The Raptor Queen

VIII - Remember Your Place

Nikolaos

Third night on the road

These last few nights have been more interesting than I expected. Captain Vermund has been oddly, overly friendly with my guest. She's been laughing all evening and sharing beverages with him, yet is quite coy with me during the day. I don't care for it.

Granted, she's accepted my request to share my tent with me this sunset. Time will wear her apprehensive nature down. This evening it's going to be different, she will be dining and drinking with me. Only me. "Squire!" a young man rushes into my service.

"Your highness?" he bows.

"Retrieve Captain Vermund for me. Tell him his King requests his presence."

The young woman we'd picked up in the last village, Chu'si, stands in my tent. I just finished discussing with her her role during this journey. As the Captain enters the tent, I dismiss her. She glances at me then curtsy's prior to leaving. 

Captain Vermund bows, "You wished to see me, your majesty?" He forces a grin.

I lean back in my decorative seat, swishing my drink around, "Indeed I did, Captain. How are things coming along?" I take a large gulp.

"They are well, your highness, minimal issues with this last part of the journey. My men have already scouted ahead and it appears to be smooth travels until we reach the ships. The weather is holding up in our favor," his stance stiffens under my uncompromising gaze. "Is there a problem, your highness?"

My eyes narrow at the man, he's quite wise and knows his place at all times, "You have been with my father's army for how long now? Twenty five, thirty years?"

"Since about your squire's age, your highness. Almost forty," he states flatly, a hint of annoyance on the tail end that he does well at keeping in check. He's  a smart man, he knows what I'm about to say.

"My father greatly respects you're opinions and consistently requests your counsel. You're not on the board, yet your guidance always manages to find its way behind our closed doors. The men admire your leadership..." my brow furrows, analyzing his reaction. 

He sighs, "What is your point, your highness, I'm aware of our differences." The history behind Vermund and I turbulent at best.

"Do you think you're even close to being my equal?" with a sinister stare and sarcastic tone, it's difficult to hold back my glee.

He grits his teeth, "Surely not, your highness."

I stand, pushing my chair back before walking around him. He clears his throat. 

"Then what makes you think you're worthy enough to speak to royalty?" I stop in front of him, furrowing my brow.

"I beg your pardon, sir?" his annoyance starting to rear it's ugly head.

"The Daonessa. Surely you don't think she'd ever be interested in the likes of you," I gesture to all of him as I circle him one more time.

His stance shifts, "I'm just trying to make the princess feel comfortable in her temporary surroundings is all, your highness. You seemed... preoccupied." 

"Don't worry about my burdens Captain!" I commandingly chuckle, again stopping in front of him to adjust his armor. "Listen, Vermundur, you may have been a coveted leader in my father's guard, but this mutual distaste we have for each other isn't anything new. I know what you think of me. The only reason you are here is because I'm merely acting king at the moment while my father is ill. We both know he won't make it through this. So it's in my best interest that I marry sooner than later, receive his complete blessing and begin my reign. The people will appreciate it more if isn't given to me by default. When that happens, you will no longer be a pain in my ass. I won't strip you of your title but your detail is going to royally suck. Are we in agreement?"

He halfheartedly smiles, "I understand that a real man would intimidate a boy, your highness, I wouldn't wish to be a part of your guard. I've served my time, I have a family I'll return to."

His comment annoys me, but I remain indifferent, "Oh, you'll step down? Even better! Until then, remember your place." He glares at me, I nudge my head to the tents entrance, "Now be a good soldier and retrieve the princess so that I may commence my seduction." His nose flares, now obvious of his distaste for my request.  This is interesting. He pivots to leave but I stop him, walking in front of him with my back now to the entrance of the tent, "You fancy her!?" I glance behind me, witnessing her sitting with Chu'si by the fire. Her gorgeous features flickering in front of the blaze. "Lest you forget that you have a family, Vermund. Besides, what would a woman like that want with a old man like you? She needs a man who can put her in her place, someone whose strength will make her quiver with anticipation. Who can make her wet just by looking at her." I take one more step closer and whisper, "A man who can fuck her senseless. A man of your age just won't do." I sneer comically.

He rolls his eyes in disgust, "Will that be all, your highness?" I nod, he steps around me to retrieve the princess. I've already asked the servants to prepare a meal to be served for her and I so that we may dine in the tent. I watch Vermund carefully as he approaches the princess. Her face lights up when she sees him. Damn him. A ping of jealousy reaches my face. I had her exactly where I wanted her until he decided to make himself a contestant. That won't happen the remainder of this trip. She will succumb to me, whether she wants to or not.