Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 3

Queen Joselynn finally reached the stables and made her way over to her beautiful solid white horse. Her beautiful white stallion gave her peace when they just galloped away from the castle walls. “You need to be watchful of him my Queen.” Queen Joselyn already knew who was speaking without having to turn around. Rowan, her chief guard. He commanded her army of 10,000 and watched over her. He tried his best anyway due to her stubborn nature. He was the only person she trusted fully and would take advice from. “Who do I need to be watchful of Rowan?” He said, “You know exactly who I am talking about. Your head advisor. He doesn’t want you to rule this Kingdom because you are a woman and I don’t trust him.” Queen Joselynn looked at Rowan and said, “I know. He has been acting like a King behind my back. I have tried to give it time and warn him, but he keeps getting worse. I don’t want to kill him because he was head advisor to my father. I gave him one more chance; if he messes up I will have to kill him.” Rowan looked at her and said, “I will place a couple of guards on him and have him watched. I don’t want your life to be put in jeopardy. Speaking of your life, are you going to let me guard you today outside of the castle walls?” Before speaking, Joselynn thought about what Rowan said. “I don’t want guards on him all the time, he will only get better at hiding things. However, I do want him to be watched discreetly. And no, I will go off the castle grounds alone as I always do.” “You are so difficult my Queen. Do you have your knives?” Rowan asked with concern in his voice. “I always have them on me you know that Rowan. You also know I am an expert at using them.” Rowan thought and then said, “Will you please let me know when you get back, otherwise I will have the whole army out looking for you.” Joselynn knew he meant it and replied “Of course I will let you know.” As she started to ride off Rowan called out, “Tomorrow we should practice more on your fighting skills.” “Agreed,” Joselynn yelled back. She knew he only wanted her safe which is why she listened to him. He didn’t behave in an authoritative manor with her, but more of a worried friend. That is exactly what he was to her, a friend who didn’t see her as the Ice Queen.

Queen Joselyn took her evening ride unaccompanied outside the castle grounds, and rode where she always goes. It is a large rock surrounded by a large line of thick trees next to the road. From the castle, there isn’t any visibility behind it. The road is even hidden behind that area. Rowan has told her repeatedly to ride somewhere else so he can at least see her from the towers. However, she preferred not to be seen. It felt like her own personal space where no one could see her or bother her. After sitting for a while she road back to the castle grounds. After giving her horse to the stable boy she immediately found Rowan. “I’m back from my ride.” she called out when she saw him. “Thank goodness your back.” He replied. “I’m serious about working with you tomorrow on your fighting abilities. We haven’t done that in quite some time and you insist on going off the grounds alone. You need to make sure you are prepared.” Queen Joselynn smiled and said, “You know that head advisor of mine has the King of Doran coming here tomorrow evening.” Rowan giggled because he knew that King was wasting his time. So he said, “We can work in the morning if you’re up to it.” “That sounds good to me. I will be able to take some frustration out before I see him at dinner.” They both laughed in unison. Queen Joselynn took her leave for the night and Rowan placed two guards in front of her door as always.

The next morning Rowan was already on the training grounds when Queen Joselynn arrived. She always let him give the orders when he was training her, he did train and command 10,000 men. “Alright My Queen where are your knives?” Queen Joselynn was wearing her large queenly garments however she had them fashioned to easily come apart. Joselynn took off the bulky top layer of her skirt with one quick swipe of her hand leaving an ankle length dress that was still regal to the eye. She lifted the dress up to her thigh to reveal a row of knives that were the envy of every soldier. Joselynn made them herself. Her Father taught her how to make her own knives. She wasn’t a blacksmith by any sorts, but she could make knives and swords. They were a shiny silver with a round handle. She left a hole in the top part of the handle large enough she could put her finger and thumb through to hold them before she threw them. The tip was narrow and sharp. Her knives could kill a man if they were pierced in the head or heart. When they were thrown they looked like ice sickles. “My Queen, you have no modesty.” Rowan laughed referring to her lack of garments as he began to throw out commands. There were targets set up, some closer than others, and some in front and to the side. “Go.” Rowan yelled. At this command Joselynn began pulling her knives out of there holders around her thigh. She hit every target dead center until she ran out of knives. However, there were still 3 targets left. Rowan threw an eyebrow up and smirked with an I told you so grin. Joselynn quickly let go of her dress only to pull up the other side where she had another set of concealed knives. She pulled out three knives and threw two at once and the other as soon as her hand was free of the first two. Queen Joselynn looked at Rowan with a smirk and a grin. “You thought you had me beat didn’t you Rowan.” Rowan smiled and shook his head before saying, “I didn’t know you had two sets of knives.” Joselynn responded with a laugh, “This is the first time you gave me too many targets.” Rowan stood for a minute then shrugged his shoulders. “Alright on to swords” he said. Joselynn reached behind her and grabbed what looked like a beautiful jewel on her gown. She pulled the gem only to reveal it was the handle of a sword. Like her knives, Queen Joselynn fashioned a place in her elegant clothing for a hidden sword. Rowan immediately attacked but Joselyn was too fast. He tried every way he knew how to get the best of her but he couldn’t. Finally he gave up. “My Queen, you are a better swordsmen than the men in my army.” “I agree.” She said laughing. However, they have certainly not seen my thighs. I would prefer to keep it that way.” Rowan replied, “I agree. What would other Kingdoms say if they thought you were showing your thighs to your army,” and he began to laugh. “That’s not funny” Joselynn stated even though she was laughing too. It was getting late in the day and Rowan could see she was perfectly capable of looking out for herself. She thanked him for her lessons and went to get ready to meet the King of Doran.