Revolution Reset

Captain Charette addressed Lady Aubergine. “I beg your pardon, Madame, but may I render any assistance?”

Annabelle translated for her, and then for Eglantine.

“Yes, actually,” the lady replied. “I should like to use whatever made, well I suppose this must be your father,” she smiled at him, “whatever made your father’s voice so loud.Unless he is always like that?”

Annabelle laughed. “He is generally loud, but not that loud! Do you have a megaphone on your ship?”

Adolphus, who could not wait to get into the Renard racer, ran back for the megaphone while Claire introduced her parents to Lady Aubergine, and Madame introduced Captain Charette (“without whom we never would have found you!”) to Eglantine and the children.

Adolphus returned at last, eyes alight with excitement.

“Thank you,” Lady Aubergine said, then turned to the assembled crowd.

“Good people,” she began, “you come with news of great importance. Queen Drysi and her Court Magician” (boos and hisses from the crowd) “have fled, the Capsicum Guard is dispersed, and the Nightshade Court is in shambles. You tell me that the noble families returning are to their plantations, abandoning the ruined palace.”

Annabelle, translating for her parents and the Captain, hesitated. “Um, some of that is sort of our fault.”

Her father fixed her with a stern eye. “Now children, what have I told you about interfering in other people’s governments?”

“I believe you told them not to get caught,” his wife replied. “Now shush.”

“I am deeply honored by your faith in me and in the ancient house of Aubergine. My ancestors lead the people of the soil in times past as we carved our place in the wilderness, harnessed the waters and made Y Tir the fruitful and peaceful home that we know. My friends, my countrymen,” Lady Aubergine continued, “that great work is done.  Have the last two rulers built anything?”

The crowd shouted “No!”

“Have they righted great wrongs or conquered great dangers?”

“No!” and a great many other, ruder comments were delivered by the mob.

“Good friends, what we have learned from Queen Drysi and her mother is this – the people of the soil need no queen. Y Tir needs no ruler. The Nightshade Court has taken from you. It had nothing to give. What you have given in tribute to keep the Tomato queens in comfort, give now to each other. Give each to your ability to keep your community strong. Give back to the land that it grows in fruitfulness and beauty. Govern yourselves, and let no queen, no soldier take what the land gives you! You are strong and wise. Let Y Tir guide you. Generosity and kindness are the land’s gifts. Accept and return those gifts and all will be well.”