Dragon Riders

Chapter Two: Part One Thea

Chapter 2

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Thea

Northern Kingdom: West of the Blessed Isle

Mori's Hold: Northernmost city in the Northern Kingdom

My boots squelch in the mud as I stomp to the command tent in the center of my war camp. My men briefly look up and avert their eyes as they see the fury I have painted across my face. Freezing rain had turned the already muddy ground into a slicker, messier pit. Mud makes it further up my shins and turns my white cape brown the more I trudge. Not that I particularly care at this moment.

I’m too busy being furious to notice the noise and mess I make as I’m walking. I use my blood-soaked right hand to sweep open the tent flaps and used my left to throw the traitor's head onto the tactical map sitting in the center of the tent.

The Lords in the room quiet immediately before the solid thunk and squish of the head fully registers. Their eyes flick back and forth between the head and my harsh face. Most of them are wise enough to not directly meet my gaze, but the younger ones are too busy being shocked at the sight of the old man’s head to pay attention.

My pale blue eyes hold the fire of betrayal. They also hold a warning. They cut like ice through those stupid enough to meet them. With my pale blonde hair pulled back into a low, tight bun, my face is laid bare.

Harsh and unyielding; much like the climate we’re in.

Stunned silence turns into rage for one young lord and he strides quickly over to me. His pinched face rapidly becoming more red with each one of his quick steps.

"You killed my grandfather!" He roars at me.

"Yes I did." I reply dryly. I continue to stare at him until he swallows thickly and takes a step back. Still meeting my gaze, I continue speaking annoyed with his arrogance.

"Turns out your grandfather was the one betraying me to my father's old second in command."

I brush past the slim man and take my seat at the head of the table.

"Do you even have any evidence, or because you are the sole survivor of the royal family do you think we will sit idly by while you-"

The rest of his sentence is cut-off by my second grabbing him roughly by the throat.

Brutus, my second in command and one of my closest friends, is half an inch away from the poor kid's face. While I can see why others would be scared of him, he’s never bothered me. I feel safe when he turns his warm brown eyes to me. But to others, he’s a six foot man of pure muscle and rage, so I feel a flicker of sympathy for the young lord.

I feel less sympathy for the kid as he shrinks into himself, embarrassed by his ridiculous outburst.

"Set him down Brutus."

He just gives a curt nod and throws him so the little Lord slams on the ground by my feet. I lean down to look into the kids eyes and rest my forearms on my knees.

"Do you think I would actually kill someone on the basis of treason without having f*****g proof?"

He stays silent, rubbing his neck to try and steady himself. I’m in the middle of a rebellion. If I kill one of my heralds I better be sure that they are actually traitors. Otherwise, the others would quickly go to the enemy’s side.

"I may be the last of my family, but that doesn't mean I can do things without consequence."

The little lord looks up at me and I quickly glance around the room to judge the other Lord's reactions.

Approval with some amusement.

I roll my shoulders back and sit tall and regally. I keep my chin up, looking down my nose at him. His slouched posture makes me look even more imposing than I was a second ago and with a low, calm voice speak to him.

"The next time someone from your family or from your army betrays me, will be the last time that happens. Do you understand me?"

He nods but I respond with a savage smile, showing off my pearly whites. His face pales in fear and I let my smile drop from my face. He has obviously heard the rumors about me, and is rightfully scared.

"The next time this happens I will wipe every single one of you and your people from the face of the Earth. No where will be safe for you to go, because no matter what you do, or where you go, I will find you."

The little lord nods again and I look away. I need to be firm if I want to have his respect, and the respect of the others. It’s almost as important as trust. He kneels before me and takes a deep breath before he speaks again.

"I will always be loyal to you, your Majesty. Nothing like this will ever happen again. I swear it."

I wave my hand to dismiss him, and he scurries out of the tent, and most of the other Lords follow him. They understand that my threat to Lord Ainsworth wasn't just a threat to him, it was a threat to them as well. And one they should take to heart. In two years I have regained 90% of the ground that was taken from me and my family. In two years I have become a fierce warrior, a fierce Queen.