A Medieval Sonic Story: Chapter 9 - A New Threat

The queen and Vanilla weren't the only ones who noticed the king beginning to unravel. Some of the more powerful nobility began to question the king's ability to think, and Sebastian promptly exiled them. "Those of you who believe as they do can follow them! I can find new nobility!"

In two weeks' time, only a few were left, the rest having sought out Queen Sabina or defected to Acorn Kingdom. During their stay in the Neutral Lands, the queen and princess had asked for commoner clothing, since they didn't feel comfortable in their royal dresses. Queen Sabina remained wearing her crown though, just in case passersby needed to find her or get directions to Acorn Castle.

In their stead and due to safety concerns, Queen Sabina sent Vanilla and Cream to the markets to pick out outfits for them, giving them suggestions for colors to choose from. Vanilla chose an outfit in the colors of soft white, bold crimson, warm gold, and a combination of deep purple and light beige for the queen. For Princess Amy Rose, Cream had picked out dresses in colors like soft mint, deep blue, yellow ochre, magenta, and at Sonic's suggestion, a combination of cool blue and deep forest green.

Sabina smiled as the pink hedgehog picked out the soft mint dress. "Well well, soft mint today I see. It seems to me your new wardrobe was chosen to suit Sonic's taste."

Amy giggled. "Yes it was, though the green and blue dress was his idea. For a blacksmith, he has quite the taste for color. I like how it looks."

Sabina smiled. "You did well, both in choosing him and in your suggestions for new clothes. Has he picked something out that you like?"

The pink hedgehog nodded. "Indeed he has. After we arrived, he and Vanilla went and bought some outfits of earthy brown, muted steel-gray, and a deep purple just for me. Expensive, but I'd like to think he did it out of love."

Sabina smiled. "Truth be told, they took an awful risk going to get those outfits. Had the king issued an edict for their arrest, they would have been dragged back to the castle, and who knows what would have awaited them there."

Amy sighed. "While I don't regret my pregnancy or being with Sonic, I feel guilty about costing him some time at his forge. I'm thankful he's still alive, but that was his livelihood he missed out on for a while."

The queen chuckles. "He's a hard worker Amy, and you need to keep him around. Besides, it hasn't taken him long to get back on track."

Amy smiles. "He's not going anywhere, and neither am I. Speaking of which, since his work has slowed recently, he and Miles have begun learning how to wield swords and shields. They should be starting their lesson soon, if it hasn't begun already. Let's go watch."

The two hedgehogs went outside, where Sonic and Tails were practicing sword techniques between orders for arms and armor. Jacob Hedgehog, with his extensive experience, was serving as instructor. At the moment the blue hedgehog and orange fox were practicing feints, parries, slashes, and riposte movements. Both of them were light on their feet, which proved great entertainment to the five females watching. Amy and Sabina joined the other three women already there. Cream was next to Amy, with Sabina beside her and then Vanilla on the end. Dayna was standing beside her, watching with amusement shining in her blue eyes.

Jacob called a brief intermission, and the three male hedgehogs took off their shirts to wipe sweat from their faces. Cream blushed, Amy had to cross her legs, Dayna coughed as she hid her smile, and Sabina leaned over to her daughter. "Gracious Amy… You made an excellent choice. Look at those muscles."

Amy blushed and put a hand on her belly, which was slowly beginning to expand. "You may look, but don't touch."

The white hedgehog giggled. "I tried to share him, but as attractive as he is, I'm glad you bedded him."

Amy nods. "So am I. It was a mind-blowing experience."

Vanilla was also blushing. "Oh my… I had no idea."

Sonic walked over and kissed Amy, his tail wagging. Amy moaned and pulled him closer. "Later on, you're all mine Sonic."

He smiled. "Gladly."

Tails kissed Cream and looked at Jacob. "So, how about you show us how well you can fight?"

The queen chuckled. "That's a bad idea Miles. I don't want you getting killed."

Sonic grinned. "I'm curious too."

Jacob picked up two of the wooden training swords. "You sure? I don't think you're ready."

Tails and Sonic took up their positions, and the giant hedgehog shrugged. "Alright, have it your way."

Tails charged in first, feinting toward Jacob's knees and then slashing for the left thigh. Jacob blocked the slash and belted Tails with a hard punch to the jaw, sending the fox rolling along the ground. Sonic advanced now, whirling his wooden sword in a figure eight pattern. Jacob watched him, waiting for the right moment.

Sonic went with an overhead slash downward, which his opponent blocked easily. Jacob sent Sonic flying with a hard kick to the belly, and he grinned. "Not bad you two. You're learning quickly."

The fox and hedgehog next tried to gain combat advantage by Sonic getting behind the giant and Tails taking the point in front. Tails ran forward as Sonic swung upward toward Jacob's left shoulder. This turned out badly, because Jacob ducked and rolled out of the way, wincing as Sonic's sword cracked Tails' jaw. The fox went down, and Sonic paused long enough to get donkey kicked by Jacob.

Sonic flew like a bird, landing with a grunt and winding up against a tree, upside down. Jacob nudged Tails with his practice sword, getting a groan in response. The big hedgehog nods and walks over to the women. "They're not bad, but they still have a long way to go."

The queen nodded. "Even though that wasn't really a fight, I can see now why the king liked you so much. You're very skilled with weaponry."

He bowed. "Thank you Your Highness."

