Disclaimer: Thank you to those who took the time to read Sanctuaire. I enjoy writing the story and I have the whole plot and themes and tidbits already laid out on the table before me. So I very much know where the whole thing will go.
Happy reading to all!
SANCTUAIRE
Chapter IV: Devoir
"Highness? Something troubles you?"
Lightning removed herself from the trance she had just been in a mere second ago and glanced at the men that sat at the long table. The council of Bodhum had gathered earlier that morning to discuss matters with the queen. It was nothing new to Lightning. The council had continuously asked her the same inane questions; how were they to make sure Bodhum remained rich and pure, that the country provided well for itself.
On many occasions Lightning would remind them, sometimes show them, that Bodhum was still as prosperous as ever.
The queen sat up straight against her seat and stared directly at the council members. "I need not remind you again that Bodhum has not encountered any trouble for the past long years since my coronation. I intend to keep it that way as well." The council murmured to each other. "Highness, there is also…word of you needing an heir, and a king…" One member mentioned carefully, knowing the topic was a sensitive one.
Lightning held back her icy glare and merely stared at the one who had spoken. Despite seeing no glare on her face, the queen's expression and cold eyes still managed to bring a cold draft down the man's back. He tried not to shiver in front of the queen, lest he offended her in any way.
Lightning remained calm and civilized. "I prefer to keep away from such a topic at the moment. If anything, that is the very least of my worries."
"Majesty…" The man began again but Lightning held a hand up to silence him. "Enough. I do not wish to discuss anymore of this. Instead tell me of something of much greater importance." The queen's posture told the council members that perhaps it truly was best to speak of a different topic. Lightning continued to listen to every word that they had said.
It was the same discussions she had been hearing for years, but she said not a word to express her impatience and remained as collected as she could. Though several members of the council seemed to sense the queen's waning patience with them and quickly diverted to another topic to avoid the queen's cold wrath.
Queen Farron was unlike any other monarch; king or queen, it did not matter. She had the disposition of an angered goddess once provoked to an extreme extent, but nobody dared and try to see what that side of the queen was like.
The council left the moment they had said all they needed to; leaving Lightning to her thoughts as she strolled down the halls once it was all over. She stopped for a moment to stare out of one of the palace's windows. The days were the same, never-changing, never completely moving forward. But in a way, perhaps it was better that way; when the people of Bodhum would feel perpetual peace for the rest of their lives.
"You seem to be a bit troubled."
Lightning turned to face Fang and sighed before turning her sights forward. "Not at all. Just thinking." Fang snickered and ruffled the queen's hair, being one of the only ones allowed to have such unrefined contact with the queen. "I have known you for a long time, Lightning. I can tell you are troubled by something." Lightning grunted and faced her longtime friend. "You are the general of Bodhum's army, Fang. Your duty is to see to the kingdom's safety, not to analyze what is in my thoughts."
"A general and a friend, Lightning. Do not forget that. And not just me; Vanille as well." Fang reminded. Lightning resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I am aware of that, General Fang. But my duty is not to stand around and think aimlessly like a maiden dreaming of a nonexistent future that comes from a child's book." The general laughed and shook her head. "No, of course not. But I must say, your thoughts seem rather interesting, rather than those lovelorn maidens and Romeos; you think of things that may be impossible yet could be reached if one tried."
The queen raised an eyebrow. "And how would you know what I think of? Unless the Goddess Etro gifted you with the power to gaze into the minds of people, I doubt you know what you are saying about my thoughts."
"It does not require a seer nor a mind-reader to look into your thoughts, Lightning. They just do not have the privilege to come close like Vanille and I do." Fang chuckled, "I do admit your scowl is quite intimidating, and it frightens people." Lightning gave Fang a look and the female general broke into a hearty laugh. "Yes! That is the scowl I meant!" "Was there something important you wished to discuss, General? Or did you merely come to my side to patronize me?" Lightning growled slightly. Her companion waved a hand at her. "Come now, you know I did not mean anything by it. And I came here to make sure my queen is not exerting herself too much."
Lightning's scowl deepened.
"Duty, duty…that is all you have on your mind. Why not take the time to do something else; just taking Odin out for a daily run is not the only way to experience true freedom for a moment." Fang suggested but the queen looked away. "I have no need for such advice." The female general shook her head disapprovingly. "Ah, you deny yourself too much."
