A War Of Traitors( ARTK, Book 2)

Chapter 27

Janor 23rd, 3329 A.G

Though it was early and she still held onto every piece of her anger, Nara couldn't help but smile. Tiffan would die in time- but they would need to bring more territories under her empire to even think of having enough soldiers to defeat her. She would keep her promise to Andre by allowing him to deliver the final blow, but first she would torture her over the course of months- years even. She would start by finding out who Tiffan cared about and torturing them to death in front of her, and she would not give them the mercy of a stab wound to heart at the end. No, she would make sure to use a torture method that killed slowly and excruciatingly.

Revenge had become the only thing that kept her going- that and how incredible it would feel to rule all three continents after destroying Voryn.

The snow clouds had gone, sure to return soon given the continent- but in the meantime they would enjoy what little heat the sun provided. As she looked over the camp and the few hundred who were up already, Nara could see each of their breath's in the air.

Her giants were content to sit around and do nothing until commanded otherwise- and she was greatful. For the first time since gaining control over the three, she did not have the energy to do anything with them.

Instead, she walked to where those responsible that day would be preparing breakfast. She hadn't had much of an appetite the last few days, instead going for a jar of ale. She despised the taste but it was better than letting herself feel- because if she did that she'd cry, and a queen did not cry.

She sat close enough to some of her soldiers that they felt the need to bow their heads, but far away enough that most did not feel the need to speak to her. She grimaced as she gulped the ale down.

"It's better when you take small sips." A familiar soldier said. "That way.... It won't cloud your head as bad either."

"Do I know you?" Nara raised an eyebrow, continuing to gulp the remainder. "And perhaps the clouds are what I'm going for."

"I am... Mace, my queen." He said. "Are you.... already drunk?"

The empty wine bottle in her tent would answer for her, but she was hit with another wave of anger then. "How dare you- No. I could have your head just for that.... but as you are one of my greatest warriors I will not."

"I say this.... only out of concern." Mace said, lowering his voice as he sat closer. "The soldiers still need their queen, now more than ever-"

"Weren't you defeated by a twelve year old girl in a sparring match?" Nara interrupted. "I can't decide who to be proud of; Maude or you for not having any bruises."

  "Maude is... no ordinary twelve year old girl, your Grace. She has the makings to be a warrior as great as Folc The Butcher or Ser Gifford Of The Blood Arts, whereas I might be remembered for my sword skill.... but never enough to be given such a name. A few years after my death, I will all but cease to exist."

  "Yes-" Nara said, finishing off her last gulp of ale. "But we will each be forgotten eventually. Some sooner than others...."

In that moment, Nara noticed a rider coming in from the northeast.

  "He bears House Tomhend's seal-" Nara wondered aloud. "What could they possibly need from us right now?"

  The rider dismounted, not bothering to tether his horse. He quickly grabbed the closest soldier, asking something that Nara could not make out from where she sat. When the soldier pointed in her direction though, she understood. Something had happened, and this man was loyal.

  By the time he reached her, Nara had stood.

  He kneeled before her, stabbing his sword into the ground. " My Queen. I am a member of Sana Tomhend's Household guard. They will have noticed I am gone by now.... but this news could not wait.  I want to first say that I do not support what she has done, and that I will always be loyal to the Ashhand name-"

  "Say it then."  Nara interrupted. "What has happened?"

  With a long breath, he followed her command. "Sana has declared herself queen of House Tomhend and intends to take Kroba and the rest of your empire."

For a moment, Nara did not process the guard's words. They confirmed exactly what she'd been fearing; the attack had weakened her in the eyes of her nobles, so much so that a girl she gave nobility to had betrayed her. Sana's reach had not yet extended outside of House Tomhend, but that made no difference. Nara wanted to slit her throat.

  "Thank you for... bringing this to me."  She said, stewing in her anger. "See that this man is fed and rested....  I shall make sure to find you a place among a Household guard on a different continent."

  "Thank you, my queen. I will forever be grateful-" It was unspoken, but even a queen of a minor house could send an assassin to kill someone who betrayed her. If he was on a different continent, however- he would be harder for her to get to.

  "Mace- gather my councilors." Nara ignored the messenger then., thinking of Imania. "The ones who feel well, at least."

  Mace bowed, doing as he was told.

  Only a few hundred moments later Ysmen, Andre, Maude, Renard and Tuyon were all in the strategy tent- each rubbing their eyes or yawning.

After they were told what happened, however- they became wide awake.

"I think we should kill her." Tuyon said plainly. "Send an assassin, even. There does not have to be a battle-"

  "Of course she has to die- but there must be a battle. A slaughter of those loyal to her, even- to show what will be done to traitors." Andre interrupted.

"We should spare those loyal to her if they bend the knee again. That way they'll understand you're a merciful queen who is worthy of being followed-" Ysmen started.

  "Oh sure- why don't we just go ahead and make Sana Tomhend the second queen of Kroba while we're at it?" Maude mocked, turning to Nara. " If you spare those loyal to her, it will show that you are weak- and to be frank your reign cannot afford that right now; not if you wish to keep it."

  When her councilors all argued with each other like they were doing, Nara ordinarily did her best to keep each advice in mind. Still- there was one valued advisor who had not spoken yet.

  "Renard?" He looked up from his hands, surprised to even hear her say his name. "What is your opinion?"

  When he finally got over the surprise, he held his gaze on her eyes.

  "We should destroy her." Renard said. "Give her no mercy. Then.... We should destroy Valia for what they did and end my bastard sister's life for selling Helkbelle bushes to Voryn."