Bonus Short Stories
Claudia’s Designs
The snowfields ran red. Every swing of her arm sent another corpse sprawling.
A peculiar host marched at her back, speaking not a word as they mechanically cut down their foes. Only the rhythmical noise of their breathing passed their lips. They did not even cry out as they were cut, and they did not so much as flinch before retaliating with extraordinary violence. The screams of their enemies filled the air, squeezed from dying lungs.
At last, the enemy saw that they were beaten and began to run. The song of steel faded, and the crimson rain began to congeal where it had fallen.
“Long live Queen Claudia!” The cry went up once there were no more foes left to slay. “Long live Queen Claudia! Long live Queen Claudia!”
More and more voices began to call her name. Their cheers shook the frozen air, bringing heat to the bitter cold.
The amethyst figure that was Claudia answered the cheers with a flick of her sword. Gore sloughed from the blade, spattering the snow with scarlet. “I hardly needed to have taken to the field,” she remarked coldly to the minister at her shoulder.
“Your Majesty,” the man said, “had you not joined the fray, the battle might have taken twice as long.”
“That very reliance on borrowed strength is precisely why we remain plagued by bandits.” She peered down at him with an icy stare. The edge of her blade settled against his throat. “You will not trouble me with such matters again. Disgrace yourself a second time and you shall find yourself shorter by a head.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Of course, Your Majesty.” The man blanched and bowed his head.
Claudia cast him a look she might have saved for roadside refuse and expelled a sigh. Once order has been restored to the region, I shall send him off to defend some backwater province.
She had no need of retainers who relied on her for every little thing. To live dependent on others was the privilege of the commonfolk. The nobility might be born into power, but by the same token, they had a duty to lead—a notion clearly lost on the man by her side.
And at a time when Lebering must stand strong, no less. Would that all of my vassals were of Lord Hiro’s caliber...
There was no time to waste. The age was turning, and if her nation did not follow, it would be left behind.
“The surrounding villages will require food for the next three months,” she said. “Your house will supply it.”
“Y-Your Majesty... With respect, our coffers cannot bear—”
“Enough. Would you prefer to part with the supplies you thought I did not notice you hoarding, or with your life?”
The minister’s eyes bugged, but eventually, he reasoned that it was better to bow his head than lose it. “As you desire, Your Majesty.”
“I’m glad we have an understanding.”
The people were a treasure to be cherished, far more so than the man cowering before her now. Winter was setting in, and the cold had grown bitter. Many would starve or freeze to death before spring came.
And I could not abide it if a future prodigy were among them.
She had not come so far afield merely to exterminate bandits. She was searching for promising retainers. The royal city’s environs had already been scoured clean of talent, with every budding officer she could find added to her army. Now only the far-flung provinces remained.
“He forges ever farther ahead, but I will not be left behind. If I should lose sight of him, what will become of my ambitions?”
He was approaching the ultimate heights with formidable speed. She could not help but admire his prowess. The sight kindled a fire in her breast. She would not be outpaced. She would not be outdone.
How marvelous. The farther out of reach he seems, the stronger I will become. And he will not lead me wrong. If I but follow him, I will soon gaze upon those heights myself.
The Hero King’s heir, Hiro Schwartz. She would pursue him, seize hold of him—and overtake him.
“May you fall to no other...until the day I devour you myself.”
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login