“Lady Selen, a letter.”

  Valeris approached her and tried to hand her the scroll. Selen placed two fingers on her hand and gently pushed it away.

  “No, Valeris. You read it.”

  Valeris stood taller than the other two ladies behind her. Her figure was more slender, her shoulders broader, and her cheekbones more prominent. Her gait was exactly that of a warrior, as she had been before Selen had successfully pulled her away from the battlefield. Something about Valeris’ chestnut hair had captivated Selen, making her choose not to send her on campaigns with the rest of the army. Valeris was beautiful, but she was also strong. She unrolled the scroll deftly, yet gripped the parchment firmly. She had the skin of a woman and the strength of a man, with a face that was both beautiful and rugged.

  Selen waited for her to open the scroll and then turned her back on all three women. She preferred the view of her courtyard, where the grass was already sprouting, and the trees and flowers were beginning to bloom. Even the falcons had returned, perched on high hedges, watching for wild or domesticated animals belonging to the peasants who lived in and around the kingdom. She always loved standing and gazing from here, becoming entranced whenever the wind caressed her face and closed her eyelids. The same would have happened now if Valeris hadn’t spoken:

  “Lady Selen,” Valeris raised her head and informed her without reading, “King Severin of Volkar is marching south with his army. The message is from the border guards. They’re warning you that he’s headed this way.”

  “Interesting,” Selen turned around. “Does it say why, Valeris?”

  “Yes. They’re pursuing the barbarians.”

  “After the barbarians? Again?”

  “It says the barbarians are once more heading north and are even now on the main road. They’ve passed through Solis’ lands.”

  “Impossible. If there were barbarians on the main road in my territory, I would know. Is there anything else?”

  “No, just the seal. The seal bears the falcon symbol.”

  “Ours.” Selen walked toward her and took the parchment from her hands. She read the text twice, confirming it for herself.

  “How many of the contenders are ready?”

  “All of them.”

  “All of them?”

  “There are two years left until the Great Battle, Lady. Ever since Eliana started training, everyone has been working hard. And all the contenders beneath Eliana are allowed to train with her, which is why I keep them in top form. Those who lack the strength or fall behind are assigned as guards and removed from the contenders. None of them wants to fall from contender to mere guard.”

  Selen waved a hand. She trusted Valeris and had no need for demonstrations or empty words. But Valeris loved to talk, especially when it came to war and battles. No one could outtalk her on that subject.

  “And men? How many do we have?”

  “None.” Valeris stepped forward again. “I tried to form at least one squad of men this year, but those who were fit for anything were not even half as good. The best warriors go north to Blackwall or Volkar. Even to Solis in the south. Here, we’re left with only those unfit for those places. And with so many women around, they usually think of only one thing and forget why they’re here, which makes them eventually quit on their own. It’s impossible to find male fighters for Meihar.”

  “That’s normal, Valeris. I didn’t expect anything else. Find the best for Eliana. If they’re all women, then women they shall be. It’s never been a problem for the kingdom. It’s even better this way. I want Eliana to be well-prepared. Before she faces the best warriors, she should have already defeated them several times. Find her the biggest monster or the bravest warrior, regardless of gender. If she beats them, the arena will be easy afterward.”

  “That will be difficult, Queen.”

  “How difficult it will be, I’ll decide. You three just follow orders.” Ivora and Thalia stepped out from behind Valeris. They were looking at the ground, seemingly frightened. She didn’t mean to be so harsh. None of the three ladies deserved it. And while Valeris was brave and uncompromising, the other two were like deer, and Selen always had to be gentle with them.

  Valeris also guiltily lowered her head. Selen could sense her anger. She loved seeing her furious. When Valeris was angry, she worked even harder. Selen knew each of their weaknesses. She reached out and stroked her. She knew how to handle each of them. Valeris raised her head with a slightly more determined look. She was a warrior, and no one could take that from her.

