Chapter 9
Three days later in Albion
Agnes looked at the abbey and how tight security was. She nodded to Kage and they misted one more time taking them all into the chapel. Inside the chapel was packed with foot soldiers and knights.
"Steady arms!" One of the knights ordered.
"We come for Princess Henrietta de Tristain, we are her messengers." Agnes bows as well as the rest of her group.
"Hold arms, what is your message?" One out of the knights came forward.
Louise walked forward with a letter and a ring. He takes off a gauntlet and brings his ring close to the one that Louise had, when a small rainbow appeared he took off his helmet to reveal that he was Prince Wales Tudor.
"The Ruby of Air and the Ruby of Water always make a rainbow." He smiled at them and took them to his room. He read the letter and shook his head. "I'll get it for you." He opened up his desk and brought out an old letter.
"I didn't know that this letter would cause so much harm."
"She didn't either." Agnes looked down sadly.
"Too bad!" Wardes jumped in and sent a lightning bolt to Prince Tudor, but then something happened that no one expected to happen. Louise put her body in between the lightning bolt and the prince. While everyone gasped in shock, a blade went through the throat of the prince from behind. Cromwell laughed as everyone turned to him as he held the letter.
"Too bad she died, oh well, I was hoping to use that pawn someday."
Cromwell didn't see the knight behind him and therefore felt the blade go through him. As the dead body of the leader of Reconquista slid to the floor, Wardes tried to leave, only to be shot through with a hail of ice. Tabitha looked calm, only her eyes held rage.
Saito looked in time to see the knight pick up the letter and leave, and since all the knights looked the same, they had no clue who had it.
"Uh guys...that knight just left with the letter…" He pointed and everyone looked to see knights milling about outside the princes room.
"Great, which means we just failed…" Kage looked angry.
"And Louise is dead." Agnes looked sadly to the fried body of the small noble.
"Lets give her a good burial." Saito looked down at her as well.
"Its the least they can do, she did defend their prince from magic." Sylphid looked to the armored knights.
The funeral was a short one, but the troops there agreed to leave with them. Saito took the Ring of Andvari, placed it in a small leather pouch and tied it around his neck. They all watch the place burn as they left, sadness in their movements.
xXXx
The knight that had killed Cromwell took off the helmet and smiled, the smile she wore was a stunning one.
"The king will be happy to know that Cromwell has been disposed of, as ordered. Now to start a war, if it wasn't for her jumping in the way when she did, Master would have had another void user. As it stands, we need to wait for another one to be born." She looked down with her purple eyes as she let down her black hair.
"Now to change out of this into something more comfortable, and get back to the capital." She started to change.
xXXx
The palace looked like it had been hit with a hurricane, in essence, it had. The Griffon Guard swooped from on high and let loose wind and lightning. The palace guard was beleaguered and gladly accepted the aid given by the Princess and her forces. As foot soldier fought foot soldier, the Princess managed to find the Duke on the battle field.
"I already have your mothers head, yours will make an excellent addition." The duke threw wind and fire at her. The attacks hit a water shield and that's when the shield became a cannon. The mages by the Duke was knocked off their feet as he dodged out of the way. The shots of the Musketeers could be heard. Foot soldier and mage alike were dropping like flies at a bullfrog convention, breaking the moral of the troops underneath Duke Valliere. A shot rang out and the blonde haired man looked to his chest to wonder why he had a red stain on his wonderful shirt. As the stain grew, he saw himself falling, not really feeling it as he hit the ground. Dead.
"I hope your family will understand…" She looked sadly as the vice captain reloaded her pistol.
"Your orders ma'am?"
"Capture those you can, but also try and see if mother is alive."
"I'm afraid she isn't." She pointed to a gruesome display of her mother's headless body.
Seeing this the Princess cried into her Vice Captains shirt.
"Ma'am…" A foot soldier came up but was waved away. A Captain started to bellow orders.
"See to the wounded, including the prisoners, I want to see one of their Captains for questioning. Mop up any resistance." The Captain cleaned his sword and sheathed it, taking command of the palace guard as well.
As the Vice Captain rubbed circles into her back the Princess's crying died down.
"I know that they didn't fail ma'am, they'll have that letter." The Vice Captain led her out of sight and into a burned out part of the garden.
"Root out all the corruption...I want a list of the traitors names." Henrietta sounded angry.
