin. "Are you questioning me woman?"

She held her ground. "I will do as you wish." Standing, Persephone again bowed.

Collecting his composure, he made one additional demand. "And make it look convincing. It must appear as if he has escaped, not been granted release."

She nodded curtly, indicating her understanding of the underline message. "And if he doesn't take the opportunity?"

"You do not know Jesar as I know him. He has attempted to do everything in his power to prove his innocence. He will take advantage of any weakness to continue the fight."

"Yes master."

He waved her away. The only thing left to do now was wait to see who was prepared to play chess, and who was only capable of playing checkers.