Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tales of the Cannibal Queen
Trevor, Howard, Brittany, and the rest of the tribal elders had spoken. It was cordial, Brittany brought a nice plum wine that went well with the late afternoon finger foods. Still, the hut was tense. Clearly they wanted the Queen to be gracious, and weren’t sure how ingratiating they were willing to be to ease her into it. Just as the food and wine had about run dry, the awkward tension was finally broken. The Queen announced that she would vacate her royal hut-chambers that evening. She also promised to support the new King in any way needed. Relief spread across the chamber.
Howard started slow clapping, Trevor joined him, and soon the hut erupted in hoots and cheers and ritual blood dancing. As they left, each in turn thanked her, and told her how happy they were that she wished the tribe to unify once again. She admitted that it was a fair contest, and the needs of the tribe will always come before her own. As Brittany reached the door the Queen made a special effort to thank her for the wine, as well as compliment her breast bone piercings. Brittany thanked the Queen, and left.
The Queen’s eunuch advisor-mate entered the hut soon after. He eyed the plate of finger bones and felt somewhat put out for missing the cocktail party. But the Queen had sent him on an errand, and he had news to deliver. The tribe that sided with her, was fracturing. Most of the numbers would eventually side with the new King, with only a very few staying beside the Queen even if stripped of her title. It was not enough, the Queen knew. Too soon she would be regarded as nothing more than a tribal elder, which in her view was no better than a commoner. She asked her advisor-mate for guidance. What should she do, to ensure the King no victory if there were none for her?
Her eunuch leaned in close, near enough to smell the flesh on her breath, and said simply, “Eat them. Eat them all.”
And the Queen smiled.
