The Wishing Princess - Chapter 2

2. An Emmisary

A valley. A tundra. A group of riders gallops urgently. Their clothes are of varied colors. It is clear from a single glance that the group comes from different kingdoms. Though they post no flag, nor identification, their cultural icons identified them as distinct and different from each other. Yet, even in the warring times of the era, they act as a single entity.

The riders passed some farmers. The farmers look up from their work, staring at the riders. The riders greeted them with hand gesture signifying peaceful greeting, but otherwise said nothing and keep riding toward their destination. Only when they reached the edge of the town did they slowdown to walking pace.

The citizen of the town stared at the riders, but otherwise said nothing. The town was bustling with activities, of harvesting and celebrating successful harvest, but the riders ignore them all. Upon reaching the wall of the palace, which acts as a castle of sort, the riders stopped by the guards.

"Tell your king that we have arrived," the riders said. "We, the emmisaries of the various kingdoms of the land, bring message that regents to the kings will arrive soon to discuss a matter of importance. One that will determine the fate of your kingdom, as well as ours."

"What can be so important that will determine our fate?" asked the palace guards. Though they are relaxed, there was no question that they are doing their duty splendidly, and will no doubt fight the strangers to the death if need be.

"The Queen has decided to move against us. Against all of us!" the riders said.

The Queen! The most wicked, cruelest of them all. She was the first daughter of her father, yet because she was a women, her kingdom was beyond her control. Her father married many wives, and all met untimely death. So was any other children of the king. All the sons fought tremendous battle and have won more than half the available land.Then the king died, and one by one, the sons were poisoned, assasinated, or otherwise met untimely end, until she was the only one left. She became the ruler by default.

Then the purging started, and she killed half the advisors to the king. She wrestled control rapidly, and destroyed any competition that in a mere months after she inherited the crown, she controlled everything. Only those loyal to her was allowed to live. The rest was publicly executed.

The law states that only men can rule the kingdom. As such, she was only a regent, waiting unil such time that she get married, and will let her husband rule the kingdom. Many proposed, yet none was accepted. It was apparent only after she reached her thirtieth birthday, that she has no intention to marry. That was when she proclaim the rule for herself, and made herself Queen.

She was a brilliant tactician and won many battles since. Her kingdom was the biggest of the land, and now, in her sixties, she has managed to defeat over half the kingdoms of the land. The rest of the kingdom knew that it was only a matter of time before, they too, will be attacked by the bloodthirsty queen, and so, they sought the help and advice of the king who knows no defeat. The king of the Hidden Valley.

The old prune, as those who were not fond of the queen called her, was a menace, and now these riders rode long distances to ask for help. This is merely a friendly gesture. Regents are the ones who made the important decision for the kingdom, and sometimes, even the king will visit other kindoms. Sending out a messenger saying the group wil be expected is merely a courtesy. Usually, the visited kingdom would not know until the whole flotilla arrive on scene.

"Tell your king that the united kings and their regents will visit this kingdom in a few days, and to prepare reception for them. We will discuss of what to do with the old prune giving us problem" said the riders.

"Then that is what we will tell the king" replied the guards. "Make yourself at home. Here, we shall share all our comforts, and we shall be comfortable or be miserable equally."

"Thank you. As there is nothing more we can say, please spare us a stable for our horses, and some beds until our masters come." said the riders.

"Certainly." said the guards, "you will occupy the room reserved for our guest of honor until your king arrive as so to be able to serve your king well in our palace."

The rider nodded their heads in assent and started riding toward the royal stable.