I do not own any Disney characters named herein and only borrow them to tell a nonprofit tale meant for entertainment.
Kim Possible: Quest
By LJ58
5
"You're kidding," Shego said more than once as they sat eating after a long chat that next morning.
Scarlet, as Shego was finding she called the apparent redheaded queen, just pushed up one sleeve of her lacy blouse, and showed the sword tattoo on her arm.
"Quite real. All of it. I had doubts, too, at the start. Until some madman almost gutted me. Well, they did gut me. Only Shalagon saved my life, and started me on the quest I need to manage to find the way home."
"And coincidentally be some kind of champion for these morons," Shego huffed as she eyed the admittedly good food and drink on the long table only they occupied just then as men and women in simpler clothing came and went as they served them.
"As I said, it is more complicated than that, but it is very real. You should have been there when I met the spirits of the true rulers of Meadow-Song. That was…an experience you had to see to believe," she told her longtime rival and sometime friend.
"Don't care. I just want to know the way home."
"Well, we're closer than ever."
"How do you know that?"
Kim slid up the sleeve of her other arm. Just below the bend of her elbow, there was now the ornate tattoo of a multi-colored comet on her muscular forearm that had not been there before. "Because you're a challenge I had to face, too. Which makes you the second of my tasks I must face to prove my standing here as Champion."
"Oy," Shego groaned. "From the way you were talking, I thought you had to chop your way through this loony world for us to escape."
"Challenges, Shego, are many things. Some challenges can be as simple as answering a peculiar dilemma with wisdom. Others require courage, strength, and daring. As our queen has already shown she more than possesses," the seeming child informed her as she entered the room just then.
"Right. And what's with the kid?"
Shalagon scowled.
"That is just Shego's way, Shalagon," Scarlet smiled at the elf. "When she's nervous or uncertain, she tends to use sarcasm to distance herself from trouble."
"Understood, my queen," she smiled and held out a parchment.
"So, ah, what is with all the bowing and stuff?"
"She is our true and rightful queen, Outworlder. Best to remember and respect her, lest someone think you insult her."
Shego sighed.
"So, more bad news," Shego asked, eyeing the scroll Kim had unrolled after breaking some kind of seal.
"Potential good news. I hope. Barquez has replied to my messenger and is willing to accept a peace treaty between us. Only I have to appear in person to prove myself, and show Kollar is no longer holding the throne of Meadow-Song."
"I don't know everything about this place, I know that. Only that sounds like a fake-out. Get you out of this place, and attack behind you, if not ambush you as well," Shego suggested.
"The very advice I was about to mention, my queen," Shalagon remarked. "Even the beleaguered king of that great land to our north will likely be furious over the treatment and threats he and his own received from Barrack, and may be planning retribution if he feels you weak and appeasing him out of fear."
"Even if I had to have proven myself by ending that monster's threat," Scarlet demanded in fury now, looking very unlike herself. Or so Shego felt.
"Consider, he must show himself strong before his own, Lady Scarlet," Shalagon remarked. "And he will yet to have learned of your full rise and likely ponders if your victory were a fluke he could exploit. For it is a truth few queens rise in this world."
Kim recalled the spirits and recalled only two women stood among all those men.
"I see."
"Sounds like the same old song and dance, Queen Scarlet," Shego remarked with a nod as two servants appeared to take their mostly empty plates by then, conscious of the elf's warning just then from the way the pair eyed her. "I say, invite the jerk here, telling him you have too much you're still repairing or tending to risk leaving your people just yet."
Shalagon eyed Shego, and said, "A surprisingly clever assessment, Outworlder. The very guidance I would have suggested. She is being wise there, my lady," the elf nodded to Scarlet. "Best to remain in a position of strength, and leave no doubt of your worth."
"I'll have a reply formed and sent out after our meal," she told Shalagon now. "The messenger's journey will give us time to prepare for treachery, or strengthen defenses as we may require," the queen declared as she glanced to a nearby guard and simply nodded.
The man saluted by slamming a fist to his chest, and just walking off to carry out orders the queen had already been discussing with the senior guardsman earlier about using the excess mercenaries as city watch and guardsmen to keep them out of trouble. The idea they might be trained in such roles was likely to be easier on the city than trying to expel or simply ignore them. And it gave the city better defenses.
