Queen Palal

As the door to her private rooms closed Queen Palal let out a sigh. Running the queendom of Steinheim was exhausting. She had inherited the position five years ago when her father had passed. All things considered it wasn’t a terrible position. Her country was flourishing, her people were happy and she was well liked, as well liked as any ruler really could be anyway. 

Her nation was fortunate, they were the biggest supplier of iron and steel on the continent, possibly the world and she had good relations with most of the other nations but they all needed steel and iron and that necessitated their cooperation a great deal. Her direct neighbors however were her favorite, the nation of Amaranth was a farming powerhouse and she personally knew the queen that ruled there. 

She, like her, was recently elevated to ruler, only three years ago and Palal considered her fellow queen a friend. 

She sighed as she sank into her overly large stuffed chair. If she was being honest though, most of why her nation was so successful and had remained independent had to do with the mysterious Order of Paladin’s that resided along the border between Steinheim and Amaranth. Growing up as the Princess and sole heir she had obviously known about the Order and even interacted with them more than most everyone else. Not that it made her privy to any of their real secrets. 

In private she even referred to their leader as Auntie Kearin and she had fond memories of growing up with the stoic woman around. 

Her first training sword was a gift from the woman, as was her first sword lesson. 

She knew that the Order had advised her father on many things and that they had helped shape the nation as it stood today. What she didn’t know then was that while the Order did advise and help, it wasn’t so much the Order doing the advising as it had been just one man. 

Odin. 

She sipped wine and ate cheese and crackers in a decidedly unladylike fashion. 

She could remember the day she met him. 

Her father had just passed the week before and nobles had been sniffing around, offering condolences and sympathy while vying for leverage and favor with the new and young ruler. Kearin had opted to stay by her side for the duration of her mourning period and her solemn presence had kept the greasier nobles from behaving too poorly. 

Her presence at her side was something she would be forever grateful for. After a long day of listening to nobles blather on about how great her father had been and how sorry they were for her loss she had been ready to simply retire to her rooms and perhaps share tea with Kearin in silence. 

So when the last noble bowed and left the throne room Queen Palal stretched and covered her mouth as she yawned. 

“It’s getting late and that was the last petitioner was it not?” she asked.

The court chamberlain, an older man named Hector nodded. “Yes your majesty, that was the last one. Do you wish to retire?” 

“Yes Hector, thank you.” She said as she stood from her father’s throne. 

My throne. She amended. Although I don’t think I’ll ever get used to calling it that.

Her hard soled shoes clacked on the steps as she walked to the rear of the throne room. 

Kearin silently followed, acting as her guard for the time being, she pushed ahead and opened the door for the tired queen. 

They walked the long hallway to her private suite, she couldn’t yet bear the thought of sleeping in her fathers empty room yet. It was too soon for her and she honestly felt like she may never be ready. 

As they approached the door to her chambers the normally silent Kearin cleared her throat. 

“A word prin-Queen Palal?” She said, fumbling with the new title.

 Palal smiled. “Of course Auntie, come in. I was going to invite you for tea anyway. And please, Just Palal when we’re in private. ‘Queen’ makes me feel old.” Kearin smiled a small smile and nodded..

“As you wish, Palal.” 

They entered her room and the queen called her handmaiden. “Chelsea? Could you please make tea and cakes for two?” The handmaiden bowed and left the rooms to the small kitchen to make tea as the Queen gestured for Kearin to take a seat. 

“I’m going to change, please make yourself comfortable.” Kearin remained standing but nodded. When Palal returned Kearin was standing in the exact same spot but the tea and cakes had arrived. 

“Please Auntie, you know you didn’t have to wait for me.” She said as she sat down and loaded a small cake and finger sandwich onto a plate. She sipped her tea and took a bite of a sandwich. Kearin remained motionless and was staring fixedly at the table. 

“Auntie what is it? You’re making me nervous.” 

Kearin took a deep breath and fixed her dark eyes on her, Palal stared back evenly. 

The Paladin’s scars and dark eyes didn’t bother her in the least but she had heard what the other nobles of the court thought though.

