Yes, I know, this did take me literally forever. All I have to say in my defense is that I found out how hard fantasy is to write actually. Anyway, I will leave you to reading now but not before I tell you how much I appreciate your love for my stories, so thank you so much.
Chapter 3: Hot-blooded
The sun burned down on the almost even field spreading out for miles around the city of Sungarden, explaining the name in a magnificent but in Lauren's mind still completely unnecessary way. It had been this way for days, so long that the General couldn't even remember when she had last seen a cloud in the sky. It also didn't help that the circumstances forced her to wear her dragon skin armor but that still meant she fared way better than most of her soldiers. They didn't have the luxury of an equally strong and light armor, meaning that they had to stand in the scorching heat of the unforgiving highland sun wearing heavy leather and plated steel. From where Lauren stood on one of the only small hills in the area her soldiers looked like piles of cloth neatly arranged in rows and groups of hundreds as they all had wrapped pieces of fabric around their helmets and shoulder plates to try and keep the heat from roasting their bodies and brains. It was moments like these where she was thankful she had a white cloak and didn't have to use her Queen's dark colors like her soldiers. Also, hill was a huge overstatement for the small bump in the ground she was actually standing on but it was the only place for miles where one could hope to somewhat overlook an army of ten-thousand Fae. Most of the soldiers were on foot but some had horses or other beasts, depending on the Fae who rode them. There were horses with flaming manes and hooves with fire elementals of many different kinds on their backs or large snakes and other reptiles carrying their equally scaled riders. Then there were of course the shape-shifters, most of them choosing to fight in their animal-forms to escape the heat of an armor. Lauren wished that she could just become a wolf or a hyena as well but then again she was quite satisfied with her enhanced eyesight and faster reflexes. Being a high elf may have seemed boring to others because there were no superlative powers but for the blonde her nature was something she loved dearly.
The General rolled her shoulders in an attempt to keep her muscles loose as she wearily looked past the army spreading out in front of her, seeing another forming in front of the off-white shimmering walls of Sungarden. The sight filled her with tingling anticipation as well as dread. For weeks they had chased the host of the Queen of the Snakes who obviously wanted to avoid open combat at any cost for a while. Finally they had caught up to her when she had taken up residence in Sungarden, the largest city in this part of the Highlands. Legate Santiago had immediately wanted to put the city under siege but Queen Ysabeau had ordered to camp and wait a few miles away from the gates, stating that she didn't want the people of Sungarden to suffer more than they already had in the past years. The old and noble city had changed owners often during the war due to its perfect location in the northernmost part of the Highlands and after being sacked and almost burned the first time the city council had resigned to surrendering and offering help to whichever King or Queen was standing at their gates, claiming to be looking for the true ruler. Still, these alliances between the current occupant and the city were always very fragile and it was this little fact that had lead Lauren to agreeing with her Queen's plan. Their enemy wouldn't be foolish enough to trust the high council of Sungarden and they would get what they had wanted from the beginning: a battle in open field.
Having seen enough for now the General turned to walk the short distance back to the large black pavilion-style tent standing on the small hill's highest point. The flaps were wide open, offering an unhindered view of something Lauren never wanted to see but knew that she would eventually. She had just hoped it wouldn't happen so soon. In the middle of the tent, guarded as always by Dyson stood Queen Ysabeau without the usual dark crown on her head, arms outstretched so that two servants could properly fasten her black armor at her sides. Besides the helmet, it seemed to be the last piece they put on as every other part of the Queen was already clad snugly in black dragon leather. She looked divine, the pitch black dragon which had given its skin for her protection had most likely been a perfect specimen. The large scales were a shimmering black, covering the Queen's torso like a second skin in an even pattern and forming a short tunic-like armor held tightly by a golden belt around her hips, matching pants and boots completing the light yet so strong armor. The scales on her shoulders were easily longer than Lauren's hands, protruding to the side and making Ysabeau's shoulder's seem much broader. The General knew that this was by far the strongest armor one could possible wish for but it didn't calm her one bit. Except for the very beginning, Ysabeau had always watched as her army fought her battles, not because she didn't want to fight or because she was to cowardly to do so but because Lauren and several of her other advisors convinced her not to. It was a good argument that everything stood and fell with her life but the General had known they would eventually lose this battle to their Queen's proud and stubborn nature.
