'But what could it be…?'
What line of comedy was to be drawn from this situation!
Ixion could tell there was one there, but it was just out of his grasp.
The three emisarries walked down the red carpet, then knelt before the King…
Quite the gesture, considering each of the three before him was a leader of their own tribes — a king or queen in their own right.
Quartz, the queen of the Crystal Owls and at the head of the trio, looked down, causing a single strand of her dark green hair to slip out from its braid and fall in her face. She paid it no mind as she said:
"We greet you, venerable King Ixion."
The jester, while doing a handstand and moving in circles, yelled out:
"My, oh My! Venerable?! Has word not reached you?! Ixion has lied. A liar, I tell you!"
The three looked a little startled at the uncouth jester, perhaps expecting to witness an execution in the next few seconds.
The spectating nobles in the high gallery, already used to the outlandish jester and the fact that King Ixion would never kill her, simply bickered and hid their dislike amongst themselves.
Ixion held a placid look as he glared at his jester.
It was improper manners for a King to take in a foreign audience and call upon the jester. Then for that jester to make such a tasteless joke about the king…
Ixion's stare flipped into an outrageous smile.
'Playing your role perfectly, as always.'
Ixion drew his gaze to the emissaries and threw his arms out.
"Welcome, welcome my dear… beasts. What brings you to Catatran on this fine day?"
Quartz raised her head and swiped the strand behind her ears while revealing her amethyst crystal eyes.
"We've come to seek aid in any form in our combat against the vile Scourge."
Ixion leaned back and glanced past the jester toward Runa and Lot at the foot of the throne.
'That poor cat…'
'She looks scared as all hell!'
"I've turned down your request for aid time and time again. Perhaps you finally have a case? A reason I should accept?"
Gryr, the Elven King, gestured for attention.
Ixion addressed him:
"You may speak."
'Go on… tell me what I already know.'
Gryr, an elf with long silver hair and pale skin, stood proud and said:
"I've been fighting against the Scourge for nearly 400 years… I've fought on battlefield after battlefield; witnessed glorious triumphs and harrowing defeats. From my lived experiences, I've been able to gauge the future trajectory and possibility of our extended defense. Sadly, I've concluded that unless a third party extends its hand, the Chrys Commonwealth's defensive line will collapse within five years. We humbly request—"
A sudden shrill chirp cut the elf off:
"Fuck you!"
All eyes within the throne room shot to the cat girl, then the bird within the cage she held.
Ixion looked over at the caged bird, then back at the elf who wore a dazed expression. Ixion laughed, then bellowed for all to hear:
"Ah, that is Lord of Truth! I recently acquired the fine specimen for a meager sum. You may continue, but beware. As the Lord of Truth, he discerns all falsehoods!"
The nobles in the gallery grumbled and whispered among themselves, finally finding out what their king had blown the gold on.
"I see…" Gryr studied Lot, then cleared his throat and continued, "Ahem. We humbly request either logistical assistance or the right to levy Catatran soldiers."
Ixion stared at the elf for a few moments, then broke out into laughter:
"You! You're funnier than my jester! Humbly request? So you don't seek to offer me anything for my everything?! Absurd!"
Ixion's jester giggled then said:
"Ixion, Ixion. Have they not been dying for you? Ixion, Ixion. Without them, you'd die too!"
Ixion clapped, then said:
"Exactly! Their lives mean nothing to me, so their losses are not a negotiable selling point!"
Xena, the female dwarf bore her teeth, ready to scream, but Quartz stretched out her hand and spoke up:
"So, you seem to already grasp the price we've paid, yet don't see it as sufficient?"
Ixion grinned.
"Correct."
Quartz replied:
"Even knowing that helping sustain our lives will keep the Scourge from your borders — that means nothing to you?"
Ixion's blue eyes blazed with amusement.
"Also correct! You're remarkable, Miss Quartz! A queen who understands futility?! I applaud your grand intelligence! What do you think of the Queen of the Owl's intelligence, Lord of Truth?"
Ixion looked at the caged bird, which began to twitch its head.
Ixion said in a low raspy voice:
"Ah, silence… how telling."