The Queen

When we arrive, both thrones are occupied. The king, yes, but now there's also a queen. An older woman, wearing a heavy crown taller than the King's. She has blonde hair, blue eyes, and a very flat expression. Focusing on Greater Arcane Sight, I find she's warded with Mind Blank… a spell that Primordial Lore bypasses successfully. She's much better protected than her husband, though. He has an Amulet of Proof against Detection and Location with an unusually high caster level. What's really interesting is the half-dozen invisible guards watching the throne.

Which also means I can read her surface thoughts, anxieties, and desires via various spells… if I focus on them long enough. I go with thoughts first as Alice improvises via her proxy. “Ah, your Majesty, we haven't had the pleasure.”

“Correct,” the woman nods, “I was away negotiating a trade agreement with our neighbors.” She takes a breath, “I am Queen Esmerelda Essex the Eighth, and I apologize that we did not catch the evil men who summoned you here faster.” ‘...my spies tell me these folks have been treated poorly… pity I can't just toss that useless sack of skin of a husband in the dungeon, nor curtail his authority when I'm not here; if we didn't need the trade routes… eugh’

Ah, good, the pleasantries hit the time requirements for Detect Thoughts. And… great, she can't get rid of him… ugh. Makes it hard for her to convict him even if she knows what he did.

I think as Brian steps in via his proxy, “It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness.”

‘Too slow…’ The eyes of the woman on the throne narrow as she thinks, ‘so where are they...’ she thinks as she looks around the room, “It's a bit dark… enlighten the room.”

Odd phrasing… I watch as a few servants bring out hooded lanterns that radiate a faint aura of Evocation as the invisible guards step back into alcoves. The servants set the lanterns down on portable lamp posts in what looks to be marked spots, and light them. By the time the mystery voice in my head says ‘Invisibility Purge’ I've already figured it out: Lanterns of Revealing. They duplicate a spell that eradicates Invisibility in an area.

Fortunately, Superior Invisibility (and my particular flavor of natural Invisibility) bypass that spell effect. My proxy, however, is just under the effects of Greater Invisibility, and shows up. The queen frowns, “So where are you, really?”

We briefly discuss it mentally, and Charles' proxy answers, “Not far, we have taken to being cautious in certain matters.”

The woman considers for a moment, ‘I really hate my husband, how do I clean up this mess…’ she continues, “Understandable, you certainly live dangerous lives. How can I assure you that it won't be a problem going forward?”

“Getting rid of the man who tormented us when we first arrived would be a good step…” Alice grins as she looks at the king.

Esmerelda does not turn her head, but clearly doesn't miss the implication, “Unfortunately, his presence…”

“Secures a trade route that you need.” I have my proxy rudely interrupt, “does the ‘useless sack of skin’ secure the route, or the destination? We can solve one of those by different means.”

As the king goes white, the queen nods slowly, ‘You're reading my mind, then?’ Ms. Essex thinks as she speaks, “I'm listening.”

‘Yes your Majesty, we have developed certain mind powers,’ I inform her telepathically, ‘it's how we're controlling our proxies.’ I have my proxy continue, “A few of our members have the ability to create permanent passageways to shorten distances,” all four of us, actually: Brian and Alice can get Teleportation Circle and Permanency from the Lore spirit's Arcane Enlightenment option with a day's notice… or just duplicate both via Miracle, because the spells in question are low enough level for that with some list diving… while Charles and I have both directly on list and known due to my buffs, “so if it is merely the route, we can solve that.”

The King audibly gulps as the Queen smiles, “It is the route… his sister holds a mountain pass we need to use to reach the Dwarven nations, and for whatever reason she loves the man.” She looks at her husband, “but even with that, I can't remove him on just an accusation.”

Charles speaks up… REALLY speaks up, giving away his position, “I can cast ‘Share Memory’: If you are willing, I can show you what that monster put me through.” It's only good for a single minute per cast, but Charles has a ton of spell slots thanks to buffs, and could probably share that entire night's events.

The Queen considers, and one of her invisible bodyguards whispers in her ear, “I have heard of this spell: You will remember what she chooses to share as she does, which may hurt if she shares a painful memory… but the spell is harmless, there is no danger from it. If that isn't what she casts, we can interrupt before she completes the spell."

“Very well,” the Queen nods, “show yourself properly, and I will acquiesce.”

Charles thinks at me, ‘Clear it,’ and I dismiss the spell keeping him from view.

Everyone in the throne room jumps when I do, except the bodyguards (who aim their weapons) and my people (who expected it). Charles calmly walks over, “Are you ready, Your Majesty?”

The woman on the throne nods, and Charles casts his spell, a few dozen times under the watchful eye of the bodyguards. I watch as the Queen frowns, scowls, cringes, screams a few times, and eventually raises her hand, “I've seen enough.”

Queen Esmerelda Essex the Eighth takes a deep breath, and turns to her husband, “Anthony, you stand accused of attempted adultery. As MY husband, that's also high treason. Further, you stand accused of abusing a national treasure. I'm sure the lawyers will work out a few other charges… and I plan to enjoy questioning you under Touch of Truthtelling. Guards! Lock him up until the inquisition arrives.”

As they approach the man on the throne, he shakes his head, and shouts as he breaks a necklace he's wearing, "You haven't seen the last of me!” and he vanishes.

Curiously, it seems more like he was reciting it than saying it… which is answered as the voice in my head tells me the spell: ‘Refuge’. Which I know: It creates an object and a phrase which gives another person a one-time teleport to a prepared spot.