As the blonde walked past the two guards at the entrance of the tent who were standing as close to it as possible as to not be hit directly by the sun, Ysabeau looked up and greeted her most valued soldier with a small smile. "I take it they are still coming out of the city?" She asked in her sensual voice, sounding like she didn't have a care in the world. Lauren wasn't sure if it was all an act of if her Queen was really this calm. Only a fool wouldn't feel a hint of fear given the fact that they were about to go into battle and the Dark Queen was no fool. She was stubborn and daring at times but she wouldn't have gotten as far as she had if she didn't calculate her moves very carefully.
Lauren came to a halt and bowed her head about ten feet from the brunette who now lowered her arms again as the servants finished putting on her armor. "Yes, my Queen. Our troops are also ready to strike as soon as the city gates close. It looks like we will have to wait for maybe another hour or so but we can't be sure. I've already sent soldiers to hand out more water while we wait."
Ysabeau nodded, motioning for the servants to bring her black cloak with the crowned golden horse on it which they immediately did, fastening it to her armor above her chest. "Very good, General. Is Legate Santiago already with the vanguard? If not, tell him to go immediately I will not waste one second after the gates close. It's already almost noon and I want Sungarden to be mine by nightfall." There it was again. Lauren was always absolutely fascinated by the way her Queen seemed to always have absolute faith that everything would work out in their favor, so much that she sounded arrogant at times. The blonde knew all about the prophecy that had led them to this point and she was positive it would lead them even further but she didn't know if she could have shown the same level of utter confidence if their roles were reversed.
"He is already there and Legate O'Brien is with the archers. She is taking her place at out left flank, like you ordered her to." Lauren finally answered and the Queen nodded. "Good." She motioned for her black full helmet that left her eyes completely uncovered for a better field of vision in battle. Scaled like the rest of her armor it was stylized to give the impression of a crown made of dragon horns in the front. "Walk with me, General." Ysabeau continued as soon as the helmet was placed in her waiting hand, walking past Lauren, out of the stuffy and shadowy tent and into the bright sun, Dyson quick on her heels. Lauren moved to catch up with her Queen after a few steps, cringing slightly as the sun hit her directly again. They walked to the place the General had stood before in silence, the sun blurring their vision of the city about two miles away as it reflected off the off-white stone walls. Still, it didn't prevent them from seeing Sungarden's wealth. High behind the strong walls guarding them green terraces followed after green terraces, cool water running through the whole city, around corners and over edges, making rainbows shimmer in the distance. It made for a stark contrast to the land around the city. Where lush gardens spread wide inside the walls, the outside was one flat field of golden and brown grass. Only where it got closer to the Diamondtide, the large river Sungarden had been build next to, it became significantly greener, stopping where the farmers had their fields.
"They say Sungarden is the most beautiful city ever built." The Queen finally broke the silence in a slightly dreamy voice, staring off into the distance. Lauren nodded. "Yes. That's what the noble high council of Sungarden says. I bet the people of the Firebay would disagree." It was true. Before the war most of the now conquered cities had been free cities, ruling themselves in their own right. Each and every one claimed to be the most beautiful, the wealthiest or the most prosperous. Sungarden and Firebay had been rivals in trade for a long time before the war came and while they were completely different Lauren thought they were both beautiful in their own way. Sungarden with its water terraces, fountains and lush gardens, Firebay beneath the Firekeep on its highest peak, built right into the shimmering black and volcanic mountain range which ended abruptly into a sea that sometimes almost boiled from underwater eruptions.
"Well, I will see for myself when I sit down on their diamond throne for the first time. I may need to reconsider the capital of my realm if I find Sungarden to be more beautiful than Firebay." She added with a twinkle in her eye before chuckling. Lauren was about to join her in her laughter when a booming sound reached them, shaking them to their core. It was far away but the sound was so deep it could be felt more than heard and it kept repeating itself in a steady rhythm. "What's that?" Dyson asked from behind them and Lauren, thinking the same thing, squinted her eyes to try and make out the source. She found it almost immediately. In front of the enemy's army drummers equipped with huge war drums had taken their mark, calling for their soldiers to form their battle lines one final time, the city gates of Sungarden closing in the distance. "It's their war drummers. They are preparing to attack." Lauren stated before immediately continuing "Dyson, our horses!"
The wolf-shifter complied immediately and ran for the Queen's pavilion where one of the more observant servants was already leading two stallions, one black and one brown, towards him the best he could. They were both strong warhorses, Lauren's nameless brown one having served her well in other battles already; a fierce fighter but a gentle soul nonetheless. It was the black horse that was giving Dyson a hard time, trying to bite him when he reached for his reins. Ysabeau had named her wild dark warhorse Deathwish and she had done so with a wicked smile on her face while Lauren had just rolled her eyes internally. It was that side of the Succubus that could really drive her crazy and if she was completely honest, not only with frustration.
