👑 👑 👑Chapter Seventeen👑 👑 👑

The Legendary Estrella

[Deamonia]

High Queen Deamonia sat in the Regalian royal tent alone, absentmindedly sipping a cup of water in deep thought.

“Your Majesty,” The tent entrance flapped as Brutus entered.

“What do you have for me, Brutus?” Deamonia shifted her attention to her close butler.

“Perhaps we should've brought Lamille.” Brutus said as he examined each corner of the tent, “I’ve finished checking the camp. I can confirm we are not being watched at the moment.” Brutus defaulted to his position in the middle of the tent, looking down at her.

“And let the seal be unguarded until Flora arrives? Of course not!” Deamonia replied.

“Our scouts cannot navigate the terrain. If Lourissa sent a party to kill the only surviving giant, we may be too late.”

Deamonia put one arm over the back of her chair.

“Brutus, do you remember, after we defeated the Mountaineer Kingdom, our early campaign into the Elven territory?”

“You mean the invasion attempts that would snatch up scores of men, never to be seen again? Yes, I remember.”

“If I didn't make that deal for the frostblood, I would have burned this forest to ashes. For the longest time, the elven race has dominated the state of the world because of the trees they hide behind. The same trees that give them power, give them protection. It's true, the forest is damn near impossible to navigate. That doesn't mean it's impossible. Tell me Brutus, why do men get lost in the elven forest? why specifically is it unnavigable?”

“There are plenty of reasons: the shapeshifting landscape, dangerous creatures, and the fact that all compasses are rendered useless. You know this well.”

“While those things contribute, none of them are the main reason why men get lost,” Deamonia smiled.

“What is it, then?”

“The Sun.” Deamonia pointed up.

“The Sun?”

“If you go into the forest and look up, the position of the sun will change.”

“I’ve never heard of such a deterrent!”

“It's their great secret, only known by the queen and her sage keepers. The overwhelming amount of natural energy that seeps up into the air, bends the sunlight. Sage keepers can manipulate this magic to bend light into areas that need it. That little fact, combined with all the previous mentioned variables, is the reason men cannot navigate it. One wrong turn and suddenly, the sun is behind you. All a keeper has to do is play a few tricks on you and you are instantly lost - or led into the jaws of a vicious predator.

“If that's the case, what man in our ranks can navigate through such light trickery?”

“Not a man, a beast.”

Brutus was confused momentarily until he reaised.

“Deus’ horse!”

Deamonia returned a smirk.

“Time to get to the bottom of this.”

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Inside the medical tent, Arthur was playing cards with Randal. Randal held his cards up to his face in thought before he placed two aces.

“Two aces this early? Quite bold.”

“A little trick. I learned.”

“Very well, take your queen.”

“Nope, I’ll be taking this.” Randal took the low card.

The remainder of the cards went into the graveyard pile and the next round began.

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Randal placed three low cards on the table for his defense.

“Randal, are you sure you understand this game?” Arthur questioned.

“He’s filling your hand with junk while getting information. At this rate, you will lose on the final turn.” Deamonia spoke, her and brutus had been watching the game, “Quite a complex strategy for a kid to know. Where did you learn it?”

Both Randal and Arthur rose from their seats.

“Your Majesty.”

Deamonia stepped up to the table and fan-spread the pile of graveyard cards.

“Randal, what cards does Arthur currently have?” Deamonia asked him.

“Uh, well. My memory is really bad, but I guess that he has a ‘three’, ‘seven’, ‘ten’, and ‘ace’.” Randal said nervously.

Arthur flipped his hand over on the table, it was almost exactly what Randal guessed, except the ‘ten’ was a ‘j’.

“Yeah I'm still not that good yet…” Randal scratched his head, upon seeing the hand.

“Where did you learn that?”Arthur was surprised.

“I used to play this game a lot with Snow, she loves doing tha- ” Randal casually said before pausing at the slip up. “Uh.. I mean.. my friend-and-I… usually play out, in the snow, this game. Yeah that's it!”

“I am aware of my daughter's city expeditions, Randal. No need for secrets. So, she is good at this game?”

Randal exhaled at the exposed secret.

“Yeah… She's really good. I could never beat her. Every time we play a card game she always does stuff like that. She’s really good at guessing what's in your hand. Her logic seems backwards but then she explains the numbers, then it just makes sense ya know?”

