By the time Druscilla emerged from the earth Gwen was already done with meeting the court. According to Pen, it was a rather moving affair, with the gathered nobles trying to outdo each other in displays of hostility against the power-hungry tyrants in Ginawaine. Though they had been living content for centuries, they suddenly came to a realization that they were actually under the boot of Quentin Redfield.

This went to show that the Grand Duke of Euwaine was a master at statecraft and subtle rhetoric. Everyone described him as a dying fool who’d lost his wits – how could they be so wrong? Duke Whitestone was dying alright, but a fool he was not. It was impressive how he had managed to give everyone the wrong impression of himself.

Druscilla confidently walked into the the highest rampart of the fort. There, on a raised platform, was the Duke, Gwen and a handful of other courtiers Druscilla did not know. “Sorry for my lateness,” she said. “Please do continue.” From this point, she could see the sprawling city below and the gleaming ocean beyond.

“It is fine,” the Duke said as Druscilla sat down to a newly vacated seat. “We were good progress actually.” -without you, was what was implied.

“Then don’t let me slow you down…” While the Duke looked like he had swallowed a hot potato, Gwen was relieved – Druscilla could tell from the princess’ breathing alone. It was like Druscilla had saved her from drowning. I’ll have to commend her for not giving into their demands. “Do continue.” Lucky for Druscilla, it was a cloudy day – that said she was still very uncomfortable being out in the sun. She did her best to hide it.

“As I was saying, your Majesty,” Duke Whitestone said, his jowls bouncing up and down. “We have already raised the banners. As you saw earlier the men are willing to give their lives for you. We must make it count.”

“Unfortunately, I am not an astute military leader.” Gwen looked over to Druscilla, and the Vampire nodded to reassure her. “Surely you must have capable commanders under your wing.”

“I do, but the men do not fight for their commanders. Rather, they fight for you. We are at a disadvantage here. Our biggest allies are from Berlowaine, on the other side of the Kingdom. Between us and them is the Grand Duchy of Ginawaine – Sancho’s stronghold. The Royal army outnumber us, but with our allies we can force a victory.”

“Do you have a plan of action?” Druscilla asked now that she had a rough grasp of the situation.

“Yes: a pincer on Ginawaine. The army will have to split to take on Berlowaine in the West and Euwaine in the East. If all goes according to plan, our armies will merge in the meadows north of the capital, then proceed to siege out the capital itself. We must be quick, however hit them hard and fast before they know what happened. The troops are garrisoned in a large camp some way west. They are ready to move by tomorrow even.”

“You’re confident this will work?”

“Nothing is certain. And the first few battles will be brutal. Morale will probably suffer, that is why I suggest that you lead the armies, Lady Clearwater.”

Eh?? Did I hear right? I don’t know anything about medieval battles…

“As Chancellor for Her Majesty, people see you as a proxy for Queen Gwendolyn. Your radiant beauty alongside them is sure to raise their spirits. I am aware that a young lady such as yourself is averse to violence, but do not fret; my Marshal will be with you, leading the troops in all but name.”

I see what this is; a ploy to split me and Gwen up. It was all rather rich, given the feverish atmosphere of the people who were itching for glory. He’s stripping me of my influence, I won’t even be in charge of the army. “A wise course of action. However, there will need to be some adjustments.” While she still had it, Druscilla would use Gwen’s trust and high opinion for her. “I would be an insufficient replacement for Gw- Her Majesty, so I suggest that the Queen herself accompany us.”

Shocked faces turned to Druscilla. “But it is not safe! I cannot abide by sending Her Majesty into harm’s way. It would endanger everything my plans!”

“Your plans?” Gwen interrupted the Duke before he could correct his mistake. “I’ll have you know, I do not dance to your tune. I’ll go with my Chancellor.”

Eager to hammer the nail into the coffin, Druscilla stood up abruptly. “We’ll that’s that then. Her Majesty herself has spoken.”

“I protest.”

“Noted. Now, your Majesty, may we leave? We have much to discuss.”

“I bid you all farewell.” They all stood up in Gwen’s wake. “Thank you for your cooperation.”

Minutes later they were in the cool interior of Druscilla and Pen’s room. Dixie was there as well, sitting cross legged on the floor.

“All went well, Pen?” Druscilla asked.

“Well enough, they cremated her body and didn’t ask too many questions.”

“Whose body?” Gwen asked. She still did not know for certain what Vampires fed on. “The assassin’s?”

“Yes.” Druscilla was quick to assuage Gwen’s fears. “Unfortunately she stopped breathing. [False Death] is not last for infinity, unfortunately.”

Wisely, Dixie kept quiet.

“Now then, good news and bad news. What do you want to hear?”

“Good.”

“Bad.”

Penelope and Dixie exchanged looks at their contradicting answers.

“The good news is that the Grand Duke Whitestone has put me in charge of the military – at least in name. I plan to take Gwen and Penelope to keep her safe, so we won’t have to worry about three Vampires in one place. The bad news is that Dixie will have to stay to protect our interests.”

“Wait, you’re leaving me here?” Dixie’s nostrils flared. “What if they find out I’m a Blackstone?”

“It has to be you, between you and Pen, you’re the more experienced in such matters. That is why you must remain. Also, they do not know how ‘Dixie Blackstone’ looks.” Thank God for no internet. “You should be fine so long as you choose an alias.”

“Fine.” Dixie cupped her chin. “I had a cat named Ella once. So I guess there’s that.”

“And your noble name?”

Dixie looked around. “It’s a cloudy day outside right? How about Greysky?”

“There’s already a Greysky family,” Gwen said. “A small barony in the South.”

“Again, they don’t know how these people look like,” Druscilla said. “Neither do we, for that matter. She should be fine. Ella, you need to keep the Duke in check. Tell us of his every move and his every conversation.”

“Finding a trustworthy messenger will be difficult.”

“What do you mean? You’re a vampire now. Call forth your familiars. Hell, you can even use them to do your spying.”

“But how?”

“If you think about it hard enough,” Penelope said encouragingly. “… it’ll come into being. It gets easier with time, you’ll see.”

The rest of the day passed by quickly. Pen spent time trying to teach Dixie how to think up Tulpas. It was hard at first, until the floor was swarmed with rats. Luckily, Tulpas dissipated into nothingness should their summoner will it, so they were spared having to explain themselves.

Druscilla in the meantime planned out her actions. Earlier the Duke was surrounded by courtiers, but he alone spoke. Even when Druscilla said something highly controversial, no one else spoke. Says a lot about his character and how he relates to those around him. It reminded her of Knifey and his scary looking goons.

Now how the hell am I to lead an army? There was no way she’d let a Duke’s man boss her around. The problem was that Druscilla did not know anything about warfare, especially the physically intensive melees of medieval times. Long ago she had been a student of History. She had learned of how Alexander’s hoplites decimated the Persians, or how Hannibal Barca marched elephants across the alps like a madman. At the time it had not been important, but now Druscilla sorely regretted not being more keen.

Later on an armourer came to see them. He had already made armour for Gwen; it was a set of light plate armour that was not too taxing for Gwen to walk around in. Apparently the Duke’s initial plan had been to send Gwen with the army, until he met Druscilla.

As for Pen and Druscilla, nothing seemed to fit. They were bigger than Gwen, but smaller than the average soldier. They were comically lost within the darkness of the full plate armour that was just too big. The chainmail was looked like a large bedsheet draped over a coat stand. Eventually they settled for ranger gear: heavy shirts and breeches made of boiled leather. It was tight but allowed for free movement. I wish they had bikini armour like in an RPG.

After all that was done, all that was left was to bid Ella goodbye as they rode off to meet their army.