Matthew always woke up sore and shivering. Ever since he entered the war, his joints would scream at him to go back to the little wooden bed in the safety of the castle. His muscles, especially in his arms, would twitch and stiffen at the prospect of yet another day behind a bow. The only way Matthew was able to tell himself that it was worth it is to see the protests getting closer and closer to his own hometown. Dangerously close.

The protesters—they called themselves the Dealers. They thought that they knew what the magic wanted. They had succeeded in spreading so many rumors about Magic and Arthur that no one was really sure what was true anymore. Not even Matthew. The Dealers recruited more than half of the Royal Army to their side. It sickened Matthew, how many people would turncoat. The people who were assigned to protect the kingdom turned against it and it left Matt with a bad taste in his mouth. Some of the Dealers didn't even care about the fact that Arthur was Queen. Some just wanted a new government, thinking their situation poor and hopeless. Others just wanted to be on the winning side.

And it looked like they would win, if this kept up. The protests had spread into a series of well planned...well, everything. The People would not trade with the Capitol, abide by laws, or pay taxes. Those who would normally be drafted into the war were found on the other side. Droughts caused even more people to become desperate. Farmers abandoned their homes to go to the Dealer's side after being promised money and fortune once they succeed. Those who had the luck and fortune flocked to Diamonds, and even Hearts. If anyone went to Clubs, word hadn't been sent back. Spades was literally a war zone. Where there had once been rich culture and brilliant public buildings like libraries and tax offices, there now stood only rubble or Dealer camps.

Matthew was beginning to wonder if this war was worth it. He sat up and stretched out his back with a snap. He shared his miniscule purple tent with two other men, but they were gone. The archer heavy a heavy sigh as he stood, his bones squeaking as if they were three times older than they really were. After Matthew suited up in light chain mail and tossed a quiver over his shoulder, he exited the tent to greet the smoky sky.

Immediately someone ran up to him. "Sir Williams," the man said, out of breath. "A meeting of the Heads have been called. There's important news from the Eastern front."

Matthew snapped to attention and began walking in the direction of the main tent. The Eastern front had it the worst. It could be entirely possible that they had lost all control on that side. He started running to the tent. If the Dealers made it past the Eastern front they could loop around the Capitol, take the West from all sides, and then meet once more at the Capitol and brings Spades to an end. It would only be a matter of time before his home was destroyed. When he pushed through the fabric into the dimly lit tent, he did not see bowed heads and stiff expressions. Men weren't seated around the rough table they carved out of a fallen tree. Instead, they were all standing about, wearing something Matthew hadn't seen in a long time.

Smiles.

"Sir Williams!" The Head of the Royal Guard grabbed Matthew by the shoulders and pulled him into a rough warm hug. Their chain mail clanked loudly. "Brilliant news! It's amazing! The Queen has arrived on the Eastern Front."

Matthew couldn't believe it. He grasped onto the Head's arms. "Arthur?" That heap that he had left on the floor of the castle before returning to battle? "Have the Dealers stopped their advance?"

Everyone in the tent gave a little excited sound before the Head of the Guards clapped Matthew on the back. "Better, my boy! They're being pushed back!"

…

The smell of smoke and blood drifted with the wind. It was cold, just like the battlefield. Arthur was surrounded by sounds he could not hear. Whistling arrows and clashing swords. He was atop a white stallion, with no other form of protection. His eyes were closed. He was in the very front of the line. Men rushed past him with new found strength and glints in their eyes. Not one looked up at him with the scorn he'd seen the day he arrived. Some even looked at him with gratitude.But Arthur didn't see the looks, because he was too focused. The reason the men could rush so freely to the other side of the fight is that each and every one of them had a small symbol scratched, painted, or burned somewhere on their armor or body. It was a small simple symbol that Francis had designed. A diamond with three lines under it. It meant prosperity, and Arthur knew that the Dealers would never know of the symbol unless they were to capture a soldier. Which is impossible, because from each symbol spread an invisible light that only Arthur could see. It surrounded each soldier, giving him complete protection. If one man should be stabbed, the sword would simply glance off his skin. An arrow whistling towards his head would only be sent back to the man who shot it. Even fire would just weave around the men, flames seemingly giving off no heat.

