“You seem nervous, King Grinthal. Relax. You are my guest in this castle.”
“You’re absolutely sure the dragons are gone,” Grinthal asked, nervously looking around.
“I’ve already told you, they’re not gone. They’re still right in this castle.” King Grinthal jumped up suddenly when he heard this. “But they’ve been transformed into bunny rabbits,” Catherine finished.
“Oh, I...I see. And these bunny rabbits, are they dangerous?”
“They’re small cute little bunny rabbits. I’ll bring them out for you to see shortly.”
“There’s no need.”
“There is a need. I need for you to see that you are completely safe in this castle, and that you have nothing to fear.”
“I’ve never been a guest in this castle before,” said Grinthal looking around, but still rather nervously. “I’ve been a prisoner here, but never a guest.”
“How would you like to be in control of the castle?”
“Catherine! You know I would never do anything against you!” Grinthal pleaded, the words spilling out rapidly.
“I know. That’s why I am going to make you the head of my security. I need someone I can trust.”
“Head of security?”
“I want you to bring your goblin army into the castle. I don’t feel like I can trust the human guards in this castle. They’re all Carlyle’s people. I want the Goblin army to provide all of my security. And I want you to be my head of security, controlling that Goblin army. So, in essence, you would control the halls of the castle. Do you follow me?”
The meaning of what Catherine was saying gradually began to sink in. Grinthal had been excited, but his face slowly dropped as he realized what she was saying. “You want me to be the head of your security, and you want me to place my Goblin army at your command? But I’m a King. I rule in my own kingdom. Why would I become your subject?”
“If you’re so happy in your kingdom, then why do you keep trying to take over the castle?”
“We want to plunder its riches, and live in it like conquerors. We don’t want to be slave labor for someone else.”
“Spoken like a true king. Although I doubt that your army is as bothered about it as you are.”
“I’m sorry, Queen Catherine?”
“You are a King, so you are used to answering to nobody. But your soldiers already feel like they’re someone else’s slaves. What’s the difference if you order them around, or if I order them around? Or if you order them around for me? No difference at all to the common goblin soldier.”
“I’m sorry Queen Catherine, but…”
“Oh Grinthal, I thought we were going to get along so fabulously. But I see now we have a difference of opinion.”
“I am still your most faithful ally,” said the Goblin King nervously. “But I am your equal as a King of my own people.”
“We are both rulers, in our own way,” said Catherine. “But we are not really equal, are we?” As she spoke, Catherine took out her wand. She then started humming and chanting softly, while still looking at Grinthal, and the tip of the wand glowed.
“Kings and Queens are never measured against each other in terms of their capabilities,” Grinthal said. He was trying to stay calm, but he couldn’t help but keep his eyes on the glowing wand as he spoke. “They are only ever appraised by their status as sovereign rulers.”
Catherine kept humming and chanting softly while Grinthal was talking, and the glowing end of her wand grew bigger and bigger. “You’ve heard all the stories about me, I trust Grinthal. I’m sure they still tell the stories in the forest. You know, the stories about how I lost my soul to dark magic--the kind of magic that causes death, and pain and torture. I know it’s been several years, but they still tell those stories in the forest, don’t they?”
Grinthal licked his lips. “They do.”
“Oh good,” Catherine suddenly smiled. Her voice became more cheerful. She spoke a word, and the light suddenly died from her wand. She turned back to Grinthal and said in the same cheerful voice, “I was afraid I was going to have to make a demonstration. But you already understand, don’t you?”
“I do,” Grinthal said.
“Good. So we have an agreement then. You and your goblin army will have free reign of this castle. You’re welcome to help yourself to all the luxuries, food and riches that it contains. But in return, you are to follow my orders. And I want to be guarded at all times. Especially when I’m sleeping. I don’t want to be betrayed in my sleep like I was last time, do you understand?”
“Yes Catherine.”
“Hurry then, and gather your soldiers. I want the castle to be filled by Goblin guards before midnight.”
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