Chapter Twenty-Seven
"Some souls are connected by an ancient calling beyond worlds"
…
It is barely the break of dawn with the sun not fully lighting the land. Normally a time like this, people would be still groaning on their beds trying their best to ignore the call of day. That is not the case however on the pseudo camp of the Arendellians mixed with some elements of the natives and settlers of Lescanna that have come running as soon a as the news spread yesterday of the incoming bout between the Knightess of Arendelle and the queen of the natives of Lescanna. Some even from the secret camps have travelled all night just to watch the bout between the two.
As it is currently, men are busy gathering around the pseudo arena at the middle of the camp aiding the workers making stands and getting ready for the event. A betting booth has also been set up at the arena's side. The men of Arendella nearly have a heart attack though at the sight of the enigmatic members of the Ranger Corps manning the booth. Suffice it to say, in simpler terms, nearly everyone have come to see the fight. It is not every day after all to see two beautiful women fight.
Silvanna just sighs as she sits at the couch of the "armoury" part of her tent. For the life of her, she does not understand why they all have to bring all these with them. Apparently being the Steward of Arendelle allows her some perks like having a personal tent which can accommodate three separate rooms; one for sleeping, one for receiving visitors which can also be refurbished as an armoury and the last one for the loo. There are even furnitures like a wardrobe, a glass stand, mirrors, chairs, a throne of gold and white (she has to slap herself on that one), a large bed, mannequins and even weapon racks.
A firm, but smooth hand touches her bare back making Silvanna shiver at the cool touch.
"Are you sure you want to go on with this my lady? There is no reason for you to be in this fight," the smooth confident voice of the other woman asks.
"I already told you Amelia, this is the best way to gain the natives' allegiance," Silvanna replies simply. "Unlike the Lescannans , they do not adhere to our norm of life. This is the fastest and surest way of putting things into place. Other from us after all and the Nogrodions, they have the next largest standing force,"
"Hmm," her companion simply replies before raising her hands from the back before pressing into her. Her hands start to immediately wrap a bandage around Silvanna's breasts making the Knightess blush at the contact between the two of them.
She has met Amelia, the half-sister of Lord Viktor last night. Apparently other than her, Amelia is the only other woman that has travelled with the royal army of Arendelle. Now Silvanna understands one of the more unspoken reasons of the Lord of the Mines. Amelia is a looker like her, period. She is beautiful in a way Russian beauties are in her old world, that narrow cheekbones, deep eyes and a smile as beautiful as winter is on a landscape. Eerily it reminds her a bit like Lord Viktor, her half-brother. Like Silvanna, the other woman is dressed in her own version of armour of black form fitting leather with metal plates on her chest, abdomen arms and shoulder blades. Her long ebony hair is braided into a ponytail behind her back. A sword is at her hip alongside with a crossbow strapped at her back. All in all, she looks imposing enough last night. The fact still remains though that she is a woman in a camp where it is all guys. Unlike Silvanna though, she does not have the protection of being the head of state and a reputation of an excellent warrior like Silvanna. Thus it's no wonder why Viktor insists of her being Silvanna's squire. Under her care and banner, Amelia is untouchable. Only those who are fools would dare awaken the wrath of Arendelle's Knightess. It might have been many years, but people still remember how Silvanna managed to gain her reputation.
"There," Amelia finished putting the chest wrappings around her as Silvanna stands up testing her movement with her arms.
"Hmmm….quite relaxed, it feels as if I have nothing on. Good work, Amelia," Silvanna simply says stretching upward testing the wrappings endurance not to snap despite the strain.
The bout between her and Siora would be a fistfight after all. Unlike her previous opponents, this would be head on fight between her and a woman who is considered queen by a people who have been fighting foreigners that outnumbers them a hundred to one. Silvanna is both wary and anticipating of this fight. Other than Ahtohallan, very few have bested her on this world. This would be a good test run of her skills.
"Are you sure you just want to wear that?" Amelia asks sceptically looking at the chest wraps and form fitting shorts that stretch down to Silvanna's outer thighs hugging every curve of her ass perfectly.
"This is a fist fight Amelia," Silvanna answers simply stretching out the kinks of her muscles. "The key on this fight is not to get grappled. The less I wear, the better my chances are into not being caught in a grip. Besides, I like the feel of the wind on my skin,"
"I understand that, but the men-,"
"Would better enjoy the free show I am giving them," Silvanna simply waves off before smirking at the rather cold, but worried face of the pale woman. "Unless of course you don't think I am beautiful enough to be appreciated, no?"
