The Queen's Judgment

[Thorin]

The guards led Thorin and D'Angelo to the realm of Queen Mab. Even after all of his times traveling with Igraine, he still wasn't used to the experience. Paranoia began to settle into his mind. Thorin was constantly looking over his shoulder, his heart raced and his pulse quickened. Even though they were in a beautiful setting with lush and exotic foliage, the trek was made in silence. If D'Angelo wanted to take advantage, it would have been an opportune time to slit his throat. He was sure that the man could handle a couple of delicate looking guards.


Thorin noted the change in atmosphere, but it felt more foreboding to his nature. Vuri didn't exactly welcome Fae, yet he had married a nymph. Paths began to look the same, the twists and turns forcing him to concentrate. What would one say to the Queen? He had left so quickly, that he hadn't even considered the words he would say to her. Thorin decided to risk it all and be blunt about their situation. Queen's were meant to handle a crisis, after all.

The path lead them to the opening of a grandeur sight, a castle jutting from nature itself, with its dramatic peaks and architecture causing a normal man to catch his breath. That was when the guards abruptly stop, causing Thorin to second guess their reasoning. One of the guards motioned toward his sword and hammer, which had only been equipped moments ago.

“If you wish to have an audience with our Queen, you will remove all of your weapons.” The guard left little room for argument, his steely glare focusing on Thorin and the movement of D'Angelo. They hadn't been expecting this, but with everything happening, it wasn't something Thorin wanted to rebel against.

Stripping himself of his sword and hammer, he reluctantly watched the guard apprehend both. Thorin turned to D'Angelo, waiting for him to make the same motion. D'Angelo had a habit of reminding him of his father, especially with his coy attitude and smirk. He was cunning, someone who used people for his personal gain, which Thorin didn't doubt.

“I'll make sure you get your weapons back.” Thorin reassured him, hoping to keep that trust intact. He didn't want D'Angelo to think this was some sort of trick. When the guard finished removing them of their weapons, they continued their march toward the castle gates, which opened with a simple gesture by the guard.

They were lead to a large antechamber, the doors slamming shut behind them. Thorin was too nervous to admire the beauty, he began to pace in wait for the Queen's presence. For a moment, he forgot that D'Angelo was with him.

“Well, this is a pleasant room for an execution at least.” Thorin said out loud to himself. It was possible that they could have offended the Queen and not even be aware. He gripped the box, so that his knuckles practically whitened from the tension. Always pessimistic, Thorin assumed the worst for the Queen's late arrival.

His thoughts went to Igraine briefly and his wife Nimue. How would he explain their sudden relationship? He had fathered Igraine's child and now Nimue would be giving birth. Thorin also had a son from the Bocan. Rubbing at his forehead, he wondered if the Queen knew all of these particulars. Thinking of an explanation was beginning to give him a migraine.

The double doors opened, the image of Queen Mab appeared. She reminded him more of death, than a Queen of Beauty. To a normal man, she would make his heart stop and question reality. For someone like Thorin, her presence made his blood run cold. She had been nothing but kind to him- something he would never understand.

With his knees practically buckling underneath him, he kneeled and raised the box to her. “I bring you the bracelet you requested.” He didn't have time to glance and witness D'Angelo kneeling. Thorin only hoped the man had sense to follow the action. “If you approve of my work, I wish to offer my services to you.”

Thorin kept still, not a slight movement would be seen from the blacksmith. He wondered if he had truly lost his mind. The Queen didn't speak, her eyes judging what he was presenting. Thorin stole a glance and thought that he saw amusement in her eyes.

[Shin]

Nicoli could feel the subtle difference when him, Thorin, and the two guards entered into the realm of Queen Mab. It made Nicoli feel sick, it made his stomach churn and it wasn’t because of the rigors of traveling to another realm, Nicoli had done that on two other occasions and hadn’t felt the feeling he felt now, for a brief second.

Luckily Thorin seemed too busy, his mind to preoccupied to note the small change in Nicoli before he could erase the emotion from his face and replace it with the calm and placid features that he normally had, the cowl of his cloak would also help hide his reaction from the guards. He let out a deep breath and followed a pace behind Thorin, letting his enhanced sense stretch out far and wide. The short sword at his side that enhanced his abilities did even more so when they stepped into this natural setting.