Unnerving, horrific, ugly, terrifying, grotesque and unnatural were all descriptors some of the more discourteous nobles had used to describe her unusual eyes and scars. To Palal though it was almost comforting. Her dark eyes and scars were just who she was and Kearin’s stoic demeanor was solid and unwavering. Something Palal relied on in court. 

Kearin sat heavily, her armor rattled and leather creaked. She doffed her gloves and filled her own plate, piling it high. 

“What do you know of the Paladin’s order?” She asked as she poured herself tea. Familiar with Kearin’s way of teaching things, Palal played along and answered her question. 

“The same as everyone I suppose.” She took a bite of a sweetened honey cake before continuing. 

“You are bound to Huginn and Muninn’s will, you have superhuman abilities that are given to you from Huginn and Muninn to better serve their purposes. Like faster healing, faster reflexes and the like. You are longer lived as well and you don’t age very much. I know that the Paladins helped build the city of Jarnheimm, from city planning to actual construction. I also know that my father consulted you personally on a great many decisions that would affect the nation and that your opinion and that of the Order was very important to him.” 

She drank some of her tea and then added.

“The Order’s keep is located in Partridge Gap? Which is the only pass in the mountain range that separates us from the rest of the continent? I don’t know, I think that’s about it. Isn’t it?” Kearin had nearly cleared her plate while the young queen had talked, she swallowed and nodded. 

“That is all correct but it’s also substantially more than what the general public knows.” 

Palal nodded. “Yes, I suppose it is. But then I have had much more exposure to the Order than most.” She took another sip and added after putting her porcelain cup down on its saucer with a clink. “Not everyone knows you as auntie Kearin, who bought you sweets as a child and played dolls and stackblocks.” She said smiling. 

They were fond memories, Her mother had died shortly after Palal was born and her bond with Kearin was important to her. He wouldn’t say she was a mother figure in her life though. Auntie was the right appellation to describe their relationship. 

Kearin smiled as well and the act stretched her scarred cheek and pulled her skin tight. Palal had only asked once, as a child, how she had gotten her scars and Kearin had smiled sadly and said simply. “Bad men.”

After her father had given her a stern talking to about how some things are impolite to ask about and Palal never brought it up again. The paladin placed her empty cup on the table as well and she leaned back into the chair.

“You are correct in that I often advised the king on many matters of state but what you don’t know and what I have to tell you tonight is that I am not actually the leader of the Order. You will be meeting him tonight in just a few minutes.” 

Palal rocked back in shock and her mouth dropped open. 

“What? Since when?” She asked. 

The fact that the legendary Kearin wasn’t the leader of the Order was astounding. Kearin had held the position for Palal’s whole life and while she knew nothing of how their ranking system worked or their inner politics she knew enough that Kearin would not cede the position easily. “Before you offer to send your army to The Well let me explain.” Kearin said with her hand raised. 

Palal closed her mouth, she was about to offer that exact thing. She nodded instead so Kearin continued.

“He has been the leader of the Paladins for as long as I can remember. He…he actually raised me and I consider him to be my father.” Palal’s mouth dropped open again. 

“I-how old are you exactly?” Palal asked. Despite her gray hair Kearin looked like she was only just leaving her thirties but she had looked that way for all twenty years of Palal’s life. 

Kearin smiled again. “I’m actually turning two hundred and fifty this year.” 

Shocked once again the Queen put her plate down loudly and flopped back into her chair. She’d always known they lived longer, but longer to her meant maybe one hundred and fifty. For Kearin to be that old she must have seen quite a few rulers come through these halls and it would also put her at the founding of both Steinheim as a nation and Jarnheim as its capital. 

“Two hundred and fifty?!” She said, “That’s older than the Keep!” 

Kearin nodded. “It is, I helped build it. We both did.” At the mention of the unknown leader Palal’s mind ran. He’s got to be ancient. Oh no. What if…no no. Paladins are honorable and Kearin wouldn’t stand for it. Would she? 

Her mind had immediately gone to one of the worst case scenarios. That the leader of the Order was interested in bedding her. From a disgustingly young age she had sometimes attracted the unwanted attention of a noble or two but thankfully being the Princess was usually enough to at least keep their glances discreet. And there was always the threat of Kearin and Order’s might to keep things civil. But now, with her father gone and Kearin possibly being powerless to stop her own leader…Palal’s heart dropped and her face drained of blood. 

