Out of her weekly schedule, the Queen appreciated the actions of her consort husband to be the most honest expression of his personality which she had seen any noble give. He was an honest man to a fault, he had never even shown interest in anyone else than herself despite various attempt to gain his favour.
In some ways he was a simple man, trying to do his best to support his wife while managing his own frustrations at his lack of power despite being her husband. Queen Ferberg had done her best to make sure that he was fully supplied and equipped for his own weekly actions, the citizens of the city had grown used to it and she was certain that it had become a sort of game or a form of entertainment after the first few years.
The fact that he would allow anyone to join as long as they showed sufficient enthusiasm, the ability to follow orders and were not in fact essential to the running of the smooth running of her capital city of her kingdom had done nothing but increase his popularity and the image of the nobles who had remained in the city following the mass outbreak at the end of the war.
In fact, the main source of funding had come from the merchants and from direct support from the six Lords and Ladies themselves who had participated on occasion in the type of sorties in her husband had become an expert in.
At least it boosted his popularity and hers by simply running them although she did have to stop several of the elderly members of the church and city administration from wanting to feel young men again through direct combat.
If they died, her workload would only increase. Being the noble representative, balancing of Queen, having to navigate careful politics of the six Lords and Ladies and being head of the largest religious institution to have existed in the history of her kingdom meant that while she was willing to give a large part of her daily time these efforts she didn’t want to delegate any more than she had already.
She had attempted to travel incognito-style but having her bodyguard clearly accompany a woman with a high-quality white robe and hood everyone was immediately aware it was her. Thankfully, she had managed to maintain her public popularity and held a weekly council of her own open to general citizens, visiting merchants and even beggars or those who had suffered badly in the war.
Held inside one of her old family storage areas inside the merchant quarter, she would go there, listen to as many grievances, radical solutions or ideas or even accept minor gifts of flowers or foodstuffs and distribute her own style of justice.
All gifts were immediately tallied and put to direct use as necessary. For all they knew she did it as a matter of course but in truth she was giving the most valuable resource at her disposal, her own time. In a way not having children had been a sad experience for her, but she knew that her love was devoted towards her husband and her kingdom.
There was still time though, the issues of the magical corruption had become a secondary concern after fifteen years of initial survival, support from the Goddess Aliza and her own efforts. She was capable of having children, her body was more than healthy as was her husbands.
She had inherited the throne along with Ulrich when they had both been so young and thrown into the position of regent as a matter of desperation in the face of loss. Even after fifteen years she still maintained a youthful appearance but part of that had been down to the Goddess.
Children, a larger family would be a welcome break. A small realm only of my own making. Not yet. Not just yet.
No, the main concern was how long the surrounding kingdoms that had once been in the position of vassal states and allies decided to finally decide on a course of action and take apart everything her ancestors for generations upon generations had tried to build.
Offers of negotiation, peace and security treaties had largely been ignored or drawn up for debates in the respective power structures of each one. Another aspect that consumed both her time and energy, both magical, physical and mental.
She made an effort to meet her husband as he did with her and they would share meals together along with walks along the walls of the city under heavy guard by both priests, several of her husband’s trusted troops and her own Queen’s guard.
Atop the limits of the capital city they saw all the farmland, villages and towns which had suffered and been brought back under the protection of her kingdom.
The deep tone of a man’s voice, deep with concern and love for her pulled out her of her thoughts as a strong calloused hand took her smooth one and gave it a squeeze. She responded to the gesture and shook her head letting her hair flow down her back. She had been glad that it gave her an excuse to wear combat gear, it was far easier to move around in than her own outfits of state.
The kingdom had wanted a princess to take the throne, then a warrior queen and then a priestess who would embrace the will of the goddess and provide them all with succour and salvation. Her choice of outfit depended on which role she had to play.
‘….Arda….Arda!’ came the man’s voice. This time it rang out with concern and warmth and both of her soft, smooth skinned hands were enveloped by rougher ones and pulled her forwards into his broad chest. She felt warmth and heat from within him, the core of his soul remained pure and unaffected by any source of corruption. To make sure, she gave him a little boost and re-protected his physical and spiritual form but took care to avoid the side effects of over using Light and Purity Magic.
The gifts the Goddess granted always came with a cost for most but not for her, she was a channel for the true power of divinity.
‘Ulrich? I might not look it all the time but we know who would win in a match of strength. I appreciate the effort though...old man. Is that grey in your hair already? I was thinking about responsibilities and how building our own family away from all this would be a suitable reward.’ said Queen Ferberg as she easily pulled out of his grip and grabbing hold of his neck with both hands pulled her husband down to her height as she gazed into his eyes and examined the features on his face.
There could be signs of wrinkles there, or was it creases caused when he liked to smile, laugh and joke. In a way he was more vulnerable than she was and his little weekly sorties were part of his effort to contribute more, to help her as best as he could with his own skills.
The Goddess had never bestowed her own powers on him and he lacked all aptitude for magic so he resorted to martial means and combat. He had never been a patient young man nor a grown one and the Queen hated seeing him frustrated. Not that he wasn’t educated, if the citizens and soldiers knew that behind his rough exterior was a man who cared for plants, self-education and trying to understand complex legal laws they would be surprised.
‘Arda. I know that look, you’re worried. Why can’t we enjoy our walk? I can point out exactly where we’re heading to today.’ said the King Consort as he stopped their walk, trying to ignore the dozen soldiers and single female bodyguard standing directly next to his wife as he tried to point towards a column of smoke in the distance. His movements were restricted as the Queen applied her own considerable physical strength and caused his armour to creak as she pulled his neck down again. Their lips were close to touching.
