Long Lost Queen

Chapter 28

The groups steps echoed softly in the quiet forest. Each of them clutched their piece of the institute close, in their fist or in their pocket. The shard of glass in Kat's pants was warm, comforting against her leg. She held tightly to Alec's hand, leading the others slowly through the trees. The sky was slightly cloudy, the sun peeking through to shower them in gentle warmth.
"It's not your fault love," Alec spoke to her quietly, getting closer to her. She shook her head ever so slightly, a sad smile tugging on her lips. "Kat it's those monsters in Meerens fault." She didn't respond, just held his hand tighter.
He pulled his piece of the institute from his pocket, running his thumb along the engraved A. "We will cherish these for the rest of our lives Kat. Why didn't you grab one for yourself? The institute was as much your home as ours. And Enzo and Christine's." They glanced towards the vampire and witch, Enzo walking next to Magnus, Christine and Clary walking together next to Jace.
"I grabbed something," she whispered, reaching into her pocket to pull out the glass dragon shard. "Part of the training room ceiling." Her voice was sad, full of remorse. Alec noticed his lover's guilt, and squeezed her hand tighter, looking into her eyes.
   "This isn't your fault Kat. You didn't ask for this, and you didn't know about the bombs."
    "If I hadn't taken the time to try and act all tough for that leader, maybe we could've made it back to the institute in time to remove the bombs." She stared down at the dirt, the soft footprints of the others in front of them.
  "What you did was good. You're finally becoming the queen we know you are. We're all proud of you, and to be honest watching you be all badass was getting me a little excited." He smirked as he spoke the last words, bumping her shoulder playfully.
   She shook her head, wanting to be annoyed with him, but glad for the comedic relief.
    "I just don't know what to do now. I agreed to the play the game, but how do I make the next move?"
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    The group walked on for days, stopping to rest and eat at night. They would gather around a small fire, cooking the meat the dragons bring them from the surrounding trees. They all told stories and jokes as they watched the flames, holding tight to their fragments of home.
     Most nights, while they slept, Kat would remain awake for a little longer, writing in the ground. She would draw maps of Erilea, drawing some battle routes, brainstorming ideas. Every night, looking around at her friends sleeping on the dirt, her fire grew.
    They were all dirty and tired, wearing the same clothes as that awful night. None of them wanted to change, to taint the other things they brought with them. Magnus's beautiful silk shirt was stained with grime, the shining hem frayed. Clary's maroon jacket was ripped slightly in places, and Izzy's black clothes were even darker with blood and filth. Jace's soft gray t-shirt was ripped on the side, it's pale color darkened. Christine's fancy clothes from her night going to the bar were ripped and grimy, losing their sophisticated sheen. Enzo and Simon both wore black, their dirty skins reflecting the time spent out in the woods. Kat's clothes with worn and torn, along with Alec's. All of their hair was tangled and dirty, the white gold of Kat's looking like more of dirty blonde. She wore a shawl over her head, not wanting anyone who sees them to recognize her hair. Their skin was coated in a fine layer of dust, their claws caked with dirt.
    They all looked like a ragged band of supernaturals, instead of a powerful pack led by a long lost queen.
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   The quiet sounds of a camp drifted towards the group through the soft brush of the tree leaves. The warm summer night air beat down on them, sweat making trails through the grime on their faces. Their muscles ached from walking, and none of them knew quite where they were.
   At first, Alec thought the sounds of the camp were simply the wildlife around them, a squirrel digging for nuts, or a bird singing softly. He strained to listen closer, and discerned the call of laughter, cups clinking together, what seemed like about a quarter mile away. He nudged Kat, who leaned against his leg, asleep, softly with his fingers. When she raised her head and looked at him with sleepy lavender eyes, he whispered, "I hear people, a camp. Less than a mile away."
    She shot up, suddenly alert. Awakened by her parabatai's sudden movement, Izzy started, grabbing her whip from the ground beside her.
   "What is it?," she whispered, careful not to awaken the others. She crawled closer to Kat and Alec, her stomach tense with the anticipation of a fight.
