Duck left, avoid his punches, punch lower rib cage, tackle down, and give him a good smack in the head. As he lunges towards me I did what I was thinking a second ago and in 5 seconds he was down and I emerged victorious. I was enjoying my soldiers cheer when the King's attendant called and told me that the King's holding an emergency meeting. I sighed and waved to my soldiers and told them to behave themselves.
Quickly I put on my cape and put my swords nested on to my hips. It's better to look appropriate for these things since I'm the only woman there, the men are all very notorious. It was quite a long walk from where I am to the King's tent as the rowdiness of our enjoyment in this God-forsaken land was, of course, too loud for his ears and probably bad for his heart too. He's quite old.
The ground is solid, scarce from plants, the weather and the air was especially hot today. I hurried my steps to the comfort of the tent. And as I got closer to the tent the smell of rust, sweat and blood slowly changes into food and perfumes. I was only a few steps away now, then I felt a tingling sensation on my neck, a sensation of being watched, not just a glance but the feeling of an intent glare, I stopped for a second to turn my head to the source but there was nothing there, perhaps it was just my feeling but then again they were rarely wrong.
The knights guarding the tent let me in and instantly all eyes were on me. My King's, his generals, the councillor, and they stared at me for a bit longer than usual, odd I thought. Something's wrong and it's involving me, I didn't recall any mistakes nor irresponsibility. Are they having second thoughts about me, about my abilities? My skill? But that can't be it, I led the last attack and it was but a success. But something is wrong because the King's fidgeting unusually a lot and some of the generals look worried but some are oddly smirking. Damn. I continued my steps to my chair and sat on it. Like a boss, if I might add.
"Evening gentlemen" I nod
The King clears his throat, he was old with lots of white hair. I have no more words to describe him as he will probably be dead anyway. I poured myself some wine to relieve my parched tongue.
"As we were discussing before, the Tallies outnumbered us, we cannot win against them" the King spoke and I drink my wine. the sweet taste tickled my senses. "They have marched and surrounded our capital city with 150.000 men while we are fighting here, one wrong move and they will set our home on fire" he took a quick nervous glance at me before looking at general Kairon then Kairon turned at me to deliver the news.
"General Valeryie, the Tallies have requested a truce, they are offering an alliance between our Kingdom"
Every eyes were on me as if waiting for my response. Well, the Tallies's large number is a threat, we cannot win against them as we are now so an alliance between us is good news since we have bigger problems such as foreign invaders to take care of, and dead men do not fight wars.
Our army is strong but our numbers are smaller than other countries and our is a smaller one located on higher grounds. The Tallies know they could win this fight by sheer number but we were not to be trifled with, if we're going down, we go down with a fight. They brought an awfully large number of soldiers to surround the city to force a truce. Probably to intimidate us. But well, they don't have anything to lose with this alliance, or do they?
"That's...good" I looked around, confused by their concerns
"They are proposing a marriage alliance" Kairon replied
"even better, who will we be marrying?"
"The King" General Ismael replied this time, he commanded the archers.
The King of the Tallies, I have only heard rumours about him. In 5 years of his reign, his people prosper in economy, agriculture, and military. I heard there is no slavery there but that could be just baseless rumour. They are a strong resourceful country and it is all because of the King. Why would the King marry himself to a small country like us, it seems like such a shame and
"we don't have a princess" that I said out loud.
"They're not asking for one"
"You mean, the King is......keener on his gender?"
Kairon rolled his eyes "No general, they're not asking for royalties"
"I'm confused, isn't it usually done between royalties of the two countries? Why else would they asked for a marriage that is not mutually beneficial?"
"Well, yes that would be the natural thing to do"
"Well then, who's marrying him?" taking another sip from my cup.
From over my cup, I see The King straightens his back and looked me in the eye and the other generals looked at me with concerns? pity? Mockery? Even Kairon seems uncomfortable. Wait, why are they all looking at me like that? Oh no, no way. I choked my wine, it burns my throat and made me coughed.
"You can't mean they asked for me?!" still coughing hard.
"Specifically, yes, they asked for you. General Valeryie Angus"
"WHAT? With respect, my King, I'm a general, not a broodmare. I belong on the battlefield and not in some King's chambers. Besides, I'm sure there are other royalties more suitable for the King" I was dumbfounded, dozens of emotions flew on my face instantly, sarcasm being the strongest one. Wait. Are they joking right now? trying to make fun of me? but Kairon looks genuine so they can't be joking. This is crazy. This is shit.
Suddenly Kairon took a piece of letter and threw it to me, it has the Tallies symbol on it.
"Brought to us by their men"
I took the letter in my hand, inspecting it carefully. It does have the symbol of the Tallies on it. A lion with one wing and the mouth biting a sword. I opened it, to found 1 piece of paper and began reading it.
Good day, King James of Myhtica,
We have surrounded your capital, 150.000 in total and are ready to raid and set it on fire unless you agree on our terms.
We wish to form a marriage alliance between the King and one of your own. Specifically to General Valeryie Angus, leader of your calvaries. We want her and only her. Negotiating is not possible. By the time you get this message, you will have half a day to decide before we arrived there to pick the General up. Agree and we shall celebrate this alliance and join our forces to fight the invaders. Refuse and your capital shall burn, your camp laid waste and you will die.
Best regards.
