Destiny's Quest - Chapter 5
Summary: The Queen meets with Mr. Cain and DG
Author: dmr2158
Pairing: DG/Cain
Warnings: none yet
Rating: PG for now
Word count: 1137
Disclaimer: I do not own TinMan.
You all have been very patient with this piece. I know it is moving slowly, but please bear with me. I would also like to thank The Cricket for beta-ing this piece for me. She has been indispensible in correcting logical errors, and plot problems. Any mistakes, problems,etc. are mine.
Chapter One - DG confronts her parents about her role in the OZ
Chapter Two - Ahamo and the Queen try to reconnect & DG meets her mother half way
Chapter Three - Enter Wyatt and Jeb Cain
Chapter Four - Cain goes to the castle
Thanks to everyone who has read and/or reviewed the previous chapters. It helps to know that someone is enjoying reading this piece.
Chapter Five:
The Queen waited for DG and Mr. Cain’s arrival. She and her advisors had hammered out an arrangement for sending the requested emissary to the Red Jinn. Despite Ahamo’s belief that DG could handle the situation, Lavender Eyes was not about to send an inexperienced girl to handle the responsibilities of the realm.
Ahamo entered the room and smiled at his wife. He was so proud of how well she was handling DG’s transition into adulthood. He’d had his doubts about her acceptance, but he saw how Lav would listen intently to DG’s ideas and concerns. She didn’t just dismiss them. This should work out well for everyone.
The door to the room opened to admit DG and Mr. Cain. The Queen watched the pair closely. They did not act like former comrades. She had expected DG to be her usually exuberant self while in the presence of her former traveling partner, but instead DG had retreated behind a formality worthy of a queen. Mr. Cain’s reticence was expected since, as a citizen of the OZ, he would respect DG’s change in station and act accordingly. All traces of familiarity between the two were gone. Instead, they were uneasy in each other’s presence. Excellent. This would do nicely.
“Mr. Cain, thank you so much for coming so quickly. We have a great need that apparently only you can provide," the Queen stated as Cain bowed low before her.
“Your Majesty, how may I be of service?”
The Queen gestured for DG and Cain to sit. “We have been contacted by the Red Jinn to open up trade negotiations. It has been several years since any contact has been made with them. My daughter, Princess DG, has requested to be part of the initial contact with the Red Jinn. Of course, I could not allow my daughter to meet with such people without knowing as much as possible. I believe you were part of the last group to make contact with the Red Jinn.”
Ahamo shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Something wasn’t right. Lavender Eyes was up to something. The way she was sizing up Mr. Cain came from more than just curiosity at what he could tell them. She was searching for some hidden clue about the man’s character. Whatever Lav was up to, Ahamo bet it would be something that DG would not like.
“I was part of the Mystic Man’s detail, Your Highness. I am willing to give you any help that I can, however I'm not sure how much I can tell you about them.” Cain toyed with his fedora.
The Queen smiled triumphantly at DG and then Cain. “Wonderful. I knew that I was making the right choice in contacting you. It is settled. Mr. Cain will leave tomorrow to contact the Red Jinn and begin trade negotiations. It is obvious to everyone that you are the best person to send.”
DG drew in her breath sharply. The Queen had just stabbed her in the back. She glanced in anger at Ahamo, but he too looked confused by the turn of events.
“Darling, don’t you mean send DG to be the emissary after Mr. Cain debriefs her?” Ahamo questioned.
The Queen laughed lightly. “Dear, DG is very intelligent and has spent considerable time studying, but she is not prepared to accept the responsibility of such an important job. I am sure she agrees with me.”
DG flashed a brittle smile at the Queen. “Actually, Mother, I disagree with you. I believe that I am more than qualified to handle the negotiations. Plus, I am sure that Mr. Cain has no desire to travel to the Red Jinn’s Castle.”
Cain’s eyes traveled from one person to another; obviously something else was going on here.
“DG, Mr. Cain has just said he would help. Such a man understands his responsibility to his monarch.”
Ahamo cut in before DG could respond. “Then it would obviously be a good idea for DG to accompany Mr. Cain on his journey. This way she can learn diplomacy for future occasions. I am sure you do not want to stop our daughter from reaching her full potential, do you dear?”
