Fire and Ice

CHAPTER 3

Over the next couple of days, Joselyn did her normal routine and made her ride out to the big rock where she would stay a little while then return within the Kingdom walls. She decided it was time to go into town and visit her people. Rowan loved to come along with a few of his guards. They would take turns watching her while they visited the brothel. On their ride into town Joselyn and Rowan rode side by side as always. She turned to him and said, “The King of Doran will want to declare war on us after he gathers his allies together.” Rowan replied, “You are probably right. We have a massive army, but with that many Kingdoms together it may be impossible to defeat them.” As the commander of her army, Rowan confirmed Queen Joselyn’s fears. “I want to hold a ball in three months and invite our three allies. I know we only have three, but they are the most powerful Kingdoms aside from mine.” Rowan looked at Joselyn and stated, “I believe that is the best idea. It will take at least six months for the King of Doran to gather his allies together and attack. Three months will give you plenty of time to prepare and make sure your allies will fight alongside you.” Rowan was the closest friend Joselyn had, and the only man she truly trusted. He was a quiet man, but he had a goofy side to him and knew the ways of battle better than anybody. He was also the only man who could calm her down and reason with her as well. When asked, Rowan would give his honest opinion to her whether she liked what he had to say or not. “When we get back to the castle grounds we will send out the invitations. In the mean time you continue to train your men and keep extra guards posted around the castle.” “Yes My Queen.”

As they came into town they were greeted by the town’s people. They all loved their Queen; she made sure they had everything they needed and were well protected. Rowan stopped at the brothel and told his guards to watch over Queen Joselyn. She smiled and shook her head. “All of you can go at the same time, I will be fine on my own.” They blushed but didn’t need to be told twice. They rushed off their horses and made their way into the brothel. Queen Joselyn got off her horse and continued walking through the town. She greeted every person, she knew them all by name. She would chat for a moment before moving on. As she was speaking with a blacksmith she heard a loud cry which made her turn her head. It was a small child dressed in rags and terribly skinny. A man she had never seen before yelled at the boy “I will show you what thieves get.” He grabbed the boys arm and smashed it on a small table and picked up an axe. Before Queen Joselyn realized it, she had already drawn a dagger from underneath her garment and threw it towards the man’s hand. It stabbed the middle of his hand and stuck to the back of the wall. He cried out in pain and the boy tried to run. Queen Joselyn yelled out an order to stop the boy. A local man stopped the boy and brought him to her. She bent down eye level with the boy and asked, “Why were you stealing?” The child was crying so hard she could barely understand him. “I..I was hungry my Queen. Please don’t kill me.” Queen Joselyn’s heart broke at the boys statement. She then asked, “What is your name, and where are your parents?” The young boy answered, “I’m an orphan, and my name is Samuel.” Joselyn looked at the young boy with pity, but then with anger at the man who was still crying out in pain over the knife holding his hand to a wall. How could a person chop off a hand of a child because they were hungry? “Samuel,” she began. “Would you like to come back to the castle with me. You can live there and be fed everyday. We will clean you up and get you some clothes to wear.” The young boys eyes lit up with joy as he said, “Oh yes my Queen, can we eat first when we get there?” He realized what he said and apologized immediately. Queen Joselyn laughed and said “Of course we can eat as soon as we get back to the castle, whatever you want.” Samuel jumped into her arms and she picked him up and helped him onto her horse. Rowan finally made it out of the brothel when he seen the commotion. He came running over and Joselyn explained to him what happened. She stood to address the town’s people and everyone went silent. “Let it be known we do not cripple children because they are hungry. If any child is caught stealing because they are hungry, bring them to me so I can deal with it. Is that understood?” In unison the town replied “yes my Queen.” The man whose hand was pierced suddenly spoke through his pain and said, “What about me? My hand will be scarred for life because of you.” Rowan immediately grabbed his sword and started towards the man. Queen Joselyn grabbed his arm and said “I will deal with him.” Rowan automatically complied and haltered his sword. Joselyn approached the struggling man and said, “I don’t recognize you. When did you move into this Kingdom?” The man answered her with disrespect, “It is none of your business when I moved here, and I will not have people stealing from me. It doesn’t matter whether it is a child or not.” Queen Joselyn stood and asked the man, “Did you not just hear the order that I gave?” “Yes I heard it, he laughed a little. Queen or not I do not take orders from a woman.” “I see, replied Queen Joselyn. Let me help you understand more clearly.” With in an instant she took the man’s other hand and chopped it off with the axe he attempted to use on Samuel. She then ripped the dagger that was piercing his other hand. He cried out in pain as his hand laid on the ground. “Does the order I gave seem clearer to you now?” she asked. He looked up at her through tears and pain as he attempted a “yes.” Queen Joselyn wasn’t finished. “I still don’t believe you understand. You want to live in this Kingdom but you don’t respect your Queen. You are banished from the Kingdom of Leonise. You have two days to remove yourself from this Kingdom or you shall be killed.” He nodded. “A couple of my guards will escort you out of the Kingdom. Your food supplies will stay here along with your hand. On your journey you will know what it feels like to be hungry and have no hand….that is the mercy I give you because that is all the mercy you were going to give that young boy.” He hung his head and nodded as Rowan went to grab two of his guards from the brothel. He explained to them the Queens orders and they arrived a few moments later. They didn’t speak, they just placed the man on his horse and escorted him out of the Kingdom of Leonise. Queen Joselyn got on her horse with Samuel in front and started to ride toward the castle with Rowan by her side. Then a loud yell stopped them in their tracks. “Commander Rowan, Commander Rowan.” It was the guard ordered to spy on the head advisor. “What is it” Rowan demanded. The guard was out of breath but managed to say, “My Queen, Commander Rowan, the head advisor has sent a message to the King of Doran!” Both Joselyn and Rowan looked at each other. Rowan thanked the guard and told him to report back any further news. “We have business that must be taken care of when we return.” The Queen statedly flatly. “I don’t want to let on as if I know anything and neither should you Rowan. I need to get Samuel settled and formulate a plan.” “Yes My Queen.” “We will discuss this later. I will not have a traitor in my Kingdom.” Queen Joselyn didn’t speak another word the entire ride to the castle and neither did Rowan. He knew when the time came, she would choose her words wisely then strike.

