Death's Queen (The Complete Series)

by Janeal Falor

  “What sorts of things are they saying about the taxes?” I ask.

  “That you are meant to be queen, with what you've done.” Her eyebrows are drawn together.

  Hmm. “What about others? Did anyone else visit the Poruah?”

  “I went with Jem, Your Majesty,” Inyi says.

  Not surprising.

  “The people were as Jem said,” she continues. “Their praise toward you was extraordinary.”

  I shift. Not what I was going for. I just want to ease their burdens, so they can buy food. Clothes. Shelter. Things that have been hard for them to obtain.

  “I also went to the Poruah,” Lipla says. “They were rather greedy, Your Highness.”

  This puzzles me. “In what way?”

  “They wanted all that tax money and to surround themselves with things they don't need, and they are taking advantage of you to do it.”

  I press my lips together. It's better I don't respond to that. Wanting necessities or even the occasional luxury is not taking advantage of me. Then again, without seeing it for myself, who am I to know what they really do want or not?

  “I went to many of the Medi, Your Majesty.” Freza is closest to me on the left. The spot of honor, though she placed herself there.

  I wonder if that means anything. “What did they have to say?”

  “They think you're brilliant, as well. They can now afford to continue on as Medi and not fall to Poruah, at least the ones I talked to.”

  “Those I spoke with as well,” Pina, the youngest, adds. “They were all very pleased, Your Majesty.”

  Hmm. “And the Kurah?”

  “Forgive me, Your Majesty,” Suyla says. “They aren't pleased. They feel it's unfair for them to take the brunt of the taxes.”

  Maybe it is, but they can afford the most without their quality of life taking a hit. “And what does everyone here think? Do you think it's unfair for me to tax the rich?”

  There's a lot of fidgeting and avoiding eye contact.

  Finally, Jem says, “I think it's hard to say what's fair.”

  This surprises me. Not the words, but that they’re coming from her. Maybe she has more to offer than I first thought? “What do you mean?”

  “What may be fair to one person may be unfair to another. It’s hard to judge for an entire people what’s fair when it varies from person to person.”

  “What else do you ladies think?” I ask.

  “You should change things back to how they were,” Lipla says. “This won’t benefit the crown in any way.”

  “What if I'm not trying to benefit the crown? What if I'm trying to benefit the people?”

  She narrows her eyes before she looks to the floor. The skin around her mouth is tense. She's not happy with my answer.

  “It's a nice aspiration, Your Highness, but I'm not sure it's realistic.” Benala is the oldest left of my ladies-in-waiting, in her forties. She has bright-blue eyes, brown hair, and a usually happy countenance that's subdued today.

  “Why is that?” I ask.

  “Because the Kurah are sure to rebel. They aren't going to stand for having higher taxes. The Poruah and Medi need to do their part as well.”

  “I'm not saying they shouldn't, but their share wasn’t fair in this.”

  “Who are you to decide what's fair?”

  I'm surprised the question comes from Lipla, not Jem. I give her a piercing gaze. “I am the queen.”

  “Rightly so, Your Majesty.” Jem's voice isn't as hostile as I'm used to. I don't know what to make of it. “But I think, given that you didn't train with us, there is the question of whether you should have sought our council before making such a decision.”

  Not hostile, but not on my side either.

  I don't trust her change. I plan on keeping her close, so I can pay attention to her. I don't want another Faya.

  “I’ve lived among the people.” For a short time anyway. “I’ve seen their struggles. Seen what the lack of essentials looks like. Everyone has a right to life. To more than only starving on the streets.” That quiets them, but there’s more I need to know. “How's productivity?”

  “The work load is up,” Pina says. “The people are happier and buying more at the market. Not just food, either. I think this is a real success, Your Majesty.”

  This coming from the youngest. I'm not sure what to think. Except that it's time for another outing.

  Chapter 9

  It's hard to talk Nash into going out again. He thinks my safety is paramount. While it is important, there are some things I need to see for myself. Luckily, I’m able to talk him into going in disguise and with a couple of guards, like I did once before.

  The market is full of the scents of fresh bread and roasted duck. I inhale, grateful I was smart enough to bring money this time. I have to be cautious with it, since it's the people’s money. What better use for it than to give it back to them, though?

  I buy Nash and me some meat on a stick. He shakes his head but has no problem digging in.

  “You like it?” I ask.

  “It's excellent.”

  “Good.” Once we finish this succulent treat, we wander through the market. It's much different than before. People are buying things, smiling, and chatting with one another, in a manner that exudes happiness. I turn to Nash. “What do you think about what you see?”

  “It looks like the people are doing much better than last time we were here.”

  “I think so too.”

  We continue our stroll, taking everything in. I spot a girl that looks familiar. I try to place her, but all that comes to mind is being alone in the dark. I know who she is—the girl I traded clothes with after leaving Daros’s for the first time. She’s still wearing what I gave her, though dirtier and more tattered.

  “Come over here,” I ask of Nash and lead him to the girl.

  She looks at us quizzically. “Can I help you?”

