Queen

IV.

I set out with Arne, Captain Wafa', Prince Namakemono, and a handful of soldiers to Namakemono's city. Normally, I would leave this to the captain's men and women in the outpost, but what those soldiers found in Namakemono's house made this my business.

The people knew something was wrong when I rode in on horseback. I rode in a litter during peace and on a horse for war, except today. This matter was urgent and there was no way I was waiting for a litter.

"Mistress," Arne said from his seat behind me, "What's going on? Will you tell me now?" He's been concerned ever since I made him put on his armor. He has a suit of armor and he only worn it a few times since I gave it to him.

"I'm getting rid of one of my court," I growled back to him, "Prince Namakemono has crossed the line. He's messed with my people."

"He wasn't who I thought would go first," Arne said.

"A wolf in sheep's clothing," I snarled.

I drew my horse to a halt before the gates of Namakemono's house. The people of the city gathered in the streets and peered down from windows. I glared up at the guards of the wall surrounding the large house. "They will not open the gates for you," Prince Namakemono said smugly, "I pay them very well."

I only cast a lazy glance at him and shrugged off my cloak. The amulet hung at my breast. Prince Namakemono gasped. "Bird brain," I told him.

The amulet was magic. With it, a woman could enslave the male race for a price. Only a woman could use it and it would only work on men. There was a price to be paid for it's magic, which is why Arne kept it safe for me whenever I didn't need it. No one even thinks that a man would wear an amulet used to control men. The amulet had it's limits, but I could get a gate open with no problems.

I looked up to where archers were readying their bows. "Look away!" Prince Namakemono shouted in a vain attempt to stop me.

"Drop your weapons," I ordered. The magic surged through me, the pink amulet glowed, my voice echoed, and my braids lifted with the power. Bows, arrows, swords, and one mace fell to the ground. "Open the gates," I demanded, "And bring your prisoners out."

The magic left me and I breathed deep as my chest ached with the loss of the addicting magic. Whispers flew in the gathered crowd about the prisoners. I dismounted and handed Arne the reigns. "Hold here," I told him, "I've got this Baby."

"You always do," Arne said. I had to smile for him.

The gates creaked open and a young woman rushed out. She was one of the missing, who had just been found.

I counted the people who ran past me to their families. All but two were accounted for, but sadly I already knew what happened to those two.

"Captain," I shouted, "Bring me the former Prince Namakemono."

Captain Wafa' jumped off his horse and yanked Namakemono down from his. The captain shoved him before me. "Namakemono," I growled, "You have been involved in the slave trade. You've kidnapped residences of the city I entrusted to you and tried to sell them to other nations. You have succeeded in selling two of my people. The punishment for such actions is clear. You have one minute to defend yourself. Speak."

"Do you have any idea how much money could be made if you would let us open up the slave trade routes again?" Namakemono said, "You cut our income in half when you shut them down, you stupid girl."

"And the farms, mines, and other sources of income have all since doubled," I reminded him, "You were making more money now than before I shut down that awful practice. If you hadn't gotten greedy, you would still be making more. You're dismissed."