Enjoying the Gilded Room

Posted on Tue Dec 27th, 2016 @ 4:55pm by Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate & Keelan

1,965 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Shadow Dance
Location: Jenefran Castle Prison, Upper Level

Jennifer had been moved to her new accommodations and had since taken the time to treat herself to a warm bath cleansing herself of the filth of the lower level dungeon and shirking off the everlasting cold that had once plagued her. Her new quarters were quaint compared to the palace itself with a simple bed and plain tapestry. Despite the windows being barred, the light still streamed in radiating off her skin warming her heart and bones. Her mood was much lighter as she changed from the shabby robes to a simple blue dress, made of an elegant silk but offering no extravagant designs, just a simple baby blue strapless dress.

In the middle of the room was a small wooden table with a chair for her to eat. The guards had expediently brought her a filling meal allowing her to regain her strength when coupled with a short rest.

As she finished up dressing, she looked over to the table realizing the tray had not been taken. Not wanting the remains of her meal to attract any unwanted filth, she called out to a guard.

"Excuse me sir, what would you like me to do with this tray. Do you perhaps have a place I might be able to clean it and dispose of the scraps?"

The door opened and a small Jenerfan woman came in to take the tray without saying a word; she bow slightly and made her way out but the door did not close as another figure came into the room with a light Purple Robe that coupled with the simple head band that symbolized the rank of a King to those around him.

"You are technically a prisoner but I would rather we think of it more as a guest with restricted movement?" Keelan spoke when the two Body guards took up position at the doorway. "I wanted to see that my commands were being carried out." Keelan said with a sly grin. "Being the new monarch I am still in the habit of Vazeer to see that things are completed as commanded." He stopped short of the Federation woman. "You approve of your new accommodations while having to be kept in captivity I hope?"

Jennifer curtsied gracefully as the monarch spoke to her. She wanted to be sure she did nothing to insult the King or his guards and lose any favour she had gained. "Your highness has blessed me with these most elegant accommodations, I feel more like a princess then a prisoner although I am not certain I have deserved such an honour. During this time she was also ensuring she maintained a great deal of space between herself and the King, she did not want to make the guards feel uneasy given the circumstances surrounding the last monarch's death.

"Please sit." Keelan said to the woman. "I have a few things I hope you can fill in the blanks as human say?" Keelan stay where he was. "It seems that there is a poison that is synthetic; Jeneferans use natural toxins, and such. If we were to give you the chemical composition could you tell us if it is one favored by the Federation?"

Jennifer took a seat across from the King looking to the guards to make sure she was not making any disapproved movements. Once she was certain she was okay, she looked to the King. "Unfortunately your highness I am not familiar with toxicology. By trade I am what the Federation calls an analyst. I analyze data and I use various resources to derive conclusions. While the chemical composition would prove useful, I would need access to Federation databases in order to derive what this poison is and where it has been used in the Federation. For all I know, this poison could simply be a poison we have encountered from a foreign species and is simply in the databases but not used. I offer you my help of course, in any way I can."

"You can realize the fact we cannot allow you access to any of your databases." Keelan said calmly. "Your COmmanding Officer has been quite lax in getting the analysis to us that would hopefully clear your name, but we have limited resources compared to your analyical systems. How long does it take to do a chemical breakdown with a valid sample?"

Once again the words drove a dagger into Jennifer's heart. "Not long." He words stammered a bit as she had become slightly upset. "Our science department with it's equipment would be able to derive the chemical composition within only a few hours at most. However if this is something we have encountered prior, the substance would have been logged and the analysis would take only a matter of minutes."

"Then I wonder why they have not relayed the information to us by now; there has been ample oppurtunity to do so." Keelan stroked his chin thoughtfully. "I would believe they should get the information quickly so to get you out of the 'Torture our Laws call upon for suspected Assassins?" Keelan mused. "I made sure you were not put through that as you are a guest and have ..." he thought for the words. "Dealt with the feedback from my council about not 'getting answers' the easy way and letting you be left just to remain in a cell."

