SEASON 2. Chapter 1, Five years gone. . . .

Castle Ao'o, sunset. . . .2026 AC/DC

Brian leaned across the drinking gals and men, and kissed Star's hand as she reached out to him. She meant to shove him for a jest he made, but he kissed her hand instead. In the past five years, the two had become good friends. The Geordimen leader became a member of Holy Wood Courts and was faring well among them, backed by the Royals in command. The Power Band, which he received as a reward for aiding them in the Battle, had toured-without the Queen- on and off for the last few years and had recently taken a pause. The Younge Boys and their two guards returned to the Great Southern Island, Star already missed her Angus.... Brian was about to return to his Hills, back to his people.

When He leaned away, Star's smile began to fade. While he was a good man, a good kisser, how he took control of the Power Band is what made her heart sink.....these five years passed were not enough to stem the ache in her heart. Dawn laughed particularly loudly at a joke someone made or from the weed, Star didn't know. She broke out of her revelry to remember her fallen lover.

It disturbed her. How it happened, too fast and without a parting word. As if the Gods mocked her, his body seemed to get up and run away. . . . she hadn't seen him, nor any word on his body, since that day.

The Battle of Fields.

No Spyder prisoners captured that day remained alive now, all put to the death under Dawn's insistence. When none were willing to share any information on their escaped comrades, the Princess deemed them useless and her mother let her do as she wished with them. Star had too much else on her mind. That, and if what Kilmister said was true....she didn't want to be near the Spyders any longer, especially in death.

With the sunrise tomorrow, both Star and Brian, leaders of separate kingdoms, would travel away to the northeast. . . . .

_-_-_-_-_-_-_

Ao'o, sunrise......

Richi was holding the reigns to Star's grey mare. She was saddled and yawning into her palm. He grinned and shook his head. As she had many times, she didn't give a detailed explanation as to why she felt the need to leave. To visit the Sabbath Lands, her mystic friend Geez lived there, his massive fields of Herb supplied the entire span of kingdoms.

Yet he suspected her visit was about more than her herbal supply. She had changed since the Battle of Fields, Richi noticed, but he said nothing as he saw her off into the day, off to travel to the Sabbath Lands without guards. Under cover of a dark cloak and no royal flags or colors. He couldn't stop her, she would go if she truly desired to. Meanwhile, he was to stay and rule in her stead, as always.

As she blew him a kiss and departed, Brian tipping his hat in respect to the Lord as he passed, Richi shook his head again and said his good bye.

He turned back to the castle and walked up the steps, side glancing at the limo parked in the extended stables. Why she didn't drive the way with two guards made him frustrated, she claimed that the gas supply was short, and deemed the vehicle to be used for short distant travel. He went on, thinking about how best to placate his niece, Dawn. Every time Star left the castle, she left Richi in charge, never hr daughter. Besides the Wizard, it was the worst of their arguments. Due to a witch's tongue, Star refused to let her Princess rule as was her birthright.

The Queen believed in the tale, that only a bastard king may follow her. If a girl child sat after her, only death would she rule. He went inside and asked to see his niece, but was told she had just departed herself through the kitchens. She did this often, slipping away into the kingdom to avoid looking at the throne she so wanted. This left her own child Rosie, alone in her rooms as she was want to do. Dawn had an Underground society to run and act as judge and sheriff. Richi sighed at his dysfunctional family and made way to speak to the Managers, the collection of stewards and nobles who helped run Holy Wood.

They waited in the throne room to inform him on political matters their Queen sometimes overlooked; successions in families, population census, movements in other kingdoms and the BOC city state. Thus his day began as temporary overseer until his cousin's return. He had little time to worry about Dawn's feelings and where she went, he knew she needed no guard to save her.

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Sabbath Lands, the herb fields of Geez. Nightfall, a four days later...

The journey was not as long as she expected and the part between her and Brian came swiftly. She said her good bye, fared him well, and he left with gold and seeds to feed his people. She went on further to the east, to the land that lay before the Mountains of the Unknown, into which the Spyders had fled during their last war. Ever since which, the account of Highwaymen had reclined, it made her wonder. She crested a hill and was met with a slight overcast sky, the mist and clouds hovered in this valley often, casting it in a cool shadow.

In this part of the lands, was where her mage friend Geez dwelled, and she gazed upon his harvest of the summer. He had apprentices and workers helping him pull in the bundles of buds on their thick stems. He was instructing them when she rode up, and when she dismounted he turned and smiled in greeting.

“Ah your highness!” He said. “You made it safely I see!”

She embraced him, “Aye I did. Not a highwayman in sight this time. Though what IS in sight is your glorious harvest.”

They watched the workers mill about the fields. “Yes, soon to make way across the Kingdoms. Demand has increased, and this is a good crop. Here,” he stood next to a wagon being loaded and plucked a small, but heavily budded branch, of herb and nodded towards the holding barn where everything was to be stored for the trimming and distribution. “Come this way, we can smoke and talk of things.” The tone of his voice suddenly lowered.

Once in the barn he shut the door and ordered everyone to leave so they may converse in private. But one man in the loft, stacking stalks, did not move. Geez did not seem fazed.

They sat in two wooden chairs and he set the herb he brought with them under magnifying glass, lit by a fire. The heat concentrated on the plant and began to dry it quickly. While they waited he turned to Her and clasped his hands in his lap.

“Now that we have the place to ourselves, let us speak the truth of your visit. Why don't You join us up there?” He called to the man above.

Star heard the flick of a lighter and could smell burning cigarette. She watched the man descend and come to their gathering. It was Kilmister. His silver eyes bore into her behind the smoke of his cig and he nodded respectfully as he sat. Geez poked the drying herb and found it not dry enough.

“Queen, I believe you know this man. I believe you came here for him.”

She nodded. “I did. No offense to visiting you of course.”

“I understand,” the Mage said.

The two looked at each other, the two off-worlders.

“SO,” Star spoke first. “How goes progress? You said you wished me to come to the Sabbath lands.”

He nodded. “You shouldn't go back ya know.”

“But you build the Bridge in any case.”

“My freedom was for the bridge, I build it, and you decide who goes through. But it is unwise to go yaself.”

“Why?”

“You are a wanted thing.”

She pondered his words in silence.

Geez touched the herb again and found it to his liking. He began crumbling it between his fingers and onto a small piece of paper. He rolled it quickly and Kilmister handed him his ornate lighter.

“Be careful your highness,” the mage said suddenly. “When this man came to me for assistance I took him in and when he said you demanded the bridge be rebuilt, I was shocked. But it sounded like something you would want.”

“You've been helping him?” She asked.

“He could not do it without a bit of alchemy, and a touch of Sabbath magic.”

“True that bit.” Kilmister said, and drew on his cig. “It was destroyed with magic, and a bridge of this power IS magic. On both Mars And Earth, the shuttle technology, hundreds of years old, was lost. All scripture was burned by the leaders of the Divide. ” The Divide being the separation of Mars from Earth. “Not many other ways to get there and back besides that.”

“Then how did you get here?”

“The same reason you got me rebuild the bridge, those who sent me had one last shuttle, no one except me could bring it back to life. It was lost in my landing.”

Star was silent and then turned her look to Geez. “I trust you enough, with this do not betray me.”

“Fear not,” he assured her as he inhaled the burning herb. He gave her the joint. “I give you this in confidence.”

She took it and inhaled. “A pact of silence.”

Geez nodded.

“Is the Bridge near here?” She asked. “Stories always vary.”

“What do you think brought him this way?” The Mage asked with a hint of a laugh in his voice.

Suddenly her honey eyes darted to the Kilmister, staring at him intently. “Was it tempting for you? With the Spyder Army just miles from here, even running through here.”

He blew smoke between them. “No. If I was ever tempted to rejoin them, you would be dead.”

She silenced and her jaw clenched. She drew on the joint and let the smoke go. . . . .

-_-__-_-_-_-_-__

On the Road to the Sabbath Lands, earlier that same day. . . .

Dawn HAD gone to the Underground. She had stayed for a while, but her thoughts went to her mother. She had been very vague on her reason to visit the Sabbath Lands, usually she proclaimed dramatically why she was going somewhere, but when Brian said he was leaving back to the Geordiemen Hills, her mother promptly stood up and announced she would travel with him.

“The royal procession must prepare,” Richi began.

But Star interjected rudely. “No no, none of that now. Just myself, alone thank you.”