“Oh don’t be crass.” Kearin said in amusement. “I can promise you it is nothing like that.” She said as she worked her fingers back into her gloves. 

“He is of the good sort and despite how he drives me crazy, I find myself fond of him.” She stood and gestured for the queen to stand as well. 

“Come, it is time to go.” 

The queen was suddenly five years old again, being told what to do by Auntie Kearin. She trusted her though and her father trusted the Order with his life so she stood and followed the tall Paladin out of the door. 

They walked in silence, normally she would have a small elite guard that accompanied her everywhere but with Kearin acting as escort she had left them at their quarters. Palal was a bit numb from all the secrets that had been revealed to her in such a short time. It must have shown on her face because Kearin spoke up. 

“Don’t worry. He isn’t all that bad, a little grumpy and very old but he is nice. He just wants to meet you and get to know you.” 

They strode on down the hallway, apparently heading to one of her favorite courtyard gardens. As the doorway leading outside came into view Palal tried to squash her nerves. 

She was the Queen now and this was just another duty to perform for her country. A simple meeting. She was suddenly aware that she had changed out of her formal gowns and while her evening gown was nice it wasn’t very traditional. 

Kearin pushed the door open and stepped outside, holding the door for the Queen. Palal took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and stepped through. 

Despite Kearin’s nonchalance about this meeting the queen knew it was extremely important that it go well. The Order was a huge part of Steinhiem’s political power. They were legends across the continent and had even crossed the sea to other ports doing the god’s bidding. She walked through the door and into the cool air of the garden. 

Kearin closed the door and strode beside her, apparently knowing where to go. 

The sinking sun cast the gardens in a muted light and the sounds of the evening reached her ears. 

Bugs chirped and sang, bats flew overhead, feasting on the hordes of bugs that took flight. High above a lone black bird circled and she recalled the old saying about seeing a lone raven in the sky. 

‘See a lone black bird and know that life’s looking at you.’ Isn’t that the saying? They say when you see a lone black bird your life is going to change.

She wasn’t sure she believed in such things before but here and now the saying seemed accurate.

The chirps of the bats were soothing though. A familiar sound to her ears.

She had always liked the bats, they nested in the cracks and crevices of the keep and when she was a child she would often sit in this very garden and watch them, listening to their strange little yips and chirrups as they hunted. 

The gravel path crunched under their feet as they rounded a corner. There on a bench facing mostly away from them sat a man, he was watching the bats with interest and showed no sign of hearing their approach. He had long black hair that was flecked with white that was tied behind his head. He wore the gray armor that was typical of the Order’s Paladins, although his looked very old and very worn. His arms were outstretched and along the back of the bench to either side of him. He wore no gloves and his hands looked scarred and calloused. Curiously he wore some sort of dirty white cloth around his head that was canted to one side. From the way he sat and how his hands hung off the ends of the long bench she knew he would dwarf her in height. Kearin stopped them a couple paces away and cleared her throat. 

The man finally looked down from the bats and turned to regard them. She was shocked to see that the strip of worn and dirty cloth was an eyepatch and from the way he wore it and the fact she got the impression that it was a permanent feature for this man, not an injury. She knew for a fact that the paladins could regrow limbs, she’d even seen it once when Kearin came back from an assignment missing all her fingers from the second knuckle on her left hand. It had taken a few weeks but her fingers had regrown good as new, save for rings of scar tissue marking where a sword had taken them. 

So then how was this man still apparently missing his eye? And how does he look so young? She had been expecting some frail old man, dressed in billowing robes and gaunt with age. 

He looks younger than Kearin. She thought as she stared back, taking in his rugged face and stubbled jawline. 

Except his gaze. 

There was a timelessness there that she couldn’t describe. Something that told her he was older than she could know and that he had seen a great many things. Things that perhaps humans should not see. 

He stared intently at the Queen, making her want to fidget under his intense, one eyed stare. A lifetime of political training stilled her though. 

