A Time of Tigers - From Peasant to Emperor
Chapter 1757 - 1757: The Lion's Den - Part 6

"I thank you, Davos," Queen Asabel said, acknowledging his efforts with a smile. With a hand from Lancelot, she gracefully slid off the back of her horse.

She wore not the long flowing skirts that Lord Blackwell saw her in, but she managed to look elegant regardless. It was a tightly fit riding dress that she had, along with her long golden hair braided along her back, and held in place by a broach that looked strangely like the head of some sort of wolf, or some other such beast.

With great dignity, she stepped away from Lancelot and Davos who had positioned themselves so carefully to try and protect her.

With every step that she took, that ornate silver crown did not even budge in the least. It was as if it was glued to her head – all those silver dancing dragons. It was as if there was no place in the world that was more natural for it to sit than in the golden nest of Queen Asabel's hair.

Fire she spoke to them with, from the very start. "You wrong yourselves," she told them. "This is unbecoming. I came to Hurst to greet you, and what I found, instead, was a mob."

Harsh words, spoken by the woman that they had called tyrant. Her green eyes swept over them all with disapproval. Why was it against her, that they could not find the might to speak back?

Blackwell had to wonder what had changed in the few short days since he had last seen her. What the source of the fire that leaked out of her was. She was a terrifying creature now, in her own right. The sort that could silence the thousands that had so hated her just a few minutes before, and make them listen to every word that she said.

"Your city is in ruins, as a result of the war between my father and I," Queen Asabel said. "For that, I do apologise." She dipped her head, and indeed, it seemed as if she really meant it. But in the very same instant, that head lifted itself, and the fire returned. "But such is the story of citizens that live in the land of dragons! Fire will find its way to your doorsteps, and it will threaten to scorch you. But you will find yourselves not beaten by it. For it is in your very blood to withstand such things. That is why you are able to gather here, with such an anger, against my mighty General, and why you are able to speak to him as such, no matter how foolish it might be."

She gestured towards Lord Blackwell, and he felt a strange shiver. He wasn't sure why it was. Something about her acknowledging the struggle that he'd put in. A woman half his age, and yet that slight little acknowledgement was enough to make his heart tremble for a second. The rage that had been sitting in his breast for so long dissipated, and was replaced by something that was almost sadness. His fist unclenched, and it was a disappointment that he felt with himself. He'd been in such a hurry to see this problem cleaned up, and yet, he could make nothing move, no matter how hard he'd tried.

"But I warn you again, that such was an act of foolishness," Queen Asabel said. "To do such a thing again, and I will not be able to defend you from him. You wave your hand in front of the jaws of a bear. I am not the sovereign to feel pity for you when you inevitably get bitten. What you have done this morning, in seeing him so riled, is such an act. The Commanding General of my armies – I will not allow him to be disrespected as such. Do we have an understanding?"

She looked over them again, her gaze more a glare than anything else. It was as if she was playing the role of parent to an entire city – for it was nearly the entire city now, all the survivors of Hurst had been lured out when they had seen those royal banners fluttering.

"Good," she said, deciding that their silence was very much an agreement. "Davos, if you would."

She handed the reins once again to her merchant in Davos, and the young man seized on the responsibility easily. His appetite for it seemed endless. Such a forum, and his voice did not even quiver.

"Your Queen Asabel has travelled here from Hirosh this day to inform you of the future state of this kingdom, and what shalt be required of you as subjects. I am Davos, and I have been named Trader by Royal Commission. Though Hirosh is not my jurisdiction, you can be assured that a man of subtle character will be selected to see your interests here taken care of."

None moved to interrupt him as he spoke. The presence of Queen Asabel loomed too intimidating. She stood like a watchful sentinel, daring any to speak, and truly none knew how to. She was a creature that hardly seemed of this world. If a Goddess did fall down from the skies, one expected that it would look like her, and carry such an aura as she had.

"The rebuilding of this city is of paramount importance. You men of station shall be required to fulfil your duty in doing so," Davos continued. "That you have left your city in rubble for as long as you have, without moving – I declare that to be a sin. And that sin, for the sake of Queen Asabel, shall be rectified."

There was a murmur of general – but quiet – outrage at that.

"What?" Davos said. "Did Queen Asabel not tell you what was expected of you? This is the land of dragons. A battlefield between two dragons is going to lead to an awful lot of fire. Has none told you that?"

There was a strange smile on Davos' lips as he said that particular line, and Queen Asabel gave him an odd look to go along with it. Blackwell had an inclining that something like that had been said elsewhere before, and likely not by Davos' lips.

Tip: You can use left, right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.Tap the middle of the screen to reveal Reading Options.

If you find any errors (non-standard content, ads redirect, broken links, etc..), Please let us know so we can fix it as soon as possible.

Report