At first Nicoli tried to memorize their path but he realized that such an attempt was futile, there was magic at work here and the forest, or something in it, had no intention of letting either man know where they were or where they were headed. For all the study he had done of this place, what little he could, during his absence from the Queens service it didn’t exactly prepare him for the trip.

Always with the disarming, he said to himself and pulled the sword belt from his waist. “I don’t believe there is anything you can do. I…learned that the Queen holds absolute power here. We can do nothing without her permission.” Nicoli sounded at complete calm as he spoke, even shrugging as if it hardly mattered; he was a master of hiding the distrust he felt. Still, he complied, removing all of his weapons and wrapping them in the chain whip he carried on his person.

“Your nervousness is nearly palpable Thorin.” Nicoli said with a slight bit of humor in his voice. “Think logically. The Queen would not bring you here, after requesting you make something for her, just to punish you. I, on the other hand, have no such invite…other than your wife’s not so subtle suggestion. Face it; if anyone is in danger here, it is me.”

Before he could continue speaking the doors opened and being no fool to the procedures one does when in the presence of royalty Nicoli bowed, not drop to a knee such as Thorin. Nicoli had bowed once before to a powerful being, it was a mistake he would never make again. Still, he showed his respect and kept his stature bent and eyes cast to the ground. He was also wise enough to not speak unless he was spoken too.

[Igraine]

The Seelie realm was one of deep magic, a sense of the otherworldly without the tempering of man. Strange creatures frolicked in random clearings; odd birds flew high overhead, trails sprouted from nowhere – inviting and dangerous to the wrong person. This place, this realm, it was the stuff of dreams. Once the men were divested of all of their weapons, escorted and placed in a room, Mab was made aware of their presence.

Once she arrived, throwing the doors open to the antechamber, she saw Thorin hit his knees. This amused her deeply. The one man that had no reason to fear her was the one that feared her the most. Mab glanced at the human with the soul-less eyes and narrowed her eyes briefly. Something was off about him, not quite right, and she couldn’t put her hand on what it was.

Thorin’s movement caught her eye, and Mab stepped closer to him. The work that he brought her was highly acceptable, and she clapped her hands excitedly – a smile spreading across her lips.

“Fantastic work, Thorin. I am very pleased with what you have offered me.” Mab picked up the bracelet and slipped it on her slender wrist – enjoying the sparkle and uniqueness of the craftsmanship. “I can see that Caderyn has taught you well.”

When Thorin offered his services further she tilted her head like a curious bird.

“Rise and follow, Husband of Nimue. You may join us, Son of Man.” Mab spoke to D’Angelo as she turned on her heels and walked into the expansive throne room. Where, in the human world, there would be pillars supporting the roof – here there were large trees that soared high, their canopy providing the roof of the structure. Vines and branches created the windows that were set high high and low in the structure. Those that were high allowed the deep gold light of the realm into the room, showering everything with a sparkling warm light. Those that were set lower in the structure allowed the passing of ambling patrons to the High Court to be viewed. All strange manner of creatures and fantastic beings could be seen from the windows.

Mab herself was one of the more fantastic creatures. She had the high features of a Fae, almost elvish in their placement. She had long thick hair that was black as night, marbled in places with a deep violet that mirrored the midnight sky so well. Today it was studded with sparkling crystals and tied to the side to allow her crown to sit on her brow. The crown was as demure as they came for the Queen. It was a webbing of vines and leaves, made of pure silver and studded with various shades of green stones. Her gown was a simple affair as well, lacking the sparkle of the visit that had introduced her to Thorin. It was long, with a full skirt, and a deep shade of green, like the edge of shadows in the depths of summer – the kind of green hard to mimic by human hands, but always sought. A simple silver chain wrapped around her waist, tipped with two green gems to tie the look together.

Mab climbed a dais, gesturing for servants to scatter and bring refreshments back, and settled herself on a large throne. It was an impressive sort of throne made of carved white oak and white marble with the most magnificent scene immortalized. The marble of the chair was carved delicately into the trunk of a tree; the leaves were so fine that they moved when a breeze blew through the hall. Within the wood were individual blades of grass carved, individual flowers, and individual animals. All rendered with a skill that was quickly fading on the human plane because there were no more Fae craftsmen to teach these skills. Mab settled on the cushion that was placed for her comfort and watched Thorin for a moment while the servants poured back in with refreshments for the pair.

