A/N
Hey everyone. Sorry for not posting recently. Like I mentioned, I'll be trying to post every weekend from now on. For now, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
…
Chapter 3
Sigyn stood before the amassed army, the generals next to her. She was silent, watching the crowd as the generals explained the plan.
They were reacting better than she expected. She had expected for pandemonium. For cries of outrage. But they were mostly silent, if shifting uncomfortably. None voiced any concerns.
Sigyn studied the faces of the soldiers closest to the stand.
They looked tired, crestfallen. The stalemate had been taking its toll on them. But as the generals talked, she saw their eyes light up.
Hope.
They had hope.
From her plan.
She smiled at the floor, chuckling softly. Things were going perfectly. She hadn't counted on the army to want to side with her.
The generals finished talking, then turned to her. The army focused on her too.
She had never exactly been shy. She had always know she would be taking her place on the throne, leading the army. But as the thousands of eyes focused on her, Sigyn's throat closed up, and she felt like shrinking into her dress and breastplate.
But she cleared her throat and stepped forward.
"I know that this plan isn't exactly… conventional. I'm sure some of you harbor grudges towards our kin in the forest. I have thought this plan over for many days and nights, critiquing it to perfection. If any would have any objection to the plan that's been laid out, or objection to fighting alongside the Elves and those who live in the forest, speak."
She stood, quietly, watching the crowd. Not an eye left her. No-one shifted, save for breathing. No-one raised a voice out in complaint.
Strange.
She smiled, "Well, that settles that. In four days, the equinox will occur. The barrier will fall then. But we will be ready and waiting for the ships of Lodora to land. We will show them just what it means to pick a fight with a warrior of Pemica!"
The army cheered.
She smiled, her stance becoming looser, "We will show them just what we think of tyrant empires!"
They cheered louder, some jumping up and down.
"WE WILL SHOW THEM JUST WHO EXACTLY WE ARE!"
The crowd was wild by now.
"THEY CAME FOR A BATTLE, EXPECTING US TO BE MEEK AND DOCILE LIKE ALL THE OTHER LANDS THEY'VE CONQUERED. BUT THEY WILL NOT FIND US TO BE LIKE THE SHEEP THEY SEEK! WE WILL GIVE THEM WAR AND WATER THE GROUND WITH THEIR BLOOD!"
The crowd cheered so loudly that their voices carried throughout the city, echoing of the buildings.
Sigyn turned to the generals, "Have them ready to march in four days. And for you lot, meet me this afternoon at the great tower for a meeting."
They bowed to her as she strode off.
Her pace was quick as she practically ran through the city back to the castle. The nodded to all who waved, smiling at the people she was aiming to protect.
She glided up the front stairs, the guards at the doors opening the castle to her. She nodded to them, then set off to her rooms. If all was going to plan, the papers she'd requested would be on her desk, ready for her to pour over to fix the laws to what was needed.
She reached the doors, her handmaid standing inside.
She knelt, "my lady."
"Cara, please." Sigyn waved her hand, "Don't kneel. You're my only friend here. Don't make it seem like you're only here out of duty."
"Of course my lady."
"Cara…"
She smiled, "Sigyn. The papers you requested are here."
"excellent." She slid into her chair, pulling the papers to her, "Can you please dictate a letter to the leaders in the Silver Oak Woods to inform them that my plan is in motion?"
"Of course."
Cara sat on the bed, taking a quill and parchment and scribbling furiously.
Sigyn poured over the files in her hands, absentmindedly asking, "How is my brother doing?"
"He went outside in the rainstorm last night and has caught cold. The court physician has sentenced him to bed rest for a week while the sickness passes."
"A pity."
"True, but young boys will be boys."
"Of course. Will you see to finding him a small present to accompany him?"
"Yes. Did you have any suggestions?"
"A stuffed cat perhaps. Or a stuffed dog."
"I'll see to it." she stood, "The letter is ready."
"Good. Send it off with Ingram, he'll get it to them swiftly."
Cara tied the message to the leg of a giant raven, who nuzzled her hand before spreading his wings and soaring off through the open window.
Sigyn stood, handing several pieces of paper to Cara, "Take these to the court master. With the seal of the king, he'll know that it is imperative to complete these quickly."
She curtseyed, taking the papers, "Of course my lady. And after I deliver them, shall I head to the market to see about the gift for your brother?"
"Yes, thank you Cara. I'm off to check on my parents, then I need to meet with the leaders to make sure everything goes over smoothly."
The two girls strode off, gathering cloaks around their shoulders. They separated at a fork, Cara going down the stairs, Sigyn continuing down the hallway, knocking on her mother's door.
"Mother? It's me. Are you there?"
A soft voice called out from inside, "Come in dear."
She stepped into the dark room, seeing her mother's pale form on the edge of the bed. The room smelled of tears, and Sigyn could hear her mother's shaky breath.
"You've been crying mother."
"Oh. You can tell."
"Of course I can." She sat down next to her, putting a hand on her leg, "And you have every right to cry. Things are very crazy right now. But we'll all get through this. Everything will be alright. You'll see."
