Dance of Destinies (The Galactic Mage Series Book 5) by John Daulton Page A

as in you are unable for reasons of ignorance, or cannot as in you are compelled by some power to keep secrets from me?”
    “We all have our secrets, friend Karroll.”
    She actually laughed. Pernie thought it was likely a real laugh too, because the Queen looked up at the ceiling for a time and her golden breastplate actually moved up and down upon the royal bosom for a while, making the lights reflecting in it shift around. When she looked back, her gaze was steady, the humor in it fading like a spark that’s fallen to the ground.
    “Councilman Gangue, do you anticipate complications with the NTA officials on this little deviation from your list?”
    “They asked specifically that half the thousand be blanks, Your Majesty. And the other half, who may be wizards, must be enchanters willing to take full-time positions casting Greater Common Tongues enchantments throughout NTA facilities for the period of one year. They also require that no teleporters be sent to the planet yet, enchanting school or not.”
    “Yes, yes, I am well aware of their fear about our people blinking into their banks and their bedrooms for their gold and for the love of watching blanks fornicate.”
    “Yes, My Queen.”
    She looked back to Pernie. She frowned. “You’re the little one who teleported into the tower the afternoon we took back Calico Castle, aren’t you?”
    Finally the Queen was paying attention to her. “Yes,” Pernie said. “I am. Master Altin said it was my animal magic coming out, and I—”
    “Is that going to be a problem, Councilman Gangue?”
    He looked uncomfortable. Pernie glowered at her.
    “Councilman, you see that I have an emissary of the elves standing here asking me this favor, do you not?”
    “Yes, Your Majesty.”
    “So I’ll tell you what. I will agree to another year having our people treated like sneak thieves and Peeping Toms in the name of appeasing the fearful nature of the Earth people if you can convince the NTA immigration folks of the value of helping me deal with my … obligations to elven prophecy. If you cannot arrange it, I will find a way to have the entire council replaced, repercussions or no, and your successor can get this done.” She finished with a smile that required far more architecture to hold it up than the previous few.
    He still looked uncomfortable, but he agreed. “I will arrange a place for the girl among the thousand, Your Majesty. We will include her in the student exchange. I’m sure the NTA will agree to one teleporter once I explain the circumstances. They may require particular conditions, but I shall appeal to Director Bahri personally if I must.”
    “Good. You do that.” She looked to Seawind then. “Satisfied?”
    The elf nodded, an inclination of his head that was more subtle bow than affirmative.
    “Very well, it is settled.” To Ivan Gangue the monarch said, “Off with you, then. You’ve won your suit.” To the elf, “Will there be anything else, friend Seawind?”
    “No, friend Karroll. You have the appreciation of my people.”
    “A great reward, I am sure.”
    Seawind began backing out of the room. Djoveeve did likewise, placing a hand on Pernie’s chest and propelling Pernie back as well.
    Pernie didn’t want to leave, but she could tell she was supposed to. “Goodbye,” she said to the Queen, but Her Majesty had already turned back to Tytamon and Roberto standing there.
    “So, Master Tytamon, this is what I can do for you and Captain Levi about our missing friends …” the Queen began.
    Djoveeve was saying something to Pernie, making it hard to hear the Queen. The crowd was murmuring all around. Pernie really wanted the Queen to at least say goodbye to her, but Djoveeve dragged her along. The last thing Pernie heard as she was pushed out of the throne room was Roberto’s voice, raised above the crowd. “Are you serious? How the hell am I supposed to give a crap about gold and Goblin Tea at a time like this?”
    He said it very