The boy with messed up dusty brown hair sticks out his hand.
"I'm Claus and this Seila"
I shake hands with Claus and turn to Seila who is standing there with her hands behind her back.
"Thank you for coming this early in the morning Seila, Claus"
Claus jumps around on the spot and his hair moves out of his face and I can finally see that his eyes are a sky blue. Seila however looks down at the ground and scuffs her feet against the wooden planks. I realise now that Seila looks different to Claus in the way she dresses. Her dark brown woollen dress goes down to her ankles and there is a belt pulling the fabric closer to her body so that you can clearly see that the dress is to big. Her frame is incredibly slim and you can see her bones in her arms and legs, she also has only three toes on her right foot, god knows what happened to her. Claus sees me looking Seila over.
"Your majesty, just because her appearance is not what it should be, doesn't mean she can't do the job well"
I feel taken aback, I did not expect Claus to defend Seila so harshly. Debra looks uncomfortable as well, as she had been scrutinising Seila too.
"Call me Kris, and I'm sorry Seila, I didn't mean it as an insult!
The girl nods, her head still bowed. I share a glance with Debra and Thomas but once again Claus interprets our facial expressions.
"She doesn't speak and please don't ask her to. She is the top of our class and she doesn't disappoint."
"Okay Claus, we believe you"
Both Thomas and Debra nod their heads in agreement but still look unsure. I stare at them as they seem to have a silent mental conversation. The silence was starting to get uncomfortable and Claus, Seila, and myself were staring. I give a slight cough and they turn to me.
"Let's get started shall we?"
...
Claus and Seila shift back into their respective animal form and move off, starting their mission immediately. Thomas glances at me weirdly before rushing off to complete his task and Debra turns to face the busy docks.
"Are you sure we can trust them? What if something happens and they inform the armada of our plans? What if Claus goes in a different direction and tells an army that we are occupied with the armada, what then? What if..."
"Debra! We can trust them and if not I have a back up plan. Plus I've already scouted the land, there is no army waiting for us okay. We both have tasks, lets just get them done"
I turn and walk away, back through the busy docks and around the bay to the stone watch tower that overlooks south western part of the Great Sea. Sea weed can be seen growing right up to the water's edge and vines grow up the side of the watch tower giving it a serene look. The grey stones looked weathered but strong and this settles my beating heart, but only slightly. I walk through the low door into the meeting room and see that only three people are there. Everyone must be in the barracks that connect to the round building.
The three guards stand to attention when they realise that I am standing there, they are all in casual off duty cloths, one doesn't even have a shirt on and he blushes slightly.
"Get dressed and call everyone off duty to me"
"Yes, ma'am"
They salute and march into the barracks. I move to the window facing the sea and stare at the fog that continues to slowly creep forward. I can hear groans and mumbles from the sleeping off duty guards, many who had been on night watch and had only recently just gone to bed. The three guards went around to each and every person and whispered to them, I felt their emotions go from annoyance, to understanding than to a mild panic and I smirk, though regrettably.
Slowly they start to trickle into the room, standing to attention in neat rows, it makes me smile again as I'm not used to this, certainly the courtiers in my court don't respect me like this. One guy sways on his feet half asleep and once again I smirk. Even though I tried to hide it I catch the guy's horrified eye, so I guess he noticed.
Walking over to him I place my hand on his shoulder.
"You should go back to bed"
The guy shakes his head and looks down.
"Sir, what is your name?"
"Harold, ma'am"
"Well Harold, I need you to go back to bed so that I don't feel guilty for letting an exhausted soldier fight, and you are in absolutely no condition to do so."
Harold shakes his head again and I squeeze his shoulder.
"Do you have a family Harold?"
"Yes"
"What would they think if you died because you were too foolish and too proud to get some rest?"
"That I was too foolish and too proud"
He mutters under his breath so that only I can hear.
"Exactly, and you know what, can all the guys who just had watch duty please raise your hands."
Fourteen hands are tentivly raised into the air, not including Harold's.
"You may all go back to bed"
A chorus of yes ma'ams are heard before they head back to the barracks, Harold is the only last-watch left.
"Harold?"
"Your Majesty, I would just like to say that I speak for all of us when I say that you are what this kingdom needs"
I blush deeply as a talks, slightly embarrassed by his words.
"Ma'am, do not be embarrassed because it is true"
I blush again and pat him on the shoulder.
"Thank you, and get to bed!"
Harold salutes once more before stepping back into the barracks. I turn to the other guards still standing at attention.
"Right, here's what I need to happen..."
YOU ARE READING
War Queen
Fantasy(I will be reviewing this description later on) Kriss never wanted to be queen but she promised her mother,the former queen, that she would take up the title and save the kingdom from their never ending war with the neighbouring kingdoms. By making...
