Chapter 76

Year 163 – Winter – Septimus Mensis – 3rd day

Avem, town of House Kalator, land of the Vale

The wind was surprisingly hot for a winter’s day. It was so slow and sparse that you had to face it to feel its whip on your skin. No snow had fallen for a few days, and most of the street had been cleared out. So many feet had walked through the main street that the muddy ground was seen beneath. Lanaya and Nelis were walking around the temple early in the morning.

Lanaya – “I think I’ve made my decision.”

Nelis – “So, eggs?”

Lanaya – “What? Oh, sorry, I was lost in my head. I didn’t really listen. Eh. Yeah, eggs could work.”

Nelis – “So . . . What decision were you talking about?”

Lanaya – “I’ll marry Egmond.”

Nelis – “I see. If that’s your decision, I’ll support it.”

Lanaya – “You’re not mad?”

Nelis – “No, I don’t like him that much, but I’ll get used to it. I want the best for you, so if it can help you achieve your dream, I’ll support it.”

Upon hearing his answer, Lanaya sighed.

Nelis – “What?”

Lanaya – “Nothing . . .”

Nelis – “Wait . . . You thought I’d oppose your decision, didn’t you?”

Lanaya – “Yes . . .”

Nelis – “You look depressed.”

Lanaya – “I’m just exhausted, but I’m fine.”

Nelis grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her closer as he kept walking.

Nelis – “You’re my only family. If you’d walk in a storm, I’d stay by your side.”

A slim tear was crawling down her cheek. Wiping it in silence, she kept on walking next to Nelis.

Nelis – “Let’s get back home, I’ll make you a fortifiant, and you’ll feel much better.”

Lanaya – “No, I’m fine. I’ve got to attend to a reunion with the Kalator. Don’t wait for me.”

Nelis – “As you wish, but don’t forget, you don’t have to carry all the burden of the world all by yourself. That’s why we have a band.”

Lanaya – “I won’t!”

Splitting away from one another, Lanaya entered the street leading to the town hall. She blinked her eyelids a few times to get rid of any tears and rubbed her cheek to make them a little redder as she entered the main castle. She walked up to the door and took a long breath before pushing the doors open. A few soldiers were playing with dice while eating oat porridge.

Lanaya kept on walking across the hall until she reached the door of Egmond’s quarters. A guard dozing off was guarding the entrance. As Lanaya arrived, he opened his eyes.

The guard – “Eh . . . Umm . . . Yes?”

Lanaya – “Yes?”

The guard – “Eh . . . I mean . . . What do you want?”

Lanaya – “Let me think? Hm, to pass? Maybe?”

The guard – “Eh . . . Yeah . . . No, Umm . . . I’m not supposed to let anyone pass. Egmond asked not to get disturbed.”

Lanaya – “Do you not recognize me?”

The guard – “Yes, I mean no . . . I mean, I do. You’re Lanaya, the giant-slayer.”

Lanaya – “The giant-slayer?”

The guard – “Are you not?”

Lanaya – “I am. I’m just surprised by the title.”

The guard – “You killed the Bear of Vale, didn’t you?”

Lanaya – “Well, he had been tried by many men beforehand. But I suppose I did fight him. Anyhow, I want to pass.”

The guard – “I can’t! King Egmond’s orders.”

Lanaya – “So you’re not gonna let me past even though I’m part of the war council?”

The guard – “Egmond has said not to disturb him, except if there’s a conflict that requires his assistance.”

Lanaya – “Is that so?”

The guard – “Yes.”

Lanaya – “So . . . I want to pass through the door, and you won’t let me do it. Couldn’t we argue that we are, you and I, in a conflict right now?”

The guard – “Not any that would require his assistance.”

Lanaya – “But I do require his assistance, and since we are in a conflict, by letting me pass, you would allow him to solve a conflict that requires his assistance without even needing him to leave his quarter.”

The guard – “I’m not sure-”

Lanaya – “About what? He asked you to guard the door and to disturb him, only in the case of a conflict that requires his assistance, right?”

The guard – “Yeah . . .”

Lanaya – “So, if you don’t disturb him in a conflict that requires his assistance, then you’d be disobeying his order!”

The guard – “Eh . . .”

Lanaya – “You wouldn’t disobey king Egmond’s order now, would you?”

The guard – “No, of course not.”

Lanaya – “Then you have to let me pass.”