As the Vice Captain raised a knife to back stab the new ruler of Tristain, a sword was put through the woman's back by none other Saito Hiraga.
The princess then heard the knife drop and looked in horror.
"A good thing we made this pit stop before returning the ring." Saito helped up the shocked Princess.
"But….But-"
"I wish you would've left her alive for questioning...but I can't fault you for saving her majesty." Agnes had a sour look on her face.
"Indeed...we will guard you." Tabitha looked to Henrietta, the feelings Saito was getting was of cold determination.
"Where is Louise?"
"She died trying to protect Prince Tudor." Kage looked at her as she gave the report.
"So...is he dead to?" Henrietta's heart was in her throat, but not in a good way.
"Yes." Agnes replied sadly.
"And the letter?"
"Missing. I'm sorry we failed you." Saito bowed deeply before her.
"It is me that has failed. I'm sorry to have gotten you involved. Was Wardes dealt with?" She motioned for him to raise.
"Yes. He met a traitor's death." Tabitha calmly walked to where she was beside her husband.
"Good. I would like you all to root out the corruption within the nobles of Tristain. Saito, I would like you to stay near me, as well as Tabitha. It's time to get some rest." She looked to the two and motioned for them to follow.
"Yes your highness." It came out in stereo.
xXXx
The man in blue laughed as he heard the report from his underling. The woman in black also chuckled as she gave the report. The candlelight flickered as the two were seated.
"So tell me, how has she grown?" The man looked concerned.
"She has grown well, and as for her choice of husband, I approve. He has defended her as well as their maid." She looked thoughtful.
"I see, well send word that Gallia will send aid. We will root out our own Reconquista threat…" He smiled as he laughed.
"Then you would have to arrest yourself." She laughed with him.
"Wouldn't that be wonderful...ah well I let myself off for good behavior…"
"I'll send the message. Isn't it nice to meet your nephew-in-law?" She smiled.
"Yes. Won't Charlotte be pleased?"
"Maybe."
xXXx
Tabitha and Saito looked a little worried at the sleeping arrangements. There was only one king size bed. The Princess now turned Queen smiled at the two as she disrobed of her armor and clothes under the armor.
"It's quite alright, the bed is large enough for all of us." She looked to their strained expressions. Tabitha looked strained because of how Henrietta looked, and Saito was strained due to feeling the strain from his wife and looking at Henrietta.
Thankfully this was one of the few rooms spared in the palace.
"...if you're sure about this..." Saito gave a worried look to his wife as he felt a cool calm now.
"We must sleep." Tabitha gave him a small smile.
He mentally gawked at when both the females went to bed naked. Tabitha felt his worry and also his weariness. 'Looks like I won't sleep well tonight...'
In the middle of the night on his right side he felt someone grab hold of him, he also felt the tear stained face. He realized his wife was sleeping on top of him, so in order to not feel like a total jerk he'd pulled the other woman close. Slowly rubbing her back she calmed down in her sleep and held him close.
In the morning Saito had bags under his eyes, but he seemed to forget something. He was in his boxers, so when Agnes walked in he noticed she looked surprised.
"It's nice to see that she has chosen you to be her partner."
"Her what?" He was so tired he didn't even realize that his wife had taken off his boxers while she was asleep.
"Her partner, she does need an heir. And the three of you slept together...I wonder how that went?"
When he looked underneath the covers he mentally freaked. His wife had trapped his left leg in between hers and Henrietta had done the same to his right. His wife responded to his mental anguish by holding him closer, Henrietta did the same due to just waking up.
"Good morning your highness, your advisers will be happy that you have chosen a partner." Agnes smiled as the words that she had said had just processed. "I'll let them know to set the table for three this morning before talking to your advisers." Agnes left smiling as Saito just looked down.
"I'm sorry." He looked to both of them, now fully awake.
"Why?" Tabitha looked confused. Feeling his dismay, she was even more confused.
"The situation…"
"I'm sorry, but it looks like you will be my partner. I just get so grabby in my sleep…" Henrietta looked to the both of them.
"Under the circumstances, you should accept. Even though the marriage certificate isn't readable yet." Tabitha just looked to the woman she was going to be sharing Saito with.
"But what about things back home?" He looked shocked to his wife.
"It's common for ruling families to share blood ties...even children." She looked at her husband and kissed him gently.
