by GrandMoff
Disclaimer: This story is intended only as entertainment for adults. It will contain fairly graphic sex between women, as well as vulgar/profane language, references to unethical/immoral actions that many people consider offensive, and mild violence. This is a fan story; I do not own Queen's Blade.
This is a yuri lemon; please do not read it if you are underage or offended by lesbian relationships.
Comments, criticisms, etc. welcome: please email !
Chapter I: An unfinished quest
Decrees are best for new laws that will effect the lives of all citizens. They should be announced publicly, by the monarch or a high-ranking minister. Decrees made lightly are usually rued-but, of course, worthy leaders don't make decrees lightly.
The new ruler, Queen Reina, is a worthy leader. She did not issue a public decree regarding the fate of the Fang Assassins. She simply called them together-with a few friends (powerful, of course) and officials to witness-and addressed them.
"You are disbanded," the (No-Longer-)Wandering Warrior said. "You are free citizens, but you have no authority to break any law. I hope Queen Aldra paid you recently, or that you saved money, because I am not giving you anything. You have three days to gather your belongings and leave your barracks."
Many of us were surprised at her stern judgment. I saw Irma in the assembly and she shifted; she was trying to control her quick temper, I guessed. The commander of the Fangs, a tall woman with black hair, bowed on one knee. "Reina-dono, may we have no more than this?" she asked, her voice even and clear.
"No. The only reason I'm not trying all of you for murder is that you were following Queen Aldra s corrupt orders. You may call me harsh, but look at this land. Many orphans and oppressed people live in the slums, the hills, the countryside, trying simply to survive. I am showing you more mercy than you have shown thousands of people. Now I warn you not to make me regret it." Queen Reina stood like a tower of steel.
I had to approve as I watched the former government assassins file out of the great hall. I had known great suffering because of assassins. My dearest friend had died as one, trying to kill me, teach me, redeem herself, complete her mission, and show her love for me and her homeland.
After she had disbanded the Fangs, Queen Reina had called us to her. "Some of them will try to kill you, I m sure!" Elina said immediately.
"That's true," the new queen said. "I will have to kill some of them. The Fangs are finished, though; let s discuss other matters." She asked us to dine with her and strode ahead of us to the Hall of Feast. From behind, her armor was basically hidden. I appreciated the power of her muscles and the beauty of her form while the orange-tinted torchlight gilded her buttocks, thighs, and back with curving, organic shadow patterns.
We reached the wide room. Servants moved here and there, setting places and filling glasses. "Tomoe-san, please sit on my right; Listy-san, please sit on my left," her majesty said. "I would like my close friends close. Also, I have done a lot of thinking about your situations and I'd like to talk about them with you."
"Thank you, I will do so," I answered, and Listy the Noble Grassland Thief agreed with enthusiasm.
The hall was not as busy as it had been each of the first three nights after Queen Reina had succeeded Aldra, but the fare was still sumptuous and the conversation was still lively and jovial. Nevertheless, I felt melancholy in my heart of hearts. I was returning to Hinomoto tomorrow. I might never return to the mainland capital.
I looked around, seeing the familiar faces of those who d also fought in the tournament. There was Lightning General Claudette, tall and quiet. There was Elina, full of high spirits, talking with Ymir the steel-making gnome about possible outfitting of the Vance family guard. Two elves were present. Nowa, a forest guardian, had returned for the festivities. She'd come alone, which signified that the battle guru thought she no longer needed to look after the young ranger. Echidna, a mercenary of great skill and experience, was talking to her at the moment, and eyeing her as a lion eyes a wildebeest. Cattleya the master smith had gone with her family, but had returned at the queen s request. She looked as though she would be leaving as soon as she could without being impolite. Melpha was also present, and she was the only guest I avoided. Memories of my battle with her were always embarrassing, as she was an evangelist for a church of strange-and rather lewd-beliefs. Airi, the ghost maid, was also present-and why not? Though she was undead, she had some goodness in her heart.
I would miss most of these women, the new queen not the least. As for Shizuka, my former right hand, I missed her already and I always would.
There were no raised voiced during the meal, but there was constant chatter as people chatted with each other. But then the voices grew quieter. I looked to the far end of the room. I, too, shut my mouth, and there was silence in another second or two.
Irma had arrived.
She wore conservative clothing, however, and she strode toward Queen Reina. I felt my hand straying to my sword. Irma stopped near Listy. "Thank you for inviting me," she said.
She didn't seem to have any more to say or do; she walked back the way she d come and sat at the first available seat, near Cattleya. I was curious, and suspicious, but my attention returned to Listy and Queen Reina in short order.
