Draconia Chronicles: Knights of the Westfold
Chapter 15: Black Stripes, White Fur
One of my nicknames in the Gywnedd Lands is Joanna the Minstrel. As it is such, I do love music. When I am not signing laws into place or consulting with nobles, I can be found playing the tin whistle. I know several traditional songs by heart. Though my beginning is stained with blood, I wish to be a fair queen to badger and dragon alike.
On the march to the Dragonlands, I knew the trail very well. The trail leads through the Tiger Territories. It is the quickest way to the Dragonlands. if we went around it would take months to get there, and I don't think any of my knights or horses have the patience. It is a shame Lady Blue could not attend as she had to tend to her children.
At least I have Lady Glenda, Lady Noemi, Lady Elyss and Lady Qualin for company. Lady Glenda and Lady Noemi brought a handful of soldiers, fifty each, to serve as my escort and protection against any Tiger ambush. In memory of Lady Claramond of Whitetail, I carry her mace as my scepter to let her spirit know that she is not forgotten.
I will not do such things as guild this weapon in gold. This is a paintbrush of steel that once painted the fields red with the blood of many dragons. This very mace should be kept unchanged, I knew Lady Claramond in life, and I will not let her sacrifice be in vain in death. Isn't it odd that a weapon that looks so beautiful can also be just as deadly?
I heard Lady Noemi sigh, "Thinking about your younglins', eh?" I asked the lady knight in the blue jupon, "don't yah worry, you'll see them again," a knight's duty is to her land, her queen, and her family. Sometimes one takes over the priority of another. Lady Noemi smiled. I maybe a queen, but I am still allowed to have friends at my side.
"I do not worry about Blue, Your Highness, she is a very strong woman, I just wish she could be here at my side," Noemi replied unsheathing her longsword, and tilting down her helmet visor. I began to hear rustling in the thicket around our troops. I too began to feel a rather slight uneasiness come over me. I knew we were being watched.
"She has her duty as a mother to look after her children, as is yours to the Westfold," I reminded the knight. Lady Blue is a great asset in my royal court. She is never afraid to speak her mind when the time comes that I call on the counsel of my subjects both badger and dragon alike. The Westfold proves they can live together in harmony.
"Your Highness, we will be entering the Tiger Territories soon, I suggest you keep your guard up," Elyss informed me. Lady Noemi raised her sword, and tipped down the visor with the blade. Lady Glenda readied her battle axe. The escort seemed to have their guards up at well. I clinched the grip of 'Briar Rose', and looked around the forest.
"Archers, keep your eyes open, they're out there," Glenda warned a troupe of bow-women, and tilted down her visor with the head of her battle axe. I ordered Lady Noemi to ride up, and have a look see. She rode up, and looked around and came back not a few minutes later, "well, what do those blue eyes see, Blaireau?" Glenda asked her friend.
"The tigers know we are here, it would not surprise me that they would try to attack," Noemi said, and I believe she is right. It is quiet on these trails, too quiet minus the sounds of armor on moving bodies. I had a plan in mind to stop a confrontation with the tigers before it can start. My country is recovering from the war against the Dragons.
I signaled for the troops to halt, and I dismounted my horse. I walked up to the area where Noemi took her stallion. I was dressed in full armor as I was not planning to take any risks with tigers trying to end my life on the trail, "Come O Tigers, I come not as an enemy, but as one just seeking the counsel of Princess Kiriad, if you can offer that,"
"You expect us to believe you, after what THAT one did to some of my finest warriors?" said a tiger warrior, massive in size and appearing to be their leader, pointing her weapon to Lady Noemi. The lady knight in blue nodded to me, and dismounted from her horse and approached the tiger warrior. Noemi put her sword back in it's scabbard.
"Maybe you should put reason before steel," Noemi said, they were about to attack when Scyde ordered them to back down, "now in the name of our queen will you let us pass through?" the tiger nodded to the terms, and let us pass. I passed by the tiger warriors and her band of followers as the escort followed en suit with me and my knights.
"And by the way Tin-Can, I'm Scyde," said the black-haired tiger to Lady Noemi. I will overlook her rudeness to one of my best knights. I felt this was a time to form bonds. Even if these tigers were among dragons, they are going to have to get passed me and my knights and soldiers first. Many dragon armies have tried, and failed in the past.
"I'm Queen Joanna, Queen of the Westfold Badger Lands," I replied to her introducing herself,
"I'm Lady Noemi of the House of Blaireau," Noemi said introducing herself.
Glenda soon followed, "and I'm Lady Glenda of the House if Gwynedd, pleasure tah make yer acquaintance,"
"What is it with you Badgers and your long-winded names?" asked a white tiger named Zurina. I lightly tittered at her comment. It is true, we badgers take our titles quite seriously. These are stout and proud warriors. The white tiger turned to my dragon court advisors, "more importantly, what are you doing with...them?" she asked in a growl.
"They are advisors in my royal court, if you wish to slay them then you will have to kill me first," I replied sternly, and upholding the law that they helped write which have brought peace to our lands. I do not doubt their loyalty in my court and on the battlefield. Lady Elyss and Lady Qualin stood up, and appeared at my side with crossed arms.
"Fine," Scyde huffed
"What?! You're gonna let these scalies go?!" a tiger named Ashaki protested,
"Unless you want to get your ass handed to you by a queen? Then be my guest," Scyde said, not liking the fact I have dragons in my royal court. In order for a queen's rule to be just, one has to learn to branch out and reach out to others for help. Defected dragons have been serving me well. The tiger named Ashaki charged at me from behind.
I flipped the tiger over my back with my shield. With Lady Claramond's mace at the ready, I turned to face her. This tiger was impressive in size, and armed with a double-bitted axe, "Insult my subjects again...and I'll see to it that those will be the last words you speak in your mortal life," I warned Ashaki, tightening my grip on 'Briar Rose'.
"Those are some fancy words, Queenie, let's see you back them up!" Ashaki said wiping and spitting blood from her mouth. She charged at me again. I do admire her spirit, but she needs much more training. Now the mace is an aggressive weapon, and compliments well with my shield. I blocked a downward strike from her axe with my shield.
I felt the shock surge through my arm, and the pain that followed. Any more strikes from her, and she will crush me like a worm. I needed to get inside her guard, or at least free her grip on her axe. I used my mace's flanges to hook the weapon, and free it from her grip into a nearby tree, and almost hit Zurina, "Hey watch it!" I heard her blast.
I then struck her ankle to topple her over onto her back. I yelled my battle-cry as I came down on her head, but stopping centimeters from rearranging her face. I could see the fear in her eyes. I smirked a smile, and offered her a hand up, "No shame in it, warrior," I said lifting Ashaki back on her feet, and putting the mace back in my belt loop.