Post by lizity on Oct 17, 2011 2:16:40 GMT -5
His column was two hundred strong, all mailed knights riding atop their destriers. Banners flapped elegantly in the wind high above held by their standard bearers. He rode at the van his men arrayed behind him, their mounts kicking up a plume of dust that could be seen on the horizon rising above the sky afire with orange and red. Thedric's party slowed as it reached a long line of peasants, commoners; farmers, merchants , craftsmen of all ilk hurrying into the city before sunset .
As his party approached the line scattered to either side of the rode lest they be ridden down by the Knights Of The Boar, some bowed their heads as he passed, one or two Thedric would acknowledge with a curt decline of his chin.
"Ho there!" a sentry called from the top of the battlements surrounding the city. "Knights of the Boar, how many?"
Thedric had fallen behind, his eyes taking in the white towers that spiraled above Ashenmore, their pinnacles nearly scraping the heavens. Her Dragon banners fluttered everywhere emerald like her eyes, green flecked with gold, it seemed as though every building held her standard. She was proud. As well she should be Thedric said as he clucked his tongue and urged his horse to the front of the van.
"Duke Thedric Crowley and his entourage of two hundred knights" he called up to the sentry "What dark times are these the Lady Dragon has her gates shut to those whom had always been welcome?"
"Begging your pardon m'lord," The sentry responded "Nothing on your personal your grace, just been an unusual amounta'... undesirables around as of late. We'll let you in" The guard whipped around and barked an order "Get that damn gate up you lazy jackanapse!"
The portcullis wound upwards with the groan of heavy iron chains on the massive gears. His knights began to move forward and Thedric urged his horse forward, the streets were wide and used to heavy traffic but the Duke's knights could only ride four abreast. The setting sun glinted off their plate and mail, each one wearing the tabard that depicted a wild boar, its tusks red with blood.
The people again made way for the party, letting them pass as they ooggled the sight of men whom minstrel's sang songs of generations past. Their arrival at the keep had taken little time, traversing the streets was easy when anyone in your simply got out of it. They reached the Keep bailey by sunset and the portcullis was already being drawn up when they approached, each knight passing under the arch and the rising metal grate, their hooves echoing off stone walls on the hard packed ground. Word had been sent ahead, her house master of ceremonies was hurrying towards him bowing and scraping as was their job with "foreign" dignitaries. Thedric slid from his horse the gravel crunching beneath his booted feet. His eyes were scanning the massive steps that lead to two giant oaken doors that opened up into the council room where the Duchess held her court. It was said she had fashioned herself a throne that threatened to overshadow that of the king himself.
He brushed the master of ceremonies aside leaving him confused and lagging a pace behind. His eyes, cold as steel, had marked their target. She stood at the top of the steps, looking elegant and regal in the emerald gown that matched her standard. Thedric came to a stop at the bottom of the steps, the Duchess nodded her head briefly, hands clasped in front of her. But she didn't not move from the top of the steps. Thedric smiled inwardly, she would not walk down to him, instead, he must rise to her. He bowed deeply and ascended the stairs, standing before the Emerald Lady and her councillors, her Sergeant at Arms regarding the Duke with an eye that bore a jagged scar down in.
"My lady" he said in a thick voice hard as the steel he wore. "my thanks for your gracious hospitality and invitation to visit Ashenmore. Truly, this city is something out of the fables. Perhaps a splendor that nearly rivals that of Elrandor herself." He wore a silver chain about his neck, it seemed his tongue was equally so the colour with flattery and wit.
"Nothing that does justice to the lady herself, of course, and my condolences, on the passing of your husband. He was an honourable man and he will be missed" He'd actually been a drunk and a lout, it was said the Lady Duchess scarcely touched the man, he'd been a convenience to help her hold her power, it had succeeded and now it was plain to Thedric, glancing at each of her councilors and he knew she had won their loyalty. He nodded his appreciation, it took a woman of no small character to achieve such a feat. Very rarely had a woman ruled in her own right in their kingdom's history.
"But tell me, my lady, why the sudden invitation?"
~~
Asilith sat in her private study behind a desk of polished cherry. It had once belonged to her late husband, a man who couldn’t have taken more time to die. His life had been an irritant on her from the moment she married him. For generations her kind had ruled Ashenmore, or what people though were generations. She’d been ruling here behind one face or another for a long time but a woman rarely ruled alone. Thus a husband but she’d had enough of him and forged ahead, making a name for herself without him. She knew that she needed to marry again at some point, find a woman that looked near enough like her to foster a few children for her so that people thought she was giving heirs and eventually take the place of one of them someday. It was an old cycle but it worked and it brought prosperity and more gold to her little nitch in the world.
