Kingmaker

Battle Scars #1

It had been several weeks, around 7, maybe 8 months, since Ava and Sir Richard Neville had been engaged. The pair eventually married in early Spring within the castle grounds. News had spread to the House of York, and with Ava now being a Neville, her family had declared her an outcast and had wiped her name from all records they had. She had been declared as a traitor, and had officially been listed as a target when the time was right to attack the House of Lancaster. Sir Henry Stafford had dropped all desires to get her back, and he too had declared her a traitor. He had requested to be the one to seek her out. And kill her where she stood. The request had been granted by her family. Multiple times they had sent word to Lancaster. Asking that they hand over Ava and no other war would come to them. They already had one reason to go to war. They didn't need another. News of Ava killing a York soldier had also reached the House of York. Even wounded, she had fought and killed to protect the King. She had proven herself to be quite the enemy.
Many times had Richard Neville refused to give Ava to the Yorkists. He would not give up his wife. Not now. Not ever. She had since turned 19 years old, her wounds since turned to scars. She was back at full strength, and fighting alongside her husband. The scars on her face had since been nicknamed 'Gauntlet', and the scar in her shoulder, 'Bolt'. It was a much easier way of explaining the scars to people too, especially when the name of them was just the name of the weapon that caused them.

It was around 7:30AM when Neville woke, turning on his side to wrap an arm over Ava gently. Snuggling close to her as he rested a hand on her stomach lightly, resting upon the small bump. Ava had fallen pregnant after they had married. The pair receiving many congratulations as soon as it was announced. Luckily, Ava wasn't experiencing any of the sickness; making it much easier for her and everyone around her. It also meant she could continue her daily activities without feeling nauseous. Midwives believed she would have a boy. The nurses believed it would be a girl. Ava herself wanted a boy, as did Sir Richard.
As Neville rested against Ava gently, he smiled to himself; abesnt mindedly tracing a small circle on her stomach. Ava wriggled slightly with a chuckle, waking. "You're tickling me" she smiled softly, turning to lay on her back carefully. Neville smiled, keeping his hand on her stomach lightly. "I still can't believe it" he chuckled softly, kissing her cheek. Ava smiled to him, resting her hand on his with a little more pressure. "Believe it" she said softly. The knight smiled, softly kissing Ava's lips as he leaned over her gently. She happily returned it, chuckling at a knock on the door as Neville broke the kiss. He moved from the bed to the door, seeing Plantagenet already dressed and ready for the day. "The King wishes to speak with us. Ava aswell" He left swiftly to leave the pair to get dressed. Knowing it may take a little longer than usual. Even if Ava was still as light on her feet as she had always been.
As soon as the pair were dressed they made their way to the great hall, Ava instantly being offered a seat by one of the many generals. She denied with a kind smile, taking her own seat near the King and Sir George, Neville at her side. The King smiled to the pair; "Good morning! I trust you are both well?" he asked, looking to them. "Better than ever" smiled Ava, Richard matching her smile. "Baby is doing well. Definitely think it will be a boy with how much they kick" The King chuckled; "Let us hope he is as good a jouster as his father" Sir Richard laughed at the comment. "Or as good a swordsman as his mother. I've never seen such power in a swing of a blade"
Ava merely smiled at the comments, laughing softly. "He will be a fine boy, regardless. What is it you wished to speak of, Sire?" she asked, moving the conversation to the reason they had all been called upon. The King nodded, clearing his throat for a moment. "Well. It seems news has reached the House of York again that our own Ava Neville is pregnant. The York army have once again made threats on her life, and on those of the men around her. They still wish to reclaim the throne, and have once again asked for a trade. Ava, for peace" Sir Richard slammed his fist on the table. "I will not give up my wife to those bastards!" he snarled. His anger carrying through his words. Ava silently rested her hand over his on the table in an attempt to calm him. "We will not give her up, Sir Richard. Calm yourself for the sake of your wife and unborn child. We have already sent our reply and we will not be trading. Not now, not ever"
