Destiny's Quest - Chapter Seven
Summary: DG talks to the Queen, and Cain discovers what life is like inside the palace
Author:
dmr2158
Pairing: DG/Cain
Warnings: none yet
Rating: PG for now
Word count: 3292
Disclaimer: I do not own TinMan.
I would 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. I would like to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter. I apologize for not responding personally - but thanks to
diesa_j and nadeshiko1
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
Chapter Five: The Queen meets with Cain and DG
Chapter Six: The Queen is confronted by Ahamo
New Chapter:
Chapter Seven:
Dawn broke with the rising of the two suns. DG had spent the remainder of the night hidden away in her bedroom under the pretext of packing. She had not wanted to speak to either of her parents, and being around Mr. Cain was uncomfortable. She was still troubled by the light flirting between them earlier. It wasn’t that she found him unattractive, but she had not thought of Mr. Cain in any sort of light except as a comrade in arms. The touch of hard muscles under her palm now had her facing the idea of Mr. Cain as an object of attraction. Night had given DG time to reflect on the unsettling turn of events.
She was upset at the Queen for making Mr. Cain the emissary to the Red Jinn. Her anger had spilled over to Mr. Cain for being there in the first place. However, as much as she wanted to, her conscience would not allow her to blame an innocent man. That fact didn’t belay her belief that having Mr. Cain along would be tortuous for her and her need to prove herself. Based upon their travels across the OZ all those years ago, DG figured that Mr. Cain would not be one to deviate from the straight and narrow. He had always believed he was right and, as such, rarely listened to someone else, especially a “kid”.
“Your highness?” a maid queried from the doorway. “How may I help you this morning?”
“Good Morning, Frieda. Why don’t you pack up those remaining clothes for me while I prepare for today’s travel?”
Frieda curtsied. “Very good, My Lady.”
DG quickly readied herself for the journey to the Red Jinn’s Castle. Since the Red Jinn lived on the other side of the Deadly Desert, DG, Mr. Cain, and their small group of guards would be traveling via travel storm.
A knock resounded through the room. “Come in.”
Ahamo opened the door. “I see you are all packed.”
DG finished buttoning up her shoe. “Yeah. I decided I should get things together last night. What did I miss?”
Her father walked around the room observing traces of his daughter’s artistic skill in the various sketches and drawings that littered the floor and table tops.
Ahamo picked up one sketch of Az sleeping as he replied, “Well, Mr. Cain had supper in his room. He was dead tired from traveling the past two days. I haven’t spoken to your mother since after yesterday’s meeting.” Ahamo paused to look at DG. “DG, honey, I didn’t know she was going to choose Mr. Cain as emissary. If I had, I would have tried to get her to change her mind, or at least I would have told you.”
She reached out to hug her father. “I know, Dad. I just don’t know what I can do to get her to trust me. It’s like she can’t accept that maybe I can handle things on my own.”
Ahamo kissed the top of her head. “Well, at least you can get out of the castle for a few days or so. Just remember all that you learned about the Red Jinn. It might come in handy later.”
The maid carried DG’s luggage toward the door. Ahamo reached out to take it. “I’ll just take this down for you. Oh, and DG, it might be nice if you spoke to your mother before you left.”
DG wrinkled her nose in annoyance because, as much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She needed to at least try and make peace with her mother.
The Queen had spent a lonely night in her room. Ahamo had been sleeping in another part of the castle for the past week, though he tried to spend part of the night time talking with her in her chambers. Last night, he had not come; she had waited in vain for his knock on her door. She was so confused and saddened. Why had he not come? Was he that angry about her choosing Mr. Cain over DG? Why couldn’t he understand that she loved DG and didn’t want her hurt, but with her role as Queen sacrifices had to be made?