“Eat and drink as much as you like. Nothing but the best for one of my personal craftsmen.” Mab was poured a goblet of wine from the same jug they would be drinking from, and sipped at the liquid with relish. It was from her personal stores.

“I understand that you have been made aware of the situation. How is Nimue? The ordeal gave me a headache, I can only imagine how sore her head must be if she’s on the human plane.” Mab smiled, her eyes were like quicksilver, settling on some color and shifting to another sometime later. For now they were a brilliant purple, like the color of the sky during sunset. “What services are you willing to offer, Thorin? I have many smiths for the war efforts, though I daresay having your talents coupled with Caderyn’s would be a definite bonus. I know that Caderyn will not join the war effort unless you do, he can’t stand to let a challenge fall unanswered – especially from a student. Though I would not ask an exorbitant amount of effort from either of you, if that is what you are offering.”

Mab’s eyes moved from Thorin and settled on D’Angelo. She surveyed him again, taking in his every movement and lack thereof. She studied him as if he were something of an oddity to her – and truly he was, and she was certain he must be an oddity anywhere he went.

“Who are you, and why have you come to my realm?” Nimue had boasted a bit, Mab didn’t know who D’Angelo was or what he had done.

[Thorin]

Thorin followed Queen Mab, pleased with her reaction to his work. He hadn't expected D'Angelo to follow in a kneeling position, but at least he was behaving himself. For the first time in months, perhaps years, Thorin relaxed. The atmosphere and kind nature of Queen Mab, demanded that he forget his worries for a moment. His mind cleared and his senses felt restored.

Joining her for the meal, he didn't hesitate to enjoy the food. The strange fruit reminded him of Nimue's odd cravings. She might have let him go with ease, but there would be a fire in her spirit when he returned. “My wife is expecting. I've left her in the care of a midwife, who happens to be an empress and adept with a sword.” Thorin glanced at D'Angelo, halfway through his meal. “..As for D'Angelo, I invited him. He was interested in learning about your world and witnessing you for himself.” Looking toward Queen Mab apologetically, he spoke to her through a private link.

I couldn't trust him to be alone with Nimue. They have a history that I do not fully understand. If I could have given more warning, I would have.

Thorin acted as if nothing had transpired between the two. He couldn't have left D'Angelo in the presence of Nimue. Thorin didn't understand their dark past, but he knew that he made her uncomfortable. Even Chizuru seemed to have some sort of hostility toward a man she barely knew. After losing so much, it was best to keep eye on him personally.

“I wish to offer my services fully. I want to help create armor, weapons, anything you desire. While your blacksmith may be skilled, they do not possess my unique ability. Caderyn has seen my work and now you have judged my craftsmanship.” Thorin went over his words, wondering if he was going too far. Queen Mab needed to know his use and why she should consider him. Her personal blacksmith, would never be able to create his Vuri metal.

“I understand that Igraine is married to King Pendaran now. He will not expect me to be visiting with you- let alone know of my skill.” His words held a certain disdain. “For all I know, he may think that I am dead.” Thorin stared blankly ahead, lost in his thought. “D'Angelo has given a me a gift that I plan to use to my advantage. The hammer your guards confiscated, is a forge hammer with certain properties. With my own techniques and that tool, I could create armor and weapons fit for a God.” Thorin's ego inflated, but he wondered what he could produce with the combined elements.

“Let me aid you. I cannot sit idle, while that bastard has her.” Thorin stabbed his knife into a chunk of meat. If the Queen refused his offer, he would more than likely embark on an insane quest. He knew that he had failed Igraine, the regrettable emotions evident on his face.

[Shin]

Above all things Nicoli was patient, it was a trait he was forced to learn and it hadn’t come easy to a man that used to be impulsive and brash with his abilities. He straightened after Queen Mab started speaking and held his hands folded on top of each other in front of him, he was relaxed though not as much as Thorin, he still didn’t trust the Queen but he no longer feared any sort of attack, at least not right now.

Nicoli was preparing to speak, deciding the best way to explain himself when Thorin spoke for him, to which Nicoli merely nodded and continued to stay silent. His stoic features slid into a sly smirk, it seemed Thorin was intent on not letting Nicoli speak, or he was still so nervous he felt the need to keep on talking. Regardless of which he obviously wouldn’t shut up.