The sound of one of her councilors speaking made her turn back from the window, giving him a patient but bored smile. “Yes, Jonah, I know. I’ll visit the yard later to review the new recruits and court and wait for another day when we don’t have company looming on the horizon. If any issues that can’t be taken care of by you then I’ll see to it. I have utter faith in you my friend.”
The old man have her a warm smile and took the hint, bowing and leaving the rolls of parchment that he’d been going over on her desk before taking his leave of her. She watched him go before shaking her head with amusement. Sometimes all they saw was the woman and not the power behind her. If they only knew the truth. Wouldn’t that be a show in and of itself.
Pushing up from her seat she moved over to the window, looking out over the city from her white towers. Her city was beautiful and rich. She made her people happy, gave them safety, good trade, food in winter and lands to work in the summers. She could see new ships pulling into port in the harbor, returning from Cree no doubt since all trade with Attaivar was now stopped since the attacks. She knew about all that though, she wasn’t worried, at least not yet. Crowley thus far had everything in his firm control.
And thinking of Crowley she watched the line of his troops coming to the city gates, the long snake like procession working toward the castle. So much pomp and circumstance. Turning she moved toward the door as one of her maids came to get her to tell her the news and she brushed past the girl. They could never keep up with her, none of them.
By the time Thedric rode into the courtyard in front of the steps proper she was waiting, elegant and as regal as the royal family. It was an air that suited her. She’d always seemed larger than life. Her smile was full of promised secrets as he walked up the stairs to her. It delighted her to see him coming to her when she so often went to him when they needed to discuss things. It was easier that way, considering she could cover ground more quickly but she so enjoyed making these mortals come to her.
“You’re too kind Lord Crowley. My home is my pride and joy, your words fill me with pride though I can’t take all the credit for it, but you are welcome here. And thank you, my husband’s passing was a tragedy. “ And she spoke the lie with perfect grace and poise as though it were the truth tumbling from her lips.
His flattery made her lift her chin slightly, pleased with it, swelling with pride as she offered her hand for him to take and walk with her into the keep. “I hope you’ll approve of the accommodations I’ve set for you, and of course there will be plenty of room in the barracks for your men and rooms appointed for your captains.” She glanced up at him with her strange green and gold ringed eyes. “I didn’t realize I needed a reason to invite the cousin of the king to visit?” And then in a lower voice for him alone. “I thought you’d be pleased to be seen with me considering our arrangements.”
“I’m sure you’d like to change from your journey. Please, the ladies here will show you to your room and any needs you have. When you’re refreshed I would be pleased if you’d have a drink with me before the feast tonight in your honor.” Drawing her hand back from his arm she stepped back and watched as he was lead to his rooms before going back to her business.
When he had changed and rested one of the maids lead him through the richly decorated halls of the large keep to a large solar. It was decorated in golds, blues and greens. There were paintings and tapestries of dragons here as other places in the keep though none were as breathtaking as what she kept here in private audience. When he entered she looked up from the papers in her hand and waved the maid out, leaving them alone.
“It does you good to get out of the dreary north. I can already see some color to your cheeks.” She teased as she stood from her chair, setting the paper down on the table she’d been near. Her presence filled the room but then he was used to that from the times she’d visited him in his keep in the dead of night. Their alliance was one of mutual gain. She wanted more power but the king would never grant her anything more because she was a woman. If Thedric took over then their agreement would give her what she wanted. More lands, more influence, more power, more gold. Just the thought made her giddy and her nose wrinkle in happy glee as she smiled at him.
“How are things going with the wayward general? You haven’t sent me any word as of late.”
~~
"The Lady of The Dragon is always a welcome sight for these tired eyes" he said as she lead him away, her arm linked in his. She spoke and he listened, not just to her but to the wind that coursed over the water and the waves he could hear smashing against the beach. Garanore had a port, but nothing quite like this. His realm was one of crag and rock, mountain and hill, his citadel was carved out of the very rock itself and rose high into the face of the mountain towering over the city, seen for miles, brilliant and terrible to behold with its torches lit and spiraling the dominating building, it seemed a dragon about to breath its flame..