That made Richi suspect her, Dawn saw it. “No guard? No colors? No procession?”

“You act like I haven't before! Silly man,” she patronized him. “I'm just visiting Geez and I'll return within the week.”

Dawn shook her head at the memory. That made her leave her underground city, in the tunnels that used to be sewers, before she came and reformed them. Cleaned them, housed the homeless and street kids, and gave shelter to “gangs” of trouble makers. Built her own web of networks and spies.

 She left after just arriving, and silently traveled behind her mother and the Jasper.

What surprised the Princess most was that, while Star snuggled close to him at night by the fire, or kissed his cheek, or embraced him like a lover, they did not intertwine on the journey. This seemed odd behavior for her normally nymphomaniac mother. It made the princess realize that with this new behavior, her mother had not been arrested for fornicating with underage girls in the last five years. Odd.

She suspected it had to with Bon's death, that vile man. He tormented her mother even in death. Yes, she had replaced him in the Power Band with Brian, and part of her had hoped he would ease her pain. . .but apparently, he hadn't entirely. Still her mother functioned better than she did when the war broke out. Richi had to break her out of a drinking binge over the man's body. Pycho she was.

When they parted ways, Dawn had to watch from afar to not alert her mother of her following. She knew these lands even better than her. Trailing close until Star went into Sabbath Lands, and into the fields of Geez. There, Dawn could not follow so closely. Under cover of the night that fell, she quietly scaled a thick tree and hid in the boughs. She watched the barn into she had seen Star enter. The Princess would wait, though it would kill her to wait she would. The lanterns were lit outside the doors and the workers in the fields all dispersed.

It was some time before the Mother left, two men leaving with her. One Dawn recognized as Geez, the Mage who grew these crops. The other, she did not recognize. She was smart enough to know that whatever they had spoken of had to do with Him, or else He wouldn't have been there. Star would not let some stranger man into a private meeting with the Mage so easily. Yes, that was Dawn's target. She saw her mother saddle and then settled into her tree for the night.

Let her mother travel ahead, possibly stay at the Mob Stone Castle where she fancied a young budding Prince of Darkness. No doubt she thought Dawn in the Underground. She would skirt her mother while she holed up in Mob Stone and ride for the Underground throne she made for herself. That Loon was up to something and Dawn would find out.

As if trying to marry off Rosie to that Devil Angus after the war, wasn't bad enough! To solidify the ties between Power Band and Silver Knights, she had said, the Nerve! The Sun Princess would not allow it and that is what made her return to the Underground in the first place.This had happened often. Star had attempted several times to arrange a marriage between Rosie and Angus, Dawn saw it now as a cover story, to distract her from the truth. But she knew now the truth.....She would have to find out who the Stranger Man really was what her Mother wanted with him. 

S1 Chapter 12, Dying to Meet you, Part II

The Highhills......earliest rays of dawn....

Dawn was riding to the Highhills, places of woods and misty rocky hills. that bordered the Dragoons and Sabbath lands. The people here were splintered in many different clans and factions, but the ones she sought were the GeordieMen. The cleverest of warriors who didn't take no for an answer, or anyone's bullshit for that matter. She had actually met a few Geordiemen years ago in a village market somewhere. Wanderers far from home.

But now so was she.

The army was behind her, the wrong army. It had been weeks of fighting, nearing a third month's worth, and Dawn's army had broken some line within the forests of Holy Wood and the Eastern freelands, many Spyders had fled or been killed. Dawn herself didn't take prisoners, not many anyhow. Star and Richi had staked their holdings on the boarder of Holy Wood and surrounding touching lands, and were succeeding in fending off the attackers, but they had recently closed in in the forests. They choked a pathway around the main force and somehow, of course somehow, Star managed to break off Spyder contact with the lands they had claimed. Forcing the largest fraction of their army up a narrow crag in the earth that went north by north east.

That is where she was now. In the heat of this chase, and the battle that started their running, she had taken off with nothing but her horse and she carried, trailing after the enemy. She couldn't turn back for risk of losing them in the rocky gorge, and so could not break pace and could not lose sight of them. In this place, one day lost was an army lost forever. She knew they were trying to get to the Hills, those misty hills where Clansmen lived. If the Spyders got there before she did, they would slaughter the natives and hide out for the winter fast approaching.

The hills were pitted with caves that went deep into the earth, and the winters grew harsh. If the enemy made it to the caves, Dawn and her army would be barred all winter, and the Spyders would be free to take every advantage and flee to the East before she could catch them. But she gained ground on the Spyders, though her horse was ragged and so was she, she went on, she had to find the GeordieMen, to tell them, to recruit them. For their lives and her peoples'.

She missed her child, who was all the way by the sea with her nursemaid. Dawn had been shaken by the death of her childhood nanny, Tilda. Her mother seemed indifferent, until her Bon was murdered. True while Dawn hated him, she didn't wish for either of them to go through such violence. While she prayed to pagan gods to protect her child, she also worried for her now war crazed mother. The loon was going mad, Richi said she was not sleeping well, and was mostly silent. This was a bad combination that hopefully changed if they won.

She shook her head to wake herself, tired from the journey and the exertion she had endured to get this far ahead. Behind her the Spyders were happily setting up camp for the evening. She glared at them, wishing that she had Rosie's potential power to harness and command the earth. Rosie would never use her powers for such violence, but Dawn would have gladly used them to stop this from ever having to happen. A big hole in the earth would have sufficed.

Her own powers over the sun were too vast and wild for her to control safely.

She was in the foothills when the lavender tint of pre-dawn crept into the sky above and around her. Below, the camps were surprisingly out of sight in the canyon below. This would only prove her point, or make her look insane. These clansmen were so secluded that she doubted their knowledge of the outside world was up to date. Would all of this even matter if the clan she found in these foothills wasn't even the Geordiemen? The Spyders would stay in that canyon for days, probably sending spies to scout these areas....she had that much time over them at least. Maybe.

If the Georidemen weren't in this area, if they exceeded her reach, she doubted she would win. She laughed in her throat as she could almost hear her mother's voice in her head, telling her to never doubt her own power. She was Lizard Blooded, she would win if she tried.

“Its when you stop trying that you really lose.” Dawn's voice echoed as she recited the words with a sarcastic tone, mimicking her mother's. “Loon. . . “

Her horse suddenly stopped, panting hard. Its breath rising and freezing int the chilly morning air. Dawn shivered. The winders of ice were upon them, snow would be falling within the month. By then the Spyders would be right at home with the bodies of the dead left to the storm.

There was noise on the crag above her. Her sword was drawn and pointed at the hills above her. In one fluid motioned honed to even faster speeds during this current war. But she saw no one near. She sheathed her sword, dismounted, and retrieved the blade quietly once again. She led the animal by the reigns carefully, and came around a mound of rock that blocked the paths above. When she saw a man some ways above, on a path she now saw open up before her, she stopped.

That face she knew only from paintings, from dreams, from looking in the mirror. In leather brown pants, a flowing white shirt, with soft brown hair in even softer curls, was her father, standing above her, looking down with an lazy, expectant look. He turned without a word, throwing a leather jacket over his shoulder and walked up the rocks and boulders, leaving her behind.

“Father! Father wait!” She shouted. She left her horse and began scrambling up the hillside path. The sky was beginning to grow a lighter shade of lavender by the time she straightened up and stopped in the middle of the a dirt switch back with a wide turn, as if for a small cart or wagon. She stopped and spun round on the spot. Her father was nowhere in sight.

But another man was. He was dressed in a green kilt and a moss black long sleeved tunic. He wore leather boots that rode up to his knees, fur lined the edges and insides. His eyes were dark, made darker by the large, grey wool shawl he had wrapped around his torso. His face was handsome, hinted with a tad touch of being plain. His curly hair was a light brown and the wild expanse was kept tightly under a dark grey cap.

She wasted only a moment's worth of inspecting him before she realized that other, similarly looking and clad men stood in places behind him on the hillside. She herself was void of any identifying marks or colors. Her armor was a dark, grey color that she had lost parts to some time ago. She now had her platemail tied to her horse behind her, and it looked like nothing extravagant. Her horse was tired, drooping, beginning to thin. Her self wrapped in a large black cloak, her long hair was meant to be kept in a netted cap but of course it broke free around her face and sprouted from her head like wild vines. Her cheeks reddened by the cold winds, her skin dusty from the road. She looked like a traveler, but her eyes bore into their in such a way that they conveyed power.