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‘More killing? Or is this a rescue operation? No, I think you’re after bandits today or opportunists. I doubt there are enough deeply corrupted who lost their souls and minds to sate you. I’m sorry Ulrich. You never asked to become this….this figure of protection.’ said Queen Ferberg.
A cough next to them, caused the married couple to turn their heads as they saw the bodyguard of the Queen raise an armoured hand, the other resting upon the hilt of her weapon.
‘….It’s...time. Your majesty. The...King...Consort needs to..go.’ said Sara.
The rest of the dozen soldiers had tried their best to avert their gaze but more than a few had whispered words between each other and attempts at stopping themselves from smiling on their faces.
‘You did it now Arda I need to teach you a good lesson in manners. All these soldiers are stuck here on duty just for the two of us getting a lesson in how a good marriage is built and last. Even Lady Lightborne would blush if she was...I’m sorry Sara. Your protection of my wife is deeply appreciated. Would you care to join us this time? Your abilities would be more than welcome and the Queen’s Guard would surely protect her. We haven’t suffered an attack on the city from the outside in five years at least. The wards and magic's hold strongly. Why your strength and spirit alone would make our sortie an easier experience. The less blood shed, the better the outcome. said Ulrich.
Arda stopped suddenly, as her arms remained wrapped around the neck of her husband and pulling him closer looked him deeply in his eyes. They looked so tired, he tried his best to hide it but the constant state of war over fifteen years had taken it’s toll on him. His hair failed to show traces of grey but she saw strands of it in her beard. Still, he knew better than to ask her bodyguard. Despite her training, ability and position the Queen knew that she hated the idea itself of killing unless necessary.
‘No. Your apology to Lady Lightborne isn’t sufficient. She demands more tribute than mere words. Ask her, in front of your soldiers and my guard, ask her what she truly wants. All of us have our own desires, our own needs. I warrant even amongst your own troops, they grow tired of your efforts. Not because you of husband, but the cause has been long and tiresome. Remember all of you that threats remain, both external and internal and we will not find true peace until they have been settled!’ said Arda.
As she spoke, she injected a touch of authority into her voice, in her case a mixture of her position as ruling monarch and the magical ability she channelled as the one true chosen of the Goddess Aliza.
In response to her words her bodyguard Sara, bowed her head in respect, the surrounding soldiers and Queen’s Guards fell to one knee and knelt with head forward and even her husband was beginning to tremble at his knees if she hadn’t been holding him up.
She released her presence and pushing her lips forward kissed her husband deeply, breathing in his earthy smell. The amount of training he undertook with his soldiers alongside any volunteers who were selected was no small amount and he hadn’t bathed yet as was his habit before making a sortie outside of the high walls of the capital city into the surrounding countryside.
‘Her majesty has spoken. Soldier, what do you want? What do you truly want?’ said King Ulrich as he pointed at one of his personal troops who had been whispering earlier.
The surrounding troops hadn’t yet raised their heads or moved from their kneeling positions with the exception of the Queen’s personal bodyguard, Lady Lightborne who had only bowed her head.
‘You can stand. Every single one of you had their own hopes, wishes and dreams. This isn’t the life we wanted, for a time we can take it, but all wars need to end. Stand up and tell me your future. What do you want from it?’ said King Ulrich.
The soldier swallowed as his light armour and weapons clinked against the cold blue stone of the city walls beneath his feet. In the distance, the column of smoke rose into the air, their target for today’s sortie still awaited him and he had been fortunate enough to be in the company of both monarchs of their kingdom.
He lifted his head up, keeping one knee down and raised his head with determination in his eyes.
‘I want a small bit of land, a farm, and a family to protect it and raise. I want the left-overs of the Dark Lord gone from our land. I want the Queen and our King Consort to finally stop having to sacrifice, I want the Goddess Aliza herself to rest and no longer protect us. Your Majesties.’ said the soldier.
Queen Arda smiled and lifted her husband up, the weight of his golden, augmented armour nothing to her boosted strength and physical musculature. Carefully, she did so to make sure that it appeared that she was letting go of her grip rather than support. It was important that he showed the value of his vitality and passion in front of his soldiers.
‘All of you need to keep your own dreams warm inside your hearts for the day we realise peace.’ said Queen Arda.
With a gesture from her and a nod from her husband the surrounding soldiers of both groups, stood up and took standing guard position. She knew that older soldiers would gossip and spread the word of the strong relationship between the ruling monarch and her consort and how their love remained strong as did their desire for protection of the kingdom and capital city.
‘Lady Lightborne. Please share your own desire with these who volunteer and fight to protect our fair city, our kingdom. Take your time. No man or woman will judge the pace of your words, nor the time needed to express them.’ said Queen Arda.
The young woman in white plate armour gave no indication or change in facial expression as she raised her head and with a gloved hand pointed herself.
‘No...more..orphans lost. No more...taken. Protected. By me. Loved...by me. Sheltered...by me.’ said Sara as she banged her white armour plate in her chest with a gloved fist as though to prove her point.
There was silence across the stretch of wall as the young armoured woman took three footsteps and gripped the arm of the Queen tugging her away from her husband. As she was pulled away, Queen Arda squeezed the hand and fingers tight, her strength enough to be felt through his golden gauntlets without breaking them outright.
‘Be back for a meal with me Ulrich, come back safe and pure. Thank you for your work.’ she said as their fingers separated and her own Queen’s Guard took positions around her prepared to move off the wall back into their own transport back to her palace.
King Ulrich, pointed to the column of smoke rising from the distance and raised both his hands to cheer on both his personal soldiers and the volunteers that would join them. Today, they would sortie beyond the walls to try and claim back more farmland, more homes to live in and make the surrounding countryside a safer environment for all subjects.