Tribal Queen Book 1

Chapter 18

Reyn paced the length of the council chamber. The large table that was used for their meetings had been transformed into a dining table with eight place settings. Each end of the table would be for Reyn and the other for Hunter. Willow and Vai would sit on either side of Reyn, and the other four seats the new members of the council.

When everyone was present and accounted for, Reyn stood and raised her glass. "I would like to first thank you for all gathering together tonight. And second I would like to say that Hunter and I have an announcement, one I know the entire realm is waiting for." Reyn looked directly at Hunter, "Since tomorrow we will officially make Hunter King, we wanted to inform you all that I am expecting an heir."

A collective gasp went around the room, everyone had been waiting for the news of a child being convinced. Willow raised her cup of wine towards Reyn then towards Hunter.

"I would like to be the first to congratulate the two of you." Willow said with the best smile she was able to come up with.

Reyn nodded in acknowledgment of Willow's toast. "After tomorrow's ceremony, I will then be on rest until the baby comes. Overkill it might be, but being the first child we must go to those lengths."

Two serving girls, Meztli and Clover, stepped forward. They filled glasses and dropped off plates of food. There were chairs set along the wall where the serving girls sat waiting if someone needed anything. The girls smiled at one another, their Queen was pregnant and they could not be happier. This was good news for the realm. Fighting had broken out amongst a few of the tribes as they were trying to seek power while there was not an heir. Reyn would be most vulnerable while pregnant. But after the child was born, it would secure her claim on the throne.

Though not many of the tribe members outside of those at the capital were aware of the attacks on Reyn's life, not once but twice now. A third attack, while she was pregnant, would spread the unrest through the realm like wildfire. Zu would increase the guards in and around the capital. Reyn would not be able to leave the protective walls of the capital anymore. And if Zu had it his way, she would not leave the Palace at all.

Reyn looked around the room one more time, now that all the toasts and well wishes were done. "I would like to add one more thing. I know I have refused to use the name for some time. But I may have to rely on my Goddess abilities more and more as the threats against my life have increased to downright violence. I will now be known as Queen Reyna, once more."

Cheers went around the room, Hunter walked over to Reyna and placed a hand on her stomach. "I don't mind if it is a boy or a girl. As long as I get to be a father, then I am happy."

Reyna smiled up at him, "That is how I feel as well. And it is a good thing under my rule that even if it is a daughter, she will inherit the crown."

Hunter nodded, "It should not matter what sex they are. If they are worthy of the ruling, then they shall."

Reyna sat down and finished her meal. Once all the plates had been cleared away, the chancellor recorded down in his book that their queen was going by her birth name once more, and that on this day it was announced the realm would soon have a prince or princess.

Reyna left the council room and headed back to her chamber to lay down. She needed some rest after a long day going over details and her security. Two armed guards that Zu had arranged for stood outside her door. Two more were at either end of the hallway to keep an eye on anyone who entered. Reyna entered her room and laid down on her bed.

A few hours later, Reyna was jolted awake, she found Hunter laying next to her, lightly snoring. She heard the soft knock at her door one more time. So she got up to see who it was. And standing just outside the door was a young servant girl holding a letter in her hand.

"A messenger dropped this off for you, Your Grace." She turned to leave but Reyna stopped her.

"Thank you, do we know where they were from?"

She shook her head, "No, Your Grace." She bowed slightly then left Reyna standing in her doorway holding the letter. It had a wax seal on it, but there was no stamp on it to indicate what tribe it was from. She frowned but opened it.

Dear Queen Reyn,

We wish to inform you that we have information about all of your recent activities, that the soon to be crowned King was once a slave. We question your judgement on a 'first husband'. There have been reports of the former slave sleeping with the Royal Hand. But these are idle rumors and the members of this household remain loyal and faithful to our Queen. But others are not that happy with a non chosen one to be considered a husband. All of the tribes sent you someone who was worthy of Your Grace, yet none were chosen.

It makes us sad that we must write this, but we felt you needed to know that the unrest in a few of the tribes is growing. And if nothing is done to put an end to it, there might be more and more fighting breakout.

Your Devoted Subject,

Anonymous

Reyna stared at the letter for a while, then she folded it and slipped it into her top. She would need to seek out Zu to assist her in finding out who sent it. She wanted to offer this person protection for all the information they had on the unrest from the tribes. She needed to know where her enemies lie.