“I am Dawn of the Lizard Blood!” She used her more common titles. “Princess of Holy Wood, daughter of Queen Star Dust and the Last Lizard King.” Her father was more widely known as such. “I come seeking the leader of the GeordieMen. I have traveled far to see him.”

The one nearest her took a moment to listen and think. He nodded. “Well comma long then, you certainly found who you were lookin for. I'll take you to the Jasper.”

She hurried to catch up to him and the others dissipated into the rocks it seemed. She left her horse but it plodded forward on the path, instinctively following her. She was relieved that these were, apparently, the GeordieMen.

“Wait the who?” She stumbled but was quick to recover.

“The Jasper, the leader, chief!.”

“Oh,” she remembered it. “What is his name?”

“Ya came lookin for em but ya don't know his na'iem?”

“Well no,” she admitted. “We know little of you, if I hadn't crossed two of your people before in Holy Wood, I wouldn't have known to come here.”

He suddenly stopped and turned to face her. “Why do you come 'ere?”

She stopped gratefully. “Because a war is coming your way wild man. A new clan called the Spyders have started war and is below in That canyon.” She pointed, he looked.

“I see nothin.”

“They're hidden down inside.”

“ 'Ow many?”

“Five thousand? Eight thousand? Does it matter? How many of You are there?”

“Ah, enough to take em.” He moved on.

“I hope so.”

“Naaaah,” he drawled.

“You don't believe me?”

“Hardly even know who you are.”

“And I don't even know who I'm asking for help here, so we're just going to have to get over that shit and trust each other. Got it?!”

He shook his head and laughed. “I like yeh! You're alright as far as princesses go and all.”

She gave him a “hmpf”, an act committed in doubt that he had even met Real princesses who could trace their blood back thousands of years.

When they reached what was the encampment it was half in the caves of the hills and half out in the open. Dawn cringed at the exposed targets, there was no fighting here yet, but these people would be in harm's way when it did come. She was taken through the camp, people watching and whispering in her wake. She was from the Southern Kingdom called Holy Wood, they all knew her Lady Mother. The man who led her took her into the caves and led her through more throngs of people.

Dawn counted that they could match and maybe hold the Spyder army with the men she saw present, but numbers is all these men had to their advantage. She had her doubts about them being able to hold their own on the battle field with such skill and defense powers. There were warrior men and women here, but the Princess didn't see them as being able to take on a trained and well provisioned army.

They passed a fire ring with an old white haired woman sitting near it, her back to a tent post. As Dawn passed she reached out and grabbed her arm. The Princess tugged out of reflex but the woman held firm.

“I see a son rising. The Queen of darkness shall have one, but the Queen of light will have two. One born of memories past, one born of a hopeful new future. Born of dark and light, this second son shall take what was due to the first for the first shall have no inheritance.

Dawn glared at her. “You ramble woman. Of Whom do you speak?”

“The Queen of Mars.

“There is no such person.”

“There will be....”

She was silent for only a moment, recalling that her mother's prophecy predicted none of her mother's daughters shall rule on Earth.

“This second son will give rise to a new era. An era long desired. Balance, once corrupted, will return. When no sons were born to rule, now let them come forth to take their places as rightful Kings of the thrones they are due.”

“Eh , don't mind 'er, crazy that one.” Her guide warned her.

They went on and were quickly led into thew largest tent. Inside was a man dressed as the others. But he was far shorter. He stood his full height but Dawn's reach was nearing six feet tall, he had to be just over five feet. By the way the ornate wooden chair sat in one corner, nearest the fire pits, she guessed this was His tent and he was their Jasper.

“Look, I don't know how to approach you as the leader, the Jasper, if that is who you are,” she was harshly direct. “But I need to speak to the Jasper here, its life or death for you and your people.”

“And who ar' you?” He asked, a smirk tainted his mouth.

“I am Princess Dawn Abithia Morrison, daughter of the Star Queen and Lizard King. I come your way because a war ravages the lands beyond your hills, and those who which to enslave you and use your caves for themselves are not far away.”

“She was sayi' 'ow there is an army in the Canyon, the one below us. Says we can't see em but they hide within.”

The Jasper looked from his man to the Princess. “How do we know you're tellin the truth woman?”

“Why would I lie about this? If you don't believe me, then fine. Go ahead and I'll leave you all here and you'll be slaughtered in your sleep. Our kingdoms are not familiar with each other, true. You have no reason to trust anything I say.”

“And If I act crazy like and do?” The Jasper asked.

“Then I will prepare your men for battle, and it doesn't even have to be a battle. Its a defense. They have you out weaponed, my mother's army comes from the south-”

“How do we know that's not a trick?” Someone asked.

Their leader raised a hand to silence whoever it was. “Silence ye!”

“ My mother's army comes to crush those who would destroy you!” She shouted. “I came to help you, despite our lack of knowledge of each other. If these Syders get passed you, they will hide in the hills you call home and desecrate them. If I am wrong, there will be no defense, no fighting. If I am not. . . .”

The Jasper stared at her, looked to the fire and then nodded. “I've 'erad of ye. All of ye. Yer whole family. If you tellin' the truth, and we win this defense of yers, I want to see yer castle.”

She grinned, “You'd be the first.” She held out her hand. “Dawn of Holy Wood.”

He held his and drew a black stone blade, its glossy surface cut across his palm with ease and he didn't flinch. “Brian of the Geordiemen Hills.” He slid his blade across her flesh and they grasped hands.

Their bloody palms connected and she smiled.

"Show meh to the canyon now Princess," Brian said. "I wish teh see what yer ravin' about."

"Come with me and I'll show you more than the army, I'll show you how to win," she replied with a smile. 

   >>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<

Star and Richi rode up behind their army, through the ruins of the Spyder camp. Any Spyder soldier was killed, any officer taken prisoner for questioning. As she and Dawn had discussed, she would not receive  word if all went well with her daughter's mission, she would have to carry out her attack on the Spyders no matter Dawn's outcome. But when Star came, the hills the Spyders would travel through lit with fire. Balls of fire were launched from hastily constructed trebuchets. They had successfully held the Spyders at bay, all too easily it appeared, giving the Queen enough time to bring her army in and over run the enemy.

The defeated Spyders ran to the hills to the east, to the high, rocky mountains already piled with snow and covered in stormy clouds. They would face a death by frost that way. Star did not pursue them, the mountains were the biggest in the lands, bigger than the Dragoons. They ran thousands of miles in either direction and no one had crossed them for thousands of years. No one ever came back if they lived.

Suddenly a large group of the so called Geordiemen came forward. The group split and Star and Richi paused. The men made a path from the Lady and her Companion to Dawn and her companion. A gruff looking man far shorter than she. Star was instantly intrigued. She dismounted and couldn't reach Dawn fast enough o embrace her.

“Oh my child, I am so relieved.”

“Oh Mother, you shouldn't have been so worried.”

“How could I not be?! You ran off to find a group of clansmen we know nothing about. And managed to get them to fight with us I see.”

Dawn stood proudly to her mother's side. “Mother, I present theJasper of the clan himself, Brian.”

The man tipped his hat. “My day Queen.”

Star smiled without understanding, “Um, greetings Jasper Brian.”

He reached out a hand tied in a blood stained cloth and took her gauntless hand and pressed his lips to the top of her hand. She was sure she felt the tip of his tongue lash out to perversely touch her sweat covered skin. She saw him lick his bottom lick ever so subtlety. Her heart ached for another man but she accepted his greeting.

“My day is their way of addressing royalty Mother.”

“I see,” her smile deepened in understanding. “You made quick work of this, for that I am grateful to you Brian.”

“And I to yer kin Star One,” he replied. “I hope that jour'ney to yer castle will not be too long. I've never been to another kingdom's castle befor'.”

Star had to take in his words. “Ah yes, the journey to Ao'o, should not take long at all. I will be most pleased and honored to have you as a guest.”

“Ah good. Since I'll be taking place as Lord Brian I'd like to see this place. Now excuse meh, I ned to make arrangements.”

Her dutiful cousin leaped into action.“I shall go with you, we must speak of our kingdoms and come to understanding each other. I am Lord Richi of Blackmour, advisory to the Queen and Lord of the Courts.”

When they were gone, Star spun to around to face Dawn. “He's coming with us?” She asked with a stony voice.

