Cinderella vs. Happily Ever After

Chapter 20

            “What in the name of all that goes bump in the night is going on here?” She snapped, stomping to stop between the two groups. Those nearest heard and stared, their silence spreading to those around them and soon, both groups were quiet as they all looked at her.

            Her hands dropping onto her hips, she tried again. “What are you people doing?”

            One man, his red face and veiny neck over his militia jacket the most identifiable of his features took a step forward from the pro-staying side. “We’re deciding on what we should do to protect ourselves. What business of it is yours, miss?”

            The way he looked her up and down before sneering the last word sent little flames of anger out into her veins, making her skin tingle. She held his gaze with burning eyes. “It’s mine when you act like chickens who have had their heads cut off. I was under the impression you were adults, not screaming children. If this is how you people act in a crisis, even with your training, then I believe we will look elsewhere for allies.”

            The man bristled at her tone but another man, this one wider and with a moustache though less red, took a step from the opposite camp. “What are you talking about?”

            She half turned to face the newcomer. “We, my companion here is Sir Isaac of Roosterreach and we have Lady Miette of Lacclair with us as well though away from your stupidity, are seeking allies to free the palace.” Even the use of Isaac’s proper title didn’t make her anger fade even though under normal circumstances she couldn’t say it with a straight face. His coat of arms was reminiscent of Sir Robin from Monty Python’s Holy Grail because they both loved the movie. Isaac had mostly agreed to it because people would use the other word for rooster often enough, the one that had the delightful slang connotations, that he could still laugh every time his full title was used. As he was doing now.

            “How are you going to do that? There’s no way you will be able to unite the whole army behind a knight. Especially one none of us have ever heard of,” growled the first man.

            She glared at him again. “We are representatives of Lady Ruby. She will lead. Or do you have objections to that?”

            The remark sent whispers shooting back into the crowds around them until the square was filled with the soft buzz of conversation. “It’s her fault that this all happened in the first place,” the red-faced man said, glaring at her. “So what good is she?”

            Valerie took a step forward, grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled his face down the few inches so his eyes were level with hers. Her eyes blazed into his. “What good? I’ll tell you what good she is. Unlike the rest of you who are wasting time arguing, she’s trying to get an army together to free the palace. She’d have marched straight back in there if it would have done any good. She’s the only member of the royal family still free and so probably the only person the army will follow without argument. And let me tell you this, she is very well aware that this war happened because of her. It’s why she’s walking around gathering allies despite the fact everyone and their dog is looking for her. Now, are you going to stop spouting complete idiocy or am I going to have to prove to you that I don’t wear this sword for fun?”

            He blanched and went quiet. She released his shirt and shoved him back. He stumbled but managed not to fall. She ignored him. “Miss,” said the second man. “Is Lady Ruby really leading the army?”

            “Yes. We’re looking for allies. I had thought the militias had all joined the rest of the army already, as I believe was the point in creating them in the first place, so I guess we’ll have to check in with any we find to make sure they’re doing what they’re supposed to.”

            The man winced. “We wanted to go but they-”

            She cut him off with an angry slash of her hand. “Do you need their permission? What on earth is stopping you from doing what you want? You know your duty as they know theirs. If you disagree, and there is no official present, then the best you can do is agree to disagree. In this case, those of you who want to go can go and those who want to stay can stay.”

            “But we’re a unit,” he protested feebly.

            “You’re also capable of independent thought. And really, if you’re arguing like this you can hardly be much of a unit. Now if you decide to man up and join the army properly instead of just paying lip service to the vows you took, then you’ll head to the forest east of Merritty. There’s a camp of recruits a day and half’s march from the city where the surviving soldiers and all our allies are gathering. But you must be careful in the woods because the enemy patrols it heavily near the city. Of course if you’re scared, feel free to stay here.”

            The men in both halves of the crowd bristled at her mocking tone. “We’re no cowards,” the man she’d been talking to snapped.

            She snorted. “Then prove it to me. Show me by doing your goddamned duty. Or are you going to say that joining a camp of recruits is more dangerous than openly walking around when you’re being hunted as I-Lady Ruby is doing? Or are you less of a man than she is?”

            “Oh it’s not that they’re not men, sweetie. It’s that they’re afraid their tiny village that’s barely on a map will be invaded by the enemy’s army. The same army that hasn’t made a single move outside of Merritty. I’m sure it’s because they’ve never had to defend themselves form anything. Obviously bandits and wild beasts leave people alone here.”

            The two she’d been talking to flushed and dropped their eyes to the ground. “You’re right. We might as well move on. You lot, spread the word to the other militias. Maybe they’ll have some real men ready to save their country. We’ve wasted enough time here as it is,” she said, turning on her heel and stalking out of the crowd.

           “Wait!” the second man called, taking a handful of steps then stopping when she did. “Who are you?”

            She looked at him over one shoulder. “You might as well call me Miss Ash. Tell the recruits, if you ever work up the courage to go, that I sent you. I hope you all grow up.”

            Without another word, she walked out of the square and down the road, trailing a grinning Isaac and a wide eyed Miette.