His posture was rigid, presence commanding physically, intellectually, none would claim Thedric a stupid man, his cunning was widely known and aside from their mutual friend, the good general, he was likely their best tactician. Some whispered it was only a matter of time before the king announced Thedric take over as Knight Marshal and command the might of the entire realm. The dukes would come to heel, but he would still be no king and he would stand for nothing less. Reledrael, his cousin, had his time, he was growing old and frail, Elendrael needed a strong hand to guild and mold its destiny and he was arrogant enough to believe that he was a man up to the task. Through fire and steel and he would rend his way to the heart of the nation and cut it out. Even so, his eyes lignered on the beauty of the woman he had been bedding long before her husband passed away and there was a pulling, a pulling that was pleasurable and frightening at the same time. he hadn't needed her for his plot to succeed, not truly, but he could not help but think of her body slick against his in the flickering chimney fire of her chambers. Her eyes shone with the gold of pleasure and promise.
Every king needs a queen.
"You'll find me and my men need little in the way of comfort my lady, we are used to a spartan life style but I am grateful for the offer and I will,m of course, see you after I've refreshed myself." He took her hand in his turning it over and kissing the back of it as he bowed before releasing it. He stood erect proud and looking ever so noble. Elendrael was not lacking in brave men, just loyal ones it seemed.
"Aye" he said easing himself into the wooden chair a fire snapped and hissed beside them, the early frost had set in and the suggestion of snow clung to the grass like powdered sugar on strawberry. "it's good to be in the warm south, even if it is just in time for the snow to fall" he said, his hand scratching at his bearded chin absently. Thedric gave a vague shrug;
"On his way. Approaching by way of Nasami, they could land here in Ashenmore, or, if the general is smart and doesn't trust me to fulfill my promise, he'll put in at Bardac's hold fast..., Take her by surprise and dig in, wait for the winter to end, let your men get fattened on good food and ready to fight in the spring."
He picked up a metallic cup and raised it to his lips, swallowing the bitter red wine down.
"There's been little to report" Thedric continued, turning the bronze cup in his hand as though inspecting it. He placed it on the table beside him. His eyes lifted to hers and caught them, held them, and then spoke once more
"And what do you think... My queen?" he added the last with a wicked smile.
~~
“It’s beautiful here though, even when it snows, I can assure you of that. All my golden roofs topped in white. Glittering when the sun hits it in the afternoon. And there’s always good hunting in the woods in winter. We’re rarely without fresh meat and always have fresh fish at hand. I hope you’ll enjoy the bounty prepared for tonight.” She played a teasing dance with him as he sat at the table, taking one of the goblets of wine that had been left. There was food, cheese, bread and sweet fall apples. It wasn’t the kind of food she wanted but it served for a guest at the moment. She didn’t sit again though, moving slowly about the room, knowing full well that his eyes would follow her, her figure in his mind’s eye naked and glowing in the fire light.
“If you or I have thought of it, I doubt that will be his course of action. I hope your spy is still doing her job. He needs to trust you, at least in some small measure.” She walked around behind him, hiding the pleased smile on her face as her arms slid around his shoulders and her lips whispered against his ear. “I like the sound of that. It’s what I was born for.” She kissed his ear lightly as the fingers of one hand caressed his throat before she stood and moved to take the other seat at the table.
She was glowing at the idea of being queen. It was to perfect. Having one of her kind rule over this land that had once sought to destroy them all. Perhaps with enough time she could bring magic back to the world somehow, bring back the things that were lost so long ago. The thought made her sigh softly before covering it with another smile as she looked over at him.
“I have scouts running the cost line from south to north as far as they can go. When he lands I’ll know and we can push our best course of action. And my men don’t get fat. If they do I’ll slice it off them myself and use it to make candles so they can continue practicing at night.”
Lifting her wine glass from the table she took a small dainty sip, fingers gracefully cupping it before setting it back down. “I believe after your visit here I’m going to return to court. Getting rid of Reledrael is one thing but his daughter is a beast of another kind. We need to make sure we either have control of her or can control her afterward.“
~~
His eyes did watch her as she glided about the room, there was something predatory in them. He was drinking from his glass again, his mind reaching to the highest goals he could think, King? Why not Emperor? Surely he could conquer Attavar and rid the infesting Orakahn. Their land was rich with minerals, not the least of which, gold. Thedric leaned back against the chair, her arms were snaking around him from behind and running down his chest.
"She'll not sit by and let me take the throne, no. But she'll be busy fighting the good general, as I understand, she intends to lead the men herself. Brave, stupid, but brave. It's not uncommon for an archer's arrow to occasionally, unfortunately, kill one of his own... And with the proper amount of gold in the right hands..." He trailed off, she was shifting into a chair beside him.
"We're all to head to the Capital, my lady, the King commands it, he's calling the House of Nobles. Every Duke with all his bannermen will be there, to put down this "rebellion"" he waved away her comment on Andraia's potential sympathy for the general.