Dawn smiled,” Of course Mother, as a reward for helping us. I wasn't going to give him nothing.”

“We did not discuss this.”

“You're not angry I'm bringing our ally to the courts are you?”

“No. . .Of course not.”

“Oh and I also gave him the Power Band as well, which is what will make him status of Lord in the court.”

At this Star bristled. “You WHAT!?”

“It came up in conversation,” Dawn went to a nearby wagon filled with medic women and water barrels. She thankfully received a deep bowl of water to rise her face in. “After procuring his alliance, he wanted to know if this entitled him to a wife, to which he was two. I said it may. He then asked how to become a lord of the courts, to become more involved in the Kingdoms. I said that Lords were either of noble birth such as he, or leaders of Greater bands of musical men.”

“How did the Power Band come into this I wonder?”

“He heard tale of a mighty band form the Far Far south, and wanted to know if there were many bands like that in Holy Wood” she took a long drink. “I said that band was now without a frontman, to which he said his own band had just bisdanned. I said Perfect!” She splashed her face. “He said he become more than our temporary allies, he would bend his knee to you if it meant he was placed with the Power Band, thus making him a Lord of our court.”

“Dawn how could you!? I can't just give up Bon's place to a stranger,” she eyed him walking with Richi. “A handsome stranger, but strange all the same! How can you demand this of me?!”

“Because without him you would have lost this battle. Had he not heeded my warnings when I must have sounded insane, all this would not have come to be.” She grabbed a towel from the medical supplies and went to a tent that was being constructed for the commanding officers, which included her. Star followed to bag.

Before she could, Dawn was right behind her. “He is dead mother. I am sorry it happened but he is gone and you must accept it. Brian will ease the pain felt by the people who loved Bon. Somebody has to be this way and I will take the burden. Now do not deny our newest ally the rewards he was promised. It'll make you look bad.”

Star turned and left the tent as her daughter began dismantling her chainmaille and armor plates. Though it pained her to give up the Power Band to this, Brian, she would have to. He was the reason they had fortified the small hill paths that would have be free for trespassers otherwise.

The show of fire as they lit the hills a'flame. The balls of red that rained down on the Spyder camp in the night, without warning. Fire is what greeted the queen when she arrived, fire and chaos. She nearly had to wait for the flames to go down before she could go through the camp. It wasn't as spectacularly drenched in blood as she had hoped, but those fleeing would never last. With a bittersweet victory she walked through the devastated Spyder camp, the words of the Kilmister echoing through her head.

“We come from the same place.”

The Spyders seemed to know and hold onto a part of the Martian culture they hailed from. She was envious. They knew more of their home than she did. If what the Kilmister said, if what her dreams really meant were true, then she was no earthling and these enemies she destroyed were her people.

Still, she wanted to return to Ao'o now. With her daughter, her cousin and reunite with her granddchild. She wanted a bath, a bowl of dates to eat, wine to drink, and a joint on her lips.  Her blood craze has vanished when the Spyders broke and ran. She was feeling the tired ache of war in her body.

She wanted to go home. . . .

S1 Chapter 9, All could see that the answer had been found

HolyWood, Ao'o Castle, Day.

“Dearest Cousin Star,” Richi's letter said. “SUCESS ! I have found the missing Prince and he has agreed to help the Dragoon council repair the damaged Throne and Courts. You MUST travel right away and meet him! This Currier is leaving now so I cannot explain more. Be swift! -Richi.”

She grinned and was used to his frantic words. Still now she was able to leave the kingdom and not only had Dawn returned, but Rosie as well. Mother had retrieved daughter, and grandmother had been relieved of her trial. The courts had sent a letter right before Richi's telling her that the jury had found innocence in her favor and she was free to come and go from Holy Wood as she wished.

“TILDA!” She shouted excitedly as she shuffled through letters.

A middle aged, attractive woman came into the room, her head of household. This woman handled the castle only after Richi himself, and she arranged for the Queen's planned comings and goings. Her long brown hair was tied in a braid that reached down her back. She came swiftly.

“Yes my Queen?” She had also once worked for the pirate Queen, Anne.

“I am to make the journey to the Dragoon Mountains. Rosie and Dawn will stay here, and you will serve over my daughter in matters of estate.” She lit a joint and breathed in, then offered it to Tilda who shook her head politely.

“When is your departure?”

“Day after tomorrow. Enough to spend with Rosie again before I leave, enough to tell Dawn how things will run whilst both Richi and myself are gone.”

“When do I expect your return?”

Star thought for a moment, “Two, maybe three weeks to get there with my small procession and band of guards, a week there, two weeks back. Mark me to return on the seventh week after I leave. If I am gone longer than six weeks, then you should send someone to come looking.”

Tilda nodded. “As you wish my queen.” She departed, needing all she had to know to prepare.

Star rather liked the stern woman. Stern she may appear, the Queen knew she harbored a soft spot for Rosie, Tilda had been the midwife for Dawn with both children, she had missed Rosie and was more than relieved to have her back home. . . .

Shaking the creeping sadness form her brain, the Queen went to the balcony and looked down to see her offspring entering the castle with their small envoy of traveling guards. The Jones man, sent from the old King, sat on his white horse with the flag of his King. Star waved politely and he smiled in response, dipping his head in a curt bow. He kicked his horse and went to the stable to rest his horse before leaving quickly after.

She turned inside and began rummaging through her things. There was a list in her head to check off before she left and she wanted to hurry like her cousin urged her to. With Dawn in better spirits, and the princess in waiting home, the Queen was free from worry or thought of distraction. Eventually, she knew that either she would wander off to find her family, or they would come to her. No matter how, she had to tell them that she was leaving just as they were returning.

^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^**^*^*^*^*^*^

Dragoon Mountains. AC/DC 2020

Her travels were met with great response from the common folk, and hardly any response from the alleged highwaymen. Then again, upon Tilda's insistence, Star took more than her planned two guards. She took six instead and was sure it would suffice. Still, despite her lack of opposition on the road, she could feel their eyes from the woods. Whether it was Spyders or thieves, she had recently heard of a new gang in the area, the Motley Ones....annoying young men who robbed women of their lust and men of their money.

As she was led to the tavern where the local celebrations were to be held she watched the many emerging and reconnecting nobles come out of the dark, rocky surroundings. In a manner of speaking of course. She sat at the bar and ordered a drink, her eyes scanning the dignitaries. After so long in civil disputes over succession, the newest Court system was proving strong and durable. Whoever the new king was he must have mind for politics.

Richi was not in the crowd, nor would he be for some time. Light in the Black was on stage and he was their leader, they would lead the festive atmosphere that night. She would be content to watch and wait to meet the new King. She looked about curiously, whoever he was she was sure she would have met with him by now. Of course she only just arrived some hours before, shown to her rooms while Richi and the King, simply called His Highness.....As if to further the angst of not knowing his name or being formerly introduced......while he and her cousin hid from her.

She raised an eyebrow and took a sip of alcohol, called Deamon Whiskey in this part of the land. This was all her rotten cousin's doing, she was still mad at him, while he sounded to be having a grand time. She was nearing contempt when the lights were darkened in the back of the room and attention was drawn to the stage. When the curtains came up, they were heralded by a familiar voice and a familiar sound of guitar.

It was Sir Padvia! And Richi. . She put the vague pieces together and realized that when the man said he was leaving, he was actually going with her cousin that night. But where was the King of the Dragoons?! He should be here, this was in HIS honor! It made little sense.. . . .or did it?

The whole night she listened and waited. Waiting was an attribute forced upon her during the BOC rebellion, she would wait and sip her whiskey. When they finally came from the stage she began making her way to the Knight who had saved her, but he seemed to have eyes elsewhere and dove to another crowd opposite her. He embraced a young woman who seemed enamored with him to a near fault. Young love, Star knew it when she saw it.

It was Richi who shook her out of the moment. He came to her side and she turned to him. He was smiling, his smiles always made her belly warm, Blackmoore happiness was infectious.

“Cousin!” She said excitedly. “Oh that was spectacular! The Olde Gods of Sound bless you!”

He grinned haughtily, “They bless the Dragoons! Their presence is heavy here.”

She grinned. “Light in the Black sounds successful.” She added with a squeeze,” Dear Cousin.”

Their bands were not just musical acts, they were politicians. Their power to influence and relate to the many common people at once was through the music they sang. This was how movements were inspired, how warriors were gathered. This was how they strengthened weakened lands and peoples, how they acted as ambassadors and brought influence and prosperity. Music.

