The Queen's Curse

by Hellenthal, Natasja

  Suddenly she felt someone tapping on her shoulder. She turned around to look in the grey eyes of an older female soldier. ‘Shades!’ They fell in each other’s arms. This woman had taught her the ground principles of being a knight.

  ‘What a surprise! How did you know?’

  ‘Tirsa, I am so glad to see you, dear.’ The older woman had a good look at her, still holding her by the shoulders, which made her feel a little uncomfortable.

  ‘We are stationed here for a couple of days to await further orders from our commander.’

  Tirsa nodded. They had not seen each other in months, but she knew she was still in the second company as their physical and mental trainer; a company caretaker. Most recruits started in that same company, like she had herself.

  ‘How are you, Shades?’ she asked sincerely.

  The woman smiled a broad smile, showing more wrinkles around her eyes than Tirsa remembered. ‘Fine, just fine, and you?’

  ‘All right I guess.’ She had no time to explain everything to her, which according to Artride should be safe, for she was also a knight. But she knew she was not allowed to tell. The queen had been very clear about that. Therefore she also didn’t tell about her brother being imprisoned, and it was obvious Shades didn’t know yet. Tirsa, herself, had seen his name on a list among other breakers of the law, which was not a very long list; so she immediately had recognised his name that unforgettable yesterday morning.

  ‘Did you lose some weight, commander?’ Shades promptly asked, a little sternly.

  More than just weight I am afraid …‘I suppose.’ She answered plainly.

  ‘You ought to take care of yourself; you have an important mission ahead so I’ve heard. My, my.’ Her tone of voice was a bit disdainful.

  ‘I’m a big girl,’ she retorted sharply.

  ‘I know darling, but something isn’t right. Artride looking for a husband? Do you know something about the true mission?’ she whispered.

  ‘What are you suggesting? You don’t believe it?’

  Shades kept her voice low while she led Tirsa away from all those bustling people. ‘It just doesn’t make any sense to me. I’ve been in this army quite some years now and I have learned that she and her father have always been a bit different in their ways; even a little unconventional at times; but leaving with only one guard? Is she out of her mind with all the objections against her ruling going around? A perfect opportunity to have her murdered, even if she has you for a guard, I say.’

  Tirsa drew a sharp breath and explained, ‘She just doesn’t want a parade. It happened before; remember the story of King Macdin leaving with only one guard at his side when he visited Vortiar for the duration of two days? Nothing happened to him.’

  ‘I know, but he was undercover in an away mission. This is not safe, I am telling you; for both of you actually. Other countries will know about her leaving in a matter of hours, and could very well try to ambush and kill her in order to conquer the country – and you might have an enemy or two yourself, remember? Now why doesn’t she bring along more men for both your safety?’

  ‘I trust she has thought all about that, Shades. Perhaps she will go undercover as well after we have left this crowd. At least nobody knows where we are heading. I don’t think she worries about herself, or someone taking the castle and the country.’ She found herself thinking about the Law Book. It will not let anyone conquer Ceartas. I bet if she is killed, the rules in the book will name some relative as a new king or queen. It is just for show anyway. However, she reminded herself to ask the queen about it; for it was indeed a little strange also for the people of Ceartas, even if the country was well protected.

  ‘Well, you can’t blame me for worrying about you; you on your own out there without a company. Obviously you know what you are doing, but please do not tell me she has you under her spell as well; you “The Snake”?’

  Tirsa looked uncomfortable when Shades mentioned a spell, but realised she was talking about the pull and influence of the queen on people. Shades noticed Tirsa regaining her nerves. ‘She is not that bad, Shades,’ she reflected uncomfortably. The other woman just shook her head; her chin length greying brown hair lightly touched her cheeks. One cheek was decorated with three thin pink scars; the reminder of a foreign weapon attack years before she had met Tirsa.

  ‘Ah, she bewitched you too with that brilliant beauty of hers; I know you far too well, darling.’

