The Draconia Chronicles: Knights of the Westfold
Chapter 16- Come and Be Welcome
It has been ages since royals of our two neighboring territories have come to settle upon terms. In the mountains of the Tiger Territories, we met with Princess Kiriad and the tiger elders. As it is custom of our kind, we brought gifts as we are their honored guests. Lady Noemi brought Diot and Morteau sausages from the Southlands. The Queen brought two barrels of beer of the finest quality from her royal cellars. I brought a barrel of whisky and shortbread biscuits from the Gwynedd Lands. A true feast for royalty.
"Queen Joanna the Golden Mane, it's honor to meet you," said the Princess.
"We present these gifts in honor of her royal highness, Princess Kiriad," said our queen as we kneeled before the white tigress. Even the dragonesses kneeled with us as they are subjects in the queen's court. As we kneeled, I saw Lady Elyss powering her light magic. I placed a gentle hand on hers, and shook my head. She made the wise decision, and powered down her magick. We sat around the fire to discuss our reason for coming through the Tiger Lands, "as you may know, the war in our lands is nearing it's end,"
"And yet you bring scalies into our territory? Can you say blasphemy?" Scyde barked,
"Why you flea-bitten...," Qualin snarled only to be stopped by a gesture of our queen's hand.
"That's enough, Scyde, these dragons are here and under the protection of their laws so it says in their manifesto," Kiriad said to one of her most skilled of warriors. Upon hearing her words, it makes me wonder how much power she has over her people. Our soldiers were making camp for the night and preparing supper of a stew made of sausage, beans, and rice, "so why have you ladies come into our lands?" she asked, it is miracle that no one has attempted to take her throne by force if not for her warriors.
"Let us not be mired in base exchange, your highness," the queen said trying to keep her tongue cool, "from the knowledge I have gathered out of your words, you seem to have read my message, if your warriors take the lives of these good dragons in my royal court and it will be considered an act of war, my lands are tired and our villages are in the process of reconstruction, I come only to see to it that our soldiers are rested for the march to the Dragonlands, and that you, your highness, can abide by our terms,"
"We have terms, your majesty, but I feel you maybe wasting your time with Queen Oscura," Princess Kiriad warned us,
"She's right, your highness," said Zurina, "you might as well try negotiating with a brick wall, though the dragons might help,"
"That maybe so, but you never know what may come about if you do not make an attempt," our queen replied, and with a handshake between the two rulers, the discussions were concluded, "you are wise in your decision, your highness, it brings me great happiness," she said, Lady Noemi and I went over to where our soldiers were encamped to bring them the good news. It is a step toward peace, but I feel Princess Kiriad may be right about Queen Oscura though. I stand by my queen in battles of sword and debate.
"Tis done!" I announced to the soldiers, and there was cheering and celebrating abound in all the army's ranks. Traditional music played and echoed on the winds. The times of peace were drawing closer. Our queen even showed Lady Elyss and Lady Qualin how to dance in our ways. At first it was quite comical, but it did not take long for them to know the steps. I can see why Noemi has such a strong and loving bond with Lady Blue. These dragons have proven themselves in loyalty on the battlefield, and in the court.
The powerful songs of war can give way to songs of peace. We drank, we danced, and we feasted into the night. The tigers joined in the celebration with laughter and joy. Yet there is still another mountain to be climbed. For that we needed reinforcements. Lady Noemi tied a message to a falcon, and sent it back to the Badgerlands. Two days later, our soldiers were sober to march and were met by reserve forces from the Blaireau and Gwynedd, and another that I have not seen in ages it seems. The House of Whitetail.
Not since Lady Claramond's forces fell at Conlaodh Moor did I ever think that the White Hawk of Whitetail would rise again, and under a new chieftainess. This one had brown eyes with short boyish brown hair styled much like Lady Noemi's, "My name is Aisling," said the knight wearing Lady Claramond's armor, "Lady Aisling of Whitetail," I looked up, and saw Lady Blue and her two children coming down from the sky, "I come at this most important of times, to pledge my allegiance to the new Queen of the Westfold,"
Our queen emerged from among the ranks to the kneeling lady knight, "Your presence here is an honored one, Lady Aisling, and I feel this belongs to you now," our queen said presenting her with Lady Claramond's mace, "she carried this proudly into battle, she would be proud to know that you carry on her legacy," she stood up, and bowed to the queen with mace in hand. Our forces now numbered over forty thousand strong with the full strength of the three clans of the Westfold plus Queen Joanna's royal forces.
I smiled at the sight of Lady Blue and Lady Noemi sharing a loving embrace and a kiss, "Let us not be late for the Queen, move out!" Queen Joanna ordered.
"We thank you for your kindness, Good Princess, I look forward to times of peace ahead," said Queen Joanna mounting up on her stallion, and galloping to the head of the army. This force was a forest of every weapon under the sun that came from the fires of our old mountain forges. There were even teams of oxen pulling heavy siege engines like catapults and trebuchets. There were six by my count alone. This is the largest army ever assembled in the history of our kind, "I must ask if this is all really necessary?"
"Queen Oscura is very stubborn, your majesty," said Lady Blue, "she isn't gonna agree to any terms without a fight," she added as a warning,
"It is best to be overly prepared than not at all," said Lady Noemi
"Then we will add fire and stone to the ink," Lady Aisling replied clutching her mace, "those siege engines were built for such purposes" the lady knight turned to Lady Blue, "if you have any friends or loved ones in the Dragonlands, I suggest you make haste and warn them of a possible siege on the castle," she said to the redheaded dragon, "if not...if they don't believe in God, then they better have a bloody good substitute, it is my wish is that she makes the right decision for the sake of peace between our lands,"
"And you slew Lady Red at the River Righ, Brave Blue," I remarked
"I have no regrets about that, Glenda, my friends have defected to the Badgerlands, Lady Aisling," Blue replied, flying beside Lady Noemi and holding her hand while her tired children mounted her stallion in the front and rear of the saddle. Lady Blue looked up to see two dragons flying above our army, "those are Queen Oscura's scouts, she knows we are coming," if that is the way it must be then so be it. I could see the great castle of the dragon queen coming up in the distance. I hope the fates will show us kindness.