“We have been! The King has been found and order has been restored. This has been more successful than I first expected.” His eyes lit with a fire she rarely saw and he threw back a shot.

“You are quiet good at restoring the rightful rulers to their thrones. Where is this King you speak so fondly of? Was he here?”

“He is!” He pointed to the man she knew across the room. “I made him singer of Light in the Black and when he came with me from Holy Wood, the courts recognized him as the SON of that heir that ran away.”

“You mean you didn't find THE heir?”

“No, better. He had a son while young and that son, the NEW heir, has returned to us as Padvia.”

She turned to stare at him. “He was on stage the entire time.” Saying it it more to herself.

When Star won the rebellion, she shared immortality with the lands, some wanted it, some did not. In most of her time as Queen of Holy Wood, she had had little contact with the North most kingdom. They were a race of shorter men and women, but with voices of power that moved mountains. She was familiar with the story of the lost heir, of the aged King having three sons. He was old when they were born, and continued to rule and live long after, watching one son die and one have another son.

Putting the fractured stories together she saw the image of the lone Dragoon Prince who had come to her aid during the Rebellion. After that she lost contact with them, they shut her out in grief at the death of the King's first son. She could picture a young boy running away from a grief stricken family who then placed all future responsibility on him without his consent while his remaining uncle and his father fought over the right of succession. She sighed inwardly, succession was such a nasty business but one that held countries together with the choice of rulers and leaders, a battle she fought endlessly.

She recalled the Prince talking about his nephew once or twice, how he himself had no sons and his youngest brother did. No doubt that was the boy who ran away, some sixteen years old. Star wondered if he ran away with a young girl who carried his bastard, or eventually found one. Maybe so, maybe so....She realized she was deep in inner thought and her vision came back into focus, centering on Richi. He was talking to her, and didn't seem to notice that she had gone silent.

She nodded, seemingly appropriately and mumbled a response. He was satisfied and drank heavily. Her cousin had found the heir apparent and made him King. She had met him, by some fate, the night before he left. She felt a strange brew twist in her gut, as if she would rely on this budding friendship in some future conflict. As if hearing her thoughts, the Knight himself turned and began coming towards her cousin. His eyes lit when he saw her standing next to Richi and when he came to stand before her they both mirrored the others smile in reunion.

“Your highness,” he bowed in respect.

“Oh no need for that King Padvia.” She smiled.

“King, is still a new title,” he said. “One I still am not used to.”

Star noticed that he and the woman by his side held hands tightly.

“Do not be so modest Padvia!” Richi said encouragingly. “He is doing splendidly, as if born to.”

Padvia laughed and kissed his woman who he then introduced. Star barely heard her name, a rude act, but she was honed on the sound of Dio's voice. It would all she ever had of him. Somehow, it reminded her of the man she had tasted, wanted, and craved, but could never have. His, not Padvia's, voice all she possessed of him. While it drew on her sadness, she hid it away and smiled and laughed. She welcomed her new ally, and established a new pact with a new king of a rebuilt Kingdom.

This pact was established as the festivities grew during the night. Star and Richi drank with Padvia and his newly engaged, queen to be. Richi was going to leave two members of Light in the Black with the Dragoons for a year, to help the new King establish himself on the throne. They were to help him learn his place as King, to assist the new court members in all matters of adjustment. Rebuilding a kingdom was a tedious project, one that both Star and her cousin were familiar with. Star drank away any doubt, any hint of sorrow, she rejoiced with the Dragoon peoples at a new era of leadership. With both the other sons of legend dead, it all lay with Padvia to right the wrong his father committed and take up his blood rite.

With a woman to love by his side, Star had little doubt he would fail.

************^^^^^^^^^***********

Hotel in Holy Wood. Sunrise.

Star came out onto the balcony in Holy Wood, the girl she left behind laid out happily on the bed behind her. In the hotel over looking the city. After a week long stay in the Dragoons, they returned to the Wood together, leaving Padvia to become a king. After which, Star threw another wild celebration in honor of the success of Richi. She had swooped up with a group of revelers and awoke in the hotel room with a girl in bed next to her.

She overlooked her kingdom and drew on a joint between her lips. She breathed in deeply, feeling the burn of the joint in her lungs and welcomed it. Her mind whirled with thoughts and a hang over as she took in the glorious view of her kingdom laid out before her. The smoke drifted before her face and the ind took it away, the selfish wind. For some divine reason, she recalled the feelings evoked from seeing Padvia with another woman. Not a feeling of betrayal, but a reminder that as Queen, as Star Dust, mother of the Lizard Children, Wife to the dead Lizard King, Ruler of the central kingdom, warrior queen, the lead instigator in the counter movement to the BOC rebellion, giver of immortality.

And she alone could not have the one man she truly wanted.

BANG!

The door was broken down and swung off its hinges as it crashed against the wall and to the floor. A horde of policemen entered, she knew who sent them. She smiled, shook her head, and raised her hands to the air as the girl screamed from the bed and was taken into protective custody. When Star turned around she saw the one who led the pigs.

“Well, well well Mr  Tam.” She contained her laughter while mocking him. “Good to see you again!”

He didn't return her smile as he rudely turned her to face away as he put cuffs on her. “You are under arrest your highness,” he added her title sarcastically.

She let her laugh go and it only irritated him.

“Care to read me your charges Officer Tam?”

“That's Officer Sativ- I mean Bay,  to you!”

She didn't fight him as he led her away, reading the charges of sexual conduct with an underage girl...again. Star couldn't help but wonder if all these charges were perpetrated by the BOC just to spite her and she expected to be alerted of a second trial. But there was no trial, no hint at one, she was meant with another bail, high according to her social status.

 No doubt, that while the girl was found in her hotel room, there was very very little evidence that they had actually conducted sexual acts together. With that uncertainty, certainly they had no standing charges.  Tam took her to the court house to be detained......of course to his anger and fury, there was a bail posted per her own laws.....to which her daughter came to pay and release her.

Tam watched as the woman left and he vowed justice.......

“Fuck Mother,” she said angrily as they descended the steps to the court house. “Again? You only just got off the last case. If it weren't for the bail you'd be rotting away by now.”

“You know its funny, I actually do not remember last night.”

“Again?”

“Yes. I remember the girl's sweet mouth but I don't remember our supposed tryst in the night.”

“You really need to stop with  all the drugs.”

“You wouldn't.”

“Because I'm not Queen.”

“And nor shall you be.”

“Based on the advice of a gods forsaken witch.”

They entered into the horse drawn carriage and her daughter sat there in a pout.

“Once again we find ourselves in an all too familiar predicament Mother.” She sat there with a frown on her face and a joint between her fingers. “Can you at least stop having sex with teenagers in hotels and the manor.”

“Take them to the castle?”

“I don't care, just stop getting caught. Or better yet....STOP FUCKING TEEN AGED GIRLS!”

Star chuckled. “It's a hard habit to break when they won't stop knocking on my hotel doors.”

“Can't you get laid by adults? Can't you resist breaking your own laws?”

“I do, to both. That girl in the hotel was actually legally an adult.”

“And how do you know that if you don't remember shit from last night?”

“As I was detained I overheard an officer tell our friend Tam that this time, the girl was actually eighteen, just turned last week. Again though, in the midst of celebration-”

“You what? Couldn't tell she was so young? I don't think that will hold up in court again.”

“It's what got me free this time and prevents another trial. Obviously they're watching.”

“They always watch.”

“It is peculiar how frequently these accusations have appeared lately.”

“How do you mean?” Dawn looked out the window and blew smoke through her nose.

“It has been nearly fifty years since the Rebellion. Fifty years and in the last few alone, I have been accused of making love to teenagers more than ever before. Someone is watching closely and pulling strings in the most ironic sense.”

Dawn nodded. “True. Now that you bring it up, it is odd and it makes sense. What will you do about it? About them?”

Star shrugged and lit another joint. “I haven't a clue. Oh! That's right!” She rapped her knuckles on the wall of the carriage. “Driver!” She shouted. “Take me to 25^th Arcadia Avenue!”

“The art studio?”

“I promised an artist friend- you remember Baron?- that I would pose for his class today. I nearly forgot.”

“Pose?”

“Nude of course. Art is an important factor in culture, I will not deny my subjects an appearance of a life time from their immortal Queen in an attempt to capture her agelessness. That's what he told his class.”

