Long live Olenia!

by Dustwing

Inspection

Lahja despised the Changelings. They had killed thousands of deer, her brother had died in the Southern offensive, her father killed by bombings in Vaverfront. And yet she was on her way to meet one of the former Changeling Queens under orders of Manntlerheim.

As she turned another corner in the long Hallway of the palace constructed by a corrupt Oligarch that prospered under Johan, Lahja thought about how fitting it was, the Queen that betrayed her government now housed in the Palace of a deer who did the same. The Guards standing to either side of the massive door saluted the General by bringing their hooves up to their antlers, nodding to them in acknowledgement she stepped forwards as the two deer opened the door for her.

"Miss Helvia I am here for-" The General was interrupted by Queen Helvia as soon as she entered the room. The Queen sat near a large window in a cushioned white chair. "I am still a Queen, General." She said coldly before continuing to look at the shore stretching out beyond the window.

Lahja scoffed. "I am aware of that, Miss Helvia" She got closer to the Changeling, the Queen's seated position allowing her to look down upon her even if she would normally be smaller than the Former Monarch. "But you are in no position to order me around, Bug." She said condesendingly, the Queen was just like the rest, a bug that didn't care for other creatures. So why should Lahja care for the Bug?

Keeping her gaze firmly fixed on the shoreline and ignoring the self satisfied smirk on the deers muzzle Helvia asked with a calculating look towards the General. "That is correct. But Insulting me will not bring you any benefit, so what do you want?"

"You're not a stupid bug are you" Lahja said in feigned suprise. "Well I suppose it is necessary I tell you what I want. Marshall Manntlerheim wants you out of this Palace and back in Ditrysium. In Secret." The General sighed before continuing. "There have been reports of Groups that think Changelings, especially you, are being treated too well. Honestly I would love to watch you hang in the gallows with the other Queens." She said with a smug grin. "But I am still part of the Army and have to follow orders. So in two days you are leaving with the train back to Ditrysium and I will have to watch your bug ass all the way over."

"To Ditrysium?" The Queen said thoughfully, ignoring the numerous insults thrown at her. "Very well I will be ready in two days."

Lahjas smile faded from her muzzle at the continued ignoration of her insults and silently left, opening the doors herself before the guards could she stomped through the hallways and the sound of hooves on Marble floor faded into the distance. Queen Helvia still sat in her chair, looking along the shore.

"Welcome General!" A deer called out to Onni, he was waiting in the grand entrance lobby of Ditrysiums Royal Palace. His fur was a dark shade of redish brown with light spots dottet all around and he waved his rifle at the General in greeting.
Onni had not slept well or long and he was still tired from the last night but he did his best to smile at the young stag.

"Good morning Corporal, are you the only one present?" Onni asked, his voice was sounding only slightly tired and he stood half a head above the deer before him.

The Corporal shook his head. "By the Queen no! I'm just here to welcome you. Your assistant already arrived, she's waiting with Governor Alpi just up the stairs."

Onni nodded. "Thank you." He walked past the young deer the sound of his hooves on the scratched floor echoing around the room. Ascending the grand staircase right in the middle of the lobby Onni took note of his surroundings, large yellow tinted windows covered the walls the morning sun shining through them and illumintaing the palaces entrance hall. One of the windows was covoered up by a large piece of cloth, it was moving lightly with the wind from outside.

At the top of the staircase his assistant Larxi was standing near Governor Alpi, his uniform had gotten tighter since the last time Onni saw him and he stood silently, leaning against the railing of the staircase.

"General Onni, finally you've arrived!" Onni gave a curt nod to the deer, allowing Alpi to keep speaking. "You are here for..?" Alpi asked while still leaning on the railing. The Governor was old, almost 80 years in fact and it was showing. His memory was not the best anymore and his eyesight was poor, still he refused to wear glasses.

"For the Inspection, I am searching for a building in which the Council will be formed and hold their first meeting." Onni said as if reciting something for a test in school. Giving a light flick of his head he peeked over at Larxi, she was standing beside him and had an unreadable expression on her face.

Alpi nodded and spoke. "Yes, yes, the Inspection. I remember now! I've already prepared something!" He exclaimed, under his breath he added. "I wondered what it was for."

Engaging in a bit of smalltalk Alpi said. "Your Assistant has been very quiet, is she always like this?" He asked casually not noticing the slight blush that formed on Larxis face.

"Normally no." Onni chuckled. "I guess she's just having a bad day." The blush on Larxis face deepened but she said nothing.

Following Alpi through the Palaces Hallways Onni wondered how the Governor had even gotten to his current job. With his poor sight and forgetfulness he should've long been retired, but it seems that currently there just were not any younger deer that could replace Alpi and his skills. Arriving at a door the old stag pushed it open and sat down in a cushioned chair. This was apparently the Governors office, much larger than the one Onni had been provided.

"Sit down General, I have prepared plans of the entire building for you." Alpi stated, leaning back in his chair he looked around his table as if confused. "You... might have to get them from the cabinet yourself." He said apologetically.

Standing next to the desk at the back of the office Onni turned towards the filing cabinets on the left wall. "It's really not a problem Alpi, but you should at least think about getting an assistant. You know you're forgetful." He said in response.
Looking through the first cabinet he already found what he was looking for, the blue paper of the construction blueprints sticking out among the brown folders and white paper.

Larxi had also followed into the office, she knew she would be slightly shy around the Governor, but she had not even spoken a word yet. Peeking over at Onni she decided to wait just a bit longer.

Laying the blueprints out on the Table, Onni waved for Larxi to come to the table. "There is this big circular room right beyond the main entrance, do you know what it was used for originally Alpi?" He asked while studying the blueprints.

"The circular room? Ah no, wait... Yes It was used as the throne room." Governor Alpi explained in a confused voice.
He looked at the blueprints for a moment before continuing to speak. "There is actually a large meeting table in there currently. I think it was used by the Generals to plan the defense of the City."

Onni perked up at the mention of a large meeting table. "That sounds perfect, may we go and see it now?" He asked looking up at the Governor. He still looked slightly confused by his own knowledge and simply nodded, slumping back into his chair.
Leaving the office he was back in the hallway with his assistant Larxi by his side.

"Excuse me sir, I will search for the toilets." She said quetly before hurrying off at Onnis affirkmatory nod. The Castle was large, even in this Hallway tall windows lined the walls, intricately decorated with ancient patterns. Heading back the way Onni came he walked along the hallways of Ditryiums Royal Castle slowly and alone.

"To the TOILET? What kind of excuse was that" Larxi though to herself as she turned a corner, leaving Onni behind alone. She did not know why she was so nervous, but she just needed some time alone and calm down. She slumped against the wall and down to the floor, her breathing calmed as she closed her eyes and just relaxed for a few seconds before opening her eyes again and looking at the hallway in earnest.

The palace was beautiful, constructed hundreds of years ago by the most talented Changelings in Ditrysium at the time it was a marble to behold. Altough the age of it showed in the scratched floors everywhere and peeling paint in some less used areas it was nonetheless a testament to the beauty of Ditrysium.
Getting back up from the floor Larxi went along the hallways until she was almost at the main lobby again, as a gunshot rang through the air and she rushed forward to see what had happened.