"Well, she certainly did a number on you, didn't she?" The Orc, named Lambur Stonetooth, smirked as she reached down to help Bree off of the ground. The Faerie sneered, but begrudgingly took Lambur's aid, grasping her with her uninjured hand. Bianca had certainly left her mark, considering the bloodied back of Bree's head and her broken pointer and middle finger. As Bree collected herself, Lambur turned to Bianca and gave a polite smile. "Oh, I don't believe we've met. My name is Lambur Stonetooth, professor of history and literature at the College of Autumn's Gate." The Orc woman bowed as she spoke.
"Why are you so damn polite?" Bree grumbled.
"Cause she actually has manners." Jardur chided, smirking towards Bianca.
Bianca had, surprisingly, never met an Orc before. She'd only known the green-skinned, tusked and horned folk of Djoruun to stay planted on their mountain in the middle of Elbafas. Yet this one was different. No horns, and only slight tusks poking out from beneath her lower lip. And a professor? That was a new one.
"Nice to meet you. My name–"
"Bianca. I heard about what you did at Verunil Osselus' manor. I've never heard of such intense fire magic being employed before in such close quarters. Most combat spells require immense amounts of energy and physical preparation beforehand, but to do so in such a quick and effective way…"
Bianca wasn't used to receiving any sort of praise, and frankly she enjoyed hearing it. Then, another thought crossed her mind. One that had just left her during the chaos of her brawl with Bree and the impending execution.
"Wait, I don't have time for this. Ysolda!" Bianca called after the High Queen, who stopped and turned to meet her. In the instant Bianca reached for the woman, a burst of wind erupted to her side as a pair of swords met the skin of her neck.
Two figures, one a man and one a Faerie woman, stood locking her in place. The man had long, blonde hair and dressed in studded leather armor and a cowl obscuring his face. The woman was the same, save for no cowl considering her horns were curved back and pointed upwards. Bianca hadn't even noticed their approach.
"Ralof. Lydia. Enough. Stand down," Ysolda commanded.
Ralof grunted as he continued to press the sword into Bianca's neck. "Wouldn't trust this one, my liege. She's dangerous." Lydia nodded in response.
"I said enough. Both of you, release her at once." Ysolda's words carried such weight that in the instant she spoke the second time, the pair released Bianca from their blades.
Ralof stood at attention and sheathed his blade. "As you wish, my liege."
Bianca growled as the blade left her throat, glaring at the two soldiers as she returned to her trek towards the High Queen. "Ysolda, I have to ask you something before we go anywhere. Sha'ani. Where is she?"
The sound of the name caused a frown to cross Ysolda's face. She shook her head, then began again towards the carriage that lay just outside the grounds of the temple.
"We will discuss things in private, Miss Miles. Please, follow me." Ysolda commanded.
Bianca wanted to charge in the furthest direction away from the High Queen. To head towards the border of Forswaron to try her luck there. Maybe the Dwarven Realms of Orc tribes would provide better haven. Maybe she could seek sanctuary in the Temple of the Christ alongside Sister Giselle and Father Lankford. However, something drew her to the High Queen. A thirst for knowledge and understanding, and a desire to know just what would happen to her if she did stay.
Against her own judgement, Bianca followed High Queen Ysolda to whatever destination lay ahead.
—
The carriage ride was long and uncomfortable given the circumstances. With all eyes on her, staring her down from the moment she walked beside Ysolda to the moment she entered the carriage alone with the High Queen, it was maddeningly unusual.
Ysolda sat across from Bianca, eyes closed and legs crossed as the carriage made its way down the path towards the city of Autumn Gate. Bianca had faced monsters, soldiers, monstrous soldiers, but never had she been face to face with royalty.
Royalty who saw fit to remove Bianca's shackles.
"So, you're not worried I may attack you?" Bianca asked. May as well make conversation, she thought.
"I am not." Ysolda answered matter-of-factly.
"I mean I could cut you down," Bianca said.
"I am aware."
"Burn the carriage down?"
"Completely and utterly." Ysolda reached beneath her seat and procured a bottle of wine. She bit the cork off with her teeth and began pouring the wine into a glass she also retrieved from below.
"And you're not... worried?" Bianca asked.
Ysolda smirked, taking a sip from her glass. "Miss Miles, I inherited a country that was in an endless war for hundreds of years. If something doesn't threaten my life at least once a week I consider it an insult."
Damn, this queen is more insane than I am.
Ysolda corked the wine and set the bottle beneath the seat of her carriage. "Very well, I suppose it's time to enlighten you on a few things, beginning with the status of one Sha'ani of the Heartland Fae."
