The Royal Pawn

Chapter 3 Loyalty Lies With Gold

“I seek refuge” a woman hooded in a tattered olive-green cloak came out of the woods. She found herself facing an old hut, smoke rising from the chimney and the smell of smoked meat and soup made her stomach churned. Her long pale hands extended, dragging along a cart full of wood.

”You seek it elsewhere” a young boy with hazel brown eyes emerged from a hut with an ax on his shoulders with his back turned from the stranger.

“I’m the Queen of Dreor, exploring the outskirts of the city” she revealed herself in light, the summer heat showed her pale face and marble black eyes. She was unfavorably short for a queen and doubted never encountered the outskirts of the city. But that would also mean, word had not gotten yet to the outskirts and she was sure he's unaware.

The young man turned towards her with a dull expression “You claim to be King Alwyn’s daughter, Elena; a girl who travels undefended is no queen to me”.

A rustle came behind her; there was a figure hiding behind the thicket of branches from whence she came. With a flash, she swung her hand pulling a boy’s collar, his eyes full of fear when he saw that she raised a dagger with an emblem of the House Dreor on the other hand.

“Who said I cannot defend myself?” her voice was clear and loud, there was a hint of anger mixed with annoyance.

“Please, don’t hurt me” the boy realized he was dangling two feet from the air, wearing nothing more but an outgrown tunic and leather trousers who pleaded with tears in his eyes.

“I’m Nearvin your highness, a plain woodchopper. If you would be kind enough to return my brother Edmund, a supper would suffice for this unfortunate occurrence.”

He turns to face her, darts his eyes towards the small lad. She loosened her grip, with sudden reflexes he jerked away and ran towards his older brother.

“I told you to stay off the road” his eyes flared with annoyance towards the child as he pulled him sidewards continuing “where is our brother Simon?”.

The kid with his rosy cheeks and stuffy nose fearing he’ll be reprimanded replied “he went to loot at the local town”.

Nearvin puffed out a sigh in exasperation before turning towards the lady “I hope you don’t mind how shabby our home is, your majesty”.

Putting down the axe he led the way opening the door for her.

They found themselves at a small wooden table clumped together with three tiny chairs and tarnished silverware, Nearvin placed the soup at the center with stale bread and smoked meat.

For a moment she knew she had pulled this out, all she had to do was find a good place to stay for the night. Everyone ate silently and only heard woodpeckers and distant birds chirped.

A loud bang came from the door before they knew it. Somebody swung it open.A man in his twenties with jet black hair covering half his eyes, a black eye patch, and a familiar emblem of Nerandaya on a bandana tied to his arm. He wore a leather chain and a half-smirk on his face upon seeing a cloaked woman with her back turned away from the door.

“I was gone to fetch some supplies and now you brought home a w***e”. He replied, upon hearing the words she smacked the bowl on the table with a thud, rose from her chair, and faced him.

She could now clearly see the burned scar across his face, his dark blue eyes matched with a grinned expression that was soon replaced with horror and surprise.

“You may want to hold your tongue, Simon” Nearvin stared upon his smoked meat, his palm covering his face in embarrassment.

“You’re the captain of the guards from the South, I suggest you address me properly” Elena’s hands reached for the hidden blade on her waist with disgust.

His tone dropped to a more formal and cautious manner, eyeing her sudden movement “Yes and you’re the dethroned queen” with mockery he added “your majesty”.

For a moment Nearvin’s eyebrows knitted “Dethroned?” he gazed upon Elena who was still glaring at Simon. There was hate in her eyes; she pressed her lips maintaining her composure. The tension between Elena and Nearvin’s brother rose.

“Lord Anselm Mithrill has taken over the throne last night and it seems he doesn’t want you back” Simon removed his armour plate and hung the weapon behind the door. He motioned for the young boy to go to his room, parallel towards the dining area with two rooms one on the left and the other on the right.

“You said you were exploring the outskirts of the city” Nearvin rose from the table and there was hurt in his eyes and regret. He ruffled his hair, recalling memories he never wanted.

“I didn’t lie did I?” Elena replied defensively now facing Nearvin, her arms crossed. She knew it was a half-truth and full well she was pretending

“She's seeking shelter clearly” Simon took the opposite chair, undid his boots, and flung his feet on the table trying to casually lighten up the mood.

"I do not"

“My brothers and I lost our parents in a fire; our last home was burned down by you and your filthy royal bloodline because mother defended some slaves. Let me tell you, darling, you got kicked out by your brother.”

“You’re no Queen. No soldiers, no family. Nothing” Simon spits on the ground.

“Not if the people help me reclaim it”

“And what makes you think your offer is more worthy than handing you out to the lords?” Simon gave her a smug look; he reached for a silver coin before flipping it up in the air.

I suppose your head is more valuable, it’s not something you want to lose especially with that big mouth of yours sir.If I want allies I’ll have to put up with their childish nonsense.

She wanted to blurt it out and yet hesitated. She approached forward, the smell of wine evident on Simon. Elena met his gaze with a stern expression that was replaced with a half-smirk promptly replying,

“How would you like to earn 10 thousand pounds of gold?”