Last Battle of the Icemark by Stuart Hill

arriving at the meeting chamber before she was ready.
    All eyes turned to her as she blinked in the bright sunshine that streamed from the windows. But then she caught sight of Maggie snoozing happily in his chair, and felt a little better. She wasn’t the only one unprepared for the importance of life.
    The guards on the door announced her arrival as she entered, and everyone in the room stood, apart from Maggie who slept on regardless. Grishmak, Tharaman and Krisafitsa greeted her happily, and Oskan smiled as she took her place next to him.
    â€œWake up,” he muttered, so that only she could hear. “Everyone expects you to be a Queen.”
    She looked at her husband darkly. As usual he could read her perfectly, and was always ready to be mischievous at her expense if it would distract her from thinking about Medea. “Thank you, oh my beloved one,” she answered ironically. “I wasn’t aware my regality had slipped.”
    â€œNo matter. Only those who know you well would be aware of anything amiss.”
    â€œWhat a relief,” she said, and looked around the table. The Hypolitan contingent had arrived early that morning, having celebrated Samhein in the ancient manner beneath the trees of the Great Forest. Thirrin noted that Olememnon’s hair was now almost white, but he looked as hale and hearty as an old oak tree. Beside him sat the Basilea Olympia, her bright eyes and stern warrior’s face making her look like an eagle as she stared about the room as though looking for prey.
    Much of the discussion would be important to the Hypolitan, so Thirrin was glad she looked alert. Their input would be valuable.
    â€œRight, I call the meeting to order as we all seem to be here,” said Cressida in her usual bossy manner, and she started shuffling an alarmingly thick pile of papers.
    â€œActually, we’re not,” said Krisafitsa. “All here, I mean. Kirimin’s missing, and so are the boys.”
    â€œMissing?” asked Thirrin, suddenly alarmed. “What do you mean?”
    â€œExactly that, I’m afraid,” Krisafitsa replied. “Kirimin’s quarters and the boys’ room show no signs of being slept in last night. But I’m sure it’s nothing to be alarmed about. They probably went off to the Great Forest for a last Samhein experience and just forgot the time. I expect they’ll be back sometime today, all contrite and hoping to get away with any punishment they’re certainly due.”
    â€œBut when did you find out they were missing, and why wasn’t I told?” asked Thirrin agitatedly.
    â€œOnly a few minutes ago,” said the Tharina calmly. “Kirimin usually calls on her father and me before attending any official functions, and when she didn’t arrive I sent a werewolf guard to find her. He came back and reported her room empty and unslept-in. I immediately thought of the boys, and when their room was checked, my suspicions were confirmed.”
    Thirrin turned to Oskan and raised her eyebrows questioningly. He shrugged in reply. “If anything had happened to them I’d have known. Perhaps Krisafitsa’s right and they just went off to the forest for a laugh. I’m sure they’ll be backwhen they’re ready.”
    â€œBut they all knew there was an important meeting this morning. Surely they wouldn’t miss that?”
    â€œThey’re teenagers; call something ‘important’ and they’ll immediately ignore it. It’s what they do; they’re strange beasts,” Oskan said reassuringly. “Come on, we’ve a lot to discuss. We can give them a potted account of proceedings when they finally get back.”
    Cressida nodded, cleared her throat and prepared to take control again. Nobody had actually appointed her as chair of the meeting, but she’d assumed the role anyway. Somebody had to do it, she reasoned, and she was probably the best qualified,