Silvanna mentally laughs at the spluttering of her squire who vehemently denies that she does not think her ugly at all. Walking up to her, she simply pats her cheek fondly making the Amelia blush at the breach of personal space. "Don't be so serious all the time Amelia, smile a bit. It looks better on you,"
With her mission accomplished on making her squire blush and flustered, Silvanna heads to the tent flaps at the entrance. Picking up and putting on the pair of blacksmith's gloves she had borrowed last night, she steps out.
A wall of sound immediately hits her like a tidal wave making the Knightess step back. It seems as if every person in the camp has shown up. There are even banners and paintings plus caricatures of her displayed (Silvanna shudders as to how they got it. There is simply no time for them to create it last night so that means they must have brought it with them). As fast as it came though, the tidal wave of sound stops. Silvanna just smiles good naturedly as she continues her walk towards the arena making sure to add a little sway on her walk, making sure to bump her hips oh her hands at every step. She makes a mental note to get Elsa something nice for the inspiration of her rather sexy gait. She might not have Elsa's round hips, but Silvanna's is nothing to scoff at also. Eyes follow her on every step and Silvanna sniggers inside at the sight of them. A lot of the men are glassy eyed and more than one is openly drooling. She winces inside though at the sight of one heavily bleeding from the nose with his friends having the hard choice on either stopping the blood flow on their friend or miss the chance of another second looking at her.
Reaching the arena, Silvanna eyes the other woman already there dressed in the same furs and leather as last night. It seems that Queen Siora has beaten her to the punch and did not even bother on changing her attire yesterday. An amused look appears on her eyes as it laid eyes on Silvanna though.
"My, my Renaigse. Are you sure that you are here for the fight in the arena or something else that involves the bed judging by your attire?" she quips.
If there is an imitation of silence before as whispers cascade the area. The silence that follows is like that of the dead as everyone is struck silent from the words of the Natives' queen. In fact it even catches Silvanna off guard that for a moment she wonders if her ears have betrayed her as she stands there blinking in confusion, frozen in place as the queen saunters towards her at the middle of the arena putting her mouth at her ear.
"Maybe if you prove enough of a challenge for me in this fight Renaigse, we can try the flexibility of this body of yours little doll," she whispers making Silvanna automatically blush at the implication of her offer.
She laughs aloud though as she steps back before standing in front of Silvanna. "Rules of this fight Renaigse is we fight till one surrenders or can't continue anymore. Everything is allowed!"
Before Silvanna can process her words though, a fist immediately slams on her unguarded navel making Silvanna's eyes pop out of her skull at the sudden attack. Her knees fail her and she lands on them clutching her bare navel when she sees a knee heading straight to her uncovered face. She closes her eyes expecting it to land on her nose when a loud gasp from the crowd makes Silvanna freeze. The hit however does not come. Opening one eye, she blinks at the sight of the knee a mere millimetre to her face. Her gaze goes upward to the smirking face of the short-haired woman.
"I don't want to break your face little doll, I want it intact for future purposes. Now get up! This time we fight for real," she ends in a mocking tone making Silvanna growl as she unsteadily regains her footing, the pain in her navel still present. She has to admit that Siora is good. Catching her off guard before an attack on her blind side? This fight would not be easy.
Getting to a basic boxer's position, Silvanna advances. Siora simply smirks at her move before doing the same. For a moment the two of them just circles around the opposite ends of the arena facing one another like panthers ready to pounce. Silvanna with her guarded and ready stance and Siora walking as if it's just another leisurely day in the morning. Then both stopped…..
….and attacked at the same time.
It is Siora who first initiated the punch. Almost the same size and height as Silvanna, the native queen has the advantage of longer limbs. Silvanna blocked the punch with her elbow with a wince. Siora is stronger and faster than she has anticipated. She is surprised though as the other woman steps into her guard forcing Silvanna to back away as an underhand headed straight towards her exposed abdomen again. Her arms still reeling from the attack before, all she can do is tighten her muscles for the blow.
It feels as if a battering ram hits her naked flesh nearly making Silvanna keel all over again. As it is she just grunts enduring the pain and is nearly knocked out by another underhand on the opposite side of her navel. Springing away, Silvanna just barely managed to parry the blow. Only her speed saves her from hitting the mat again. Siora is almost as fast as her and stronger. This is bad. It seems she knows it too as she simply smirks at Silvanna advancing a bit more cautiously than before. Another straight punch heads towards her but this time the Knightess of Arendelle is ready.
Dodging by moving her head to the side, she closes the distance between them under Siora's guard. Two rapid punches connects with the face of the native queen and Silvanna's elbow smashes to her extended forearm. Siora however it seems is made of sterner stuff. She simply backs away flexing her bruised forearm and wincing at the bruises on her face. Silvanna just stares at her. Those attacks after all are far from a knockout with the little window of time she has.