"Uh, want to tell me what that was about?"
"Captain Wryte brought me a solution earlier to the many mercenaries left in Meadow-Song of late after I kicked out their master. We make them part of the city guard and add them to our defenses. I was pondering the need, but I can see that may just be the solution to both issues here, and the captain is wise enough to know when I permitted him to begin the tact. We build our defensive forces with skilled men, protecting the city, and assuring our people they remain safe while giving a solid show of strength when anyone appears to challenge us."
Scarlet grimaced, remembering a certain arrogant jerk sent home in a cart when a certain noble of Ventallo had shown up to insult her.
"Anyone else," she added at that thought. For so far, no one had shown since Darvos had been struck down by the queen on the very moment of her revelation to the city as the true queen.
"Right. So, need I guess this may be your next task," Shego asked. "Keeping the city you….ah, conquered safe again?"
"Only the spirits can say," Shalagon remarked.
"Thought that was your deal, Ears," Shego huffed. "Seems you don't say much at all until after the fact from all I've heard."
Shalagon glared now, looking furious, and Scarlet sighed.
"Shego. Behave, please. Shalagon, forgive her. She has yet to learn much of this world, as you must know."
"Indeed. I do guide, Outworlder," she said somberly as she glanced at Scarlet before looking back to Shego. "Only in the end, only the Lady may say will she accept or face the tasks that rise before her. How she responds says much of how she grows, and if the next task may be easier, or far more difficult. Being a Champion is ever difficult, though."
"As I suspect, is being a guide," Scarlet smiled at her. "And I do appreciate your help, Shalagon," she smiled.
"Even if you remain impatient and willful," the elf teased.
"Now I know you're my princess," Shego smiled as she eyed the queen as a very creamy desert that looked like a thick cream framed by a very delicate pastry was now served.
"Oh, you'll love this, Shego. It is like that mousse we once had that time you took me out for my birthday to celebrate defeating the Lorwardians."
"I was celebrating being alive," Shego sighed but eyed the pastry with interest. "And I thought I was out of this life until Drew duped me into chasing another loony scheme…."
She eyed the sword Kim wore at her side now, the plain scabbard she had used now replaced with the one Shego had handed over when they reached the palace. Handing over the real sheath had somehow sealed Shego's place as a companion to the queen in the eyes of those around them, making her Scarlet's new retainer and consort. Or so the imp had claimed. Just as she claimed best she showed herself dutiful, or some of the guards might revisit her apparent surrender.
"Wow, this is good. My compliments to the chef," Shego blurted after her first bite after she trailed off to end any problems with the elf-girl starting to scowl at her. She felt Shego should show more gratitude and servitude as one and didn't like it when she ignored the usual formalities.
One of the servants about to depart now actually smiled at her reaction and nodded to her.
"Now," the young queen smiled. "Let's retire to the parlor, and discuss this new message for Lord Silver-Blade. I was admittedly appeasing in my tone at the start, but maybe that was why he came up with the potentially troubling challenge that could be more than it seems. Time, I think, to show Lady Scarlet is not a pretender or a fool," she said, nodding at Shalagon.
"Wise of you, my queen," she smiled at her as she waited for Scarlet to rise and lead them before taking a step.
~Q~
It was almost a full two months later that the entourage from Barquez appeared, and scouts quickly brought the word it was a full legion marching toward them. They also reported that Lord Silver-Blade himself was leading the legion, and they all looked ready for a fight.
Scarlet listened to the news with a bland expression and eyed Shego and Shalagon as she nodded to them.
In the two months since they began preparing the city for the potential visit and potential trouble, she had heard from the other eight lands of Tarroc, as the world was known to the people here. All of them cheered her rise and honored her victory. None of them wished trouble with Meadow-Song or its rising queen. They even sent back gifts to honor the new queen.
Only Barquez had taken issue with her.
Shego echoed that the guy was likely a real misogynist who likely thought he could pull a smash-and-grab on her.
Scarlet couldn't argue. She had met the kind many times before now and knew how they tended to think.