Jennifer immediately dropped to her knees fighting back more tears. At first she was weary of Keelan but now she saw him a virtuous leader whom had gone great lengths and through great person sacrifice to ensure Jennifer's well-being. "Your majesty, you did not have to risk the integrity of your rule for such a simple woman. I am not certain how I can repay you for this immense personal sacrifice. I must assure you that the Calypso and her crew are not a representation of the true Federation. The Federation does not ignore anyone man or woman, we are all important."

"As we are ones to seek truth I am sure the truth in your Innocence." Keelan said calmly. "I am willing to put some risk out for the belief; it is better for our relations with the Federation if we see to it that the truth is brought into the light. You will either be exonerated or you will be killed should I be wrong." He put a hand out to her. "Raise your head if you are innocent and let no one force you down. It is not pride to be assured of things despite the evidence, you should be more aware that your innocence will make you higher standing on the other side of this ordeal."

Jennifer raised her head slowly, a few tears ran down her cheek glistening them in the sunlight. She looked the King in the eyes. "I swear to you I am innocent. I adored the King and I wish there to be good relations between Jenefra and the Federation. I swear to you my King, that if somehow, by some cruel way you are to be proven wrong, I will take my own life to prove my devotion to this alliance."

"No need to even put doubt in your mind." Keelan said. "I know in the fiber of my being you did not commit this crime; I just have to follow the laws and allow the evidence to be brought to us." He gave a sly grin. "Then you will be free from this cage and able to go into the stars again and return to the Federation that has protected you so far." He said with a casual tone. "And I do find it quite interesting that you have more loyalty if you follow that statement than some that are in this castle. An outsider who knows how to state allegiance and convince me that is how she feels in her heart."

"Perhaps my place is no longer amongst the stars and the Federation not my protector. Alliances are not formed in a day, atleast not where I come from." she said with a smile, the first since her capture.

"Have her moved to house arrest quarters." Keelan turned on his heels.

"My King." The Guard began. "That would mean she is in the palace."

"She will be locked in a room same as she is here, I believe she has given an oath of loyalty, we should reward this, if we keep her in this cell why should she trust we are honorable. She gave an oath, I accept it and she shall be in the castle under OUR protection since her Federation seems to not care about her condition." Keelan put up a hand. "Put her on the opposite side from my chambers but she will be treated with the respect her declaration merits."

Jennifer looked to the guard as she rose from her knees. "Kind sir, this is a oath I intend to fulfill as this alliances surpasses my importance and my life. I will prove to you that I did not kill your King and then I will serve to be the bind that ties our people together. Jenefrans are a most honorable people, you remind me of a species we are allied with whom hold honor at the highest regard. You have honored me with your kindness and I will honor you by dedicating myself to this alliance as was my final orders from the Federation."

She took a couple steps towards the guard, but did not make herself look threatening. "We will find this assassin, and you will serve your King his head." she stated through her gritted teeth.

The guard did not seem moved nor threatened. He looked to his King and then the woman. "So let it be done." The guard eplied solemly, maybe not believing as much as he could have.

"Take our guest to her new quarters and see that she is prepared for dinner. Such Loyalty and determinations is to be rewarded. You shall dine with me and the members of my Trusted ones this night." Keelan turned to go. "See that she is bathed, scented and properly dressed for teh occasion."

With that Keelan turned and left the room.

Jennifer curtsied to the King as he left turning her attention back to the guard. "If it is not to much to ask, could you please assist me in ensuring that I am to meet the standards of the King and for such an occasions. Please forgive my lack of knowledge on your customs, but I would very much like to learn."


The larger of the two remained; the guard that Tate had been speaking with. "You are a guest and the King says you are to be properly attired and prepared for the occasion. We will have you attended to by women who know what they must do." He motioned she go first into the corridor where a female guard was waiting.

"If you will follow me we shall get you to your quarters, there is much to do and little time." The woman told Tate. "I am Luxna, I shall be your guard as you are prepared it would not do to have a man escort and watch a woman as she is gently prepared to sit with the King." She smiled in a way that was to taunt the large male Guard. "He can make sure you do not leave but no more."

"Of course." Jennifer said bowing her head to Luxna. "It was improper of me to ask such a request of him. If you would please ma'am."


Luxna started down the corridor knowing Tate would follow.


OFF



Keelan
King Pro Tem

Luxna
Guard

Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate
Federation Liason to Jenefra

 

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