   "Alec heard voices, like the sound a camp in the distance," Kat replied, before falling silent to listen. Sure enough, the soft rumble of voices, the occasional laugh and crackle of fire made its way to her keen ears.
   Izzy nodded, and her muscles relaxed slightly, but her mind did not. "Do you think it could be another band of Lannister slaves? Do you think think they know we're alive?"
   "Well if that black swan gave the queen my message, then yes they know we're alive." Kat's voice was rough, it's tone full of restrained anger.
   "They could be rebels against the throne, supporters of Kat." Alec looked intensely at the girls, his eyes searching their faces for signs of consideration.
   "Possibly. There's only one way to find out. We should go now, check it out. If they are rebels, we'll come back and get the others. If not, we'll send their heads back to Cersei." Kat rose from the dirt, swinging her quiver over her shoulder. She grabbed her bow from where it leaned against a tree, and motioned for the siblings to follow. They nodded at their queen, trailing behind her as she took gentle steps into the trees, away from the others.
    They shifted into their wolf forms, running swiftly and quietly through the trees. When the sounds of the camp grew loud, the returned to human forms, crouching in the bushes to listen. They were far enough away to clearly hear the camp, although they couldn't see it.
    "So what are we going to do Daario? Sit here and wait for her to come to us? How do we know she's even still alive and didn't blow up with the institute?" The voice was male, deep.
   "Katerina Targaryen lives, I can feel it. If the last dragon was dead, the country would shatter," the man named Daario replied. His voice was sultry, full of what sounded to be arrogance.
   Another male voice interjected, this one higher pitched and demanding. "But where is she? If the institute is gone, wouldn't she be heading straight for Meeren? If that doesn't give her a kick in the ass, nothing will."
   "She will go to Meeren. And we will wait for her to find us along the way. And when she does, we will pledge our lives to the queen, and will help her take what belongs to her."
    The three listening in the bushes shared a look of interest. They were rebels, with a desire to serve their queen. Kat nodded at the siblings, and they took off into the trees, heading back to retrieve the others, to return in the morning.
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    "We found a camp of rebels, who are waiting for me. They want to help me get the throne back." Kat stood in front of the others, the loose hairs from her long braid swaying slightly with the heated wind. Her hands were clenched, her body tight. She was stepping up to lead her friends, to be a queen. She felt stronger that morning, powerful. Drogon rested on her back, Viserion and Rhaegal standing tall beside her.
    All the supernaturals looked up at her, listening intently. They loved her, respected her as queen, and would do anything they told her. Watching her speak with such confidence filled them with pride.
   "I think it would be a wise decision for all of us to return to the camp, ally ourselves with them, and allow them to help us with our journey to Meeren. They could be the key to gaining an army, to making a move against the Lannisters. So, let's go."
    Kat and her dragons turned to the trees, her pack falling in behind her. Alec stood close behind, his sister next to him. Then Magnus and Enzo, Jace and Clary, Christine and Simon.
   All of them were buzzing with excitement, eager to find other supernaturals with desire to defeat the Lannisters. They walked with arrogance, with a purpose, feeling their motivation rejuvenate. When they approached the camp, Kat held out her hand, slowing their swift pace.
    "I'll go first and see how they react. Izzy, Magnus, Alec, you guys stay close behind, but remain hidden." They nodded, crouching behind the bushes around the camp.
     Kat slipped through the leaves and made herself visible to the camp. They stopped moving and talking immediately, all of them staring at her in awe. Kat didn't look much like a queen, with her dirty and torn clothes, dusty skin, and messy hair covered with fabric, but the purple eyes and dragons surrounding her were a dead giveaway to her supporters.
    There was about 5 men total in the clearing, all of them standing quickly, then kneeling before her. There was only one tent, with cots scattered throughout the clearing. Cups and pans were dotted around the ground, the fire in the middle covered with a pot of boiling water. There was a makeshift table covered with food and drink beside the tent.
    From the large tent, a tall, muscular, handsome supernatural emerged, his brown hair wild. He walked as close to her as she dared before falling to his knees in front of him.
