The Sins of the God King

Chapter 32: The Queen

As dawn slowly unfurled its gentle fingers, the mellow sun's rays began to caress the towering walls of the formidable Iron Hold. Despite the awakening light, the air remained crisp and chilled, so the soldiers stationed atop the battlements welcomed the sun's warmth on their faces. There was no time for slumber, for vigilance held sway in this fortress.

Amidst the watchful soldiers, the generals had issued strict orders for continuous shifts to guard the formidable walls. Among those vigilant leaders was the queen herself, seated regally upon an elegant chair sheltered beneath the sanctuary of a wooden sun shed. Close to her, the Xeldorian slaves, huddled the refuge provided by the tall tree with light jadish pin leaves, offering respite from the cold. All of them were lucky to let them keep their hooded coats for the gold nights.

The queen, her heart heavy with anticipation, awaited the return of a messenger she had dispatched with hope in her heart, praying that he would bear good tidings. General Armel, showing concern for her well-being, approached with a suggestion.

"Your grace," he spoke with a voice of solicitude, "perhaps you should retire to your chamber and seek some rest. I will personally bring you the news once the messenger returns."

She rose slowly from her seat, her gaze still locked on the formidable gates of the Iron Hold. "No need, General Armel," she declared with unwavering determination. "I shall remain here and witness the events unfold." Her resolve was as unyielding as the Iron Hold itself.

A long, heavy silence settled between them. General Armel had more to say, but the words remained trapped, unspoken. Queen Leiyuneth interrupted the stillness, her voice tinged with weariness. "Is there anything else, General? For now, I would prefer to be left alone."

"As you wish, Your Grace," Armel acquiesced with a respectful bow before withdrawing.

The Queen returned to her seat, her keen eyes surveying the scene. Some of the Xeldorian children had succumbed to exhaustion, their fragile forms resting on the cold ground. The others, tried to shield the sleeping ones from the biting cold. Among the elders, one ventured to speak, her eyes bearing a deep, unsettling hue.

"Your Grace," the elder implored, "could we at least have something to eat before you send us to our deaths? We have little strength left." The elderly figure's request hung in the air.

Queen Leiyuneth's lips curled in a cold smile, her demeanor unyielding. "I fail to see the purpose of that... I won't waste even a crumb of food on you, silver-eyed demons."

The old lady, undeterred, continued her confrontation. "You're sending children to their deaths, yet you dare call us demons?"

The Queen's eyes snapped to the audacious remark. "Are you accusing me of being a demon, wench?" Her voice dripped with disdain. "Your kind doesn't deserve treatment equal to the lowest Wildaron prisoner. I'd sooner feed a dying mutt than you lot." The other Xeldorian elders tried to restrain the old lady from further provoking the Queen, their fear of further antagonizing her evident.

Then, from the covers of Xeldorian elders, Pontius emerged. His tunic bore holes and dirt stains, his complexion pale, and his hands clenched in metal cuffs. "Forgive me, Your Grace, for the behavior of my fellow elder," Pontius pleaded. "She does not speak for all of us."

Queen Leiyuneth withdrew her gaze from them, her tone unyielding. "It doesn't matter. One way or another, you will all come to regret the day you were born."

Pontius hurriedly continued, "Please, Your Grace... the late king and I had an agreement. My people could live peacefully in this land in exchange for our allegiance."

The Queen remained cold and aloof, not bothering to look at Pontius. "Do you?"

Pontius swiftly grasped what she meant and replied"You can't blame us all for Helias's actions. They were his choices alone. Let us go, and I will personally find him and present his head to you."