Lavender Eyes glanced sharply at her husband before giving a fake smile. “Of course not. That is an excellent idea. DG will accompany Mr. Cain on his journey. “
Cain cleared his throat before speaking. “Excuse me, Your Majesty, but I don’t think I'm the right person for the job. I'm just a simple craftsman and former Tin Man. I know little about diplomacy.”
DG gave the man a forced smile. “Oh, I can assure you, Mr. Cain. The Queen does not make mistakes. She always thinks things through very carefully. Now if you will excuse me, I must get my things packed for tomorrow. “
DG swept from the room as the other occupants looked on in silence.
“Now, Mr. Cain, if you have any problems or questions, my husband will be glad to sort them out. I must go prepare for dinner.”
As the Queen left, both men looked at each other. Ahamo gripped the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry about this Mr. Cain.”
“That is all right, Your Royal Highness.”
“Please, call me Ahamo. I don’t answer well to ‘Royal Highness’. Do you mind if I call you Wyatt?”
“That’s fine.”
"Well, Wyatt, let me give you a heads up on what’s been going on with the Red Jinn and exactly what trouble you bought yourself. But, first things first, what do you need to do before you leave?”
Cain turned his hat over in his hands. “I need to get word to my son that I’ll be gone longer than I had originally planned. I thought I would be home within the next few days. It looks like that’s not going to happen.”
The Royal Consort waved over a guard. “Have someone bring Mr. Cain paper and pen. I want the fastest messenger waiting to deliver his message to his son in the Quadling Country.” The guard bowed before turning smartly on his heel and leaving the two men alone.
Ahamo poured a generous amount of alcohol into two glasses. He handed one to Wyatt, and then sat in the chair opposite him. Ahamo saluted Wyatt before throwing back the fiery liquid. Wyatt sipped his more slowly. After slamming the glass back on the table, Ahamo turned to his companion with a grim expression.
“Someone should be here momentarily so you can write down your message to Jeb. I’m sorry that you have to change your plans. Now, let’s talk about the Red Jinn.”
Cain wanted to ask what was going on between the Queen and Princess, but realized that for all intents and purposes, it didn’t matter. He would perform his duty.
Author: dmr2158
Pairing: DG/Cain
Warnings: none yet
Rating: PG for now
Word count: 1137
Disclaimer: I do not own TinMan.
You all have been very patient with this piece. I know it is moving slowly, but please bear with me. I would also like to thank The Cricket for beta-ing this piece for me. She has been indispensible in correcting logical errors, and plot problems. Any mistakes, problems,etc. are mine.
Chapter One - DG confronts her parents about her role in the OZ
Chapter Two - Ahamo and the Queen try to reconnect & DG meets her mother half way
Chapter Three - Enter Wyatt and Jeb Cain
Chapter Four - Cain goes to the castle
Thanks to everyone who has read and/or reviewed the previous chapters. It helps to know that someone is enjoying reading this piece.
Chapter Five:
The Queen waited for DG and Mr. Cain’s arrival. She and her advisors had hammered out an arrangement for sending the requested emissary to the Red Jinn. Despite Ahamo’s belief that DG could handle the situation, Lavender Eyes was not about to send an inexperienced girl to handle the responsibilities of the realm.
Ahamo entered the room and smiled at his wife. He was so proud of how well she was handling DG’s transition into adulthood. He’d had his doubts about her acceptance, but he saw how Lav would listen intently to DG’s ideas and concerns. She didn’t just dismiss them. This should work out well for everyone.
The door to the room opened to admit DG and Mr. Cain. The Queen watched the pair closely. They did not act like former comrades. She had expected DG to be her usually exuberant self while in the presence of her former traveling partner, but instead DG had retreated behind a formality worthy of a queen. Mr. Cain’s reticence was expected since, as a citizen of the OZ, he would respect DG’s change in station and act accordingly. All traces of familiarity between the two were gone. Instead, they were uneasy in each other’s presence. Excellent. This would do nicely.
“Mr. Cain, thank you so much for coming so quickly. We have a great need that apparently only you can provide," the Queen stated as Cain bowed low before her.
“Your Majesty, how may I be of service?”
