Dragon Riders

Chapter Two: Part Three Thea

Chapter 2

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Thea

Northern Kingdom: West of the Blessed Isle

Mori's Hold: Northernmost city in the Northern Kingdom

I plop back down onto my chair and rub my brow again. I have a thousand more things to do today, but I can’t be bothered to look over the morning reports right now. I will need to approve of whether or not to send troops to watch over Little Lord Ainsworth after the war. There’s always a risk that he could try to rebel. Even though his house isn’t very powerful, they supply the North with a large supply of food.

Angering his family too much could prove detrimental, but I can always replace him with another little lord if I need to. Although that could prove to be challenging, as his house has been in its seat for almost as long as mine has.

“My Queen, may I enter?”

I raise my head at the voice and smile.

“Enter Advisor Anders.”

The tent flaps swing open to reveal an old man. His shoulders are stooped with age, his white hair is almost transparent, and one of his eyes is cloudy. He is one of my most trusted friends, as he helped raise me as a child.

And helped me escape death as an adult.

“We need to get started on the morning reports your Majesty.”

I let out a loud groan of disapproval.

“Do I have to?”

“I’m afraid so.”

He sits himself to my right, and plops a stack of unwanted papers on the stupid stained table. Tedious work, but work that must be done all the same. Troop movements, small spats, food distribution. A thousand little things that all need my final say so before it can be put into action. Before we can begin though, a courier shakiley asks for entry and I let him in.

"Your Majesty, I bring word from Heart Scale Temple."

I glance up at the courier from under furrowed brows. They don’t reach out to contact people first unless there is a problem. This morning has been stressful already, and I don't need anything else to worry me.

"Proceed."

The courier shuffles forward, gently passing Anders a sealed scroll before he starts to speak.

"They say that they can only send 100 pries-"

"Damn them!"

My fist collides with the solid oak table in front of me, making the courier flinch back. Advisor Anders just glances at me with cloaked concern, but I am too furious to remind myself to keep calm.

My deal with them was 150 priestesses, not 100. 100 will do nothing for me if things go badly. 150 was already underselling it. With several thousand troops, calvary, and archers, we need to be ready. I have already paid them and now I am being cheated out of my gold.

War can bring in a surplus of extra income, but I am in a rebellion, and I am not in my castle. I make nothing as long as I am on the road. What I have made has been from reclaiming castles and seizing mines.

"They will give me my money back, or I will-"

"What will you do my Queen?"

I snap my head up and glare at my advisor. He can be trusted with everything and knows just about everything, but he often forgets that I have to make unpleasant decisions fast. He was the first person to add to my army, and provide me with shelter. His loyalty is what sparked others to come to my aid. The only problem with Anders is annoyingly smart. Anders is rarely wrong and loves to remind me of that fact.

"Just because you feel wronged, does not mean you can kill everyone in a temple."

I scoff at him and slouch. He is right of course. Wiping out the temple would start a War with everyone who is not us. It would be an absolute blood bath. This is the most united the Kingdoms of the West have ever been, and it’s all in effort to overthrow someone who is merely an eyesore. We are all too proud to unite together even if the battle was against all of us.

"Have they said what they will do to right this insult?"

The courier looks between me and my advisor, asking me if he should answer him with his eyes. I give an annoyed wave and the courier answers.

"Yes my Lord. They have started the process of picking a dragon egg to send to her Highness."

I snap my head to the courier, and stand up from my chair.My advisor raises his bushy gray brows and finally reads the scroll from the temple. I wait in silence as he reads the letter from the High Priestess.

"It's true."

He hands the letter back to me and I place it on the table, not bothering to read it.

I dismiss the courier and let a small smile slip out, excited. Even though the eggs that are given out are dead, they're still a great symbol of power and wealth. Only a few ever see the light of day, and even fewer are given out. They only leave HeartScale Temple when the High Priestess allows it, and that stingy woman hasn’t given one out in almost 30 years.

