51: Reinforcement

The seventh day of Sagittarian, we're now in the frontline. We've just arrived yesterday, the King of Holland, Zairo and I are inside the tent with the two generals who came from Arcadia and Holland who are explaining their strategy to win this war. They will be pushing the lines further until they have fully reached the border of the territory that Holland is to reclaim, hopefully we get accomplish it before the twenty-first of Sagittarian.

"Your majesty," a knight barged inside the tent

He bowed down with on knee on the ground and clenched fist on his chest.

"Speak," King Skylark said and the knight stood up

"Your majesty, the other side had sent their reinforcement." He reported

"Generals," Zairo called the attention of the two generals

"Look into the current situation." He said

"See to it that we fight back, make sure we are to win." The King of Holland said sternly

"Yes, your majesty," the two paid respect and left

We're left facing the map indicating the strategy they'll be using to win this war. We're slowly pushing forward, this time in an expected manner. Astrae, a kingdom that had once crumbled in the claws of its unique characteristic, the ice and mist that exist all-year-long no matter the season and time, that stood up and rose from the ashes of the fallen surely would not admit defeat to anyone.

I am overestimating Astrae, as I believe that to be able to reclaim my rightful place in Astrae, I must be the embodiment of the people of Astrae.

"I wonder," I said

"I wonder if our trigger had been connected to the opposition," I smirked and placed my finger on one of the pieces on the strategic map

"You mean the current tyrants?" The King of Holland asked and I nodded

"For sure, they definitely must've gotten the clue." Zairo agreed

"Well, the number of knights sent and the obvious difference in the uniforms they wear was a dead giveaway, it would have been such a shame if they weren't able to pick up such clues, don't you think?" I asked and placed my elbows on the table

"It must've been quite the shock for those traitors the moment they have realized their stupidity." I chuckled while playing with the piece my finger is on

"Well, if I were them, I would be taken aback as well, your majesty." King Skylark said

"Hmm, they managed to come up with such disgraceful yet successful dethronement scheme, this must've been a mere child's play for them now." Zairo said and I shook my head while chuckling

"You're one formidable foe, Queen Patrice, to be able to determine the other side's reaction and trigger them to play along without them knowing they've played right into your palm is astounding." I smiled at the King of Holland's compliment

"I've lived with them with all my life, it would be such an infamy if I were not able to read them without even seeing them." I replied

"Shall we prepare for the face off now?" Zairo asked

"Wait, we must wait for the perfect opportunity to take them off-guard." I shook my head

"Yes, I agree with the Queen Patrice." King Skylark said

"If we face off now when they are waiting for another surprise, we won't get the reaction we want." He added

When the generals came back, they knelt down and paid respect.

"What is the situation?" I asked

"Your majesties, the Astraeian knights have managed to keep our knights at the middle of the territory, we are yet to push the lines further." The Arcadian general reported

"How about the knights, how are they?" Zairo asked

"The wounded are now being treated back at the camp and reinforcements from our side are continuously filling in for the wounded." The Holland general replied

"That's good," I commented

"How about our general, how is he holding on with the situation?" I asked

"The general is on his place, he commands the army in accordance to the strategy." The Arcadian general replied

"I see, see to it that all our wounded men are treated correctly." I said

"Yes, your majesty." They paid respect again before leaving

"It seems that the acting general is proving his capability to stand firm nevertheless the danger brought by the situation he's currently in." The king of Holland commented and I nodded

"That is to be expected," Zairo muttered

"Why do you seem unimpressed, King Zachary?" King Skylark asked him

"It's nothing big, he come from a lineage of people taking pride in the courage." Zairo answered and I shook my head

"Your arrogance may bring your downfall, King Zachary." I warned him

"I am telling the truth, my Queen." He replied and I sighed

"It may be so, but we must still commend him for such a good performance." I said

"After this war, we may hold a ball in his name." The King of Holland said and I nodded

"After reclaiming Astrae, we may," I agreed

"Well, I do look forward to such celebration." Zairo said and I smiled

After the talk, we decided to head to our respective tents to rest for a while. I decided to make a visit on the treatment tent, the knights bowed their head whenever they see me. It's no longer a secret to these knights that I, in irony with the current situation, am the queen of Astrae, the very kingdom we're currently battling with.

"How are they?" I asked the physicians attending to the knights

"Those who have been sent here first are now healed, they may return to the battle lines in a week, your majesty." He reported and I smiled

"I see, see to it that each and every one is tended to, if anything, don't hesitate to ask us." I said calmly and he nodded and bowed down

"I won't keep you away for your duties then," I said

"It's an honor to be checked on by you, your majesty." He replied and I smiled and nodded then I went out of the tent

I looked up and the skies are far from the orange skies of autumn I've watched in Holland, the skies are dull and cold gray covered by white and grayish clouds, reflecting the coldness of the impending season, the coming of winter.

"Your majesty," two knights bowed before me

"Rise, what is it?" I asked and the stood up

"We are here to ensure your safety." One of them said

"I see, do the kings have escorts as well?" I asked

"Yes, your majesty," they replied

"We'll be escorting you back to Holland." The other one added

"Back to Holland? I think there has to be some mistake," I shook my head

"The King Zachary had instructed us to do so," the first one said

"Where is he? I think we have not discussed this instruction of his." I said in monotone

"We shall assist you to his majesty's location, your majesty." They said and I followed them

What is he thinking?

Does he think that because I am a woman it would be dangerous for me to remain here? If he is then he is not thinking with knowledge of what I am like.

When we reached Zairo's tent, the knights positioned in front of his tent bowed

They opened the tent for me and I went inside, Zairo looked up from the papers he's reading and I looked at him seriously.

"What had brought you here, my queen?" he asked

"What is that order you've given the knights? What travel to Holland? I am staying." I said while straightly looking at him

He ran his hand through his hair and shook his head before standing up.

"It is too – Dangerous?" I cut him off he sighed confirming my theory

"You are aware that I am not someone who backs away just because it's dangerous." I said seriously and he sighed

"Your emotions," he said

"What of it?" I asked

"It would be dangerous if your break down were to be triggered." He said and my brows furrowed

"As far as I remember, I have not broken down ever since we arrived." I replied

'Yes, indeed, but that is because you have not been exposed to triggers." He said and I looked at him, completely puzzled of what he is talking about

"If you were to see Katrina, and if you were to suddenly recall the things you have overheard, what would happen?" he asked

"But that does not imply I must leave." I contradicted

"Patrice, you would not want to put them in trouble, would you?" he asked

"Of course not, they are doing this for my sake, why would I endanger them?" I replied

"That's exactly my point, to ensure their safety against inner danger, we have to bring you somewhere you cannot hurt anyone." He said and I sighed

"How are you certain I will not endanger the place I'll go?" I asked

"You are far from triggers." He said

"How am I far from so?" I asked

"No one there may remind you of what you've overheard and if you were to dream of it, Dame Therese and Dame Maia knows what they must do as I've given them a briefing." He replied