Upon returning to the castle, Queen Joselyn immediately took Samuel to the kitchen and he ate until he couldn’t eat anything else. “Are you full?” the Queen laughed with amusement. “Yes, my Queen.” He sat there looking at her with a quizzical stare. “What is it Samuel?” “Well, he began nervously. They call you the Ice Queen because you are so mean. But you are very nice to me. I don’t understand why people call you that?” She looked at his little face covered in food and answered him gently “Some people don’t like the way I do things, and when people are unhappy with someone they tend to give them names to justify their anger. They will also make up stories to try and make other people believe them. That is one of the reasons people call me Ice Queen.” Samuel sat there for a moment and then said. “I understand. People called me names just because I was hungry.” Tears formed in Queen Jocelyn’s eyes before she said, “Well you don’t have to worry about that anymore. Now that your belly is full, I am going to have one of the maids give you a bath. Then we will have the tailor measure you and make you some nice clothes. After that you may go play. There is a boy who works in the stables about your age. I’m sure you two will get along. Remember if you ever need to talk to me or need me for anything just tell one of the maids and they will bring you to me.” Samuel’s eyes lit up but he had tears streaming down his face. “I love you my Queen” he cried as he hugged her. She looked down at the small boy and replied “I love you too. I love everyone in my Kingdom. Now let’s get you bathed” she said light heartedly.

It had been a couple of days since Samuel moved into the castle. He tried his best to make himself useful but usually got in the way. Queen Joselyn placed him underneath Rowan’s guidance so he could learn to be a soldier. He was also tutored so he would be able to read and write. This way he was busy all day and did not bother others working in the castle. “Joselyn” Rowan called from outside the stables. “I’m in here Rowan you know that. It is time for my daily ride.” Rowan entered the stables with a frustrated look on his face. “Are you going to let me accompany you on your ride today ” Queen Joselyn looked at him and said, “Rowan you know I always go alone. What is really the matter?” “Well” he began. I don’t like this business of your head advisor sending messages to the King of Doran. It would be safer if you let me and a couple of other guards escort you.” “Rowan, you worry too much. I will be back shortly and I will let you know the minute I am back on the castle grounds.” Rowan shook his head in defeat but said, “The minute your back on the grounds I want to know.” “I know Rowan, the minute I’m back on the grounds you are the first to know.”