Our investigation of the attempted abduction of the Princess revealed either an attempt by the Empire to abduct the Princess, perhaps as their own hostage, or an attempt to frame the Empire for the action. There was insufficient proof to eliminate either possibility.
“We cannot bring this before the Council or the Empire. You need to find more proof. Perhaps we should grab some of the spies in the Academy, and try to extract information from them,” Queen Matilde said.
“That might seriously impact our spying network going forward,” Ériu said.
“Perhaps it’s time for me to bring Sheilagh to see my palace in the White City,” I said.
“Are you sure she’s the lead spy at the Academy?” Celes said.
“If there is someone higher in the organization, they are not among the student body. We know she reports to someone in the Capital. But she has been incredibly successful in shaking all attempts to find her superior. I am beginning to think we are overthinking it, and her superior is hiding in plain sight. The only other possibility is she is the top of the organization in the entire city. I have not ruled that possibility out, but that seems to be too ludicrous and simple,” I said.
“Well, I don’t have any good ideas on what else we can do to try and dig out more facts. Dee’s idea is worth a shot. We were going to wind up doing it at some point. Who knows if she’ll go for it. We may even finally be able to find her superior, if there is one. Of course the con argument is it may actually cause Sheilagh’s promotion, and thus become a self-fulfilling prophecy,” Kiera said.
“Yes, there is that. But that in itself would not be a bad thing. We lose nothing in having our targets promoted in the ranks of our enemies,” Matilde said.
“True that,” Celes said.
“Alright, let’s go with that for now. We just need a reasonable reason for letting Sheilagh in to the White City,” I said.
“Are we really sure we want the Empire’s spies in White Dragon territory?” Darby said.
“I’m sure they have people there already. If not it will be inevitable, unless we are totally self-sufficient and isolated. That would require shielding over the entire domain, and very strict access. It’s just not something that can be prevented, realistically without resorting to the kind of isolation the Dragons have chosen. So unless we plan to elevate the entire domain into a floating island in the sky, spies will infiltrate,” I said.
“I like the idea of floating the domain into the sky. Should I work on making that happen?” Aoi said.
“The mana cost would be astronomical, Aoi. While it would be fine if the entire population was capable of flight. Those who can’t fly would need flying vessels to get on and off the island, or islands. There are all sorts of other issues, such as water sources. Structural integrity would need to be addressed, and many more issues. If you are truly interested in the project, I can set aside some land and a research facility for you to work on designs. Perhaps design a floating dragon nesting area,” I said.
“Can I? Can I really work on designing a floating island, Dee?” Aoi asked excitedly.
“You sure can, but don’t over do it,” I said.
“Oh, this is interesting? What are you planning?” Matilde asked.
“You haven’t been there, my Queen, so you didn’t see. But in the White city in the palace there were smashed eggs. Someone deliberately destroyed the last generation of White Dragons. With a floating nest, perhaps a repeat of history can be prevented. We will likely not be welcomed among the Dragon Realm. The Red Queen made me confident of that. I cannot see Dragons as having been responsible for the destruction of eggs, but I can’t rule it out either. I have to consider the future of my family,” I said.
“But if Aoi is successful, it might also be the dawn of a new age. Who knows where such technology will lead. You always have such unique and interesting ideas, Little Queen,” Celes said.
“Floating islands in the sky, was not actually an idea of mine. My companions are the ones who came up with such ideas,” I said.
“Oh? Well, that is not so surprising. I can’t wait to see what new and novel things you and your companions bring out. But we have drifted far away from the topic. The Empire is putting out feelers to begin a new war of conquest. The attention of other nations has also turned towards us. I do not relish the idea of more wars. Your actions in our response to the assault by the Empire have given pause to some nations. However, they may see a new threat as well. Should the White Dragons rise and form a union with the Dargon Realm, it would upset the balance of things. Your three eggs from a first mating, are likely alarming. If you become a source of many young dragons, in a short span of time, all nations are in danger. Can we hope to fight a war on all sides? Would the dragons come to your aid?” Matilde said.
