A Whisper of Night

19.2 || ASTNORDEN 💫

 Astna's troops were unusually quiet on the road to Stovasen.

As they headed away from the Mageduke, Astna cast one last glance over her shoulder. The province was still smoking, the sky overhead a bruised purple. Fire, she thought bitterly. The trademark of the Lion Queen. Never again. I'll never use it again.

Her soldiers stretched out behind her in column after vast column. The hoofbeats of the calvalry thundered over the road, an almost melodic pounding.

She could not see Princess Lorelei from here. She suspected that she had stayed in Masseig, although she hadn't bothered to check - Lorelei would not do any harm or good on either side of the battle.

Prince Verradaen, however...she hadn't bothered to awaken him for the journey east. She hoped he was still sleeping.

Old Skeynheld. How many times had Astna dreamed of stepping back into her home? Into the palace of her ancestors? How many times had she dreamed of walking the halls and stairways that her parents had walked...?

She let out a breath, running a hand over her eyes. How long had it been since she'd slept for more than a few hours?

"Your Majesty," came a voice from behind her.

Astna turned. Lord Nurtanden pulled up next to her, riding atop a handsome gray destrier.

"Yes?"

"I beg your pardon," he said, "but may I have a word with you?"

She hesitated. Before they had marched, she'd told her liege lords and ladies about the news Jala had brought. She'd told them not to discuss it until they had successfully taken Stovasen.

"It is not about the domestic affairs," he said hurriedly. His armor glinted dully beneath the starlight. "I just wanted to warn you."

She nodded. "Proceed."

They headed down a hill, and the wind howled as her horse's hoofbeats sped up. Her lords had warned her against naming her horses - they simply never lasted long in the battlefield.

"I do not doubt your ability to take Stovasen," Lord Nurtanden said. "With Verradaen's forces and your tactical ability, Old Skeynheld will fall easily. What I am worried about, however, is what comes after this province. You know Aeslyn Norrayn, the elder sister of the Lion Queen."

Astna turned towards him, frowning. "Yes."

"You should be careful when you reach Norrayn. You need to understand your opponent - Lady Aeslyn is a worthy opponent."

"We have more men."

"And - forgive me for this - but too much confidence. One mistake in Norrayn could spell the end for us. And - forgive me again - with the chaos back home, we cannot afford to lose."

She nodded, shrugging. "Then we won't lose." She narrowed her eyes. "I have always wondered why Lady Norrayn was never wed to King Marento. Why did she only inherit a province, and one outside her kingdom at that?"

He hesitated. "I...it is not my place to talk about such things."

She raised an eyebrow. "What happened to understanding my opponent?" Lord Nurtanden blushed, and she lowered her voice. "I...I know she was raped. Queen Lleona banished her and her daughter. Vespira, wasn't it?"

"That doesn't make her any less dangerous," he said, refusing to meet her eyes. "Queen Lleona didn't banish her because she wanted the throne, Astnorden. Lleona banished Aeslyn because she was dangerous."