  “Valeris,” Selen softened her tone. “Send word to the borders. Tell them that Severin is welcome, even without his army. The army can wait on the main road. I don’t want them trampling my gardens. To the north, they’re like barbarians, no different from the barbarians. Don’t tell them that, of course. Only Severin and his closest companions may enter. The others can go around. We’ll feed them, but not here.”

  “Yes, Lady Selen. And what about the real barbarians?”

  “Am I in charge of the kingdom’s defense, or are you?” She had to raise her voice again, which she didn’t want to, but what other choice did she have? “If you don’t know how to handle it, no one else will. I want you to speak with every commander of every garrison. Talk to them, give orders, do whatever you know best. If someone disobeys, send them to the dungeons without asking me. It’s simple.”

  “Queen?” The voice came from behind Valeris. It was Ivora’s. Ivora had white hair and piercing blue eyes. Whenever Selen looked into her eyes, she felt a certain calm. Ivora’s face never revealed what she was thinking. She was someone who could lie to you without you even realizing it, or make you give up your most precious possession willingly and without an army. Her mind was her army. If Valeris was strong, Ivora was twice as smart. Selen hadn’t chosen them this way; it had all come together by chance, but she couldn’t have hoped for better. Valeris stepped aside to make way for her second lady, and Ivora stepped forward.

  “Yes, Ivora? What do you want to say?”

  “Wouldn’t it be better to wait for King Severin first, then decide what to do?”

  Ivora slowly walked past Valeris and stood beside her. Only Thalia, her third lady, remained in the back, timid and quiet. Ivora continued:

  “His army will remain on the main road, guarding. And I don’t think the barbarians are bold enough to breach anyone’s borders. They’re just passing through.”

  “I’m not so sure, Ivora. They’re called barbarians for a reason.”

  “They’ve never attacked any of the kingdoms. Yes, they attack people from the kingdoms, but only if they cross their path. They’ve never destroyed anyone’s walls. Still,” Thalia spoke while taking deep breaths between words, “let’s see what the King of Volkar wants first, then decide, Queen.”

  “He wants reinforcements, that much is clear. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come. No one comes to us unless they need something.” Valeris jumped back in.

  Thalia remained silent in the back.

  “No, Valeris,” Ivora stepped forward and stood between her and Selen. “If he wanted reinforcements, he would have sent a letter and not changed his course. Instead, he’s entering our lands. He has something else in mind.”

  “We’ll wait for him and welcome him properly. But I still want the armies ready. Without Eliana. She’s too valuable to risk her in battles with barbarians. Make sure she has everything she wants. We have other girls for fighting barbarians.”

  “Eliana is already well-prepared,” Valeris was irritated. “She just needs to stay in shape. But don’t worry, I’ll take care of it personally. Her skills are equal to at least fifty of the barbarians.”

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  “Only fifty?”

  “Well, she’s not a goddess. And some of the barbarians have good fighters too. I wonder if Severin has sent Tristan down the main road. It would be interesting to see his warrior.”

  “Impossible. No one would risk their warrior in battles against those scum. I don’t believe it. I don’t even think there are more than two troops of fifty to a hundred men. I’d bet on it.”

  “He won last time with fewer. Volkar dealt them significant losses. It’s strange how these vagrants have found more people again. They multiply like rabbits.”

  “Yes, Valeris, these are interesting questions. What’s also interesting is how they found more people and weapons?”

  “You can be sure, Queen, that King Severin is wondering the same. And he’s determined to finish them off this time.”

  “Ivora is right. We’ll wait for King Severin first and see what his requests are. Then we’ll take bolder steps.”

  Selen listened to them, but her eyes were on Thalia. The quietest but most beautiful of the three, as always, stood in the back, shy and silent. She played this game every time. But to be honest, Selen expected nothing less from her. Ivora and Valeris were the more assertive ones, more eager to please her. Yet it was Thalia—dark-haired, petite, with large brown eyes under bags that made it seem like she never slept—that she liked the most. But they were just part of her face, always present since she’d known her.

  “Valeris?” Valeris raised her head and stood at attention like a soldier. It was a habit. “Go to the commanders and speak with them. I want to know how many troops we can spare for Severin if needed when he arrives. That’s surely one of his requests, and I want to be prepared.”