“I do not think we can count on the aid of the Red Queen. I said. If she demands I expand my harem, that would be a sign. If she is plotting to do so, I don’t see how she can approach the issue. My only goal was really to shut everyone up on the whole matter of having an heir,” I said.
“Yes, but you had three, and that has been cause for alarm,” Celes said.
“I’m sure it was just a fluke,” I said. Celes had a weird expression, did she already suspect?
“That is only a part of the issue. Dragons usually have only one mating a year, if that often. Many do not. Everyone knows, you cycle much more frequently. Will your children also? Your very existence is a threat. Which was why we were trying to keep this all hidden for as long as possible. To give us time to prepare. We no longer have that time,” Matilde said.
“I am aware. I am not any happier than you about this. I would have kept this is a secret for many more years, if I could. The weavers are not kind to the plans women and dragons,” I said.
“So, how do we prevent war, given the hand we now have?” Matilde said.
“We can’t. I can not see as true dragons see. Yet, I do see the Fabrik, and war is coming. It can not now be avoided. War will come, and we must be ready to crush it, when it does. We can, with careful planning perhaps, discourage them all from attacking at once. We are not without options if they do. Fear, is the key. If we prod one to attack, and crush the ruling family, like we have demonstrated we could have done to the Empire, and did not, the rest will be less anxious. Simply, we make it personal,” I said.
“Who exactly should we prod then? I assume you have seen, know, or suspect something, Dee,” Celes asked.
“Vladimíra Ní Draculina, princess of Wallachia, has been spying on us incessantly. So we spied back. We believe she is poisoning her mother, Draculina, the Queen, and plans to take the throne soon. She seems to fancy herself as destined for greatness, being the ‘daughter of the Dragon’. She’s quite insolent and brazen. She has always seemed threatened by me.
When my companions and I came and knocked her out of the top spot at the Academy, she was very upset. The fact that our closest friends have further driven her down, only feed the flames of her obsession. She is coming for us. Sooner, or later. Someone like her can never be allowed to become queen. Matricide is truly one of the greatest horrors,” I said.
“You have proof of this?” Matilde said.
“Nothing we can bring before a court, and if we tried, much evidence would just vanish. But our evidence is irrefutable,” I said, and passed Kiera’s folder over to her.
“Kiera has grown to become quite the capable spy. My Mistress of the Darkness,” I said.
“I told you not to call me that!” Kiera said. I laughed.
“You are so mean!” Kiera pouted. Celes giggled, and earned a stern look from Kiera.
“This is impressive work. Flawless. I’m jealous,” Celes said after reviewing all that Kiera had compiled.
“This is very alarming. I met Draculina many years ago. She was no angel back then, and I have heard many tales since, but she never deserved this. Can we do nothing to save her?” Matilde said.
“Not a chance,” Kiera said.
“We have looked for solutions to save the queen, but Vlada is too intricately infiltrated among the Queen’s household. Any attempt to interfere would spell the Queen’s instant death, and very possibly an international incident and war,” I said.
“I see. How unfortunate,” Matilde said.
“So, Wallachia is coming for you, through me?” Matilde said.
“Possibly, we expect her to try invading my estate and the White Dragon domain. If we crush her quickly and grab her capital, we should be able to forestall the Empire, from sending reinforcements, and claiming it to be an Imperial plot,” I said.
“They will never cede that land to the Dargon Realm,” Celes said.
“No. They won’t, and that is why, I will submit to the Empress, and leave Wallachia as part of the empire, and I, her subordinate queen of Wallachia. Leaving the White Queendom as a protectorate under your domain. She’ll demand I marry one of her sons, most likely, and produce an heir to Wallachia through him. Something she has never achieved. And it’ll cost her nothing but a son, or nephew, or cousin,” I said.
“Great Goddess! You are the most devious Queen ever!” Matilde said, and burst out laughing.
“Well, that could forestall things with the Empire, and I can see how that could send a lot of hesitation through the other realms. Can it all be that simple, though?” Celes said.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“No, of course not. There is strife ahead. But also hope. A hope for a true peace in our times. It seems I am the pebble that disturbed the calm surface, but the currents below were not truly calm to begin with,” I said.