“Oh Gods mother,” Dawn rubbed her temples in the act of a head ache.

For a moment they were quiet. The only sound was the bustle of the city, the people on the streets, the horse hooves clacking, the cars calmly passing through the village. The issue of making Dawn Queen was one they had fought over for years. Star had her reasons, which she vaguely told her child.

“You know why I refuse you.” The Queen said.

“A stupid fortune told by a witch.”

“She said-”

“That the throne would be disrupted by forces already in motion. You would put a bastard king on the throne and your children would rule red sands of the father unknown-whatever that fucking means. Should a Queen follow after you, so shall death. It's all bullshit Mother.”

The blonde sighed and tried to move on the conversation.. “You would like your bastard brother, I just know you would.” 

“He is not my brother, he is a demon you summoned.”

“If that's the case, then I think now is the best time to bring up Rosie.”

Dawn eyed her insane parent. “What do you mean?”

“She is of marrying age you know.”

“Oh no, don't you dare.”

“If you refuse to have Angus be your brother, then I will marry him to Rosie, make him an official member of the our royal family.” she smiled at the thought.

“First he's my brother, then he's my daughter's fiance. Rosie will NOT marry a demon who you try to portray as my brother, you crazy bat.”

Star laughed. “You will like him.”

“If he comes with that fool who torments you no I will not.”

That shut her mother right up. In fact Star abruptly tapped on the roof of the carriage and promptly exited. Dawn did not care, like her uncle she nearly despised the man who her mother loved in all passion. This man alone made Star cry in broken heartedness when he would enter and leave her life for carnal trysts, as if he didn't care about her feelings. Coming and going of his own will, and her mother allowed it, which brought on waves of tormented abuse and sadness. It made Dawn and Richi furious that Star let him do it, exposing to the world the one weakness she had no control over. The man Dawn so hated was the one factor uncontrolled in their rule.

The Princess hoped that making Star hurt over him would also prompt her to hate him and drive her away from the man. For the last forty years this sonofabitch had come and gone under cover of darkness, visiting and loving her in the night only to leave with the sunrise. Dawn hadn't even seen him in person. Richi had, and had alerted the guards, against the Queen's wishes, that should the man been seen he was to be killed or captured on sight. The Princess would deal with the bout of depression his death would bring on her mother when the time came, she was prepared for it.

**********^^^^^^^^^^^^^^********

Holy Wood seaside, twilight.

Star had a secluded cottage that was hers alone. Her husband had it constructed for her on their wedding day. Her own hide away. A gift to ease the tension of their arranged marriage. It was placed in a wooded bluff, above the sea below. It was a peninsula of Holy Wood land that touched the sea, for two miles in either direction, this was Holy Wood land many did not see.

The Queen went there now, under veil of night. She rode a black horse, and went alone, she knew he was there. She had seen his face in the crowds of people in the village. She hadn't seen him since her curse in the Black Castle, and she knew that if she went to the seaside he would follow. As he did now, she being the only one keen enough to hear him. She smiled when she thought that he Let her know he was there.

She got off her horse and released the saddle, letting it crash to the ground. She didn't care. Up the cobblestone pathway, in the moonlight, the sound of the waves beyond the cottage were loud. She could hear her heartbeat over the waves as she went up the path, and heard the rustle of bushes behind her. She stopped and smiled in the dark.

He couldn't stay away any longer. He couldn't deny what he wanted any longer. HE couldn't deny her what she wanted. At least for that night....

He knew her family hated him for what he had done to her over and over again. They thought him a heartless man after nothing but carnal pleasures from her. A man who took advantage of the mightiest queen in the lands and made her cry. He was not heartless, if they only knew the price he had once been paid to end her life. If they only knew that he had given up a wife, a life, and a comfortable payment by letting her live that night.

He wanted to visit her before he left to retrieve the Power Band form the Southern island. Where her bastard demon boy was gaining talent. Soon, Bon was to join the Boy and be the singer of their “Power Band”, replacing his associate who lead them now.

He forgot about everything the moment she got down from her horse. He watched her under the moonlight as she shoved her velvet trousers down her legs and stepped away from them. The belt around her waist held her billowy white shirt in order and she let that fall. It was only the white shirt glowing in the night. She was bare under that lone chemise and he moved forward to wrap her in his strong arms and take her down into the grass.

The soft seaside grass was their bed and while her horse grazed the nearby field, she screamed in pleasure at the lightest of touch. He was no better off in control, she made him wither and moan with the barest of kisses against his skin. He was the one begging her for more, and she gave all she could. It still wasn't enough. Years of pent up, unsatisfying, emotional longing was released between the two of them in those moments on the grass. They were caught up in the most innocent of emotions; love.

They moved in doors and proceeded to make love again as the waves crashed and sea mist sprayed on the rocks outside the large window that faced the open sea. The ocean was black, and the night deep by the time Bon fell asleep on the floor next to her. Hardly a word had been spoken between them other than demands for passion. Star however, could not sleep, no matter how spent or how tired she was.

She sat next to him, stroking his shoulder length hair, watching him sleep with complete peace on his face. They both knew no peace. She doubted they ever would, her only hope that both would live through the next year, and the year after that. Immortal to time they were, not so to swords and poison. If he were to die, she didn't know if she could live on. If she couldn't have him by her side, she would have him alive and well in the world they lived in.

“I want to keep you Bon, but recently I was forced to know that I can never have you. I wish Angus was our son, at least then I would have a piece of you and a piece of me in the physical form. If I cant have all you, why not just a piece?”

Bon sighed in sleep.

She went on. “On my wedding day the witch came to me. She said that The throne would be disrupted by forces already in motion, under my rule fate will be undecided for all. I would put a bastard king on the throne for the first time, and my other children would rule red sands of the father unknown. My daughters will not take what was meant for them, if a queen should follow my stead, so shall death. I've kept my girl away from that tale, to protect her. I created Angus to force the prophecy.”

She kissed his head, “I had hoped to instill him on the throne. I made him with you in mind, and I wish he was ours more than anything. Instead, Angus is to by the corner stone that brings you and I together in the eyes of the public at last. He will be the foundation of the Tour to Peace, a tour that I have seen visions of. It will change our world, and I don't fear change. But I do not see the end of the Tour and what lies beyond, I can only see the formation and you and I standing side by side as we embark.” Her voice dropped lower, “Something, or someone, does not want me to see the future, no matter that it comes soon. . . “

He breathed deep and it made her tilt her mouth in a sad grin. She leaned down and kissed him. For moments more the queen tried to sleep, staring at her lover, willing him to stay. Though when they awoke, she knew that one of them would leave and one would stay. He was due to leave, and she was due to be at the castle. What she didn't know, besides the future, is that Bon was listening. He was adept at spying, and pretending to be asleep. His kind were called Dirty Deeds Men, it was their nature to be deceptive.

During the night he grabbed her and when he heard her begin to snore, he took his turn to watch her. He had heard all she said, it had woken him up. He wanted nothing more than to stay with her, for longer than a night at a time. He had to leave though, he must, it was for the betterment of her life, of his, of the world's. If he didn't lead the Power Band from the Great Southern Island, he doubted they would make it to Holy Wood. His fellow Dirty Deeds Man who watched the Boy while Bon was not South was a good fighter, but a poor leader.

No, Bon could not allow anyone other than himself or Prince Malcome to befriend and harbor Angus, the boy meant too much to her and himself. He was Star's only son, in some sense of the word. Her lover felt protective, near fatherly, when the red devil was involved, his one connection to her. The one person she had created that he could openly be known to associate with. Without someone knowing the connection and trying to kill one or both of them. Not to mention, the Power Band members were mere children, all of them having been born in the last twenty years alone, while He was much older than that.

When the Rebellion ended and situations became clear, both Bon and Star knew the complications of their relationship. How it could not be in the public sense, in legal senses it was too complicated. He hated how it was more complicated than it had to be. But then again, so was immortality and ruling a kingdom of mortals and immortals alike. He may appear evil by seducing her time and time again, but her giving in hurt him as it did her.

If she only knew what he thought about. . . .He wanted to tell her, but it would only further ruin the beauty they had just shared. No, they would not break the spell, they would let the sunrise do that.

