"I wonder why you have gathered us here," One gruff elder said as he eyed another sharp-eyed elder sitting at the head of the table. Everything had been organized silently, and no mention as to why the man had summoned the group.
However, looking around, how could one not tell the purpose of their visit?
All around the table, the elders seated there were very notable people, as they were very instrumental in running the government. They formed they unofficial cabinet for the Queen and would often come forward on advisory roles.
When the previous Queen reigned, these people had slowly amassed power, placing their people in key places and positions. Thus, over time, they had become the unofficial shot callers of the entire Kingdom, with the Queens having no choice but to follow their lead.
"I think you all know the purpose of my summons," Lord Masila stated as he looked at each of the elders gathered. They wore very fine linen, showing they were men of means. He spoke with authority, since he was the unofficial leader of this group, which somehow made him the unofficial ruler of the Kingdom, bearing all the authority and none of the responsibility.
"Tomorrow, the emissary from Zithile will arrive, and with him comes the official marriage proposal," The man continued. "We all know the new Queen's temperament, and it is likely that she will not agree."
"It is all the previous Queen's fault, she filled her with ideas and notions of love," One of the elders stated. Lord Maish was one of the more prominent scholars and had served as a tutor to the Queen on some occasions.
"I am not sure I want her to agree," Another stated. Lord Nakhim was his name. Of all the elders gathered, he stood apart. His stoic appearance and how he stood up straight, despite being an older middle-aged person, suggested he was a soldier.
Way back when the Previous King reigned, he was his right-hand man and served under the King. He had been in the war when the King was injured. While they won the battle, the injuries sustained by the King were too severe, and despite all the healers tending to him night and day, he still succumbed.
After the death of the King, the army retreated, and many were subsequently disbanded. No victory, just losses. The Queen was made to give up plenty of territory and many Asis were disgruntled, but the death of the King silenced them.
This man was made the general. However, his power and influence were severely gutted. One day, his destiny shone bright, the next, he was in the gutters. Nevertheless, he never lost complete influence.
"So, she should do what?" Lord Masila demanded, "wait for the hordes to come and pulverize us?"
"Are you afraid of the hordes?" Lord Nakhim countered.
"You bet I am! Don't pretend you aren't!" Lord Masila exclaimed, looking very pissed. "You think this is like back in the day, when you and your pal ran around causing mayhem? What happened?"
"Careful!" Nakhim hissed, getting that edge in his voice. "That's the former King you're talking about. He died for us!"
"Died for us? How laughable! What did his death really accomplish?" Lord Masila was now angry, "Other than leave us a mountain of debts and having to pay tribute. All that money going out of the kingdom!"
"There! That's what this is all about! Money!" Lord Nakhim said, flaring with fury.
"You are right! This is all about wealth, something every one of us has plenty of," Lord Masila confirmed, "When the horde comes, how much of your wealth will be left? And to think, all that could have been avoided with a marriage ceremony."
"What if we win?" Lord Nakhim demanded.
"With what?" Lord Masila scoffed.
"We can still push them back," Lord Nakhim countered.
"And they will keep on pushing and pushing, grinding our strength and everything else. How long can well hold them back?"
Just as Lord Nakhim was about to counter, Lord Masila lifted his hand and said, "Enough! your opinions and wishful thinking have been heard."
"Lord Masila, what do you propose we do?" The only woman in the room asked.
"We need to organize a meeting with the Queen, immediately!" Lord Masila asserted. "We need to gauge where she is in all this, and if we can, convince her to do the right thing."
"Don't you think she is under a lot of pressure already?" Lady Nushia asked. "The proposal has not yet arrived, and we are already meeting to discuss it."
"This is the right time to do it," Lord Masila stated, "Even more pressure will come, and if we don't play our cards right, we will end up losing everything."
"I don't think I will support this decision," Lord Nakhim muttered.
"Fine, then come with us, present your alternatives, if you have any!" Lord Masila exclaimed, smashing his palm on the table as he did.
These people continued with their meeting, planning how they will approach the matter with the Queen the following day. Little did they know the Queen was meeting with a certain someone that very night, and her mind would be very made up by the time they were gathering for morning court.
The day came with a lot of tension. People were nervous, waiting to hear what the Queen would decide.
Queen Shana first tried looking for Lord Nakhim, only to be informed that the various Lords had request audience with her. Being that they were the movers and shakers of her Kingdom, she had little choice than to comply.
The meeting went pretty much as you'd expect. The Lords tactfully brought up the proposal by the Zithilite King, and inquired what the Queen thought about it.
At first, Shana wanted to answer but she held back. From their gestures, she did not believe they wanted her opinion, but rather, they were trying to do what they always did, shove things down her throat. Therefore, she decided to give them a non-committal answer:
"I Thank you, Esteemed Lords for your much needed advice, I shall duly inform you once I have made a decision on this matter."
Looking at her, some were convinced, but Lord Masila and a few others were not. Something about her mannerisms showed a hint of defiance. Could she have some information they were not privy to?
The Queen had spoken, all they could do was excuse themselves. As they left, Shana asked one of the Lords to remain behind. Much to Lord Masila's ire, it was none other than Lord Nakhim. The other elders shifted as they imagined the man was about to narc on them, but what could they do?
"Your Majesty, what is on your mind?" Once everyone had cleared out, the man asked, his eyes curious. He too had noticed the answer she had given was perfunctory.
"Uncle, I need you to find me a hundred men. They should be very good, the best you have, and they should be able to keep a secret." The Queen stated her request.
Lord Nakhim noted how she called him Uncle. Not everyone got that privilege. However, there was something the Queen knew that others did not.
Several years ago, she had discovered that her mother, the previous Queen, had an illicit affair. When she confronted her about it, the Queen admitted everything, and even claimed that this was a second chance at love.
Shana could still remember the tears trickling from her mother's eyes. Her mother told her everything, crying as she did. She described how much she had loved her father, how his loss hurt so deep she knew she could never replace him. How her heart had slowly started mending, and how she never expected to feel that way again.
She then told her daughter about the man, Asturi. He was her father's confidante, and their grief brought them together.
This was why the current Queen, Shana, would refer to Lord Nakhim as uncle, despite having no blood relations. She didn't mind her mother had started dating, in fact, she was happy for her. She saw the joy on her face and loved it.
The two, Shana and Lord Nakhim, whose first name was Asturi, had come to bond properly when her mother fell sick. Only he could share in her pain. In him, she saw the father she never had, and she could trust him.
However, on this matter, she decided to keep things close. She wouldn't share much of the information and only tell those that needed telling. She required his assistance, since only he could get his hands on the number of soldiers she required without attracting too much attention.
"Your Majesty, what exactly are you planning?" the man asked, genuinely curious now.
"Please uncle, I need you to not ask too many questions. I need you to do this as discreetly as possible. I want a hundred men to go to the village of Cesia at nightfall, can I count on you?" She asked, almost pleading.
Lord Nakhim did not know whether to be worried or happy. He was happy that the Queen was willing to fight back, that she wouldn't just roll over, but also worried. What was her plan, and she was asking for just a hundred men? What could a hundred men do against a horde of thousands of barbarians?
However, his military brain kicked in. Back when her dad was running the show, he would often make such types of requests, it seemed the apple did not fall far from the tree.
"What are they to do when they get to Cesia?" He asked, his military brain activating. If the supreme leader was willing to fight, then he would do his part.
"They will meet a man. After that, I don't know." She replied. Her statement was true, but Lord Nakhim assumed she was hiding something. However, he did not press, he bowed before his Queen and uttered solemnly, "It shall be done!"