"We have her son, Asilith, and she owes me what life she has. I've molded her. Shaped her. She came to me little more than a child. Everything she is, she is because of me. What I make, I can unmake just as easily. No, she'll die for me, and if not me, then her son. She'll not confess anything to the general... And it seems to me.... That should our forces held up, arrive late? Then it seems to me the scale will be tipped in our favor. Let them smash each other to pieces, even if the princess survives we can sweep in and destroy what's left. I think things are going quite well."
He drained the last contents of his cup and placed it on the table.
"I don't intend to control her at all, I intend to do away with her. When I spoke to her last I could see that she was hesitating in something. She was not focused. She is a liability and while she WILL complete her mission, she cannot be trusted any further. We do away with her and raise the boy, instill him on the seat in Cree then have him bend knee. Cree will be our first province, my love. The first province of our Empire."
~~
“Brave and stupid is such a wonderful combination for royals. Makes them so much easier to get rid of. Now if we could just convince the king to do the same thing half our battle would already be won for us. Then you could step in to save your dear kingdom from ruin.” She said in an overly dramatic voice before smiling to herself. “But things rarely happen the easy way. Never the matter though. We both have the best Calvary in the country.”
Her eyes rolled slightly and she sighed. “It must be in the pile of papers waiting for me on my desk. He’s getting worried to call so many in. I can see calling select groups but all of us? The drunk fool doesn’t realize how it reflects on him. Calling the whole of his army to deal with one legion. I don’t care if they are the best this country has to offer, it doesn’t take that many to crush men weak from a long sea voyage and march after fighting with whatever they picture is happening in Attaivar.”
She listened as he spoke of Andraia, smiling patiently as her eyes lingered on the silver necklace she’d given him that he wore around his neck. “Never underestimate a mother, least of all when you have her child in your grasps. Pay attention to what’s going on around her next time you speak to her. I hope the mirror is still holding out well.”
“Now, I have no doubt that you’ve trained her well but I like to make sure that we have all possibilities covered. Besides, I never trust another woman. I know us far too well for that. And kill her yes, she knows too much about what we’ve done. If she turned on us later and went to the other dukes she could turn them against us. I for one have no intention of giving up that throne once I’m seated on it and I have no doubt that you feel much the same.”
She slid her cup over to him, offering him her nearly full glass. She’d never had a taste wine. Even the bitter reds were too sweet for her tastes. The only sweets she craved were savory ones. Meat of all kinds though she had a fondness of mutton.
“Perhaps…” She paused, eyeing him as she thought for a moment. “Perhaps removing her now would be more prudent. You have other spies in the legion. If she were to fall over board and drowned we might be all the better. I she’s done her job and charmed the general. Crushing his spirit before he makes landfall could push him to do something reckless.”
~~
"Perhaps. However, I think true victory comes from the realization of what's been happening, to see and admit your greatness. A vanity, I know, but it seems so much more absolute than robbing him in the middle of the ocean, never knowing what a twisted web was spun around him. " he weighed the options in his mind, his hand taking the offered cup, raising it to his lips and pausing. "It would be safer" Thedric said over the rim.
"Perhaps you're right, perhaps I should have her dealt with now..." he tipped the glass back and found he was not finding wine much to his taste any longer. He set the glass down, decisions, decisions. He glanced over at the emerald lady and smiled a smile that was much too familiar.
"But she may be of some use yet, killing her might be premature." He regarded her a moment and chuckled. "Is my lady jealous? Fear not my dragon, she is but another piece of the board."
His gaze was drawn to the open window and the stars above the now still waters of the ocean lapping gently at the shore.
~~
“You want to see him crack when he realizes that she was working for you all the while. Yes, a vanity, but it is for some of us a nature rather than a sin.” She mused as she watched him closely. She could feel the thrum of magic from the necklace. It was her last hope. It was hard to tell if the melding was going according to the spell or if Thedric’s personality traits were just that close to that of her long lost mates. Those were part of the reasons why she’d chosen him for this, even long before his ambitions had made him reach for the throne now that it was all the closer in reach.
And then he smile that smile and her eyes flashed green. She couldn’t resist as she pushed up from her chair and moved over to him. Long graceful fingers tilted his head up so she could look down into his dark eyes then she leaned down and pressed a soft almost tender kiss to his lips.
“Whatever do I have to be jealous of, Thedic.” She said as she drew back from the kiss and smiled at him, fingers brushing the necklace lightly. “We’re all pieces on the board, we’re just the most important ones right now.”