S1 Chapter 5, The Trial Pending

EPISODE FIVE

2020 AC/DC
Holy Wood Greater Courthouse. Day. . . . .

Dawn and Richi sat in the front row. Rosie was absent. Plenty had turned out for the hearing, they always did when Star was involved. She herself was sitting before the judge with her many managers and representatives . They all appeared anxious to an extreme, so unlike her She simply sat with a slight grin and wide, hopeful, eyes. The accuser this time was a small town Sheriff who sat on the other side of the room, waiting for his legal adviser friends form the BOC to arrive so that they may begin.

The Sheriff was a plain faced man with dark hair and grey eyes. He was a respected officer of his village and there were never problems with the people he looked after. But he was tired of his simple life, his grandfather took part in the Rebellion all those years ago. The man was ashamed of his lowly status as Sheriff compared to the higher military ranks his grandfather carried. Unhappy with his internal failure, during a drinking binge he was approached at a bar by an old BOC man with a proposition. Side with the BOC and help pursue a case against the Queen to once again dethrone her.

They were only allowed to voice any grievances they had before the Queen herself and an assorted gathering of councilors would listen and if anything cuaght the attention of the Council, only then was it pursued. To bypass this rule, the BOC hired an unhappy man to launch the trial, which he was allowed to do as a citizen of Holy Wood. All this went through his mind as he was leading an attempt to charge her for illegal witch craft.

His palms were clammy as he looked over the “evidence” he claimed stacked up against her. Even he had little hope. An assortment of interviews from a girl and her friends about her sexual encounters with the Queen and what happened during one particular evening. The girl was known to have consorted intimately with the Queen many times before-

“Sheriff Tam.”

Tam looked up, interrupted from his thoughts. Tam was short for Tamascus. “Aye,” he replied. “I was going over things.”

His partner was a representative of the BOC, they shook hands, one of the many who served the BOC. He was a legal adviser, a priest in the their main center of worship, the City. He was dressed in the customary dark blue robes of priesthood and had the greying brown hair of an elder man, but the Sheriff knew he was cursed by the Queen herself. Current BOC members were all cursed to never age and age they never did. This one was a particular advocate against the Queen and she allowed him to operate as an organization, she called it “being fair”.

“I am so happy you agreed to lead this case Mr. Tam, being our friend in these times is well appreciated. You have the gratitude of the BOC. With unlawful magic present no court will let her go free, the girl gave us detailed accounts about the Boy and what he looked like. Not to mention all the witnesses on the night of the raid, need I remind you?”

Tam shook his head, he was dressed in his uniform, distinguished, presentable. He had short hair of deep color that he kept slicked back. He had a plain straight goatee and a simple mustache that was manly but not domineering. He was strong, but lean and unassuming. But with a cough to clear his throat he straightened his lapels and looked to the task at hand. He needed composure and he was going to force it out of himself, he had to win this case. If he lost, he would become a laughing stock.

“No need for reminders, I've read the accounts of the soldiers present. They gave what is deemed honest testimony.”

“Yes, most of them.” The Priest said. He beamed a smile.

Tam looked at him. “What?”

“COURT IS NOW IN SESSION!” The Bailiff, a tall, strong man of bald head, braod shoulder and mean eyes stood to the side of the judge.

“The Judge stood and waved for all to sit as he took his seat. An old man with dark blue eyes. He wore his black robes and white wig of justice as they all took their seats.

He looked to the queen and nodded. “Welcome back your highness. I assume you will play fair.”

She nodded. “Yes your honor.” She looked to her left and smiled at the accusing.

The judge looked to them too. “And you as well will be respectful to your Queen and truthful with the evidence.”

Sheriff and Priest nodded. The judge smiled once and then let his mouth droop into a frown of natural state. He began and called Star to the stand, which she gladly danced forward to sit at. Once seated he 'hmpfed' at her antics and droned on with the charges.

“You are detained here this day to stand trial accused of practice of unlawful magic, therein described as 'consorting with the gates of hell and Satan himself to summon a devil child'. As well as this, the accusation of underage, nonparental consented-or acknowledged-sexual conduct with an unmarried girl of sixteen is brought forth and recognized today before those attending.”

Dawn sighed, bowed her head, and smacked her palm to her forehead. Of course her mother would have those charges presented against her. She was disgusted with the realization-once again- that her mother was a dark magic using pervert. Richi stared at her with his dark eyes, unreadable. On the stand Star merely sighed in preparation and nodded.

“I understand and acknowledge these accusations your honor,” she said.

“How do you plead before the court?”

“Not guilty.”

The courtroom erupted in noise of all kinds. Screams, shouts, good and bad. Against or with her. Outraged parents paid to stand there and scream discontent. The judge banged rapidly on his stand to silence the crowd and it wasn't until the Bailiff stood and went to an apparent stand covered in black satin. But he pulled the cover away to reveal an amp. He turned on a switch and Star covered her ears at the sound of feed back that went unnoticed by the crowds. Tam watched the Queen and followed suit just as the Bailiff brought a guitar out of a hidden panel cabinet and plugged it to the amp. He strummed to test it and then strummed again and shook the house.

The noise vibrated all through the court room, shaking the people to their cores. When the wave of sound ended he strummed once more and brought them to their knees. With their submission as a single crowd clear, he set the guitar down and the judge cleared his throat. The people paid close attention now. Star smiled and tried not to laugh, the power of the guitar always amazed her.

“You said Not Guilty?”

“Yes, yes I did,” she was so proud.

“Why is that?” The judge droned on in a sarcastic way, he knew her. He had heard many stories, presided over several of her cases, and knew that she was confident. The ones who accused her were the ones he was waiting to be impressed by.

“Permission to speak my case freely your honor?” She asked.

“As long as it pertains to your reasons for pleading not guilty you may proceed.”

“Oh that they do.” She licked her lips, dried from the joint she smoked right before coming in. She cleared her throat. “I want to clearly state here and now that in the case of underage, noparentrental sexual-”

“Or acknowledged!” Tam shouted.

The priest smiled and nodded.

She continued. “Conduct with an underage, unwed girl of sixteen. I believe we met through a social gathering at the time. You see , your honor, I was well beyond inebriated and truly unaware in such celebratory times that the seemingly young Woman,” she stressed the word 'woman'. “who approached me was indeed a young girl. I was fooled your honor!” She shouted in dramatic flair and flopped forward in her seat, putting her head on her shoulders in apparent grief of being so horribly duped. “I am but a product of my people, I feel them, and I become one with them. The girl, who as I said I did not know was so young, merely was trying to express her happiness, which as Queen I live for, and I accepted to have her by my side that night. I am sorry to inform the court, that by the time I stand accused of fornicating with her, knowing she was underage, is based on a night of intoxicated misunderstanding. Many were there, and many can testify to my lack of clear headed knowledge of my actions.”

“In other words,” the judge said. “You are saying that you were intoxicated during a celebration and in the middle of it you were led to believe that a sixteen year old girl was a twenty year old girl.”

“Ah, but that I wish I even had ever guessed her age.” Star replied. “I never asked her age, she assured me she was a young woman of proper age.”

“Your honor I object!” Tam shouted.

“Proceed.” He droned.

Star looked at him expectantly as he approached. He found the strength in him to stand up against her, she didn't look terrifying. Pretty, but not terrifying.

“You admit to being highly intoxicated at a social celebration last night?”

“I do.”

“And you're claiming that in that time a young girl pretended to be a grown woman and seduced you?”

“Actually I-”

“Yes or no?” He rushed her.

“Yes.”

“Who exactly can prove this?”

She chuckled. “Well who do you want first? They're all here,” She motioned to the crowds.

He called a man forward and faced him on the stand. “Did you see your Queen intoxicated on the night she stands accused of fornication with knowledge of age?”

“Aye sir, I saw her that night with the girl.”

“Oh you know this girl?” Tam asked excitedly.

“Of course, she sneaks out with a group of us all the time. We dress up older and pretend to be other names to get into more parties and clubs.” He started laughing.

“Thanks a lot Dane!” A young girl from the audience shouted.

“Order in the court!” The Judge shouted. “I will remove you if you do that again!”

There was silence. The boy was excused. The Sheriff sat down.

“I gather that the rest of you who would testify have the same opinion? Raise your hands if you agreed with that young man there. If you agree that the Queen was intoxicated to the point of being unable to recognize woman from girl.” The judge called upon those present to participate en mass.

Many raised hands.

“If you saw your Queen that night she is accused and she was NOT intoxicated enough to be blind to the difference between a girl and a woman, raise your hands please.” He asked again.

