A Crown Of Blades(ARTK, Book 3)

Chapter 5-6

Anor 9th,3330 A.G

    Two giants standing behind two rulers- now that were quite a sight, one of the soldiers thought. Not as grand as each of the giants gathered together, but nearly as intimidating. If he'd been asked a year ago what he'd do if he came across a giant in the woods, his answer would have been vastly different.

It would have been dead before anyone got the chance to hear him scream. Nowadays he'd run back to the safety of House Tomhend, hopefully faster that the creature- and inform one of Nara's closest soldiers. He'd never been lucky enough to watch it happen, so he'd ask to be present for the taming - and be incredibly disappointed if denied.

But either way, he'd have to accept his queen's decision. Dressed in black men's breeches that'd been tailored to fit, a tunic in the male style that was looser than most women's to accommodate her slowly growing belly and a bear fur coat she'd had at least ten years- she weren't what one traditionally pictured when a queen was thought of. Her crown was nowhere in sight, there was the outline of a dagger under her right breeches leg and a sword sheathed at her left hip- and it were clear from their stances who's kingdom this was.

Great ruler or not, the king would have no power without her and everyone knew that.

Nara smiled at her husband, then let go of his hand to do what they came here for. Just a few paces in front of them were the sellsword head Drogo with a few of his men and a few of Nara's, none looking anything but determined. This was an important mission, a respected one among those in the army. If successful it would make the Liberan battles much easier.... If a failure they would still be respected for trying.

Nara took hold of Drogo's hand, grasping it in her own.

"As a queen I don't have very many friends." She said, slowly pulling him aside- behind a newly constructed farmer's cottage next to the newly constructed outer walls. "I have a hard time trusting the ones I do have, but I've come to accept this. It's just....the way things will always be."

Drogo began to open his mouth, but something in her eyes said he shouldn't yet. His heart beat faster than it normally did when they were close,so he prayed to the gods her hands wouldn't close around his wrist or touch his chest for any reason. His feelings weren't entirely unsaid, but how she felt of him were very clear.

Friend. Hired soldier.

Drogo tried to convince himself again that it would be enough.

"If you ever betray me..." Her grip grew tighter, her gaze a little more vulnerable now that they were away from witnessing eyes. If she could sense how she were looking at him..... she'd clamp down on her emotions in less than a moment.

Drogo rapidly shook his head. "I would never. You know this."

"Do I?" She raised an eyebrow. "I thought I could say the same of Tuyon. Of Lennix, even. But-"

"I.would.never." He repeated. "You are my queen. When I'm scattered across some field somewhere, in the hells or the lodah- it is a fact that will always remain true."

Nara pressed her lips together, thinking. Talk like that was dangerous. Talk like that never ended well for anyone involved- especially before such a mission.

  "Don't.... speak that way." Nara gulped. "I have watched.... too many of my friends die."

  Drogo did not speak.

  Instead he knelt before his queen, head  bowed as he went over his part of the plan again.

You will travel from important house to important house discreetly-