Queen Reina planned to build a dwelling in the countryside near the existing church for Listy's orphanage. Then the two also discussed making orphanages and schools in the poorer sections of the capital and the smaller cities. Listy volunteered to be a liaison and administrator to make sure needy people-children especially-received the help, with no skimming, interfering, or exploiting by unscrupulous workers or local thugs.
I talked to Queen Reina about Hinomoto once she and Listy had formed a strategy for helping the destitute. I told her majesty that our problems were very different. We had an empress, but she was all but helpless. Her advisors ruled, passing regulations and enforcing laws in her name, never listening to her. As they controlled the nobility and the military, our nation s common people suffered and had no recourse. But the empress's cabinet did have legitimate authority, so removing them from power would be difficult at least.
We agreed quickly that a coup was out of the question, whether it was backed by troops from the mainland or covert operatives or royalists in Hinomoto. I also opposed assassinations, for many reasons, including the hypocrisy such an action would involve. We thought about the problem for perhaps half an hour without producing one good idea.
In the end, Queen Reina, Listy, and I decided that the mainland should maintain an embassy with Hinomoto, and allow no one but the empress to deal with the foreign power. If she was proven a skilled negotiator, faith in her would grow, and there would at least be a starting point for a restoration. Unsatisfied, the three of us left the idea unfinished and began to talk and drink with the other guests, then to watch the dance performance that was scheduled, and then to get ready for bed.
Those were the events of the last several days. New events are now set in motion.
"Tomoe-san," someone says. I lift my eyelids and see the sunlight of mid-morning. I've slept late. "The queen'd like to break her fast with you and me."
Echidna is doing the talking! I'd betray more surprise if I were more awake; instead, I sit up and nod. "I'm right behind you," I say, knowing my voice is still thick. For her part, the elf gives a faint smile and turns from me, walking toward the doorway.
Stretching as I rise, I follow her, grabbing a bathrobe from the peg on the inside of the door and throwing it around my shoulders as I move.
"Echidna-san has an idea that could solve many of Hinomoto's problems," the formerly-wandering Queen Reina says during our morning meal. "I'll let her tell you about it."
"Your empress is the legitimate ruler, far as bloodline's concerned," says Echidna smoothly. "Since her family's ruled your land for centuries, her people've forgotten why. They're no longer awed by the royal family. If she proves her abilities to her people, the empress'll remind them. In short, she should hold an 'Empress's Blade' and show her subjects her strength by winning. That'll validate her blood."
I nearly laugh, but I realize that she's genuinely trying to help, so I control my impulse. "Our empress isn't Queen Reina or Queen Aldra," I tell her. "She's physically weak, in fact. She could not win the contest."
"Melona could," the elven mercenary answers.
"That s an insult," I say, straining to keep my anger under wraps. "Petty deception is the way to regain the empress s rightful position?"
"You were prepared to win Queen's Blade and restore your leader using your foreign influence," Echidna says. She is very calm, almost careless. "One way's as good as another if the goal's important-or did I judge wrongly how important this is to you?"
The way she stays calm (even detached, perhaps) can irritate me, but now I find myself impressed with her skills of debate. Her argument is pointed, but she's not accusing me or making me defensive. I answer her honestly, "Yes, the goal is important. It's never been more important to me. I was hasty to dismiss your idea."
The queen has her say, of course. She's fought Melona and has little love for her, despite the information that made it possible to defeat the fallen angel who had been driving Aldra. "Melona won't help," Reina says, "because she's more selfish than anyone I've ever met. She has the ability to look like the empress and to fight well, but she s a rather malevolent monster."
"With due respect, Reina-ouo-sama," I say, "she has desires, like any other creature. I may be able to motivate her to work for my country-the odds may be long, but I think I understand her mind well enough to gain her cooperation. But she is a monster, as you say. I will be careful."
"By your leave, Tomoe-san, I'll accompany you," says Echidna.
That statement is significant. I decide to be more guarded around Echidna. She has an agenda. Discovering her stake in Hinomoto's recovery will take some work, but she's a wild card and I cannot afford to refuse her considerable help. Having her experience and skill on my side is worth the cost of keeping an eye on her. I look at her squarely. "It will be very encouraging to have you with me," I say, keeping my tone polite, not simpering.
Queen Reina makes one more comment, however. "I'd go with you if I could," she says. I can tell she means it. "You're a good friend, Tomoe-san. If you need help, please don't hesitate to send for it and I will do all I can. And I owe you much, Echidna-sensei. I will be thinking of both of you."
"Think of our training when the lights go out, Reina-jou-sama," says Echidna, winking at the suddenly pink-cheeked blonde.
I take the queen's hand. "Thank you for everything, Reina-dono. Your obligation is to your people and the bettering of their lives. If that was otherwise, I would accept your offer to come with us. Know now: we will surely succeed. I have no worries for you, and you should have none for us."