Sonic came limping up with Tails in tow. Jacob grinned. "There you are. Feeling okay?"

The blue hedgehog laughed and immediately regretted it as he started coughing. "Would you be okay after getting hit and kicked like that?"

Jacob shrugged. "I try not to let myself get in that situation in the first place, and now you see why."

Cream helped Tails sit down and began tending to his swelling face. Sonic took some ragged breaths as he recovered, looking at Jacob. "For a farmer, you sure can fight."

He chuckled. "Some things you just never forget how to do I guess."

Amy sat on Sonic's lap, giving him loving nuzzles and purring. "You'll get there Sonic. Soon you'll be able to fight and beat anyone."

Sonic kissed her. "Thank you Amy. However, before you get too much farther along in your pregnancy, we may want to look into getting married ourselves. I did say I would marry you."

Amy nodded. "Yes you did, and I think that's a good idea."

The blue and pink hedgehogs went to Sonic's room, and Queen Sabina looked at Tails. "Miles, I may need you to run to the castle and check on the king. I need to know if he can be saved from himself."

Tails sighs. "Something needs to happen soon, because he's quickly losing support, and a weak king is vulnerable to attack."

He had no idea how true his words were. At that very moment, deep in the far southern regions of the forest, a new regime was taking shape. A madman named Ivo was amassing a following that grew daily. His fiery and powerful speeches were convincing many that change was needed, and he began taking aim at King Sebastian Rose.

Standing on a stump, he began his latest speech. "Look at him! That red-furred oaf has no idea how to lead any longer! His own wife and child have deserted him, and he himself has driven others away!"

The crowd of a few hundred murmured and sounded their agreement, and he continued. "That Sebastian is no longer fit to rule, and I say we depose him of his position! Change is needed, and with your help I will give it to you!"

The crowd cheered and Ivo continued again. "Thank you. Go and tell your friends and neighbors that I, Ivo, am the only one who can rule properly! Tell them to join me, and together that rotten Rose will be removed!"

With the crowd chanting his name, Ivo returned to his camp and entered his tent, kneeling in the middle. "I seek the Oracle."

In a few seconds a pale figure appears, and Ivo nods. "Thank you. I seek your guidance."

The Oracle responds quickly. "Your outlook has not changed. Your conquest will succeed, but only once. You must choose carefully, for the right path will be fruitful, but the wrong one will end you."

Ivo frowned. "Which is the right path?"

The Oracle pauses. "At the moment, the red hedgehog is the easier conquest, but be warned, he has powerful allies."

Ivo nods. "Thank you Oracle. I will see you again soon."

The Oracle fades, and one of Ivo's strategists comes in. "Ready sir?"

Ivo nods. "I am. What news do you bring?"

The spy unfolds a map. "Rose Kingdom is on the brink of collapse. Sebastian Rose is losing his mind, and has lost most of his nobles, if not all of them by now."

Ivo grins evilly. "Perfect."

The spy points to the middle of the map. "This area here is unguarded, has good land, and is home to master craftsmen."

Ivo shakes his head. "No one touches the Neutral Lands."

The spy frowns. "Why not?"

The madman scowls at him. "It's because that specific area has been called the Neutral Lands for three hundred years. It's basically an understanding between the kingdoms that while citizens may live there, they are not governed by anyone. That land is good for crops and resources for craftsmen of all kinds. Why should I go about destroying such a profitable area?"

The spy thought for a moment, and nodded. "Understood, but if they are not under anyone's rule, what is to keep them from joining one of your enemies if the need arises?"

Ivo sighs. "There's always that risk, but no one ever conquered kingdoms without risk. We'll just have to watch and see what they do when their neighbors fall."

The spy looks over some notes and weapons schematics. "Very well. Now, about these plans… They appear to be very complex."

Ivo glances over. "Maybe for you, but they're plans for battle weapons. Ballistae, trebuchets, small arms weaponry like mortars… You know, superior firepower so to speak. They will take a while to build, but our numbers are growing, which means it won't take as long. Let's get some proper woodsmen and find some sturdy trees to turn into these weapons."

The spy nods and leaves, allowing Ivo to resume looking over plans to attack Rose Castle. "Let's see… That castle is solid, but every castle has a weakness… Where is theirs?"

He spends the next several hours looking over every possible entrance and considering the ramifications of each conceivable attack. "I can't go straight to the front gate, because they'll expect that. Maybe through the vineyard, but fermented grapes may be a temptation. There's the river, but I don't know if my future army can swim… I may have to divide them and attack from all sides in an overwhelming show of force."

Ivo scratched his enormous red mustache and then his bald head. "Hmm… I need to see our weaponry progress before I make a decision."

The madman laughs before leaving the tent, his voice echoing around the forest for a long way. With Sonic, he was back in the forge, working on a project for himself and Amy: two hardened steel rings. He and the princess had decided on a hand-fasting ceremony but it was always a good idea to have a backup plan.

After the forging and removing of scale, Sonic polished the rings and showed them to Amy. She smiled and kissed him. "They are beautiful Sonikku. I love them both."

Sonic blushed. "Thanks Ames. We may need them just in case our wedding cloths get lost or damaged."

Amy nods. "I agree, so keep them safe."

Sonic put the rings in a box and took Amy's hand. "There. Now, let's go find ourselves a priest."

The pink and blue hedgehogs leave the shop, looking to the queen for advice about getting married.