    "My name is Katerina of House Targaryen. Rightful Queen of the supernatural kingdom of Erilea, Protector of the realm, and Mother of Dragons. You may rise." Her voice was strong, authoritative.
   "My queen," the handsome werewolf muttered, reaching for her hand. He pressed his lips to her skin before gently releasing her grip. He backed away from her, and the others fell into rank behind him.
   "My name is Daario Naharis, and these are my comrades. We fled the city of Astapor to find you, my queen."
    Her dragons began to growl, and she silenced them, motioning for the werewolf to continue. Her heart was pounding, her body stiff.
   "We wish to pledge our lives to your servitude, to follow your every wish, to live for you, to die for you if need be."
He pulled a sword from a belt at his hip, and knelt to the ground, placing it across his knees. The five behind him mimicked his movement. "If you will take me, my service is yours, my life is yours, my heart is yours." He looked up at her, his hard brown eyes meeting her purple ones.
    Kat's mind flashed back to when she was a young girl, watching Knights pledge allegiance to her father. She stumbled over the first syllables of the words before fully remembering what she needed to say in response. "I, Katerina Targaryen, accept you into my service, and swear to protect you to the best of my abilities. As long as I live and reign, you will have a place at my side. Rise, and live as members of my Queensguard." Her voice got stronger as she spoke, and she motioned for them to rise, her head titled slightly up like a royal.
    "I would like to introduce you to my men, your grace." Daario Naharis turned his attention to the other supernaturals behind him, and Kat stepped forward, her dragons trailing behind her. Daario motioned through each of the soldiers names: Marcus, Sean, Elliot, Dorian, and Jake. They were all alphas, strong fighters and full of power. Kat had never been in the presence of so many werewolves before, but knew how good of soldiers they could be.
     Jake, handsome and blonde, with striking blue eyes, approached Kat. "Are you alone?," he asked gently, his voice laced with a slight British accent. She smiled, knowing Enzo would like him. Daario nodded, a look of curiosity in his eyes.
    "No, I'm not. Come on guys," she spoke loudly with a smile as her friends emerged from the trees. They all stopped slightly behind her, forming a strong line. Kat motioned to each of her friends, introducing them to the werewolves.
    "Well you all must be very tired," Daario spoke, clapping his hands together. "You have walked a long time. We are barely two miles outside of Astapor. We have food and a clean river nearby, if any of you wish to bathe. Welcome to our camp. Your grace, take the day to rest. We can discuss plans tomorrow." Daario bowed slightly, a sly smile on his lips. His eyes roamed Kat's body, and Alec stepped forward, gripping her shoulders, a low growl escaping his throat. Daario inclined his head to him, motioning towards a small area with a makeshift table covered in bread and other foods.
    The institute supernaturals hadn't eaten much the past days, and their stomachs growled at the sight of the food.
    "Come on guys," Sean's voice was playful, and he grinned at them. He had shaggy brown hair and kind green eyes. His face was round, and although he didn't look very intimidating, Kat knew he had strength. "I'll make you guys some sandwiches."
    Eager with hunger, the group followed him, quickly speaking sandwich orders and snatching drinks of blood and water, relishing as power filled their bodies once more.
   Daario Naharis watched from the door to his tent, his eyes never leaving the queen. Elliot approached his leader with a smirk.
    "Guess you were right. She's lovely. We didn't expect her to have such a posse though." His brown eyes were concerned and he ran his hand through his short hair, then down the defined bones of his face.
   Daario tilted his head, watching the supernaturals. They all laughed and interacted as great friends, while depending on the queen to lead them. "They won't be a problem at all. I look forward to getting to know them, and to putting her back on her throne."
    "I see the way you've been looking at her body. She's lovely even covered in blood and grime. But I'd be careful. That big guardian looks to be pretty possessive of her." Elliot shrugged his shoulders, looking over at Kat and Alec, who sat next to each other beneath a tree, munching on sandwiches.
    Daario chuckled, lifting his shoulders slightly. "He should be possessive of her. One can admire the queens beauty without overstepping their bounds." He shared a look with Elliot, then resumed their observation of the queen and her followers.