She sent back her thanks to those leaders who responded with civility, sending gifts of her own to those wiser leaders, and set to preparing for Lord Silver-Blade to show himself. Or give his response.
And now he was appearing in person with a genuine army.
"As we suspected," Lady Scarlet told her court as the news reached them, and rather than look anxious, her people just looked toward her with trust and anticipation.
Shego was still stunned that she already had their absolute faith, and was starting to realize that the magic of this land was just as real as comet power, or anything else. Because she had seen Queen Scarlet using her own power at times to manage a few things, and Shego knew from what she learned that the young queen could have been a tyrant had she truly wished it with the apparent power she now possessed.
She could just imagine how Drew would have screwed things up if he had claimed that kind of power.
"So, what do we do?"
She eyed Captain Wryte and simply nodded.
"Seal the gates, and set watch. Get our men to the walls and towers, and be ready for trouble, but no one does a thing until I appear to speak to this foolish man. Summon me when he arrives. Not until," she declared in that tone that said she was boss, and they had better remember it.
Shego didn't have to guess they believed her more than capable, because the head of the palace guard didn't even frown as he just saluted, and rushed off to relay her orders.
"So, Sir Craxton," she turned to the man interrupted as he relayed his trouble with certain guilders of late. "You may continue. How are you being troubled," she asked to encourage his words when he glanced around, noting certain persons in the chamber with him.
"Do not fear to speak, sir," Shalagon told him. "Our queen is fair and just, and ever judges righteously."
The man smiled wanly, but nodded again, half bowing, and began to relay how he had caught the guilder charging him double simply because he was a common man when nobles were charged far less for the same items. When he had confronted him, the guild elder had suggested he know his place and stay to it. Only Sir Rol Craxton was supporting aging parents and his own family as well as his sister whose husband had been slain by the last ruler and could not afford such exorbitant charges. He only wished a fair reckoning, and nothing more.
Scarlet agreed and suggested the merchant relearn fair accounting or find a new market.
The man couldn't agree fast enough when Scarlet had set glittering green eyes on him.
The merchant had not expected the case to come to the new queen herself. Only now that it had, he was only then realizing how badly things might go if he didn't relent, and fast. Only even he didn't expect her to declare he would give Sir Craxton full refunds, and now, or she would send Shego around to aid him in the matter.
That the green witch smiled wickedly at him when the queen mentioned her had him assuring the queen that he would be more than happy to see to the fair compensations at once.
"See that you do," Scarlet had declared, sounding as much Kim as Scarlet in Shego's ears just then.
When Kim then added that Rol might return anytime he had any such troubles, the merchant looked all the more uneasy.
"Let everyone know, that our people and the families that help our nation prosper with their labors are the true strength of Meadow-Song. Not rulers or warriors. Any that endanger or unsettle those families shall be deemed the true enemies in our eyes, and treated as they deserve."
Shego didn't doubt in her mind Kim had just warned a whole lot of people about that one.
Shego stood on one side of Kim with Shalagon on the other after they climbed the long steps to the wall.
That none of them were breathless or panting after the climb seemed to genuinely impress many of the men around them with bows and spears at the ready.
Kim/Scarlet had spent the better part of the time waiting for Silverblade's arrival tending to those who visited the court. Shego had the feeling that some of those people had melted away, knowing a new challenge was about to appear at their gates. Still, Scarlet remained regal, patient, and almost untouched by any sense of urgency, which truly stunned Shego. Because she knew the redhead was usually the first one out the door when there was work to be done.
Yet she waited. Tended the last petitioner there as time passed, and even they heard the sounds of horses and men reaching them as the army of Barquez arrived.
Even then, she didn't move when the petitioner was heard out, tended, and sent his way. His tormentor being dragged to the stocks for apparently trying to commit crimes he had been trying to foist off on him to be rid of a rival for a certain girl they both wished.
Said woman did not demur as she eagerly championed the petitioner, and claimed the other man rather mad as much as vicious.
"Mad, or willful, we shall learn. Two weeks in the stock," she sentenced. "And if he is uncowed by that time, we shall deem him mad, and sentence him to the Monks' of Varyn's care," she declared.
The man whimpered at that as he was dragged off, and if Shego didn't know what those monks were, the man did and did not want to go.
