NOVEMBERLAND: the little shieldmaiden

30

At dinner, I sat next to the lords that were interested in the settlement. They seemed like decent men and the deal was just because of their interest. Lord Leathe was quite old, he was closer to Grandfather's age I supposed. Lord Ephraim, on the other hand, could only be a few years older than me. We connected on being young in a ruling position, although they were different when it came to responsibility, but it helped to talk about it. 

After dinner drinks were served. I never really liked the drinks, even though I always had one in my hand but I rarely took any sips. Tyr enjoyed drinks more than me, sometimes he found it annoying that I did not drink more but I never felt like it. I always joined in on his stupid drunken ideas. Many of the nobles were fascinated by my road to power, and they often spoke to me about the battle as well as my heritage. However, Lynrike was not everyone's cup of tea. Most nobles chose not to travel there if they had the choice to travel somewhere else. It was different and foreign from any other country, and the fact that we had a faith scared some. 

These types of dinners were so different now from when I first attended them. It was as if after I was coronated I mattered, even though some nobles could not even care less. The nobles acted different now than when Richard was around, people were scared of him and managed to get everyone's attention. Then he propped them full of false information about nobles and royals. But woth him there the nobles were more aware and cut down on the drinks, if he was not there the highprized nobles were drunks. I decided to leave the room before somebody said something that was not necessary. 

My room this evening was actually a little cold, and to be honest I did not really mind it. Then all of a sudden a knock appeared on my door which I believed would be Eleanor so I greeted the person inside, but it was not her. 

"How's the new Queen liking her throne?." the voice said and I got chills down my spine as my back was turned against this person as I was looking out the window in the dark night. 

Without turning around I answered shortly, "I'm liking it very much, King Richard." I had hoped I never needed to hear his voice ever again, but now he was here standing in my chambers.  "I had no idea the Caliban court was expecting you King Richard," I said without flinching a muscle. 

Then I heard his steps walking towards me. He was standing inbetween me and the sofa area by the windows. "It was a quick desition, the sea would be more turbulent if we had not travelled now," he answered in his growly voice. "But how can you like your throne so very much when you're not even in the kingdom it matters in, Queen Saga?" he asked and I knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted me to get my temper up to do something drastic. But my intentions were not like his, I would stay calm and not show any fear. 

"It is called making alliances, King Richard," I answered as I looked out at the city. Only a few people were outside of what my eyes could see, but there were lights in almost every window. 

"Yes, alliances, so I suppose you'll visit Muriel too then Queen?" 

"We'll see, King Richard," I answered knowing that I would never step onto that island of his if he was in charge. 

"So what the Queen means by alliances it is to come close to King Gryffin then, I suppose?" he asked, and I felt my blood burst through my body. Was he serious? I could not hold back my chuckle to be honest. Even though I had been intimate with Gryffin it was never like that. "So it is true then, Queen Saga?" he asked and stepped closer.

I then looked over at him, into that face. It made me feel disgust, the black sliked back hair, the blue devil like eyes, that were not soft in any way. He had a sharp chin with a stubble. For some, including my mother, he was attractive, but for me he was nothing but horror. "I have no idea what kind of information you've received King Richard, but that information must've been false," I answered as I stared into those devilish eyes.