Dragon Riders

Chapter Two: Part Two Thea

Chapter 2

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Thea

Northern Kingdom: West of the Blessed Isle

Mori's Hold: Northernmost city in the Northern Kingdom

In two years I have united three other kingdoms to my cause and the other five packs in the Northern Kingdom. My father was a highly respected King. He was fair and tough, and my mother was kind and stern. They were perfect in every way, and too trusting as it turns out. Now I am alone because of my father’s second in command; his so-called ‘friend’. I don’t have the luxury to be merciful or nice. As a woman I have to be twice as harsh to be taken seriously.

I have one last battle to win, one last fight, and then I can take my throne back. I can have my home back and I can bury my family. Then I can become the greatest leader that I was never meant to be.

"That was a solid speech, Queen Nivalis."

I look at the man still sitting at the table and give Lord Ricks a small smile. He is one of the four biggest Lord’s in my kingdom, and one of the first to join my cause. The other three are stationed south of here past Winter's Castle. If the enemy runs, they'll run into 10,000 soldiers waiting for them. So now their only option is to stay put now that the rest of the army is North of them.

"Well I learned how to be the big bad wolf from you Lord Ricks.”

He gives a small chortle and rubs the crows feet by his brown eyes. In a sense he reminds me of my father. Not that they look anything alike, but maybe since he has children of his own he knows how to guide me. Our people have become extremely close. Not that they were enemies, but us working peacefully together was a comforting sign to my people and his.

"I'm not sure If I'm supposed to take that as a compliment or not."

I shrug, not particularly caring if he does or not. I’ve seen Ricks flat drunk and nothing can taint the memory of him singing about women. Brutus lets out a small chuckle at our exchange and comes to stand slightly behind me, on my left.

The three of us look at the map in front of us, moving the severed head aside so we can see the Northern Domain better. Blood has stained the map which means I’ll have to buy another.

I frown and crinkle my nose.

Maybe I should just buy a new table; I don’t like stained furniture.

"Do you think the healers will be fine traveling that distance?" asks Brutus.

I shrug and let out a small sigh. I honestly have no idea how they will fare in our cold weather, but their well-being is not my first concern. All they have to do is get here and do what I have paid them for.

"They'll have to be. Going through the Northern Domain is the safest option for them."

"Even so, it'll take them time to cross an entire kingdom, go over the mountains, and continue far enough west to reach the rendezvous point."

I scratch my chin and carefully think over Brutus's words.

He is right of course.

The Northern Domain is the easternmost kingdom of the North. As one of our allies, they have agreed to allow the healers to pass through their kingdom without delay. The hardest part will be the mountains. Trigg's mountains are famous for their beauty, but are also prone to snow, sleet, and rockslides year round. It’ll be a hard trek for a group of women who have never left a tropical island.

Especially since I’ve heard a ridiculous rumor that none of them wear shoes. Who is going to attempt to scale a mountain and cross thousands of acres without shoes? The entire damned religion is crazy if you ask me, but they’re useful and they’ll do.

"It might be wise to try and delay the attack for another week, just to allow them time to travel the mountains more safely."

I nod at Lord Rick's suggestion. It’s a fair suggestion: no healers and there’s no guarantee that my men will come out alright on the other side. However, waiting is no longer an option for me.

"It would give them more time, but it would also give the usurper more time to gather resources. If he hasn't found the other coffers by now he will in five weeks. It's too risky to have such a large window open before attacking him. Besides, the Priestesses are coming as a precaution" I say.

"Precaution or not, they are still soft healers from another land that only has extremely hot temperatures."

"I agree with Lord Ricks." says Brutus.

I look at him with raised brows that tell him to continue. It’s rare for Brutus to side with anyone other than myself.

"If they get caught in a snowstorm and get lost or sick, what's that point of even having them come at all?"

"I know all of that,'' I say, sighing loudly. “But trust me when I say that waiting won't help either. They knew the risks when I hired them, and yet here they come.”

I rub my brows with my pointer and thumb, a habit I’ve picked up because of stress. I let out another small sigh before I continue.

“I have no other choice. The usurper has already hired foreign armies before to help him, and he will do it again. If he manages to hire more people again, the other kingdoms will not back me. The first time he did so was a surprising twist and could be forgiven. A second time though?"

I let out a scoff and slam my fist on the map in frustration, making the table underneath quiver and drinks wobble. The head wobbles in response to my outburst.

"We will attack with or without the healers."

Brutus just nodds accepting my decision without a second thought. He knows that I have already considered every other possible option, and have taken their words to heart. But I can’t wait any longer for anyone.

Lord Ricks is less convinced.

Even though we’ve become close over the last two years, he still doesn’t know me well enough to completely trust my judgment. Afterall, he is helping retake my throne. He has others to think about as well.

“I think that’s all we can add to this conversation then my Queen.”

He looks at the map once more and then nods at me.

He understands and approves.

I nodd back and Lord Ricks leaves the tent.

Brutus grabs the traitor’s head from the table and before leaving, grabs the map as well.

“I’m going to morning training, My Queen. I’ll leave you to your work.”

I wave Brutus out and I finally get some alone time.