When Dyson reached them again the Queen had finished putting on her helmet and Lauren had attached the mask covering nose and mouth to hers. The General was in the saddle of her horse in no time, followed closely by Ysabeau who sat proudly in her hers as Deathwish snorted angrily beneath her, his right front hoof clawing at the dry ground impatiently. The drums were still calling in the distance, their own drummers answering them now at a much faster pace, their tone not as deep. It made for a terrible cacophony as they spurred their horses, racing down the small hill and to the main part of the army they would be leading into battle. The cacophony of death ran through Lauren's mind. Cheers erupted to their left and right as, with cloaks flying behind them, they rushed past the soldiers waiting for their orders. "The Queen of all Fae!" could be heard in many different voices, high and deep, male and female and in the most different of accents. Some soldiers who fought with large shields started to bang their weapons against them, adding to the overall noise. This was the sound of war and when the Queen and her General arrived at their destination almost their whole army was chanting, banging shields and weapons or simply roaring in an animalistic way. Lauren felt the adrenalin pumping through her veins heightening her senses dramatically, her trusted Longsword in hand. Her brown horse snorted once but other than that he remained calm and that's why the blonde loved him so much. Deathwish next to him on the other hand was prancing and throwing his head back. His eyes were wide open but he there was no fear in them at all. He looked more like he couldn't wait for hell to break loose. Queen Ysabeau held his reigns tightly with her left hand while the right one clutched her bastard sword. When she felt Lauren's gaze on her she turned her head, eyes blazing with blue fire behind her helmet. For the shortest moment in time, the infernal noise around them was drowned out by their intense eye-contact. They didn't need words, they hadn't for a very long time now and so this one look conveyed everything: their excitement for battle, their fear for each other, the conviction that they would always remain victorious.
The moment broke and they both turned their heads back to the front, ears ringing with the noise that suddenly registered again although it had never truly creased. The enemy's war drums became faster, the screams and banging became louder and just as it all had built into a terrible crescendo it stopped. Now gripping Deathwish's reigns with her right hand together with her sword, Ysabeau's left hand was raised high in the air. The effect was surreal but Lauren knew it was the doing of the blood oath their army had sworn. These men and women would follow the Queen anywhere until they or she died because death was the only thing that could break this sort of vow. The enemy's war drums had quieted as well, filling the air with crackling anticipation. Looking to her left, Lauren's elven eyes could see all bows of Legate O'Brien's archers drawn, only waiting for the Queen's signal but Ysabeau waited, eyes blazing as she stared into the distance.
"Kill them all." It was only a soft whisper, spoken like sweet nothings into a lover's ear but then the Queen thrust her fist forward, Deathwish rising to his hind legs and suddenly the noise was back but still different and they were galloping towards their enemy. With loud metallic sounds and screams Legate Santiago's vanguard crashed into the Snake Queen's front lines a little to Lauren's right. She saw arrows clouding the sky but thankfully most of them were directed at their enemy. Spurring her horse once more, urging the stallion to go even faster, she closed the last bit of distance and found herself confronted with her first direct enemy of the day. The poorly armored man didn't pose much of a problem for Lauren as she simply beheaded him with a fast swipe of her blade as she rode past. Her sword whirled around as she killed another Fae in similar fashion. She felt a blow to her shoulder but when she looked to the side briefly, seeing nothing, she knew it had been an arrow that hit her. It hadn't even pierced the outermost layer of her scaled armor so she didn't bother with it further, instead concentrating on her instincts to guide her blade which was already soaked in red.
twelve years earlier...
The wind was blowing harshly that particular morning, rain pelting down on the black tents every few minutes. The Queen's two-thousand Fae strong host had been forced to set up camp early the night before by a storm, finding a bit of shelter in the woods. Tall and broad the trees here stood further away from each other than they would have in a normal forest and so it made for a good camping spot, especially since the old trees looked like they could withstand every weather. Thankfully, the worst of the storm had already passed but it was nonetheless very unpleasant to be outside. Yet, that was exactly where Legate Lauren Lewis was. As she walked from tent to tent and wagon to wagon with her own second in command, Kenzi, her trusted armor of brown leather and shining metal plates was weighing her down immensely, not to speak of the completely soaked white cloak hanging from her shoulders. "I told you to wear something that wouldn't become heavy as hell when it gets wet." The small but strong raven-haired woman walking next to her sighed dramatically but gave her a smile nonetheless.