Unsure of the power dynamic in this situation she was about to curtsy to him and introduce herself when Kearin said. “Palal, this Odin of the stone. Odin, this is Palal.” 

The man stood and strode over to them and her estimation was correct. He was huge, bigger than her most robust guard. He bowed his head marginally and spoke gently, his tone sad and muted. 

“Hello Palal. The last time I saw you, you were brand new to this world. Just a babe, squirming in your mother’s arms.” His voice was low and vibrated in her chest.

She didn’t know much about her mother, her father hadn’t talked of her much and when he did it was always with a deep sorrow. It was obvious they had loved each other and her father never remarried. Despite the mounting pressure to do so. 

Unsure of the procedure she decided to simply mimic him and bowed her head slightly. 

“Well met Odin of the stone. You knew my mother?” She asked. The corners of his mouth curled up very slightly.

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“I did, not very well but I was there when you were born. Your father called for me when her labor took a turn for the worse.” His very small smile dropped. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for your loss. Your father was a great leader and he loved his people deeply. I’m sorry there wasn’t more I could do for him in the end. I wish there was more I could have done.” He said sincerely, sorrow made his voice thick and he seemed genuinely saddened by her father’s passing. It was a far cry from the false sincerity that she had been force fed by most of her court’s nobles. 

There were a few that were truly sorry and she had made note of who they were. The Uhner clan was top of that particular list.

The emotion in his voice and the simple honesty of his condolences made the wound of her losing her father fresh again and her eyes welled with tears. It was easy to bury such things in the face of the hollow proclamations but here and now the sorrow choked her throat and, not trusting her voice, she simply nodded. 

“Come, please sit. Both of you.” He gestured to the bench and sat at one end himself. Kearin crossed in front of her and sat next to him. 

“Kearin, I trust everything is in order here?” He asked as the paladin sat. 

“Yes, everything is fine. Some of the houses are looking to increase their standing after the funeral but nothing unexpected.” She responded easily. 

Palal took the momentary distraction of their conversation to wipe her eyes with her sleeve and take some calming breaths, trying to reign in her emotions. She couldn’t decide if making her so emotional was a tactic to make her more amenable to whatever this meeting was really about or if he was genuinely saddened. Either way she would be on her guard. Her father had trained her very well and had tutors to educate her on political negotiations and she wasn’t going to come out on the bottom of this one. The Order had a lot of clout but in the end they needed her to be on their side, they needed Steinheim and its steel. 

The queen sat next to Kearin and Odin sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees so they could see each other more easily. It was a little awkward, having Kearin in the middle but Palal was grateful she was there. She mentally braced herself, Odin looked ready to speak and she was dreading what he would say. 

Will he make demands of me personally? Or demands of the queendom? 

Odin sighed heavily, as if he could read her pessimistic thoughts and they had disappointed him. “I knew your father very well, he was a good friend of mine and I will miss him dearly.” He turned his scarred face skyward to look at the lone bird, still circling in the sky. “He talked of you endlessly, always proudly proclaiming your achievements and accomplishments. Even if it was that you had successfully outwitted him in cards or stolen a treat from the kitchens. He was always proud.” He was still looking up, seemingly talking to the bird. 

“I even knew this was your favorite bench and your favorite garden. You like the bats that nest near here.” Palal was shocked and she looked at Kearin almost accusingly. Kearin could have easily told her all those things. 

“It wasn’t me. Your father really did talk of you often. Only to those he trusted of course.” She said, answering Palal’s silent accusation. 

Unsure of what to say she said. “I had no idea, I loved my father and I will miss him dearly. Thank you for telling me.” Odin nodded and then stared into the distance, obviously deep in thought. The silence stretched and Palal grew nervous again. What could this be about, was the silence another tactic? Kearin suddenly elbowed Odin hard in the side. Her armored joint hit him in a section of leather armor and he recoiled from the powerful blow. 

“Alright alright!” He said with a laugh. The smile changed his face completely. Gone was the somber, giant of a man and in its place was a handsome man that made Palal’s heart flutter oddly in her chest. 

“Sheesh Kearin. I’m gonna have a bruise after that one!” He said with a laugh.

“Serves you right. Tell her.” She said seriously. 

