Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 2

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.

“Announcing King of Doran” a guard yelled out. Joselyn had already dressed in her dark green and gold dress. It complimented her chestnut brown hair and deep blue eyes that seemed to sparkle when she was happy. She was already sat in the dining hall hoping to move the evening along quickly. When the King of Doran entered she noticed how he was impressed with his surroundings and continued to take them in before turning his attention to her. “My beautiful Queen Joselynn, I am King Theo of Doran. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance and finally get to lay eyes on the most beautiful woman in all the Kingdoms.” Joselyn rolled her eyes but bit her tongue. It is better to be civil with other Kingdoms otherwise war might be declared just by her speaking her mind. “King Theo, what a pleasure to have you in my Kingdom. I hope the journey wasn’t too hard.” she stated in her most pleasant voice. “Of course not, I would travel to the ends of the earth just to sit and dine with the Queen of Leonise. This is my first visit and I must say I’m impressed with your Kingdom. I have heard many stories of Leonise being the most powerful Kingdom, and the stories look to be true.” Queen Joselyn thought before she spoke to not offend the King of Doran then politely said, “Thank you King Theo, would you like to have a seat so we can eat dinner. I know you must be famished.” “That would be wonderful. How thoughtful of a woman to have a meal prepared after a long journey. You will make a great Queen to any King.” He stated. Joselynn felt her blood boiling at this point and began to breath heavier. She looked over at Rowan and his team of guards. Rowan could plainly see the look on her face and he moved his hand up and down with his palms facing downward as if to say calm down. Joselynn realized Rowan was trying to calm her down so there would be no tensions between their two Kingdoms. She turned to face King Theo and simply stated, “I agree.” This dinner wasn’t going to go well if she had to sit longer than necessary. Queen Joselynn excused herself for a moment then quickly ran into the kitchen to tell the maids to hurry with all the courses. Upon her return she found King Theo gazing outside the large castle windows at the concrete fortress which protected the castle. He told his guard, “This will make a wonderful Kingdom for me. All I must do is win her over with my charm, marry her, then this Kingdom will be mine and she will learn to keep her thoughts and opinions to herself.” At this remark Queen Joselynn was no longer able to be in the same room with him, let alone sit at the same table. She knew how to talk and walk like a Queen, but she also knew how to rule like a King. Rowan knew she heard the remarks of King Theo and awaited his commands that would be coming shortly. “King Theo.” Joselynn stated. “I have important matters to attend to. I know you understand as you rule a Kingdom yourself. I will need to excuse myself from dinner, you may finish. Rowan will show you to your room for the night and he will then assist you in leaving first thing in the morning.” With these words spoken, Joselynn turned to leave. “Wait one minute Ice Queen.” King Theo yelled as he approached Queen Joselyn. “I did not ride all the way here to not even have a conversation with you.” He began to quickly move in her direction with an angry scowl on his face. Before he was able to reach her, Rowan made it across the large dining hall and in front of Queen Joselynn with his sword drawn and at King Theo’s neck. King Theo’s guards drew their swords but were already surrounded by the Rowans guards. “You heard the Queen. You may eat dinner, stay for the night, then leave first thing in the morning.” Rowan said with a sternness in his voice. King Theo was clearly at a disadvantage. He looked around then stated defeatedly, “We will take our leave first thing in the morning.” Rowan escorted King Theo to his chambers for the night, his guards standing watch outside the door. Rowan placed six guards down the hallway and instructed them to keep the King of Doran and his guards from leaving. He then placed two guards outside Joselyn’s room before knocking on the door. “My Queen” he said as he entered her chambers. “Rowan I know what you are going to say and I don’t want to hear it.” She said. Rowan could tell she was upset. Not only did her advisors invite an unwanted guest, she made an enemy with The King of Doran. Rowan continued anyway, “My Queen, don’t be upset. I wanted to slice his throat for the way he spoke to you, as if you were an object in the way that needed to be removed and silenced.” Joselynn looked at Rowan….he was a good friend to her and always knew how to make her feel better. “After the King of Doran leaves in the morning, we need to make sure the head Advisor isn’t planning on inviting any other Kings anytime soon. At this rate I will be at war with all the other Kingdoms because I refuse to marry. Do you still have someone watching him?” she asked. “Yes Joselyn, he reports back to me daily.” “That should take care of that,” Queen Joselyn stated. “Let me know when the King of Doran leaves Rowan.” “I will see to it personally that he is fully off the castle grounds, and then let you know.” He replied. “Thank you Rowan, that is all for tonight.” As she tried to sleep Queen Joselyn’s mind raced. She knew the King of Doran will want to declare war on her because she insulted his pride…more like ego. He wouldn’t be able to defeat the Kingdom of Leonise alone, but with his allies help he might be able to.