The Barbarian Mate [Edited]

Chapter 12

As they set out early in the morning, the sun casting a warm glow over the landscape, Althea couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. She, Nala, and Rubes had picked two large straw baskets intending to pick berries and herbs, but Althea's mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the queen.

"So, tell me about the queen," Althea asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. Nala and Rubes exchanged a knowing glance, and Rubes began to speak in a hushed tone.

"She's wicked, Althea. The people of the town are suffering under her reign. She's obsessed with luxury and gold, and she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants." Rubes' voice was laced with venom, and Althea could sense the depth of her feelings.

"What happened to the king?" Althea asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

Rubes' expression turned somber. "She killed him. He was against her ways, and she saw him as a threat to her power." Althea's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't believe that a queen could be so ruthless.

"Can't she be overthrown?" Althea asked, feeling a sense of outrage on behalf of the people.

Nala shook her head. "Many have tried, but she's too powerful. She has a network of spies and informants, and anyone who dares to challenge her is swiftly dealt with." Althea's heart sank at the thought of the queen's tyranny.

"So, what does she really want from me?" Althea asked, feeling a sense of trepidation.

Rubes' expression turned serious. "She's obsessed with Yeilk. He was one of the king's most trusted guards, and she's been trying to get him into her bed for years." Althea's eyes widened in surprise. She had no idea that Yeilk had such a complicated past.

"After the king was killed, Yeilk left the castle and never looked back," Rubes continued. "But the queen, she's not one to give up easily. She's been trying to get him to do her bidding, and now that you're in the picture, she sees you as a way to get to him." Althea felt a chill run down her spine. She couldn't believe that a queen could be so obsessed with a man.

As they walked, the sun beating down on them, Althea couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She knew that she had to be careful, that the queen would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.

After a few hours of walking, they arrived at a beautiful lake, its surface glistening in the sunlight. They decided to stop and rest, and Althea was grateful for the opportunity to rest her legs.

As they sat down on the grassy bank, one of the men who had accompanied them suddenly pushed them to the ground. "Get down!" he yelled, as arrows shot through the air.

Althea winced in pain as an arrow grazed her arm. She looked up to see men in armor emerging from the trees. "Those are royal guards' arrows," one of the men said, his voice grim.

The men around them stood ready, their weapons at the ready. Nala and Rubes shielded Althea as they slowly inched back, trying to escape the danger.

But it was too late. The royal guards surrounded them, their swords drawn. "Well, it seems like we've caught our prize," one of them sneered, his eyes fixed on Althea.

Althea knew that she had to act fast. With her good arm, she held onto the dagger that Yeilk had given her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

As the guards closed in, Althea made her move. She jumped to her feet, ignoring the pain in her arm, and stabbed the nearest guard in the heart. Nala and Rubes jumped into action, fighting off the guards with their swords.

Althea defended herself as best she could, but she was no match for the guards' superior training. She cried out in pain as one of them sliced her across the stomach.

Rubes quickly dispatched the guard and then lifted Althea to her feet. "Hold on, Althea. Please hold on," she begged, as Althea's vision began to blur.

Nala fought off the remaining guards, her sword flashing in the sunlight. "Go!" she yelled to Rubes, as she fought to hold off the guards. "Take Althea and get out of here!"