  “No, but you did, once.” I pull out a handful of coins. “I want you to have this.”

  She widens her eyes. “I can’t accept such a gift.”

  “Please take it. It’s yours. You assisted me in a time I really needed it. This is the least I can do, to repay you.”

  Slowly, she holds out her hand, and I drop the coins inside. I hurry off before she can change her mind.

  “What was that about?” Nash asks.

  “She gave me clothes when I escaped Daros’s. She offered to help me. Let me stay with her family. Although I didn’t, I haven’t forgotten her kindness.”

  We come to a corner that has a man plucking out a tune on a vilka, a stringed instrument. A couple starts dancing to the music, stepping high and clapping their hands. Another couple joins. And another.

  “Let's go.” I want to pull Nash toward the dancing group but hope my words are enough.

  “I'm not sure we should.”

  “Come on. It'll be fun.” I glance around and find Wilric, Afet, and Eldim surrounding us at different parts.

  I stand next to a woman, lift my feet to the music and pound them against the cobblestone. I clap my hands in time with the rhythm. It's a bouncy, happy song. The dance doesn’t seem to have specific steps, just a twirling, dipping, flying into the air, and spinning around to the beat.

  Dancing across from me, Nash's lips twitch. Then turn up. Then become a full-fledged grin. He's enjoying this as much as I am.

  The others start kicking their feet up high. Nash and I follow suit. It's a good workout. If I didn't exercise every day, I'd be out of breath. The women twirl in place. I do the same, laughing as the world spins around me.

  Then I see him.

  Daros.

  I fall to the ground, pulling out a dagger as I go.

  The lady next to me bends down to help me, but shies away when she sees what I'm holding.

  Nash is at my side in an instant. “Are you all right? That looked like it hurt.”

  “Daros,” is all I can get out.

  As I stand, Nash draw
s a dagger of his own. The people give us a wide berth as my guards close in around us.

  A faint breeze of whispers quickly turn into a full-blown wind. I don't care; I must find him.

  I scan the area, but there's no one who looks a thing like him—bulky, yet muscled, with short brown hair and thick eyebrows.

  “I don't see him anymore.” My chest is constricted. Tight. Unwavering.

  “It's all right,” Nash says, as we move away from where I saw Daros. “Take a deep breath.”

  I gasp for air that doesn't want to make its way past my throat. I look around in a frenzied motion.

  “I'm right here.” Nash uses a soft voice but loud enough it reaches me. “I won't let him hurt you.”

  No one can promise that.

  Not even Nash.

  Wilric reaches us first. “What happened?”

  “She spotted Daros.”

  Wilric pulls out his sword without hesitation, and the others do the same, though they haven't gotten to us yet. They check the crowd like I am doing.

  The group gathered around us gives us more space, watching us with big eyes. Except for one man, who doesn't look familiar but is staring at me as if he knows me. Out of nowhere, he calls out, “It's the queen.”

  A gasp goes through the crowd.

  Anger at Daros distracts me. Makes it hard to think. Do I deny who I am? Admit it? Ignore them and run? Everyone is staring at me. I try to neutralize my expression. When that doesn’t work, I fill it with something besides anger.

  “She’s not in the palace?” a man asks.

  “Have you come to offer us more good news?” a female calls out.

  “Praise the queen,” another female yells. “All praise the queen.”

  Then one person starts to clap, and soon, more join. A cry of joy goes up, as the clapping grows. Soon it's a dull roar, pounding in my ears.

  If I wasn't so filled with fury, I’d be embarrassed.

  Or filled with awe.

  These people are cheering for me. For what I've done. I can't believe it.

  My breathing calms, and my senses come back to me. I smile at the people as I scan the crowd for him. They wave, and I wave back, sending squeals throughout the crowd. They press forward, and my heart drops. This is how Daros could get close to me. Through the people wanting to be near me.

  A guard with her sword out calls out, “Back up. Give the queen some space.”

  They stop closing in, but the cheering continues.

  “We've got to get the queen back to the palace,” Wilric says over the noise.

  Afet leads the way saying, “Make way for the queen.”

  Soon a path opens up behind Afet. Wilric motions me forward. Nash hurries to my side, pulling out his sword to go with his dagger. Eldim stays close behind us.

  As I hurry through the way Afet has opened up, the people call out more things while closing the way behind us.

  “Bless you, Your Majesty.”

  “You've brought us peace.”

  “Thank you for giving us means to buy food.”

  “You are our savior.”

  The words blur together. One thing is clear—the people that frequent this market love what I have done for them. No doubt the upper class isn't as happy.

  But right here, right now, I feel the power of the people enough that I'm less worried about Daros. If he tried to attack me in this frenzy, he'd have more than my guards to contend with.

  At least I'd like to think my people are not cowards. Not when they voice their opinions so freely.

  As we hurry away from the market, the crowd follows us, cheering and calling out words of praise. More join, making the group grow to epic proportions. By the time we get to the grass strips by the wall surrounding the palace, the voices of the crowd are deafening.