Bianca was all ears. "Yes?" She asked, hanging onto every word.
"I had the pleasure of speaking with the Heartland chief, Verathorn. Sha'ani has been returned to her home, and is recovering from her ordeal. From what I understand, her mate has scarcely left her side since returning to their village." Ysolda explained, and Bianca's chest heaved as if a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
Sha'ani was okay. Or rather, she would be. That was all that mattered.
"Thank God. Thank Segovax. Thank… just, thanks…" Bianca gasped, out of breath as relief washed over her.
The High Queen nodded. "I want to say something outside of prying eyes and ears, Miss Miles. Will you allow me to do so?"
Naturally, who could refuse the queen of the nation of Elbafas. Bianca said nothing, only nodded in affirmation.
"While Praetor Verano Osselus is one I share a great deal of respect towards, his son Verunil was a truly vile, despicable being. Sha'ani was not the first woman his men tortured and humiliated, but thanks to you she was definitely his last. He was a blight on this world, and I say with full conviction that we are better off without him. Therefore let I, Ysolda War-Bear, the woman and citizen, and not the queen, personally thank you for what you have done."
Then, Ysolda bowed, and Bianca's breath stopped in her chest as she dared to wonder just what to make of all of this.
"However, as the High Queen, you must understand that my duty is to my country and to the law. While not a soul alive can fault you for your actions, you murdered a man who had surrendered. A man who was in the custody of those under me. And furthermore, you disrupted an investigation that put the very fate of a nation at stake. This, I cannot allow to stand."
And there it was. Bianca knew from the beginning she would eventually face justice for what she had done. How many contracts demanded her step outside the law? How many men and women had she killed for coin and no real purpose? Perhaps this was the world's way of getting back at her. Punishment for her past sins.
"And I suppose I'm heading to Autumn's Gate to be publicly executed?" Bianca asked as she looked out the window. The forests of Southern Elbafas gave way to mighty tundras, until at last she saw the great walls of Autumn's Gate just on the horizon. Between the many spears that surrounded the carriage and the gently rolling clouds above, the stone barrier and battlements of the capital of Elbafas stood unflinching in the morning sun.
Ysolda shook her head. "Nothing so crass. You will stand trial, and await judgement of those who have deemed you worthy of such. I cannot say you will be executed, but I can say that you will taste the justice of your queen. Do you understand?"
"If I'm to stand trial, why allow me such freedom in your presence?" Bianca asked.
Then, the queen did something Bianca didn't expect. She removed her circlet and held it in her hands, gazing down at it with her emerald eyes.
"Let's just say I know full well what it looks like when something rises out of nothing." Ysolda's words were strange, but she had little time to ponder them as the gates of the city groaned open.
"Make way! Your High Queen has returned!" Ralof bellowed from beside the carriage.
Bianca had only been to Autumn's Gate a handful of times. When she traveled alongside her Faerie family in journeys of trade. She'd never been welcome in the city before, and now that she was a prisoner, she was even less welcome.
Still, it didn't diminish the beauty of the capital. Cobblestone roads led up and down pathways lined with houses and shops. Bakeries, workshops, tailors, jewelers, and all things inbetween found their home in the city of humans, Dwarves, and Orcs. Bianca had once heard a saying from her queen: "We are stronger together, not because we are of different backgrounds, but because we are all Elbafan." Autumn's Gate was a symbol of the promise of its High Queen, that as long as you swore fealty to your homeland, you were no less of a person than any other.
Sadly, this same courtesy was rarely extended to Bianca herself.
They traveled up the road, passing the massive temple and statue just before the final way towards the Oaken Keep. The towering palace stood tall and imposing over the city, looking out like a guardian protecting its people. The carriage came to a stop at the wooden bridge leading to the inner gate, and the door was thrust open.
"Do you need our assistance, my liege?" Ralof asked as he bowed, his eyes firmly fixed upon Bianca.
Ysolda smiled. "I am well, Ralof Shield-Breaker. Thank you."
"Ysolda, my dear!" An older woman called out as she came striding towards the carriage. Fine, pink and black robes, as well as a longsword strapped to her belt, she approached with purpose. Long, curly blonde hair and looking to be in her mid forties, her eyes never met Bianca, for she was too busy rushing towards the High Queen.
"Elsa Fair-Hair. Have you received word from Forswaron and Elbafas yet?" Ysolda asked, as if completely forgetting Bianca was there.
Elsa nodded. "Yes. Praetor Verano and his delegates will be arriving on the morrow, as well as several other representatives of the Elvehn Republic. Forswaron, however, is a different matter. Queen N'fube has refused to meet with us, but will be sending an emissary to speak on her behalf."