  “Yes, Queen. And Eliana?”

  “I’ll speak with her personally. But try to find quality opponents for her. If you must, look outside the kingdom. They could be men, giants, or forest mutants. They could even be prisoners, and if you want, I can get some from Thorn, though I’m not sure how easy that will be. She needs to be prepared for anything. We don’t know much about the other kingdoms. Actually,” Selen raised one hand, “do we have people in the other kingdoms?”

  “People?” She saw in her eyes that Valeris didn’t understand her. “We have both women and men who have traveled to other lands, as well as those who have returned.”

  “No, no,” Selen lowered her voice and whispered, “People working for us. Our ears and eyes. Come on, Valeris, don’t tell me you haven’t thought of this. Even here, there are surely those who spy for other places. These are normal things. So, my question stands.”

  “We have warriors in training, and we have those who train across our lands. In the major kingdoms, they’re mostly traders and peasants. But people who eavesdrop? I don’t think that’s my job, Queen. I’ve never done it.”

  Selen looked at Ivora, who clasped her hands together, smiling like a child. Selen understood the look. Sometimes, she was frightened by Ivora’s calmness and indifference in any conversation. But she always had an answer and was always ready. Ivora stepped forward and moved Valeris aside. She already knew they had spies without Selen having to say it. Selen could tell just by the pleasure Ivora felt when she stepped forward.

  “If I may, Queen?”

  “You have something to tell me?”

  “Actually, yes, Queen. We have people in Volkar, Solis, and Shilan.”

  Selen looked up.

  “That’s good. And Blackwall and Ishold?”

  “In Ishold, it’s almost impossible. Even the locals aren’t allowed to travel south, let alone outsiders entering. The only free route is to the east, toward Eagle Bridge. But the bridge is the boundary of the western kingdoms anyway.”

  “Yes. And Blackwall?”

  Ivora hesitated. The answer weighed on her, or she didn’t want to give it. Finally, she raised her head.

  “My man there…”

  She blushed and looked away.

  “Ivora, what happened?” Selen’s curiosity grew. She wanted to know more than anything now.

  “Queen, I broke one of the rules.” She wasn’t crying. She was more ashamed.

  “You shared a bed with him?”

  “I had to.”

  “And he left?”

  “It was long ago. But he suddenly disappeared. I’ll probably never hear from him again.”

  “The singer?”

  “I haven’t looked for her in a long time. Should I?”

  She didn’t answer. She just shrugged. She liked to let them think for themselves. Sometimes it annoyed them. She wanted them to know what she was thinking. Ivora shamefully stepped back. Now Valeris was pleased.

  She was jealous of them. Jealous of all three. She knew it was almost impossible for all three to always be by her side without meeting other men, but at moments like this, she had to endure it. Jealousy was a sign of weakness. She couldn’t let it show. And she had taught them to do whatever it took to win in the end. As women, they had something that always undermined male strength.

  Selen turned back to Ivora.

  “And since so much time has passed, didn’t you seek out another?”

  “They all want the same thing.”

  “Give it to them, Ivora! Give it to them!” She must have shouted because even Ivora was surprised. Selen continued, “Yes, I know I’ve forbidden you from sleeping with anyone in the staff here or anyone below your station. I’m at the top of the chain. You’re next. And no one beneath you deserves to have you. But for such matters…”

  “But he was just a simple sheepskin trader.”

  “If it’s for some task, that’s not a problem. Yes, he’s below you, but he would have done the job. Haven’t you done it before?”

  Ivora blushed again. She was the smartest of Selen’s ladies and did everything with a purpose. Selen didn’t doubt that this too was part of her plan to more easily admit it.

  “No matter. If he ever dares to return, I’m sure he’ll regret deceiving you. Now, find the singer again.”

  Tears flowed from Ivora’s eyes. She was playing her theater again. Selen knew it but decided to play along with her rules.

