Chapter 184 The Royal Army
Six months after the War of Succession.
The central fortress in the north.
A force of five hundred mounted soldiers approached the fortress. Tabards of every major noble house in the kingdom were preset. Behind them were sixty fully loaded wagons. Three standards of command waved over the formation. At the head of the procession were four nobles, side by side upon their mounts.
High atop the fortress, on tall poles, flags of various colors waved, displaying simple drawings of animals. Surrounding the fortress were countless tent villages of tribal peoples. Men women and children of fair skin and hair ranging from white, to blond to red and light brown abounded.
Rodrigo whistled in admiration: I see thirty-seven tribal standards. Could every tribal chief be here?
Tatiana smiled: Néstor delivered the message about our trip before we left the city. There are fifty-two tribes in the North, Southerner. But my uncle earned the respect of many tribal chiefs. Some of them were enemies, but they are here to show respect for a strong enemy.
The man raised his hand, and the formation halted abruptly. The four advanced until they stood before three warriors from the North. They dismounted and bowed in a gesture of respect.
A woman from the North approached Tatiana and embraced her: Cousin. I am glad to see you again.
They spoke in a language few south of these lands could understand.
The Puma: Ekaterina, are you a Boyarina now?
A tall man spoke: Yes, perhaps it is good to know who is who.
Tatiana translated for both groups with patience. She wanted to make sure no misunderstandings occured based on poor language skills.
Rodrigo bowed his head: Rodrigo, Count of War for Queen Olivia.
Pedro tapped his chest twice in a northern salute: Pedro, Captain of Banners of the Royal Knights of Costa Lunas.
Severo: I am Severo of Colinas Gemelas, Captain of Banners of the Royal Army. I have never seen your amazing land.
Tatiana: Between these three, they command all the soldiers and knights loyal to the Queen. They were sent here as a sign of respect.
The tallest man: Grigory, son of Arkady. Boyar of the Central Fortress and of twelve tribes.
A man, nearly as tall: Leonid, the youngest son of the Bear. Boyar of the Eastern Fortress and of eight tribes.
The woman of a stature like that of the Puma: Ekaterina, Daughter of the Bear and Boyar of the Western Fortress and of six tribes.
Rodrigo: My Queen wishes to say that it is a pity it was not possible to bring the body of your father sooner. But the winter was very harsh, and the situation was difficult after the war.
The eldest son: Convey our gratitude to the Queen. We know how harsh the winter was. Two centuries have passed since there was so much snow and cold in the North.
Tatiana: Your father was preserved by the most well-trained priestesses of the realm. He is in the first wagon. You may lay him to rest in a place of honor, just as he deserves. I brought his weapons and necklace for you.
Leonid: And the other wagons? Are they for trade? The tribes suffered greatly during the winter. Hunting was poor and we do not have much to trade with the Queen.
Pedro smiled at the warriors: No. The wagons, the horses, and all these supplies are gifts from the throne. It is a small gesture of friendship and peace. There is food, iron, arrows, and much more.
Grigory: And how many soldiers are going to stay here with these gifts?
Severo: Twenty. Each one has a wife from the North, and most have children. They want their children to learn about their tribes. They will serve as messengers and scouts for you. The queen hopes you will send a few representatives south to see how different things are now.
Rodrigo: By order of Queen Olivia, the royal army will advance no further north than Red Tree Ridge without an invitation from the children of Arkady the Bear.
Ekaterina: The Queen offers much, and yet she has not asked for a great deal. My father always said that a hand full of free gold conceals the other hand, the one holding an axe.
Tatiana: You are right. He taught me the same thing. She wants you to protect her people from the tribes that want to steal and kill along the ridges. If the warriors were to attack the villages, the army would kill them or drive them off. But she does not want to send her troops into your lands to pursue them. If you need help fighting against excessively savage tribes, you can invite soldiers, and they will leave afterwards at your request.
Leonid: Does she truly promise not to send her army north of the ridges?
Pedro took a parchment from his vest: She has put her promise in writing. You know that when Southerners put something in writing, it is important to them, do you not?
The woman took the parchment: Very well, but we have seen lies written before.
Tatiana: The Queen has granted me an important voice in her royal court. I will protect the interests of the tribes. Your father, my uncle, dreamed of a different, better future for our people. Your position is proof of that, Kata. Each spring, instead of soldiers, she will send wagons to trade.
Grigory: We will trust the Queen until she proves that her promises are not true. Will these soldiers stay to pay homage to my father on the day of celebration tomorrow?
Rodrigo: Of course. Your father was brave in the War of Succession. The Queen will not forget that his blood aided her. Nor will we forget that a warrior from the North killed our enemy.
Ekaterina: Good. Cousin, come with me; let us drink to our Bear. These Southerners...can they handle strong spirits, or do they only drink grape water?
Tatiana laughed softly: We can find out.