It’s been two weeks since I killed the king of Erisea, two weeks of Orel taking control of the empire and putting Dariths in top positions, now it is time to go home… it would not be long before I would welcome my son into the world, I want to do that in the capital even with Estrid there, it was still the second place I know as home and more convenient than the warrior plains of Dar where Orel mainly spend his time, it was also close to winter.
According to Orel, we will spend winter in the capital as the wild fields of Dar was not the best place to raise a new born child. This he told me when he started to talk to me again, after shaking me so hard that my teeth clattered together and then refusing to talk to me. He and Gwenn spent many last night together sharing each other pain and grief. I hoped that it made them feel better but I wasn’t too sure if anybody would ever feel better after losing their friend who was a part of their soul.
“I will try and visit the capital soon.” Cory told me as I nodded, I would really like that. he has a good soul and will not let Orel down in his new role, he was the first Erisean to be in a high position appointed by Orel, he was eager to please and prove his worth, what he didn’t know was that he has proved it a thousand times over already.
It took a while before we finally went on our way with half the army that we arrived it. “It’s finally over.” Orel breathes a sigh of relief as Gwenn smiled sadly besides him, her eyes still held some shadows, it would be a while before she get to get over Elison death and an even longer while before she stops blaming herself for his death.
“Yes it is, a lot has happened since we started the preparation for this war.” Gwenn said with a laugh. “You got married to Themis instead of Estrid, a much welcomed development if you ask me.”
“You were used to bring an alliance with an empire which normally didn’t make alliance and you became a queen.” Orel added.
“That was not the only thing I became.” Gwenn snorted and before Orel could comment on her words she went further. “Themis making that annoying little brat of a queen scared.”
“Themis being pregnant.” Orel said with awe in his voice.
“You being tortured…”
“And Elison dying.” Orel added as Gwenn became silent.
After a while of solemnness Orel spoke softly. “Live happily with your husband Gwenn as I will with Themis, it was what Elison would have wanted, it was probably what he gave his life to achieve.”
“I know but you don’t have to say it like you would not see me anymore, we are not parting forever in fact, and I will be with you even when Themis give birth.” Gwenn said with a smile.
“Wait, what do you mean, you are supposed to return to your new kingdom immediately after the war.” Orel said in a hurry.
“Please.” Gwenn rolls her eyes, “It is my decision to make and I will make the decision, I am not going anyway until my future godson is born.”
“And who said the title will go to you?” I spoke for the first time, mi was willing to let them joke about and all but I just could not resist getting on her nerves, besides I miss our ribbing.
“Wait what?” Gwenn rounded up to me, turning her horse to face me and block Tyra path. “What do you mean by that, I am the most liable option and besides I have no contender?”
“Keep telling yourself that, Dyane is there and need I remind you that she was certainly more welcoming than you when we first met.” I tell her as Gwenn spluttered unable to come up with a reply.
Orel taking pity on her patted her shoulder as he said. “Don’t worry, there is no harm in having two godmothers especially since he would not have a god father.”
“And since you already have the man roles down by heart.” I quipped unable to help myself.
Gwenn eyes narrowed at me. “What you little inflated...” she rains down insults on me but I tuned her out as usual and when she gave a pause to take in a breathe, I made a comment about how she just listed her characteristics that made her go off on a rant again and it made Orel laugh this time.
This was my family and although it was missing a member, it was perfect.
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The council didn’t know what to do with Gwenn that was clear as she accompany me and Orel everywhere, they could not order her about since her rank was increased, in fact not only was it increased but it now rivals theirs since she was a queen from another empire which was just as powerful as Dar now mixed with Erisea, she was also an ambassador for her empire as of the moment and that meant she was to be treated with utmost respect.
“This council session is now in order and firstly, we would like to thank Queen Gwenn for her contribution to the war.” Admon said with a tilt of his head in Gwenn direction.
“Glad that I could help.” Gwenn said. “And I think it would be best for future transactions between our kingdoms that Brogan is not sent.”
“Why?” Brogan bristled at that.
“Because my husband is in charge of trade negotiations and he hates people like Brogan.” Gwenn deadpans while I snickered, this meeting might not be that suffocating as I had thought.
“And what do you mean by people like me.” Brogan said taking offense with Gwenn choice of words, I already knew the next words which will come out of Gwenn’s mouth would be insults.
“I mean sycophants, ass kissers, you know, like exactly the person you are.” Gwenn said and now, it wasn’t only me who had to hide their laughter, Orel and Baxter did as well. Cale seemed offended for Brogan sake even though his lips did twitch a couple of times.