  “Don’t cry, Ivora,” she tried to use the kindest tone she could and hugged her second lady. Ivora wiped her eyes, sniffed a few times to make it seem more believable, and stepped back.

  “I will make it up to you, Queen. I promise.”

  “Of course, you’ll make it up to me,” Selen stroked her hair and hugged her. “I want you to keep doing everything the same way. You’re doing well.” Selen lifted her chin and kissed her on the lips, lingering there. She knew it irritated the others, but she also knew it was what Ivora wanted. Then she stepped back from her. “Go to Fenris, Ivora. Then warn Nerissa that she should expect a visit these days. She knows why.”

  “The lady from the brothel?”

  “Yes, Nerissa. Did I say something unclear?”

  “No, Queen. I’ll go today.”

  “And iron your dress. The hem is wrinkled. I think I saw a stain on it too.”

  Ivora instinctively looked down, dusted herself off as if that would do anything, bowed several times, and backed out. Then she left.

  Thalia was third. Petite, beautiful, and always dressed in white. Her black hair flowed past her shoulders, blending with the black trim on the white dress she wore today and loved to wear. The dress was deeply cut in the middle, and though her breasts were small, the fabric managed to show off the most attractive part of them, which drew in all the men. And her.

  Slowly, with a doe-eyed look, Thalia gazed into Selen’s eyes. As always, they were moist, as if the girl had just been crying. She looked sweet and pursed her thin lips. She didn’t play like Ivora. She was simply like that, naturally kind. Selen liked each of them. Each had their own character. From the kindest like Thalia to the fiercest like Valeris. But all three had good in them. But not all three had evil. Thalia harbored no evil. Selen had never heard her raise her voice. And when she gave her orders, she feared disturbing her, even though Thalia had quite a few responsibilities. Just as she did now.

  “Thalia?” Selen spoke gently. “You probably know your part?”

  “The rooms, the guests’ beds, the kitchen, the stewards, and the table.” Her voice was soft and slightly squeaky.

  “Well done, Thalia. Also, have the seamstresses make a few dresses. We don’t know if Severin is coming alone or with his women. I want new dresses for the ladies from the brothel too. They can’t look shabby when they’re visited by such guests.”

  “Yes, Lady Selen.”

  “And please, smile more. You’re beautiful, Thalia. With those big eyes, that lovely face… it’s a shame you don’t smile more.”

  Thalia blinked.

  “Smile, Thalia.” Selen placed her hand under her chin.

  Thalia slowly stretched her lips into a smile. Her eyes opened. She was beautiful and innocent. Selen let go of her chin and turned away.

  “Did you understand your tasks, Thalia?”

  “Yes, Queen.” She heard her soft voice.

  “Now go. And don’t let the kitchen fatties boss you around. You’re the queen there. The same goes for the women on the floors. They should bow when you enter and treat you with respect as if I’m entering.”

  “Yes, Selen.”

  Selen turned. Thalia had called her by name, knowing it was forbidden. She knew why she did it. She was deliberately teasing her. As innocent as Thalia was, she knew how to get under her skin. She was only allowed to call her that at night when they were alone when they sometimes quenched their every carnal thirst.

  She raised her hand and made the same gesture she had used with Valeris, dismissing Thalia.

  Now that it was quiet, she could enjoy the morning and be with herself. She rested her arms on the windowsill, and before her lay the beautiful Meihar. From the top of her tower, jasmine vines cascaded down the walls, all the way to the base. There was the throne room, which she didn’t like to visit and always avoided. It held memories of her mother. Two lightly clad, red-haired women with spears stood guard before the kingdom. And right before their eyes stretched the stalls of the locals. Each vendor fought to place their goods as close to the castle as possible, hoping their wares would be liked the most. Especially by her. Sometimes, at one of the stalls, there would be a beautiful young girl who caught Selen’s eye more than the goods displayed before her, and the queen would stop, slowly choosing while eyeing the girl. The girl, with mixed feelings of surprise and fear, would barely stammer and measure each word carefully. The ladies-in-waiting always accompanied the queen and knew what to do. After such days, the poor girl always ended up in her bed.