"You've done it little doll. Why don't we up the ante a bit?" she smirks spitting out a wad of blood.
Siora charges forward with a powerful short punch, the strength of her entire body behind it. Silvanna has no choice but to block feeling the shock coursing through all up to her shoulder. Siora however is not finished yet. Capitalizing on Silvanna's strained guard, she goes into another underhand again that connects once, twice to the Knightess' bare navel.
Silvanna almost blacks out from the pain. Nimbly backing away, she stakes a second to look at the damage. Purple and blue bruises adorn her abdomen under her breast wraps. Sweat covers her head to toe giving her a sexy but tired look. Much more of those attacks and she will have no choice but to surrender. While this fight is indeed interesting, there is still a war that needs to be fought by her. She has to consider the possibility of defeat.
Siora however is attacking again and Silvanna forces her attention away from her bruises and into the hail of blows raining all around her. Siora has been good as her word. Not once does she target Silvanna's face and more than once an "accidental" blow makes contact with her wrapped chest. The Knightess is no slouch however also. Every now and then she would make her own counter-punch as she fights defensively scoring her own hits. The two of them continues on like this back and forth traiding blows and kicks. The crowd is already getting wild though the cheers from the Arendelle side is getting lower as they notices that their beloved Knightess is slowly being forced backward amid the exchange.
That's when it next happened. In contrary to their spectator's view, Silvanna has been stuying Siora's movements under their exchange. It is actually quite predictable. Every fighting style has a weakness and a pattern. Once you know the pattern, then the weakness can be exploited fully. That is why when Siora next tries to aim a kick at her upper collarbone, Silvanna slides to the side just in time propelling herself forward under Siorar's guard much to the surprised expression of the native. Raising her right fist, Silvanna propels forward with her entire weight and slams it right at the face of Siora in a massive counter that literally slams the native queen flat on the ground.
Cheers immediately boom over the arena at the knockout blow. Even Silvanna smiles at it. That is why she is caught completely off guard as two Siora catches herself with her left feet and surges forward at her palms raised. If not for the shock of the native queen managing to shake off her attack, Silvanna's next reaction would have been more intense. As it is, all she can do is just blink in surprise as Siora's hands grab her wrapped chest pulling her forward towards the native. Something akin to amusement appears on Siora's face as their heads meet, and with it their lips.
Before Silvanna can do anything though, a thunderous kick at her navel makes itself known and the Knightess finds herself flying; crashing through the fences that make up the arena before crashing heavily on a dune of sand on the beach sending all the helium out of her lungs at the impact. Eyes blurry, Silvanna can only squints at the shadow of Siora soon kneeling above her.
"You fight well pretty doll, maybe you are a warrior after all Renaigse; and I do like my bed warmers strong," before Silvanna can protest though, Siora once more grabs her chin and pulls her to another open kiss for the second time of the day ignoring the stunned reactions of the crowd of onlookers watching.
…..
Elsa sighs tiredly as she listens to the chief healer narrates down the number of sick and the dying in front of her. Suffice it to say that the epidemic is causing a lot of damage would be the understatement of the century. The Malichor according to the healers' first assessment transmits through touch. It is another two days though before they revise their assessment that it can also be transferred through droplet contact when there is no sign of reduced numbers among those infected even with people avoiding contact with one another.
So far the new assessment seems to be accurate. People have been forced into social distancing and non-essential businesses are forced to close. The number of people wandering outside have also been limited with the Guard urging (more like arresting) people to stay indoors and lessen the possibility of being in contact with others. Of course there are some grumblings. Many after all lost their jobs and businesses. However such protests do not last long. Why should they? They can hear and see after all day and night the sufferings of those who are infected. To solve the unemployment issue, Elsa distributes a stipend of amelioration those who lost their jobs. With the Winter Bank and the Bounty Guild helping out after all, there is enough money for emergency funds.
The trade of the Healer is also starting to gain popularity with the support of the crown. Recruitment for the trade has never been higher and equipment for the trade has been ordered in bulks to accommodate the number of the new practitioners.
Not all is good though. The latest news from the army tells that the army has finally reached the country of Lescanna and then nothing. There's also the problem of brigands. With the army and the Rangers gone and the Guards busy dealing with the local issue of the epidemic, they are bolder than before. Even with Captain Rex's best efforts to put them down, they still come in large numbers raiding and pillaging. The main concern of Elsa though is the epidemic itself. Even with the new security measures in place, the epidemic is still spreading. The only consolation is it is not dispersing like wildfire before. More tents are being constructed for the sick and infected. Also large pyres have been established near the docks where the bodies of those who succumbed are burned to avoid the plague spreading on the ground.