This all came at a price, however. The men supplied Arthur's Magic, the Magic he himself could not provide. Every so often someone would faint. They would wake up back in camp, feeling like they'd been run over by a plow pulled by an ox. But the combined power of the Queen and the soldiers was so extensive, that if they truly had to, they could quite possibly move a mountain.

Arthur felt like the Queen of ants. He only made this comparison for the feeling of the magic. It was like all the many soldiers were an extension of himself. He could feel them all moving, thinking, feeling. It both thrilled and terrified him.

The battle continued, and when they had pushed back their opponents to the point that they were behind where they most likely started, the Dealers retreated. They dropped their swords, snapped their bows, and turned tail. Arthur felt his soldiers lift their arms and cheer at the retreating backs. Arthur released the spell, nearly collapsing onto the neck of his horse. But he heard it, the roar. The cheer of Spades, together. Under the Queen. Arthur smiled, a small exhausted smile before fainting right out of his saddle.

When he awoke, he saw none other than Matthew Williams. He was dirty, bleeding, and smelt of death, but he was smiling. Arthur sat up as much as he was able and pulled Matthew down into a hug. Matthew returned it wholeheartedly, thumping on Arthur's back. "Deck, I missed you like hell Arthur."

Arthur closed his eyes. Matthew was so big now. It was strange thinking of him as the little boy working in the kitchen, or hugging his mother at a birthday party. His purple eyes were hardened by war, but he was still Matthew, and for that Arthur was relieved. He was the only one who seemed to never change.

"Sorry about that," Arthur whispered, his voice horse and unused. "I woke up, and I'll fix everything now."

Matthew pulled back. "I shouldn't have doubted you."

Arthur laughed, a soft hesitant gasping sort of chuckle that showed it hadn't been used for a while. "If you hadn't doubted me, I wouldn't have had to prove you wrong."

Matthew returned the smile, pushing Arthur back down into the bedroll. It was getting colder. Arthur closed his eyes again, thanking whoever sent Matthew here. He knew that Matthew had been in the West. He must have crossed hell to get here.

"Arthur," Matthew began. "I know now isn't exactly a good time, but I think you should know..."

Arthur opened his eyes once more. He wasn't exactly tired, just incredibly sore and weary of what might happen if he got up and faced the world again. Matthew continued, his forehead crinkling into a mass of worry. "Diamonds has been attacked. You know how their military is. It's suspected that Clubs-"

Arthur sat straight up, pain be damned. "Clubs?!" He repeated, eyes flashing in danger.

"Yes. Clubs has literally set a straight path through Diamonds, straight to us. There's been reports of Club boats landing on the coast."

Arthur rubbed at his temples. He should have seen this coming. What with Eliza's cruel magic...it was all just a plan! He should have questioned it sooner, before he curled up in self pity.

"And Arthur..." Matthew continued, cautiously. "My brother sent me a note. I'm not sure how he got it to me. I'm even suspecting Gilbert. But...he's back in Spades."

And right then, Arthur wished he hadn't woken up at all. Because at that moment he realized Alfred would probably have more answers as to what was going on outside of Spades than anyone else.

Little did Arthur know, he was terribly wrong.

Hello everyone! Sorry this took so long. I've got a short story I'm working on in my Creative Writing class. I'm really determined to make it good, so it comes before fanfiction. If anyone has advice for me, or just writing in general, please don't be shy! Everything is appreciated.

Also, as my most favorite holiday approaches, I might not be writing as much. I'll be up late watching movies and working on my cosplay. Or...erm "costume". (I'm going to be America XD)

Thanks for reading, and sorry for any mistakes! I'm American!

-Mallory

PS- If anyone knows what Hall-o-scream is, I'm going the 18th!