Dragon Heart

A Visitor

"I am going to miss you!" Iris whispered, hugging Ares tight.
Her little brother was travelling East to attend a prestigious school, Ares was born to succeed academically and Father had insisted that he would create great inventions. Ares left with a group of soldiers, all armed, Iris didn't want him to be unprepared for any potential danger that faced him on his journey.
"I will write to you! And visit when I can." Ares insisted, hugging both his sisters.
Laila wiped away a tear and waved as Ares trotted off out the castle gates.
"One brother is going away, and one is locked in the dungeons! When will you ever let Kodan out?" Laila asked.
"When I see him as trust worthy..."
"But he is your brother."
"And he betrayed me, meaning he is bound to do it again."
"I do not want to try and justify his actions but he never actually hurt you..."
"He hurt me like no one has hurt me before, he stole a gift that Father gave me, the last part of Father that I will have. I love Kodan, but I am disgusted by him. You are young still, when you are older you may understand me a little better."
"I am young, but growing. Which is why I want to ask you something."
Iris frowned at her little sister, this must be something serious.
"Go on."
"I... wish to marry."
Iris' eyes grew wide, a swarm of questions circling round her head.
"You are fifteen!"
"I know, but I am still old enough to marry."
"Who? I have heard no talks of marriage between you and any kings."
"He is a prince, Prince Ronan of Howson. And me and him have been exchanging letters for a long while. He was here at your suitor meal, obviously you did not choose him."
"Ronan? And he is of what age?"
"Seventeen."
"And you love him?" the question seemed half rhetorical.
"Of course, he is what I dream of!"
Iris laughed, playing with the hilt of the dagger that sat on her side.
"If you love him, you may marry. But why do you seek my permission?"
"Because Father would bless the marriage, but Father is... dead. So I ask you instead."
"Marry him, bear his children, but do not be his fool. If he hurts you I will tear the organs from his body and mutilate his corpse."
"Do not speak so violently!"
"I speak only words of truth, words of truth can be the most violent, but it does not make them any less true. You are a strong young woman, and kind too, and that kindness will be mistaken for weakness. You must learn that."                 
Laila nodded, understanding that Iris' cool tone and lack of emotion was to keep her power.

"When will I meet him?"
"Whenever."
"Two days time then."
"Two? Howson is a days ride away!"
"Then send a messenger and tell him to ride quickly!"
Laila ran off, desperate to tell her lover of the meeting. 

The next night, Lord Feldo asked to speak with Iris, they had not spoken alone since the night of suitors.
"Your sister, I hear, plans to marry."
"Yes, she does."
"Does this not encourage you to marry?"
"No. Lord Feldo, why did you ask to speak with me?"
"To discuss marriage."
Iris rolled her eyes and huffed, this old man was infuriating her. He had no understanding of her desire to keep her power, for he was a man, who thought he knew best.
"Your father would want you to marry."
"My father is dead!"
"I will have to make you marry if this foolish behaviour continues!"
"Make me? You can not do that!"
"I can! In the name of this kingdom, I will! I will go to great lengths to support this kingdom, I will not let a stubborn woman destroy it!"
Iris left, heading up to her chambers and collapsing on her bed. She hated Feldo and his continuous obsession with marriage and succession. Father had loved him, but Father was old and a man, just like Feldo. Iris needed a new set of eyes to guide her, not the aged pupils of a fool. Iris curled up under the blanket, the soft snore of Fenrir making her drift off.

Bang! She was awoken by her chamber door opening, light flooding in. She sat bolt upright and grabbed the dagger under her pillow. Two figures stood in the doorway, simply shadows.
"Announce yourselves!" Iris yelled, brandishing her blade.
"Queen, it is I, Feldo and a visitor for you."
"What visitor?"
Fenrir was awake but hidden in the shadows of the room, his eyes glistening.
"He is a prince, who you shall marry. Now stay calm, and everything will be ok."
"What? I will not marry this man!"
Feldo and the prince came into her room, holding a lantern each.
"He will give you children, therefore making you marry him to avoid having children out of wedlock. It is the last option. I did not want to have to do this, young Iris, but you gave me no choice."
"I refuse to have sex with this- this stranger!"
"It's ok, shhhh, it's ok. You do not have to agree, it will still happen."
Iris panicked, gripping the dagger in her hand. Both men rushed towards her, the man pinning her down while Feldo disarmed her.
"Stop it! No!" she screamed, trying not to cry.
"I will leave you two." 
Feldo left the room, closing the door on Iris and her cries for help. The man put his hand over Iris' mouth and grabbed at her clothes, attempting to rip them off, he tore at her skirt, making her squirm and scream louder.
"Stop resisting, bitch!" he hissed.
Iris headbutted the man, making him fall back, grabbing his eye and yelling in anguish.
"Fenrir! Attack!"
Fenrir came out the shadows like a demon escaping from hell. He grabbed the man by the back of his neck, teeth piercing skin, and dragged him onto she floor. Blood squirted out onto Iris, the man screaming. Fenrir threw the man like a rag. The prince was scrambling on the floor, backing away, facing the beast.
"Mercy! Mercy!"
Fenrir shot forward, devouring the man's face; he crunched down on his skull and tore the skin from his face. Blood flew around the room: up the walls and onto the bed where Iris sat, staring on. The great wolf ate the corpse, devouring his limbs. When he was satisfied, Fenrir approached the bed, nuzzling Iris with his head.
"Thank you, Fenrir, thank you."
Iris ran down the corridor, Fenrir following her, and flew into the servant headquarters. They all jumped awake and panicked at the sight of their ruler, covered in blood.
"Lord Feldo! He tried to have me raped! Alert the guards and find him!"