When Fang's humor died down for a moment, she tapped Lightning's head. "I also wanted to talk about that animal you unleashed into your gardens." "His presence bothers you?" Lightning questioned. With a chuckle, Fang waved the concern off. "Not at all. I just find his moods rather odd. I have been watching lately; first he seems to take a liking to you, then at the next moment he snaps as if you had done a great deal to impute his honor. The beast acts like a lover scorned!" Fang laughed at her own humorous idea.
"…"
"Lightning?"
"Even beasts have their own odd qualities about them, I suppose."
"Perhaps. But this one is far too odd, unless his skull had been damaged as a pup."
"His skull is fine, Fang."
"Even so, the wolf cannot just choose one mood or emotion."
Lightning shrugged. "Leave him be. He will not be here long anyway; once he heals he is free to leave as he wishes." "What about his intelligence? He seems rather trained for a wounded beast found in the woods." Fang added, placing a finger and thumb under her chin in thought.
"Beasts can be intelligent if they wish to. Why show such concern over such a thing when Odin is the same as the wolf in a way."
Fang frowned thoughtfully. "Odin does not act like a lover scorned whose mood changes every moment or so." "No," Lightning agreed, "but he seems to share the same impressive mind. Nonetheless, the wolf will make his own choices." Fang laughed once again. "Even the common animals need not fear when Queen Farron is the one who reigns!" "Hold your tongue before I do it for you." Lightning warned and the general stopped, but her amused smirk remained.
The strolled into the throne room where the two woman found Vanille cleaning the queen's throne.
Lightning raised an eyebrow and Vanille turned, nearly jumping out of her skin. "You startled me! I was just polishing your throne, Lightning." She smiled at the queen and received a gentle pat on the head. "You did not need to." Lightning said and settled on her large, white throne.
"Is something bothering you?" Vanille asked, tilting her head to the side. Fang snickered, "Duty. It is always duty when it comes to her, Vanille."
"What did I say about holding your tongue, General Fang?" Lightning glared at her.
Fang raised her hands up and Vanille giggled at her friend. "Do you plan on sitting there all day, Highness?" Fang asked, raising an eyebrow. Queen Farron sat back against the throne in a slight slouch and rested her cheek against her fist as her elbow rested on the arm of the throne.
"I suppose that answers our question…" Fang mumbled. Lightning closed her eyes for a moment. "… Leave me now." Vanille and Fang exchanged looks before bowing their heads and exiting the throne room, letting the queen have her peace.
Lightning remained still for what felt like an eternity. Her mind was filled with many racing thoughts, some even she could hardly understand herself. With a heavy sigh she sat upright and carefully leaned her back against her throne.
Thinking deeply was quickly becoming a bad habit, she noticed. Often she found herself wandering how she managed to even get caught in her thoughts when there was not much to think about, or perhaps, she was still too caught up in her previous thoughts during the council's meeting. They meant well, she was sure. But there were simply some topics that must not be trudged upon.
Perhaps now was not the time to merely sit and think; there were duties she still needed to intend to. Lightning rose up from the throne and left the room, leaving the gigantic doors to slam shut behind her on their own.
It had been some time since she had visited the market, perhaps now would be a good time to do so. Several servants who she had passed by bowed their heads at her as she walked past them before they returned to their daily chores around the palace.
The queen returned to her chambers, exchanging her formal tunic for something simpler. As queen, even a simple casual tunic would be of the highest quality and it still stood out among others around her. Lightning always ignored this fact; after all, it was merely clothes.
Vanille was at her door, dressed in a middle-class tunic and was hold a basket, the moment Lightning left her room. The queen raised an eyebrow at the handmaiden. "Lightning? Are you going somewhere?" The redhead asked, taking in her friend's attire. Lightning nodded and Vanille suddenly broke into a large smile. "Perfect! I was just about to visit the market and get more supplies for the kitchen. May I join you?"
Lightning sighed knowing the girl would follow her whether she said yes or no. "Fine."
Vanille grinned and followed at Lightning's heels out, her usual skip in her step. She pranced around a bit in her usual display of youthful energy.
Lightning walked alongside the handmaiden, her usual air of nobility hung about her like an aura that was hard to miss.