“I see, Snow tends to be smart at things she deems fun, If life were a game, she would have won already.” Deamonia looked to Arthur, “Arthur, I see your wrist and nose are already healed, did Warden Geneve pay you a visit?”

Arthurs flexed his wrist, “Yes. Geneve is an amazing healer. That nature magic is something else. She was acting a bit strange though.”

“We know, your mission is related to her behavior. You will be tracking the giant that got away during the ambush we suffered. You will learn why the giant attacked us, and why they were blessed with magical resistance.”

“Understood, but I don't know if I can navigate the elven forest. I may well get lost.”

“We have taken that into consideration. Which is why you will be riding on Estrella.”

“Deus’ horse?”

“Yes, the horse is fearless against beasts, has the endurance to trek through all terrains, and, most importantly, knows true north.”

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Deamonia, Arthur, and Brutus were outside the medical tent, Estrelle was brought by two knights. The horse however would refuse to allow Arthur to mount it. Whenever Arthur got close, Estrella would turn and attempt to kick him.

“Come on girl!” Arthur dodged its kick and hopped on its back. Estrella in response stood on both her hind legs, forcing Arthur to get off, or fall off.

“I thought that beast was tamed.” Brutus complained.

“Hm, strange, Why is the horse acting this way?” Deamonia wondered.

The horse was about to run, until Deamonia grabbed its lead from the two knights who were nearly getting dragged around at this point. The horse calmed at the tight pull she gave it. She laughed.

“Don't tell me that whole bit about Mountaineer horses sensing weakness is true.” Deamonia glanced at Arthur and chuckled, “Looks like I may need to find a new guardsman.”

“I'm glad this is funny to you, your highness…” Arthur attempted to approach again, to which Estrella responded with a kick to his abdomen.

“It's a horse, not a bull!” Randal sprinted from the tent and approached the horse, “Back off for a sec Arthur, I think I can calm her down.” Randal told Arthur.

Randal slowly approached Estrella. Estrella looked unsure about the kid’s presence but did not attack. Randal ran his hand down her mane and under her chin. Then, he examined the horse.

“The saddle is too high. Probably because the last rider was really heavy.” Randal adjusted the saddle. After that, he backed up, examining the horse further. “Your Majesty, please walk her around for me.”

Everyone was surprised at Randal’s sudden tone of authority. The nervous and submissive child was now emitting a tone of experience, and specialty. The health of the animal, evidently, was his first priority.

“As the expert commands...” Deamonia sighed and walked Estrella for a few steps.

“See how her neck turns to the left a tad, every time that front left hoof comes down?” Randal spoke while revealing the motion, they all looked, “She probably has a pinched nerve. Somewhere on her neck. Randal approached and began feeling her neck. His hand stopped just over the shoulder blade.

“Right here.” She has a lot of muscle, so can you adjust her neck for me?

“Just tell me what to do.” Deamonia said,

After precise instruction. Deamonia gave a quick push into Estrella’s lower neck, causing a loud pop to be heard by the group.

“Now, let her go.” Randal said quickly.

Estrella lowered and raised her neck several times before shaking her head and licking her lips happily.

“She definitely felt that. Now for the test. Randal approached the side of Estrella. Estrella did not move while Randal climbed on top of her. “There you go!” Randal said atop the great horse as he strutted her around.

“Nice work Randal, I would have never noticed that.” Deamonia complimented him.

“When you're around horses all day, they tend to be very telling.” Randal stopped her and dismounted.

“Now you should be able to mount her, Arthur.”

“Alright.” Arthur apprehensively approached the horse, fearing another kick. The horse didn't act irate and stood still when Arthur mounted it. Soon, however, another problem revealed itself: Estrella allowed Arthur to get on, moving her was a different story. Estrella refused to move.

“She moved with Randal...” Arthur tried to adjust the lead and tapped her sides with his heels. Nothing. The horse did not follow his command.

“Ugh, we don't have time for this! I can't be the one that leaves.” Deamonia complained, before looking at Randal. An idea formed in her head, and after a quick and ‘generous’ risk assessment, she gave him a scheming smile. “Randal, would you be up for a little mission with Arthur?”