No matter which way she turned, Lavender Eyes felt she was letting someone down. If she did her duty as Queen, then she was a horrible mother. If she put her children first, then she was neglecting her sworn oath and promise to her people, and she had already put the lives of her children before the OZ with disastrous results. It was a classic case of damned if she did and damned if she didn’t. She missed having Ahamo there as her rock and foundation. Lately it seemed that no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t find that connection between them. It had been broken by fifteen years of separation and loneliness. What remained to be seen was if it could ever be repaired.
A quiet knock broke her train of thought. DG entered at the Queen’s command.
“Good morning. I thought I would come by before we left this morning.” DG stated, faintly smiling.
A sick feeling came over the Queen. She didn’t know what to say. Part of her wanted to apologize for choosing Mr. Cain, but she really didn’t think she was wrong. She could tell that DG was hoping for some type of response.
“I don’t want you to go.” The Queen refused to look at DG as she said this.
Hurt, then anger, filled DG’s eyes. But before she could respond, the Queen continued.
“We know very little of the Red Jinn. I don’t like sending you out into the unknown. I did it once. I put the entire responsibility of saving the OZ on you. I don’t want to do that again. I truly believe that Mr. Cain is the best person, right now, to handle the Red Jinn. I wish I could say that I think you are ready to do this, but I cannot, and will not, lie to you, DG. You aren’t. I should have told you before the meeting. I am sorry that I hurt you. It was not my intention. I know that you won’t listen to me and stay, even though I do not like the idea of you traveling with Mr. Cain alone.”
DG felt torn. Yes, she was still angry at her mother, but she at least understood why the queen had acted so.
“I don’t like that you don’t trust me to handle the situation. However,” DG held up one hand to stop her mother’s interruption, “you are the Queen of the OZ and as such I will follow your commands. But if I think Mr. Cain is making a mistake, don’t think I won’t say something. As for me being alone with Mr. Cain, I have nothing but respect for him. I will admit to finding him attractive, but, really, he’s at least fifteen years older than I am.”
The Queen arched one eyebrow at DG’s statement. She had not considered that DG might find the ex-TinMan attractive and therefore, a potential husband. While the Queen hoped that DG found love in her marriage, there were certain expectations to be upheld. The Queen’s marriage to Ahamo had only been allowed because of his slipper status. It was relatively unheard of for a commoner to marry into the Royal Family, regardless of those stupid fairy tales.
Now the Queen was faced with an even bigger problem. She could send DG as emissary, but that would not be in the best interest of the OZ; or she could send Mr. Cain, but forbid DG to go with him. Neither idea was very good. She had to send Mr. Cain. He was the best choice. As for DG, if she forbade DG from going, she would alienate her daughter, and make her husband furious. The Queen was really starting to hate the Red Jinn. She decided that a little reverse psychology was in order.
“I would expect my daughter to see to the benefit of the realm and do whatever was necessary to ensure the success of the mission. And DG, you misunderstand me. I have no complaints about the age difference between you and Mr. Cain. Many royal marriages have age differences. However, Mr. Cain is a commoner, and is not used to the expectations of royal life. Any relationship between you would need to take this into consideration; he could possibly end up as Royal Consort. As a royal princess, you must always think about the kingdom, even over your heart’s desire.”
DG’s cheeks pinked at the topic being discussed. She had no problem with Mr. Cain being a commoner; heck, Mr. Cain probably had a better understanding of royal life than she did. But what would her family and his think about the age gap? Anyway, it wasn’t like Mr. Cain was interested in her. He thought of her as just a kid. Plus, DG was in no way ready for marriage. She still had loads to learn about the OZ first before even thinking long-term.
Lavender Eyes looked out the window. “You had better go. Take care and return safely.”
DG stared at the Queen expectantly. Neither made a move toward the other. DG nodded once and left the room, feeling lost and alone.
Wyatt Cain batted away the hands attempting to button his shirt for the hundredth time. The manservant, Niles, silently sighed. It had been a running battle between the two men since last night.
After Cain’s meeting with Ahamo, he had been escorted to his suite where his own personal valet lay in wait. Cain had politely thanked the man for unpacking his meager belongings, and then stood waiting for the servant to leave.