Despite this, Vanille kept in pace with the queen until they were past the gate of the palace and walked towards town. Already it was bustling with activity from the many vendors and buyers alike; Bodhum was known for its many honest business men and merchants and traders since Lightning Farron's reign and nobody dared disturb the peace unless they intended to challenge the stormy will of the young queen.
"Ah Vanille! It has been a while since I last saw you." A fruit vendor said with a friendly smile. Vanille greeted the man in kind while Lightning stood back a few paces. The man finally took notice of Vanille's companion and his eyes widened. He opened his mouth to make a formal greeting but Vanille placed a hand over his mouth and with her free hand, placed a finger to her lips. The vendor understood; it seems the queen did not wish to attract attention to herself in these busy streets. The man nodded making Vanille drop her hand at once.
"Well my Lady…what brings you here down from the throne?" The vendor asked in a low voice. Lightning glanced at him. "… Escorting a lady on her way to the market." The answer was blunt but gave off no rude tone.
Vanille hummed as she looked for the most fresh fruits and vegetables the vendor had to offer. The man diverted his attention to the redhead instead, much to Lightning's relief. She knew she still stood out despite her casual tunic but if one were to shout her name it would gather more unwanted attention, and that was a scenario she wished to avoid for the moment.
"My Lady if I may, I wish to ask you a question." The vendor had turned back to the female monarch, his expression now serious. Lightning nodded in approval for him to speak. "A close friend of mind resides in Nifleheim. I have not seen him in two years now and I wonder how Nifleheim is at the moment. Is there any news I need to be concerned about?"
Lightning shook her head. "Nifleheim is still as prosperous as Bodhum and any trace of woe is no longer there. However, the royal family is the only main concern. But I'd rather not go into a subject that is not of anyone else's concern."
The vendor nodded. "I understand my Lady. I am thankful my friend would not encounter harsh times, but it is rather strange what happened to the royal family. If you do not mind me saying, I hear Prince Caelum had been missing for three years as of now."
"… Has he?" Lightning said in a low voice.
"Word has it that Lord Caelum as not seen his son since and does not know his son's whereabouts himself. Pity really, the prince is a fine young man." The vendor said absently, as the other half of his attention was arranging his fruits and vegetables.
Lightning remained silent until Vanille returned to her side, finished with her gatherings. She bid the vendor farewell and continued on with the queen following. The bakery was where the redhead stopped next.
It seems that Vanille had gained a decent amount of friends at the market since the girl who worked at the bakery recognized her as well. Just as the vendor had, the bakery girl gaped the moment her eyes happened upon Lightning. However, she instead flushed and bowed her head shyly. Lightning raised an eyebrow when the girl pulled Vanille aside to help her choose a nice fresh loaf of bread.
"Vanille! You did not mention the queen would be so…so…"
"Intimidating?"
"Well…in a way…"
"Lovely to behold?"
"She is quite handsome for a woman…"
Vanille laughed and glanced at her longtime friend. Lightning was leaning against the wall of the bakery with her arms crossed over her chest. Sensing someone's eyes on her, Lightning looked over at Vanille and the redhead snorted in the process of trying to covering a giggle as she turned away from Lightning's eyes. The young queen stared at the girls suspiciously before shrugging the matter off and continued to remain still against the wall.
"Her Majesty is escorting me around the market." Vanille said with a grin. The bakery girl flushed as she stole a glance at the queen; Queen Lightning Farron was certainly a sight to behold, and the rumors regarding her seemingly ethereal beauty was certainly no exaggeration in the bakery girl's opinion. Though the monarch was stoic and not at all talkative like most nobles, there was an air of nobility, of honor, of greatness that surrounded her, and it separated the queen from the rest. Queen Farron also seemed to have the form of a soldier, and a face that could be considered both beautiful and handsome at the same time.
Not realizing she had been staring, the girl's eyes were all but sparkling with as she gazed upon the queen's form. Lightning looked her way and raised an eyebrow. The girl flushed until she was bright red, gasped and then scurried of in a hurry to assist Vanille, leaving the queen rather confused.
"Vanille…why not try out raisin bread? My father just baked it fresh a while ago." The girl suggested hurriedly, hoping that Queen Farron was no longer looking at her. Vanille giggled. "Of course! I haven't had raisin bread in a long time!"