"Sister! Queen! What is happening?"
Laila had dressed quickly and was running towards her sister, who still carried the blood of her attempted rapist.
"Lord Feldo and a man came to my chambers and the man tried to rape me. Feldo was behind it!"
"Where is the man?"
"Dead, Fenrir ate him."
A guard cam running in to view, panting.
"Queen Iris! Lord Feldo has been captured!"
A young man with blonde hair ran into view too, smiling as he saw Laila.
"Laila! What is going on?"
"Ronan! Welcome! This is my sister, Queen Iris!"
The young prince looked Iris up and down, her torn skirt and skin stained with blood, but he bowed and introduced himself.
"Welcome to Kovaria, Ronan. You are just in time for an execution." Iris muttered coldly.

The gallows creaked in the light wind, and a crows had gathered around, hearing of the treachery of Lord Feldo. Iris stood with Laila and Ronan at the front of the crowd. Boos erupted as Feldo was lead out of the dungeons and up the steps. The noose swung back and forth, awaiting it's next victim.
"Lord Feldo! You are accused of treason! How do you plead?"
Lord Feldo stared at Iris who was now clean of the blood from the prince and dressed in a green gown.
"I plead not guilty."
Gasps from the crowd made Feldo glance around, almost smirking.
"You cannot kill me! I am a Lord!"
Iris approached the gallows, and the onlookers fell silent.
"You are a dead man..." she whispered, glancing to her side and nodding at a guard.
The guard grabbed Feldo and dragged him towards the necklace of rope, forcing it round his head.
"No! I am a loyal man! I only want to protect Kovaria!"
Iris walked up the steps of the platform, turning to address the many people awaiting the death of this once honoured noble.
"This man is Lord Feldo! This man guided my Father, and my Father trusted this man until his death! Now this man has betrayed me! He has betrayed me, meaning he has betrayed Kovaria! He has betrayed you! He has no place in our land, and no place on this earth! May the gods see this man, and may they force him into the depths of eternal pain! For he is a traitor! And Kovaria will not stand by those who corrupt it's holy walls!"
The crowd roared, thirsty for death. Iris herself stood by the rope that would end it all for this disgraced noble. Iris grabbed the dagger from her hip and held it up to the crowd, they urged her on. Laila looked at her sister, how she reminded her of their Father, his strength reflected in her, but she had the angry eyes and the thirst for blood from their grandfather.
"My people! Enjoy the sight of vengeance!"
She brought down the dagger hard on the rope, breaking it quickly. Lord Feldo dropped, the rope tightening round his neck like a snack. His eyes bulged, white skin turning purple, gasping for air. The people of Kovaria roared with delight, making their queen beam.

"Ronan of Howson, I am sorry for such an uncivilized welcome! But as a queen I will put the duties of my kingdom before social interactions."
"Do not apologise, Queen Iris, it is unnecessary!" Ronan laughed.
"Laila. Let us speak alone, we have much to discuss."
Laila nodded and went back to her seat where the meal continued, giving Iris a look, begging her not to interrogate Ronan.
"Ronan, do sit." Iris said, gesturing to the chair that had been placed next to her throne.
"Thank you, it is wonderful to meet you."
"Wonderful to meet the man who plans to marry my only sister. Laila is a very special young woman, so I want to know that she will be protected while living with you in Howson."
"She will be safe, Very safe! I will protect her."
"Will you? Because the man that promised to keep me safe was the man that I killed in the street today, trust is key. Do you trust each other?"
"Yes, of course."
"What happens if gets hurt, and it is your fault?"
"I will seek vengeance! As any man should."
Iris tapped her nails on the throne and looked up, gazing deep into the young man's eyes.
"And what if you hurt her..."
"Well, I- I am not sure what-" Ronan continued.
"If you hurt her," Iris pointed to Fenrir who was gnawing on a large bone, "He will get you. He will find you, wherever you hide; he will find you. And he will tear flesh from flesh, limb from limb, and drink your blood like a fine wine. For by hurting Laila, you hurt me, and when you hurt me, you are a dead man. Is that understood?"
Ronan nodded, gripping his goblet so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. Iris could hear him gulping nervously.
"I will never hurt Laila, or, you will find me and your wolf will kill me. I understand."
"Excellent!" Iris beamed, gesturing for a servant to refill Ronan's goblet.

"I have an announcement!" Iris declared, standing up from her throne.
The crowd hushed and turned to the Queen.
"Ronan, Prince of Howson, has asked to marry my sister, Laila, Princess of Kovaria. As Queen, they wish me to bless the marriage, in place of my father, I bless their marriage! I wish them love, power, children and blessings!"
Laila grinned and grabbed onto Ronan's arm, Iris nodded to them, delighted at the pure joy in her little sister's eyes.
"So, please, people of Kovaria! Raise your goblets to the happy couple!"
"To the happy couple!" the crowd echoed, cheering as Ronan and Laila shared a tender kiss.
Ronan cleared his throat and knelt.
"Thank you, Queen Iris! I thank thee with all my heart!"
"Do not kneel! Rise! Soon enough you shall be my brother!" Iris laughed.