Instead, Niles stepped in front of the bewildered man to start unbuttoning Cain’s vest. Cain jumped back, stumbling over a yellow ottoman as he tried to evade the manservant’s hands.
He righted himself before fleeing to the far side of the room. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he yelled.
Niles confusedly cocked his head. “I was attempting to assist you in changing for dinner, sir. Is there a problem?”
Cain gritted his teeth in annoyance. “Um, Niles is it?”
“Yes, sir. Niles Penderton, at your service.”
Cain gave a brief nod. “Niles, I appreciate your, um, help, but I think I can handle changing my own clothes. Okay?”
“But, sir! You are a guest of the Royal Family. It would not be proper for you to perform such menial tasks. Plus,” a note of admiration entered the man’s voice, “you are one of the saviors of the OZ. Being asked to serve you is an honor. I am gratified to be chosen as your servant while you are here.”
Annoyance lanced through Cain. “I understand that you're trying to do your job, but I’m just not used to having someone help me so much.”
Niles cast his eyes downward. “I see, sir. I shall inform the head butler that you require someone else to assist you. I am sorry to have bothered you.” He then turned to leave.
Wyatt shook his head in frustration. Now he had gone and hurt the man’s feelings. Great Glinda!
“No, wait Niles. You know what? I do need help. I am so lost here that I really need you to get me ready for leaving tomorrow. So, why don’t you just do whatever it is that you do, and I’ll, um, sit here and wait? How about that?”
The servant brightened considerably. “Yes, sir. Will you want to eat supper in your room or in the main dining hall with the royal family?”
Cain settled into a yellow chair complete with overstuffed pillows. He sighed tiredly. His muscles ached from the long journey. All he really wanted was a hot bath, then bed. Rubbing his tired, blood-shot eyes, Cain looked up at the waiting servant.
Before Cain could say anything, Niles spoke, “I shall inform the kitchen to send up a meal for you, sir. I will run your bath and you may eat when you are done.”
Cain smiled faintly at the waiting man. “That’s sounds fine. Thanks, Niles.”
Niles retreated to the bathroom to start the water for Cain’s bath. Cain pulled off his boots and socks. He placed his socks over the side of his boots and curled his toes into the plush carpet, making popping sounds with his joints. He was getting too damn old for this crap.
Cain stood up and twisted his back left and right. Niles re-entered the room, carrying a dark blue bath robe.
He placed the robe on the edge of the bed. “Mr. Cain, your bath is ready.”
Cain nodded in understanding. He was really too tired to talk right now. Niles reached out to help Cain undress, but a low growl and accompanying glare discouraged the servant. Discretely rolling his eyes, Niles left the room.
After his bath, Cain found Niles lying in wait for him. In the blink of an eye, Niles had Cain seated at a table with a napkin in his lap while he brought out the first course of the meal. For a minute Cain was afraid that the over-zealous manservant would feed him, too.
After an uncomfortable dinner in which Cain was waited on hand and foot, he was finally ready to succumb to exhaustion. Again, Niles tried to help him put on his night clothes, but Cain stepped into the bathroom and shut the door in his face.
When morning broke, Cain had thought he would be ready to leave before the pesky servant could arrive to assist him. Wrong! Niles opened the door at the first sign of movement from within the room. With one harassed look, Cain ran for the bathroom and solitude.
“Mr. Cain, would you please hold still?” Niles politely complained to the man as Niles attempted to adjust Cain’s duster just the right way.
“If you would let me do it myself, then we wouldn’t have a problem!” Cain responded. He grasped his boots and quickly put them on before grabbing his fedora and jamming it onto his head.
Outside the door, two guards were waiting to take Cain to the Great Hall. Carrying his single pack, Cain followed them down the long hallway, silently dreading the upcoming trip. When he entered the room, the Queen was conspicuously absent. In her place, Ahamo and Ambrose waited with Princess DG. Cain’s pleasure at seeing his friend Glitch was muted somewhat by his reluctant appreciation for how well DG filled out the dark purple dress she wore.