Grateful for the distraction, the baker girl rushed into the back of the shop, calling her father for some of his freshly-baked raisin bread.
"You will love the raisin bread they make here, Lightning. It's always fresh and absolutely delicious!" Vanille gushed, thinking of the taste of the bread. Lightning chuckled.
The baker's daughter returned with a tray of fresh and still-warm raisin bread. She and Vanille grinned as the redhead took a bite and hummed in approval at the taste.
The girl hesitated when she faced Lightning and flushed. Trying not to shake out of bashfulness, she pushed the tray towards the queen. "Would Your Highness…like to try some…raisin…bread…?" Vanille blinked in surprised; the baker girl was always full of confidence and had an enthusiastic disposition. To see her act the way she was now certainly was new.
Vanille glanced and Lightning; as the queen politely picked up the smallest slice of the raisin bread, the baker girl flushed and smiled shyly. The handmaiden giggled to herself. She should have known.
Of course Lightning made people's heads turn wherever she went and wherever she may go. It was not only men who would stop just to have the chance to gaze upon her enigmatic form, but women as well, and her baker friend was no exception it seemed. Lightning stared at the baker girl oddly before she took a bite of the bread and nodded. "It is indeed as good as Vanille said. Tell your father to continue his honest work; it will do him well with such a talent at baking."
The girl's red cheeks seemed to burn as she nodded and bowed her head. "Y-yes! Thank you Highness! I will be sure to tell him!"
When Vanille finished her slice, she announced she had better leave now that she had gotten the fresh bread she needed. The baker girl seemed slightly disappointed. "Must you leave so soon?" Vanille could not help but notice that as she said those words, her eyes were gazing right at Lightning. Though the young queen did not seem to notice the attention.
"I'm afraid I have to. There are still some things I need to purchase and I am sure Lady Lightning would need to return to the palace soon." Vanille said. Lightning remained austere. "No need to rush Vanille. You may take your time."
The queen's handmaiden smiled and nodded thankfully. "Don't worry; I will be sure to visit again!" She said to her friend, giving the girl a friendly hug. The baker's daughter chuckled and tried not to let her eyes wander to the monarch again. It seemed rather shameful for her to keep staring at the queen as if she had she just seen a magnificent knight who stood atop a grand hill with his noble steed rearing…
Lightning was the first to leave the bakery with Vanille at her heels, putting the young baker girl's daydream to an end.
"How amusing." Vanille stated as she walked alongside Lightning. Her taller companion looked at her oddly. "What is?" "My friend. I believe she had become enamored with you, Majesty." The queen's handmaiden teased and Lightning's only reaction was to blink, an unreadable expression on the monarch's face.
"You must smell of pheromones, Lightning." Vanille laughed lightly and the older woman huffed grumpily; she found nothing amusing neither in what had occurred a while ago nor in what Vanille had said. "Fang is most certainly a bad influence on you." The young handmaiden stopped laughing and her lips formed into a pout. "That is not true at all! You just need to remove the tense burdens from your shoulders every so often."
The monarch scowled and said nothing more.
For the rest of the day, the queen watched over her handmaiden as she skipped along down the market for fresh food along with several new bottles of wine. Lightning never enjoyed wine much or any kind of drink that left one intoxicated and acting like a fool. Only during special occasions did she touch the sometimes-revolting beverage. She drank very rarely but servants would whisper of how inhumane the queen's immunity to intoxication was, for during one point in her life, a suitor had tried to bring the queen into a state of drunkenness only to be astonished at how she was still as sober as ever. It had seemed the queen herself had known it all along as well and the suitor was all but thrown out of the palace for such an attempt at the queen.
"Is that everything Vanille?"
"Ah, yes! I have everything!"
Lightning nodded. "Good. We have to return now." The redhead kept in pace with the queen as they moved back towards the palace. However, they were unable to go farther when a large crowd of people blocked their path. They seemed to be witnessing some kind of out-of-place event, for screaming and yelling, and insults could be heard right in the middle of the crowd.
Vanille looked up at the queen worriedly. Without a word, Lightning pushed forward through the crowd with Vanille keeping close behind her queen.