  Tirsa flushed a little. ‘You can say anything you want about her, but she is still our queen and no matter what, we have to respect her!’ Shades opened her mouth to respond, but then they both heard the buzzing chatter interspersed with loud cheers. ‘The queen, it’s the queen!’ and all eyes focussed on the castle doors.

  Many guards surrounded Artride; she also recognised bald Jaromir between them and with mixed feelings she observed him. Concern troubled his face this time, however. Of course, he did not agree with the queen leaving without him, or with Tirsa, for that matter.

  Bewitched … She thought about the words of the older woman, good old Shades. She never doubted or even questioned the caretakers’ opinions before. However, she had to admit to herself that this was indeed awkward; this big scene of the queen leaving and only with one guard, and of all the people it had to be her, as if it was all planned. Artride only knew her but a day. Was she telling Tirsa the whole truth? She stared at the appealing, charismatic woman walking confidently across the square, smiling faintly at her trusty servants who bowed and kneeled before her.

  No longer dressed as a queen, she wore normal riding clothes; tight fitting velvet black leggings with black leather laced boots and a knee length reddish brown sleeveless surcoat with a green one underneath. Undercover indeed … In addition she wore a long blue coat with a hood, which flapped behind her like a cape. She wore her long raven black hair in a simple long braid at her neck.

  All the eyes of the people were fixed on her while she seemed to glide over the grey, flat stones in dignity and with grace; nodding and smiling politely. Even in these clothes, it was obvious she was the natural leader of the people. However, powerful though she was and came across as, it was still in an innocent pure way; for she was neither vain nor proud. Tirsa realised this, and finally saw with her own eyes the effect she had on the people, with her natural kind of grace and beauty.

  Tirsa noticed her searching the crowd for her, and when their gaze met the queen smiled, reassured, and the knight felt swollen with pride that she of all people had her full attention. What had she done to deserve that kind of look?

  ‘Good morning, Commander, it is good to see you ready.’

  ‘Good morning, Your Highness.’ She bowed slightly.

  Her gaze landed on her mare with interest. ‘A fine steed.’ Her own steed was brought in moments; she had it packed herself earlier that morning. Tirsa noticed he was not that young, but he still appeared to be strong, elegant, and had shining black hair almost as vivid as that of its rider.

  ‘I hope they will get along,’ the queen remarked, smiling warmly, touching the mare’s nose gently.

  ‘I am sure they will.’

  Artride grabbed the pommel of the saddle, pulling herself up onto the horse’s back in one quick movement, and Tirsa followed her example.

  They both heard loud noises coming from the crowd in the outer square. Artride breathed in deeply as if to strengthen herself and commanded in a loud voice, ‘Guards, open the gate to the outer square!’ Tirsa instantly remembered Shades and found her standing between the others again. They waved at each other. Tirsa thought she saw a tear blinking in one of the woman’s eyes, but she could not be sure.

  There were many guards to keep the people of Satrea under control as they cheered and waved.

  Tirsa rode before the queen, as was the rule, to protect her from any threat. She had a good look around; but saw only happy people.

  Slowly they rode towards the outer gate, which was fully open by now, and the lowered drawbridge, with ac
companied cheers.

  When they left the crowd behind Artride clutched at her reins and overtook her suddenly, ordering her to follow. Tirsa had some idea which route they would be taking to reach Dochas, but did not feel at ease. They crossed the Royal Valley and entered a wood full of old beech trees with many spring flowers underneath. The fresh air carried the scent of dawn and the sweet smell of new leaves. Birds called out in the canopy overhead and they spotted a small group of red deer which curiously stared at them before sprinting away, alarmed by the thudding hooves of the horses. Sand rose in clouds beneath the horses’ feet.

  It was a still, grey morning with almost no wind; as if the country was holding its breath in anticipation for what was coming.

  The hard path covered with dark brown soil, was wide enough to ride side by side, but Tirsa didn’t think that was appropriate, for it could mean they were equals and she certainly did not want Artride to think she would be thinking that. The queen slowed to a trot so that Tirsa had to slow down as well. Curiously, she turned her upper body in the saddle to look at her bodyguard.