The Queen gestured for DG and Cain to sit. “We have been contacted by the Red Jinn to open up trade negotiations. It has been several years since any contact has been made with them. My daughter, Princess DG, has requested to be part of the initial contact with the Red Jinn. Of course, I could not allow my daughter to meet with such people without knowing as much as possible. I believe you were part of the last group to make contact with the Red Jinn.”
Ahamo shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Something wasn’t right. Lavender Eyes was up to something. The way she was sizing up Mr. Cain came from more than just curiosity at what he could tell them. She was searching for some hidden clue about the man’s character. Whatever Lav was up to, Ahamo bet it would be something that DG would not like.
“I was part of the Mystic Man’s detail, Your Highness. I am willing to give you any help that I can, however I'm not sure how much I can tell you about them.” Cain toyed with his fedora.
The Queen smiled triumphantly at DG and then Cain. “Wonderful. I knew that I was making the right choice in contacting you. It is settled. Mr. Cain will leave tomorrow to contact the Red Jinn and begin trade negotiations. It is obvious to everyone that you are the best person to send.”
DG drew in her breath sharply. The Queen had just stabbed her in the back. She glanced in anger at Ahamo, but he too looked confused by the turn of events.
“Darling, don’t you mean send DG to be the emissary after Mr. Cain debriefs her?” Ahamo questioned.
The Queen laughed lightly. “Dear, DG is very intelligent and has spent considerable time studying, but she is not prepared to accept the responsibility of such an important job. I am sure she agrees with me.”
DG flashed a brittle smile at the Queen. “Actually, Mother, I disagree with you. I believe that I am more than qualified to handle the negotiations. Plus, I am sure that Mr. Cain has no desire to travel to the Red Jinn’s Castle.”
Cain’s eyes traveled from one person to another; obviously something else was going on here.
“DG, Mr. Cain has just said he would help. Such a man understands his responsibility to his monarch.”
Ahamo cut in before DG could respond. “Then it would obviously be a good idea for DG to accompany Mr. Cain on his journey. This way she can learn diplomacy for future occasions. I am sure you do not want to stop our daughter from reaching her full potential, do you dear?”
Lavender Eyes glanced sharply at her husband before giving a fake smile. “Of course not. That is an excellent idea. DG will accompany Mr. Cain on his journey. “
Cain cleared his throat before speaking. “Excuse me, Your Majesty, but I don’t think I'm the right person for the job. I'm just a simple craftsman and former Tin Man. I know little about diplomacy.”
DG gave the man a forced smile. “Oh, I can assure you, Mr. Cain. The Queen does not make mistakes. She always thinks things through very carefully. Now if you will excuse me, I must get my things packed for tomorrow. “
DG swept from the room as the other occupants looked on in silence.
“Now, Mr. Cain, if you have any problems or questions, my husband will be glad to sort them out. I must go prepare for dinner.”
As the Queen left, both men looked at each other. Ahamo gripped the bridge of his nose. “I’m sorry about this Mr. Cain.”
“That is all right, Your Royal Highness.”
“Please, call me Ahamo. I don’t answer well to ‘Royal Highness’. Do you mind if I call you Wyatt?”
“That’s fine.”
"Well, Wyatt, let me give you a heads up on what’s been going on with the Red Jinn and exactly what trouble you bought yourself. But, first things first, what do you need to do before you leave?”
Cain turned his hat over in his hands. “I need to get word to my son that I’ll be gone longer than I had originally planned. I thought I would be home within the next few days. It looks like that’s not going to happen.”
The Royal Consort waved over a guard. “Have someone bring Mr. Cain paper and pen. I want the fastest messenger waiting to deliver his message to his son in the Quadling Country.” The guard bowed before turning smartly on his heel and leaving the two men alone.
Ahamo poured a generous amount of alcohol into two glasses. He handed one to Wyatt, and then sat in the chair opposite him. Ahamo saluted Wyatt before throwing back the fiery liquid. Wyatt sipped his more slowly. After slamming the glass back on the table, Ahamo turned to his companion with a grim expression.
“Someone should be here momentarily so you can write down your message to Jeb. I’m sorry that you have to change your plans. Now, let’s talk about the Red Jinn.”
Cain wanted to ask what was going on between the Queen and Princess, but realized that for all intents and purposes, it didn’t matter. He would perform his duty.