Palal watched the interaction with interest. Their behavior was at complete odds with what she had been expecting.

“Okay okay.” He cleared his throat and the smile faded from his face. 

“The real reason I wanted to meet you was to just meet you but also to tell you that I am stepping back from the role as leader of the Order. Kearin has effectively been leading for the last several years and frankly I am tired of it.” 

He scratched at the back of his head as he continued. 

“We were already phasing myself out when your father grew ill but with the change in power it seemed like a good time to make the full transition.” He draped an arm over Kearin’s shoulders and proudly said with a smile and a squeeze. 

“She was already doing a better job than I could anyway so I have no doubts about going forward.” Kearin fought a smile when he draped his arm over her shoulders and then actually blushed at his praise. 

Palal was dumbfounded. Her whole life Kearin had been this unflappable presence, stoic in her demeanor and stalwart in her bearing. Yet here she was blushing at this man’s praise. It made her seem much more human and she found she quite liked it. Kearin shrugged the arm off her and then elbowed him again in the exact same spot. 

He grunted. “Ouch Kearin! What was that one for?” He asked as he rubbed the spot. 

“Why’d you wear that eye band? What’d you do, drag it through the mud on the way here? I even laid out a nice purple one for you before I left.” Kearin said in exasperation. 

“Hey! This one’s my favorite! It’s not that bad.” He countered. Despite herself, Palal smiled. It was obvious they loved each other. 

But how is Odin her father? They look almost the same age. She must have been lax in schooling her features because Odin asked. 

“You look to have questions. Please, ask away. Your father and I were very informal and I take it you and Kearin are as well so please, ask. You won’t offend, I promise.” 

Palal was cautious of such an offer. So she decided to start with a relatively safe question. 

“How long did you know my father?” She asked.

“Oh, I knew your father for a very long time. I was at his birth as well actually. He was an exceptionally hairy baby.” Odin said, smiling that smile that made her stomach flutter.

Palal gaped at him. It was unbelievable. Her father had been nearly sixty when he had died and this man looked only to be in his late thirties. 

“How is that possible?” She asked in disbelief. Odin shrugged. 

“Huginn mostly.” He said easily. Like he was commenting on the weather. 

Kearin sighed. “The problem with being so old is that you get to be a cantankerous old clod that likes to pretend he is vague and mysterious.” 

Odin mouthed the words ‘cantankerous old clod’ as Kearin turned away from Odin and faced Palal directly, cutting the pouting Odin out of the conversation. 

“What he said is true. Odin was here before people were, put here by Huginn and Muninn themselves to guide them. I know it sounds far-fetched and I know you’ll have questions but I will be here to answer them.” 

Palal just nodded, she wasn’t very religious and while she did believe in higher powers like Huginn and Muninn she didn’t pray or attend services like some did. The fact that she would be dealing with someone she knew rather than Odin was a relief though.The large man made her stomach flutter when he looked at her and she didn’t trust the feeling. 

“I believe you. Father trusted the Paladins with his life and I will do the same. You have guided this nation to great heights already and I will gladly accept any advice on events going for-” She paused when Odin stood suddenly and unhitched a heavy mace from his side. Kearin likewise stood and unlimbered her ax. 

He was intensely looking at nothing and his body was tense. He murmured something to Kearin in that odd language they used and Kearin responded curtly. It had the feel of a command being issued and Kearin providing an affirmative. 

“With me princess.” Kearin said urgently. Palal nodded and stood. Her eyes searched the darkening garden. Her heart began to pound, something was happening. Something bad. 

Kearin stood close to Palal’s side. She whispered loudly to the armored woman. 

“What is it? Should I call the guards? Should we flee?” The beginnings of fear crept into her voice. Making her louder than she wanted. 

The Paladin was searching the garden with her dark eyes and said nothing. Odin was still staring at nothing but he had crouched down, his focus was absolute but he seemed to be looking at the middle space between him and the garden wall. 

Kearin finally responded. “Assassins are here, likely not for you though. Stay with me. We will-” Odin’s roar split the evening and made the queen jump as he lunged with his mace in an overhead strike. Spinning and swinging at nothing. There was a wet crunch and a woman appeared on the ground under his mace. He had struck her on the shoulder and the force of the blow had smashed the round head of the mace through her flesh and bone only to stop in the woman’s chest cavity. 