  ‘What is the matter, Commander? Are you afraid I shall bite if you come too close?’ she said with a hidden sneer.

  ‘I think I hear horses behind us. It is very likely we will be followed, my Lady. It is safer if I ride behind you,’ she answered plainly. ‘And I believe it’s also the rule?’ she added gingerly.

  ‘Do not worry about that one; it is up to me to decide. And I have ordered my guard to stop anyone trying to follow us and they will do their jobs well, Tirsa. So do not be troubled. Come and ride beside me.’

  ‘Does anyone know where we are going?’ she asked obeying the queen’s order.

  ‘No, not even the Head of the Guard.’

  Tirsa smiled amused, coming a little closer so she could smell her flowerlike fresh scent.

  ‘So Jaromir too believes you are on a mission to find a husband?’

  Artride had to suppress her giggle, which wasn’t easy for her when she thought about the nervous, unsettling expression on his face, earlier.

  ‘Won’t the book punish you for that?’ And Tirsa had to rephrase herself as it had sounded as if the book had a mind of its own, ‘I mean: the curse on the book.’

  ‘For telling a lie? Oh, no, not at all. The Royal Family is excluded from being punished for telling a lie like this, for a lot of things actually we are excused. In fact we are obliged, and sometimes even obligated to lie’

  She had a sudden sad look in her occupied eyes, but smiled at Tirsa who was riding beside her now. ‘Good, this will be a long journey and it will be much nicer if you do not have to look at both my backside and my steed’s all the time.’

  ‘Are you sure it is a good idea to have just me along as a guard? More soldiers to protect you until we reach Dochas wouldn’t have hurt. In fact, if we reach Dochas at all unhurt it will be a small miracle. There are many people who will try to take this opportunity to do you harm – even if that will probably mean the end of their own lives as well.’

  The queen’s expression was sad. ‘I realise that all too well, that is why I have ordered a dozen of my guards to stay close by, at least for today; that is probably what you heard before. Good for you on that one; praise for your good hearing and senses Commander. After today, we shall take a very unlikely route no one will ever suspect, and I have ordered the guards to go back before nightfall. No one may know where we are going.’

  ‘Why couldn’t we have just sneaked away quietly, without the crowd seeing us leave, without an announcement?’

  ‘I wish we could have. The book would not have let us leave; I had to have my intentions announced by law for a longer journey. I was going to tell you.’ And she refrained from telling Tirsa about the punishment the queen herself would have gotten if she hadn’t done so: indescribable pains in her stomach the longer she would have stayed away from Ceartas, from the castle and the book until her return.

  ‘It is a plausible story I made up, even the book cannot deny. Royalty have to marry and finding a husband comes with it. However, our lives will be worth nothing if we do not undertake this quest, Tirsa. To not be able to truly live, to have a book rule your life and everyone in your country, your brother … A little risk is unavoidable. From what I have heard, you are worth ten soldiers anyway; so why should I worry? I feel safe enough. Now keep your voice down, who knows who is listening. Come on.’

  The Book?

  And off they went side by side in a pleasant trot.

  Tirsa almost whispered when she asked after about an hour, never losing sight of the road ahead and the open countryside surrounding them, side glancing at the queen’s stuffed saddlebags, ‘May I see the book later on, My Lady?’

  ‘Oh, I do not have it with me.’

  ‘You don’t? Won’t you need it when we have found this sorceress so she can work on a counter spell?’

  ‘I sincerely hope not; for I can only remove the book two days travel away from the castle; that is about as far as any border with our neighbouring countries, before it will return itself to its special chamber in Tarac. I have tried. Since our journey will be considerably longer, there is no point in bringing it. ’

  ‘But then we have to take a spell back with us. How is that going to work?’

  ‘That is what I’m hoping for, well; if she is that powerful, perhaps she can produce one, or otherwise I shall invite her over to Ceartas and reward her very generously. I have decided I will bestow her anything she asks for in return, within reason. Although I have no clue what that might be; if she is powerful she might not have the need for anything, so we shall see.’ The queen clutched her reins tightly and urged her horse to go a little faster while clearing her mind by taking deep breaths. Tirsa reckoned she didn’t want to discuss it further.