“Anyway, that was not why this meeting was called, or why you ladies were called here.” Admon intervened before Brogan could reply Gwenn. “We called you here to extend our gratitude to you and then we have important matters to discuss, like how to successfully integrate ourselves into Erisea and Erisea into Dar without much issues arising.”
“And why was Themis brought here.” Gwenn said in a hard voice, the major reason why she was here was to support me and she told me that some of the assholes on the council like Brogan will stir up issues and Orel would not be able to defend me without losing his cool, she had also mentioned that it was the least she could do for me since my decisions and suggestions practically made them win the war.
“To extend our gratitude and token of appreciation to her.” Admon answered with his eyebrows quirked at her and Gwenn blushed, she should have known better, after all Admon did practically raise her, he was like a father to the three of them. Perhaps she didn’t need to protect me, if Admon got my back then every other person will lose if they went against me.
“Oh.” Gwenn blushed then quickly recovered when she saw Baxter looking at her with an amused expression on his face. What made me pat attention to the situation more was Gwenn response to Baxter look. She reverted her gaze as her eyes turned a little pained. “And what is the token that you are willing to offer.” Gwenn asked.
“One request.” Cale replied her this time.
“What?” I asked confused.
“One request for anything you want under the power of the entire empire and it is yours.” Brogan added.
“You saved us all, you didn’t have to but you did, for that we are always going to be in your debt.” Baxter added before bowing his head to me instead of a chin jerk as people of his status were fond of doing. His action surprised me more than his words and I was at a loss of what to say.
I scrambled around to find a question to ask to cover up my surprise. “So if I wanted to be queen of the empire, the sovereign ruler?” I asked.
“Then it will be yours.” Cale finishes.
Brogan barked out a harsh laugh. “I knew that was what she was going to choose.”
“Her choice has not been made yet, don’t make it for her.” Admon reprimanded Brogan.
“What should I chose Orel?” I asked my husband in confusion, I did not expect this. I also did not know how to proceed too. I was completely out of my depth, never did I expect any reward, not to talk of one as great as this. I had to think of what I would choose carefully.
“Whatever you want love.” Orel replied me. “I will be behind you completely, I will always be behind you.”
I was lost in my thoughts as various things flashed through my head, going at lightning pace as I struggled to think of what would not be a wastage of this opportunity of a life them. As soon as my mind stuck on one, that was when Admon suggested softly and I realized that I had kept them in silence, waiting for me to give my edict.
“Perhaps, you want a little time to think this through, you don’t have to give us an answer now.”
“I know what I want.” I replied softly… never had I been sure of any other thing as I am of the fact that this was the right choice for me to make.
“And you didn’t have to put on a show, just say that you want the empire…” Brogan said ignoring the look the rest of the council sent his way, Gwenn looked like she was seriously considering chucking her shoes at him.
“No, I don’t want the empire.” I replied as they all waited for me to continue. “I want the seven tribes to be free from the maiden hunt, no maiden should be killed anymore and if you still want to participate in that event, the women who participated will be chosen by the warriors as their brides…” I gave a pause but Admon expression made me continue. “The seven tribe will be merged and given a piece of land where they will build their own town… and that town will be under the control of the council, that’s my request.” I said as they all breathed a sigh of relief. “But I would beg that that town should be under the control of my family and that my family should get to keep the warlord position between us, our children will be provided all the chances to be great leaders and they will be.” I added a bit of selfishness to my request, my hand coming to rest on my large stomach, Admon nodded.
“We will try to see to it.” Admon said.
“Thank you.” I smiled at him.
“Now that, that is over with, can you ladies excuse us so that we can continue, why you don’t two settle down and get more comfortable in your residences.” Cale shooed me and Gwenn out with tact.
“What about my reward for participating in the war, the reward for Northshore.” Gwenn asked, jokingly.
“We gave them the second in command of our army.” Orel replied
“We gave them the only heir of one of the founding family of Dar Empire.” Admon added.
“And we gave them the strongest woman in Dar as their queen, they better be grateful.” Baxter added as Gwenn lips parted in shock while staring at Baxter who was looking right back at her.
“Let’s go Gwenn.” I said softly, it was clear to all that those two were hurting, maybe one day I would get to know the story between the two of them or maybe their story has not ended yet.
“Good bye all.” Gwenn said instead as she stood up from her seat and quickly excused herself and ran out of the room like there was fire on her trail, I followed behind her at a leisured pace, not like I could run. I walked with a waddle now.