Having ate not long ago Nicoli wasn’t hungry for the food the Queen offered them and instead stood several paces to the side and behind Thorin, staying out of their personal conversation. Instead his keen eyes and sharp intellect were put to better use, he simply watched, listened, and felt what was going on around him. Nicoli would have stayed silent as well, however, Thorin’s bragging was a little too much for someone like Nicoli. But then again, if that was his attitude …and if it only continued to grow than the hammer would produce junk in comparison to what it could. Anything less than love or hate would just not do, it would work of course…but they wouldn’t be the god like items that Thorin wanted.

“Doubtfully.” Nicoli’s deep voice boomed, followed by a slight chuckle. “Do excuse the interruption, but you will need more than that hammer, some special metal, and your arrogance to create a true masterpiece.” As Nicoli spoke his eyes narrowed towards Thorin, wondering how the man would take his criticism. “Your work is splendid, much better than most. But such thoughts will only corrupt any work you produce with that hammer. Or perhaps… you don’t understand the depths of the gift I have given?” As Nicoli asked his question he walked forward, moving to behind Thorin’s chair, his hands coming to grip the back rest tightly, though he was speaking to Thorin his eyes never left the Queen.

“Be careful when you use that hammer Thorin, lest your emotions consume you. Love, joy, sadness, even hatred are nothing but fuel for it, and it will magnify that emotion, bring it out. No gift is without its price….you will see that the rewards are worth it, but the price for arrogance could consume you.”

Nicoli released the chair and stepped back to the side, pulling the cowl of his cloak fully back so that he could be fully seen by all, abyss like eyes and all. His hands were once again at his side and his face was void of any emotion. He had told Thorin enough of the item to make him cautious he knew, a small price to pay, but Nicoli couldn’t afford the man being consumed by madness, not yet at least. Not until the King was dead.

[Igraine]

Mab leaned her chin on her hand and listened to the two men speak with amusement. Thorin’s bravado and Nicoli’s disdain, they were both very amusing. Mab stood and walked down the stairs leading to her throne. She walked around Thorin first and surveyed him carefully. She was smaller than he was, but she was not afraid of him. If Thorin inhaled sharply he would smell the faint scent of earth and water. She smelled differently than any other Fae in existence, but that came with the territory of being the Queen of all Fae.

“You still love her. How delightful.” Mab circled Thorin one more time, brushing her fingertips along his arms searchingly. “Igraine is beyond our reach at this time. War is coming and the best way to serve the Unseelie Queen and I is to create weapons. Thorin, you might still desire and love her, but her journey is far from over. This world she has been born into, raised to inherit, is not an easy one. I can thank you for giving her an heir, though. That was a foresight that I failed to master in my youth.”

Mab turned to Nicoli and sized him up for a moment before circling him. She didn’t bother touching him, he felt unclean to her. Something wasn’t right about him. He too, if he were to inhale deeply, would smell loamy earth and water as she passed. Mab was a creation of nature, the embodiment of everything humans knew as the natural world.

“You are strange. There is anger in you that you try to hide. Your eyes are so very dark.” Mab stopped in front of, but a safe distance away from, D’Angelo. At this point she was once again closer to Thorin than D’Angelo, reassured that Thorin would intercept the man if he needed to be stopped.

“What is it in your past that makes you so very angry toward us?” She left the ‘us’ open ended, but the intent was clear. Something was making D’Angelo uncomfortable in his own skin and Mab wasn’t entirely sure it wasn’t the Fae realm that he was reacting negatively to. He might question her ability to sense his feelings, but empathy was a typical power among Fae, which he might have experienced with Nimue.

“I accept your services officially, Thorin.” Mab said as she scaled the stares back to her throne and settled back in, watching the pair very carefully with curious eyes.

[Thorin]

Thorin felt the hair rise on his back, when she caressed him with her fingertips. Her comment threw him back, but he quickly gathered his wits again. Smirking, he listened to her question D'Angelo and his past. He wouldn't expect the man to answer, but he had been surprised before.

“I will always love her and I will always find her. He might have her locked away for now, but I'm not giving up.” Thorin remarked boldy, wondering for a moment, if he really did love Nimue. Nimue had been a nice escape, someone to distract his lovesick heart. Even though he wanted Igraine, he would never hurt Nimue- Igraine would always be unreachable for him.

