The Raptor Queen

V - Piger

Anai

Now that the raptors are secured and his soldiers have apologized, I have a moment to ponder why on this green earth he wishes for my presence at court? It's not for the faint of heart. Court is a place of fast-talkers, finely dressed slaves, snobs, and backstabbers. Everyone there is trying to find their way into the King's good graces, and will do anything to get there. Although I've never been there myself, my father had to go there at the old King's request to advise on battle strategy once.

He hated to have been used in a such a way, but it spared the life of his youngest brother, and he will die knowing that he did exactly that. I'm the last of his people as his youngest brother later died from a rare illness shortly after my father's services had concluded. If anything happens to me, he knows that our traditions will be lost in time. I promised him that I wouldn't let that happen. That I will give him a male heir that will be the first in restructuring what our people once were.

The village I live in consists of only my mother's people. It's a rarity that it happens that way, but when my father and mother married, they did so on our lands. My mother's father loved my dad so much, he gave him the crown when he passed. Had it not been for that, I would have lost my parents when I was a child and probably sold into slavery. My father's words echo in my mind, "Remember what I've taught you. Don't fight for it, let it come into your grasp for an easy kill." I'm certain his motto might've been different if I'd been born a man, but he knows my limitations, perhaps even better than I do. In my own head I'm stronger than anyone, but I know it isn't realistic.

I approach the golden carriage and stare, hesitant to take another step forward when it may be my last on my own land. It makes me sick to my stomach. The King's guard opens the door and urges me on. I'm lost in my own thoughts and can't move. "Time stands still for no one, Princess," King Nikolaos whispers, lightly caressing my shoulders. I shudder from the feeling of his fingertips, startling me from my own useless thoughts. The deals been made; I can't turn back now. I'm not sure what I was thinking. Perhaps I will just maintain my distance for the duration of my stay until my three months is up, so I can just return home. If I succeed in killing the King, I may die in the process. But a glorious death it would be!

The King takes my hand and assists me onto the wheeled cushion. The canopy that shields the carriage from the sun is red with gold tassels. Sheer, crème color cloth drapes down from each half of the canopy's sides. The base of the carriage is lined with gold, real gold, and the seats are made of the finest striped silk. King Nikolaos subtly grins at me, analyzing me once again. Admittedly it's nice, but he'll never witness my satisfaction of his luxuries. He shuts the carriage door. He's not riding with me. I panic momentarily, but maintain my cool before asking, "Will you not be joining me, your highness?"

He points to the large piger lying idly by my transport. And an absolute beautiful creature it is! Truly a difference between the creatures we have here in the south of the continent versus his more seasonal, northside. The creature's shoulders must stand at least five feet from the ground and it's coloring is deep shades of black and brown with white stripes and some blue spots towards it's back legs. It also has fearsome gray eyes that are watching me intently and his muscular structure must make him ideal for taking down its prey. I've never seen one large enough for a man to ride. Though my raptors are large enough for man to ride, it would burden the poor creatures. This piger is big enough for two! I continue to gaze in amazement.

"I see that you approve of Brankos," the King admonishes, "He's as protective as Biza is of you."

His comment immediately adds to my already defensive manner, "Oh really, then where was he when she was about rip your face off?"

King Nikolaos furrows his brow, "Watching, preying. He stalks his prey and attacks when they are most vulnerable."

I glare at him, folding my arms as he continues, "Sometimes one is most vulnerable when they are distracted by attacking something else. Perhaps, I wasn't concerned about Biza, as you aren't alarmed about Brankos. Mutual trust," he explains in the cockiest way possible. I want to gouge his gorgeous eyes out. I unfold my arms, did I just compliment him to myself? Ugh. There's no denying his sex appeal, a specimen by all means of the word, but trust me when I say, I will be the last thing he sees during his last breath. One day, perhaps.

He waves his hand up and yells, "Let's move out. Have the men collect the bit of tax they've provided; that will be all from here. We will have one last village to collect tax before returning to Colonos."

One last village? Must I really accompany him to another village that he surely will be as rude and disrespectful as he was to mine. I don't wish to sit futilely by while he creates a ruckus, not while I'm sitting right here. Though I wasn't present when he first arrived, I highly doubt it would be any different elsewhere in his approach.

As the carriage pulls off and I stare through its sheer fabric walls, a tear pools in my left eye when I see my father emerge from my home. I admire the village we've created, the two story structures crafted from stucco, stone, and wood that allowed us the right protection from our jungle environment. We blended, complimenting the surrounding area. But where I'm about to go, this Colonos, is crowded, dirty, and much less forgiving. I'm going to stand out like a mammoth in a clearing.