The previous Sassy Saturday post can be read here: This is Deathkiller Bow
The context for this post: Kasile has summoned Eric and his team to her castle in order to give them special missions. After a separation lasting months, Eric sees how she has changed now that she is a queen instead of a princess.
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Basilard approached the throne, dropped
to one knee, and bowed his head. The novices followed suit, except for Tiza,
who preferred to stand. The area immediately around her suddenly became
stifling and she became so faint her knees buckled, at which point the
temperature dropped.
“Team Four of the Dragon's L
air, Your Majesty.
How may we serve you today?”
Kasile indeed looked majestic. On her
head was a crown of gold with a ring of star-white pearls orbiting a ruby the
size of a grapefruit. Her brown hair shimmered like silk and the streaks of
fire red gleamed in the sunlight. Her gown was tailored to her form from the
high neckline to the bodice and full skirts; the bottom of her throne was
swamped by them. It was a rich red in color and outlined with gold thread at
the hem, waist, sleeves, and neckline. A royal blue slash with the royal crest
was bound to her waist. Her hands were adorned by white gloves that reached to
her shoulders where they disappeared into the gown’s sleeves. These overlapped
the gloves and tapered to a point that resembled a tongue of fire.
More than her clothes, her demeanor had
changed. She sat straight against her throne, hands clasped in her lap, looking
slightly down at them. Eric didn't remember her being so...regal. Princess
Kasile always had a twinkle in her eyes, but the eyes of the queen were cold. They
flickered like the fire of someone burning at the stake.
There was a lot of cleaning up to do
when a coup failed. He would know because she told him all about it last night.
After she prevented Selen’s power grab by force of arms, she hunted his
accomplices. With Siron’s help, she arrested, tried, and punished all of them.
That sort of trial-by-fire hardened her into a woman who would order executions
without hesitation or doubt. At the end of the week, many of the upper echelons
of Ataidar's government were empty.
She's no doubt monitoring their
replacements.
“I have a special mission for each of
you.” Even her voice was different. It was a clean and beautiful blade unlike
the cutesy-but-proper tone she affected before. “Mr. Bladi, your mission is in
the Research Tower. The Royal Mage has need of a consultant for his latest
project. He claims it will lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of mana
mutation. Your clan specializes in a related field, and so I hope you will be
able to advise him in the proper path he should take.”
“I'd be honored to assist such an
esteemed mage.”
Her gaze turned to Tiza and the girl
stood a little straighter. “Ms. Sprial, the new recruits have been complaining
about training in the increasingly cold weather, so I want you to pass out hot
chocolate to ease their burdens.” Before Tiza could protest, she continued,
“You may use any other means you find necessary to encourage them to take their
training seriously.”
Tiza grinned like a maniac. “You know
me too well, Princess Tent Burner.”
“That's Queen Tent Burner!”
Nolien hissed, then paused, then face-palmed. “What am I saying!?” Eric
and Tiza chuckled, but Kasile didn't curve a lip.
“Mr. Heleti, I –” Kasile began and, to
the shock of all, Nolien interrupted her.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but my surname
is 'Iteleh.' I was only born on Heleti lands.”
Kasile arched a fine eyebrow. “I
assumed it was a typo. Heleti spelled backwards, as if The Trickster altered
the registry.”
“That must be it, Your Majesty.”
Kasile smiled like the tiger on her sash. “It
would explain why the heir to one of Ataidar's Four Pillars is in a mercenary
guild. The Trickster loves having fun with us, doesn't he?”
Nolien stiffened and seemed to shrink
under her words. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You are the team's healer,
correct?”
The tension lifted and he replied
again. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Good. It would be embarrassing for
both of us if you weren't. The Royal's Healer's assistant is absent today and
so he needs you to fill in. Can I depend on you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Mr. Watley. Your mission I must
discuss in private.”
An adviser stepped forward. “Your
Majesty, I must object to this! Alone with a mercenary –”
“That defended the Crown.” She turned
her face in his direction and her eyes narrowed into silts of fire. “I hope you are not implying something about Mr. Watley's
character.”
The man paled and kowtowed. “No... Your
Majesty.”
“Good.”
Her eyes returned to normal. “I'm glad my adviser is showing respect for
guests.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The human
returned to his place in the entourage.
Kasile arose from her throne and
beckoned Eric, who arose from his kneel and followed her into a private
chamber. Two guards closed the door behind them and the instant she was out of
sight, she clutched Eric. It wasn't a welcome-back hug. She buried her face in
his neck, exhaled, and tension evaporated by the bucket. It was a needy
hug. All her royal dignity was gone; she was just a girl that that needed a
hug. Eric held her as long as she wanted. Her body was warm against his own,
very warm. Being queen must be harder than she thought.
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Looming Shadow, and the rest of the Journey to Chaos series, is available for purchase at Amazon
To learn more about the heroines of Journey to Chaos, visit their Tvtropes character sheet.
The next Sassy Saturday post is Her Majesty's Ordercraft Security and Compliance Team
Brian Wilkerson is a independent novelist, freelance book reviewer, and writing advice blogger. He studied at the University of Minnesota and came away with bachelor degrees in English Literature and History (Classical Mediterranean Period concentration). His fantasy series, Journey to Chaos, is currently available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback.
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