The Last Warrior Queen

Chapter 26

“Inhar has spies everywhere as we know and news of Queen Sylvia’s power will travel fast. They will try to get to her and kill her, although that will prove difficult now that she is a queen.” The noble warriors nodded in agreement.

“I propose we go on the offensive and announce Queen Sylvia’s true heritage, thus declaring war with Inhar.”

My jaw dropped. I never imagined Gala would suggest a war. The nobles shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to respond. Even Halvor didn’t look convinced. I shook my head. “I don’t want anyone going to war over me.”

Gala smiled and said “Nonsense, I’ve already foreseen the war to happen anyways. Everyone knows Inhar is a power hungry kingdom and they’ll be after our lands eventually. We will fare better if we strike first rather than waiting for their snakes to infiltrate our kingdom.” Suddenly the atmosphere changed and Halvor replied “If the war is inevitable then we must take the advantage.” The nobles nodded in agreement, quick to change their attitude. Gala must have a gift as well. No wonder they called her a witch.

It was decided that Halvor would make an announcement of my origins in three days. That would give them time to strategize for the upcoming war but not too much time to allow for news to travel to Inhar.

The nobles had much to discuss and I was excused from the rest of the meeting. I decided to see if Ann would come see me and I sent a maid to invite her to tea.

Soon Ann arrived and immediately gave me a big hug. As she pulled away she said “I knew you could do it.” I smiled at her and gestured towards the table that had been laid out with tea and snacks. We sat down and I sipped my tea in silence.

“Did something happen? You seem upset”

Ann asked.

I sighed. “Halvor not putting a stop to the fight made me realize that he only cares about power and nothing else.”

Ann nodded, “Well that isn’t a surprise given this is a battle worn kingdom. And how could he put a stop to the fight? I thought challenges could be presented to anyone.”

I explained how Halvor could have prevented it as king and how I felt that he must have had a plan with Diana.

“I see” Ann replied, “But King Halvor must have a lot of pressure on him to maintain his throne. And with the way the customs are here they clearly value strength in battle above everything. What makes you think he had a plan with Diana?”

“Well…I. I might have come upon them having a conversation in a hallway and I hid myself from them. Diana was touching Halvor’s arm while she accused me of being weak and proposed being his consort. Halvor did nothing and simply told her he would see how things unfolded at the coronation.”

“Oh. Yeah. He’s definitely a bastard for that.”

My eyes widened in surprise at Ann’s response and I burst out laughing. “Ann I can’t believe you called the king a bastard!” I said in between laughs.

“I didn’t call the king a bastard, I called your husband a bastard for taking horrible Diana as a mistress. I don’t feel bad for her in the slightest for having a useless hand now.”

I soon regained composure at Ann’s words, confirming that she also thought Diana was Halvor’s mistress.

“Ann there’s something else. Something you mustn’t tell anyone, not even Eric.”

Ann set down her teacup and nodded in earnest. “I promise.”

“I found out the origins of my necklace.” Ann gasped and I continued. “It turns out I’m the last surviving heir to a kingdom in the east called Oran. They were wiped out by one of their own princes who betrayed everyone to take over the kingdom. It’s now the Kingdom of Inhar. Apparently the royal family of Oran was known to have the same gift in battle that I have and now there’s concern that Inhar will hear of this and come to assassinate me or declare war. So the plan is to announce my true lineage and declare war on them first.”

Ann stared blankly at me, taking in all the new information. Finally she said “So the king has decided to go to war for you? Maybe he does like you more than we thought.”

I shrugged and said “Well at first he wasn’t convinced and I even told everyone that I didn’t want them to go to war for me. But then Gala explained that she had already foreseen the war anyways, so it was decided that we should at least get the upper hand.”

“Oh, well in that case I still think your husband is a bastard. But I like Gala more and more.”

I burst out laughing again. I had no idea that Ann could be so funny. Looking back I realized that she was probably very depressed in the nunnery.

Suddenly the door slammed open revealing an angry looking Halvor behind it. Ann jumped to her feet and curtsied saying “My King.” I stood up as well, making eye contact with Halvor’s piercing blue eyes filled with anger. He took a few steps inside the room, but said nothing.

I hastily turned to Ann and said “I’ll see you later Ann, thank you for coming to visit me.” Ann curtsied again and quickly left the room. Halvor slammed the door shut behind her. I braced myself for his wrath, unsure what he was so angry about.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Did you enjoy watching me make a fool of myself?” Halvor said as he stalked towards me.

I furrowed my brow in confusion. “What do you mean?”

“Why didn’t you tell me you are the princess of Oran, heir apparent? Why didn’t you tell me of your abilities? Do you think it’s normal to keep secrets like that from your husband?” With each question he asked, Halvor took more steps forward. Now he was inches from my face.

“I didn’t know anything about where I came from. Today was the first that I heard of being an heir to any kingdom. I have no memories of my childhood except my mother giving me this necklace on her deathbed and being taken to the nunnery. I didn’t even remember my mother’s lady in waiting until she appeared at my room at House Regan with my mother’s gown.”

Halvor’s face softened slightly and he too a couple steps back. “Then why didn’t you tell me of your gift?” He said more softly.

“Sir Roderick and Head Mother always told me to never speak about nor show my gift to anyone I couldn’t trust completely. They said there are people who would try to use me for their own gain or to terrorize the weak. I didn’t know if I could trust you and your warriors, especially since you seem so obsessed with fighting. I refuse to be used to harm defenseless people.”

Halvor nodded and turned away from me, running his hand over his braid. He suddenly turned back to me and said “So you don’t trust me then?”

I shrugged and looked away. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the honest answer. How could I trust him? He’s done nothing but plot against me since I came here.

Halvor grunted and stormed across the room, flinging open the door and slamming it again behind him.