For what must have been the fiftieth time in the last five minutes or so, Clarrik found himself staring at Serenei, dumbfounded. "Never...heard...of it?" he repeated slowly. "What? Everyone's heard of Sister Star and Brother Desert." Indeed, the first thing that children learned was how Almerinte was created when Father Earth laid down mud and mountain and Mother Nature breathed life into the world. And then there was Sister Sea and Brother Sky, and Father Sun and Mother Moon...

How could Serenei have forgotten [i]that[/i]?

Clarrik's train of thought was cut short by Serenei holding up a hand and asking him to "cut the shit". She asked if she'd lost her mind. Clarrik was fairly certain that she most definitely [i]had[/i]. Sweet, gentle Serenei was never this angry about anything. 

"What about you, huh? You and your fucking gods or goddesses or whatever. Do even know anything about mainline science and reality? Miracles don't happen! Just freak coincidences and people being at the wrong place at the right time," Serenei declared. Clarrik shook his head, unable to believe what he was hearing. 

"Snow above, how can you [i]say[/i] such a thing? Have you not seen what the priests and priestesses can do? Your own brother is the High Priest, for the love of everything cold! Blizzards and snowstorms that can destroy entire cities that only occur whenever some foolish lord or lady tries to build a mine in the Inner Wytesias aren't just accidents, Serenei!" Clarrik was clearly growing agitated at Serenei's continued refusal to acknowledge that Ophelia and Ver'lya and Lativia and Scarletta and all the rest of their gods and goddesses were very, very real. And she kept insisting that her name was Samantha Ashley, and that she didn't know who anybody was. 

Clarrik took a deep breath. "Ryne is your son," he explained in the most patient voice that he could muster. "He is three years old. In fact, I shall summon him to our chambers right now." Clarrik strode to the door and opened it just a crack, motioning to the bewildered handmaiden who was standing in the corridor.

"Would you please fetch Ryne for me?" he asked in a hushed voice.

Serenei's handmaid nodded hurriedly. "At once, Your Grace," she replied, before scurrying off. Clarrik sighed and drew back into the bedchamber, turning to face Serenei, who was saying that she wanted to get back to her 'team'. She then asked for 'proper clothing', declaring that her nightgown made from ivory Meraliti silk was "tacky", a term that Clarrik was unfamiliar with. 

He gestured toward the wardrobe made of sturdy oak and decorated with intricate carvings. "I, uh, believe that you had a gown in mind for today in there?" he said awkwardly, opening the wardrobe to reveal a gown of pale blue lambswool and pristine white fox fur. Elaborate silver embroidery decorated the long, full skirt. Freshwater pearls had been sewn into the fabric, and the bodice was slashed with delicate Cyrainese lace. 

The handmaid returned with Ryne in tow. He had eyes like the sky on a rare clear day, and his brown hair was on the lighter side. "Mother!" he exclaimed happily when he caught sight of Serenei, eagerly running to Serenei with arms outstretched.

*****

Serenei let out a started squeak as the man who she'd mistaken for a fellow Itervian very rudely lifted her up off of the mattress she was sleeping on and set her on the ground. She realized that the bed she'd found herself lying on was actually suspended above a second bed, which she presumed belonged to Graves. They began taking her to the infirmary. Serenei was not entirely sure what that was supposed to mean. And why was she supposed to be going on a 'mission'? 

"I would appreciate it if you would kindly stop taking me to this infirmary of yours," Serenei said in a prim voice. "Yes, I am absolutely certain that I did not hit my head last night, and I have a welcoming banquet to see to!" She couldn't help but notice the strange attire of the other people in the hallways. Most of them were men, and they were giving her peculiar looks. Some of them were even so insolent as to leer at her, as if she were not a married woman, and a member of the royal family at that!

They passed a window-at least, Serenei thought it was a window-and she strained to catch a glance of the outside, but all she could make out was...dark blue. She frowned. Why was it glowing?

Serenei had no time to ponder the window. The two men reached a section of wall that was actually a door (Serenei was not entirely certain-everything so [i]strange[/i]) that revealed a tiny room. All three of them squeezed into the room. Serenei was horrified. [i]Snow above, how improper, being in such a small space with two men who I do not know![/i]

The wall slid aside again in an unnervingly smooth manner. They continued on their way, passing what appeared to be men made of metal. Serenei stared at them, her eyes wide. It was like they were wearing very clunky and awkward armor. They paused in front of another section of wall, with Graves tapping something hanging on the wall, and the wall slid aside yet again, revealing a room with walls so blindingly white that they reminded Serenei of fresh snow. 

One of the men accompanying Serenei called for someone named "Stanford", and out came a man made out black metal. Serenei screamed at the sight of him, shieding away. She was shaking violently. "What...what is [i]that[/i]?" she demanded, panting. Her heart was racing. "How...how can it speak? For the love of everything cold, where [i]am[/i] I?!"