"Understandable, N'fube is likely still angry about the souvenir I gave her when last we met on the field of battle." Ysolda crossed her arms and chuckled.
"Souvenir?" Bianca asked, finally chiming into the conversation.
Elsa crinkled her nose as she squinted and turned to Bianca. "And who is this?"
"This is Bianca Miles, Elsa. Elsa, this is–"
"Ah, yes. The murderer. The one who may very well have plunged us into war." Elsa was condescending and crass. Enough to make Bianca's blood boil.
However, before Bianca could manage a word of protest, Ysolda placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled in defiance. "Bianca Miles has performed a great service to the people of Elbafas, and I intend to see that she receives a fair and just sentence in spite of her crimes."
Wait, what?
Elsa scoffed. "Dwarves and Orcs I can understand, but you intend to defend this half-Elf?"
"I intend to see justice done, Elsa. Make no mistake that it will be."
Seeing no other course of action, Elsa sighed and took her leave.
"Forgive my advisor, Miss Miles. She has always had some sort of grudge against many of my decisions and my goals. My choice to ensure your fair sentence is no different."
"And what are your goals?" Bianca asked.
Ysolda smirked as she extended a hand, and within moments Ralof stood at her side.
"Ralof, will you please see Bianca to her quarters? I expect her properly attended until tomorrow's trial."
"Understood, my liege," Ralof said. He beckoned for Bianca to follow him, and the pair made their way into the side entrance of the keep. Down the stairway, through the doors, and into the undercroft they went.
—
Bianca didn't know what to expect from an Autumn's Gate prison, but she certainly didn't expect this. Hardwood floors, carpets, bookshelves, and even dining tables and chairs filled every cell, which could easily hold at least four people. The rugs were green with golden trim, and the shelves were fully stocked with books covering subjects both fictional and subjects in various forms of academia. If she were expecting to be treated like a horrible criminal, she would have to remain disappointed.
Ralof opened the cell and motioned for Bianca to enter. Hesitating for a moment, Bianca slowly walked into her new home. At least, until her trial, anyway. "I know what you're thinking. High Queen Ysolda puts much emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment. However, keep in mind that this is merely a holding cell. The actual prison isn't as…grandiose. Most of the books there are horribly out of date."
Bianca chuckled. "You're certainly kinder now that Ysolda is out of earshot."
Ralof shrugged. "I'm not a bad guy once you get to know me. I just have to keep Ysolda safe. Owe that girl a lot, you know."
"I take it you've known her for a long time."
Ralof nodded. "Both me and my wife. Lydia's a bit more dutiful, but at least I know when to take a breath." He laughed.
The door closed behind Bianca, and as she looked through the bars at her jailor, she felt a strange sensation of peace. "Hey, mind if I say something?"
"Sure, not like I'm going anywhere," Bianca joked.
He sighed, placing his hands on his hips and looking down. It must have been a fair few seconds before the man finally spoke again. "Thanks," he said quietly.
"Come again?" Bianca asked.
"Verunil Osselus. Thanks for that. Lydia thanks you, too." With that, he turned to head towards the exit to the jail. "Lunch is in two hours. Hope you like potato soup."
As Ralof's footsteps faded, Bianca let herself fall into the bed in the corner of her cell. As she closed her eyes, all she could think about was the situation she was in, and the current affairs of those she once cared for. Sha'ani was on the mend, Konalan was beside her, Kotaro would likely find another potential mate, and the Heartland Fae tribe would move on without her.
They would move on, and she wouldn't be a part of it.
That part of her life, that family, was gone now. And in the moments she closed her eyes, as tears fell down her face and onto the green and gold sheets, she began to wonder if she'd prefer death over what awaited her after this trial.
Maybe death would be a kindness.
***
The city of Autumn's Gate is one of four major cities in Elbafas. Each of the four regions shares a city with its namesake, Spring's Respite, Autumn's Gate, Summer's Gleam, and Winter's Grip. When deciding on which city would serve as the capital, the four jarls who founded Elbafas held a contest to see which would reign over the country. Ysgrim slew a giant, Yamal ran across the country, and Yngram built his own fortress with his bare hands.
Yet Ymir, the first High Queen, stood victorious in the contest when she climbed to the peak of Segovax's Kiss, with no armor and but a single axe, and slew a great wyvern. Then, just to spite her brothers and sister, rode the skull of the beast down the mountain to where Oaken Keep stands to this day.
-From the desk of Lambur Stonetooth of the College of Autumn's Gate