Chapter 136 Wings of the Queen
The large clearing near the forest.
Volker looked at the woman and noticed that her eyes were vacant. This was normal for a moment when a Pegasus began to think to its rider. But she was sitting with her back against a tree and was not moving. After a few seconds, he knelt to touch her face.
Volker: Chara, what happened, beautiful?
A voice: She is not here now. I need all of her mind to perform true magic.
The man looked at his lover, who was speaking with a different voice and mind. He feared the effect that carrying the All-Mother would have on his beloved.
The voice: She is in a dreamlike state. I will soon leave her mind. She is dreaming of you.
A distant mind received the message from the All-Mother, and she responded.
Chara smiled: What happened, Folker? You look scared.
Volker: You were her for a few moments. It was strange.
The woman got up, hugged him and kissed him: I am fine, handsome. We need to get ready for the flight of the queen.
In a clearing in the forest.
Esteban: My queen, please be careful when you are over the city. Stay at a high altitude, please.
The queen: That is my intention. I have an order for you.
The count: At your service.
Olivia: Create two plans. One that does not use unicorn magic and another that does, just in case it works for the Blue Knights.
The man nodded: Of course. We have more tests to do tonight.
She looked at him with sincere eyes: No one will be forced to do it. If a knight does not want to perform the magic, he will not be ordered to. I have already stolen too many lives.
Esteban: My queen, they...
Olivia interrupted: No one! Give me your oath.
The man knelt and bowed his head: I swear to obey you. No one will be forced to sacrifice their life for magic.
She touched his shoulder: Thank you, my count. I trust in your honor.
The large clearing near the forest.
Seven Pegasi and their riders were ready for takeoff. Everyone who was not guarding the borders watched the scene. Both nobles and servants felt a profound emotion in their hearts. The queen raised her hand. Slowly, the others did the same. As she looked at the six hands, Olivia put a very clear image in her mind.
Little Feather was the first to start running. The two males leapt forward and ran together. White Stockings and Snowfall moved almost in unison. Grey Wing and the large Pegasus belonging to the priest were the last to run.
A few minutes later, they were all flying over the forest, forming a circle around the queen. The two matriarchs were at the front, the daughters on either side of Little Feather, and the males behind them. The sight was glorious. They turned east and flew towards the city of Costa Lunas.
The neighborhood of hunters.
Fausto recognized many of the men who were in his tavern that night. He noticed that others were less familiar to him. There were also a few women. Most were wives or daughters of the men, but one of them was different.
The innkeeper: Miss, I do not think you are from our neighborhood.
He signaled to a man who stood up and blocked the door. Two others positioned themselves behind the blonde woman.
Birgit: Yes, you do not know me. But I know you, or at least I know stories about you.
Fausto: Many people know stories about me. But you are a stranger. Why are you here?
Birgit: Because I know who to ask and who to watch to find out what I want to know. I have something to show you if you want to see it.
Some men laughed. Others whispered crude comments. They were veterans, and their sense of humor was sometimes crude.
The woman took out a tied bag and placed it on the table. She pushed it across to the other side and stared intently at the man.
He approached and opened it. He saw a dagger with golden Pegasus wings. Reverently, he took out the dagger and showed it to the other men. The older men whistled or uttered exclamations of surprise.
Fausto: Who did you receive that from?
Birgit: My grandfather. He was a friend of yours and he died in an accident many years ago. They say he fell out of the nest.
The man leaned over the table with a serious expression and said: Whisper a name in my ear, and I will entrust my life to you.
She leaned close to his ear and softly whispered a name. The man smiled, sat down beside her, and called out to a servant for wine.
Birgit: Tell me, Fausto the Raven, when are we going to attack more guards? We need to kill some of them to send a message to the king.
In the distance, the castle bell rang loudly and rapidly. Every person drew a weapon and wondered what was happening.
The royal court.
Valero: My son, can we win against Aurelio without the unicorns?
Victorino: No, not in an open battle. But we can defend the walls until winter sets in. They will not be able to survive long without food. Puerto Blanco will not help them without a fight. They could use the Ridges, but given enough time, we can assemble an army equal to theirs.
Octavio: A long and costly war.
Bartolo: Yes, it is better to win quickly.
Victorino looked at the man with a mocking gaze: Then, take a sword and armor and show me how it is done.
The King: Silence! Money is equal to soldiers. If I wanted to listen to women screaming, I could spend more time with my wife and daughters.
The other three fell silent.
Valero: If this court is not united, we will lose. Victorino destroy the army on the peninsula. Count Octavio, give him the money he needs. Bartolo, remember your position.
The bell began to ring quickly and loudly. The men stopped and looked up at the ceiling.
Octavio: What is that?
Victorino jumped up quickly: They have seen a Pegasus!
Valero: Kill her!
The Count ran out into the hallway and shouted: Pages, pages! Pass on the signal!
Eighteen pages had positioned themselves on the tower stairs and on the stairs leading to the nest. They shouted until the one above answered with a shout. The message reached the top in three minutes.
The soldiers in the nest were preparing the ballistae to move and aim them quickly. They had been promised riches if they managed to kill a Pegasus.