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CHAPTER 1
The sea of endless soldiers stretched to my left and right as I rode Fiona down the main camp’s muddy path. Dieter and my guards were right behind me. Soldiers rushed around like a disturbed pile of ants, kicking up mud around their feet as they moved. Lower ranked knights shouted at every corner to prepare the men to meet their queen.
I was wearing my father’s purple cloak and a simpler woolen gown, which was more comfortable to ride in and allowed me to ride like a man. My bones felt heavy, and my stomach growled in hunger. But none of it was as bad as during my journey north, so I paid it no mind. Those long days and hungry nights had made me more robust. I could tolerate a simpler life if needed. But even with such newfound strength, I was still nervous to speak to my army. They had followed my father with loyalty and pride, but would they do the same for me, an unmarried woman? What could I offer them that the noble families who would try to challenge my rule couldn’t?
“Is there anything I have that they want?” I asked Dieter, looking at the sea of soldiers that had formed in front of me.
“Are you concerned they won’t follow you?” Dieter asked.
“In their minds, I am still the Night Queen. They hate me.”
“That’s a good thing. People respect what they fear.”
“Or try to get rid of it,” I disagreed.
Dieter frowned. Then he grinned as if he held the key to all my problems in his hand.
“There is something only a very few on this whole earth possess as much as you do.”
My head perked up. “And that would be?”
He laughed. “Gold, of course.”
I couldn’t help but spit out a sarcastic laugh myself. The very thing that plagued me, ruined my character, and fogged my mind would now come to my rescue.
“How much do I have?”
“Her Majesty must sit with the royal accountant after we return for an exact number, but it’s a lot.”
“Enough for an army?” I asked, my eyes set on the endless rows of soldiers gathered on a large field.
“More than enough. But my queen already has an army. These men will be loyal to you if you rule them with just cause and continue to feed their families. Your father followed a Roman model for his army. Monthly earning, a sum for their families if they fall, and after twenty years of service, every soldier receives a retirement sum.”
I narrowed my eyes at my men, deep in thought. Those were the terms for my father, who they loved and respected dearly. The terms for the Night Queen would have to be adjusted.
A group of men on horses rode toward us from afar. Knights under my banner, all wearing their shiny armor.
“My Queen, the men are ready to welcome you,” the oldest of the knights greeted me as he brought his horse to a standstill next to me. He had a braided, silver beard.
Dieter leaned over on his horse to get closer to me. “Gerald,” he mumbled.
“Thank you, Gerald.”
We followed Gerald to the center of the army. The mumbles of the thousands of soldiers sounded like a never-ending beehive. Their eyes were fixed on me—some friendly, others with curious hostility. Most bowed.
I brought Fiona to a standstill and waited until the mumbles died off. Moments later, it was dead silent. I took a deep breath, hiding my trembling hands by tightening my fingers around Fiona’s reins. I was nauseous, hot, and sweaty.
“You have followed my father with honor,” I finally said in a weak, timid voice.
“Louder,” one of the men in the far distance yelled. Laughter erupted around him. Dieter’s serious gaze met mine. He nodded at me, as if to give me strength. I took another deep breath and pictured Alrick’s beautiful smile. I had to be strong—for him. If I was replaced and the South blamed the North for my father’s death, a war would erupt that would make the current one in the North seem like a tavern brawl.
Raising my chin, I adjusted my position in my saddle, then faced my men again.
“You have followed my father loyally and with honor,” I announced loudly and confidently. The laughter died off. “And for that, I thank you.” It was now dead silent again, all eyes on me.
“What happened to him was a tragedy, but not one we can simply blame the North for and then march to war without evidence. If I ever send you to battle, it won’t be without a damn good reason, nor will it be without me by your side.”
The men mumbled in agreement. Dieter, on the other hand, quickly leaned over to me. “My Queen, to make such a promise is honorable, but accompanying an army to battle is very danger—”