“No, they were not, but you have certainly stirred things up. In the most unexpected ways,” Matilde said.
“Yes, the Ancient Mother, said something similar to me. An unexpected, meddlesome, undisciplined, rude ball of fire, I think were her exact words” I said.
Everyone laughed at that, but Matilde and Celes laughed the hardest. Next my husband Fergus, whom I gave a good solid punch.
“Ow!” Fergus yelped.
“Serves you right, Lover Boy,” Kiera said.
They stared daggers at each other.
Sigh
“So your plan is to poke Vlada to up her timeline?” Matilde said.
“Not, really. I think the princess has miscalculated, and she will be forced to play her hand much earlier than she expected. We have nothing concrete on that, though. Regardless, we will be ready in a few days. If I am not mistaken things on her end will send her into a spiral in the next few weeks. I just have a few surprises to piss her off some more. Just enough to really spike her anger at me,” I said.
“Well, keep us informed, and let us know if there is anything we can do,” Matilde said.
“Well, we could use a boost in some Royal guards in our domain, and perhaps another squad in our unit. If there are any knights you can spare who merit being raised to that level,” I said.
“We do indeed have some knights we have been wanting to advance. How do you feel taking in eight squads, instead of one. You have been short two squads for some time. Many Knights have been chafing at the bit for a shot at your group. With eight more squads you’ll finally have a full Company.”
“Eight squads? Do you really have enough powerful knights for eight squads near our level? Eight squads are fine with us, if you really have such a capable force,” I said.
“Well, no one is going to be at your level, but all that you and your companions have done has really impacted our military. I ask only that when you have trained this up, you station half of your best here in the capital. For now, I presume you want some in your domain, for political and strategic reasons?” Matilde said.
“I knew you’d understand, my Queen,” I said.
“We will let the Knight Commander know. He will be quite pleased. You can expect them in a few days,” Matilde said.
“Great, we will take the First Company to my domain, for some intensive training, at the start of the week,” I said.
Meanwhile, we returned to classes. I led our crew into the lunchroom and approached the table that Haruto Hoshimiya and his crew were eating at.
“Mind if we join you, Haruto?” I asked.
The whole table looked up at us in total shock. Once Haruto recovered from the initial shock, he replied,
“Not at all! Please join us.”
The whole table shuffling down as Haruto practically shoved his mates down to make room for me and some of my crew. Even Fergus was looking puzzled.
“So, Haruto, how has life been here at the Academy. I’m afraid I’ve missed quite a bit, dealing with my father’s death and getting the domain’s affairs in order,” I said.
“Oh, yes, I’d heard about your father. I’m very sorry for your loss. It was a tragic death. As for here at the Academy, things have been rather quiet since the end of the Festival. Professor Moriarty is up to her usual evil machinations to torment her classes. One of her diabolical quiz’s is coming in the next class,” Haruto said.
“Oh, Great Goddess, and we just got back to campus!” I said, noting in the corner of my eye Vlada was looking straight at us having just picked up her lunch tray.
I threw my arm over Haruto’s shoulder, Kiera, almost choked on her food, and I said,
“Hey, Haruto, could I ask a huge favor? Would you mind if we hooked up with you for a quick study session before the quiz, and catch up on what we’ve missed? We’d definitely owe you one,” I said.
Haruto’s eyes went wide, and somewhere behind us a tray clattered to the floor. Haruto looked at his mates, and said, “I think we could do that right guys?”
“Sure!” came the responses from Haruto’s crew.
“Oh, that’s wonderful! When and where can we meet?” I said.
“Well, our dorm has a large study room. I can book us for tomorrow afternoon, if that works?”
“That’s perfect!” I said, and gave him a quick hug and release. There was a stifled scream behind us, and Kanae barely kept from bursting out laughing. Quickly covering her mouth with her hand.
We then dove into our lunches and chatted together. Until lunch was over. After we separated, Rosie burst out laughing and said,
“You are pure evil, Dee. You know full well Vlada has a huge crush on Haruto, and plans on taking him as her first husband.”
