206 Battle of the Crossings 1 (1/2)
”Emily” The murderer uttered.
”Child” The murderer's wife said.
Emily's blood was hot. Her face was red. After all these years she still hated them. Her anger wasn't dulled by time. What she felt back then, that heavy feeling on her chest eating her from the inside, churning like a hungry devouring machine- that never ceased. She still remembered what these two people did to her. She still remembered that very night-that horrible night. She remembered how they used her to cement their rule.
'Why are you talking to people? Stay inside and stay hidden child!'
'Your mentor is a good person but he knows too much and he couldn't keep his mouth shut. He needs to disappear'
'You are nothing. Without us you are nothing. Know your place'
'Your father was a serf. Your mother was a lowly dead serf. You are a lowly serf. You are lucky we took you instead of ditching your corpse somewhere dark and wet'
Their old words came back to her. She was a pawn, a tool for their political gains. For many years she looked up to them. They were unreachable. High on the pedestal they sat. She was the ground. They were the heavens. She couldn't touch them. She watched for many years as her mother's murderer roamed free. She wept as her beloved mentor had his throat slit on some dark alley in Bivon. She was powerless.
But now it's different. She was sitting on top of her horse with a crown on her head and an army at her back. They were kneeling on the grass, looking at her with fear. She had become justice herself. With a single word she could take her revenge.
”Take my offer Emily” Balian said, imposing and firm. ”An opened gate for justice. Not bad right? If not, they will escape. You have the power to make justice of your own. Make it so that they pay for their sins. You and I are very much alike. Pragmatists. We see the world for what it is- unfiltered by weak ideals like honor and faith. We understand how things work. If something can be done, we will do it. Right now a choice presents before you. One word and you will have them. Choose wisely Emily”
”Loose! Arrows!” Emily shouted all of a sudden. A few of her guards loosed arrows towards Brice and Sharon. But the knights were quick to shield the two. The arrows just bounced off their armor.
”Like what I said” Balian wore a smile ”I know you. I know that you are a practical girl. I know you would try something like that. Sadly, the only way to kill them is to agree to my offer”
Emily jotted a look at Balian before returning her gaze at the murderer and his wife. ”Your offer is appealing. You are right. I am a pragmatist. I see, I realize and I do. Unfortunately…” Emily produced a smile to mock both Balian and herself ”I am a foolish little girl who does foolish things. I am a fool and I will remain one. The answer is no. I am contented with my current allies and I shall not switch sides just because you offered me the lives of two old couple. Kill them, set them free, serve their feces on a golden platter, I don't care. They are weak, unlike those two who destroyed me all those years ago. They are mere shadows of Brice and Sharon. It wouldn't be satisfying to have justice from shadows. If you want the gate opened Balian, you would have to open it yourself. Of course arrows and spears and swords and other nasty things are waiting for you but just wear your armor and you'll probably be fine”
Emily turned her horse around. Her guards flanked her.
”I will take the fort Emily and your corpses will litter the bloody Red River”
”Could be the other way around. And you address me wrongly Balian. I am not just Emily” She turned her head and pronounced the next words with clarity ”I am Queen Emily Tulosa”
Emily was welcomed at the gate by the ever smiling Commodore Bernard. The Commodore offered his hand to help her off her horse ”Parley was useless?”
”Like most parleys” Emily took the Commodore's help. Her two feet landed on the grass with a soft thud. Emily put a small grin ”Earlier you said that I would have to marry you if you die due to my foolish decision. Well no Commodore, you will just have my permission to court me in the afterlife. After then, you will have to wait and see if you have a chance”
”You jest” Bernard chuckled ”Your humor adds to your beauty. I am more inclined to take that afterlife courtship” His tone then became serious ”We are going to die, aren't we?”
”Not if you hold them in the river while I hold the fort. I've seen the Castonians on the field Commodore. Impressive and terrifying. But their stern faces and brutish demeanor was cold. I've heard that you Vanadians are more jolly and calculative like the merchants that you are” Emily paused a little and continued after a while ”Raise your anchors and sink those Lutani ships for me”
Bernard's puffy cheeks curved a grin ”As Her Majesty commands”
Emily and Bernard went to their respective positions. Bernard raised his anchors from the muddy bank. The Vanadian galleys raised their sails painted with colorful images.