  After some time riding at a monotonous pace, Artride asked her what she had been doing for the remainder of yesterday and early morning that day. In a businesslike voice, Tirsa relayed what she wanted to know. Artride in return told her about her visiting her brother Elimar, who was happy to receive her letter and had regained hope. She had ordered the dungeon guard to treat him well.

  ‘I have noticed he is very proud of you,’ the queen added. Tirsa shrugged her shoulders, relieved that he was doing fine and then shook her head. ‘He sees me as his great example, foolish boy.’

  ‘Why foolish?’

  Tirsa stroked one hand through the long soft manes of her mount, before she answered,

  ‘He doesn’t know anything about what it means to be a soldier; the wars, the violence, and the suffering; all those lives lost. All he thinks about is the Knight’s Code and honour. He is too sensitive; it will destroy him.’

  Artride looked curiously at the other woman. She didn’t know much about the rough and tumble of wars or about being a knight, but she could imagine and emphasize quite a bit. That ability was important to understand people and essential to lead them.

  ‘Did it destroy you?’ she asked without thinking, but regretted it instantly when she saw the hurt expression on Tirsa’s face.

  She held her head low at the sudden direct question as if she wanted to hide. It was obvious it had startled her and made her think about things that she did not want to think about. Tirsa strained to block her feelings.

  ‘Let’s just say it changed me.’ Her fists squeezed the leather tack of the horse tightly.

  ‘I am sorry.’

  Tirsa looked her deeply in the eyes and her face lit up. ‘Don’t be. I have learned a lot and we accomplished peace, did we not?’

  It is as if she wants me to comfort her by saying: ‘Yes, they did not die for nothing, Artride thought and felt bad when she remarked, ‘Yes, we certainly did, Commander.’

  Tirsa nodded with a tight face and after a while asked her about how her meeting with King Zoltas went.

  ‘Very well, indeed. He gave me his word to relieve all of the men left alive at the border, who were responsible for the fuss, of their duty and
train a better company. He will make stricter measures and even asked me about our law system. He wanted some rules as an example to punish any violators! I said, according to the law, we would have let them go as well; however, I did not mention anything about the severe whipping our violators would have received though. I couldn’t …’

  ‘The discharge form service is already a big humiliation among soldiers, my Lady; so it should be enough. I reckon they can never serve the army again?’

  ‘That is part of the punishment for violating a peace treaty; in Zoltas as well. I trust his confirmation that this will not happen again. I have his signature on that. As a king he will be in serious trouble if his army violates the treaty; if he doesn’t want to face a war. But there is nothing to accomplish from warfare, other than land maybe, and riches.’

  The rest of the morning they spent crossing the large open Royal Wood with Tirsa peeking cautiously about her, and at noon they reached expansive green hilly fields, leaving the Royal area. Tirsa knew the way by heart, but the queen doubted and stared dubiously on her map the old woman had drawn for her. She was not at all familiar with this area.

  ‘If we cross these hills westwards and ascend the mountain,’ Tirsa pointed out, ‘then we will be at the border river Dunzel by nightfall.’ Artride glanced approvingly at her. ‘I believe you are right. You have a map in your head?’

  ‘I have to, but I travelled so much in these parts I know it quite well by heart. Everyone can lose a map. Never trust on a piece of paper.’ She pointed at her head. ‘But this here is mostly right.’

  They had a quick lunch and rest before riding off in the direction of the high rugged peaked mountains. The sky was clouded with tin coloured clouds and only occasionally, they saw a thin bleak sun. It was the kind of weather that made you sweat when you moved around and shiver when you rested. Artride gave her guard the signal to return while the two of them pretended to head north.

  The remaining day they spent crossing the first mountain range that was a natural border, with the only land lying to the west; Dochas. Eventually it stretched all the way to the sea; a sea no human had ever seen –; no human outside of Dochas that was; if the stories were right about no men living within its boundaries, save for the sorceress, if they were to believe the old lady.