While D'Angelo conversed with the Queen, his mind was already plotting weapons and dissecting their use. Thorin understood, that the hammer had unique properties, but he wondered if he was the one meant to use it. His rage was still being controlled, but since being with Nimue, he had mellowed. Thorin had to get rid of these ideals that he would be with Igraine. His home life was with Nimue, someone who didn't deserve to be caught up in the mess.

Yet, he continued to harbor those emotions. “I understand that the hammer is a great responsibility. I have to ask..why would you give it to me, let alone a Xanathi?” D'Angelo must have seen something in him, or maybe he was just a random choice. Xanathi men were not known for their good behavior, let alone controlling themselves in moments of strife.

Getting up from his chair, he paced and stopped with his thoughts. “I want to kill the bastard more than anyone alive. If I can't stab him myself and twist the blade in his heart, then I want to be the one to create the weapon that will.” To see the King fall, would be sweet justice, but not one he would likely witness himself. He had taken everything from Thorin. If he had his way, King Pendaran might have had some influence with his daughter Morgana. Thorin could only hope, that she would be safe from all of this.

“I will report to Caderyn about my services with you, Your Majesty. He won't approve of my past behavior, but maybe this can make up for it.” Thorin could already see the man scolding him, who was much like a father figure. It would be difficult to explain, that he was no longer with Igraine, because of his own stupidity. But none of that could be helped for now.

Bowing, he motioned toward the plate of fruit. “I should bring some food back for Nimue. She has had awkward cravings. I cannot find half the things she requests.” It would also keep her mood in check, he thought to himself. “...and I assume that we will be gaining our weapons back.” Thorin said, looking to D'Angelo briefly. He had promised him the return of his weapons. It had been awkward enough disarming him again.

[Shin]

Nicoli couldn’t help but give a wolfish smile as Queen Mab circled him, his own eyes were cast to the ground and he waited, half expecting her or something to attack him and force a reaction. Years of living a life in the slums and gutters forced Nicoli to become uncomfortable when someone was behind, even if he did hide it well. He stuffed his hands in to his pockets, taking in the unusual smell and aura of the Queen, she was nothing like Nimue, something more powerful.


It only made sense that such a pure creature felt uncomfortable around one like Nicoli, he himself was far from pure, though he was entirely human. He was what some called ‘tainted’, but by what exactly was a mystery to even him. It was the same reason Nicoli felt uncomfortable around specific holy sites, the taint had changed him more than he’d like to admit , his black eyes being one such sign.


Nicoli was an angry man, but he was angry at man things and many people. However, the fact that the Queen could pin-point one source, a major source, of that anger made Nicoli wish he had his weapons on him, if only for comfort sake. “My past is of no consequence, and my feelings have no bearings on the current situation, your Majesty. I fear, I am just another pawn in a game of royal titans. I only hope that I am a pawn for the right side.” His wolf like grin never left his face and he turned so that he was fully facing the Queen.


“We will be leaving then?” He asked Thorin at the mention of giving their weapons back, Nicoli couldn’t imagine that the Queen would let any one not of her people be armed. Then again, perhaps they would if they weren’t in presence of the Queen. Nicoli didn’t fully know all of the Fae customs, actually…he knew very little a fact that bothered him only slightly.


“Ahh, but I do have a question, your Majesty. I understand that Fae, such as Nimue, have items that when taken bind them to the individual that has it in their possession. Is that a form of slavery? Being as you have something that binds a creature to you, against their will. Or is it looked upon differently here? I must say… that I am a bit ignorant and don’t fully understand the rules.” His wolfish smile turned to one of innocence as he asked, though he was careful to not look at Thorin as he spoke, he didn’t want the man to think he was trying to offend him. Not yet at least.

[Igraine]

“Your weapons will be returned to you outside of the city.” Mab said as she focused on Nicoli. His wolfish grin would unsettle most but Mab was not one to be taken lightly. She settled an impish smile on her lips and it didn’t reach her eyes.

“There are no slaves in this realm. Slavery is a human invention that is beneath my court. Those that you see working under my banner do so with pay and voluntarily. Also, a Fae taking a Fae’s item will not work. I could not take Nimue’s locket and have her beholden to me. That is the realm of Man. If it was taken under false pretenses and not given then she would be a slave and one most unwilling. If it was given and the taker willing to return the locket in a moment of great need – the Nymph would be an equal. It is magic deeper than you might understand, son of Man.” Mab gestured with her head at Thorin and smiled an even more unsettling smile.