Then, an almost eerie silence hung over the city as Captain Wryte returned only then, and held out a thick parchment.
"Lord Silverblade himself stands without the gate, my queen, and demands you appear."
"And what does he expect Captain," she asked as she took the parchment handed to Shalagon, who then opened it, grimaced, and handed it to her.
"He names you false and orders your surrender, along with Meadow-Song. Do you not yield, he will level us for Kollar's sins, which he yet attributes to you."
"As expected," Scarlet said now, and crumbled the parchment she never looked at in one hand before tossing it aside. Lifting her sword, she slid it into the belt of her new armor Shalagon had conferred with her to finally create a more regal appearance for the new and willful queen.
Scarlet now wore skirted armor with the city crest on the breastplate, and knee-high greaves as well as gauntlets with long blades running the length of the armored devices to help deflect attacks. She wore a short red cape over her shoulders and yet used no helm.
She already guessed the tiara wouldn't allow it, and that powerful crown gave her far more protection either way from all she was learning.
"Let us go chastise this pouting child, Captain Wryte. Shall we," she smiled as she adjusted her sword, and strode forward as those still in the throne room bowed as she passed them.
"At once, my queen," the man had bowed and had quickly rushed after her with Shego and Shalagon at her side.
Now, looking down at the army before her gates, she didn't have to ask where Lord Silverblade might be.
His men were all in burnished or common armor.
The tall, lanky man at their lead was clad head-to-toe in polished silver armor that would have blinded anyone had the sun been on him. He had a long great sword at his side, with a bandolier of daggers worn across his chest. All with silvered blades visible since they were more tucked through the belt than sheathed.
"I must be getting prophetic to a degree," she remarked as they looked out from the wall to eye the lord of Barquez. "Because I had a feeling this little boy would be a peacock," she declared.
Which made Shego burst into laughter as Shalagon smiled up at her.
The captain still looked grim, but just nodded to her as he asked, "How do we answer him, Lady Scarlet?"
Shalagon held up a hand, and Kim eyed her as she noted the wadded parchment she had tossed away was in it.
"An excellent gesture, my friend," she smiled and took the wadded parchment but still only stared down at the men before her. "How patient is he, do you think," she asked blandly, eyeing the man on the restless warhorse as she seemed to be studying the man more than anything else.
"Not very," Shego guessed as he looked up Shego had laughed, and with his face revealed and flushed by his open helm, the man raised his blade to point at her, managing it in one hand. Which might seemed intimidating if Kimberly/Scarlet had not lived the lives she had to that point.
"Come down, woman, and surrender as you should before a superior lord," he bellowed imperiously.
"Oh, well," Shego drawled. "He sure told us."
"Indeed," Scarlet said, her temper surging at that daring demand when she had never been the type to bow just because a man demanded it of her. "Rather like DeMenz, isn't he," she asked.
"Well, a little taller. Only he's not much smarter. What leader makes themselves a target when someone stronger might be out there looking for them?"
"Excellent point, Shego," she said and held up the hand with the parchment.
She looked down at the man who was looking as if he were about to curse when his arm trembled, not apparently able to keep that long blade up too long.
Even she knew the best posturing didn't leave you looking weak when you wanted to show the opposite.
Only she cleared her voice and shouted down herself now.
"Lord Silverblade, you did not get my last missive answering you," she declared.
The man lowered his blade, and Scarlet noted his barely masked relief as he glared up at her.
"I did, and it is only another excuse. From a weak and treacherous woman."
"You think I am weak? After I ended Kollar and ended the challenge from that fool from Ventallo? You think I am anything so low?"
"I have little doubt how you seized power, and you hoped to frighten anyone from challenging you by claiming you had the True-Crown, when all know it was lost long ago," the man spat. "Open the gates, wench," he called her, "And I may yet offer you mercy."
"I read your terms, witless boy," she spat now, moderating her tone so she didn't end up crushing him. "Here is my reply," she declared, and flung the wadded parchment at him with such force it drove him off his restless horse when it struck him in the chest.