As his gaze turned to the window, she trailed her hands across his shoulder as she moved behind him. <i>Soon my love, those skies will be open to us and no one will stop us. We’ll return this world back to what it once was.</i> But she kept those thoughts to herself and instead spoke aloud. “We’ll be late for your feast. Escort me down please and then perhaps you can take desert in your room.”
As his party approached the line scattered to either side of the rode lest they be ridden down by the Knights Of The Boar, some bowed their heads as he passed, one or two Thedric would acknowledge with a curt decline of his chin.
"Ho there!" a sentry called from the top of the battlements surrounding the city. "Knights of the Boar, how many?"
Thedric had fallen behind, his eyes taking in the white towers that spiraled above Ashenmore, their pinnacles nearly scraping the heavens. Her Dragon banners fluttered everywhere emerald like her eyes, green flecked with gold, it seemed as though every building held her standard. She was proud. As well she should be Thedric said as he clucked his tongue and urged his horse to the front of the van.
"Duke Thedric Crowley and his entourage of two hundred knights" he called up to the sentry "What dark times are these the Lady Dragon has her gates shut to those whom had always been welcome?"
"Begging your pardon m'lord," The sentry responded "Nothing on your personal your grace, just been an unusual amounta'... undesirables around as of late. We'll let you in" The guard whipped around and barked an order "Get that damn gate up you lazy jackanapse!"
The portcullis wound upwards with the groan of heavy iron chains on the massive gears. His knights began to move forward and Thedric urged his horse forward, the streets were wide and used to heavy traffic but the Duke's knights could only ride four abreast. The setting sun glinted off their plate and mail, each one wearing the tabard that depicted a wild boar, its tusks red with blood.
The people again made way for the party, letting them pass as they ooggled the sight of men whom minstrel's sang songs of generations past. Their arrival at the keep had taken little time, traversing the streets was easy when anyone in your simply got out of it. They reached the Keep bailey by sunset and the portcullis was already being drawn up when they approached, each knight passing under the arch and the rising metal grate, their hooves echoing off stone walls on the hard packed ground. Word had been sent ahead, her house master of ceremonies was hurrying towards him bowing and scraping as was their job with "foreign" dignitaries. Thedric slid from his horse the gravel crunching beneath his booted feet. His eyes were scanning the massive steps that lead to two giant oaken doors that opened up into the council room where the Duchess held her court. It was said she had fashioned herself a throne that threatened to overshadow that of the king himself.
He brushed the master of ceremonies aside leaving him confused and lagging a pace behind. His eyes, cold as steel, had marked their target. She stood at the top of the steps, looking elegant and regal in the emerald gown that matched her standard. Thedric came to a stop at the bottom of the steps, the Duchess nodded her head briefly, hands clasped in front of her. But she didn't not move from the top of the steps. Thedric smiled inwardly, she would not walk down to him, instead, he must rise to her. He bowed deeply and ascended the stairs, standing before the Emerald Lady and her councillors, her Sergeant at Arms regarding the Duke with an eye that bore a jagged scar down in.
"My lady" he said in a thick voice hard as the steel he wore. "my thanks for your gracious hospitality and invitation to visit Ashenmore. Truly, this city is something out of the fables. Perhaps a splendor that nearly rivals that of Elrandor herself." He wore a silver chain about his neck, it seemed his tongue was equally so the colour with flattery and wit.
"Nothing that does justice to the lady herself, of course, and my condolences, on the passing of your husband. He was an honourable man and he will be missed" He'd actually been a drunk and a lout, it was said the Lady Duchess scarcely touched the man, he'd been a convenience to help her hold her power, it had succeeded and now it was plain to Thedric, glancing at each of her councilors and he knew she had won their loyalty. He nodded his appreciation, it took a woman of no small character to achieve such a feat. Very rarely had a woman ruled in her own right in their kingdom's history.
"But tell me, my lady, why the sudden invitation?"
~~
Asilith sat in her private study behind a desk of polished cherry. It had once belonged to her late husband, a man who couldn’t have taken more time to die. His life had been an irritant on her from the moment she married him. For generations her kind had ruled Ashenmore, or what people though were generations. She’d been ruling here behind one face or another for a long time but a woman rarely ruled alone. Thus a husband but she’d had enough of him and forged ahead, making a name for herself without him. She knew that she needed to marry again at some point, find a woman that looked near enough like her to foster a few children for her so that people thought she was giving heirs and eventually take the place of one of them someday. It was an old cycle but it worked and it brought prosperity and more gold to her little nitch in the world.
