Fire and Ice

As Queen Joselynn sat on her throne in court all she could think about was getting on her horse and galloping away. Court was boring and she couldn’t stand people squabbling over the smallest things. However, it was the Queen’s job to preside and make a fair ruling. Her fun would have to wait. The loud voice of a guard yelling “Next Case” brought her back to her senses. She focused her attention to a man dragging a woman who looked like she had been beaten badly. She recognized the man from town where she would often go and check on her people. “What is the problem” asked Queen Joselynn. “I believe my wife is seeing another man, and I want her flogged for it” stated the man as the woman he held firmly could barely stand up. The Queen recognized the man and rage began to build inside of her. “So you are unhappy because you believe your wife is seeing another man and you want her flogged? What proof do you have that she is seeing another man” Queen Joselynn asked. The man waited for a moment then responded, “There have been rumors amongst the towns people.” Before she gave her ruling Queen Joselynn asked, “Are you not the man I saw coming out of the brothel a few days ago?” He replied, “Yes I am.” She then responded, “Why should I punish her for a rumor when you have been having affairs with other women?” The man quickly answered, “Because I am a man, and she is just a woman and has to do what I tell her.” Queen Joselynn looked at the woman who was lying on the floor and asked for the physician to see if she was still alive. He checked the woman and looked up at her and shook his head no….she had been beaten to death by her husband. The man said, “Good riddance you filthy w***e” and turned to leave. “Where are you going” asked Queen Joselynn. The man stated, “She is dead, she can’t be flogged now.” At this response Queen Joselynn stated, “No, but you can.” The man’s eyes went wide with fear and he asked, “What do you mean my Queen?” The Queen then sent down her ruling, ”You wanted your wife flogged for a rumor of having an affair, so you will be flogged for having an affair. Additionally, you killed your wife because you thought she was doing the same thing you were. So after your flogging you will be beheaded and your head will be placed on a pike.” The man could not believe what he had just heard and almost fainted. “But your majesty” he began to say….the Queen interjected… “That is my ruling. Guards take him to be flogged then beheaded. Make sure after the beheading his head is placed on a pike; also take his wife to her family so they can give her a proper burial.” The guards didn’t think twice. They immediately removed the woman and took the man off to receive his punishment. He screamed, begged, and pleaded however the Ice Queen did not look in his direction and simply stated “Next Case.” It was mid-day and court was finally over; thankfully, there weren’t that many cases today. Queen Joselynn stood to leave when one of her advisors announced “My Queen, the King of Doron will be arriving tomorrow.” She stopped and slowly turned to her advisors and asked, “How do you know this?” Her head advisor responded, “We received a request from the King via a messenger a week ago and replied with the invitation.” She waited a moment before she spoke then in a firm voice stated: “Why is it I, the Queen, did not receive this message. Additionally, why is it I, the Queen, had no knowledge of a response to this message?” Her advisors looked at one another before her head advisor spoke “We did not want to bother you with such trivial matters, and we all know it is overdue for you to choose a king to reign over the Kingdom.” Once again Queen Joselynn took a moment before replying: “I do not need you to make decisions for me, you are advisors. As the invitation has already been sent and the King of Doron will be arriving tomorrow I have no choice but to allow it. However, if I do not receive messages sent for me and you respond to messages pretending to be me, I will kill you myself. Do we understand each other?” Her head advisor gave her a lowered glare then responded, “Yes my Queen, it is understood.” Her head advisor could not stand the Ice Queen. He found it uppauling that a woman was ruling such a large Kingdom. He did take matters into his own hands and it wasn’t the first time. From now on he would need to be more discreet. The idea of a woman ordering him around made his blood boil. There needed to be a man on the throne who could rule and make the Ice Queen keep her mouth shut. Queen Joselynn stared at him for a moment before leaving for her ride. She knew her head advisor was overstepping his bounds, and more than likely she will have to put an end to him. She also knew about his sneaky tricks that he has played before. Nothing gets by her. However, he has become too unpredictable and she can’t have a man in her castle who would rather see her dead than rule. 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.