Hunter of Midnight

Ch.7 The Commanders

"He's a mess," rants Audrey Alard, pacing up and down the polished, dark oak floors of Queen Niara's office. She's shaking her hands, hot under the collar and flushed in the face as she paces. "A complete and utter mess!"

"All the more reason we must go easy on him, Audrey," Queen Niara comments, not bothering to raise her head from her papers. There's so many to look over, and not nearly enough hours in the day to do it all.

"Go easy," Audrey scoffs, "your highness, we cannot be doing this right now. The people are doubting your ability to protect the kingdom from Queen Jaga and her growing forces. With High Lord Addison and Duke Gray missing, the rest of the Rua in shambles, you are one of the last hopes for this side of the realm. As horrid as it may seem—"

"It's not just horrid," Tundra Northwind cuts in, lying slumped in a lounge by the queen's fire with a worn out book in her hands. Sharp as a blade, she cuts her gaze from the book and over to the captain of the guard. "It's pathetic. Of all the people who deserve it more, you propose making an example of someone who could hardly stand on his own two feet." Tundra scoffs, rolling her eyes as they cut back to her book. "Excellent image to paint of our queen, Alard."

"Oh, fuck you Northwind," Audrey snaps.

The door creaks open, General Lila Thunderblood stepping in. She shuts the door behind her and remains at attention for the moment whilst she addresses her queen. "He collapsed before Bula could even get him in a nightgown. She's staying by his bedside now; he was showing signs of irregular breathing and heart rate."

"And you wanted to make an example of him," Tundra mumbles, again glaring at Audrey.

"Excuse me," Lila snaps, now glaring at Audrey herself.

"Ladies," Queen Niara huffs, at last looking up from her papers with shoulders squared. Her commanders all stay silent, both Audrey and Lila going stiff. Tundra, knowing she was not part of the raised tension, remained as she was. Queen Niara glanced over her before shifting her glare between her captain and her general. "You said it yourself, Audrey," the queen sighs, "the people are losing their faith in us. It is up to us all to restore their faith. We cannot afford to waste time with the bickering right now."

With all of her commanders silent, Queen Niara takes a breath and leans back in her chair. She looks between them all once more, altering her harsh tone and softening her gaze. "You three are some of my most trusted, and most valued soldiers. With Tanya gone, both Haures and Darius in recovery, I cannot afford to have you fighting like this. I need you girls right now."

Audrey lowers her head, the heat within her now of embarrassment, a cooling shade of shame crashing with it. "I apologize, Queen Niara."

"As do I," Lila sighs, "it was childish, I know. I'll be sure not to let it happen again."

"Good," Queen Niara nods. "I'm not looking for a wild remodel of character, I am asking for a simple change of habit. Now with that out of the way," Queen Niara sighs, a rising pressure gathering in her chest. The growing concern on the faces of her three remaining commanders fills her with dread. She should've told them of this sooner, when the stakes weren't so high. There was no changing that now, so she just had to be out with it. "We must begin to discuss the arrival of a visiting queen."

The three commanders all look between one another, Tundra finally sitting up straight, her ears turned up. It is Audrey who speaks for the group, her brow raised as she eyes the queen. "A visiting queen? When was this decided?"

"Nearly a month ago," Queen Niara answers, lowering her head just a tad. Her guilty eyes are unable to meet any of theirs. "I will now admit that this is the reason why Elora was sent to Rua until Litha; it was for her protection."