Conspiracy by Kate Gordon Page B

nothing of his parents and much less of his Elven heritage, so meeting his birth mother produced no visible emotion.
    Queen Mallorie still didn’t accept that she was in the Southern Realm. Her husband, King Aegir, had been killed in the Olc attack on the cabin and her daughter, Alisha, had been kidnapped—or so she thought. Heather’s private conversation with Gregor about Alisha’s secret meeting in the forest with one of the attackers had not been relayed to Mallorie—at least until they could determine if the girl had left of her own free will or actually been kidnapped.
    King Orleon sat at the head of the table, his wife, Queen Cassandra to his right and to her right, Gregor and Haslane, comprising the entirety of the Southern Realm royal family. On the far side sat the rulers of the two other Realms, Queen Eimile and Queen Mallorie. The human visitors had not been invited.
    King Orleon commenced the meeting. “Queen Mallorie, please accept our deepest condolences on the death of your husband, King Aegir. My son has informed me that he was an honorable man and will be mourned by his people.”
    Mallorie nodded without comment.
    “Our gathering is a momentous occasion, and I am deeply saddened that King Aegir could not participate. It has been thousands of years since the royal families have convened. Even the existence of the Southern Realm has been lost to the knowledge of the Eastern and Western Realms. It has been my intent, since assuming the throne, to restore unity between the kingdoms and to bring peace to our people. For our part, we of the Southern Realm have lived in harmony for thousands of years. It is my understanding, however, that conflict and open rebellion have come to each of your Realms. We stand ready to assist in restoring order, if that is your desire.”
    Prior to the meeting, Gregor had taken over an hour to explain to Queen Eimile and Queen Mallorie the history of each Realm and to inform them of the fourth Northern Realm, comprised of banished Elven. Eimile silently absorbed the information, not commenting, but each revelation was met with reluctance, if not outright rejection, by her daughter. A fabrication, Mallorie called it.
    “My queen,” Gregor had explained, “On my honor I can assure you that this history is true and accurate. Is it not true that the Eastern Realm Elves cannot pinpoint their origins, nor their heritage, beyond six or seven thousand years? Nor can the Western Realm Elves.”
    “What makes you think your version of history is correct?” Mallorie had rebutted.
    Gregor nodded understanding of her disbelief. “It is difficult to revise a lifetime of learning and understanding—and intentional deception. Certainly our human visitors, including Tony, find this even more difficult, but the fact remains, all Elves came from the Southern Realm. ”
    Still unconvinced, perhaps fearing the loss of her ruling authority, the issue was left unresolved and they had ended the briefing to convene with King Orleon.
    The king continued his opening remarks. “Prince Gregor has explained to me some reluctance to accept our rendition of history, that we were once a united kingdom. I understand that, and perhaps unification of the kingdoms is not what is sought. We might seek something more along the lines of a cooperative agreement. But surely you cannot be pleased with the insurrection and rebellion that has currently overwhelmed your Realms. The Eastern Realm has been completely overthrown, is that not correct, Queen Mallorie?”
    She sat silent, the question moot in the face of the recent death of her husband and her own withdrawal from the kingdom, now under the control of the Olc .
    “Would you not seek our assistance in restoring your throne, if offered?”
    “What can you do that we can’t?” Mallorie asked.
    Orleon looked toward his son and nodded.
    “My queen, the Southern Elves are empowered to a degree greater than either of your two Realms. There is a disparity