The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

Bee Two examined the Master as she returned to the classroom from the Dream Realm.

"You're back late. And your face is very dirty. I did not think a funeral included rubbing one's face in the dirt."

Noble touched her cheek and felt the mud cake the tips of her fingers. She shook her head. 

"I didn't rub my face in the dirt. And it was a Memorial service. A funeral implies there was a body, or at least remains."

"And because Master Chip is being worn by some monster like a suit, you were not able to bury anything. I see. Then why are you so dirty?" Bee Two failed to register the annoyed look on the Master's face.

"I went for a sweep along the bottom of Ender's Deep to clear out the pollen that dwells there. A sudden rain caught us before we were through and then I got covered in the ash when we stayed to finish the job."

Noble had changed back into her black dress after the detour, but she hadn't thought about her face and hair.

They must look like a mess!

That was just as well. Her outside matched the turmoil going on inside.

"Anything happen while I was gone?" Noble tried to change the subject away from her appearance.

"I read a report that a shipment of supplies to the Dream Realm was inadvertently diverted. Another has been delayed indefinitely. Those are the third and fourth slip-ups this week by the government. I have never recorded them being this inefficient!" Bee Two raised synthetic eyebrows.

"Hm, I suppose the government is still trying to navigate how to move things between two worlds. I imagine it is a very tricky business…" Noble brushed aside the concern.

"There's more!" The android leaned forward slightly, "all of the supplies seem to have to do with road building. The diverted shipment alone will set Valor's construction back by an entire two days!"

The words were like a punch to Noble's gut. Lena and Fort had been working tirelessly to slow down the steady march toward war. They had been careful, but not careful enough to avoid Bee Two's notice.

How long would it be before someone else noticed too?

Harlow might have been gone, but she was just a cog in a much bigger wheel. If Song or Valor understood why things were going awry, they would not hesitate to find a replacement for the former assassin to take care of the problems that stood in their way.

It was too risky!

And after all their scheming and covert dealings, Lena and Fort had only managed to buy two days with a single shipment.

Two days!

"So little…" Noble lamented.

"What's little?" The android cocked its head to one side.

The professor's eyes opened wide. She couldn't let the android know that something was going on!

Noble coughed. "So little happened here that you are telling me about the government's problems?"

The android flipped back its flowing hair. "The winter solstice just occurred a few days ago. Most of your students are already back safe and sound and the new students have yet to arrive. You should be concerned if something interesting had happened on Academy grounds."

It made sense. Noble and the others had coordinated this day for the memorial service for two main reasons. It gave the army time to rescue Sleepers in the Dream Realm, and the Academy was not yet open to new arrivals. 

No news was good news. 

"Of course you are right, Bee Two," Noble nodded. "I should enjoy the peace. We will have new students in no time." 

"Will your daughter be among them?" The android's question was a valid one. 

Rain would be eighteen soon enough. If she had stayed in the Waking World, the window of infection would be coming to a close. 

"I don't think so. Rainy has chosen her own way. For now, I do not think that includes the Awakened Academy." Noble shook her head. 

Bee Two's alloy mouth pulled toward a frown.

"Then what will she–" 

"I am very tired, Bee Two. In fact, I am completely emotionally drained. I was hoping to have a few moments of quiet before heading back to my family where the twins will pepper me with questions about who was at the service and what was said. I need to decompress." Noble's eyes turned so light blue that they nearly lost their color entirely.

"I see," the android let out a human sigh. "I will save my inquiries for another day." 

"Thank you." Noble watched the alcove shut, leaving her alone with her thoughts. 

There were so many. 

The service had been perfect. At the close, Saint Jet had even led a salute to the fallen soldier and presented a posthumous medal of honor for Chip's act of heroism.

Yet Noble couldn't help but feel the senselessness of it. Had more Saints–or the Sovereigns themselves–come in and taken care of things, Masters like her and Chip would never have been put in the situation in the first place. 

Surely someone as powerful as Anvil or Ki Song would have been able to face off against those odds and come out unscathed. Instead of just containing the problem, they could have obliterated it.

'Instead, they stood by like they always do.' Noble shook her head. 'Actually, standing by would be better than what they are doing. They are actively trying to throw the world into a senseless war!' 

For how many the Skinwalker took, the war had the potential to kill many more. 

And what could Noble do about it? 

'Very little.' She realized dejectedly.

"Take care of your young ones..." Noble muttered one of the last things that Chip had said to her. 

How could she do that in this crazy time? By hiding them? 

Noble was hidden well enough. With her bracelets, no one knew that she was a Master. She barely registered as an Awakened. No matter how powerful she got, the aura around her would be suppressed by the beautiful bands. 

The same could not be true of her family.

If Rain Awakened naturally, people would notice. They were noticing her already, and that attention would only grow as Rain became stronger. 

How would Noble shield her from the powers intent on destroying that kind of progress? 

Then there was the looming war. Depending on the outcome, Rain, Fort, and the boys would all need protection from the power that won. 

Sunny could do a lot, but Noble doubted very much that he could do everything.

Even if he could, she shouldn't rely on him to carry that burden alone.

Who better to protect her family members than the person who cared about their safety the most? 

That person was her.

A fire began to burn in Noble's chest.

Opening up the drawer of her desk, Noble fished out her communicator and a small piece of paper she had received a few days before. 

After glancing at the page, it only took a moment for Noble to type the contact information into her phone. 

Her lips formed a firm line.

How committed was she to the future she desired? 

Coming to a decision, Noble composed a simple message and hit send.

"I've thought about your offer, Master Roan. Let's talk…"