There were fewer hands, three. Two when one fell to retract their vote.

The judge nodded. “Jury what say you?” He turned to the crowd of dignitaries and random village people in the jury box. The lead juror stood to announce their answer.

“She is Not Guilty of having knowledge of-”

“We know what it was,” the judge interrupted. “The next matter is more pressing. Practice of unlawful magic. With testimony available, Tamascus of Holy Wood, Sheriff of the village known as Sativa Bayeux, will come forward to present this evidence. Star please return to the stand.”

She did. Tam turned to the Priest.

“Do not worry,” the Priest said, even though he seemed more nervous than Tam. “This is the serious part. Now go as we spoke about and share what you know. Remember what I said, say what I did.”

Tam nodded and stood up. He approached.

“The girl, who I can not name, the one from your now pardoned under-aged knowledge accusation, gave testimony to you showing her the Boy who was summoned.” He came closer and gave a stack of pages to the Judge who shuffled through them. “As you will read, she says that one night, after her first sexual encounter with the Queen, she was taken to the Queen's manor on the outskirts of the city. To Blackmoore Manor where she grew up.”

He faced the crowds. The girl in the crowd who they spoke of was ashamed of betraying her queen. Her parents forced her too.

“The dear girl stated that after fornicating, the Queen introduced her to a young boy of twelve or thirteen in appearance. He slept in a nest of constructed blankets in the dark steam, natural springs that Star Dust built her laboratories in during her times as Lady Blackmoore. The guards who assisted the arresting group of police the day of the raid, can all give testimony to the laboratories I refer to. Its all here,” he held up another stack of papers.

Star knew that the arresting officers were BOC followers. This was unfortunate but of no issue. Let him have this knowledge.

“How do you counter your highness?” The judge asked her.

She shrugged. “I did have the boy in my manor house at that time. I did show him to the girl in confidence of her silence.”

“So you admit to summoning him?” The priest suddenly piped up.

“No, I said I harbored him.”

“How is that different?!”

“I found him wandering the fields below my house. I took him in. I had no idea he was a demonic being if he was at all.”

The priest stared at her as if she had struck him.

“Then how do you account for blasting him off into space when the raid was conducted on your manor?” Tam demanded to know.

“I grew attached to him, having nos sons of my own. When I was informed that men were seen in the distance, fast approaching, I believed it to be an attack from a Spyder Gang and in a panic I sent him off into Space.”

“Who can prove your attachment and finding the boy?” Tam was brimming with anxiety and doubt.

“Watch your temper Mr Tamascus,” the wig adorned judge growled at him.

“My apologies your honor. I ask again, do you have a witness that can testify to that statement?”

“Yes, my cousin Richi. He was with me that night I found the Boy.”

Richi stood. The Judge addressed him with a nod and the command to speak the truth.

“I saw it your honor,” he said. “I was there for the evening when she went outside and miraculously came back with a child in tow. She is maternal and it was no surprise that she took him in. Given her current status with the Spyders, she was indeed confused.”

The Judge nodded and grumbled as he sat back in his seat.

Tam had one last effort. “If you did not summon him, you still harbored him.”

“That's not what my accusation being debated here stated.”

“No but you know where he is. You do.”

“This is true,” Judge man said. “This is very serious your highness. Consorting with demonic forces raises suspicion, and pardon me, of dangerous black magic that you yourself proclaimed unlawful to use in accordance with your reconstruction of the law book. You set down these laws to prevent those of demonic nature to be summoned and used in times of conflict.”

“I am aware,” she said to him. “But alas, I do not know where he went. I sent him into space with the expectation he would return in a few days when danger lifted. But he was thrown into orbit and I lost his signal long ago.” She looked down in apparent sadness.

“The matter of this trial was to deem that she herself practiced unlawful black magic that raised a demon from Hades. With the testimony of Sir Richi Blackmoore-”

“And that of my entire staff.” Richi held up his own stack of papers. He took them to the Judge as he droned on.

“With Sir Richi's testimony and that of his staff,” he passed the papers to the Bailiff who passed them to the jury to inspect. “With what was has been given, I proclaim that she is Not Guilty of practicing unlawful black magic as stated. Mr Tamascus Bay, if you wish to pursue a trial for her harboring a fugitive you must arrange a separate hearing.”

As he continued with his sentences, the crowds were beginning to bubble with talk.

“Also, as for her crime of underage fornication, that too, from the testimony given, is found to be False due to the level of intoxication that blinded our Queen's judgement. Star Dust Moorison of Holy Wood, I the presiding Judge Kruhl, find you innocent of your crimes put forth by the provided evidence of Sheriff Tamascus Bay of Sativa Bayuex. Unless the jury cane provide further counter argument in the next week, you are free to go today.”

Star got up from her stand, and everyone knew full well that once the jury placed every single, individual testimony in order, that the truth would be a white paper road all the way out of the court room, following the Queen. The trial was not officially over, the jury still had a week to decide their final answer. But she knew that what she had provided was sufficient enough to prove the Tamascus fellow wrong.

Tamascus looked to the Priest but the BOC man was just as astounded. The Sheriff was hallow, he dreaded the return to Sativa Bayuex, absolutely dreaded it.

Richi and Dawn left with Star the same way they all came, through the front doors. Reporters and photographers stormed the front steps but Star pushed them away and entered the horse drawn carriage waiting at the bottom of the stairs. Inside was black and the curtains thick, Dawn got in with Star and Richi took up in a car behind them. Star lit a joint, puffed, and passed to Dawn. Her daughter was silent, that was not good.

“That's not what you told me when I bailed you out after the raid,” she said. “You told me that it was all true. You used magic to summon the Boy.”

“Yes, and Richi was there with me. We did it together, a mix of science and magic combined. Oh it was a spectacular sight!” Star was joyfully reminiscing.

Dawn drew on the joint. “I would hardly call summoning demon boys Spectacular.”

“His name is Angus, my baby Angus.” She smiled. “ He is coming back soon. You will grow to accept him.”

“Ha! A demon as my brother? Not a chance you crazy bat.” She eyed her mother. “He wasn't the bastard king you wanted him to be.”

“The witch said I would put the next king on the throne and the king would be a bastard.”

“Maybe it was a figure of speech.” Dawn rolled her eyes.

“No, it meant a real bastard.”

“So you and Richi had a bastard? But you didn't carry him you summoned him. Even if you presented it to the courts that way it would never work.” The Princess stared hard at Star. “You are deranged.”

Star shrugged. “I am, and no, he is not the bastard I thought he would be. A bastard, but not The bastard.”

“Stop fighting it mother!” She said suddenly. “Put me as queen if you want a successor so badly.”

Star leaned forward and held Dawn's face in her hands. She smiled and her eyes welled with tears. “I would rather sacrifice the life of a bastard boy rather than my only living daughter. I lost two daughters, if you become queen on earth you will die.”

“Ok ok, you keep being crazy,” Dawn pulled away. “You'll give up one day.”

Her mother wanted to say more, but she couldn't. It was useless to explain that the witch who said she would bare a bastard king, also said her daughters of earth would rule red sands. Star only knew of one place with red sand, it was far away and no Earthling had been there in many years. She saw it in her dreams and knew she had been there once before.

However, she went on. “I've heard of a new band on the Great Southern Island. Prince Malcom is a rather talented musician you know.”

“I assume this is the band your Angus is a part of?”

“Yes,” Star was proud from afar. “They're coming soon.....He is coming with them, and not just Angus.”

Dawn faced her. “He?”

She nodded.

Her daughter knew that the man and subject was trouble and didn't feel in the mood for opening that conversation. She knocked on the roof of the carriage. It stopped.

“Driver halt!” She stood and exited. “I'm going to spend some time in town mother, Rosie is being looked after. Remember, she does not go out after dark!” She slammed the door closed before Star could speak otherwise.

The Queen was sent on alone, tired, and was no more aware of the man sitting above her. His blue eyes were hidden under a drivers three cornered sun hat and a tall neckline from his coat against the winds growing colder. He watched her daughter go into the nearest tavern and many people hailed her as she went. What a strange family, he thought. He drove the Queen to the castle and she didn't look at him as she went inside, smoke from a joint on her lips trailing behind her. He would visit her before he left to go back south but until then he slipped in to carry out his driver charade and just as Sir Blackmoore came into view, Bon-the driver in disguise- slipped away.