The Otterstail

𝕺𝖓𝖊

      Life in the Otterstail, as we called it, was always an adventure. As a child, I grew up in the palace, often playing with the children of the neighboring King. Carter and Millie were my two very best friends. Millie was my age, Carter a year older. We did everything together! We used to race our horses from the castle to castle, an hour and a half ride that we would make into a full out race.

     I lost count of how many times Carter was my hero as a child. I never ever felt like I was in danger, he was always there to protect us. I lost everything I thought I had the day he went to finishing school. He came back a different person. Arrogant, hard-headed, not willing to listen to us anymore. They had come to make a deal with my father, and I sat in as usual since I'm an only child and my father had decreed that I would take the throne after him. Carter had made several comments about how it was important business and I should not be there. I lost all faith in him that day. 

     When I turned 7, my father thought it was time I learned how to be a real leader. He said that you would only ever be as happy as your least happy subject. So, he packed us up and moved us to a small villa in the village. I grew up surrounded by lovely people, who came to adore my father and my family because of how intune he was with his people. He even got a job at the local blacksmith to keep in touch with everyone.

     The day I lost my father was a day I'll never forget. There was a fire at the local bakery and dad ran in to try and help. He made it out, but the smoke in his lungs and the burns he received took his life. My mother passed three weeks later from a broken heart. I lost everything in a three year span. First Millie and Carter, and then my father and mother.

     I vowed that things would not change. My people were not responsible for the death of my father. He did what he did because he had unrelenting love for his people, and it would be a slap in the face to his memory for me to turn my back on them. Instead, I went to them for help. When I wasn't sure how to lead, they showed me. It was around that time when it was brought to my attention that many of the women and children were being sold into slavery. In my father's absence, the slave traders had snuck into the kingdom unnoticed. Not in my kingdom.

     I declared war on them. I put together a team of warriors designated to stop them before they reached my village. I would not put my people in danger. They were not welcome on my turf. The message was received loud and clear, but they did not relent, and neither did I. I was not about to turn my back on my people. Then, the fateful day that changed everything happened.

     I was in the pub, having a meeting with my advisors, as usual. Any meetings I hold are public, with unprecedented access to what is discussed and said. I work for my people, not the other way around. I wasn't expecting new faces in the pub, I'd lived in the village since I was 7 and knew everybody. I was surprised to see them roughed up, the one quite a bit. His shirt was torn and you could see blood, but his back was to me, and I didn't want to make him feel trapped, so I said nothing.

"Any updates on the deal with the Caelum people?" I ask.

"No. There are talks of war. We need to be ready." My advisor tells me point-blank. I nod thoughtfully, glancing away and mentally going over my options. My eyes meet those of one of the strangers, the one who doesn't look as hurt. That's when it clicks. That's Ocean. He was best friends with Carter. I don't show any emotion, and I can tell he doesn't know who I am, he's acting way too on guard for that. I can tell he's watching his friends back. That's when it all clicks. It's Carter. Carter is the boy covered in blood. 

"AVVY!" Suddenly breaks through the room, and I turn to see my right-hand warrior break through the door to the pub.

"What?"
"Traders, fifteen miles out." She gasps, trying to catch her breath.

"Are you sure?!" I ask. I thought we scared them off the last time they came at us.

"Raced them here. They stopped to water their horses in the river." She gasps. I nod, jumping up. Each store in the village has a special closet with extra armor for this very reason.

"Sound the siren!" I yell to the bartender, Tomas, who quickly obliges. I turn to my advisors, who are all moving quickly to prepare to run them off. That's when I notice Ocean looking panicked, clearly because of the shape Carter is in.

"I'll meet you there." I tell them, and my advisors nod and leave. I walk over to the boys, pulling a chest plate on over my shirt.

"You, my friend, don't look too good," I say, gently laying a hand on Carter's shoulder. He winces, and I almost pull my hand away trying not to hurt him but know that will give me away.

"Had a run-in with some bandits, we're fine. Who are you, anyway?" Carter is trying to be tough, but his voice wavers, and I know he isn't ok. He looks up at me, and he has a cut under his left eye. If it isn't treated, an infection could cost him his sight.

"I'm Ava. Second in command here. I'll tell you what, you clearly aren't in any shape to fight, so I'll send you to MeeMaw. She's our local nurse, she'll patch you up. Leave that eye like that and you could lose your vision." I tell him. He nods. I know it's bad because he doesn't even try and argue with me.

"Please don't tell Queen Nova we're here, we don't want her to think we're trespassing." Ocean tells me. I roll my eyes.

"The Queen has bigger concerns than two men who happened to get jumped. Two doors down to your left. I'll come chat once I've cleaned this mess up." I tell them, finishing my last buckle before accepting the bow and quiver Tomas is handing me. As I said, I know everyone. 

"Thank you." Ocean tells me, and I nod, before turning to head out.

"Wait, I didn't get your names." I say, turning back around.

"I'm Oscar, this is Connar." He lies through his teeth to me, but then again I'm lying to him, so we're even.

"Catch you later Oscar, Connar." I turn and walk out the door, drawing an arrow ready to kick some butt.