Act 34.
The Queen:
Despite the title, the Queen does not have the powers of the older monarchs that came before her. As has been seen in our own history, there comes a time when others who are under a monarch’s rule realise that they have a power of there own.
It became evident to the Queen’s father that he needed to slowly give some powers to the richer lords of the land, and so created the King’s counsel. This was a committee that could petition and make recommendations to the King that he would consider in his decisions.
This appeased the lords and kept the stability of the monarchy.
This was not to say that the monarchy did not have any power. Rule was still in their hands and they still passed judgement. But when others complained, you had to listen more than your predecessors did.
But during the Queen’s first years in power there have been new discoveries, and situations resulting from those discoveries have started to agitate some of the lords and this has given the young Queen new situations she has never encountered before.
These first few years of her rein would prove her worthy or be her undoing.
Queen’s Champion PP. 126.
They went to the Mikako’s quarters in the east wing of the Castle. Here there were not many occupied rooms, mostly the wing was used for transitional workers or the unimportant assistances and hangers on of the guests of the Queen.
When Mikako had first arrived and pledged herself to the Queen and her Champion, the Queen had wanted her to be housed with her other close advisers and mages. But many of her lord’s did not trust this newcomer from a land they knew little about, and said that the Queen should keep her in a part of the castle that was furthest from her royal highness.
Linda had protested, but they trusted her nearly as little as Mikako, seeing as she was from a completely different world. So the Queen, still newly crowned and not wanting a confrontation, capitulated and gave Mikako rooms in the east wing. Mikako had earned respect from some of the less adamant lords, and Linda, by accepting the Queen’s decision with grace and decorum.
Though it had been a little more than a year since then, and the Queen had judged that Mikako had proven herself to the court that she was an invaluable asset, Mikako had not accepted the Queen’s offer to move to quarters in her wing.
"I have become rather fond of my corner," she had told Linda when asked why. "It is quiet and perfect for my needs. This way the Queen does not look as if she is snubbing her nose at the lords and I have a place nearly all to myself."
They arrived at Mikako’s rooms and there the mage took out a large carpet bag. She proceeded to fill it with small vials of many coloured liquids and some packets that Linda suspected were filled with powders. She also threw in some instruments that Linda could not deduce the use of just by looking at them.
The mage closed up the bag and slung it over her shoulder.
"Shall we go?" she asked.
Linda put her hand on her sword.
"I’m ready," she said.
They walked out to the stables.
Linda had sent word before that she needed two mounts with provisions for a foray to the southern border. As they came in range of the stables, Linda saw that the stable hand was standing there with the reins of two horses, waiting.
Linda recognised the mare named Amadahy. Her dappled brown coat made her particularly good for hiding in a forest. Her blue eyes always looked at Linda as if she were trying to see through the knight’s exterior and getting frustrated that she couldn’t. Linda had been the first person that Amadahy would let ride her. Linda wondered if the mare was just like her, someone who had to go somewhere else to find a home.
Linda walked up and patted the mare on her snout.
"How are you today?" she asked.
The mare snorted as if to say.
"I was bored and it is a good thing you came along. At least now there is something to do."
Linda laughed and checked the bags to make sure nothing was missing.
Mikako walked over to the grey stallion and looked him directly in the eyes.
"His name is Farr," said the stable hand. "He is well trained and is used to having mages as riders. He does not spook easily when some of the louder spells are used. Lord Gregore will not ride any other."
Mikako continued to stare into Farr’s eyes, and then finally broke it off.
"Thank you," she said to the young stable hand. "I think we will be fine."
She strapped her bag to the saddle and climbed up.
Linda also mounted her horse and the two trotted off to their destination.
The south border was a half day’s ride away. Since the messenger had arrived at midday, it was not until sunset that Linda and Mikako arrived at the town that stood near the border.
They entered the town through the main gates and were instantly recognised by the guards. One of them raced into the village.
Linda sighed.
"He is off to get the mayor of the town," she told Mikako. "He will want to greet us as honoured guest. It is the one problem with being well known. They tend to treat you like a celebrity especially when you don’t want them to."
A crowd was forming around them as they entered the town square. And racing towards them, hurriedly donning his jacket was the Mayor.
"I wish you had told us you were coming, Lady Champion," he said as he caught up to them.. "I would have had an honour guard ready."
"We did not have time," she told him. "We are here to investigate an incident."
She quickly explained what had happened.
"We had heard rumours that something had happened nearby," he said. "But we had no proof."
"That is why we are here."
A cry came from the wall.
Linda, Mikako and the mayor and his guards all rushed to the area of the wall that the cry had come from.
They looked out to the open area the guard was pointing to.
Several men were heading to some of the fields outside the walls.
The wore the uniforms of King Jeffrey.