The moment the two women had moved up in front of the crowd, a tall lanky man toppled and fell in front of them, making Vanille jump and yelp in surprise. Lightning stared at the scene before her; the lanky man stood back up and charged towards a second, more powerful-looking man. The crowd stared, wondering what had caused these two men to get into such a brawl with one another. The fighting pair yelled and continuously threw insults and fists at each other.
Already Lightning could see the damaged they had managed to cause to their faces.
She stepped forward and the witnesses gasped at the daring woman who seemed crazy enough to try and get between two aggressive men who were in the middle of a fight. Vanille held her hands together and watched on, knowing this was what Lightning did best; be the queen of Bodhum and look after the country and its people. But the duty also came with risks of getting harmed, but the redhead knew Lightning was skilled and powerful, and most of all, fast.
The men continued their fight until Lightning stepped closer to them, her eyes darkened. "What is this?" She demanded, catching the attention of the men. In their heated exchange and struggle, they seemed to have forgotten how to tell who was more superior to them. "This ain't your business woman! Shove off!" The lankier man said, glaring at Lightning before returning his glare to his opponent.
The young queen smacked the lanky man a fair distance from the other offending male until she was right in between them and their quarrel.
Both men glared at the intruder. Lightning stood her ground calmly, but her eyes were like the raging storm as she stared the men down. They were intimidated by her glare, which seemed to anger them even more, especially now they had a new target for their anger.
"You want me to break your pretty face, woman?" The bulkier man demanded, cracking his knuckles. The crowd gasped; shocked that anybody would have the Gaul to attack a woman just like that. Lightning raised a doubtful eyebrow.
She placed a hand on her hip. "Do you both honestly think that either of you could land a blow on me?"
Vanille knew that the words were not arrogance, just pure facts. However, it angered the men even more. Forgetting each other for a moment, they went for Lightning instead. The queen easily dodged every blow they threw at her; her expression did not change a single bit. Vanille could tell she was not putting much effort in her movements, that she was merely holding back. Still, the young handmaiden could not help but flinch whenever a punch came close to Lightning's face.
The men grew tired already but Lightning looked like she could continue for the whole day.
When at last the two decided to attack her at the same time, Lightning swiftly stepped to the side and lifted a leg, striking them in the abdomen and sending them flying backwards, almost hitting the crowd in the process. The men gagged and coughed, proving the harshness of the strike they had received from Lightning.
A woman from the crowd narrowed her eyes at Lightning then gasped in recognition. "Is that…Queen Farron?" The people around her gaped and stared at the monarch. They whispered and murmured at each other in awe and surprise as Vanille moved back to her queen's side.
"Queen Farron…?"
"That was Queen Farron…"
"The queen? Here?"
Ignoring the awed stares, Lightning approached the collapsed men now that the dispute was disrupted. She bent down on one knee and eyed them sternly. "Explain yourselves; causing pointless ruckus in the middle of the streets disturbs the peace of others and you know that, I am sure." The men groaned painfully, but it was bulkier man who spoke. "The damn churl…trying to use…my sister…seduce her…for…our riches…"
Lightning glanced at the lankier man and stared at him for a few moments. The queen sighed and stood still until the men had enough energy to sit up properly. The bulkier man rubbed his stomach and winced; rumors of Queen Farron's strength seem to be true.
"Your father. He owns his own piece of land?" The queen asked the bulky man. He nodded. "My sister and I look after his lands whenever Father leaves to sell the fruits of his labor. This no-good rat wanted to seduce my sister and take advantage of both her and my father's riches!" The smaller man glared at his opponent. "You do not know me! I do not need that sister of yours to make myself rich!" He stuck his nose up arrogantly in the air.
Lightning's eyes watched carefully, judging the character of the men inside and out. It was also known to some that Queen Farron was also a magnificent politician; she judged carefully and made no comment unless she was sure of her decision and the choice she made.
"Tell me, what work are you having for yourself?" She asked the lanky suitor. He glared at her and scowled. "I don't need to tell , what work are you having for yourself?" She asked the lanky suitor. He glared at her and scowled. "I don't need to tell you what my work is! And it most certainly is not any of your concern!" All around, the witnesses gasped at the man's rude reaction towards the queen but Lightning's face remained unreadable. "Either you be honest and tell me what your profession is or I will have to believe your companion here and bring you in for my general to question you." It was not threat; just a mere statement of how things would work should he refuse to cooperate.