The sound of one of her councilors speaking made her turn back from the window, giving him a patient but bored smile. “Yes, Jonah, I know. I’ll visit the yard later to review the new recruits and court and wait for another day when we don’t have company looming on the horizon. If any issues that can’t be taken care of by you then I’ll see to it. I have utter faith in you my friend.”
The old man have her a warm smile and took the hint, bowing and leaving the rolls of parchment that he’d been going over on her desk before taking his leave of her. She watched him go before shaking her head with amusement. Sometimes all they saw was the woman and not the power behind her. If they only knew the truth. Wouldn’t that be a show in and of itself.
Pushing up from her seat she moved over to the window, looking out over the city from her white towers. Her city was beautiful and rich. She made her people happy, gave them safety, good trade, food in winter and lands to work in the summers. She could see new ships pulling into port in the harbor, returning from Cree no doubt since all trade with Attaivar was now stopped since the attacks. She knew about all that though, she wasn’t worried, at least not yet. Crowley thus far had everything in his firm control.
And thinking of Crowley she watched the line of his troops coming to the city gates, the long snake like procession working toward the castle. So much pomp and circumstance. Turning she moved toward the door as one of her maids came to get her to tell her the news and she brushed past the girl. They could never keep up with her, none of them.
By the time Thedric rode into the courtyard in front of the steps proper she was waiting, elegant and as regal as the royal family. It was an air that suited her. She’d always seemed larger than life. Her smile was full of promised secrets as he walked up the stairs to her. It delighted her to see him coming to her when she so often went to him when they needed to discuss things. It was easier that way, considering she could cover ground more quickly but she so enjoyed making these mortals come to her.
“You’re too kind Lord Crowley. My home is my pride and joy, your words fill me with pride though I can’t take all the credit for it, but you are welcome here. And thank you, my husband’s passing was a tragedy. “ And she spoke the lie with perfect grace and poise as though it were the truth tumbling from her lips.
His flattery made her lift her chin slightly, pleased with it, swelling with pride as she offered her hand for him to take and walk with her into the keep. “I hope you’ll approve of the accommodations I’ve set for you, and of course there will be plenty of room in the barracks for your men and rooms appointed for your captains.” She glanced up at him with her strange green and gold ringed eyes. “I didn’t realize I needed a reason to invite the cousin of the king to visit?” And then in a lower voice for him alone. “I thought you’d be pleased to be seen with me considering our arrangements.”
“I’m sure you’d like to change from your journey. Please, the ladies here will show you to your room and any needs you have. When you’re refreshed I would be pleased if you’d have a drink with me before the feast tonight in your honor.” Drawing her hand back from his arm she stepped back and watched as he was lead to his rooms before going back to her business.
When he had changed and rested one of the maids lead him through the richly decorated halls of the large keep to a large solar. It was decorated in golds, blues and greens. There were paintings and tapestries of dragons here as other places in the keep though none were as breathtaking as what she kept here in private audience. When he entered she looked up from the papers in her hand and waved the maid out, leaving them alone.
“It does you good to get out of the dreary north. I can already see some color to your cheeks.” She teased as she stood from her chair, setting the paper down on the table she’d been near. Her presence filled the room but then he was used to that from the times she’d visited him in his keep in the dead of night. Their alliance was one of mutual gain. She wanted more power but the king would never grant her anything more because she was a woman. If Thedric took over then their agreement would give her what she wanted. More lands, more influence, more power, more gold. Just the thought made her giddy and her nose wrinkle in happy glee as she smiled at him.
“How are things going with the wayward general? You haven’t sent me any word as of late.”
~~
"The Lady of The Dragon is always a welcome sight for these tired eyes" he said as she lead him away, her arm linked in his. She spoke and he listened, not just to her but to the wind that coursed over the water and the waves he could hear smashing against the beach. Garanore had a port, but nothing quite like this. His realm was one of crag and rock, mountain and hill, his citadel was carved out of the very rock itself and rose high into the face of the mountain towering over the city, seen for miles, brilliant and terrible to behold with its torches lit and spiraling the dominating building, it seemed a dragon about to breath its flame..
His posture was rigid, presence commanding physically, intellectually, none would claim Thedric a stupid man, his cunning was widely known and aside from their mutual friend, the good general, he was likely their best tactician. Some whispered it was only a matter of time before the king announced Thedric take over as Knight Marshal and command the might of the entire realm. The dukes would come to heel, but he would still be no king and he would stand for nothing less. Reledrael, his cousin, had his time, he was growing old and frail, Elendrael needed a strong hand to guild and mold its destiny and he was arrogant enough to believe that he was a man up to the task. Through fire and steel and he would rend his way to the heart of the nation and cut it out. Even so, his eyes lignered on the beauty of the woman he had been bedding long before her husband passed away and there was a pulling, a pulling that was pleasurable and frightening at the same time. he hadn't needed her for his plot to succeed, not truly, but he could not help but think of her body slick against his in the flickering chimney fire of her chambers. Her eyes shone with the gold of pleasure and promise.
