Battling the Weak

"Perhaps the problem is the enemy is closer than they appear, your majesty" my brother confesses as her eyes light up. Not with fear, curiosity or instead delight but with what seems like fire.

"I would hate to believe that" She answers. "But if they were to I would offer them a way out. War is a brutal thing, and death is never a guarantee. Just like it wasn't for my family and kingdom the first time." she warns as I stand back.

"I wouldn't say that" My brother starts, moving closer to her.

"War is the only thing that bring people power, land and peace. Can you say that about Ophela?" I ask her as she smiles to me. A smile I can see even with my brother blocking it.

"No. My kingdom is powerful, peaceful, neutral and content. Can you say that about Narvyia? A kingdom where even your people despise it's rulers." her insult getting to my brother as he punches her to the ground.

"GET UP!" He orders her as she stands. A small stain of blood emerging from the corner of her mouth.

"You are only doing this because you are frightened by Opehla's power. Nothing else, we pose a threat to your dearest Narvyia" She keeps on as my brother punches her again. and without a second thought she stands up again.

"Narvyia is falling, tearing past the point of fixing. You are afraid of being without your power. A cowardous act indeed" She says as she spits at my brother and he punches her again. She stands, once again. My brother lifting her up by her neck.

"What did you call me?" he ask as she smiles.

"A coward!" she forces out as he hits her back against the wall. "This is perhaps the strongest you have felt in a long while" she continues.

"Now! Brother" He commands as I stop. Hearing the knights footsteps getting closer. Was this worth it? The queen had not persuaded me, but I knew. With our deaths my father would rule. I would rather rot in prison than let a man I hated like no other before me rule half the land.

"Aye" I agree and lurch my sword out and thrust it into the person in front of me.

The body letting out a last breath of air as it falls. The queen falling from my brothers hands onto the floor. My sword still in my hand, pointed towards her as she takes a deep breath. And her knights arrive through the door.

"Are you alright my highness?" they ask her as she stands, sweeping the little wrinkles out of her dress.

As the knights grab me, the sword falling from my hands as it takes three knights to chain my hands and lead me to the jail.

*********************************

It took me three day to recover. I kept moving, my duties tended to as needed but for the pain to stop. Nightmares continued as many questions emerged in my mind. Outside I looked fine except for the little bruises that made their home on my cheeks.

I was gossiped to be lucky. But I know I wasn't, it was him. Something about that man. He could have killed me, but something held him back.

"I have tried to prolong this meeting as long as I can, my Queen-" I stop Counselman Gaverns before he can continue.

"All they will tell me is the dreaded taunts of marriage! All because I am of the weaker sex to them." I explain and stop. "But if married all my power would go to my husband, the king. Especially if they were for an alliance." I continue as Gaverns stops me.

"What a daydream it would be if you would find someone willing to marry of no title, but the counsel would most likely still embrace them as king. What you would need is someone of a unworthy title, someone willing to gain more evil than your rule to the counsel." He confesses as I take a deep breath through my gouging petticoat.

"The council thinks me evil?" I ask Gaverns as with no answer from him I take it as a yes.

"Your uncle was my dearest companion. I know he would endorse your rule, that is why I do. We might not have his influence anymore but we have faith" Gaverns preaches as he takes my hands into his, holding my hand in his. "I trust you, Queen Evania" He pledges as I smile at his allegiance.

"My Queen" I hear through the open door of my quarters. "It is time" the female maid orders as I nod my head and follow her.

"Goodbye Gaverns" I leave him with as I follow the maid with guards by my side, into the dungeon.

The sight was one of the most grievous I had seen. Hay on the floor, metal doors and the stench of death lingering.

"Here he is, your majesty" I hear the knight announce as the maid turns around and walks back into the castle.

"Thank you very much" I relieve them as they still stay.

"We have been ordered to be your scouts." Says the knight as I look to them.

"I am your queen, you are not my scouts unless I order you to be" I demand as I open the metal door. "Now position yourself outside, that is a order!" I command them as I hear the door close and continue into the large cell.

Sitting on the chair behind me and looking to the man positioned by the window.

"It has only been three days, hopefully not enough time for you to forget your reasoning." I start as I get no response. Just the silhouette of a man looking towards the window. "Why an assassination attempt? Do your rulers have no courage to fight me themselves?" I ask him as he finally turns to face me.

His tall body leaving a shadow from the sunlight creeping in from the small window. His muscular arms emerging from his short sleeve uniform and his salt blue eyes. This man was no killer.

"Maybe not so smart of the Queen to see me without her safety" He warns me as I chuckle.

"I am more than a queen. And today I wish to negotiate with you." hoping my words spark interest in him. "Narvyia should not miss you for long" I blurt seeming to catch his attention now.

"How did you know?" He ask me

"How could I not? This would not be their first attack on me, and I know it won't be the last" I admit standing on my feet. "But what I don't understand is how one of their spy's could hesitate. Tell me, why is that?" I ask him, cornering him, my face three inches away from his.

"I knew I would be killed" He says and I can see in his eyes that answer is nothing but a excuse.

"You don't believe in your country anymore, do you?" I ask him as his eyes find the floor. "And I want to believe in this one" I confess as his eyes catch mine again.