She could hear her mother chuckle softly, "That's my big, strong, brave girl."
"This is how you raised me." She leaned forward to kiss her mother's forehead, "Now get some rest. It'll do no-one any good if you make yourself sick with worry."
The queen sighed, the laid back, quickly falling asleep. Sigyn sighed, then walked quietly out of the room, shutting the door softly behind.
Now it was time for something she wasn't looking forward to.
Meeting with father.
She walked down the empty hallways to the throne room, her footsteps echoing on the marble. She reached the great wooden doors sooner than she would've hoped.
She took a deep breath, then pushed open the door.
Curtains covered the windows, but the room was gilded in gold, so the light that did make it in, refracted off everything, illuminating the room.
The king sat on his throne, elbow on knee, head on fist, staring pensively off into the distance, crown sliding forward on his greying hair.
"Father?"
He made no motion to show he had heard her.
"I came to check on you."
Still nothing.
"Corrin is ill. But the physician says he'll be alright in a week."
His eyelid didn't even flicker to acknowledge his daughter's presence.
"I found mother crying in her room. She's worried about everything. I'm sure the people feel the same."
His nose wrinkled just slightly.
"Do you have any plans at all to help? The people would feel more secure if-"
"Enough."
His voice snapped across the empty room.
"That is enough young lady. My plans are my own. You need not concern yourself with them. Now get out of my sight."
Sigyn bowed, backing out of the room. The interaction may not have gone well, but it was better than most encounters.
She sighed, turning to leave the castle. It was no matter. She had other things to attend to. She walked briskly to the stables, finding her mare already saddled.
She brushed the muzzle of the great black beast, murmuring softly, "Hello Veronica. Are you ready for a ride?"
The horse nickered, pressing her large head into Sigyn's cloak. She pulled herself up into the saddle, flicking the reins to set veronica off at a brisk trot. They aimed their sights on the Great Tower of Sorcery.
Like its name, it towered over everything in the land. When storms came, they broke around the great column of stone, the head rising far above the clouds, almost reaching the stars.
Veronica eased into a gallop, riding hard for the tower. The sun was already right above their heads, hiding behind wisps of cloud.
They reached the tower after an hour of riding. Veronica trotted to a stop, and started to graze while Sigyn slid off, striding into the tower.
This was the most important moment.
Not the battle.
Not coming up with the plan.
Not facing the consequences.
This.
This was the moment that would make or break her plan.
If she couldn't get the leaders to listen to her and work together, it was all over.
Sure, they may have agreed to the plan, but that meant nothing.
Things are always easier said than done.
If they couldn't agree to work together, then her plan would fall in the gutter.
All her work would be for nothing.
Her brother would die.
Her mother would die.
But most importantly, her people would DIE.
Not to mention herself.
She strode up the stairs of the tower, worry nagging at her mind. She HAD to pull this off. If she couldn't…
There was no time to think of that.
She'd made it this far. She'd pull through all of the way. No matter what.
She reached the door to the agreed upon room, pushing it open. All the leaders were there. The leaders of the forest, the tower, and the army.
And her.
The one who had called them all together.
Sigyn prayed she could pull this off.
She smiled at the group, "thank you all for agreeing to meet me here."
The elf king eyed her sideways, "have you upheld your part of the bargain?"
"Yes. The requested changes are being reviewed by the court as we speak and should be implemented by the equinox at the latest."
"Excellent."
"I take it this means you will have no qualms of upholding your end?"
"No. I honor my word." He bowed slightly to her, "you'll have my loyalty at the battle."
Each of the kings and leaders bowed to her, pledging themselves. She breathed a sigh of relief. It was working.
"You all know what you must do then?"
They nodded their assent.
"Good. I will keep in contact via raven, and I will be riding out with you in four days. Stay safe my friends."
She turned and strode out of the room, tension lifting from her shoulders. Like with the army, she had expected things to go much worse than they did. With luck, that meant the battle would go as smoothly.
Well, for Lodora at least. If it went according to plan, the empire of Pemica would cease to exist in four days.
The ride back seemed brighter and warmer somehow, hope filling her heart.
Everything was going to be ok.
Corrin would live a long, happy life.
Mother wouldn't be hurt by a tyrant.
And father…
Would have a country to pass down.
But most importantly, the people would live long, prosperous lives.
She stabled Veronica, leaving her in the able hands of the stable boy, almost waltzing back into the castle and up the stairs. The sun was setting, and the castle was settling down.
Everything was calm.
Everything was peaceful.
Sigyn hummed an old song as she walked down the hallway to her room. She pushed the door open, locking it behind her. Her hands went to her throat to unclasp the cloak, but froze.
Something was wrong.
She spun around, eyes searching. Then, she honed in on a shadowed corner.
A dark chuckle ran through the room, "Well, I didn't expect you to find me so soon."
A young man a full foot taller than her stepped out of the shadows, approaching her menacingly.
"You're more beautiful than the portraits say."
"Who are you?"
He smiled darkly, eyes glinting, "I'm the man who's going to be your husband in four days. But I got tired of waiting. So I'm here to make you mine now."