The suitor's scowl deepened. "You filthy monarchs always think you have the right to be involved! Always sticking your nose in other people's personal matters when it does not concern you!"
"Do you hail from here?" Lightning asked him. If he was not from Bodhum then he most likely would have come from a poorly economical country. If he did hail from Bodhum, then that was a different matter entirely.
"Of course I hail from here you arrogant cow!" The lanky man screamed in distress. The onlookers frowned and glared at his lack of courtesy towards their beloved ruler, but to their surprise Queen Farron's expression was still as stoic as ever. She crossed her arms and glanced at the suitor's opponent. The farm girl's brother nodded and his eyes were definitely honest.
Lightning turned her sights back to the suitor. "What is it that makes you scowl upon the monarchy?" The man's glare was fierce, but it was nothing compared to the queen's as it did not give anybody the feeling of a chill.
Still, that fact did not stop his mouth from running its own course, "You sit high upon your throne, looking down upon us of lower peasants with that arrogant show of power while the rest of us slave away to earn a living! Monarchs like you do nothing but hide behind your power to cover your own cowardice!"
By now the citizens of Bodhum were jeering at him and some were close to impaling the man with whatever they had in their hand. However, they dared not move unless the queen has made a decision.
Vanille's eyes widened, not from the man's insults, but from recognition. "Are you…is your father…a spice trader?" She asked. When the suitor's eyes bore into her angrily, Vanille had her answer. She turned to Lightning and tugged on her tunic gently. The young queen nodded, knowing exactly what this meant. "You father's business was shut down for a reason. He was trading illegal spices and to allow such a business to go unpunished would be a crime in itself."
"Bah! You are only talk! You speak as if you were some god, but you are not! You are just some woman who sits on a throne and acts as if she knew how to rule a country. Well this is my opinion; you cannot rule a country! You do not have slightest idea how, nor should you have been crowned!"
By then royal guards who were stationed to watch the market approached. Having heard the last sentence that spilled from the man's lips, the soldiers surrounded him and pointed their blades at his throat.
"Summon General Fang and have her escort him to Bodhum's borders. He should be able to find suitable transportation there." Lightning turned on her heels and began her walk back to the palace. Vanille scampered after her, clutching her basket of food and wine to her chest.
"Lightning? Are you all right?" Vanille asked, noticing the tense expression on Lightning's face. The monarch said nothing and merely trudged on ahead until they reached the palace gates.
Lightning let her tunic drop to the floor before she slipped into her floor tub and leaned against the edge. The warm water and floating rose petals calmed her mind and rid her body of any tense knots in her muscles. The queen's sharp blue eyes closed as she allowed herself to drift into a state of serenity. Despite how short she knew the feeling would last, it gave her enough time to think clearly and push out wanted worldly thoughts for the moment.
There was a knock on the door and Vanille peeked inside. "Lightning? I brought a new tunic for you." For a minute she received no response. Finally, Lightning shifted slightly. "Thank you, Vanille." The redhead nodded and carefully closed the door behind her.
Once she was satisfied with how much time she had spent sitting in the tub idly, Lightning rose from the water while some of the rose petals clung to her soaked body. With a small white cloth, she wiped herself dry as and removes the stray petals from her body. She stared at her tunic for a moment then let out a sigh as she dressed herself in the fresh clothing and then returned to her chambers.
The moment she stepped out of the washroom, she found Fang sitting on her bed. Lightning frowned as she approached the general. "Was there something you needed, Fang?"
"I came to report about the man from the market. I had him escorted from Bodhum up to the border like you requested, but he put up a fight and would not stop rambling on and on about his rights. Poor ignorant fellow…he thinks the world is all about him. Sad to realize that no matter how much we do for them, there are still those who are nothing but ingrates."
"Let them say what they want." Lightning brushed off the concern and seated herself at her desk. Fang suddenly smirked. "Although I had to admit I did enjoy sending that churl to his banishment; hid ramblings were so utterly pitiful that it provided me with some entertainment while escorting him." "You have the most twisted humor, General Fang." Lightning mumbled, most of her attention was on another matter rather than on Fang's odd opinion on what she considered entertaining and amusing.
"Come on now, Lightning. Let's take a stroll; some air will do you good." The general suggested, her grin never leaving her face. Lightning rolled her eyes but did as asked and followed Fang out into the halls.