"Weak," she shouted and jumped up to hop over the wall, slamming down to the ground to stand upright as she drew the blade at her side that was glowing even as she touched it. "You think the true queen of Meadow-Song weak or treacherous," she spat, watching as two warriors, actually pale as slate, helped their lord to his feet.
The men eyed her uneasily as she stood there alone.
Then, to their added shock, Shego and Shalagon appeared as the elf-girl teleported them down since she could manage that short trip without issue.
"Still impatient as ever, aren't you, Lady Scarlet," Shego smirked. "Just when I thought you were over that one. So, mind it I take this one."
"You get anyone who interferes. The boy wanted to challenge me," Kim declared. "So, step up, Silverblade, and show me your strength. For I, Scarlet of Meadow-Song, challenge you. For I'd rather not slay all these pawns you brought to throw at my feet," she declared no less imperious than his manner as the man regained his sword and glared at her as furiously as any villain had ever managed.
"Kill that witch," the lord of Barquez shouted, pointing at Shego. "Kill her, and we leave this treacherous wench defenseless."
Someone flung a spear at her, and Shego spun, driving a glowing hand down to smash it in half before snatching both ends in her hands. Then turned the weapon to ash in her glowing hands.
"Poor, fearful babe. Cannot even manage his fights," Shalagon mocked, Scarlet just eyeing him.
"If you do not step forward, all will know you craven and unfit to lead your land," Scarlet declared. "So, little pretender, what will you do," she demanded and stepped forward to show she was not running or bowing as she held her sword up before her.
Since the day she had appeared on Tarroc, she had been training and learning to manage the sword that was at first an unfamiliar weapon. She learned quickly to blend in her martial skills, and now had a certain skill with the mystic blade she had inadvertently claimed. Or been claimed by, if the ancestors of Meadow-Song had been close in their unique query.
Either way, she was now ready to face anyone, and she did not see much of a challenge in the posturing man who apparently couldn't even hold his blade up very long.
It gave her the idea he was relying on intimidation and numbers to keep his seat and his place.
Only neither had ever worked on her.
So long as she could manage, it would never work on her.
"Make your choice," she growled and took another step.
His own army just stared, not one of them moving since Shego had so easily destroyed that spear flung at her.
The man eyed her, taking a step back, and then to even her shock, he flung down his own sword and ran shouting for his men to stop her.
Scarlet stepped forward even as he fled, lifted the big sword in one hand, and held it up as he did. Only her arm wasn't getting tired. The blade didn't waver. Nor did she lower it even when the army stared as she stood there for more than a few minutes holding the blade.
"My Queen Scarlet," Shalagon said, stepping up just behind her as she still held the blade. "So long as you hold that blade, the symbol of Barquez, you now become the lady of that land if you wish it," she said.
She glanced back at her, only then lowering her arm, but only partially as she eyed the long blade held before her, and noted the men were all staring at her, and the blade.
"Something tells me, even I could not manage two lands, my friend," she smiled. "Suppose, though, we found someone to rule it wisely and well, rather than a whimpering child?"
"I wager the kingdom would applaud you, my lady. Only it means a journey after all. For rulers of Barquez can only be named before the royal palace. Tis their custom."
Even as she pondered that one, two burly warriors in the army's colors dragged the whining lord back and dropped him before her.
"Mercy," the man whimpered, looking fearful now.
"You felt I was a pretender, and yet came to me like some fool? You feel I am unworthy, and yet now beg mercy of me," she demanded.
"I…. I was poorly advised. I swear. I swear."
"Then you are far from wise if you can weigh the worth of your advisors, or sift wisdom from folly. Hence, you are lord no longer. Hear me," she shouted and looked up from him to the men of Barquez. As I wrote this fool, I came here in answer to a plea for aid from a good and worthy soul. I defeated the child killer Kollar and left him weeping and broken. I claimed the True Crown of Meadow-Song, and now strive to raise our folk in prosperity and peace. I do not wish your throne. I do not wish to be a conqueror. Still, will you withdraw in peace, know I will come to Barquez to set a challenge to your own so a true and worthy ruler may rise. Will you heed me," she demanded, and now lowered that great sword, and held it point down even as she easily sheathed her sword. "Will you accept my mediation?"
The entire army cheered her in one voice.
To Be Continued….