"Yes you did but this is my only armor and I'm not walking around without it. Especially in a place like this where anyone and everyone can sneak up on you and you don't see them until you have a blade sticking out of your back." Lauren countered, eyebrows knitted together as another rainy gust hit their already drenched forms. This walk around the campsite was their morning routine and there had certainly been more pleasant days to do it than today. Every morning when the soldiers were just waking up and the last watch of the night ended Lauren and Kenzi would check with them to see if anything unusual had happened during the night. They also checked the supplies, dried meat, salt, hard bread, cheese and fresh water, but also firewood and spare weapons and armor they had picked off the battlefield. Everything had to have its order so they could ensure they would make it back to Firebay without any problems. The Queen's host was on its way home after they had been victorious in securing the borders around Highhonor in the lowlands. Ysabeau had been adamant that they move back to Firebay after their victories, leaving half of her army in the city in the middle of the woods. So far it had been a good decision except for the weather that kept switching from warm and sunny to absolutely terrible in a matter of hours.
"One would think that elves love the woods and nature but you obviously don't." Kenzi grumbled next to the blonde as they sorted through another sack of firewood covered in blankets to try and keep it somewhat dry, even in the small tent it was in. Lauren had to laugh at the statement but quickly stopped as her wet hair whipped around in the wind and hit her in the open mouth, making the other woman laugh instead. "You know, I'm not a wood elf Kenz." The Legate told her friend when she finally got all the hair out of her mouth again. "Not all of us live in trees like you seem to think. I love the green and rocky lands around Firebay because they're my home. Also, the weather there is not this terrible mix of great and gruesome."
"Whatever you say pointy-ears." Kenzi shrugged with a grin, standing up from where she had been on her knees to count the sacks of firewood. As she did, a bit of mud got stuck on her rough black leather pants which qualified more as protection against the cold than against potential enemies that could still be here since one could never really seem to clear out all of them. Lauren was glad the brunette always wore her hauberk, her prized possession, though.
"I think that was the last supply tent." Kenzi said as she closed the flap again. "Good." the blonde answered, relief clearly evident in her voice. "There was also nothing unusual reported last night so we won't have anything more to do this morning."
The pair silently made their way back from the supply tents, nodding their greetings to groggy and wet soldiers walking by. Even through the hood of Lauren's white cloak the water was by now running down her neck, hair plastered to her skin when it didn't get blown around by the wind. The blonde prayed that she wouldn't get sick after this but she had hope since she hadn't been sick for years. She and Kenzi passed a group of soldiers who were huddled under an open tent and around a small fire that seemed to produce more smoke than actual fire. One of the soldiers, a huge bearded man with bright amber eyes offered them a place at the fire and breakfast with them but Lauren and Kenzi politely declined, stating that they needed to get back to the Queen. The soldier accepted hurriedly at the mention of Ysabeau and mumbled "The Queen of all Fae" as if to himself.
The two women continued to walk through rows of tents and trees, getting closer to their and the Queen's tents when Lauren thought she heard something strange. It sounded like a strangled cry in the distance but it broke off almost immediately. She stopped walking, startling Kenzi who turned to look strangely at her but when she saw the look on the blonde's face her expression turned serious. They stood there for a few moments, cloaked in silence except for the rain and wind rustling in the trees. Lauren's elven ears picked up hurried footsteps, the soaked ground smacking under their boots. "Kenz, get back to the Queen." The Legate ordered, already reaching for the ornate hilt of the sword on her belt. "What is it?" Kenzi asked but Lauren shook her head adamantly. "Now." She demanded and this time the brunette understood and hurried off into the rain while the high elf herself rushed towards where she heard the cry and the footsteps.
The first thing she found confirmed the fears nesting in her heart from the second she heard the strange sounds. In front of her in the mud lay a soldier, his throat split wide open, blood still pouring out. It was one of the guards who had the last watch of the night which explained why he was alone in a place where nobody would find him quickly without looking for something strange. Lauren noticed that he also had a stab wound to his chest, telling her that it had probably been him who cried out before his attackers slit his throat. She silently thanked the man for the clue and, drawing her blade, made her way through the deserted rows of tents containing the spare armor and weapons. Those were the tents she and Kenzi always checked first on their round so their attacker had to be someone who paid attention to their procedure. Either that, or they had been extremely lucky.
