Ameila was in her rooms attempting to knit a baby bootie while listening to her chief of staff recite the latest economic figures for the Brodaboon Territories. It was a trifling matter, the Territories had an highly efficent and rigid economy and always turned a profit of exactly two hundred thousand gold, sixteen hundred silver, and three copper.
Sick of the numbers, Ameila cut her cheif off with a gesture.
"Bottom line. The territories can complete all their financial obligations to Sailoon for the fiscal year?"
"Yes Highness."
"Then that's all I need to know."
"But - "
"But nothing." Ameila snapped, jabbing her knitting needle in his direction. "The territories governed themselves as a soverign nation for two thousand years before their monarch got completly plastered and signed the entire place over to my grandmother. Considering that nintey percent of the population spit nails whenever my name is mentioned, and the other ten scowl, I'd rather adopt as much of a hands off policy towards them as I can. The Brods can take care of themselves."
"Yes Highness."
"Good." Ameila said, and begun to attempt knitting once more. "Now, what about plans for the Solstice celebration?"
"All on schedule highness. Lord Davyd has come up with several ideas for decorating Sailoon as well as the floats."
"I'll look at his plans first thing tomorrow."
"Begging your pardon highness, but first thing on your schedule tomorrow is a meeting with Baron Jerrwell."
"Oh Gods." Ameila groaned, feeling physically ill. The Baron was the leader of a small group of Nobles who saw themselves as the Moral leaders of Sailoon. They were also complete and total asses. "Let me guess. Its about my impending motherhood."
"That is the rumor Highness." Ameila pinched the bridge of her nose. "I'd have him killed if I didn't need him." She muttered.
"Pardon me highness." The chief ventured. "But do you really need him?"
"Of course I do!" Ameila snapped. "His fields supply Sailoon with the bulk of its wheat products!"
"Yes Highness. But something has come to my attention." The chief pawed through the stack of papers on a desk. "The writ which created the Jerrwell Barony was contingent on not only the new wheat production method, but a minor clause which states that to prove the method's cost effectiveness, the Barony must also turn a profit of at least three hundred gold per month." Straightening, he turned and handed her some papers. "In the past two years, the Barony's profits have dropped to almost nothing. The wheat production has remained plentiful so your father didn't see any reason to act."
"And father was too nice to do anything." Ameila said, tapping a knitting needle against her chin as she stared thoughtfully at the ceiling. "If the Barony was disolved, who does the land revert to?"
"Duke Varis."
"Who happens to be my cousin." Ameila mused. "Send him those figures and 'suggest' he inspect the wheat production. Lots of bluster and noise." Varis was a political animal and his disgust for Jerrwell was well known. He would enjoy this and Ameila liked to do nice things for her family.
"Yes Highness." Said the chief as he gathered up the papers and headed for the door, only to have the papers go flying as the door was thrown open by a gaurd.
"Queen Ameila!" The gaurd shouted, snapping to attention, slamming the butt of his pike into the floor. "I beg leave to report that a band of sorcerers have arrived in Sailoon and that one of their number have been charged with the destruction of the town sqaure's fountain!"
"Where are they now?" Ameila said, throwing aside the covers as Cordelia came around the bed holding a beautifully embroidered robe.
"In the throne room highness!"
"Then that's where I'll see them. Dismissed."
"Yes Highness!" The gaurd said and ran out. Ameila sighed as she remembered the days when she ran with Lina. When she was free...
But I have responsibilites now. She thought. If not to myself, then to the people of Sailoon. She put her hand on her stomach. And to the people of Sailoon who are yet to come...
Banishing such melocholy thoughts, Ameila fastend the robe around her and set the gold circlet that was her crown on her head.
"Come along Sendar." Ameila said cheerfully to her chief of staff. "Let's go have a trial!"