Dragon Heart

Traitor's Tongue

The castle dungeons were cold, cool winds rushed along the floor and rats scurried into darkness when Iris exposed them with her burning torch. She heard the sound of shackles as prisoners moved, disturbed by the light. Iris reached the final cell and cleared her throat.
"Hello Kodan."
"Bitch!"
"Oh! Not a very friendly welcome."
"Let me out! Now!"
"No..." she whispered.
"I am a prince!"
"Not anymore, early this morning I signed the necessary documents to have your title revoked, you are Kodan, not Prince of Kovaria." 
Kodan rushed forward from the dark, attempting to grab Iris through the thick metal bars. Iris didn't jump back, she watched her brother struggle, she had no sympathy in her heart for him.
"Father would be so disappointed in you." she hissed.
This only enraged Kodan further.
"Do not say that!"
"He told you to protect me, and you betrayed me instead. Poor Father had such high hopes for the naïve prince!"
"Shut up!"
"Look at you! Feeble, foolish boy! Mother must be crying in her grave knowing of your sin!"
"I hate you! I will kill you!"
"You speak of rage and murder, yet ambition has poisoned your blood, diseased your mind, and has left you disgraced in a dirty cell. Do you have no sincerity?"
"Sincerity? You have taken my title and ruined my reputation!"
"Your reputation as a fool? You ruined yourself! Father knew you were too weak for the crown!"
Kodan screamed at her, cursed and cried. Iris turned and walked out the dark dungeons, her torch lighting the way up the rotten steps, covered in moss.

The Court was waiting for Iris for their scheduled meeting, dressed in silks and covered in jewels, these men were meant to guide her though the struggle of ruling.
"Good morning, Court. Please be seated."
The men all sat as Iris perched herself in the throne.
"Your Majesty, we would all like to congratulate you on the victory against your brother, and I think this betrayal should make us think about the future of your kingdom, an heir."
Lord Feldo was speaking, an older member who had been incredibly loyal to her family for years.
"Are you suggesting that I seek a husband, Lord Feldo?"
"Yes, Queen Iris, a marriage will stabilise this kingdom. And from an alliance."
Iris met the lord's eyes, stifling a laugh.
"And who do you suppose I marry?"
"There are many young princes and kings for you to pick from, we should arrange a dinner to meet them all."
"Will I be marrying them or will they be marrying me?"
"I'm sorry, my Queen, I do not understand your question.
Iris rose from her chair and strolled elegantly towards the table of lords.
"If I marry a man, I am in power. If a man married me, I am simply an item."
Lord Feldo frowned at Iris and her reasoning.
"I understand you now, but Queen you must remember that you are a woman, and marriage will make you and the kingdom appear stronger."
"Stronger? Fine. Organise a feast, invite every eligible man for me to marry, ones with power and money, but I, I will choose my husband. That is final."

A week later, the feast was prepared. Iris could hear horses arriving outside the castle, the sound of men chattering as they entered the Hall. The crowd hushed when Iris entered, Fenrir behind her, her shoes tapping quietly on the floor. She sat on the throne, making the effort to wear a navy gown with her crown placed delicately on her head, glistening. When Iris sat, so did the guests. Her eyes danced over each face, each young man and each- not so young man. Lord Feldo stood up by the throne and cleared his throat.
"Welcome, princes and kings, to Kovaria. As you know, you are all here as you have been selected, by me, as potential suitors for Queen Iris, first of her name, and ruler of all Kovaria. You will each have the opportunity to meet and talk to her. Enjoy your meal!"

Feldo brought the first suitor up, introducing him as a Prince from one of the Northern realms, he was short, awkward, with a shy smile. He bowed.
"Hello, Queen Iris."
"Hello, welcome to Kovaria."
"Thank you, may I say how beautiful you and your wold is, she is very large."
"He. He is a boy."
"My apologies!"
"Kneel to him."
The young prince looked confused but obliged and kneeled in front of Fenrir, making Lord Feldo rushed over and ask what he was doing.
"I am respecting the wolf, Lord."
Iris smirked at the annoyance on the lord's face, as he brought forward another suitor.

"You are very beautiful and need a husband to protect you." one older suitor stated.
"Protect me? Don't make me laugh!"
Iris jumped out the throne and grabbed the sword that she hid behind the chair, brandishing it.
"Come on then! Let us see who needs protecting."
Iris cackled as the man refused, frustration growing on his face as she taunted him more. Then the man became more angry and grabbed the sword from his belt. Iris flung herself at the man and metal clashing echoed around the room. Lord Feldo screeched at her to stop such barbaric activities but Iris refused. This was a duel, no backing out now. Iris kicked the prince so he fell back, he dropped his sword but panicked to pick it up again. It was too late. Iris had kicked the sword away from him and stood over him, the tip of the sword touching his neck, pressure building. 
"I yield!" he yelled, making Iris turn and walk back up to her throne. 
She sat down, cocky, and smirked at the crowd of shocked faces.
"Are you not entertained?" she yelled, "I am no weak woman! No item to be bargained for or bought! You will respect me like you would respect a king! Do not bother introducing yourself to me if you do not offer me the respect I deserve."
She left, making Lord Feldo grimace, and before she disappeared, she waved at the crowd of bachelors, a sarcastic taunt.

Lord Feldo stormed after her, following her right up to her chambers. He slammed the door behind them, Iris laughing and collapsing in a chair. 
"What were you thinking? Sabotage! That was awful!"
"It was funny, you are just not seeing it the way I do."
"I am beyond embarrassed, ashamed almost. Your husband was meant to be in that crowd!"
"Well, he was not, I did not like any of them."
"Stop this childish attitude! It does not matter whether you like them! It matters that we secure this kingdom!"
"It matters that I do not want a selfish bastard to sire my children and stand by my side!"
Lord Feldo marched out her room, sick of her behaviour. Iris didn't care. She was not marrying a man yet, she had many years to decide on who to share her kingdom with.