The woman didn’t even have time to cry out before she was killed. 

She was clad in dark leather and had bright red hair that was tied tightly back. Her fingers spasmed and twitched around the hilt of a long dagger as she expired. Odin crouched over her with the mace still in his hand, he was looking directly at the queen but his eye was focused elsewhere. The large man jerked to the side suddenly and swung his mace again. This time to the side. The head of the blunt weapon tore from the woman's chest with a sucking sound and Palal felt something warm and wet slap her in the chest and face, making her flinch. She watched with wide eyes as the mace struck another invisible woman. This time hitting her in the arm and tearing it off at the elbow. The assassin’s forearm and dagger crashed into the brush as she came into view. She was dressed the same as the first and likewise had bright red hair. The red haired woman fell to the ground, clutching her stump but was shockingly silent. Odin held his mace back, ready to deliver a killing blow but stood over the woman instead. 

“What the fuck.” He said angrily as he loomed over the assassin. “This is the second pair of assassins this week!” He shouted. “When are you and your little group gonna knock this shit off?” He asked the now moaning woman. 

“I’m getting tired of-Hurk!” He was cut off as a dagger appeared in his back, right in a gap between the armor plates and leather. To his credit Odin quickly turned and with one hand he grasped the air. The sudden motion ripped the dagger from the next assassin's grip as she materialized seemingly out of nothing with Odin’s hand around her throat. Her hands scrabbled at his forearms as he squeezed and lifted until only her toes touched the gravel path.

Her eyes bulged and her face reddened. This one, unlike the others, had brown hair but was clad in the same black leather. 

Odin wheezed. “Goddamit, right in the lung. You know how annoying that is?” His eye unfocused and he abruptly turned and hurled his mace into the dark while still holding the brown haired woman. A meaty thwack followed by a muffled scream came from where he had thrown his mace.

“Any more of you out there?” He asked the woman in his fist. The one missing her forearm had passed out in a widening pool of her own blood. The brown haired assassin just glared at him and tried to spit but Odin squeezed harder and lifted her all the way off the ground. 

“I’ll ask again.” Odin said. He turned his head to the side and coughed. 

Large drops of blood fell from his lips onto the gravel path. 

“Are there. Anymore.” He growled as blood ran down his chin. The young woman flailed in his grip and her booted feet kicked uselessly in the air. Panic took over her features and she scrabbled harder and harder at his iron grip.

Rage crept onto Odin’s face and it clouded his features. Twisting his handsome face into something horrific. 

“Odin!” Kearin barked. Startling both the already terrified queen and Odin, making them both jump. The rage fled Odin’s face almost instantly and he let the struggling woman down and released her throat. She gulped air greedily and scooted away from the large man in fear. Odin shook his head as if to clear his thoughts and then looked around critically. The armless assassin was still breathing but the pool of blood was alarmingly large, the one he had hit with his mace was still moaning in pain and the one he had been choking seemed fine, just terrified. 

He tried to sigh and blood gurlged from his mouth. 

Palal was in shock. Had she met this man just to see him die before her eyes? Were there more assassins lurking in the dark? Were they even here for her? Suddenly she sorely missed her father. 

Odin was taking shallow breaths as he looked around for what she didn’t know. 

Surely he’s going to die soon. She thought. 

Instead the man dropped into a squat and glared at the recovering assassin. 

“Are there more?” He asked, much more calmly than he had before. The woman shook her head.

“I’m gonna need an actual answer here.” He said darkly.

 “There are not. The Matriarch sent two pairings when the first pairings failed to come back. You have defeated me, I am now yours to command. Patriarch.” She said, and then in a small voice added. “Please, Patriarch. Can I attend to my sisters? They will die if I don’t.” Odin stared at her hard and she shied away from his glare.

“I don’t want you. Go the fuck home and leave me alone.” He glanced down at the armless assassin. 

“But yeah, you can help your sisters but stay where I can see you.” She nodded and scrambled to her downed companion. 

Odin watched with disinterest as she put a tourniquet on the woman's stump. He stood and asked the frantically working woman.