"Are we up against men, or little boys. Trading is for the children as they play with their marbles" commented a general that sat opposite Sir Richard. "We are up against men who want to kill us, Sir Edward. Men who are making threats to our people" replied the King, watching the generals and knights before him. Ava had silenced completely, Sir Richard holding her hand in comfort. She was 6 months through the pregnancy. Or 5 months. It had been hard to keep track. So much had happened. There had been a battle on the moors of Lancashire. Many men died that day. Ava had been among the army that fought, and had seen many of her own men die. Some had died so viciously that it had left Ava dealing with sleepless nights for several days after the battle. Sir Richard had also lost many of his own men. As had Sir George and many of the generals in the room. Though Lancaster had won and had sent York home with their tails between their legs, many men had been lost. "These Yorkshire men. They killed so many of ours during the battle on the moors. I lost many of my men there. All brave men who have left behind wives and children. Many of whom now live within the orphanage in the city. York have taken many of our men. They've taken sons from grieving parents. We've lost hundreds of horses. I fought alongside so many of them. Heard so many of their stories and many became close friends. I saw my men slaughtered. That day, a sword was raised above me. One of my men leapt before me and took the blow. His blood sprayed my armour as he fell before me. York stole away his life because he chose to protect it. How many men must we lose..." said Ava, her voice fading at the end of what she was saying. She had lost almost half of her army. And had yet to rebuild it.
"Ava, we will get back at York for the losses of our men. And we will protect the Crown. Focus on your baby. Leave the fighting to the men of Lancaster" commented one of the younger generals. A newly appointed man of around 23 years old. Ava's eyes shot to the general. Narrowing. "You. Were not there at the battle. You. Did not see the bloodshed. Heaven knows why you are a general if this is your stance. And if you speak to me in such a manner again. Your blood will be spilt next" With that, Ava rose from her seat, bowing to the King and apologising to him before taking her leave. Purposely showing her sword to the young general. Once she was out of the room, eyes went to him. "General. Ava has lost many of her men, as you heard. She fought and defended the King on these very grounds. The scars on her face were from that very battle. She took a crossbow bolt to her shoulder in order to gather information that proved most useful to us. Your words just now may have just stripped you of your title. Get out. This meeting is no longer of any meaning to you" ordered the King, watching as the young general stood. Anger in his eyes. Ava had pretty much just cost him his general status. Not his words, no. He blamed Ava.
"Hey. Yorkie" he approached Ava from behind as she walked down the hallway. Grabbing her shoulder to spin her around, punching her in the mouth. "Speak like that to me again and I'll do  more than just punch you in the mouth" he had dug his hand hard against her stomach as he spoke, before turning and leaving her gasping for breath in shock. She staggered back towards the great hall, a bruise instantly forming along her jaw and busted lip. The second she opened the door, eyes went to her. Chairs falling backwards as men shot up from them; Neville running to his wife's side as she clung onto him. "That general" stammered Ava, her hand clamped on her stomach. Neville tightened his arm around her, the other on her stomach. "Find him!" he snarled to the other generals, the men instantly scattering out of the hall to find the general. He was young. And very stupid. Every man in the castle and the armies knew Ava's stance in Lancaster, and knew very well that she was the wife of Sir Richard Neville. A man of very high standing. They were not the best people to have chosen to speak to in such a manner.

[Authors Note: A lot happened in this part, huh?! Ava and Neville married. And Ava is pregnant! Lancaster is dealing with a lot right now! Do you think the young general is a spy from York? Or is he severely misinformed?
Also! Would you like to see the Battle On The Moors that Ava mentioned? Leave your thoughts below!
And I'll say this now. Ava and Neville married so that I can further the story. She is pregnant for the same reason. I am deciding whether she should lose the baby in an attack or not. I'm still working on that. Or would it be nice to see them with a child? Still thinking!]