The guard – “Eh . . . Right . . .”

The guard then moved aside, confused.

Lanaya – “Good soldiers are rare. Keep going like this, and you’ll soon receive a promotion!”

As Lanaya entered the quarters, the guard stroke his beard while muttering.

The guard – “Lieutenant Friedbert . . . It does have a ring to it.”

The quarter’s first room had a low table with two couches facing it. Eight small stained-glass windows were letting the light enter the room from various angles. Two logs were burning in an embedded fireplace. A large red carpet, a painting of an eagle, and a large chandelier gave a cordial feeling to the empty room.

Behind the next door was a hallway with two doors to the right and one to the left. Opening the first door, Lanaya found a large bathroom of rare luxury. A fireplace, a bathtub made of brass, and a toilet with a sink connected to the town’s aqueduct. A large mirror was covering one side of the room, and two small stained-glass windows were letting through slim rays of lights.

Lanaya closed the door and kept on walking to the next one. This time, she ended up in front of an opulent room with a large bed made of sculpted oak. A mirror with a silver ornament was hanging on a wall next to a cherrywood dresser. Two fireplaces, as well as six small stained-glass windows, were enlightening the room. A chess board was laid on a small table with two chairs. Above the bed, a stuffed bear head was hanging on the wall. The mattress seemed to be made of linen, and a bear pelt was positioned above it.

She hadn’t lived in such luxury for over a decade. At that moment, the last door opened. Lanaya turned around and saw Egmond coming out with a chandelier in one hand and a sword in the other.

Egmond – “Lanaya!?”

Lanaya – “Hey . . .”

Egmond seemed confused and relieved as he sheathed his sword in its scabbard.

Egmond – “What are you doing here?”

Lanaya – “I came to accept your proposal.”

Egmond – “Oh . . .”

Lanaya – “But I have conditions.”

Egmond – “I see. And what are they?”

Lanaya – “I want Nelis to be named general and to be paid as such.”

Egmond – “Sure.”

Lanaya – “I want to allow those who wish to change their allegiance to do so without being harmed, and I want to give them the opportunity before we engage in a fight with them.”

Egmond – “Of course.”

Lanaya – “I want to be the war leader.”

Egmond chuckled when he realised she was being serious.

Egmond – “No.”

Lanaya walked toward him and grabbed her braided hair in her left hand and looked at Egmond with craving sight while biting the side of her lips. She passed her braid behind his neck and pulled him closer to her.

Lanaya – “I want to lead the army. I want to hold the flag. I want to carry the red hawk into battle!”

Egmond – “It is my duty to lead my people and mine alone.”

Lanaya leaned even more toward him until her mouth was so close she could share his breath. She whispered.

Lanaya – “A king who does everything himself isn’t ruling much, isn’t he? If you intend to be a king, act as such.”

Egmond – “A king who doesn’t order isn’t a king.”

She then glided her fingers to his shoulder and arm until she grabbed his hand. Looking right into his eyes, she passed his hand between her legs.

Lanaya – “Order me to lead, and I’ll bring you to a world far more grandiose than your most ambitious dream.”

Egmond – “My generals wouldn’t allow it.”

Lanaya laid the tips of her index fingers on his upper lips. She then whispered in his ear.

Lanaya – “They will obey their king.”

Egmond – “A queen who leads war?”

Lanaya – “A queen who rules war.”

Egmond – “A warlord.”

Lanaya – “Isn’t a lord below a queen?”

Egmond – “A lord is below me. I’ll let you lead and command as Lanaya, warlord of the red hawk.”

Lanaya – “Swear it in the name of your ancestors.”

Egmond – “On my bloodline as a Der Stolze and on my pride as a Kalator. As a servant of the red hawk, I swear I’ll make you, Lanaya, my queen and warlord of the red hawk.”

Lanaya felt a warm and powerful feeling flow through the back of her neck. Her heartbeat was quickening. Her pupils were dilating as her excitement rose. She looked at him in the eyes with a depraving lust as she licked her upper lips. As Egmond was about to kiss her, she pushed him back.

Lanaya – “Not yet. Soon, but not yet.”

Egmond – “I . . . I’ll tell Ludger to prepare the ceremony, and I’ll make an announcement to the rest of my people.”

Lanaya – “Our people!”

Egmond – “Not yet, Lanaya. Soon, but not yet.”