  Other guards help us as they see our plight. Not that we're being threatened by the crowd; they're being magnificently respectful. Still, they are many, and somewhere in among them, Daros is waiting for me.

  The guards surround us and usher us through the portcullis. I get closer to the palace while the people stay on the other side of the wall, but the cheering can be heard.

  Jaku appears at my side. “What happened, Your Majesty?”

  I glance at Nash. I don't have to explain; I am their leader. I find myself doing so, anyway. “I was in disguise, but the people recognized me.”

  “Not only that,” Nash says. “She also spotted Daros in the market.”

  “I'll get men out in the market right now, to search for him.” Jaku yells orders to the men behind me.

  My personal escorts and Nash hurry me in the building and through the halls. As soon as we get in my rooms, Nash lets out a sigh. “That did not go as I planned.”

  “So much for my guise.”

  “I'll say. No more going out in public without a retinue and a plan. Maybe not at all, until we catch Daros.”

  As much as I agree with him, it's a sobering thought. The people were so excited to see me. I want to be out among them more. Is there something I can do to help them without risking my safety?

  I must find out.

  Chapter 10

  Tonight, there's no meeting with the First Queen. No nightmares either, so I can't complain. Still, I miss talking with her. I want to share my excitement over what happened with the people.

  I'm refreshed from yesterday. Something about the people's enthusiasm was draining. Not to mention the fear and anger toward Daros.

  Was that really him in the market yesterday? Jaku's men never found any sign of him, though it would be easy for him to get lost in such a large crowd. If it was him, how did he know where to find me? Or did he stumble onto me? I didn't even know I was going to be going out yesterday. Unless one of my closest guards told someone, passed a message in the market when no one was looking, or something along those lines, how could Daros have found me?

  I don't want to believe I was betrayed, but I can't eliminate it either until I know what happened. Then again, I may never know.

  The thought is depressing.

  “Good morning, Your Majesty.” Inkga comes in with our breakfast trays.

  I insist on us eating together every morning. The danger of poisoning seems to have passed and others taste the food before it gets to us, yet I still scout out our food before we eat it. Besides, eating in front of her was strange. Like when Daros forced me to go without. I can't handle being like him.

  “Morning.” I check both plates for signs of poison. When I find none, I grin. “Looks good this morning.”

  Ham, eggs, pastries, and fruit fill our trays. Knowing my people will be having something for breakfast as well makes it more appetizing.

  “You're sure digging in with zeal this morning.” She takes a dainty bite of pastry.

  “Hungry.”

  She laughs.

  Once I’ve gotten a better handle on my hunger, I ask, “What do you think of Jem?”

  She freezes with the fork halfway to her mouth. It takes her a moment, but she brings it to her mouth, chews, and swallows. “She’s much different than you. Why do you ask?”

  “I’m trying to get a feel for her. She’s hard to read.”

  “She does tend to keep to herself, but I suppose that’s normal behavior toward me—a servant. Only you don’t seem to mind my station.”

  “No reason to.” Maybe Jem is conceited?

  “You have to understand that Jem grew up knowing she might become queen one day. She’s trained her whole life to act a certain way, either as a queen or a lady-in-waiting. There’s not much you could do to change that,.”

  “Do you think that’s the reason she is the way she is?”

  “At least partly. I don’t know her that well, though.” After several minutes of silence, she asks, “How was your outing yesterday?”

  “Have you heard much about it?”

  “Just that you gathered a crowd.”

  Possibly including Daros, and I didn’t catch him. I hold ba
ck a shudder. I need him found. Need him dealt with. As for the crowd… “It was a different experience. I’ve had them all bow to me before, but this adoring. I don’t know what to do with that sort of attitude toward me.”

  “It would be a difficult thing to deal with.”

  “I confess I don’t know how to handle it—what I should do with their attentions.”

  “I’m sure it will come with practice.”

  “Do you believe so?”

  “I do.”

  After we finish eating, I dress while she clears the plates. It's a simple outfit—a black skirt with holes in the pockets for my daggers and a cream top. She helps me with my hair before excusing herself. I won't see her again until tonight unless I call for her.

  I wait in my sitting room for my ladies-in-waiting. They don't take long to arrive.

  “How are you all this morning?” I ask.

  I get mixed answers, from well to wonderful. No one claims to be ill or sad. They never do.

  I want to change their unwillingness to speak discomforts as well one day.

  “What should we discuss today?” I ask.

  “We didn't realize you were going out yesterday,” Inyi says. “I would have dearly loved to go with you, Your Majesty.”

  “I didn't know you would want to.”

  “Oh yes. I would.”

  “As would I,” Pina says.

  Others chime in that they’d like to be included.

  Something to think about. “I’m sorry to say we won't be going out for a while. While I was out there, I thought maybe I should meet with the people more often, but I can't be in public right now. Any suggestions on meeting with them more often? What should I do?”

  “Why can't you leave the palace, Your Highness?” Lipla asks.

  Freza elbows her in a not-so-subtle way.

  “It's all right,” I reply, though they’ve probably heard the gossip. “Almost everyone knows Daros escaped the dungeons. It's not safe on the streets.”