“Who were you here to kill?” The woman’s hands slowed.

“You, Patriarch.”

“Not the new Queen of Steinheim?” Odin asked as he gestured to Palal. The assassin's hands stopped and she stared at the queen with large fearful eyes. 

“No Patriarch! The Matriarch expressly forbade us from interfering with Steinheim’s kingdom, only you were to be eliminated. I didn’t recognize the Queen out of her formal wear!” The woman abandoned her task and prostrated herself in front of Palal. Shoving her face into the bloodsoaked gravel as she nearly yelled. 

“Please forgive this one Queen Palal! On Muninn's mercy we swear that you were not to be harmed.” Palal was too shocked to respond but Odin snorted and blood shot out of his nose.  “Fuck, what’s with you people and stabbing me in the lungs. Listen girl, you’d better finish that tourniquet and then tend to your other sister over there in the bush. I’ll vouch for you.” The brown haired girl pulled her face from the gravel and looked at the Queen, seemingly for approval. Her companion's blood ran from her forehead and little rocks from the path were stuck to her skin with the dark blood. 

Palal, not knowing what else to do, gave the still prostate woman a single dip of her chin and the dark clad assassin scrambled back to her armless comrade. Odin coughed more blood out and walked over to them.

“Kearin. Would you mind?” Odin said as he presented his back and the dagger lodged in it to Kearin and Palal. 

Palal was equally relieved and horrified. For whatever reason she believed the woman that Odin was the only target but she was horrified by the violence she had just witnessed. 

Kearin dropped her ax into its loop and told Odin. 

“Get your new assassin girls to help you, I’m taking the Queen inside.” Odin turned back around and looked at Palal, blood ran freely from his mouth. 

“Of course, I apologize your majesty. You should not have to witness such things. Rest assured, the Order will take care of this mess.” He said with a bow. Confused, Palal looked back wide eyed but she noticed the assassin watching and listening with narrowed eyes. 

Right, I’m in charge here. 

“Y-yes. Please have this cleaned up immediately. I will be in my quarters.” She managed and turned to walk inside. 

Kearin walked behind her with her head on a swivel. Once inside they quickly made it to the first open room and stepped inside. It was a well appointed parlor that was used to host smaller meetings and take social calls.

When the door closed Palal nearly collapsed. Kearin helped her to a chair where she sat heavily and stared off at nothing. Kearin pulled a kerchief from her armor somewhere and kneeled in front of the queen. She began wiping at the shocked woman’s face with gentle strokes as she stared at nothing. 

She’d just witnessed someone being killed, right in front of her. Odin had done it easily and without hesitation too. He’d moved so fast it was hard to track but then again everything had happened fast. 

Kearin’s dark eyes searched her face. “Are you ok?” She asked after a moment. 

Palal just stared back into her dark eyes. 

“I…I don’t know.” She answered honestly. 

Kearin sat back on her heels and Palal saw that the rag she was using was bloodstained. She raised her hand to her face where the paladin had been wiping and her fingers came away bloody. Not just bloody, bits of shattered bone and something stringy also coated her fingers. She stared at her fingers and her hands began to shake.

“He just. He just smashed that woman. Into the ground he smashed her.” Tears began to fall. Mixing with the gore that was splashed across her face. 

“I-how does that even happen?” Her chest began to heave. “And they appeared out of thin air! How does that happen?” Her voice wavered and her breath became shallow and rapid.. 

Kearin rose from the floor and sat next to her on the soft couch. She wrapped her arms around the slight girl and Palal allowed herself to be held and she let herself weep freely, the last couple weeks catching up to her in a sobbing rush. She clutched at the paladin's armor and buried her face in the larger woman’s neck. Kearin rubbed her back and said nothing while the Queen cried. After a long while and when she felt she had no more tears to give she pushed away from the armored woman and took a deep breath. 

Then she remembered the dagger in Odin’s back. 

“We need to get Odin to the surgeons! He will need care after such a wound.” Palal said urgently.

Kearin smiled a small smile. 

“He’ll be fine. Come, we need to get you properly washed. I’m afraid your dress is a loss though.” 

