How did Thayet become an immortal Queen, who transcended myths and legends?
It was raiding season of 454 H.E., the eighteenth year of King Jonathan and Queen Thayet's reign, and the fiery leaves of autumn were falling from the once green trees around The Golden Lake. A peaceful setting if ever there was one, a peace that was momentarily broken by the hooves of ponies and the chatter of friends on their way home. This is the Group Askew, with one very special addition...
A hazel eyed, raven haired rider fell behind the group. She looked towards the setting sun, enjoying the feel of the last rays of the day sinking into her skin, bringing a slight glow to her cheeks. A slow smile spread across her face, reaching the creases of her eyes as she spurred her pony on to catch up with the rest of the group.
Thayet, Queen of Tortall, was enjoying her time out of the palace; away from all the courtiers trying to gain favour, and the games that they played with both herself and her husband. She was enjoying spending time in the open air, under canvas with clear open skies , with comrades in arms and her away from her loveable, although somewhat annoying children.
She liked the way she was treated by the Riders, with a sort of benevolent disrespect. She was not the queen to them, in fact she was barely a commander, except when it mattered of course. She was one of the group, who ate from their pot, drank from their water skins and who slept in their camp. She was not her Majesty Queen Thayet of Tortall, she was Thayet. She had only a small golden crown on her helmet, and gold earbobs to show her true royal heritage.
A Group Askew were on their way home to the Palace from their station, just north of Fief Golden Lake where there had been some particularly bad raids during the harvesting season, depleting many important reserves. They had left the Palace itself two months ago, when the Court had gone to the summer Palace by the coast. She had only been allowed to leave by special request, from her to her husband, who only very rarely refused anything that Thayet truly desired, be it a new dress, some beautiful jewellery or in this case a break from court triviality.
She had been allowed her break on the premise that the country near The Golden Lake was relatively clear of bandits and raiders, and for the most part it had been. There had been several skirmishes with those trying to steal what they could not afford to purchase and therefore attempting to steal it instead. Mostly from hard working commoners, who mostly struggled to make ends meet. Although The Riders could not stop all thefts and recover all stolen produce, they did their best and were often thanked for their efforts.
On this one particular night the Riders had set up camp on the outskirts of a local wood, their tents were clustered relatively closely together for safety with a fire at the centre of them. Thayet sat on a log, which was conveniently close to the fire, trying to warm herself in the crisp night air. As she slowly let her long raven hair out of its braids, she raised her eyes to the sky once more to see the stars in their many formations sparkling down at her like rows of diamonds in the sky.
Turning her attention back to earth again she looked at her comrades, she could see the exhaustion in their faces, the sallow skin that was often hidden under a layer of mud, and the dark circles under their eyes. They had never intended to be out of the palace for so long, a few weeks at the most, not two whole months away from family and friends and nice comfortable beds. Thayet herself felt weary as she stretched the muscles in her back, and then went back to finger combing her hair as she listened in on her colleague's conversation.
"You've got to be kidding, you think it's another two weeks ride to Corus?" complained a mousy haired woman to a taller older man.
"At least, if not longer. The beasts are as weary as we are; for they've had no rest either. They can't be pushed above walkin' speed for most of the way, or else we'll end up with dead horses at our feet." He commented back.
"You'd better not be telling falsehoods Luc, I am in no mood for your jokes." Muttered Alicia, the mousy haired woman.
"May the Trickster smite me if I lie," he bowed mockingly to her from his seat. "Thayet, what's your thoughts on this matter?"
Thayet, who had been staring at a knot in a tree trunk, heard her name and her head snapped round to look for the speaker. Spying Luc sitting at the base of a tree, looking pointedly at her, she responded;
"Aye, it would be two weeks if we continued on tomorrow. What I propose is we stay here for a few days, we have My Lord of Golden Lake's permission to hunt on his land, and that way we can rest the ponies and then continue on to Corus at a fairer pace."
As she finished speaking she looked away, back into space, or perhaps more specifically into the darkness of the wood where she could have sworn something moved...
There you are, hope thats an ok first chapter? I know its a tiny bit of a cliff hanger but I promise I'll post soon... Probably by Friday at the very latest. Anywho, thank you for taking the time to read it. And I suppose the only thing left to say is review review review!
Steel