“I am aware that Thorin has Nimue’s locket and that he loves Igraine. I also know that Igraine is lost to him and that Nimue is an aide to him in ways that you might not understand. Many things are not as clearly written as they seem. That much, I take, you understand at least. We separated ourselves from the human world because of their voracious desire to control what they do not understand. You aren’t one of those are you? You may find the next Fae creature you encounter, their item of power, will not work as well for you as one might have in the past.”

It was as if Mab knew by looking at Nicoli what he had done to Nimue’s psyche. She didn’t, but the way he asked his questions and looked directly at Thorin, as if he could feel the locket beneath his clothes – that spoke volumes of his brush with the Faery.

“We are not all the same. That is why the darker more vicious of us were locked away. I had hoped it would be forever, but now I hope to live to see their defeat and the return of my Chosen.” Mab’s eyes moved away from Nicoli then, settling on something in the distant part of the hall.

“Your chosen, my lady Queen, is well. Shaken, given the circumstances, but she and the baby are well. The King was most gracious in his desire to protect them both from your political advances.” Amusement filtered down the wide center aisle behind Nicoli and Thorin. “You are most vexing to him, attempting to deny him everything he desires.” Kahlan stepped past Thorin and Nicoli, pulling her hood down and bowing from the waist.

“Kahlan, you ignored my summons.” Mab said with a slight twitch of her brow, obviously hiding her amusement.

“It is my daughter that I went. She takes precedence in all things. I came as soon as I had word. You knew he would answer my summons otherwise you would have brought me at swordpoint to answer your every question.” Kahlan laughed and turned to look at Thorin and Nicoli, as if seeing them for the first time.

“I don’t want the wrath of an Angel on my hands. Did he at least look dreadful and dull?” Mab said with a lazy sounding voice, though any of those gathered that knew her didn’t take it for an idle question at all.

“The same, if I am to be honest. The wrath of Heaven is nothing to be toyed with, lady Queen, and you have been a witness to it enough to understand.” Amused, Kahlan rested her hand on her sword hilt. “I have decided I am going to sit out on this war and raise my granddaughter per the request of my daughter.”

Mab struggled for a moment with some wall of emotion that was threatening to crush her cool demeanor. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before speaking with an even voice.

“I figured that might be a stipulation for their safety.” Mab smoothed her hair back from her face for a moment before glancing down the hall once again with a somewhat strangled laugh. “You too I take it?”

“Yes, my lady Queen. I will not be participating in your war either. My future granddaughter is of some import to you, isn’t she? Having the two of us take care of her will ensure she is safe.” Isabella Rivenfelde said with deep amusement as she stepped between Nicoli and Thorin, standing next to her son. The resemblance was obvious, though the coloring was off because of the Vuri taint. Isabella was tall, slender, and looked to be in her early thirties, long chesnut brown hair held back in a ponytail. She was wearing a simple pair of pants and shirt, crisp and clean she didn’t seem very dangerous. Thorin knew better, would be able to remember his mother in war.

“As it should be, I suppose. We’re all getting too old to battle the ghosts of our past. I will receive your words of wisdom on battle, I assume? Can I at least count on that?” Mab asked in a tired voice as she stared at the two dowager Queens.

“With honor, lady Queen.” Both women spoke in unison, causing them to smile. Isabella’s hand rested on Thorin’s shoulder briefly as she turned to him.

“I hear you are married, Roen. The Nymph girl was a good choice. She will temper the hate you will have in your heart for your father because of this curse.”

“He’s dead, by the way.” Kahlan said as she turned to Thorin. “Someone killed him, not sure who, but not entirely sure I really care. He did not do what was asked of him before his recreation, and will find that I won’t be moved to do so again.”

“All of you get out of here and Thorin – do make sure Cadeyrn knows about your deal with me. He will want to best your offer, I am sure of it.” Mab laughed and stepped down from her throne and gathered her skirt with one hand before waving with the other. A servant ran up with some papers that obviously needed her attention with numbers and figures and diagrams on those that were visible. “So nice to have seen all of you, but I have other pressing matters to attend to.”