"I wish Silvanna is here," Elsa mutters to herself as she watches the Healer leave the Court Hall. She has been trying to receive problems and issues by holding court. The best thing that she can do for her people now is to make a semblance of normalcy, especially in this troubled times. Once more Kaldita is being cared for by Gerda to give time for Elsa to do her regency duties.
The sound of the double doors knocking makes Elsa once more perk up in attention once again. It won't do after all for someone to see their crown princess slouching in laziness at her throne. She relaxes a bit though as she notices that the person who enters is Will, the Ranger who is in charge of the remains of the Corps with the majority of the Rangers away with the army. She has sent Will to find someone that might help them deal with the Malichor. Judging by the two figures behind him, she suspects that he might have been successful in that regard.
She frowns though at the sight of them. One is a young woman probably Silvanna's age. She is wearing an ornate chest plate atop a navy blue under-suit that hugs her entire body. Ornate gloves and boots also cover her limbs. Atop her head is an expensive looking hat with a blue feather atop it. At her hip is strapped a fencing sword and a gold engraved pistol. Her face is pretty with cute nose and deep grey eyes. Her dark hair is also braided, falling at the side of her head. Beside her, her companion is the exact opposite of her. He might have been handsome once with his blonde locks and fair features. Now however, it seems that appearance of his is nothing more than in the past. His face is covered with brown bulging veins and his eyes are shadowed as if once they have been bloodshot. Wood juts out like antlers on his head. He looks terribly out of context with his noble's robes of red and velvet. Still he follows the pretty woman with the swagger of a man confident in his own self.
"Your Highness, let me present to you Legate De Sardet of the Congregations of Merchants of New Serene and her cousin, Governor Constantin," the two bows at her making Elsa look at them now in curiosity. Last she hears according to her political studies about the different nations of the world; the Congregation of Merchants had been having troubles with an incurable plague of their own.
"I welcome you two to Arendelle. Judging by the fact that it is Will, the one I entrusted to find us help about the sickness claiming our people, you two are here not for the sights?"
An amused smirk appears on the face of De Sardet as she steps forward beside Will. "No, your highness; we have been specifically given a request by the Bounty Guild for our skills and experiences in dealing with this plague of yours,"
"You have seen this kind of plague before?" Elsa asks.
"Unfortunately yes," the young woman nods in confirmation. "This is the same plague that has been ravaging our mainland in the continent before,"
"So the two you know how to cure it?"
"Not exactly cure, more like prevent it," answers De Sardet with a nod. "What I am curious though is how did this plague originated in the first place. Me and my cousin here, Constantin, you might say we have a bit of affinity of earth magic. I know that you have experience with magic also Princess Elsa," she adds as Elsa's breathe hitched. "We have been informed of by the Guild about your trouble with a mad spirit,"
"Silvanna did not sell my secret out," Elsa breathes a sigh of relief before kicking herself mentally. For a moment she panicked inside thinking that the person she trusts above all in the world have blurted out her secret to the Guild.
"Of course Silvanna would not do that, she loves you Elsa. She almost died for you. I think that doubting her would be a poor way of thanking her for everything she has done for you," the crown princess thinks sadly to herself. She really misses her friend.
"Unfortunately yes, you're right. So you are telling me that the Malichor is caused not by normal means but by magical?"
"Yes and no," De Sardet replies sagely. "The Malichor is what we at the island of Teer Fradee call a vengeance of nature. In our old home at Serene in the continent, there is almost no green left. The nations there have abused the environment that the very earth is poisoned. From this poison rose the Malichor which spreads unto well, everybody,"
"But we have not abused our environment here," points out Elsa. "Wide stretches of land are still claimed by the wilds and we have ever settled on the allotted places for us,"
"Yes, I know. We have seen it on our way here. That is why my cousin is here. His affinity for the earth is stronger than mine. He can feel the presence of the Earth stronger than I. By all means, this sickness should not be present at your land. However it is and the big question is why. My cousin here will be able to help us give answer to these questions. With the nature of the sickness extremely different, the two of us can only conclude that the cause of this sickness might be magical in nature,"
"I see, very well Lady De Sardet. Any help that you might need feel free to ask. I and Arendelle thank you for your effort in coming here to help us in our plight. The doors of my hall will be open for you and your cousin,"
"And we will do our best to solve the mystery here Your Highness. In return the Congregation would like an ambassadorial presence here at Arendelle and also trade between our two nations," the Legate points out.