"Would you listen to me on how some things should be done?" He looked to the both of them.
"Yes." Henrietta smiled. Tabitha nodded as she got out of the bed.
"Well we need to get ready." Henrietta pulled him from the bed and into the bath where Tabitha was waiting.
"Great, I can't wait to meet my new friends." He had a sarcastic tone in his voice.
"We don't have to have sex, I would be ok if you would keep the other nobles away from me. It would give me time to find a man that I can choose. Otherwise I would have to marry a noble of their choosing, which is something I will not do." She had some venom in her voice.
"Which means I'm protecting you from power hungry nobles that want to abuse your power. Its like I'm a Knight of something." He allowed the girls to bathe him.
"That is a wonderful idea." Tabitha looked to the newly minted Queen.
"When we're done I'll draw up the paperwork." Henrietta looked pleased with the idea.
Saito did an impression of a fish and then just gave up. "What would be my duties?"
"Be her protector, messenger, comfort, and friend." Tabitha smiled. 'It might also be a way to strengthen the bond between our two nations...'
"I see, if your ok with it, then so am I…" He looked nervous and felt nervous. Her mind went back to the conversation she had with the sword.
"Don't worry, you're not going to mess this up. I have faith in you." She pulled him from the tub to get dressed.
"Well we also have to see how much damage there is as well as visit the men that fought for us." Henrietta looked down solemnly.
"Yes...we do." Tabitha felt the same as him.
"This is going to be a long day."
xXXx
The wounded were almost everywhere. But as she passed she saw loyalty in all of them. Queen Henrietta looked to the man that had taken charge and smiled at him. The Captain was still in his clothes and armor from yesterday. He was still barking orders like he was on the field. One of the noble advisers was trying to tell him to do something.
"You are not permitted to put commoners in all these rooms." The Adviser looked like he owned the palace.
"Until I hear that from her majesty herself, get out of my way otherwise you'll join them." He glowered at the noble.
"How dare you speak to me in that manner, I could have you arrested!"
"Captain, you may use my room as well if the wounded need a place to heal." She surprised the both of them.
"Thanks ma'am, we'll get right on it, HEY YOU! Get this moron out of here before I do some permanent damage."
"He can't speak to me in that manner, I'm a royal adviser"
"Not anymore." Saito looked to Henrietta who nodded.
"I hereby strip you of your rank of Royal Adviser Leave." Henrietta just looked at the stunned man.
"Get out before she strips you of land and title...she just might do it too." Saito had an icy edge in his voice.
Two foot soldiers came and assisted the now regular noble out of the palace.
Kage walked up and looked at Saito. She then nodded to herself and got on a knee.
"I will humbly serve you should you wish it in any form you need." She held her breath as she waited to hear him say something.
Both the girls were shocked by this as well as Saito. He looked to Tabitha who nodded.
"I...I accept." She looked up her blood red eyes showing happiness.
"You are now my Master."
"We need to gather the royal advisers and see who can be relied upon." Henrietta looked to Saito.
"You got it." As he left Kage fell into stride right behind him.
Tabitha looked to Henrietta and smiled.
"He will make an excellent Knight, won't he your majesty?" Tabitha adjusted her glasses.
"Yes he will...he now even has a vassal himself. I will grant him a home here...and I know where to get it from." She had a scowl on her face.
"Is there a lord or lady you planning stripping?" Tabitha looked worried.
"Yes, a noble adviser I think is a traitor, all I need is proof. Talk to the maid you hired, she can get in unseen and looked for any letters." Henrietta whispered to Tabitha.
"Yes your highness." Tabitha bowed and left when Agnes showed up.
"Your majesty, is there anything you need?"
"Yes, I need some paper and a quill, I'm making Saito my personal Knight. Get him a mantle that will fit him." She looked to her Musketeer Captain as she started helping the nurses with feeding the foot soldiers.
"Yes, your majesty." Agnes left to do as she was told.
"Here is some soup…" She was spooning it in a grizzled veterans mouth.
xXXx
A/n: I hope this chapter will answer some questions when it comes to the war with Albion, as for the character deaths, it was going to happen. I know one question that will pop up: What happened to Hikari? Answer: she will just fade away. If you guys want her back, leave a review as to why I should bring her back. Can you see how he will be in the Albion War? Read and Review. The next chapter will be the last chapter for book one. I'll start on book 2 soon.