Palal looked down at her dress, the thick rope of viscera had splashed her from just below one breast all the way up to her face. Kearin’s dry comment and deadpan delivery made her laugh and sob at the same time. Her emotions were a mess of tangles and she wasn’t sure she could sort through it in one night. 

There was a knock at the door and one of the guards called through the door.

“Paladin Kearin to see you, your majesty.” 

“Show her in please, Jemnis.” The door opened and Kearin strode in. She looked the same as she had that night with the only change being additional scars that crept up her neck. True to her word Odin had been fine and he’d even made an appearance the next day to apologize for the violence she had witnessed. As if it had been his fault the assassins had attacked. The guard, Jemnis, closed the door behind her and Kearin inclined her head to Palal. The queen gestured to the open seat. “Please, sit with me. Would you care for anything?” 

Kearin sat and nodded. 

“Thank you my Queen. If Chelsea is making the refreshments then I think I would regret not partaking.” 

Palal hid her smirk. Since Odin had stepped down, Kearin and Palal had become closer, with Kearin often staying late or coming early to discuss issues involving Steinheim. Their relationship had slowly changed from one of a mentor and pupil to one of equal peers and close friends. 

The Paladin’s growing interest in her handmaiden was endearing and their budding romance made Palal’s heart happy.

Chelsea had been brought on shortly before her father’s death and the handmaiden was almost ten years older than the queen's twenty-five. Despite the age difference she was more of a friend than an employee. Their awkward interactions and furtive glances were adorable. “Chelsea?” Palal called out. 

“Yes, your majesty?” She responded immediately as she stepped from around the corner. The woman’s face was beet red as she came into view with a smile for Kearin. The paladin’s eyes widened slightly and then she too flushed with embarrassment at having her compliments overheard.

“Would you please make Kearin a place setting?” 

“It would be my pleasure, your majesty.” She said, her eyes on Kearin as she bowed slightly and disappeared once again. 

Palal schooled her face into neutrality as she took a sip of her own tea. Giving Kearin time to get her own appearance under control. 

“You did that on purpose.” Kearin said with a slight frown once she was sure Chelsea was out of earshot. 

“Did what? Dearest Auntie?” Palal said in a syrupy sweet voice. 

“Ugh. You’ve spent too much time in the courts. I think it's time to resume your combat training.” Kearin said evilly. 

“You two are just so cute!” Palal squealed, ignoring Kearin’s jab and lighthearted threat. The paladin blushed again and looked awkward. 

“Is she..do you think she is interested?” Kearin asked, vulnerability thick in her voice.

“Gods yes!” Palal basically shouted, causing Kearin to perk up. 

“In me? Really? I’m no beauty though.” She said as she put a hand to her face and the scars there. “Not like her, she’s…she is like the sun.” She said wistfully, letting her hand fall to her lap. “Auntie. Kearin. You are a beauty. I happen to know that a certain handmaiden likes your scars. ‘Strong and brave.’ were the words used if I remember correctly.” Palal said, recalling a recent conversation she’d had with Chelsea. Kearin stared hard at Palal. 

“Really? Strong and Brave?” She said in disbelief. 

“Truly. Would you like me to arrange a lunch date?” Kearin’s mouth worked silently several times before she said. 

“I-I don’t know. I’m afraid I don’t have much in the way of experience in these matters. You are okay with this?” Kearin asked.

Palal shrugged her shoulders. 

“Ok with what? That she is my handmaiden or that you are both women?” 

“Both?” Kearin said, drawing the word out. 

“What she does on her own time is her choice and what either of your preferences are is none of my, or the kingdom's business. My father didn’t care, why should I?” 

Kearin nodded. “I know, I know. But there are those in the court that disapprove of such things.” Palal’s brows drew down. “I care not. It's the law and I will uphold it.” Kearin smiled, looking relieved. 

“Then yes! But I would defer to your judgment on this. I, as I said, have almost no experience in romantic endeavors.” Palal nodded excitedly and Kearin cocked her head like she was listening to something. Palal focused and she could just barely make out the sound of a tea service rattling on a tray. Chelsea had come back. The queen mentally rubbed her hands together. This was going to be fun.