The First Queen

23 - Insurgency

"The Deneiths appear to be preparing for battle." General Lucio told me as I surveyed the map splayed over the table in front of me.

"Through The Western Pass?" I wondered and he quirked his lip up in disgust.

"That and they're advancing towards The Northern Pass. I believe Arabella's soldiers along the border should hold them off from reaching Desmora, though." Lucio informed me and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Thank the Gods for that..." I grumbled and Lucio nodded, "Any other news?"

"...The people beyond The Outer Wall are sparking unrest; they're worried about losing their homes and families to the Deneiths." Xanthe informed me and I sighed in response.

"Not to mention the rising number of agitators within the city, it's almost like they don't want a queen." Taman chuckled sarcastically.

"I thought you were against stepping down?!" I scoffed, cocking a brow at him.

"I'm not apart of this conversation." Taman shrugged and I rolled my eyes.

"Elia?" Xanthe asked me and I focused in on her.

"Yes?" I asked.

"The representative of House Centyre sent in a request to talk about the tax." She told me and I groaned.

"Are they trying to shirk out of paying again?" I grunted and Xanthe nodded, "Fine. We'll continue this when I get back."

Xanthe and Athena accompanied me into the sunshine of the city and I let out a groan that I had been suppressing for a good hour and a half.

"All is well?" Athena asked me and I shook my head.

"All's well," I repeated with my barmaid grin and Xanthe nudged my shoulder, shaking her head.

"I will admit... I am marginally worried." Xanthe confessed and Athena and I turned to her.

"Why?" I questioned her and Xanthe shrugged, gazing over her shoulder.

"Well, we're in the Centyre District now, and... This is where the majority of--" Xanthe started but was cut off by irate shouting.

"Go back to where you came from!" Howled a butcher, and Athena glowered at him before he could say much more.

"I was going to say: This is where the majority of the agitators are based. Just a bunch of wealthy commoners who think they're nobles and can get away with anything." Xanthe finished and I fiddled with my hands.

"No matter. I just need to prove myself to them." I stated, nodding as if that would convince myself that they would pledge fealty to me.

Xanthe glanced at me with a raised brow, "If you say so."

"I know that look, what have you got up your sleeve?" I asked her and she shrugged.

"Well, if you really want to prove yourself, you should hire someone who could maybe show them that you do believe in the traditions of Azumond." She suggested and I raised a brow, "Athena, do you recall a bard by the name of 'The Poet'?"

"Oh, Gods! Don't remind me! I lost a lot of good soldiers the night she came to town." Athena grumbled, shaking her head.

"Well, she happens to be in town again and she can certainly work a crowd," Xanthe said and I tapped my chin thoughtfully.

"How much would we need to pay?" I asked and Xanthe shook her head.

"I can... Handle that." She sighed, closing her eyes briefly.