The Last Dragoness (On Hold)

2|Niles

"Enter!" Father yelled out.

The oak doors were swung open and twelve men entered. One of the men, my uncle had his five year old daughter Elisa with him. I glanced over to Rose who already looked bored and her face lit up upon seeing Elisa. Rose held her arms out a gestured to the little girl; Elisa launched herself at Rose happily. I grinned at the two most important girls in my life.

Father waited until everyone had seated before he spoke. "I humbly welcome everyone and kindly thank you for your services." Kind smiles all around and Father continued. "As you know we have gathered here today to discuss the impending tragedies that are attempting to plague my kingdom. It is my wish that all of you will stand behind my kingdom's fight against Timiner."

Murmurs erupted everywhere. Father let them manifest for a moment before raising his hand asking for silence. When the room was so, Father cleared his throat.

"I do not expect you to fight with us. Only to stand behind us." Father gestured across the room to a few guards. The guards drug a mapping table across the room. It was roughly eight feet wide and three feet long. On it was a map of Timiner and our own country. Pawns were placed strategically throughout the entire thing. Father got up off his throne and walked towards the table.

"Gather round! Gather, round. This here table is covered with pawns showing where my men's barracks are. I wish those of you who pledge to stand behind me in this war to come and discuss the strategies I have."

I walked over to stand behind my father and looked with genuine interest. Father had pawns on the border of Thaselania leading into Timiner. There were also three groups of pawns in Timiner. They were far from civilization and I frowned.

"Father? Did you not get the latest report on the positions of our ranks?"

Father turned to me and frowned. The room had gotten quiet. "No. Are you telling me that this," he gestured to the pawns in Timiner, "is not where the troops are at currently?"

I nodded. "Yes. This group here," I gestured with the pointer Father handed me, "is closer to the castle in Timiner." I pushed the group of pawns towards the back of the castle, completely aware of the audience I had.

"This group is by the city gates." I moved them so they were in the trees outside the walls of the city. "And this last group is still here. Though slightly closer, waiting in case one of the other groups need back up."

Father nodded.

~~~~

The court had been going on for an hour or so. We were discussing whether or not we needed to send in another troop when Rosalie joined us. She stood behind me scrutinizing. I knew that she was just dying to give her opinion however Father did not like her ambitions.

"I personally think that another troop needs to go out there." The Duke of Mascence said thoughtfully.

Rosalie tensed next to me and I tried to grab her hand to stop her from saying what I knew was right on the edge of her tongue.

"Yes, I think you are right." Father said the turned to me. "You will be in charge of gathering your men."

"I would like to go." Rose declared from behind me.

Father, who had just turned away from me, slowly turned and set a glare on her that could shake any man. "No. You will not go. Do not speak of this again."

Before I could stop her, Rose pushed past me and stood facing Father's side. "I will not drop it. I want to go."

"Excuse me," Father said and I began to worry for her. Our father pulled her to the side and I followed. "You will not speak of this again. I will not have you embarrassing me in front of these men."

"Then why am I here? Hmm? You don't want my opinion and you want me to just sit on my throne the entire time!" Rose's voice rose as she accused him.

Suddenly Father became her King. "Guards. Please escort the Princess to her chambers." Two guards marched over and they each placed a hand on Rosalie's shoulder. Rose didn't move at first, but instead continued glaring at Father; the guards grabbed her forearms and proceeded to drag her.

Rosalie jerked her arms away. "I will not be man handled!" Rose stalked away from the guards but not before she gestured to Elisa who ran to Rosalie's arms.