Chapter 151 The Ladies of the Kingdom
The western port of the peninsula.
Lady Sorcha of Isla Oveja had never left her island. She was eighteen years old. Like her father, she was of gigantic stature and robust build. But no man, except the blind, overlooked her feminine curves. She disembarked from her island ship with one hundred men and twenty women dressed in armor and carrying large maces with iron heads shaped like that of a ram. On their belts they carried swords with wide, curved blades.
From other ships, soldiers and knights from three other islands joined this force to form three companies of warriors. Among the three hundred and forty people were those with white, brown, and almost black skin. Reddish, chestnut, and black hair adorned their heads. Their ages ranged from fifteen to sixty years. They spoke three native languages, in addition to the language of the kingdom. They all followed the giant woman in procession to Colinas Gemelas Castle. Upon arrival, they were greeted by the servants of the oldest noble house in the kingdom.
The lady was led to the new countess. The difference in size and appearance was almost enough to make the maid Patricia laugh.
Marisela smiled: Welcome, Lady Sorcha. You are amazing of appearance, just like your father.
Sorcha smirked: Yes. I can lie down near the castle, and you would have four small hills instead of two.
The three women laughed together. Each one was strong and beautiful, but in her own way.
Patricia: I have a message from your father. He is doing well and hopes to see you soon.
Sorcha: Thank you, when are we going to the royal castle?
Marisela replied: Your companies can eat and rest for a while as all my soldiers and supplies gather. At noon, we will travel together along the main road. The rest of my forces are with my husband near Colina Alba.
Sorcha, her eyes sparkling: Husband? I did not know you married a new man. Well, we can talk about him over food and wine.
Amid the trials of war, the three women found a small bit of normalcy and joy in discussing happier things.
Colina Verde.
Three nobles and their servants arrived at the old castle on the last remaining horses from the forest camps. They departed at the same time as the Pegasi, following the orders of the queen. The young queen had chosen the elderly Lady of Isla Tortuga as her representative. The militia captain and some soldiers led them to a hall to meet with the Lady of the noble house and her knights. The gaze of the lady was vacant and her mouth open. It was clear that her mind was weakened due to old age.
Maite: Who speaks for her?
A knight of sixty years or more: I am the herald of the castle and of the family.
Maite: Good. The queen has given us orders for you. We have her power of law and punishment. If anyone here hesitates to obey, Captain Manuelo will cut off their head with this axe.
The knight: I understand. What are the orders of the queen?
Beñat: Every man capable of bearing arms, all the weapons in this castle and its estates, will travel tomorrow to the royal castle with the army of the queen. The royal militia will remain here to collect all the carts full of food and drink that can be transported to the castle for the army.
The knights looked at each other. Manuelo slammed his battle axe on the table.
The men walked quickly to order the servants and guards to carry out the royal orders. Attendents escorted the aged noble countess to her rooms.
When only the nobles and the captain remained, Andoni looked at the dark-skinned woman: The queen told us she does not want any executions.
Maite: Yes, but they do not know that.
In the air north of the city.
Snowfall flew down the main road to find the army of Aurelio. After making a count, her rider asked her to fly south as if returning to the nest. But she flew west when she was sure the bipeds could not see her. She then flew north, searching for the northern warriors. When she saw them, she landed a short distance in front of the group. The rider and Pegasus were waiting for the two tall warriors on a small hill.
Tatiana: I hope you have good news.
Hernando: Yes, my lady. The army won thanks to the intelligence and courage of your husband. The queen has returned to the throne. They are organizing to defend themselves against Aurelio.
Tatiana: Thank you, Mother Earth. Where is the army?
Hernando: One day, from here, more or less. The count gave me an order for you. He said it is possible you will kill me for it.
The warrior smiled: He is the only one in danger when he gives me orders. Please, tell me.
The rider: The count wants you to attack their food and supplies if you can. They are probably stockpiling them behind their camps, and they do not know this force is here. He wants them to deploy more soldiers to protect their supplies.
Arkady laughed: The Count wants the barbarians to act as thieves in the night. We are very good at that.
Tatiana: Tell my husband that I miss him and that we will do as he asks.
The Pegasus took off to return to the castle. The Puma allowed her army to rest for an hour, and then they began to advance without stopping.
In the nest.
The two males returned to the nest when their wings were fresh enough. They had flown at night to help the forces capture groups of hidden enemies and criminals who were taking advantage of the chaos. They and the young riders were exhausted. With the permission of the Master Rider, they entered her small room. They lay down and the man embraced her. Soon both fell asleep. The young man slept as if he were dead. The young woman slept soundly, but with vivid dreams.
Chara was flying on Golden Arrow alongside Volker on White Mask. They were flying northeast over a large battle in the fields north of the city. Chara had images of things she could not see flash through her mind, images from her Pegasus. The images showed numerous dead unicorns on the battlefield. The army of the queen was retreating to the city. Bodies dressed in the colors of numerous noble houses lay scattered across the battlefield.
The next image was of strange war machines hidden near the main army camp. She had never seen anything like these strange contraptions. Her Pegasus hammered more images into her mind, or perhaps it was not her Pegasus. From her position, she saw herself flying high over the camp as if scouting. The machines fired and Golden Arrow fell from the sky. When she woke up, she was terrified, having witnessed her own death. She realized it was not a dream, but a glimpse into two possible futures.