Lauren continued to walk, rain running down her face as it had started to pour harder now and without pause. The heavy downpour she suddenly found herself in obscured every sound, even the curse word coming off her lips as she realized she wouldn't be able to track down the attackers before they did any real damage. Their objective could only be one thing, anything else wouldn't make sense and so Lauren broke into a run, sprinting towards the Queen's large black tent as fast as she could on the slippery ground and with her heavy armor on. As she got closer to her destination the noises wafting towards her were far too loud for even the heavy rain to cover. With dread in her heart she saw the guards in front of the Queen's tent struggle with hooded figures, five attackers already dead on the ground but also three guards. Lauren couldn't find Kenzi anywhere and it worried her. Shouldn't she be here, fighting alongside the guards? The blonde came to a tumbling halt when she had to dodge the blow of a jagged blade. The solid steel of her own sword immediately made contact with a wooden shield as she tried to kill her attacker with a wild swing. Cold eyes stared at her from behind a helmet under the hood for a short moment before she caught another attack with her sword. The metal screeched as it slid against its counterpart and Lauren had to hold it with both hands to push her enemy back. Luck seemed to be on her side that morning because as she finally managed to push the other Fae away from her he stumbled on the muddy ground and slipped, falling hard onto his back with a metallic crack. His head slammed back from the impact and the high elf wasted no time, immediately impaling her sword into his neck at that spot, blood spurting out of the wound and through the breathing holes in his iron helmet. It flowed down the side of his neck, mixing with water and mud as Lauren pulled her blade back out, turning towards the entrance of the Queen's tent again. What she saw made her sigh in relief. The guards had overwhelmed the remaining attackers and though they had suffered casualties of their own they had managed to kill them all. Now they were already spreading out looking for attackers who could still be hiding. Lauren nodded at one of them as she walked past and into the spacious tent, finding Kenzi with her broadsword still in hand standing protectively in front of the Queen. Ysabeau was the first person that day who the blonde thought was completely dry, which was not an unusual thing given the weather. The dark Queen looked a bit startled but not like she had been in any real danger, a red robe the only thing wrapped around her glorious body but a dagger in hand nonetheless. Lauren knelt quickly, bowing her head. "My Queen. It is a joy to see you alive and well after this."
"Stand Legate." Ysabeau stated and the blonde complied immediately. "I understand that it was you who sent Kenz here to protect me when you suspected danger." She continued, her eyes soft but still very alert.
"That I did, my Queen. I then went to see if my suspicions were true and I did find a dead guard so I immediately made my way back here." Lauren answered truthfully, water dripping down her entire form.
"Very good. Still, I have to ask: How could this happen? And who attacked us?" The Queen's tone was somewhat frosty now. They never had safety issues like this before.
"The guards outside are already investigating the matter and I hope we will have answers soon. As for how this could happen, I presume the enemy has studied us well. They attacked at a time and place where they knew next to nobody would be there as Kenzi and I always check the weapon tents first every morning. It seemed very well-planned." Lauren moved, joining Ysabeau at the table in the back where she had walked to while the Legate spoke. Kenzi did as well, finally sheathing her sword again. "Then both of you will not take these morning walks from now on. You will choose two of your soldiers every morning to do it for you. This can never happen again." The Queen ordered while she slowly placed her dagger on the table, stressing the last sentence. Lauren and Kenzi bowed their heads, their voices sounding in unison "Yes, my Queen."
Ysabeau nodded once and turned her back towards them. "Now, get the men ready I want to be out of these woods as soon as possible, now more than ever." Again, Lauren and Kenzi were about to bow when they heard shouting from outside. "Stop! You can't go.." Then there was a slashing and a gurgling sound, followed by a body hitting the ground. The tent flap flew open as another hooded figure walked in, a shimmering and very slim throwing knife in his or her hand.
The next seconds happened so very fast but in the Legate's mind they played out in slow motion. The Queen whirled around, her raven hair whipping behind her, eyes wide. Lauren turned fully as well, her sword in hand before she knew it, storming towards the threat. Kenzi also drew her blade but she was too far away to really do anything. The attacker's hand with the knife in it pulled back only to shoot forward again, releasing the shimmering piece of metal aimed at the Dark Queen. Lauren's blade impaled itself into the hooded creature's body but too late, the knife was already in the air. The blonde turned her head just in time to see Kenzi jump in front of Ysabeau, the blade hitting her in the middle of the chest and right through one of the small holes in her prized hauberk. The attacker coughed up blood as Lauren pulled her sword out, Kenzi's eyes wide and staring down at the metal impaled in her chest before the first drop of blood ran from her lips, too. The small brunette fell to her knees and coughed once, blood spluttering from her mouth onto her chest and the ground. Her right hand rose to her chest weekly, trying in vain to pull out the knife which dealt her the deadly wound.
