The Last Warrior Queen

Chapter 8

“Tell these barbarians to let me through” Talia wailed. The two warriors had their arms outstretched preventing her from entering my room. I was glad of it because I had no idea what Talia was planning.

“Is there something you need Lady Talia?”

“Why yes. I’m simply coming to chat with my sister and congratulate her on her upcoming wedding. I had no idea that I would be handled so brutally for simply wanting to see my sister” Talia continued to whine.

I knew full well Talia had no intention of doing any congratulating and I was weary of her true motive. There was no way I would be letting her in. Thank goodness King Halvor decided to post guards outside my room.

Before I could respond Talia’s brothers, Tristan and Timothy, appeared beside her. So they are plotting something.

“My dear baby sister” Tristan crooned. “What ever is the matter?”

“Oh Tristan, I’m simply trying to see our lovely Sylvia but these brutes won’t let me” Talia whimpered.

“Come now Sylvia, call off your dogs and greet your sister properly” Tristan said with a menacing tone as he fiddled with a small dagger in his hands. Like hell I will. I’m sure they’re planning on trying to disfigure me somehow with that dagger and shame me before my wedding.

“My apologies, but I am quite tired from the events of today. I will go to bed and greet everyone in the morning at my wedding.”

“You little b***h. Is that any way to treat a family who took in a worthless wretch like you?” Tristan yelled. He tried to step forward but was met with a knife to his throat. This was going badly.

“What’s all this noise?!” A voice boomed from down the hall, making my siblings jump in surprise. I could hear heavy boots stomping towards us.

King Halvor appeared in the doorway glaring as my siblings quickly cowered away in fear.

“How am I expected to sleep with you three making all this racket? Go to bed and quit bothering my Queen.”

Tristan and Timothy backed away slightly, but Talia boldly stepped forward. She placed a hand on King Halvor’s chest and seductively said “King Halvor, surely you can let me enter my sister’s room. I miss her and would like to see her one last time before she is wed.”

My eyes widened in surprise at her brazen behavior. King Halvor grabbed her hand gruffly and Talia cried out in pain.

“How dare you touch a king without permission” the king said in a low threatening voice. “Get the hell out of here and don’t return. I don’t want to see your ugly face until I have to at the wedding tomorrow.”

Talia burst into tears and ran down the hall with her brothers chasing behind. King Halvor turned and marched back to his own room without a word. The two warriors outside my room returned to their posts on either side of my door.

I sighed and said “I’m sorry for the trouble, I’m sure they won’t be back again.”

The warriors widened their eyes in surprise. One of them cleared their throat and said “Don’t worry my Queen, a bit of entertainment is welcome during a long night of guard duty.”

I looked up at him and noticed that he seemed a little older, with bits of grey in his hair. He looked every bit as strong and intimidating as his fellow warriors, but he gave me a kind smile. I smiled weakly back at him. He reminded me of Sir Roderick in a way.

Before I could stop myself I blurted out “Might I have your name sir?” I immediately blushed as the words flew out of my mouth.

The warrior chuckled “No need to call me sir, my Queen. My name is Gunnar, son of Olef.”

I smiled at him and glanced at the other warrior, who had light brown hair in the same style as King Halvor and Gunnar with kind looking grey eyes. I suddenly felt bad for not asking his name and I didn’t want him to feel left out. Without my asking he said “My name is Eric son of Torgan, my Queen.” I smiled at him.

“Thank you. I bid you both goodnight.” And I turned and closed the door behind me, suddenly feeling quite exhausted.