The Last Warrior Queen

Chapter 28

I whirled around and came face to face with a slender man who couldn’t have been older than 25. When he realized who I was he quickly bowed and said “Forgive me my Queen, I didn’t realize it was you.”

“That’s quite alright, I started using your supplies without permission. Are you a physician here?”

“Yes, I am the royal physician my Queen. My name is Rohl.” My eyes widened in surprise, he seemed quite young for a royal physician. Sensing my skepticism at his abilities he chuckled and said “Yes I realize I’m quite young. I was in training from the previous royal physician who sadly died last year.” I nodded. That might explain why he was having trouble controlling Diana’s pain.

“I’m making a medicine to numb Diana’s injured wrist. That will help with the pain and help get her fever down.” Rohl narrowed his eyes at me.

“I grew up in a nunnery where we had no physician. We had to learn to fend for ourselves.”

He nodded and let me continue. Once I was done I told Rohl to dip one of his fingers into the mixture slightly. He did so and within a few seconds a look of surprise appeared on his face. “I…I can’t feel it anymore!” He exclaimed.

I smiled and grabbed a bulb syringe and carried my supplies to Diana’s bedside. She was still in agony, but she started yelling at me. “No! I don’t want you here! Get away from me!”

“Shhh, relax. I’m here to help you. Rohl, hold her down please.” Rohl dutifully did as he was instructed and I was surprised that he was able to keep her still with how skinny he looked.

I quickly drew up the liquid in the bulb syringe and sanitized the end with some alcohol that was by her bed. I had her maid undo the bandages, revealing a nasty wound that had been stitched up rather neatly. I placed the syringe into the gaps of the stitches and injected the numbing medicine into the wound. Diana kept crying out wildly, but within seconds had quieted. “Thank you” she murmured before she passed out, probably from exhaustion.

Her maid turned to me and thanked me profusely. I smiled at her and patted her hand. Rohl redid her bandages as I gave him instructions on how to make the medicine. “This will last for a few hours and then you’ll need to repeat the application. This should help her rest and break her fever.” Rohl nodded and thanked me as well.

As I made my way back to my chambers I saw Halvor and Gala standing outside the war room laughing again. She touched his arm and he led her down the hall. It looked like they were going to the dining hall, probably for food.

I hurried to my chambers and had a maid bring me tea. I drank my tea and ate the snacks alone. I told myself that I needed to hurry and get used to this new life. That I was never destined for a husband who loved me and it was my duty to care for the people of this kingdom. That should be my focus. And perhaps if we conquered Inhar I could live out my days there, far away from the Northern Kingdom.

That night I tried to stay up until Halvor returned to our room, but eventually gave up. I honestly didn’t see the point of sharing a bed chamber and thought about asking him for my own rooms. Maybe I could catch him when he was in a good mood after being with Gala to ask him. He would be more likely to agree then.

I slept so well that I didn’t even hear him come into bed and when I awoke he was already gone. Perhaps he didn’t even come in at all last night. I got up and quickly dressed. I decided to go down to the infirmary to check on Diana this morning. I walked into the dining hall and saw Halvor and Gala eating comfortably together at the large head table. They didn’t see me come in so I hesitated, wondering if I should leave. But my hunger won out so I quietly slipped into a seat at the far end of one of the long tables, using some noble warriors to block Halvor’s view of me.

They raised their eyebrows in surprise and started to stand but I quickly waved my hands and said “No, please continue your breakfasts.” They frowned and sat back down, simply addressing me “my Queen.” A maid saw me and curtsied and ran to fetch me some food. I quickly made up an excuse as to why I was eating with them.

“I wanted to ask you all if you have any concerns about the way the castle is run. Any issues in your day to day work?” At first they all stared blankly at me, but then one noble spoke up and said “Well last winter we didn’t have enough candles and we all had to ration, often doing work in the dark or leaving work undone if we couldn’t see to do it.” The other nobles nodded in agreement.

“Ah yes, I did hear about that from the servants as well. I’ve already requested that they increase their candle production starting now so that we don’t run out this winter. Anything else?” The nobles looked impressed and smiles formed on their faces.

“Well my Queen, my wife also complained last winter that we didn’t stock enough linens for warmer clothes for servants and children. A minor issue overall, but it did greatly upset the women as the children had to stay cooped up, huddled under blankets and furs. The servants also seemed to suffer from the cold.” The other nobles nodded in agreement. Someone else chimed in “Normally we wouldn’t bother the king with such matters you see.”

“Oh yes, I understand. I’ll speak with the servants and see if I can find a way to get a greater supply of linens so that we have plenty on hand for the winter cold.”

“Thank you my Queen” they murmured. “My wife will be forever grateful” someone added. I laughed saying “I’m glad I can contribute to a pleasant household” which earned a round of laughter from the nobles. I glanced over to where Halvor and Gala were sitting and sure enough, the laughter caught their attention.

I accidentally made eye contact with Halvor and I quickly looked away. Out of the corner of my eye I saw him stand. I hastily made an exit, telling the nobles that I needed to visit the infirmary before it got to late. They all stood to bid me farewell and luckily bought my some time by blocking Halvor’s way before he could reach me.

I thought I had made a clean escape as I had almost made it out the side door into the courtyard, however Halvor’s loud voice called behind me.

“Sylvia wait!” I sighed and stopped right before the door. I turned around and saw Halvor moving quickly towards me with an angry look on his face.

When he caught up to me he asked “Why didn’t you eat with me this morning? Surely you saw me in the dining hall.” I couldn’t bring myself to tell him that he looked busy with Gala.

“Yes, well, I had a few things I wanted to chat with the nobles about.” Halvor looked at me in confusion. “What could you have to talk with them about?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “Did you know that the servants and most of the nobles ran out of candles last winter? They were forced to do their work in the dark, or abandon it altogether.”

Halvor frowned and mumbled “Yes, well that would explain why we got behind on quite a few things last year. But it is a trivial matter overall.”

“Hmm. Yes and did you also know that you didn’t gather enough linens for heavy clothing last year? Some of the children had to stay inside to keep warm and the servants struggled to do their duties. I learned all of that by talking with the servants and the nobles and am now able to make adjustments so we don’t repeat the same mistakes this year.”

Halvor furrowed his brows and before he could respond, Gala appeared behind him.

“See, I told you that you needed a queen by your side. And I was right in telling you to pick someone from the south. She is already proving her worth in a multitude of ways.” Halvor nodded at Gala’s words. Clearly they had been discussing me.

Halvor looked like he wanted to say something, but I cut him off before he could. “Yes, well I need to get to the infirmary before it is too late in the day. I’ll be going.” Halvor frowned and Gala bowed her head. I whirled around and practically ran out into the courtyard.