"I heard of what happened in the market. Vanille told me." Fang mentioned as she and the queen strolled through the enormous hallways of the palace. The monarch glanced at the raven-haired soldier carefully. "Did she now?"
"Yes. She mentioned how that girl in the bakery would not take her eyes off you the whole time you were there in the bakery! Now that was a sight I wished I had witnessed!" Fang laughed and Lightning could swear the corner of her eyes was twitching in annoyance at her general's pointless babble.
"I swear to Etro Fang, one of these days I will look for somebody to replace you and Vanille." Lightning grumbled. Fang waved off her threat casually.
Before either of the women could speak another word, one of the soldiers came rushing towards, them. His eyes seemed full of dread, and perhaps even panic. "Highness! Bandits, in Bodhum!" He yelled urgently.
In an instant, just as her namesake suggested, Lightning was off. Fang turned to the soldier and he explained to her what had occurred not too long ago.
Lightning placed her fingers in her mouth and blew a shrill whistle. Immediately, Odin was at her side with frantic stable boys chasing after him with his saddle and reins in hand. Lightning dressed Odin in his saddle while one of the stable boys placed the reins on the steed.
As soon as he was ready, the monarch kicked her steed's sides and Odin galloped towards the palace gates where the frantic guards swiftly opened them.
Lightning could vaguely hear Fang following behind while shouting orders to the soldiers she brought to her side.
In the gardens, Noctis' ears pricked at the sound of raised voices. Curiously, he trotted to the edge of the garden in time to witness the queen riding out of the palace grounds on Odin with several soldiers following behind; a woman wielding a red lance led the soldiers and Noctis assumed this was the general.
Seeing the guards did not close the palace gates, Noctis' curiosity piqued and the black wolf took his chance and raced towards the gates. The guards jumped in shock and surprise when the wolf's dark form flashed past them. Torn between calling out the other guards to capture him, or to let the queen meet with her new beast companion, the soldiers could only watch as the creature headed into the direction Queen Farron had passed.
-XIII-
The streets were in slight disarray as several citizens scrambled into their shops and homes to avoid being attacked by the bandits that had appeared on the streets.
Lightning glared as she witnessed the ruffians kick over a barrel full of fresh apples. The bandits laughed and grabbed an apple each and immediately bit into them.
Odin neighed loudly, grabbing the cohorts' attention.
The bandits drew out their weapons and pointed them at Lightning and her soldiers. "If ye know what's good fer ye, ye would do well 'ta get out of our way!" One of the bandits threatened. Lightning's face held nothing but a blank expression, while Fang seemed not in the least bit impressed with the bandit's organization.
"I'm afraid it is you who should be leaving here." The queen said and her steed snorted as if agreeing with his master's words.
The bandits scowled and jeered. "We do what we want!" One of the young bandits dared to throw an apple at Lightning in an attempt to intimidate the officials in their path.
However, the moment the apple came close to the queen's face; it fell into two halves with Lightning grabbing them with a hand before the apple halves hit the ground. The young queen bit into one half of the apple and tossed the other half into the air for Odin to snatch and gobble for himself. The horse whinnied in satisfaction at the treat he had just received.
In Lightning's right hand was a large silver blade with fine designs up to the hilt.
She finished her apple and, with a flick of her thumb and forefinger, she threw the apple's peduncle into the young bandit's forehead. The sheer force of her flick knocked the young man down entirely, much to the shock of the other bandits.
Noctis witnessed the spectacle from where he stood. It seemed as if Queen Farron had everything in order. The black wolf huffed; there was no point in feeling impressed anyhow.
His blue eyes moved back and forth from the bandits to Lightning and her entourage. The bandits now seemed offended at the queen's flick of the apple's stalk and they began rushing forward.
Lightning narrowed her eyes; the bandits were clumsy with their movements and can easily be taken over. They made many mistakes, she noticed; they swung their swords around like mindless apes.
She lifted her arm and with a clash of her sword against one of the bandits', she managed to disarm him without any difficulty.
The soldiers rushed into the fray as well, disarming the bandits, but not harming them. Odin dashed right into the bandits and Lightning swiped their swords out of their hands in one swoop.
