Queen Astra

Queen Astra snuggles down into her pillow, looks over at her love, Willian, and sighs contentedly...
 
 

"Looks like you made up for what happened earlier," she smiled.
 
 

Willian smiles devilishly back, and then reaches out and begins to tickle Astra on her left side, right above the kidney. It had been a most sensitive place.....
 
 

Astra, squealing and laughing, playfully hits Willian with a pillow......
 
 

After a little more of this playfulness, both settle into the others arms and drift off into a blissful sleep.
 
 

Today's events had proved to be a welcome break from routine.
 
 

Oh, their children were delightful and Astra and Willian were happy with the state of affairs with State and family, but it had been a welcome change....being able to aid others.
 
 

Still......
 
 

Later, Astra awakens and while naked, quietly sneaks out of the room to the most Royal Bathroom. Thanking the Gods and Goddesses for indoor plumbing, the Queen finds relief and soon come back in, and finds Willian up.....and speaking softly to a most familiar person!
 
 

"Rule 1?!" Astra gasps, quickly trying to cover herself in surprise.
 
 

Though not a blushing tulip, Astra didn't wish to parade naked in front of just anyone!
 
 

But....she finds she's not naked at all.
 
 

She's dressed in adventurer's garb, complete with sword and other....newer weaponry that Diania's Rangers now are equipped with (i.e. standard issue stuff like phasor and revolver).
 
 

"Sorry for the unexpected visit," the Elder Rule sighed, "But something dreadfully important has come to My and My Associates attention. It's not to do with the problems surrounding the Elves and such. Rather....it involves a certain Gunslinger....who's been trying so very hard to get to the Home Office....the Dark Tower! I must hurry and assign an experienced Champion with a couple of new Ones for this task....thus is why this rather unfortunate...and admittedly rude entrance. Sorry."
 
 

"Huh?" Astra asks, perplexed, "I....."
 
 

Astra shakes her head to clear it and tries again.
 
 

"If it is of enough concern to the Rules then an apology isn't necessary," Astra finally says, "Though the apology is a nice gesture."
 
 

Rule 1 nods, grateful.
 
 

"Besides which, I and the others DID put ourselves on Call, as it were," she went on, sitting on her bed and looking down at the grey skinned Personification of Order. "And it was a small price indeed to make sure that Aqualaria, in addition to the price of being able to come along and aid Astra 8 in saving Fred 8, was to be around as long as I lived....in a similar manner that Ethiopia will be around as long as Regent Malachi and her Consort are alive."
 
 

Manox Fred had done the same thing for his dear beloved nation as well....
 
 

Rule 1 nods, failing to mention that Orders from on High had already deemed that Aqualaria, Ethiopia, and the Manimal Nations would endure as long as these Champions endured. Otherwise, he and the other Rules and Agents would never had been able to grant that boon....but why cloud matters with such things?
 
 

"As stated, I need one experienced Champion for this task," Rule 1 says, "I decided to come here first to speak with both you and Willian. He tells me that you're a tad....restless. Would you be interested?"
 
 

"I....." Astra begins, feeling the siren song beckoning, "What of the matters of Throne? Are you planning on.....?"
 
 

"Returning you to this place the second right after you depart, naturally." Rule 1 says, smiling (it looked odd on him...but it was sincere). "It's the way it should be. You look after the things We can't do without problems arising. In return, We look out for our Champions interests that would otherwise be jeopardized. It's just a matter of mutual respect!"
 
 

Will and Astra blink at that one.
 
 

Hmmm, They do always try to respect us as we respect Them, Astra thinks to herself. Kind of nice, actually.
 
 

"But what of Will?" Astra then protests.
 
 

"Love," he says softly, taking her hand into his own, "I've seen and felt your desire for adventure growing and growing for years. Enjoy yourself and don't worry about me."
 
 

"I'll miss you," she says, kissing him tenderly.
 
 

"But you'll enjoy yourself immensely, also," Will says tenderly, cupping her cheek with his hand. "I do know you, my love."
 
 

Astra nods. Will did know her well indeed.

 She then turned and looked at Rule 1.

 "What must be done, exactly?" Astra asks the Rule.
 
 

1. Rule 1 tells her, then send her on her way..... 

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