“She does? Oh, my. I hope I didn’t give her the wrong impression,” I said, in the most innocent voice I could muster.
Fergus and the guys all facepalmed and shook their heads.
“Poor Haruto, I almost feel sorry for the guy,” Darby said.
“What, we’re just going to have a friendly study session,” I said.
“We’ve already covered the missed material, Dee. We don’t need another study session, and you already knew about the special quiz,” Fergus said.
“That look on Vlada’s face when Dee threw her arm over Haruto’s shoulder was to die for,” Kiera said.
“I don’t know they looked to be pits of bottomless hatred when she hugged him, I thought it was priceless,” Kanae said.
“He looked like he’d ascended the Stairway to Heaven when she did,” Aoi said.
“There was absolutely no need for that. It was just a friendly thank-you hug, from one classmate to another,” I said.
“There is no way you can touch any guy, and not have them react as if the Goddess of love just appeared right before them. Any guy on campus would kill to get even a fraction of the attention you just poured out on Haruto. You might as well have taped a target on his back with the words shoot me now on it,” Ériu said.
“Truth,” said all the guys in our group.
“What? No way,” I said.
“Yes way!” all my girls responded.
“Well, it’s all on them, then. I did nothing to lead anyone on,” I said, and walked into the classroom, and everyone in the room turned to look at me, and then to each other and started whispering.
“And so it begins,” Fergus said as he sat down next to me, and everyone snickered.
We were followed around the rest of the day by one group of Vlada’s clique, or another.
“Note to self to never get on Dee’s bad side. Girl your destruction is next level shit,” Rosie said.
“You know it,” Kanae said.
“It’s a gift the Goddess gave her,” Kiera said.
“A dream for her friends, and a nightmare to others,” Aoi chimed in.
“Give it a rest girls,” I said. Then they chuckled.
After classes the next day, the quad was rather crowded. As was the entire route to the Boy’s dorms. The public room, and the study room were open for both genders and filled with floor to ceiling clear windows. So when we all went into the study room we had eyes on us from every angle. We studied all afternoon, and into the Evening. We had dinner delivered to the dorm, and ate in the study room. There was a lot of traffic around us the whole time we were studying. Finally, it was early evening, and curfew would ring in less than an hour. We all shook hands and I gave Haruto another quick thank-you hug, and that was the end of our night.
“You just had to add a final twist to your knife, my Queen,” Kanae said when we were safely inside our own dorm.
“Can’t hurt,” I said.
From that point on Haruto was more friendly with us all, and I saw no reason to not oblige. Having more friends was part of the point of Academy. Haruto Hoshimiya, first son of Duchess Sakura Hoshimiya of the Empire. Not involved with spying, nor was the House particularly favored or close to the Empress, but a powerful potential trading partner. Would be beneficial in the future if we succeed in capturing Wallachia. Two weeks later, Vladimíra cornered us leaving the library,
“What are your intentions towards Haruto Hoshimiya?”
“Salutations, Vladimíra, you should brush up on your etiquette. It is considered very rude to fail to greet someone before badgering them with questions,” I said.
“Greeting and Salutations, Deirdre. What are your intentions towards Haruto Hoshimiya?” Vlada said, barely even flinching,
“What is it to you? My intentions towards any man, woman, or child, is none of your concern. I have no intention of discussing them outside of arrangements between Houses, or marriage brokers. Seeing as you are neither, there is nothing more to discuss,” I said and walked away.
“Stay away form him. He is mine, and not for a halfbreed like you!” Vlada spat at me.
I turned, and said,
“Yours? I have not heard of any agreement, or even a hint, of arrangements, between the two of you. Haruto doesn’t belong to you in any manner, and is currently free to associate, or mate, with anyone he chooses,” I said and continued walking away.
“Just had to add another barb, didn’t you? Mate?” Kanae said, after we were in private.
“No need to be subtle. It was clear in which way she was claiming him as hers,” I said.
“Amazing she hasn’t tried to put a knife in your back yet,” Rosie said.