King Orion of Tallies
Val cannot believe this piece of paper in her hands. Suppressing her trembling hand, her thought process begins to tinker. Sure she is useful as a soldier but not a wife and certainly not a queen. Is this King out of his mind, what were his advisors thinking, allowing him to make this kind of decision. Why would he even want her anyway? She would have understood if he wanted her as his general, fighting his war but not this. Nothing has ever prepared her for this. She never thought she would be eliminated because of her gender in this kind of way. She never thought of living like normal women. She wanted more than that, oh so much more. She fought for her position and she fought hard. But now...she wanted to curse so badly.
She has never turned her back on her Kingdom but they did. She knows this is not the time to get sentimental, thousands of lives would be spared if she agrees. She felt sick and nauseated. Knowing that it was her burden to bear and the rest of the people here would be glad to rid her except Kairon who is her mentor. Does she even have a choice? They wouldn't kill her if she refused but thousands of people will perish and she would be taken anyway by the upcoming army headed here. Should she just fight 'till the last drop? But can she die knowing how many lives she took with her? She can't do that. But to accept this... is humiliating, she would lose everything and gained things that she didn't want.
"Are you sure about this?" I was looking at Kairon searching for something. He looks emotionless, telling me this is all on me. My move, my choice.
"You have no say in this General Valeryie. I am ordering you, not asking. We need their army to fight the invaders, we can't afford two wars at the same time. Remember where your loyalty lies" the King said.
Val felt her knees weakening but she didn't let anything show on her face, she merely clenched her jaws so tight she almost heard her teeth chattering. She didn't allow herself to feel betrayed since none of these people had her back anyway. She only wants to say goodbye to Kairon. Kairon took her in, raised her to be stronger than anyone else. She liked to think of Kairon as a father to her even though he wasn't fatherly at all. He was ruthless, to be honest, he would yell and threaten you if you did something wrong or if you weren't strong enough. But she was grateful for it because it made her who she is now, without him she would probably die on the side of the road or thrown to the dogs. She knew Kairon lost her wife and daughter not long before he took Val in. She was murdered because she couldn't protect herself. That's why she was raised hard. She glanced at Kairon and saw a tiny bit of sadness in his eyes before coldness returns to him and he nodded.
She hadn't realized she was crumpling the letter in her hands until she felt a sharp pain on her palm. Apparently, she had clenched her fist so hard she bled. Stupid. That King of Tallies ain't worth it. The King wants a queen eh? Oh, he'll get one. Just not the one he expects. He won't know what hit him and she'll make sure he regrets this.
She took a deep breath before managing to say "My men?"
"Your men will be under Kairon's command. You have 3 hours to gather your things Val. Meet us at the front line by then" It was quite a long time since the King called her that, guess he did care after all. She simply nodded and left the council.
She went back to her tent and pack her personal belongings, books, maps, sword and wore a bracelet that Kairon gave her when she passed the soldier exam. She doesn't have much, to begin with. She didn't have girlfriends, didn't really know what women talk about. She went to clean herself with damp clothes and cold water, washing all the dirt from the sparring before. Taking her clothes off and checking her body, she was bruised all over, it was natural for her.
A maid came in with a dress in her hand. She grits her teeth again. If she was going to be traded off to the King she will not stand idly like a girl, she is a soldier first and foremost, wearing her armour proudly would be best. You can't go to battles with a dress and a napkin. This is another war as far as she is concerned. A battle fought with the King.
She has never seen him in person, one described him being white-haired, fat, and disgusting. Some said he's like a dwarf and foul-smelling but some said he looked like Adonis himself. She didn't care but she hoped for the last rather than disgusting and foul-smelling. Well, she's about to find out in less than a few hours, so she starts walking to her men to say goodbyes and explain to them. Explain what exactly? Bye boys, I'll be married off to the Tallies, bye boys I've been reassigned? Should she tell the truth? Would they be disappointed? Would they even miss her? Would they be glad to be rid of her? She was pretty mean, she confessed. Not paying attention to her surroundings, she was already here.
"Hey boss, wat' the King wan' eh?" They were arm wrestling now.
"um, boys, the King has made a deal with the Tallies"
"No kidding" one man rose
"Will our troops be going to Tallies territory? 'cause they got great cunts" and they are all laughing but they saw her expression and slowly fell to silence.
"It has been an honour fighting by all your side boys. Perhaps we will join each other again in battles to come. I have been requested by the King of Tallies to serve their Kingdom and our King agrees"
Protests came on one by one "so you will be in their army boss?" "serving as what?" "can the King do that shit?" "are you leaving us?" "When will you leave, boss?" "will you be killed!?"
"Our King has agreed to their request and are sending me to the Tallies. Their King's army will arrive in a few hours to pick me up, I haven't the slightest idea what they would want from me, but I'll make sure they regret it. My loyalties lie with this Kingdom" this I lied, I can't possibly tell them.
"They will not kill me that I know for sure. Kairon will be your commander after I leave, make him regret it but be good okay! This is another war for me! I know I haven't been with you guys for a long time but the time I spent with you guys will never be forgotten so please remember me!" she shouted to her fellow fighters.
They listened and one soldier starts walking towards her, gives her a light pat on her shoulder and the others followed, there were no words spoken but she knew what they meant and as she walked back to her tent they cheered her "Make 'em regret it boss" "please have mercy on us if we meet again" "be well boss" she forced herself not to look back as tears started to dampen her eyes, she simply raised her head looking straight ahead.