Every king needs a queen.
"You'll find me and my men need little in the way of comfort my lady, we are used to a spartan life style but I am grateful for the offer and I will,m of course, see you after I've refreshed myself." He took her hand in his turning it over and kissing the back of it as he bowed before releasing it. He stood erect proud and looking ever so noble. Elendrael was not lacking in brave men, just loyal ones it seemed.
"Aye" he said easing himself into the wooden chair a fire snapped and hissed beside them, the early frost had set in and the suggestion of snow clung to the grass like powdered sugar on strawberry. "it's good to be in the warm south, even if it is just in time for the snow to fall" he said, his hand scratching at his bearded chin absently. Thedric gave a vague shrug;
"On his way. Approaching by way of Nasami, they could land here in Ashenmore, or, if the general is smart and doesn't trust me to fulfill my promise, he'll put in at Bardac's hold fast..., Take her by surprise and dig in, wait for the winter to end, let your men get fattened on good food and ready to fight in the spring."
He picked up a metallic cup and raised it to his lips, swallowing the bitter red wine down.
"There's been little to report" Thedric continued, turning the bronze cup in his hand as though inspecting it. He placed it on the table beside him. His eyes lifted to hers and caught them, held them, and then spoke once more
"And what do you think... My queen?" he added the last with a wicked smile.
~~
“It’s beautiful here though, even when it snows, I can assure you of that. All my golden roofs topped in white. Glittering when the sun hits it in the afternoon. And there’s always good hunting in the woods in winter. We’re rarely without fresh meat and always have fresh fish at hand. I hope you’ll enjoy the bounty prepared for tonight.” She played a teasing dance with him as he sat at the table, taking one of the goblets of wine that had been left. There was food, cheese, bread and sweet fall apples. It wasn’t the kind of food she wanted but it served for a guest at the moment. She didn’t sit again though, moving slowly about the room, knowing full well that his eyes would follow her, her figure in his mind’s eye naked and glowing in the fire light.
“If you or I have thought of it, I doubt that will be his course of action. I hope your spy is still doing her job. He needs to trust you, at least in some small measure.” She walked around behind him, hiding the pleased smile on her face as her arms slid around his shoulders and her lips whispered against his ear. “I like the sound of that. It’s what I was born for.” She kissed his ear lightly as the fingers of one hand caressed his throat before she stood and moved to take the other seat at the table.
She was glowing at the idea of being queen. It was to perfect. Having one of her kind rule over this land that had once sought to destroy them all. Perhaps with enough time she could bring magic back to the world somehow, bring back the things that were lost so long ago. The thought made her sigh softly before covering it with another smile as she looked over at him.
“I have scouts running the cost line from south to north as far as they can go. When he lands I’ll know and we can push our best course of action. And my men don’t get fat. If they do I’ll slice it off them myself and use it to make candles so they can continue practicing at night.”
Lifting her wine glass from the table she took a small dainty sip, fingers gracefully cupping it before setting it back down. “I believe after your visit here I’m going to return to court. Getting rid of Reledrael is one thing but his daughter is a beast of another kind. We need to make sure we either have control of her or can control her afterward.“
~~
His eyes did watch her as she glided about the room, there was something predatory in them. He was drinking from his glass again, his mind reaching to the highest goals he could think, King? Why not Emperor? Surely he could conquer Attavar and rid the infesting Orakahn. Their land was rich with minerals, not the least of which, gold. Thedric leaned back against the chair, her arms were snaking around him from behind and running down his chest.
"She'll not sit by and let me take the throne, no. But she'll be busy fighting the good general, as I understand, she intends to lead the men herself. Brave, stupid, but brave. It's not uncommon for an archer's arrow to occasionally, unfortunately, kill one of his own... And with the proper amount of gold in the right hands..." He trailed off, she was shifting into a chair beside him.
"We're all to head to the Capital, my lady, the King commands it, he's calling the House of Nobles. Every Duke with all his bannermen will be there, to put down this "rebellion"" he waved away her comment on Andraia's potential sympathy for the general.
"We have her son, Asilith, and she owes me what life she has. I've molded her. Shaped her. She came to me little more than a child. Everything she is, she is because of me. What I make, I can unmake just as easily. No, she'll die for me, and if not me, then her son. She'll not confess anything to the general... And it seems to me.... That should our forces held up, arrive late? Then it seems to me the scale will be tipped in our favor. Let them smash each other to pieces, even if the princess survives we can sweep in and destroy what's left. I think things are going quite well."
