This Chapter contains scenes of strong sexual content. Use the rating of PG-13 as a guide
The meeting had gone over by twenty minutes. The King stayed patient, wanting to let his advisors battle it out.
"This whole idea of giving the power away. You must keep some for this monarchy. Tourenbourg can't survive without it!" Minister Berger urged with a tense voice.
Minister Elander interjected. "We've been arguing this for years. We chose a democracy. The people have spoken. The King has spoken!" he was now face to face with Berger. King Buchanan tried to stay impartial, but now he was tired.
"I've listened to your urgings, Berger. The world will be on hand to witness a bloodless change of power from the Castle to the Parliament. Minister, it's this simple. If you are to stay part of the government, you must accept this. Otherwise, tender you resignation. One way or the other, I want a response from you by tomorrow noon. This meeting is adjourned."
The group of 8 men got up and left, with a very irritated Ron staying beside the King. He eyed Berger with a distrust he had never felt before.
"This is wrong. This shouldn't be an issue now." He said shaking his head.
"No. He is not himself," the King responded.
Ron eyed the schedule. "OK. In case I didn't mention it, we are missing one of the Castle Watch guards. Private Braun did not return from one of his security rounds last night. I'll keep you posted." The King nodded. "Now I'm late for the Ballroom inspection. And you have an interview to do. Are you ready to face Barbie and Punky Brewster?"
The King chuckled as he left the room to walk up stairs. He went into the second floor hallway, as passergoers were walking through the Palace tours. Such exposure was of no thought to the King, who didn't even escape his thoughts to notice. Up at his suite, Lori and Judy were patiently waiting. Judy was cleaning a camera lens, as Lori was speed reading through Tourenbourg histories.
"Welcome ladies. I guess the vacation is winding down."
"We've got to have a solid piece on you, your royal highness," said Lori very properly. Alex chuckled like he had heard a dirty joke.
"So, you're covering the changes in my position, Tourenbourg history. How do you want the pictures?" Indeed, for the next hour, Judy and Lori took hundreds of shots of the King in his study, and on the balcony, as Lori quizzed him on his family's history, and his future. But Alex quizzed them back, making sure they had covered every angle.
"Judy, have you photographed the crown jewels?"
"Not yet."
"You should. They are one of the tourists' favorites. They are in the National Museum downstairs." Judy departed as Alex sat, overwhelmed by the next few days.
"Now that she's gone, there is one more question. Your arranged marriage."
Alex glared at her for a moment. He got up, and walked to the balcony. Lori followed, curious as to the cold reaction. The King walked out, eyeing the spectacle of the changing of the castle watch. Beneath them, several hundred soldiers marched their lines.
"Lori, one of our last remains of the old government is our Castle Watch guards. From ages gone past, they were and still are a heavily trained."
"And your engagement?" Lori persisted.
"Lori, can you follow the Castle Way down into the city? From here it leads straight ahead."
Lori looked. "Yes. We have a direct view of the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin. It is so much lower than us."
"That is the spiritual center of the city. Where royalty and citizens meet. Continue on." Lori looked beyond, as directly above the church a mountain rose as a back drop to the city. At its top was a Roman monument.
"What is that?"
"Our heritage. In pre-christian times our kingdom's matriarch was Artemis, the warrior goddess. They both represent the spiritual in earthly form. The castle and the cathedral combined. My engagement represents the return of a Queen to this land which has valued women. Since my mother died so long ago, we have had no matriarchal figures. The time has come."
Lori was thankful that she knew shorthand.
Judy bounced down the hallways. She thought that she knew a short cut around the touristy parts of the castle to get to the crown jewels. But she found herself in a quiet, strange hallway. Looking all around and curious, she paused to study an inscription in a marble pillar. She couldn't read the language, but she still sounded it out softly......R-e-g-i- She turned.
She thought that she saw a figure pass through a wall. Instantly, a chill came over her. She looked around, and cautiously crept toward the wall. On either side was mahogany wood pillars. The brunette placed her hands on it, and felt. As her hands spread around, she found a spring by the right pillar. Suddenly, a panel opened!
She looked behind her. No one was around. "ElectraKreepy!" she softly said. She found herself in a passageway that smelled of centuries gone past. It was very dark. The precocious young woman realized that someone had gone into the wall. She listened, and thought that she had heard a foot step. Slowly she felt her way up the walkway. There was nothing but silence.
Then she felt something brush her from behind. She turned around in terror to see a dim figure dressed in black, seemingly holding a gun.
Lightening fast she kneed him, as a "oofff" burst, and she ran. In the darkness. Bumping into beams, supports, hearing the thug chase her. In terror she searched for an escape latch. She turned around to see the figure still behind her. As she lunged forward, she ran into a body! It grabbed her firmly by the shoulders.
