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The Ard-Chomhairle na hOllscoile met in an open sided pavilion, surrounded by ancient oak trees and draped with wild roses, jasmine and wisteria. Under the scented roof, stood a carved stone table older than the oaks with simple wooden chairs around it.
A fanfare rang out, echoing off the thick stone wall that surrounded the whole grove.
“This meeting will now come to order.” The Ard-Chomhairleoir called out to the people standing around the pavilion, “Féile na Banríona approaches.”
There was a short scramble for all the attendees to find and stand behind their seats at the table. The Ard-Chomhairleoir took a position beside the entrance to the pavilion as a tall, slim woman with long red-gold hair and bright green eyes appeared at the entrance to the walled grove. She wore a flowing gown of gold and silver samite which whispered musically as she walked up the path. Marching behind her came four guards in matching green and gold uniforms and a pair of young women wearing green and gold gowns.
The guards came to a stop when the Ard-Chomhairleoir offered his hand to the woman. She took it and he took her into the pavilion, followed by the young women who stood behind the chair that he seated her in.
“Be seated, my friends.” The woman said.
The attendees sat down in their seats. The Ard-Chomhairleoir took the vacant seat to the woman’s right as the guards fanned out around the pavilion.
“This meeting will now come to order.” The Ard-Chomhairleoir repeated.
“Thank you, Ard-Chomhairleoir.” The woman said, “You fulfil your duties as High Councillor to the Fae People admirably.”
He inclined his head gracefully in acknowledgement. “Thank you, your Majesty.”
She looked around the table, noting that one chair remained empty, “Where is my Ó Fhionnuisce?”
The Ceann Maoirseoir coughed to attract her attention. When she was certain she was looking at him, he stood and bowed, “Féile na Banríona, the Ó Fhionnuisce has awoken, but we have a small problem.”
“Why are you only revealing this now, Head Mage?” the High Councillor asked irritably.
The Ceann Maoirseoir raised an eyebrow at him and stayed silent for a moment before continuing, “The Ó Fhionnuisce is completely ignorant of her parentage and her inherited position. She still believes that the Humans that fostered her for us are her true parents and the human couple that introduced us to them are her Aunt and Uncle.”
“We should have reclaimed her when she was younger,” The High Councillor said, “I know that the previous Ó Fhionnuisce was against his daughter taking up his mantle here in the East, but he provided no suitable heir before his battle with the Glascat, and we have been forced to wait until she was old enough to travel alone.”
“There are ways around the lack of knowledge, High Councillor. Be at peace amongst friends.” The Fae Queen said before turning back to the Head Mage, “Can you not merely bring her memories back? She lived amongst us until she was six in Fae terms after all.”
“That would require the gentle touch of the Priestess of Earth, Banríona.” The Head Mage said, “It is not a spell that the Arcane can cast. The one to return her features to normal taxed my abilities immensely and I am not afraid to say that there is something I do not know.”
“Well, that’s a first.” A woman across the table from her said.
“Peace, Maor Ard.” The queen told her, “What else have you to report, Head Mage?”
She cleared her throat, “Ó Fhionnuisce travelled here to visit her Aunt and Uncle. I made some enquiries and I have ascertained that her adoptive parents are in Te Ling also, looking for their daughter.”
“What is the problem?” the Maor Ard asked, “I can have an elite team remove them from the picture completely.
The queen frowned, “It would be unseemly to reward their care of her by killing them, not to mention that it would alert the Tíogair Bán to her disappearance and possibly to our plan to resume our conquest of the East.”
“We are lucky that the Triang have not yet reappointed a Glascat at this point.” The High Councillor pointed out, “Or the investigation would almost certainly be over by now.”
“There is only one thing that we can do, Féile na Banríona.” The Head Mage caught the queen’s gaze, “and you know what that is.”
The queen looked down at the table and sighed, “You are right, Ceann Maoirseoir. I shall do it tomorrow morning. Has her body recovered from the first spell?”
“I will be removing the bandages tomorrow morning.”
“Then I had best be there for the occasion.” The queen looked up again, “Is there any more business?”
The High Chancellor looked at the Maor Ard, who stood and bowed, “I have located and removed the Airgead Búraló. The Criostail Raicleach is next to be targeted but is proving to be difficult to locate.”
“Whatever you do, High Warden, do not skip the Criostail Raicleach. We would not want the Dubh Raicleach to be warned in any way, or our plan will never come to fruition.” The High Councillor cautioned.
“I am not a young warrior on his first battle, Ard-Chomhairleoir. I know what I am doing.” The Maor Ard snapped.
“Peace amongst Friends,” The queen said calmly, “Continue your tasks, my friends. We will command the East soon. Now I must away to New York to deal with the difficulties a certain businessman is causing in the West.”
“But... the Ó Fhionnuisce...” the Head Mage said.
“I will return before tomorrow morning, Ceann Maoirseoir, worry not.” The queen stood up and the two young women moved her chair backward so she could step out from the table.
The rest of the Ard-Chomhairle na hOllscoile stood as well, bowing as the queen walked around the table and left the grove, followed by the young women and the four guards. Once she had disappeared from sight, they sat back down.
“Will the Ó Fhionnuisce cause any problems?” the High Councillor asked the Head Mage.
“As long as tomorrow morning goes well, I don’t think she will, but I have had a thought that she might be more receptive to the change in status if her adoptive family are held hostage to her good behaviour.” The Head Mage sighed.
