Draconia Chronicles: Knights of the Westfold
Chapter 8- Separate Ways
It had been two days since Lady Noemi had left for the Dragon Kingdom. To be honest, I am starting to worry as are the other soldiers. As leader of the Gwynedd Forces, I was wondering what would become of the Blaireau Armies, "Look at them, Glenda, they are eager for battle as they should be," said Lady Claramond surveying the forces with me.
"Lady Noemi will return in due time," I replied simply as I shouldered my battle axe, "all we have to do is wait,"
"We've been waiting for two days now, now is the time to take action," Lady Claramond insisted, her rage soon reached a boiling point, "how much longer are you going to side with that traitor?! You know she is one, you just don't want to say it to her face," After those words, I struck Claramond in the jaw. I will not allow her to speak ill of my friend.
"How dare you speak like that to her, I ride by her side into battle because she fights for a union!" I darted back,
"She fights so she can keep kissing that dragon bitch between her legs," Claramond spat, it was then that my fears were realized. They are not fears of seeing a monster, but a fear of the exposing of Lady Claramond's weakness. Lady Claramond is young and immature, "I will take the fight to the Dragons as it is just," I frowned at Claramond's words.
"Then you will do so without my knights, without my soldiers," I scowled back in a low tone to Lady Claramond,
"Then I will have the glory to share among my own, you've had your time, Glenda, it's time for mine," I saw the Whitetail forces move out within the span of a few hours. Now I was left to command my own armies and the armies of Clan Blaireau. I sighed watching Lady Claramond leave. She doesn't know that she is making a very grave mistake.
"My soldiers, my sisters, be confident and keep your chins up and spirits high, I know Lady Noemi is still alive, it will make more than a few Tigers to bring her down," I said to what was left of our army. With the Whitetails leaving on the trail into the mountains, the forces now numbered around 2,300 including my archers and Noemi's crossbow-women.
A young archer came up to me whom I knew as Blodwyn, "So what do you we do now, My Lady?" She asked meekly.
Blodwyn took off her kettle helmet as she greeted me. I know I am a knight, but I am not above anyone, especially not God. We are all soldiers in this fight to save our land. Her armor seemed to fit her very well, but her helmet was one size too big. I wonder if that is her mother's armor and she fights for her, "What does your heart tell you, My Dear?"
The young soldier didn't answer me, "Even though our numbers are smaller, victory is still within reach," I said to her,
Blodwyn smiled lightly and went back with the others. It was nearing supper time among the soldiers, the Blaireau soldiers were roasting sausages over a spit. As I ate with the others, thoughts were going through my head. Not only did I worry about Lady Noemi and Blue, but also the very future of the Westfold. I knew of one who could unite us all.
Lady Noemi and I maybe fighting the Dragons on the field of battle, but we both believe that there is one who can stand up against the Dragons and take her rightful place as Queen of the Westfold. The only problem is her royal clan is divided. One part of her clan wants to fight for freedom while the other wants to submit to the rule of Queen Oscura.
I ruffled the young soldier's chainmail coif, and went after her to get myself some food. That night, I was awoken by a very peculiar noise. It was the sound of marching feet, and pounding hooves. I did not hear any distress call from the night guard or any of the archers on watch. I put on my sword, and went out of my quarters to see what's what.
At first I thought Claramond had changed her mind, but that was not the case with these visitors. There was an army waiting at the entrance to our camp at least 2,000 strong including knights, infantry, crossbow-women and archers, "Oh my...we seem to have awoken the occupants," said the head of the army while the others chuckled behind her.
"And what brings you and your...escort at this late an hour?" I asked back with a hand on my black leather-clad hip.
"I bring news, news that will bring about a great change to these lands, and to speak out against Oscura," She replied, I wondered how long she had been rehearsing behind a mirror to come up with such a bold statement. The leader of the army was mounted on a white stallion with a grey muzzle. She wore the finest steel plate armor and chainmail.
"Bold words, My Dear, but you maybe wasting your breath on the Queen, she will answer to none of us," I replied,
"She will answer to the Queen of the Westfold," said the badger in armor revealing herself to be none other than Lady Joanna of the Golden-Mane. I kneeled before the Queen, "no stand Brave Knight, I come to you now as an ally in this war as I take my place on the throne," I led the queen into my tent in the middle of the night while her forces rested.
"But your family? What will they make of this?" I asked the Queen, still in awe that I am in her presence.
"I couldn't give even the littlest damn to what they say, for too long I have waited...everything I have been given was given by the dragons, I have nothing," The Queen stated taking a seat, "my time to rule has come at last," she stated, her words were calm but strong, "I have received word Noemi is going to the Dragon Kingdom, is this so?"
"Aye, it is," I replied to her, taking a seat myself to discuss business with the newly crowned Queen.
"And I hear rumors that she has been smitten by a Dragon, I never thought such a thing would happen, if someone can look beyond their species and find love, then there is no treason in that," Queen Joanna stated, "when she returns, tell her she has my full acceptance of this union," There was something else I had to bring up in this conversation.
"The Dragon, Lady Blue, said she was bringing Dragons from the Kingdom to aid our cause, I believe their names are Elyss and Qualin," I replied to her words. I saw no anger in her eyes, just a nod of understanding. It was then that I knew we had fortune on our side. With the newly crowned Queen and dragons joying the fight, we can win the war.