The Last Warrior Queen

Chapter 14

I soon fell asleep from exhaustion and awoke the next morning once again within Halvor’s tight embrace. I was unsure if I would ever get used to waking up like this. Luckily Halvor woke soon after me and was eager to get started on our journey again. He began to dress quickly, and I did the same, focusing on looking anywhere but over at him.

We had a light breakfast and then made our way outside where the warriors were preparing the horses and supplies. I made my way over to Bjorn, who was still in the barn next to the inn. I slowly walked towards him and he seemed to recognize me. He lowered his head over the stall so that I could pet him.

I had made sure to put a carrot in my cloak from breakfast, just in case I could sneak some for Bjorn. I broke off a small piece and let him eat it from my hand. Once he had finished he nudged my hand for more and soon he had finished the whole carrot. He kept nudging me for more even after the carrot was gone.

“Greedy boy, there’s none left” I murmured to him. He snorted in response and settled for me petting him some more. Soon Halvor appeared behind me to get Bjorn ready for travel. I hastily stepped aside and walked out of the barn. When Halvor led Bjorn out I walked over to them, expecting to ride with him again.

“You’ll ride with Gunnar today and give Bjorn a rest.”

I nodded and turned to find Gunnar, feeling slightly disappointed. But why? Because I liked Bjorn?

I quickly spotted Gunnar and walked over to him. He turned to look at me and I explained “Halvor says I’m to ride with you today to give Bjorn a rest.”

Gunnar looked back towards Halvor and then nodded to me. “I see. Well let’s get you settled then.” Gunnar offered me his hand and I swiftly swung my leg over his horse without difficulty. I glanced down to Gunnar who looked impressed. He quickly took his spot behind me in the saddle.

We set off and Gunnar was as chatty as ever. He asked me all about my time at the nunnery and why I was sent there. I informed him of my humble origins and made it very clear that Lord Regan was not my real father.

Gunnar chuckled at said “Any blind man could see that bastard isn’t your real father. And his daughter deserves to live with the pigs the way she talked to you my Queen.”

I smiled at his response. He really reminded me of Sir Roderick. “Well she isn’t entirely wrong. I really don’t know anything about being a queen. And Halvor already told me that most of the skills I learned at the nunnery will be useless.”

“King Halvor only knows of battle and how to make sure all his subjects are fed and sheltered. Important for a king to be sure, but there are other skills that could benefit the kingdom that King Halvor is lacking.”

I pondered Gunnar’s words and thought that maybe I could offer Halvor something worthwhile. I wasn’t sure what that would be, but maybe I’m not completely useless.

Eventually it became dusk again and we found a suitable place to camp for the night. Halvor had made us a bed and I decided to go into the woods to relieve myself. Halvor wanted to come with me, but I vehemently denied him. I reminded him that I knew some self defense and would be fine. He begrudgingly allowed me to go by myself.

I grabbed a lantern and made my way through some trees into a small clearing. I paused to make sure no one had followed me and did my business. As I stood up I heard movement just beyond the clearing. There were low voices and I quickly realized it was two or three men.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to focus just as they stepped into the clearing. I saw the fight unfold between me and these three men. One that I could easily win. I quickly grabbed my daggers and took my stance.

The three men snickered, underestimating me. I knew they would initially attack one at a time, thinking it would only take one of them to overpower me. That worked to my advantage. I quickly disarmed the first two and unfortunately was forced to kill them in the process. The third charged forward in a blind rage and was also easily disarmed. I didn’t kill the last one, thinking that maybe I should try to question him.

Before I could utter one word, Halvor appeared out of the woods behind me.

“What is going on?” He asked bewildered.

“These men tried to attack me” I said, stating the obvious.

“Yes I can see that, but what happened to them?” Halvor replied.

“Well…I killed them…” I honestly wasn’t sure what answers Halvor wanted. “I…I told you I had self defense training at the nunnery.”

“That seems quite advanced for mere self defense.” Halvor then turned his attention to the man I was holding at knifepoint. He grabbed him and held him up off the ground, yelling in his face. “You dare try to threaten my Queen? Who are you? Who sent you?”

The poor man cried out for Halvor to spare him and pissed himself in fear.

Finally I said “I think they were nothing more than bandits looking to steal some coin.”

Halvor sneered at the man and threw him to the ground, yelling at him to get out of here. The man sprinted away from us as I sheathed my daggers.

“Maybe those nuns did teach you something useful after all.”