"Let go! Stop it!" she hissed as the hands shook her.
"Judy! Judy! It's OK!" She looked to faintly see striking green eyes peering back. She gasped, then wrapped her arms around Ron.
"Oh Minister, someone's after me!" Ron held up a penlight to check out the passage.
"Minister Berger? Were you after our American journalist?" She turned around to see the government official standing there, embarrassed.
"I thought that we had an intruder. With the Ball tomorrow, we can't be too careful."
"Certainly, Berger. I was just checking out the security myself. The Ballroom is in good order. You OK, Judy?"
The young woman had not let go of him yet. "Yes," she said softly. "Sorry I kneed you."
"You didn't hit me," he softly replied.
"Where do you want to go?"
"To see the crown jewels."
"Why don't I take you there myself?"
"OK," she said cheerfully.
He tenderly grabbed her hand, and led her back out into the main stairway. "These are suppose to be for our servants first. But security uses them." She again found her bounce.
"That was close," a deep voice hissed as they left the walkway. "Our poor Arabian guard took one for the team." The cloaked man was still on the ground, moaning.
"But she is non the wiser. Still, we must be very careful."
"Don't worry. Our little mishap last night has been disposed of." Berger shut his eyes and groaned.
"The thought of the dining room in action again. It is repulsive. But whatever it takes to change the direction of the kingdom."
"Yes, Berger. Do your part and let the Guard members up to the North Tower."
The King sat back as Lori checked her notes. He was finally relaxing from a day of hectic, stressful meetings. She was still standing, as he eyed her outfit. A red long-sleeved rugby shirt, and white casual pants. Her body shone from the smooth curves of her butt, to her hips where the belt rested, then her long torso up to her breasts. He sighed.
"Come here, sweetheart." She looked over at him in surprise, as only those big green eyes could. There, in a suit that was the finest of European tailoring, was her high school chum. Even with all the adolescent adventures they had had together, she was stunned at the power his aura commanded. The beard had finally brought out his masculinity. She carefully walked over, placing her notes down.
He put his hand on her left hip, and began to caress right below her belt. She held out her right hand, as he took it. He did not get up. The power of his position was now a game......."I want you to please me" he seemed to say. She kneeled on the sofa, mounting him as her groin pressed into his. She undid his collar and tie, and proceeded to kiss him long and deep.
After passing through several levels of security, the Minister and Judy were behind the jewels. She tried to photograph in a business like way, but every so often the young journalist let out a gasp.
"Look at that diamond neckless! It must way a ton!"
"Well, that was Alex's grandmothers. All top grade stones. A single strand of 40 three carat stones leading to the twenty carat."
"It must be amazing to wear."
Ron paused for a moment. "Oh, I don't know. Perhaps on Lori."
"Thanks a lot!"
"No. I mean, you're not a diamond person. You Americans think precious stones begin and end with diamonds. Look here." She gasped. "This is a the second largest ruby necklace in Europe. This, with a pair of tanzanite earrings. Thats how I would make you up." She looked at him grinning.
"I'd put on anything for you," She said with her huge smile. He just looked back at her with his grin. Judy raised her camera and quickly snapped a shot of the minister before she continued to photograph the jewels, enjoying her behind the scenes privilege.
"What are these pendants?"
"Well, they're very old. Centuries. They are worn by the Queen and her ladies. They stand for our matriarchs. Since we currently have no earthly ambassador, they reside here." She took more pictures.
The minister was trying to figure out what jewels would be needed by the Carpathian Princess for the ball, when he noticed Judy stop. He caught her reflection in a glass window. Judy was looking at something, and seemed to be lost in thought. He subtly moved closer. She was standing in front of the Key of Tourenbourg! He tried to read her mind. She seemed to connect with this symbol.
"Much safer here than around Alex's neck, don't you think?"
"OH! Uh, yes, I would think so."
On the velvet sofa, two naked bodies lay together, covered by a cashmere throw. Lori was on top of Alex, her big full lips kissing his. He licked them, sucking on the lower one, before pushing her up to kiss her nipples. She purred softly. Her hair was now messed up. Their skin touched all over.
"You always want to be on top," Alex said as he caressed her full, firm breasts.
"It's like in Chess, your majesty. The Queen has the power." Her hand reached down, as he peered up at her. "Oh my, Alex!" He chuckled. She breathed in deep, then sighed as she mounted him. "We'll make this better than the first time."