Noctis watched at a distance; so this was how Queen Farron ruled over Bodhum? She joins in with the fray it seems.
To Noctis, in a way it was ridiculous that the queen had to bother with coming all the way down from the palace when she could have simply ordered her guards to rid Bodhum of these bandits.
Noctis' eyes roamed over the guards and their queen as they disarmed every one of the bandits. When he caught sight of the queen's sword, his attention was caught; he had never seen her carry that blade before when he first met her, or when she had been training.
As soon as that thought ran in his mind, Queen Farron looked in his direction. She seemed rather surprised and dismounted Odin. She flicked her arm to the side and her blade vanished.
The wolf grunted to himself; of course, how could he forget? Those of royal blood had the power of the crystal and their weapons would be a mere summon away.
Lightning approached the wolf. "What are you doing here?" She placed a hand on his muzzle and stroked the fur. Noctis huffed at her.
His eyes widened and without warning, he leapt over Lightning and landed heavily on one of the bandits had charged at the queen from behind. Lightning whirled around in time to see the wolf land on and snarl at the bandit. She blinked then smirked at the wolf. She pat the beast's back, getting him off the shell-shocked bandit. Once the wolf was off, the bandit scrambled to his companions.
Lightning returned to Odin and mounted his back just as her soldiers had the cohorts herded together like cattle.
"Leave now, and never return here. Should you do so, I will not hesitate to cut one of you down." Lightning said, her voice made the bandits freeze and her tone was deadly serious with her eyes held no sign of going back on her word.
With defeated growls the bandit pack grabbed their weapons, turned, and swift ran off back to where they had appeared from. Lightning signaled Fang to her side. "Make sure they do leave."
Fang nodded and called the soldiers over to her as she ran after the bandits.
"As for you, wolf…" Lightning looked at him, "we better bring you back into the gardens."
Noctis made no protest this time and followed behind Lightning and Odin as they headed back. It seems he had witnessed Queen Lightning during one of her finest moments of being queen, though he still wondered why she did not just simply stay back and let the soldiers do their duty.
The moment they returned to the palace, Lightning dismounted and handed Odin to a guard, ordering him to return the stallion back to the stables. The man bowed and did as ordered.
Lightning stroked the wolf behind the ear. "Come on." She walked to the gardens and the giant wolf moved in pace with her.
Lightning sat on the grass and sighed. "Duties are not easy…" Noctis looked at her, wondering if she was speaking to him.
He sat a few inches away from her and lowered his head in rest. Lightning laid back on the grass and stared up at the sky. The blue color constantly reminded her that other piece in her life; hopefully she will have the chance to see it again.
Noctis opened his eyes and watched as the queen visibly relaxed for the moment. Whether it was due to exhaustion or the mere feeling of tension, he was not sure. The wolf looked up at the sky and watched as the clouds floated by, once in a while changing their shape to form a figure of any kind.
As Noctis lowered his head to rest on his paws, he could have sworn one of the clouds formed the shape of a rose.
I will end the chapter here for now. Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did writing it. So yes, Fang made her way into the story at last. I know you guys really wanted to see her but she had to wait until her right moment. I also enjoyed writing scenes between Lightning and Vanille since in the game they only interacted with each other, perhaps four or five times.
I wanted to let you readers know that once in a while in some chapters, I would also like to suggest from time to time a little something for you readers to do; it would add to the effect of the story and help you see more within.
Think of it as a little game where you have to go a little in depth. It will make reading more fun. Also, listening to some music that I will suggest in some chapters will help you guys understand the story a bit. But for now I will not be mentioning any songs as of yet since the story will be picking up much later.
For those of you who are getting rather pissed at Noctis, let me tell you I feel the same way. I actually despise the state of mind he is in and I most certainly hate little miss blondie; not just in the story but I just despise Stella all in all. So…yeah, I would be willing to break her neck and commit murder if I had to one of these days, to be honest.
But that is another point; I wish to dish out some punishment on Noctis before I can give him a shot at Lightning but that will have to come later.
He will return to his human form but not yet. He does not see any reason to show his true face so he is going to remain as a wolf for the time being.
Feel free to ask me any questions if you feel like there is something you missed or do not get in the story or chapter. I will do my best to answer them.
Well this is where we part ways for now. So please enjoy the story and let me know what you think it would really help me out.
Until then…