“I had despaired of your good judgement leaving you, Head Mage.” The High Warden applauded slowly, “That is an excellent idea and one that I will put into action as soon as possible.”
“Good.” The High Councillor approved and stood up, “We shall reconvene on the morrow then.”
The others stood up and they all left the pavilion.
––––––––
KAI ARRANGED FOR THE meal to take place in the one restaurant that she knew would be completely safe. Mother’s is owned by the White Tiger as I recall, so we should be fine. She thought as she texted Mrs Reading-Smith the time and place.
- We’ll all be there. Had to argue my husband round to the idea, but he gave in eventually.
Came the reply.
Kai sent back a thumbs up and then called Special Division.
“Hello, Miss Riordan, how can we help you?” Detective Zhao sounded unsurprised to be hearing from her.
“One of the cases I am working on is a kidnapping. I believe the parents contacted your lot before they came to me.” She said.
“Tabatha Smith? Yes, it’s only just been passed to Special Division, due to the need to check with the Wolf Clan and Vampire Families. What about it?” Zhao said.
“I have reason to believe that the Fae are involved. Would you be able to tell me where I could find them? They’re the one race in the Triang that I’ve not met.”
Her request was met with silence.
“Come on Detective, I have a meeting with the parents, uncle and aunt this evening at Mother’s and I need to have something positive to report to them.” Kai pleaded with him.
“The Fae are definitely involved?” he sounded surprised.
“As far as I can tell without contacting the Fae myself.”
The silence was deafening.
“Detective?” Kai said.
“I’ll arrange for a discreet surveillance team to be in the restaurant during the meeting and they’ll keep an eye on the two couples. The Fae are tricky customers at the best of times; I wouldn’t put it past them to try something reprehensible.” Zhao said.
“Can you tell me where to find them though?”
He sighed, “We have orders from above not to let you have any information that might help you further. All I will say is that the Fae don’t tend to congregate in Te Ling; they say that the aura of the city is too destructive.”
“Oh. Okay. Thanks for the help with looking after my clients this evening.” She said.
“That’s just good policing... or didn’t you know that Mr Smith is a bigwig in UK Politics? If something happens to him, we may have an invasion on our hands.” Zhao sounded serious to Kai, but she couldn’t resist giggling.
“Good afternoon, Miss Riordan.” Zhao put the phone down, leaving Kai still laughing at the handset.
Mother’s was a small, intimate restaurant in the basement of one of the local hotels. It wasn’t a place that tourists were generally directed to, as it was on the edge of the Tourist District, East City and Downtown. Kai arrived a few minutes early, dressed as professionally as she could.
“Miss Riordan, a word if you please.” The Maitre’D said as she approached the bar situated outside the entrance to the main restaurant.
“Of course, how may I help you?”
“It has been brought to my attention that two of your guests are important figures in the wider world. Accordingly, we have prepared a special menu for them; our usual one involves dishes for the locals that would not be appropriate for visitors.” He seemed rather worried.
“I understand.” Kai smiled.
“I have also allocated you a table in the VIP section. It is the easiest place to keep secure.” He finished.
“Thank you.”
The Maitre’D smiled and returned to his little desk. Kai went over to the bar and ordered a soft drink, setting up a tab with her card number so that she didn’t have to pay cash for the drinks.
“Would you like your meal to be charged to this number as well?” the Jiǔbǎo asked anxiously.
“That’s a good idea, thank you.” She signed the chit and began watching the door. Mr & Mrs Smith arrived first, joining Kai at the bar. She ordered them their drinks and engaged them in small talk while they waited.
Just as they were reordering their drinks, Mr & Mrs Reading-Smith arrived. Kai added their drinks to the order and glanced across at the Maitre’D. He looked at Kai, she nodded, so he strode over, “Miss Riordan, if you will follow me, your table is ready for you. The Jiǔbǎo will bring your drinks through.”
“Excellent service here.” Mr Smith commented as they were seated at a table in a corner booth.
The Maitre’D smiled, “Thank you sir.” He handed out the menus and left as the Jiǔbǎo brought the drinks order over.
“The service here appears to be impeccable, yet it’s not one of the restaurants recommended by the Hotel Association.” Mrs Smith had the Tourist Guidelines brochure open.
“That’s because it’s a local’s only haunt.” Mr Reading-Smith said, “Miss Riordan, you said that you had information to discuss about my niece?”
He’s jumpy. Why? Doesn’t he trust me? Kai raised an eyebrow and sipped her tonic water and lime, “I have two cases to discuss, Mr Reading – Smith. That is why your wife agreed to this meeting.”
“Not that stupid business with Derwin-Hepler again, Melanie?” he frowned at her.
“Oh? Is there something wrong at work, Mel?” Mrs Smith turned from her perusal of the brochure to her sister-in-law.
“It’s nothing, Louise.” Mr Reading-Smith snapped, “A thief and a computer virus that’s got Peter stressed out of his mind. Tabatha’s situation is far more important.”
Melanie Reading-Smith looked at Kai with a shrug and Kai heard: “That’s why I wanted to go to her office to talk about work. Andrew thinks I’m making the whole thing up.”
This effect is being rather useful. So, let’s separate the cases. Kai coughed politely into her hand and said, “Maybe you should visit my office on Monday afternoon, Mrs Reading-Smith. We can discuss the difficulty at Derwin-Hepler & Reading Smith then.”
“Thank you.” She looked relieved and picked up the menu.