The Last Warrior Queen

Chapter 17

The further north we traveled, the happier Eric became. I felt my own spirits lift as well knowing that we were going to get Ann. I was excited that I would have a friend when we arrived at the northern kingdom.

Before I knew it the day came when I could spot the nunnery in the distance. The castle looked exactly the same as when I had arrived ten years prior at the age of seven.

I was riding with Eric today. I hadn’t ridden with Halvor since the first day and I still couldn’t figure out why he refused to let me ride with him. He continued to sleep in the same bed as me, and sometimes I would wake up with his arm around me. But more often than not these days he rose before me so I woke up to a cold bed.

Eric’s chattering broke me from my thoughts. “Ann is really in there? You’re sure? Do you think she’ll be glad to see me? You don’t think she’ll be angry for keeping her waiting all this time?”

I chuckled at Eric’s barrage of questions. “Yes Eric she’s in there. And I’m sure she’ll be very happy to see you, although I can’t promise that she won’t be angry for making her wait.”

Eric’s shoulders dropped at my last statement. I felt bad for making him depressed. “However, Ann has such a sweet disposition that I’m sure she won’t be angry at you for long” I quickly added.

“Yes, yes you’re right! Ann is very sweet.” Eric brightened at the thought of her.

Soon we had arrived at the gate to the nunnery and a knight stopped us. Eric helped me down off of the horse and I made my way to the front of the group of warriors.

“State your business here at once.” I could hear the knight yelling at King Halvor. I quickly pushed past him to see who it was. It was Sir Nolan, I should have known. When he saw me his eyes widened in surprise. He quickly bowed to me murmuring “Lady Sylvia.”

“It’s Queen Sylvia now” Halvor interjected. Sir Nolan quickly stood up and still had a surprised look on his face. I blushed and gave him a small smile.

“Sir Nolan, this is King Halvor of the Northern Kingdom. My husband.” Sir Nolan hastily bowed once more.

“Is Head Mother available? I need to speak to her immediately if possible.”

“Of course. But only four of you may enter, the rest must wait outside.”

“Yes, we understand.” I glanced up at Halvor who just continued to give Sir Nolan a cold stare.

“Umm, Halvor? Do you think that Eric and Gunnar should accompany us inside?” I said in a low voice.

“Yes.” Halvor replied tersely. I nodded and gestured for Sir Nolan to lead us inside.

We entered the main hall and Sir Nolan had a nun go and fetch Head Mother while he remained with us.

“So this is where you grew up?” Halvor suddenly asked. I nodded.

“Hmm, I can’t imagine you learning any sort of self defense in this place” Halvor said with a smirk.

I blushed and looked around at Sir Nolan and then back to Halvor.

“I can’t even see how you could learn anything worthwhile without proper training grounds” Halvor continued. I frowned at him. Before I could say anything, Sir Nolan responded.

“We have very adequate training grounds here King Halvor.”

Halvor glared at Sir Nolan. “And so you produce women who are simply adequate in self defense? In my kingdom the women warriors are trained to be better than adequate, and I have no use for a woman who is less than great at combat.” I felt my cheeks burn red at Halvor’s comment. I knew it was directed at me. I looked down at the ground, unable to look at Halvor any longer.

Sir Nolan narrowed his eyes at King Halvor. “Queen Sylvia is the best I’ve ever seen in combat, of any man or woman.”

My eyes widened in shock. What was Sir Nolan saying? I knew he could be a foolish flirt, but I didn’t think he would be this rash. I could feel the eyes of Halvor, Eric and Gunnar on me. Someone please save me.

By the grace of God my prayer was answered because at that moment Head Mother entered the main hall.

I looked up and moved towards her, noting that Sir Roderick was with her as well. A huge smile spread across my face at the sight of them.

Head Mother moved quickly toward me with concern on her face. I curtsied to her and greeted her properly. Then I turned towards Halvor and introduced the others. I turned back towards Head Mother, who was curtsying deeply.

“Queen Sylvia, I welcome you to the Nunnery of Saint Patricia. You and King Halvor are most welcome here.” I gulped in surprise. Never would I have imagined that Head Mother would honor me in such a way.

As she stood she asked “What brings you back here? I’m assuming it’s not just a casual visit.”

I shook my head. “No Head Mother. There is something of great importance I must discuss with you.” She nodded and suggested we go to her private chambers to converse. That meant that the men would need to wait in the main hall. I glanced back at Halvor as Head Mother lead me up to her chambers. He had a cold expression on his face and I realized that he wouldn’t let Sir Nolan’s comments go without an explanation.

Once inside Head Mother’s chambers I immediately began to tell her the purpose of our arrival.

“Head Mother, am I correct in assuming that Ann will begin the process of becoming a nun here?”

Head Mother looked a little surprised, but quickly recovered. “Well yes. How did you know that? It’s been a tightly guarded secret, we were just waiting until the last of her group left for marriage - which was you.”

I took a deep breath. “Head Mother, I’ve met one of the men who brought her here all those years ago, the man she fell in love with. The one she thought would rescue her.”

“And how did you come to meet him?”

“He’s one of King Halvor’s warriors. He’s downstairs at this very moment. And he is still in love with Ann too. We would like to take her with us when we leave Head Mother.”

“But Ann is already in seclusion to become a nun.” My heart sank at her words. Anyone in seclusion could not be communicated with. It was so they could become pure before their vows before God.

“But Head Mother, we both know that Ann never wanted to become a nun. She always talked of her love coming to rescue her. I know that if she sees him once more she will want to come with us.”

Head Mother nodded. “And if she doesn’t still harbor feelings for him? It’s been a few years since she spoke of him.”

“That is true. But isn’t it worth a chance? For Ann’s sake?”

Head Mother pursed her lips, deep in thought. Then she suddenly got up and rang a bell outside her room. A nun quickly appeared and Head Mother said “Get Ann out of seclusion and bring her to me.”

I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. Soon Ann appeared in the doorway and I leapt out of my chair at the sight of her.

“Sylvia?” Ann exclaimed as she made her way towards me. I embraced her tightly, thankful for the opportunity to see her again. Head Mother instructed Ann to sit down and I did the same.

“Ann, do you remember the men who brought you here?” Head Mother asked.

Ann furrowed her brow at the question. “Well, I only really remember one of the men clearly.”

“The one you fell in love with?” Head Mother questioned.

“Yes” Ann replied in almost a whisper.

“Do you think you would recognize him now?”

Ann paused for a moment. “Yes. Yes I’m sure I would.”

“Do you remember his name?”

Ann looked at Head Mother curiously. “Yes. It was Eric.”

I couldn’t help the smile that crept onto my face as she named him.

“Come with me” Head Mother said as she abruptly stood. Ann and I hastily stood and followed her out of the room. Ann looked at me in confusion and worry, so I grasped her hand and gave her a reassuring smile.

As we entered the main hall, Head Mother immediately moved aside to reveal the men waiting for us. Ann let go of my hand and immediately rushed towards them.

“Eric!” she exclaimed.