He mentally shook himself. He had better get his head on straight. He did not have time, nor the inclination to notice any woman, especially a princess of the realm. Cain shook Glitch’s hand and pulled him into a brief hug.
“Ambrose, it’s good to see you. Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” Cain asked his zipperless friend.
Ambrose grinned good-naturedly. The transition from Glitch to Ambrose had gone smoothly and the two personalities had been fused together.
“Now Cain, you don’t want me to go. I would just show you up with my perfect rhythm. Plus, you’ve got DG to help you out, and trust me, she knows a lot about the Red Jinn.”
Cain’s eyes slid hesitantly over to DG before quickly snapping back to Ambrose. While working with DG to defeat the witch, Cain had not paid attention to DG as a woman. He had focused on her naivety and youth. The Mystic Man’s request to protect the princess had helped foster the notion of innocence. That illusion had been blown away in the royal gardens by a voice that sent heat curling through his veins. If DG had been anyone else instead of a princess, Cain would have pursued the flare of attraction. But he understood that a simple ex-Tin Man would not be seen as a suitable candidate for a member of the royal family. It was best right now that he forget that pull toward her.
Cain hid his apprehion behind a quick smile. “I remember your rhythm, Ambrose. Was that before or after Raw clipped you with a wrench?”
Ambrose mock scowled at the man. Ahamo’s voice broke apart the bantering pair. “Everything is ready, Mr. Cain. We’ve set the coordinates so that the travel storm sets you and DG down a few miles from the castle. We thought that would give you a chance to get a feel for the lay of the land.”
“Sounds good. How many extra men are you sending?” Cain asked.
Ahamo grimaced slightly. “We aren’t.”
Cain looked at him in surprise. “What? You’re sending the princess to an unknown place without an escort? I don’t like the sound of that.”
“I don’t like it either, Mr. Cain. But the Red Jinn have stated that sending any guards would be seen as an act of aggression on our part. That is one reason the Queen was so adamant that you be the one to attend,” Ahamo replied.
“Well then, I’ll go and the princess can stay here. We cannot risk her safety.” Cain was adamant in his tone.
DG had been quietly listening to the conversation, since she had already hashed this out with her father earlier. Her mother had thought that DG would listen to her father and not go with Cain, but DG was insistent that she go as a show of trust on their part toward the Red Jinn. Now it was time to metaphorically put her foot down with Mr. Cain, too.
“Mr. Cain, I am standing right here, and I will be going with you,” DG stated.
“Princess, you don’t understand how dangerous it is for you to leave the castle unprotected. I think you need to stay here within the safety of the castle.”
Unimpressed, DG rolled her eyes. “Mr. Cain, my own father could not get me to change my mind. I am a grown woman who is quite capable of making my own decisions. So, since I will be going with you, let’s get this show on the road.”
Cain scowled briefly before reminding himself of his royal companions. His tone bordered on sarcasm. “Very well, your highness. As you command.”
Cain was not a happy man. Instead of just having to deal with the Red Jinn, now he had the sole responsibility for a willful, headstrong princess. This did not bode well for an easy trip.
Ambrose flicked a few switches on a hand-held device. He gave a second device to Cain. “Just hit the blue button to activate the storm. I’ve already programmed the coordinates for your trip there and back, so you don’t have to worry about that. This second device,” he said as he handed Cain a black box that fit into his hand, “can be used to send messages back to the castle. However, you can only send one or two messages before power is depleted. I haven’t been able to fix that problem yet.”
Cain nodded in understanding. Ahamo stepped up to hug his daughter and shake hands with Mr. Cain. “DG, you follow Mr. Cain’s orders. Mr. Cain, I am entrusting DG to your care. Please look out for my girl.” Ahamo and Ambrose stepped away from the pair.
“Don’t worry, sir. I will look out for her highness.” DG stepped up beside Mr. Cain and, looking over at him, nodded that she was ready. Cain grasped her elbow lightly and hit the button. The pair were swept up by the storm.