He drained the last contents of his cup and placed it on the table.
"I don't intend to control her at all, I intend to do away with her. When I spoke to her last I could see that she was hesitating in something. She was not focused. She is a liability and while she WILL complete her mission, she cannot be trusted any further. We do away with her and raise the boy, instill him on the seat in Cree then have him bend knee. Cree will be our first province, my love. The first province of our Empire."
~~
“Brave and stupid is such a wonderful combination for royals. Makes them so much easier to get rid of. Now if we could just convince the king to do the same thing half our battle would already be won for us. Then you could step in to save your dear kingdom from ruin.” She said in an overly dramatic voice before smiling to herself. “But things rarely happen the easy way. Never the matter though. We both have the best Calvary in the country.”
Her eyes rolled slightly and she sighed. “It must be in the pile of papers waiting for me on my desk. He’s getting worried to call so many in. I can see calling select groups but all of us? The drunk fool doesn’t realize how it reflects on him. Calling the whole of his army to deal with one legion. I don’t care if they are the best this country has to offer, it doesn’t take that many to crush men weak from a long sea voyage and march after fighting with whatever they picture is happening in Attaivar.”
She listened as he spoke of Andraia, smiling patiently as her eyes lingered on the silver necklace she’d given him that he wore around his neck. “Never underestimate a mother, least of all when you have her child in your grasps. Pay attention to what’s going on around her next time you speak to her. I hope the mirror is still holding out well.”
“Now, I have no doubt that you’ve trained her well but I like to make sure that we have all possibilities covered. Besides, I never trust another woman. I know us far too well for that. And kill her yes, she knows too much about what we’ve done. If she turned on us later and went to the other dukes she could turn them against us. I for one have no intention of giving up that throne once I’m seated on it and I have no doubt that you feel much the same.”
She slid her cup over to him, offering him her nearly full glass. She’d never had a taste wine. Even the bitter reds were too sweet for her tastes. The only sweets she craved were savory ones. Meat of all kinds though she had a fondness of mutton.
“Perhaps…” She paused, eyeing him as she thought for a moment. “Perhaps removing her now would be more prudent. You have other spies in the legion. If she were to fall over board and drowned we might be all the better. I she’s done her job and charmed the general. Crushing his spirit before he makes landfall could push him to do something reckless.”
~~
"Perhaps. However, I think true victory comes from the realization of what's been happening, to see and admit your greatness. A vanity, I know, but it seems so much more absolute than robbing him in the middle of the ocean, never knowing what a twisted web was spun around him. " he weighed the options in his mind, his hand taking the offered cup, raising it to his lips and pausing. "It would be safer" Thedric said over the rim.
"Perhaps you're right, perhaps I should have her dealt with now..." he tipped the glass back and found he was not finding wine much to his taste any longer. He set the glass down, decisions, decisions. He glanced over at the emerald lady and smiled a smile that was much too familiar.
"But she may be of some use yet, killing her might be premature." He regarded her a moment and chuckled. "Is my lady jealous? Fear not my dragon, she is but another piece of the board."
His gaze was drawn to the open window and the stars above the now still waters of the ocean lapping gently at the shore.
~~
“You want to see him crack when he realizes that she was working for you all the while. Yes, a vanity, but it is for some of us a nature rather than a sin.” She mused as she watched him closely. She could feel the thrum of magic from the necklace. It was her last hope. It was hard to tell if the melding was going according to the spell or if Thedric’s personality traits were just that close to that of her long lost mates. Those were part of the reasons why she’d chosen him for this, even long before his ambitions had made him reach for the throne now that it was all the closer in reach.
And then he smile that smile and her eyes flashed green. She couldn’t resist as she pushed up from her chair and moved over to him. Long graceful fingers tilted his head up so she could look down into his dark eyes then she leaned down and pressed a soft almost tender kiss to his lips.
“Whatever do I have to be jealous of, Thedic.” She said as she drew back from the kiss and smiled at him, fingers brushing the necklace lightly. “We’re all pieces on the board, we’re just the most important ones right now.”
As his gaze turned to the window, she trailed her hands across his shoulder as she moved behind him. <i>Soon my love, those skies will be open to us and no one will stop us. We’ll return this world back to what it once was.</i> But she kept those thoughts to herself and instead spoke aloud. “We’ll be late for your feast. Escort me down please and then perhaps you can take desert in your room.”