"Kenz, no!" Came the Queen's voice, filled with panic now rather than the steely resolve from before as she ran to catch the tiny woman just as she collapsed completely. Lauren felt ashamed that she couldn't do anything else but stare uselessly from afar as blood coated Ysabeau's robe in an even deeper shade of red as Kenzi, who had been a dear friend to both of them bled to death. Between her last coughs and streams of blood pouring from her mouth she managed to croak out "Fulfill your.. destiny, Ys.. Bo." Her body convulsed one last time and went limp but all Lauren could hear were the Queen's screams of agony as she herself just stood there, staring at the scene with her bloodied sword in hand, still dripping water and now the blood of the enemy she killed a heartbeat too late onto the ground.
present time...
Lauren was slowly making her way towards the city gate. Matt, the young blond Fae who wholeheartedly loved to be her not-really squire had found her next to her dead brown horse, using her sword to keep standing. He had immediately put his arm around her, half helping her walk, half dragging her towards where the Queen seemed to be. The battle had raged for hours, going back and forth but ultimately it was the Dark Queen's troops who came out victorious. At some point a blow had hit the General's horse in the ribcage, making it tumble and die almost immediately. Lauren had been able to free herself quickly enough to not be crushed by its weight but her foot had gotten caught in the stirrup and so her trusted horse had nearly crushed her whole foot when it fell. She had managed to get herself out but she still thought her foot was broken as she couldn't put any weight on it. Thankfully, the battle had been almost over at that point and in the few crucial moments that still followed she was more than glad for the layers of dark scales covering her. She had fared much worse before but it still wasn't pleasant, not only her foot but her whole leg throbbed in pain, she had bruises all over and she was certain she had a laceration on the side of her head where a war-hammer that she didn't fully dodge hat glanced her helmet. She was also tired and exhausted, coming down from the adrenalin high she had been on for way too long. Still, she was happy, happy to be still alive, happy that they won the battle.
She hopped forward as Matt steadied her, going on and on about the battle and how he was so glad he survived but also that he finally got to kill some of their enemies. Lauren smiled tiredly and nodded along with him as she saw the high white stone walls of Sungarden coming closer and closer until they cast their huge evening shadow upon them. She saw the Queen long before Ysabeau saw her, still sitting on the back of Deathwish but her black cloak was in tatters and she was covered in sand and blood. Still, the vision sent a jolt through Lauren as she now knew for certain that the Queen was alive and looked to be mostly well. They had gotten separated in the battle's chaos but obviously the blonde had been a bit too busy to worry about the woman she not only cared deeply for but who was also her Queen.
As soon as Ysabeau spotted and recognized the two soldiers making their way towards her she got off Deathwish and met them halfway with a look on her face that let Lauren know she had worried about her. She had already replaced her helmet with the dragon bone crown that usually sat on her head but her hair was still a bit tussled. When she halted in front of them Matt suddenly released Lauren, causing her to stumble and impale her sword into the ground in an attempt to keep herself upright. The young Fae had already fallen to one knee, his head bowed deeply so he didn't notice the General staring daggers at him. Ysabeau however did and immediately the slightly worried lines of her face were replaced by a smirk and an arched eyebrow. "You know soldier, kneeling in my presence is not always necessary, especially when you are steadying your General." Matt was back to his feet in no time, a heavy blush spreading across his cheeks. "Forgive me, my Queen, General Lewis." He stuttered but Lauren waved him off. "Just remember it, Matt." He nodded before the Queen added "You may leave now. I'll handle the General." Something about the way the Succubus said those words gave off the vibe as if she had something completely different in mind but if he noticed he didn't show it, quickly bowing once more and muttering "My Queen" as he hurried off.
"I would kneel or bow as well but.." Lauren smiled as Ysabeau waved her off, still smirking. "I know, Lauren." She held out her arm for the blonde to take. "Let's go. The city council wants to meet us and Dyson advised me not to keep them waiting for too long." On any other day the General would have insisted that she was fine enough to walk on her own but she was too tired to protest and her leg was killing her so she just took the offered arm and let herself be guided to the gate by her Queen.
About two hours later Lauren already felt much better. The noble high council of Sungarden turned out to be the nine richest and most influential citizens of the city, all wrapped in layers and layers of silk and so many jewels that the General wondered how it could possibly be comfortable. They all hid the bottom half of their faces behind diamond-studded masks showing suns in either silver or gold. Lauren quickly found out that all five men seemed to have the golden suns on theirs while the four women had the silver ones. They also all had the same bronze skin, almond-shaped dark eyes and shimmering black hair which they all wore long and braided. Upon seeing the Queen and her General accompanied by the Legates O'Brien and Santiago as well as Dyson they all bowed deeply and expressed their gratitude for being freed from the yoke of the Queen of the Snakes. They seemed to be fascinated by Lauren and Legate O'Brien's blonde hair, whispering something about them being touched by the sun. The General had heard of this devotion to the sun that was practiced in Sungarden but she never knew its extent until she set foot into the city itself. From every terrace or fountain shone suns made from glass or diamonds, carved into the white stone walls of houses where people who couldn't afford the expensive materials lived. The normal people of the city who had watched the Queen and her trusted advisors walk towards the high council chambers had all stared at the strange foreigners, especially since two of them had long blonde hair. The pointed and whispered but nobody made a move to come near them.