Judy wandered back to her room, holding hands with the minister. She was so deeply attracted to him. The perky brunette shut the door behind him, and went up to kiss him. Ron could not hide his excitement as he pulled her in close. He began to caress her arms, and then touch her neck. She moaned. She let his hands reach under her shirt around her waist. Everywhere he touched her was electrical. His finger tips lightly brushed past her stomach, hips, nipples, down her butt....She grabbed his hand and led him to the bed.
"Ron, just so you understand, I don't want to go all the way." He nodded. "But I'm thinking there's a lot of other things we can do." Her big brown eyes connected with his.
As she laid back, he speculated as to if this American girl had ever been treated right by a man. Quickly he realized that she hadn't. But she would be now.
Lori looked all disheveled, as she made her way back to her room. She was very relaxed. By habit, the blond always checked her laptop. This time, an alert was blinking. She proceeded to go through the levels of security.
I have confirmed that Lucretia has been found in Tourenbourg. Thanks for the picture. She is currently under arrest. She hasn't talked, but she has a large amount of money.
Lori contemplated this for a minute.
Frank, do you think that she has created a new Empress of Evil, and sold it?
Yes I do!
Can you give us ElectraSplit?
Not yet. Too little power.
How about the ElectraStrobe?
Again, I don't have the power source.
Can we go to the King yet?
Still confidential. No. His cabinet is under suspicion.
Please find security info on his right hand man, Minister Elander. Can he be trusted.
She immediately went to get Judy.
Judy rolled over to kiss Ron, having stopped hyperventilating. She was dazed. He kissed her deeply, as the smell of her lovemaking on his lips drove her wild. Taking her time, she began to stimulate him.
Just then Lori walked in. "Judy, we got an alert from....Oh My God! OH my! Minister! I'm soooo sorry!" She turned beat red as she tried to exit. There was an awkward silence, as the two lovers looked at each other.
"She's right, Judy." He said, getting up.
"But Ron, I haven't taken care of you!"
Still dressed, he turned around. "That's OK. Your partner kinda ruined the moment. But Judy, I am having an incredible time with you." She got up naked, and kissed him.
In the hallway, Lori came running out. "Minister, I didn't mean to interrupt you!"
"You're kinda rough on my savior faire, Ms. Evans. Do us two a favor. Stay a few extra days after the elections. Please."
She looked back blankly.
"Life is short. I would like to get to have a special evening with your assistant. While we have the chance."
She nodded.
Judy went into her partner's room. "Thanks a lot, Lori! I see by your hair that you haven't exactly been whistling dixie."
"A two condom afternoon. But now I need to let you in on a little secret. We're not here just for journalism and pleasure."
"What?"
"Come over. I have something to show you on my computer."
Lucretia sat in a rather dark room. The only light came in from the door. She had been there almost six hours. She complained at first, but the Tourenbourg police did not show their inmates much hospitality. As a guard came up to the door, Lucretia again screamed.
"I want a representative from the US embassy! You can't treat an American this way!"
She stepped back as suddenly, as the guard came in, turned on the light, and was followed by two elderly men, a translator, and a heavy set man in white linen suit, hat and sun glasses.
"I am from the American Embassy. But I am not a lawyer....At least not for you."
"What?" screeched Lucretia as the translator began speaking the words to the other elderly man. As they sat down, the elderly man continued.
"Now, before we can discuss the charges being brought against you, we must know why you are visiting Tourenbourg."
"Ohhh, for rest and relaxation." The man in the white linen suit took off his hat and sunglasses.
"Lucretia. We know that's not true."
"Hefflin! What are you doing here?"
"That is the question for you. Now, what do you know about Al Qaida and the unstable elements of Tourenbourg?" The lights were increased on Lucretia. Hefflin invaded the personal space of the villainess, his hairy eyebrows seeming to come to life, as if they were about to crawl into Lucretia's soul. The men prepared for a very long interigation.
Back at his office, Ron poured himself a scotch, trying to relax. He eyed the schedule for the next days, and felt overwhelmed as he shuffled the piles of work on his desk. He eyed the schedule for the Carpathian delegation that was arriving that evening. He shook his head and grimaced. Then he came across the Loomis and Evans files. He paused.
Walking over to a bulletin board, he pinned up a picture of Lori. Then one of ElectraWoman. He lightly shook his head. But then he pinned up a picture of Judy, and of DynaGirl. He stared at it for minutes on end. Finally, he went to his shelves and grabbed an old leather bound book entitled Artemis, first Queen of Tourenbourg. He sat and read it for a few minutes. Then, finding the page he was looking for, jumped up and wrote across both pictures of ElectraWoman and Lori "Nova Regina Terra". Ron stood back, brought the fingers of his right hand up to his nose, and inhaled while eyeing Judy's picture. He was smiling.