The Mutant World (17 page)

“King Roc, I have not come here for trouble,” said Queen Bal trying to calm everyone down. “My people want nothing but peace!”

“We’ve heard that one before, bitch,” snarled, Roc. “We won’t fall for it again. There’ll be peace once every fucking Mavie and the things passing for men who serve them are either dead or on their knees in collars!”

“Now that will be enough of that!” said Queen Tabitha storming back in front of Roc with her hands on her hips. “I’m ashamed of you! This is no way to win friends among the other leaders of the empire!”

“We’re just doing the same thing to them that they did to us and you know it!” snarled, King Roc. “Now move aside, Sister. I wouldn’t want you to be hurt.”

The Melmorian Queen stood her ground and was joined by her husband. “Brother, back down,” said Lord Clave. “You’ll have to go through me to get past her.” In answer, Roc transformed fully and just as quickly Clave did the same. The prince and several of the opposing mutants also transformed fully at this and most of the Bellasarian human dignitaries wisely began to run to the back of the hall or out alternate entrances, many calling for more guards. The Earth people however, just stood there frozen in awe and terror. The monstrous beasts stood snarling at each other. Many of the tables were knocked aside and food and drink were littering the floor.

“WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING HERE?!?” screamed Empress Beral III storming into the hall with her husband and several very intimidating guards. The empress was clearly not dressed for battle, but in her hand was a huge war hammer and Lord Talos had taken on his polished black stony form. He too was armed. A massive war club was in his fist. The Mavie immediately dropped to their knees, but the Barratians stood looking anxiously at their leader. “Damn you, Roc!” growled Beral III. “You always were a hot tempered and difficult boy!” Roc’s son growled a little, but a stern look from his father silenced him. “If you want to fight women so badly,” snapped Beral III,
“I’ll
be your opponent!”

“I do not want to fight women in general, Cousin. Just those women!”
snarled King Roc mentally.

“You’ll fight me or no one! Or maybe,” said Beral looking around at her subjects, “you’ll fight everyone!” The Barratians had no illusions of leaving that hall alive if the empress herself, her man and all the warriors and leaders under her attacked them all at once.

“Kinswoman,”
said the monstrous cat slowly,
“I…was at fault. I have no desire to fight with you and Lord Talos of all people. I apologize.”
With that, Roc returned to human form and gratefully everyone else as well.

“Humph! Unruly cub!” muttered Beral III angrily under her breath. Then she looked to one of her subordinates and said, “Get some people in here to clean this mess up! And then have more food sent in, I’m hungry! King Roc, please go and put some clothes on, you and the prince. These men as well,” said the empress with a small smile. “You’re frightening the humans and giving our women strange ideas.” Several of the gathered mutants laughed at this and even, King Roc couldn’t suppress a smile.

“That goes for you too, my love,” said Queen Tabitha to her husband who was now just as naked as Roc and the others who had transformed.

“I’m a Melmorian,” said Clave. “I couldn’t care less about…”

“But I do,” said Tabitha in irritation. “I don’t want to be obligated to share you out of courtesy with those Mavie tramps, especially that scar faced bitch! They are always on the lookout for suitable men to make babies with. Now go and dress for these people…and cover your face!”

As the Barratians began to leave a group of young people began to enter the hall. A young woman in irritation shoved her way past the warriors of the guard who surprisingly made way. She was a tall and very well formed young woman who bore a striking resemblance to the empress, but was a bit taller and darker. Her hair was jet black and her eyes were the same shape and just as feline as Beral III’s. Aside, from her height, her body shape was also similar to that of the empress, but a
little
less ample in the front and back. Still, smaller doesn’t mean small by any means. The girl did have the look of a ‘Tomboy’ however, despite her breathtaking beauty. She wore very little jewelry or makeup and her garments were those of someone more accustomed to military camps and rough living than palace life. Behind her were Prince Tabba and Princess Abe, who had been seen for the first time yesterday since that night at the great feast. However, many folks had
heard
them and quite clearly and loudly at times in the prince’s chambers…and elsewhere. It was now believed that the two may have actually bonded. In any case, the empress had sent physicians to the prince’s and princess’s chambers (and any other possible cozy places they might be) to find them. They immediately saw to it that both young people were on the proper medication to dull the fever enough for them to function properly during the rest of the summit. Normally, the parents would have simply let the kids burn themselves out on their own and begin marriage negotiations once the fever was broken, but this was an important and historical summit. They
would
be present and lucid for it.