When the noble high council noticed Lauren's injuries they immediately sent for a healer, leading the General away from the others and onto a high terrace that overlooked most of the city glowing in the late evening sun. The healer, a young man with the same oily black hair and in wide white pants and a golden belt, asked her to lie down on a wooden table that had been brought for his purposes. At first, Lauren had been skeptical when he started removing her armor but as he got to her injured leg, closed his eyes and started to murmur she instantly felt better. She realized that he had to be some kind of healing Fae and from the way he looked, he seemed to be a monk as well. The wide pants were the only thing he wore on his dark bronze skin, his broad chest and strong arms covered in black tattoos showing various stylized suns and pictures of its rays hitting the earth and filling it with life. He truly was a living painting. When he got to the laceration on the side of her head she had already suspected to be there he paused for a moment while he gently pushed her hair back from the wound, handling the golden tresses like they would break if he touched them the wrong way. It triggered a question in Lauren's mind. "Why do you worship people with blonde hair?" She asked as softly as she could, trying not to startle nor offend the monk.
He sought out her gaze and looked at her with a calm expression for a while before he answered, his voice filled with devotion. "Those who the sun herself touches at birth remain golden-crowned for all their life, filling them with her fire." It sounded like he recited something taught to him long ago and so Lauren just nodded and accepted his answer as he gently touched her head, making her wound close.
It took a bit longer before the monk stepped back from her and bowed deeply. "Your wounds are all healed, golden one but you shouldn't put too much on yourself for the next few days, your flesh is still healing on the inside." Lauren nodded and smiled at him. "Thank you." She pause before she added "I hope I didn't offend you with my question earlier."
He returned her smile kindly and shook his head. "Of course not. Those touched by the sun are usually not aware of the gift bestowed on them." He halted and pointed at a basin in the middle of the high terrace that was just now beginning to fill itself with crystal clear water. "Feel free to stay here as long as you wish. Your chamber is right through this door." He pointed to the other side and to a heavily decorated glass door. "I wish you a pleasant night." He bowed once more and turned to leave but Lauren said "Wait. Will you tell me your name so I can someday hope to repay your kindness?"
The monk looked back at her over his shoulder and smiled but shook his head. "I don't have a name, golden one. I'm a son of the sun and we leave behind our names when we give ourselves over to the temple." He left her like that, still sitting on the wooden table with a confused look on her face. Lauren couldn't imagine giving up her name just to serve a god but the monk had seemed so at peace with himself and the world that she mused it must be freeing in some way. She slowly slid off the table, testing her foot and finding it to be a bit tender still but nothing like before so she walked to the water basin and shed the rest of her clothes, submerging herself in the cool clear water. It felt heavenly after a day like this and so she simply stayed there, sitting on the stone steps of the large basin, lying back against its edge.
Lauren didn't know how long she stayed like this but it couldn't have been that long because the last rays of the sun were still warming her when she heard the clicking of heeled shoes on the stone terrace. She recognized the leisurely walk immediately and so she just kept her eyes closed until she felt Ysabeau sit down on the edge next to her head, a soft touch finding her hair and combing through it slowly, lovingly. That's when the General opened her eyes to find her Queen's intense dark brown ones staring back at her intently. Her raven hair was back in place, flowing around her face in raven curls, the crown on her head shimmering with its newest addition, a deep purple amethyst in the middle above the diamond. She had also shed her armor, exchanging it for a deep red gown the exact color of freshly spilled blood. It was decorated with small roses made of fabric pouring down her shoulder but other than that it was surprisingly simple, a dress for the Queen to wear in the rear event that she had time to herself.
"Ysabeau." Lauren simply stated after a few quiet minutes of the gentle touch. A smile split the Queen's lips to reveal her glinting white teeth. "Lauren." She answered deeply, sensually, her hand still combing through blonde tresses. The blonde leaned into the touch a bit more and Ysabeau smiled even wider above her before she briefly looked over to the horizon where the sun was setting behind the far mountains now. The red, golden and orange played over her aristocratic features, making her even more beautiful than she already was. "Another city that's mine." She spoke softly and Lauren nodded slowly. "But can you count on them?" The General asked, thinking back to the tales of how no King or Queen could trust the city council. "I'm going to go with yes." The Succubus mused. "They presented me with a prophecy of some sort and they think I'm the destined ruler of all Fae."