The week came to a close, and we took our full Company to my domain in four carriages and four armored tanks that Aoi, and I designed and helped build. It caused quite stir as we exited the Northern Gate and went east and then south. By the time we had reached the Eastern Gate a huge crowd had gathered, never having seen armored tanks before. Fergus and I were in the pilot’s position of the leading tank in the opened form, with just shielding up. The citizens were shocked to see we had a full company now, and the rumors were bound to be all over the map. The Empire’s attack was still in recent enough memory to give pause that we were building out our military force. The addition to a new type of military device of unknown use and power only added fuel to the fire. The fact none of our equipment was pulled by beasts was another log on the fire.
Just over a week after we departed news came of the death, by natural causes, of Queen Draculina, and the scheduled ascension to the throne of Princess Vladimíra Ní Draculina as Queen Vladimíra III. At the end of the week half of our company returned to the Capital with three of the four armored tanks. The tanks had a large magik chrystal array on the roof, where a complement of the mages could focus their power and fire a single spell in any direction or all directions in an expanding circle. The tanks still allowed individual mages to fire from complete safety against physical attack at various comfortable spots within. The tank, of course, had intense magikal shielding protecting from magikal and mana attacks. It offered tremendous advantages in battle, that individual mages could never have hoped for. Shortly after news our company was safe back in the Capital. Vladimíra was crowned as Queen, and the next day she attacked our borders and invaded the White Dragon Queendom.
In the night, My Knight’s squad teleported to Sigiswara, the capital of Wallachia. I climbed into the sky and scanned the city. As expected, Vlada was not present.
“Sol!” I cast, and flung the mighty fireball at the palace, and obliterated it.
“Tawaa!” I cast and pulled up a tower from the lake of molten glass in the hole where the palace had once been. A chrystalline tower rose and as it cooled it took on a pearlescent surface. I don’t know how many innocent people I just killed in taking out the entire palace guard. I flew down and planted the flag of the White Queendom.
“Surrender your city to me, and bow down before the White Queen, or die,” I commanded.
All the guards dropped their weapons and knelt as did all who were on the street.
“You have chosen wisely. Pray your soldiers who attacked our lands do the same, We will return shortly with news of your fellow citizens. The Empire was unwise to attack us, unprovoked.”
I blinked out,
“We’re done here, for now. Now it’s time to end Vlada’s brief reign, and let’s pray the soldiers aren’t too devoted,” I said.
We teleported to the Wallachia side of the border and blinked our way to the rear line of the battle. We blinked in to Vlada’s tent“”
“Salutations Queen Vlada Ní Draconia, the Poisoner.”
“You! Die! Sao...,” Vlada began.
Sol blade!
So ended the life of Vladimíra Ní Draculina the Poison Princess, as my fire blade sliced off her head and sealed the wounds at the same time.
“She talked too much,” I said.
“Kill the leaders and her entire retinue, We need to also kill all those who assisted in poisoning the Queen,” I said.
In a matter of minutes we’d taken out the leaders of the forces. I leapt up into the sky and said,
“Your queen is dead, your capital is captured. The entire Palace guard is dead. Your leaders are dead. Bow down before me The White Queen, and pledge your allegiance to us, and you will live. Defy me and die. Choose,” I said.
“How are we to believe ...”
Sol blade!
“This is not a discussion, or a debate, swear allegiance to me, or die. You have no other choices. Choose wisely,” I said.
Nearly everyone dropped their weapons, and knelt and swore allegiance. A few chose poorly and died.
“Surrender your weapons and return to your homes,” I said.
“My queen, there are many dangers on the road back, without weapons we will not survive,” spoke one kneeling before me.
“Should have thought of that before following that murderous princess who killed her own mother, with poison. Thankfully, for you all, I am more thoughtful. The woods to the border are guarded by my forces, and my forces at the border will escort you all home,” I said.
“Thank you, my Queen,” many worried soldiers said.
Then we dealt with the forces headed for the White City. Many of them weren’t even regular forces, and we wound up killing most of them, and the generals. We wouldn’t trust any of the generals. They should have stopped that crazy princess, or left her service.