“One moment, Little Brother,”
said Beral telepathically to the Barratian king,
“send the boy ahead, I’d like to speak with you.”
King Roc motioned to the prince to continue on as he left with the empress through an alternate door.

Prince Pantherus was in a foul mood and he glared at the Mavie as he began to pass them. He stopped and looked at Queen Bal’s disfigured face and smirked. “My grandfather marked you well, Mavie!”

Several of the Mavie women grumbled at this, but the queen surprisingly seemed more ashamed than angry. “I…I was lucky,” she said. “He was very merciful under the circumstances and spared my life. Others that day were not so fortunate.”

“Treacherous females!” hissed Pantherus. “You people murdered my grandmother and tried to kill my grandfather even as we Barratians were celebrating the new peace treaty in your own feasting hall!”

“It wasn’t my mother’s doing, prince,” replied the queen quietly. “It was the actions of those who were still slaves to the old teachings.” Much to Pantherus’s surprise a tear formed in the queen’s good eye and then trickled down her cheek. “And we paid for it, Prince. We paid in years of war, our honor and respect in the eyes of other Bellasarians and in the loss of almost all of our lands we had left.”

Slowly a feeling of great pity began to rise in Prince Pantherus. This was not the reaction that he was expecting from a Mavie Queen. He looked at her face again closely. Truly she would have been a most uncommonly beautiful woman if not for that scar. Unbidden his hand slowly rose and touched her face. Bal was equally surprised by Pantherus’s sympathy. The queen suddenly felt a sensation that she had never felt before from her head to her toes and even blushed. “I’m sorry for my words,” said Pantherus solemnly, “and for this.” The queen was unable to speak her heart was pounding so hard, but fortunately she wouldn’t have to.

The Princess Bellasaris had spied the Barratians and recognized Pantherus immediately and marched right over. “I don’t know what just happened here, but I’m sorry I missed it,” she said. “Am I interrupting something?”

“No, I was only apologizing for my behavior earlier, and now I’m done,” replied Pantherus turning around. “And you are?”

“I am, Princess Bellasaris.
You
may call me ‘Bella’,” she said giving Pantherus a wink. “I just arrived last night…like many others it seems,” she said looking at the Mavie. “I assume that you will be rejoining us after you have clothed yourself, um…er?”

“Oh, my apologies,” said the young Barratian quickly. “I am called Pantherus, princess. My father is the king of Barrat.” Pantherus couldn’t help but admire the young woman. He especially liked her scent. Many of these females literally bathed in perfume. He could actually smell
her
.

“I
know
,” said the princess with a smile. Casually, she looked Pantherus over.
Nice. I WILL have him,
she thought to herself.
The scar faced old lady from Mavie seems to like what she sees as well, but it doesn’t matter. I saw him first and have already staked my claim. She can return home and go back to licking other women.
“Well, I’ll see you in a little while, my lord,” said Bella turning away. Princess Bellasaris walked past the Mavie queen, stopped and turned again. “Forgive me…
Sister
.
Welcome to Illyria.”

Queen Bal swallowed and stammered, “Th…Thank you, Princess Bellasaris. I am most honored by your mother to be invited here. I hope you will not hold this little misunderstanding against my people.”

“Oh, not at all, Queen Bal,” said Princess Bellasaris. “But I do understand how the Barratians feel about you Mavie. But then again, you’re not very popular with our men either. I do hope what I’ve heard about you is but exaggerated tales.”

“I…No, I fear,” replied Bal sadly. “But that was in the past and is why we are here now, to try and put this history behind us. I think we may have a chance…now.”

“So I’ve
noticed
,” said Princess Bellasaris watching Prince Pantherus leave. “But the father may not be as willing to forgive as the son. After all, it was his mother you
women
killed.”

Bal swallowed and replied, “That was the act of misguided fanatics trying, and sadly succeeding, to destroy the peace my mother had forged with the Barratians.”