"Well, that would make them the second party to think that." Lauren smiled and Ysabeau chuckled as she nodded. "They will have a huge ceremony tomorrow where they will crown me as the ruler of their city and everything the sun touches or something like that. They really seem to worship the sun here."
"They do." The General agreed before she sighed happily. "I'm grateful everything turned out well today." Their eyes met again in an intense stare. "Me too." Ysabeau admitted before leaning down and pressing a loving kiss to Lauren's lips, effectively making her gasp as she hadn't expected this forwardness. But then again, the Queen was a Succubus so it shouldn't surprise her that much. The brunette pulled back a bit but stayed hovering over her, now almost lying down along the edge of the water basin. A hand started toying with Lauren's exposed throat, fingers slowly tracing up and down its length. Along with the look her Queen was giving her it caused Goosebumps to spread all over her still submerged body. In an instant their lips were on each other again, merging as tongues danced together. Lauren raised a dripping hand out of the cool water to tangle in raven hair, pressing up into the kiss as she did so. Ysabeau moaned into her mouth, the hand previously on the General's throat wandering lower and under the water's surface to trace along a prominent collarbone.
Lauren jerked and quickly caught the hand in her own, startling the Queen who pulled back from their kiss. "Ysabeau." she got out, her voice betraying her building arousal before the Succubus spoke. "Don't think I don't see how much you want me, General. The moment you noticed it was me walking towards you your aura flared and its getting hotter by the second. You don't really want me to stop. You haven't for months."
All Lauren could do was stare at the bewitching beauty above her, asking herself why she wouldn't let the Queen touch her like she knew they both had desired for way too long now. Maybe because it would make this dream a reality but if the Succubus wasn't afraid of that, why was she? She pulled the ruby red lips back down to hers, the kiss conveying all her feelings as she sat up in the basin, forcing the brunette to follow her movements. She didn't, however, release her hand, holding it tightly to her heart. This time when their kiss broke they were both panting, the pleasant evening warmth seeming way too hot for both of them even though Lauren was still sitting in the cool water, and very naked at that. Ysabeau's eyes had turned their blue counterparts, prominently showing her desire for the woman she had loved for the longest time of her life. "When this is all over." She began, pulling Lauren's lips to hers once more before nipping at the lower one softly and releasing it "When this is over I will make you my wife, my Queen. You will rule the realm by my side. I will make you my equal again even though you already are in all but title." The declaration was fierce and the weight of the words made Lauren melt against her Queen's body, getting water all over her beautiful dress. "Is that your way of proposing to me?" The General asked, smiling into the crook of the Succubus' neck. She released the hand she had clutched to her chest and it immediately went around her back, holding her tight. Ysabeau laughed softly in response. "I guess it is. Bribing you with the prospect of ruling seemed appropriate." She pressed a kiss to golden locks as her laughter vibrated through both of their bodies.
"I just want you." Lauren whispered into alabaster skin, afraid of the meaning the words conveyed. "I know." came the soft response after a few moments of deep silence as Ysabeau gently untangled herself from her. "It has been a long day. I think I will leave you now, General." The Queen said, sounding much more like her usual persona again. Lauren nodded, her expression returning to something unreadable. "Of course, my Queen." Ysabeau stood abruptly, running her hands over her dress and smoothing it out. She turned to leave but thought better of it and instead bent down one last time, capturing Lauren's lips in a searing kiss that lasted minutes before she finally pulled back from it. The blonde was left breathless by the powerful display of affection but at the Queen's next words she almost forgot how to breathe altogether. "I love you. I always have" Ysabeau declared with conviction in her voice, cupping Lauren's face in both her hands who just continued to stare at the beautiful Succubus until the brunette finally let go, standing and turning to walk away. "I love you, too." It was raspy and hushed when she finally found her voice but the Queen heard her nonetheless. She paused briefly and turned just in front of the white stone wall still hot from the heat of the sun, giving her a brilliant smile that shone brighter than the jewels in her crown as she walked back into the building.
I feel like I had a nerdgasm with this one but that could be just my imagination. Do tell me what you think though oh and another thing: I feel like I should maybe bump up the rating with all the killing and semi-sexiness going on. So it would be great if you told me what you think about that as well. :) So, next chapter will be for ADALAD again and I have about 2k words for that right now so it probably shouldn't take too long but who am I to know? Take care everyone!