Regardless, this is a wonderful opportunity for me. It would boost the Kingdom and further solidify my reign.

"I think they've repaid any leftover fees, don't you?"

Advisor Anders gives me a small smirk and I roll my eyes at him and let my smile grow.

"Yes I think you're right. I should go tell Brutus and the others."

I turn to leave the command tent, my white cape swirling behind me. Anders waves me off and starts to look over the morning reports. Stepping out into the spring air makes me glad of my father’s blood running through my veins.

Thinking about my family still leaves me with an ache in my heart; one that I fear will never go away. I am constantly reminded of them and the night everything happened. The night that everything happened, my entire family was there.

Everyone but me.

There was a feast going on to celebrate my sister’s recent discovery of a new silver mine. I was with the less notable lords in another room, discussing new policies to keep them informed about a recent tax decrease. That's when we heard the first scream.

And I bolted.

I let my feet carry me faster than I've ever run. The tapestries in the halls became blurs of colors and faces as I sped past. As I rounded the three corners between me and my family I grabbed the torches on the walls to swing me around corners faster.

The screaming had been coming from my mother as she saw her husband die, and I let out a furious cry as I saw my fathers head in Lord Calder's hands.

The usurper.

The Betrayer.

But that was the past, and I would be getting my revenge in a few short weeks.

For now though, I will just have to be satisfied with the good news I just received. During my walk, I come across Giselle and her husband, and she breaks off to join me in my walk.

Besides Brutus, she's the only friend I've ever had. I made her a general a year into the campaign after the battle for the City of Ice. She managed to hold the line until I came charging in with reinforcements. She is usually chirpy all the time, but is a serious warrior.

"What's got you so happy today?"

I frown at her and ask her how she knows I'm happy. She shrugs and says:

"I just know."

"How cryptic."

She lets out a laugh that has the soldiers turning to see what's so funny. Seeing me pass them, they bow and dip their heads. Seeing her, they ogle at her bright red hair and green eyes. I try not to let myself feel jealous of her captivating beauty but it’s hard when I look like ice and she looks like spring.

"I guess we're going to see Brutus if you're walking this fast."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask.

"It means-" I smirk when I see her short legs struggling to keep up with me. I slow down to let her catch up.

"It means that you like him." she says, annoyed at my sudden change in pace.

I frown again and consider her words as we come in sight of the training field. This is a field where all can practice their hand-to-hand combat. All are encouraged to hone their skills here. It also lets out pent up tensions in between battles, which helps with morale. Something no one can buy with any amount of gold or bread. A glorious sight distracts me and I hear Giselle snort when she sees what has caught my attention.

Brutus is currently shirtless.

"So what if I do?" I ask, not tearing my eyes away from him.

“He may think that he was only given his position because you favor him.” Giselle says putting a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“But that’s not true! He-”

“His feelings will be different from what you think, regardless of intent you have put him in an unfavorable position.”

I stay silent, watching my beloved walk through movement with some of the younger soldiers. He was always one for patience. A cup of cool water in comparison to my raging flames.

“What will you do when the war is won?” Giselle asks, now fully wrapping her arm around me. I lean slightly against her, thinking as I watch men and their fake fights.

“"I'll just have to let him go, " I say quietly.

"Are you sure you can do that though?" She asks just as quietly.

I turn to face her and see her concern. It's one of the upsides of having another girl to talk to: understanding. The pain of loving someone that might never love me back. A sharp, ice-cold pick that gnaws slowly away at my core. With every step towards victory I am a step closer to my soul’s destruction.

"I have to. I don't have a choice." I say sadly.

I end the conversation by calling Brutus over. He hears me, stops his fight, and jogs over. I make sure to school my face as I watch him, but I find myself powerless in his gaze. His eyes flash gold in the sunlight; captivating my heart once again. I tear my eyes away from his, and focus as his curly black hair bounces with every step he takes towards me.

Giselle nudges me and I regain control of myself.

'What is it?" He asks.

"I have good news and bad news," I reply, handing him his skein of water.