15 Elphame 2

   The eidolon took to the queen almost immediately. Images of a knight kneeling danced across his mind. “I get it already,” Warren said under his breath. He knelt before the queen, “A pleasure to meet you, my queen.”

   Elphame touched him lightly on the forehead, “Please rise. You flattered me with your actions,” She scowled at Vasilia, “I thought we agreed the choice was his Vasilia. You walk a thin line, Daughter.”

  “I only wanted to make sure he didn’t get lost on the way to you,” Vasilia replied with a smirk.

  Vasilias' words fell on deaf ears. Elphame saw Nerea and motioned her forward, “Please don’t kneel. I get enough of that from my people.” She clasped both of Nereas hands in hers, “Welcome, I wish more parents would come to see their children off.”

  It started with narrowed eyes and ended with Nerea pulling her hands free, “I intend to remain here until I am certain he can handle things on his own. Anything less will dishonor the memory of his mother, who died in his arms.” Her voice dared anyone to challenge her words. 

  “I will arrange for your accommodations right away,” She snapped her fingers and a pair of green-skinned hunchbacks raced up to her, “Prepare two rooms, one for Mr. Vandal, and one for Ms. Vasquez.” The grotesque hunchbacks skittered away eager to do their queen's bidding.

 Warren had never been in a throne room, Vasilia walked proudly beside him. Her hand was tight on his, and she whispered, “Don’t worry, once Nerea is out of the way, there will be no stopping us.”

    The crowd kept their eyes on him. Childish finger points, hushed tones carried on conversations, and eyes filled to the brim with envy. Warren may have been fully clothed but 

   

    He froze in his tracks and cocked his head to the side, “Stopping us from what?”

   Vasilia grinned mysteriously, “Say yes and you will find out. I promise you won’t forget it.” She moved his hand to her thigh and let out a soft moan, “It’s worth it.”

   On some level, Warren knew he was nowhere near ready for anything Vasilia was suggesting. He shook his head, “Okay, now I’m a little freaked out. Traditionally humans like to get to know one another before they start making plans for the future.” The eidolon urged him to get away from Vasilia. “The eidolon is hesitant about you as well.”

  The young Seelie changed attitudes in a hurry, “You insult me, human. You had a chance to wreak great change with your hands, instead, you took the coward way out. I’ll give you time to change your mind, but when things start moving along you are out of luck,” Vasilia hissed angrily. She stormed out of the throne room in a huff, not caring for how it made her look.

   Nerea strode up to Warren with a satisfied smile on her face, “Trouble in paradise?”

  “She had plans. I planned on making it through this meeting before I decided what to do next,” irritation drove the tone of Warren’s voice.

   Slender but strong arms surrounded him, “I knew Melanie didn’t raise an idiot. Why did you go along with her?”

    “I wanted to feel like a normal teen for ten seconds before I threw myself under the crazy bus again. I know it sounds dumb, but I no longer have school, hockey, or my friends, I know it will all come back with time, but right now it feels like forever.”

   Nerea pressed him close to her and she rubbed his back, “You miss your old dull life?”

   “Are you kidding? A scout for the national junior team talked to me, and I won a championship. Maybe it’s not exciting to these people but I was pretty happy with my lot in life.” Warren hugged her back, grateful she came along.

   The queen raised her hands for silence and spoke in a clear and melodic voice, “My fellow Seelie. We are gathered here to welcome Warren Vandal. As an eidolon wielder, he walks the line between the Seelie and Human peoples. I hope that with his help, we can bridge the gap between humans and Seelie.” She paused, “By the ancient laws laid down by our people, every eidolon wielder shall choose an anchor. Should they get trapped behind the aura, the anchor’s job is to help undo it. As it is our custom, I offer my daughter Vasilia to be that anchor. What do you say, Warren?”

   Silence stole all the noise in the room and left Warren naked, exposed, and self-conscious. He knew the queen expected an honest answer. He coughed and spoke in a tone that echoed across the wooden audience chamber, “I must decline your majesty. I think Vasilia and I are in two different places. I need my anchor to be on the same page as me.”

    “Very well, I find your words sensible and true to your heart. I ask you to let Warren and the eidolon choose their anchor wisely. If I sense anyone is using bribery or other such tricks, will find themselves guests of my dungeon,” Elphames regal tone and bearing dared anyone to challenge her. “I ask all of you to return to your duties, as the land no longer produces what we need.”

    Elphame held out her hand to Warren, “Will you and Ms.Vasquez join me? I have something to show both of you.” She smiled as Warren guided her down the stairs. “Do you understand why you need an anchor?”

    Nerea shrugged and punched Warren who examined an exotic necklace in a glass case, “The queen is talking to you Warren.”

   Warren snapped out his thoughts, “I hoped it would be explained,” he said with a weak smile. 

   Soft olive hands slapped against Nerea’s face and then slid down until they hit the chin. “Don’t be a pandejo, Warren. Try to guess.” She shot the queen an apologizing look, “Forgive him, the western world spoils its children.”

   The queen giggled, “I don’t mind answering the question.” Elphame made sure Warren kept both eyes on her, “Now, an anchor is someone who can call you back in case the eidolon takes over. There has to be a strong connection between you and your anchor. Which means you will eat, sleep, and live with your anchor. Choose well, once chosen you cannot again.”

    In Warren's head, it sounded an awful lot like being married. However, he had to work with the eidolon and if it needed an anchor, he intended to find one. “The eidolon seems to have some idea of what it wants. I will let it guide me to the proper anchor.”

    Nerea scoffed, “I’d like to have a say…”

   “You will not,” The queen silenced her with a swift hand movement, “This choice must be Warrens and Warrens alone. He has decided to let the eidolon guide him in this matter. I find the thought sensible, as the anchor will be dealing with it regularly.”

    “Let’s hope it picks someone we both can live with,” Nerea replied. 

   The queen stopped at enormous metal doors, “Now behind these doors is the first part of my plan to increase human and Seelie relations. Captain Fleet came up with the idea.” She waved her hands and the doors opened. When the doors clattered against the wall, Elphame flourished a bejeweled hand, “Behold the Scald Crow, Transport of the soon to be formed Arcane Seekers.”