By the time Barda got back to the city, the sun was already going down. He'd been gone for 2 days, and before that, he had been closed off for more than 5 days. He had disappeared for Tristan and her issues for almost a whole week, and by the time he got back, a lot had changed.
He had no idea just how much he was in s#*t.
Lady Maara had been waiting for him to come back to her after the fight with the monster. She had been worried for him at first, but seeing him schooling that beast, she had been cheering wildly.
Soon after, the monster was chased away, and the city got to rebuilding and repairing. She understood the need for him to be involved in all that as she was also very busy, but she was counting down the minutes until she had him in his arms. She needed that hug.
Unfortunately, that moment never came that day or the next. At first, she had been trying to play hard to get. If he wanted to be with her, he would have to find his way to her. She was done taking charge.
Lady Maara had always had that take charge bossy side of her. That was further reinforced the crown and power she wielded. She had been raised as a warrior and a princess. Despite taking up the sword when there was a need, she was taught to win her battles by more than just the sword.
She had her father to train her in the ways of the throne, and her mother in the dignities of the Queen. However, she had her Great Grandaunt Lady Charlotte who taught her something else. As a teenager, she was forbidden from visiting Lady Charlotte due to her reputation of being so promiscuous.
Of course, that was the one thing she did the most. She loved her Great Grandaunt who still lived in the palace grounds. Most times, they talked about boys. From an elderly woman's perspective, she learned how to manipulate men and boys easily.
She was never sexual, but she learned how to add sensuality to her regality. She was both stunningly attractive and had an amazing body. With her power, she was the desire of every man, and simultaneously the feared matron. However, she found herself falling for a man who she couldn't command.
They had had several moments together, part of the reason she liked hanging out with him. She even took him on a tour on the d*mn library, but no, the fool wouldn't get the signals. Biting her thumb naughtily, she had put on her Great Grandaunt's pendant and summoned him.
She had been terrified that he might reject her, or maybe she had misread the signs. Not wanting to torture herself any further, she had lunged at him, felt his shock, before he also went all in. That began a very hot love affair that was not very hidden to the public.
In every woman's heart, there was a desire to be chased after, pursued, wooed. The Queen was no different. She wanted him to come and find her, so they could finish their unfinished business, which now seemed like ancient history.
At the same time, she got word that Barda had been to see the new mage at her chambers, and had come out with something. There were tons of innocent reasons a blacksmith would go to see a mage at her chambers... nope, none came to mind, not at her chambers. Furthermore, she had also gone to see him in the workshop he had sealed himself in.
After another 2 days had passed, the Queen had demanded to see Barda but got word that he was not around. This further exasperated her as she wondered where he could have gone, and not told her.
Let's just say that the Queen was not in the best of places when she got word that Barda had come back. She instantly summoned, but this time, she was not letting him anywhere near her chambers.
***
"Where have you been?" King Sahir bellowed. The Queen had had him summon an emergency court to arraign Barda. Currently, he was standing at the center of the court, with every member of the Tristan and Crane city court staring at him.
Barda cast a look at the Queen momentarily before looking back at the man on the throne, his would-be killer.
"Out," He answered nonchalantly. At the moment, all he wanted was to grab the SOB and make him squeal everything. However, without conclusive proof, he could do no such thing. With a sigh, he cast another glance at the Queen before saying:
"There was a device I was trying to make, but it did not work."
"What device?"
"I still hadn't come up with a name for it."
"What did it do?"
"It exploded."
"What was it supposed to do?" This time, the Queen asked.
"Your Royal Highness," Barda said with as much respect as he could muster, even following up with a bow, "I was trying to make improvements on the trebuchets, unfortunately, it ended up blowing up in my face."
The change in respect and address was apparent. The Crane city court officials were not pleased. This was their King, and dishonoring him was dishonoring their city. On the other hand, the Tristanites were quite happy. Commander Greer had a grin on his face to applaud his friend's shamelessness.
Only the Queen understood the reference. He only used those words when teasing her, the rascal. Was he mocking her?
"So you have nothing to show for all that?" Her hostility seemed off since none understood his meaning.
"I have some ideas, Your Highness, give me until tomorrow to show you it wasn't a complete waste," The Queen was taken aback. He seemed to be sincere this time.
"Fine, you are dismissed. On second thought, stick around, this pertains to you too," The Queen said.
Crane City Courtroom seating arrangement looked like a square missing one edge. There was the main table where the royalty sat, and then 2 others on either side. If someone was being interrogated or giving a report, they would stand at the center, surrounded.
As Barda looked around to spot anywhere to stand, Kia, who was representing the craftspeople in the court, offered his seat to Barda. By the time Barda was sitting down, a guard had already pulled another chair for Kia. Wasn't much of a sacrifice, just giving face.
Seated opposite him, Barda saw Lady Arnea, no doubt in the meeting since she was the only mage in the city. Commander Greer smacked Barda on his shoulder lightly as he sat down, he couldn't do more in such an official court.
"For those of you who don't know," the Queen had a nasty glance at Barda since he was the only one not on the know, "Tomorrow is the day we host our Summit."
***
Despite the missing boyfriend, the Queen had been very busy coordinating this summit. It was her way of regaining her kingdom.
Several days prior, they had intercepted messages being sent to other city-states in the continent for a meeting. It seemed Gumina was offering an olive branch to the other cities.
For those that valued their freedom, they recognized this as a noose. With the power of Gumina, and their tyrannical reputation, the only peace that could be negotiated was with them as subordinates. Therefore, to answer Gumina's call was tantamount to willingly submitting.
Some saw no need for escalation of violence. Cities such as Crane City, which lived in the shadow of grander cities, would only see this as an exchange of masters. However, for the more prominent cities, submission to foreign rule was not an option.
Many had watched how Tristan would perform, and seeing the city fall so fast, they shuddered at the thought. However, further news kept coming in showing that Tristan was not so easy to beat. The little Princess had more teeth than they thought.
The time to choose had come. Either they side with Gumina and collaborate to foreign rule, giving up their sovereignty for some level of autonomy, or they resist and fight for their independence.
At first, the Queen had not been optimistic about the response she would get. However, she still sent out invites at the hands of trusted officials. They were to take the message directly to the monarchs.
Unlike Gumina, she didn't discriminate on who to send word to. She addressed all governments in the continent, regardless of their size. Some were just settlements, others were villages, others were territories owned by great houses while others were cities. She had sent word to them all, with one message:
Save the continent