WITCH - The Queen

Chapter 65

Agathe

Satisfied, Agathe leaned into her armchair by the fireplace. She read the book her late husband had last read. The schmaltzy romance novel was too romantic for her taste. She had enjoyed her stay at the military school. But now she was happy to be back in her own four walls. More than four walls!

There was a knock at the door. "Come in, if it's something important", she shouted lazily. "Otherwise, I wish to have my peace for a moment."

One of her advisors came in cautiously. "It is something that should give you joy. The steel arrived a few days ago. The vampires were generous. The first sword has already been forged and will be tested later Your Highness." He bowed deeply. "Do you wish to see the sword?"

"Ah. That's something important!" Agathe nodded and rose from her chair. Joy? I will feel joy when I have my daughter back, and the world goes to its knees before me.

She followed her advisor into the castle smithy, which was a bit remote behind the large castle garden and the horse stables. Only the best blacksmiths in the country worked there. Mortals, as well as immortals. Talent counted here. Not everything needed magic. Agathe's oldest blacksmith, a very gifted wizard, was already waving at her when he saw her coming. She didn't wave back, but she smiled at him.

"Your Majesty!" He held out his hands to her like a trusted friend. Only a few were allowed to do so, and he had proven his worth a long time ago.

She grasped his hands with a nod. "You have something for me?"

Her advisor already went to the forge and waited there at a table on which a blue cloth covered a sword. The blacksmith, without bowing, held the door open for Agathe and she stepped in. The other blacksmiths quickly bowed and returned to their sweaty work. Glowing heat struck Agathe. The blacksmith hurried to the veiled sword, pushing her advisor aside somewhat rudely.

"Your Majesty? Here it is!" He solemnly unveiled a simple sword with a simple handle. A few fine lines of flourishes were engraved on the handle, and it vibrated with magic.

She frowned. "I imagined it to be a little more magnificent..."

"It's the prototype", the adviser said quickly. "It has yet to be tested."

The blacksmith rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Tested? My swords always serve their purpose. Immaculate! Jewelry and other fuss would make it heavy. Then the soldiers would get tired faster. I worked on it alone!"

A mortal cleared his throat quietly.

The blacksmith rolled his eyes again. "Almost alone. The magic is mine. Only mine! It will serve its purpose."

"Certainly," Agathe confirmed, amused. "It should still be tested." She looked at her advisor sharply. "How will this test work? We don't have any dragons available here."

"But hard steel and stone. That should be comparable", the consultant replied.

"Good." She ran her fingertips over the blade. Then she looked at her advisor again. "And please, find out about one of the inmates in our prisons. Amaniel Berg. Keno's younger, mortal half-brother."

"Berg?" The consultant sighed. "Isn't he in prison for theft? And harming someone?"

Agathe nodded. "He injured one of my guards and tried to steal my crown. He was completely drunk... Keno brought him along. A tragedy. One brother is valuable, the other a fool. But I have an offer for the fool. Keno said he was gifted in his art. Inquire about him, and have him brought here."

"Of course", the adviser bowed again and hurried away. Agathe turned her attention back to the sword. She smiled contentedly. "It's too simple."

The blacksmith wrinkled his nose. "Shall I forge a sword or wall decoration for you?"

"How many swords can you make?", she asked him, shaking her head.

"Enough", he replied. "And also a few harpoons to get the monsters out of the sky."

Marlon

In the morning, terrible news shook the castle. The king and queen had been found dead in their beds. The cause of their sudden death was still unclear. Their death came unexpectedly.

Was it murder?

But who should it have been? The two were well-guarded. No one had the opportunity. Were they sick and hadn't said anything to anyone? The rumors went crazy.

Marlon sat crying at his parents' beds. The kingdom was now leaderless. The members of the council rushed to his side, trying to comfort the young prince.

"I don't understand!", he sobbed. "Who will rule the country now? What do we do without them?"

"The Council will govern temporarily. Until an heir to the throne is appointed", said a vampire lady who had been part of the council for a very long time. "Their Majesties had not yet announced their choice. Don't worry, Prince Marlon. Mourn in peace. The Council takes care of everything. About the announcement, the funeral... Go for a walk. Or drink a hot chocolate. The bodies will be picked up soon."

"Thank you", he murmured, clutching his late father's hand to kiss it. Sobbing, he got up and walked away. When he arrived in his room, he grinned. Keno had done it. The timing was good. So he could also send the rope to Queen Agathe unnoticed. No one would notice this in the hustle and bustle. Or think about it. Two problems were solved.

And the heir to the throne? It would be him. The nobility supported him because he was older. The older child.

Finn

Finally, they reached the tall trees. Finn breathed a sigh of relief. As much as he liked flying, it was time he got from the dragon's back. He was sure that at least one bone was broken. But he was used to this stabbing pain. It would pass away. In a few hours, it would be gone. Finn didn't say anything. After all, Julia shouldn't worry. Or Marko.

The landscape fascinated Finn. He had never seen such tall trees before. And in the treetops, he could see tree houses. Tree houses that reminded him of bird's nests in their shape.

Yes. Finn loved flying. And he loved nature, adventure, and traveling. Satisfied, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the wind blowing through his hair.

(c: sasi)