The three of them stare at this Queen uncomprehendingly for a few seconds, and then Rubio’s instincts kick in, and he places his hand on Astra and Thalia’s backs and forces them to bow as he bends down himself.
“Queen Ankhsiris, as I’m sure you can tell, we are outsiders here.
We never meant to intrude on your lovely kingdom, and would really rather be going home, so if you could perhaps show us the way out, we’d appreciate it.” He watches her, carefully studying her figure.
She still has her cat-like grin, but her arms have moved so she can rest her head on her palm.
“Yes.
Will let leave.
But stay for bit, maybe?” Her words come out choppy.
And Rubio blinks in surprise, understanding coming a second later.
She barely speaks Universal.
“Dearest Queen, wouldst thou be more comfortably speaking a language thou findst familiar?” He winces around the words.
Firstly, because he has no idea if they even speak this language, and secondly, because he’s using the more formal version of Goliara, what the Tallmen call the language of Goliath’s.
Goliara is an awkward language to learn, as compared to other languages; where the speaker may come off as young or brash, they somehow only managed to translate formal Goliara.
This means anytime he would want to speak to a Goliath in their native tongue, it would sound like he was looking down on them.
Thankfully, most Goliaths are aware of the discrepancy, but it has still caused a tense situation or two.
“Ah, I see you know our language.
I did not think it would outlive us; however, there seem to be some differences.
I did not expect it to grow so…formal.” The Queen chuckles, and Rubio sighs a breath of relief.
“You may rise.” She allows.
“What did she say?” Thalia whispers in his right ear.
“You speak Goliara?” Astra whispers in his left ear.
“She told us we can rise, and yes, I can speak most languages.
It uhm, helps when you travel around a lot.” He states, straightening.
“Dearest Queen, thine language indeed has flourished outside of thy kingdom.
Henceforth this one must correct a misconception.
This one hast only been learned in the ways of the Formal Tongue.” He corrects.
“I understand.
If you weren’t an outsider, I would have sent you to the dungeons for talking to a Queen in such a tone, but I am understanding of your plight.” She chuckles, and Rubio laughs along awkwardly.
“Then about what this one has questioned?”
“Ah, yes.
What I had said earlier may not have come across so well.
We will let you leave, but why not stay for a bit?
Enjoy our lovely kingdom.
We haven’t seen outsiders in quite some time; we would all love a word on how the outside World has been doing.” She offers.
Astra and Thalia must notice his hesitant pause, as they immediately needle him for more information.
“She’s asking us to stay for a bit, to experience her kingdom and tell them about the outside.” He translates.
“We can’t stay!
We left all our supplies out there!” Astra hisses.
“Maybe they’ll give us more.” Thalia bites back.
“You’re only saying that because you want to steal something.” He accuses.
“Maybe,” Thalia admits with a grin.
“So what do you two want me to tell her?” Rubio cuts them off.
“…”
“Of course you’re both silent when it matters.” He sighs.
“Dearest Queen, this one’s company would love to experience the wonders of thine kingdom.
Howbeit, our supplies would perish if we were to stay long.
So we ask permission if thou couldst allowest us to stay for a brief period.” Rubio explains.
“Allowed.
And we shall provide you with any supplies you may need.
Now!” The Queen suddenly claps her hands, and the guards in the room stand at attention.
“Prepare for the party!
For tonight we shall feast!
And please, bring in any translators of that infernal language- what was it called?”
“Universal.” Rubio corrects before remembering who he’s talking to.
Thankfully, the Queen only laughs.
“Yes, Universal.
I assume it’s now more popular than I’d ever have thought it would be.
You would think a Common Tongue such as that wouldn’t take off, but perhaps that is my old way of thinking.
Times have clearly changed.” She muses, eyeing both Thalia and Astra.
“What’s happening now?” Thalia asks, glancing warily at the now bustling guards.
“I told the Queen we’ll be staying for tonight.
She’s getting a party ready as well as some translators, and she offered to give us supplies when we leave tomorrow.” Rubio explains.
“Thank Seas, that could’ve gone way worse.” Astra breathes out a relieved sigh.
It doesn’t take long for long tables to be brought out and placed in the throne room, along with chairs and benches for sitting.
Rubio would’ve thought they’d head to the dining hall for something like this, but perhaps it wasn’t worth the effort, or they didn’t have one.
But then, he noticed that the Queen still hadn’t moved, and upon closer look, she couldn’t.
The entire lower half of her body was merged with the throne.
Her stone legs were melding with the stone of the throne.
She didn’t seem uncomfortable, but it was strange enough that he wanted to comment.
He thought better of that, though.
“Here are your translators; feel free to speak as you wish.” The Queen waved her hand over three stone Goliaths brought into the room.
The one standing in front of Rubio was a girl; her short hair was half-hidden behind her headdress, which appeared to have been turned to stone while askew.
Her stone robes as well appeared a bit undone.
She grabbed onto his hand and began shaking it rapidly up and down.
“Hi!
I’m Kissa!
It’s so lovely to meet you!
I can’t believe all those years of studying Universal paid off!
Take that, Kakra!
Oh, Kakra’s my sister, well, one of them.
I have two older sisters.
Twins, you know.
And…oh, I’m so sorry I’ve just been rambling.” She apologizes.
“No, it’s fine.
Do you like studying languages?” He questions.
“Oh, yes!
I was one of the first people to study Universal when it first became a thing.
Nobody believed that it’d take off, but guess who wins the bet now!
Well, not me, since I didn’t make a bet, and even if I did, it’s been…what year is it now?” She asks, and Rubio suddenly has a horrifying feeling that something isn’t adding up.
“Uhm, the year is 3650.” He answers.
“Oh!
Wonderful!
Then it’s been about five hundred years since then.
A five-hundred-year-old bet- how funny would that be?” She laughs.
Oh.
Oh.
This wasn’t just a traditional old kingdom living underground.
This was the same old kingdom living underground.
These people were five hundred years old.
“Now everyone!
Take your seats!
Let this celebration begin!” The Queen exclaims, and cheers go up throughout the room.
Rubio hadn’t even noticed it being filled with guests.
“Let’s go sit!
You have to tell me what’s been going on in the World.
It’s been five hundred years, after all.” Kissa says, dragging him over to a seat.
“Oh…okay.” He replies weakly.
What kind of situation did he get them into?