“Truly?” said the Princess. “I wonder how many of
them
are still around today.”

“None!” said Queen Bal quickly. “It has been a hard lesson, but one that has finally been learned!”

“Well, let us hope so,” said Princess Bellasaris. “You people have made things…
difficult
…for women throughout the empire. There are more and more men becoming dissatisfied with our rule because of you. And certain men who have always hated women or preferred the touch of other men have used you as a shining example to prove their point and to preach their causes. If any of your fanatics try something like they have done in the past
here
you won’t have just the Barratians and other men to deal with, Mavie. We will take care of you ourselves!” Then Bellasaris looked meaningfully at Bal’s retainers. “Have I made myself understood?” She then looked at Bal again and smiled. “Enjoy your stay in Illyria. I hope, for all our sakes that things go perfectly.” Then she made an expression of concern. “You don’t look well, Sister. I suggest that you go see the physicians and have them put you on some meds. It is unseemly for a queen to go into heat in a formal setting like this.” Then she turned on her heel and walked away.

Nearby, all was being observed by the Elder Bellasaris and her daughter, retired Queen Beral I. “My! Love is in the air and blooming all around,” Beral chuckled. “I wonder who that little bitch takes after, you or me?”

Bellasaris smiled and shook her head. “Physically, she is much closer to me, temperament-wise, I’d say you. She’s not a
prissy
little beauty though, is she?”

“No,” said Beral, “not that one, but with a bit of competition that could change.”

Bellasaris grinned and said, “So, you saw it too, eh?”

“Yes, I saw,” said the elder Beral. “The moment that boy touched her and showed a softer side of himself she was ignited. Her eyes…er…
eye
began to wander all over and linger on a particular spot. I have to admit, the boy is impressive. Daddy’s genes are very insistent. With most of us, male and female, it’s the eyes. But with the males it’s also…Well, you know. But I don’t think she has a chance against Bella.”

“Oh,” said Bellasaris, “and why not? Her body is firm and very ample. I saw the boy’s eyes appraise her. He was pleased with what he saw.”

“I know, Mother, but Bella is equally desirable and more ample of bosom…and
she
still has all of her face.” Bellasaris looked at Queen Bal again and then began to walk over. Quickly Beral mentally called out to her.
“Mother, wait. What are you going to do?”

“Well, Bella suggested a physician to attend to her, did she not?”
said Bellasaris.

“You are not that kind of physician,”
said Beral.
“What sort of deviltry are you playing at?”

Bellasaris giggled and said,
“I’m just going to make it an even match, that’s all.”

“But…I thought you wanted the might of Barrat for the empire and our clan?”
said Beral.
“A marriage between the young prince and Bella would assure this. So, why…?”

“Please allow an old lady her fun!”
said Bellasaris.
“At my age I need entertainment as a starving man needs food. And love triangles are the best!”

Queen Bal sighed as Princess Bellasaris walked away. She knew her people were not very popular in the empire despite the clandestine support from various women’s organizations they’d received. They even occasionally got a few recruits as well. But these women either learned the error of this move after seeing the reality of the Mavie existence and quickly deserted (or tried to) or they were the type that the Mavie had out grown and lost all tolerance for. Bal and her followers had been told in a semi-nice way that they were walking on thin ice here. Worst of all, she now had another unforeseen problem on her hands. Bal had naturally had a little sexual experience with other women, but she learned quickly that she received little pleasure copulating with them. Actually, unlike many females of her people, she wasn’t even mildly attracted to other females in that way. She found that men were more to her taste, but human men were too fragile. Mutant males were sturdier, and there were still a few among the Mavie, but Mavie males tended to be…pathetic…at least to her. It was true, they used them for breeding and, if you liked that sort of man, pleasure. But beyond that, she saw nothing of value in them. Indeed, she hadn’t seen men of real worth, other than on the battlefield, until today. Now she had a terrible feeling that she had found her mate at last, but had very little chance of claiming him. She and her people were his people’s mortal enemies. He was at least fifty years her junior and she was disfigured. Worst of all, she seemed to have a rival. The empress’s daughter no less. This trip was quickly becoming complicated in the most disastrous of ways. Bal had no idea that her luck was about to take a turn for the better.