"If you solve the mystery of this sickness of ours; I don't care if you build a fort as an ambassadorial palace,"
"Very well then your highness, we will take our leave," De Sardet bows once more alongside her cousin before heading out the doors with Will in tow as a chaperone. Elsa's eyes only followed them as the door closes.
With her last guest finally out, Elsa tiredly stands from her throne and removes the brooch of her cape letting fall the heavy material of the purple train behind her. She is stressed, tired and horribly missing the person she loves. Marching to her private chambers, Elsa lets her problems fade away as she heads towards the rooms of Gerda to find her daughter, Kaldita.
….
Everything is white as Silvanna opens her eyes. Her mind is fuzzing as if she had drunk too much. Groaning and rubbing her head, she tries to sit up only to groan even more as soreness in her midsection makes itself known.
Immediately hands grab her shoulder pushing her down gently on her bed. Wincing at the bright light, Silvanna turns her head to see the face of Amelia sitting at her bedside wearing a comfortable cotton long sleeved shirt and trousers. The casual attire does little though to hide the attractiveness of the Russian beauty.
"Where am I Amelia?" asks Silvana looking around on the white room.
"At the field tent hospital," answers the other woman a small smirk adorning her features. "The men have finished setting this up last night. You are in fact its first patient my lady, congratulations,"
"Is that sass I hear squire?" Silvanna simply raises an eyebrow at the smirking woman.
"Yes, unless of course if you prefer me cold and boring," she shrugs good naturedly.
Silvanna only snorts at that before relaxing on the bed. Immediately her mind goes back to the last memory it remembers.
"I lost the fight,"
"Yes, quite a surprise for a lot of people. The army is really betting on you winning. More than a few natives are happy with the amount of money they collected. Though some of course might argue that the last move of Queen Siora can be considered a cheat as she surprised you and knocked you out,"
"There is no such thing as a cheat in a fight. The more you cheat actually, the more likely you'll survive," says Silvanna.
"I quite so agree myself my lady," Amelia simply responds.
"So how are things now?" asks Silvanna. "Are the natives cooperating with us?"
"Surprisingly yes; the standoff between camps are now gone and the natives have joined ours. Queen Siora though with most of her council has left to gather the clans and their warriors for the upcoming battle after the raids,"
"Raids?" Silvanna simply raises an eyebrow in question.
"Yes," Amelia nods in affirmation. "With you indisposed, General Horst took charge of the army. They are somehow following your original plan on hitting the weak links of the Nogrodion army starting tonight,"
"I need to get out of here, they need my-," Silvanna starts again to get up only to be pushed down on the mattress again by Amelia.
"Now hold your horses my lady. The doctor has specifically said that you rest. You have severe bruises at your abdomen and arms. You are lucky that you only have bruises instead of broken bones. The damages to your muscles are quite severe,"
"But the men-,"
"Can survive without you babying them," finishes Amelia for her handing Silvanna a hot broth that she gingerly receives. "Lord Blackwall is in charge of the camp while Lord Viktor and General Horst would be leading the small raids tonight,"
"Who's groups are participating?" inquires Silvanna.
"The Death Dealers and the Winged Hussars mostly alongside some of Pac Katari's more hot-headed scouts eager for vengeance," shrugs Amelia. "The natives would have also gone but with Queen Siora absent, the best that they will do is help us defend our joint camps,"
"I see, and what about the Rangers under Captain Price?" asks Silvanna eating a spoonful of hot broth.
"I'm not sure exactly. But the last thing I heard is that the members of the Ranger Corps dispersed to do some scouting of the area,"
"I see," Silvanna simply answers. She exhales in relief inside though. The Rangers are masters of geography. It must be nagging for them to be situated in an area which they know little to none about.
"My damage to myself Amelia; did the healer tell you how long will my recovery time will be?"
"Actually, yes my lady. The latest he said before you can start moving again would be tomorrow morning as long as you take it easy. Come afternoon, you will be back as before only a little more sore where the bruises are for a few days,"
"I see," Silvanna sighs as she finishes the broth. "I do hope that the men are not disheartened by my defeat Amelia,"
To her surprise, the other woman laughs. "No, not at all. They are reminded that despite your prowess you are still human. Also Queen Siora praised your skill and valour quite loudly and errmmm…..," Amelia pauses, blushing hard in her pale cheeks making Silvanna blink at the reaction.
"Yes, continue,"
"She also adds loudly that you've proven yourself enough to be worthy of her bed," Amelia finishes.
Silvanna only blinks at that speechless.
…..
Author's Note:
Yahh so next chapters will be the war. Elsa also will have her own problems and here comes the temptations for both our main characters. And where is Anna?
Please Review, for your reviews is inspiring me to write more. 5K+ words in this chapter.