Chapter 9
1601 Words
Maya had received the pair of sabers, Darkstar. The scabbard had golden vines that covered it, the blade itself had golden inlays. Sabers that did not have handguards, it was similar to the Shashka's design. One that made it easy for Maya's current figure. She was smaller than Elena but the weight of Darkstar was slightly lighter than her previous Morningstar.
Maya was walking into the hallway, where the servants of the palace were avoiding her presence. Mostly due to the fact that behind Maya were Elena Strongbow's chosen. The Three Furies, along with the others. They were a small unit, but they were the ones that followed Elena Strongbow into countless battles for their country.
They were wearing their dress uniforms, shoulder capes and for some members of the Chosen, they wore half masks that covered the top portion of their face. Their very footsteps were an indicator of their presence. A haunting air blows into the palace as Maya walked to the Barracks. Where she could see the knights serving her other sisters and the others who are eligible for the throne are.
"Let them stay here. I will head into the meeting room." Maya said to the Chosen.
"Yes, Master." They chorused as Maya went to the meeting room, seeing the others that were clad in armor.
"Oh, so the rabble is here?" Maya looked at her eldest sister, Ada who snickered at the sight.
"To think you'd participate in our little combat training. THat's good Maya. You've finally got out from your shell." The second sister, Belladonna spoke with sarcasm that was as subtle as a brick flying at glass.
"What a waste of time." Maya said as she left, it was pointless to stay since her elder sisters will just berate her. Lashti was with Duke Roderick's army. The Empress was present, where she walked on over to the Chosen.
Trying to strike up a conversation, but the Chosen did not respond to her at all.
"My, why not serve the Empress's army? I can assure you that you will be paid handsomely."
The Three Furies kept talking amongst each other while the other Chosen stood still like statues.
"Attention!" Maya raised her voice, where the Chosen made their way towards her. Ignoring the Empress.
"Your orders, master?"
"I kinda feel lazy to go on a fight with boring fighters. Who here feels the same?" All of them raised their hands, with exception of 7 others.
"Right, so the 7 of you. I trust that you can handle it? The 7 Calamities?" The 7 of them walked towards Maya, then knelt before her. Their masks were porcelain and had numbers, their weapons were a mix of bladed swords.
"Yes, Master."
"You are younger than the original 7 Calamities that served Lady Elena Strongbow, but your age does not define you completely. We have trained together and you are worthy of the titles. Never doubt yourselves, for you are the just as worthy as the original 7."
"You honor us, Master." The 7 spoke.
"Come let us head to the battle ground." They followed Maya out where the other armies marched in formation.
Mirielle brought a chair for Maya to sit on, Cassandra brought a table and Fei Lee made some hot tea for Maya.
"Thank you." Maya sat down as the other armies assembled against her position.
"7 Calamities. Do as you please. This is a simulation but I prefer you to face them as if they were our own enemies." the 7 bowed to Maya.
"As you command, master." The 7 stepped away to the battlefield. Looking at the armies before them.
"They must think we are crazy to send only 7 of them." Cassandra said as she stood beside Maya.
"Of course, who in their right mind would send 7 warriors to the battlefield against armies." Maya said as she sipped on her cup of tea.
"They've miscalculated if they truly believe that 7 cannot turn the tide." Maya said as they heard screams from the distance. Watching a gust of wind that carried bodies of soldiers into the air.
"The 7 Calamities have done that. They destroyed a fortress with a single combined attack. I doubt any of these warriors would be able to pose a challenge to them." Maya said.
Maya watched as the proud warriors that served the other Princesses were reduced to rabble with just a few swings. They were coddled by the notion that there would be no wars in the future, coddled by the notion that Alistair Empire is strong. This was a poor observation on their part.
"Fei Lee. Are there any conflicts that you have heard from the other countries?"
"The Republic of Askeria and Andale Monarchy have been spotted by our borders. In terms of technology, you can say that they surpass us by 40 years. They have armoured vehicles called tanks. Created armored flying machines known as aeroplanes.” Fei Lee’s explanation had Maya worried.
“How are we in terms of technology?”
“Far behind. But we make it up for that with our magic abilities.” Fei Lee said.
“Then Askeria and Andale do not have much with their magic?” Fei Lee nodded.
“Their magic is not their strong suit but their ingenuity is. Though we have been said to be too reliant on magic. Even their weaponry, their rifles are no longer bolt action and have also made equipment to suppress the sound of gunfire.” Maya placed her thumb by her lips, thinking about it.
Her thoughts were thinking about the application of the aeroplanes. They could be used to drop ordinance from above if they were not careful and if the armoured vehicles called tanks are concerned. It may be a greater threat than they perceived.
“Have the military taken into account their power?”
“Andale and Askeria are small countries, we are larger than them but… There has been word that they are collaborating with many others.”
“Never believe that we are the dragon. In this world, there is always someone far stronger than we are and if this is the current strength of our military. I can safely say that we would be overrun by Andale and Askeria if they had well placed attacks. A dragon may fall when it has been attacked enough.” Maya said as the battle continued. Though it was a shame as the soldiers of the other Princesses were far too weak. They were thrown around with just mere swings, and they panicked far too quickly.
During the era of Elena Strongbow, the soldiers could at least be able to scratch the 7 Calamities which would prompt the other Chosen to fight. Unfortunately, the current soldiers are too weak. Maya watched how the 7 Calamities returned without a scratch on them. No nicks to their blades.
“We have done as you command, master.” The 7 knelt.
“I apologize, I truly believed that they would be worthy opponents. What I ended up seeing was just rabble.”
Maya finished her cup of tea. Where she turned to see the other Princesses clenching their fists.
“Your soldiers are lacking. They were defeated by 7 of mine. It must be shameful to talk to mother with your tails tucked between your legs.” Maya let those words out with a proud grin, seeing her sisters lose their composure and glaring with anger.
“How did you get such strong people by your side!? What merit do they have with you when they can join us!” Ada’s words were enough to invite the anger of the Chosen. Their eyes glared at her, hands were grabbing their weapons.
“Stand down.” The Chosen let go of their weapons and turned back to Maya, fully submitting to her words.
“Be cautious of your words, sister. You may lose more than just your head. Because the Chosen… They do not take insults to their master lightly.” Maya said where Ada found a blade by her throat, Fei Lee’s saber was digging into her skin.
A small cut to the neck, where Fei Lee grinned at Ada.
“Repeat that statement again, Your Highness and I will ensure your death. We Chosen cannot be bought, we cannot be bribed. Your ancestor was able to fight us and won our loyalty by the blade. It is something that you, lack!” Fei Lee growled as she pushed Ada down.
“You are pathetic. All of you, you do not deserve the titles as knights of Alistair. If an enemy attacked, you would be the first to run. This is why the Chosen refuses to serve the Strongbow family. We only serve Maya Strongbow and she has earned our loyalty. Unlike you.” Fei Lee hissed as she sheathed her blade.
“Oh by the way. Tell the Empress if she were to send assassins, make sure that they can actually kill and also tell her that the Stalki Guild may no longer exist after today.” Maya said as she left.
“Master, don’t you think that’s too rash?” Mirielle asked, walking beside Maya.
"That is still being kind. If I was rash, I would have slaughtered the Strongbows myself. Greed and drunk on power has left them weak and pathetic I’m sure Sieg is having a blast with whatever that he is doing.” Maya said with a smile.
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