The Queen of the World - Chapter Four

Read the Previous Chapters here...

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Finally, all of Alexandra's willing allies were in a single place, and all of the unwilling ones had made themselves known by their absence.

Interestingly, most of the attendees had mentioned trouble along the journey, which mysteriously vanished when the bodies of Kerdos's mercenaries appeared, slain not in battle, but with a certain element of creativity to their deaths. Sayfiya looked unsuprised at these tidings, and a touch smug. Alexandra made a note to do something nice for the students Sayfiya had raised from novices angry at being excluded to full-fledged Assassins. "I am glad that you all arrived safely. Shall we get down to business?"

It was not unlike many other council meetings that Alexandra had headed, though with far less posturing, sneering and condescending remarks than she remembered dealing with from her traitorous councilors. Flickering hand gestures passed between Sayfiya and Penelope, both alert for danger. The sign language lacked any of Thalia's sarcastic commentary or Agathe's witty banter, but it, too, was familiar.

Despite herself, Alexandra found it oddly nostalgic.

She hadn't wanted to be exiled, and nothing could be worth the death of her husband and sisters, but the past several months had been somewhat peaceful. Similar to the simpler times of her childhood, Alexandra had been able to relax, to wake up in the morning without a thousand things demanding her personal attention, to make decisions that would impact no-one but her. Alexandra was a creature of duty, and her people deserved a leader who actually cared about their wellbeing... but there were times that she cringed at the thought of returning to her old life.

The ability to keep track of several conversations at once was a useful diplomatic skill, as was thinking deeply while appearing attentive, but the matters under discussion deserved her full attention. Alexandra forced herself to focus. Logistics, resources, different parties who agreed on principle but differed in details, broad hints that many of the allies closer in proximity to Kerdos might be limited to easily-denied supplies and support, rather than actively commiting their forces...

Perhaps it would be easier to think of re-conquering her kingdom as if it were a flood or other disaster affecting several villages, all clamouring to be first in line for aid and resources.

They took a break for lunch, Penelope having borrowed Alexandra's bracelet to check for any poisons snuck in before the dishes were brought out. By general consensus, they avoided heavier topics while they ate, and Alexandra found herself in the least-fraught conversation she'd had with Takhuet in... possibly ever.

The older woman had developed several new lines since the last time Alexandra had seen her. “Will you marry again, do you think? Women in our position are not always given time to grieve before being pushed forward, but there is no shame in seeking that time."

Alexandra tried very hard not to let the question affect her. Takhuet hadn't sounded accusing, but almost subdued and sad. Perhaps Ramessu's passing had forced her to confront the fact that her children were more than dynastic alliances. “Likely not. I did too well a job matching up my disappointed excess suitors, and the next generation is too young for me. Besides, the healers tell me that another pregnancy is... inadvisable.”

Takhuet really did look sympathetic for a moment. “A shame, but better to remain unmarried than risk destabilising your empire before Milche is ready. Your line is running short of heirs.”

Never mind, Takhuet hadn't changed that much. Fortunately, Varos and several others drifted over to provide a conversational barrier, giving Alexandra time to compose herself. “I know. I have a number of cousins through my father’s younger sisters, but I barely know them."

Abioye nodded sympathetically, "It is the way of marrying children into other kingdoms or tribes. Perhaps one day travelling to visit family will be less of a commitment of time and resources."

Varos shrugged philosophically, "The world is changed and re-made every day. Anything is possible, whether or not we live to see it."

Alexandra silently toasted him as they began to move back toward the meeting room. "That was quite poetic. However, on the topic of heirs, I did have some thoughts toward the future.”

Adil, Prince of the Verdicas Kingdom of Mahaga, who shared Alexandra's preference for waiting and watching before he contributed, lifted an eyebrow. “Oh?”

Alexandra settled back into her seat. “It's a matter for the future, and will require some refining before I make any official proposals, but... I know that many of our cultures have a tradition of fosterage, children raised away from their families for a time, to learn more about the world around them. I propose a similar arrangement, with an eye toward future alliances.”

Bhute, whose newest daughter had been born scarcely a month ago, freeing him to attend the meeting with Abioye, looked interested. “Tell us more?”

Alexandra appreciated the tactic support. “I find - or found, I suppose - that the best marriages are those founded in friendship. At the very least, I find it beneficial for spouses to know something of each other, and at least be friends, if they cannot love each other.”

By his expression, Varos agreed. “I have found the same, however little I expected to be allowed to even like my wife. There is certainly something to be said for knowing someone before you marry them.”

Alexandra nodded, “What I will propose, then, is this: Send me those daughters who you would have one day offered as brides when my son reached a suitable age. I will teach them statecraft and other things they will need to know to make a valuable alliance by marriage to another kingdom. They will also have the chance to make their own impressions before the time comes for Milche to look upon them as potential brides.”

Emir, recently crowned king of a land on the other side of Hattusa, raised an eyebrow. “I thought you said you never wanted to go through another fiasco like that again?”

That earned him some odd looks, which he waved away. "My wife and I were discussing at what age we should broach the possibility of a union between our eldest daughter and Prince Milche, and she mentioned limiting the number of suitors we hosted at any one time. Apparently, there were some frayed tempers when certain envoys claimed they were bringing only a few attendants, then showed up with a full dozen needing to be fed and housed?"

Ah, yes, Emir had married Helen, whose head for logistics had made Alexandra sorry to lose the handmaiden. Still, Helen had wanted to marry and run her own household, and empowerment meant letting women choose their own paths, whether or not Alexandra agreed with it. "Helen was invaluable, and may have born witness to some of my blunter opinions on the subject."

There was a ripple of appreciative laughter before Alexandra grew serious again. “For myself, no, I would rather not invite half the world again. This is my attempt at mitigating the problem for the next generation. If any of them truly object to each other, let them find out now, and not when there is nothing they can do about it.. Besides, unlike my own situation, there is no law on how many wives a King may have, only that a Queen may only be married to one person.”

Eike, a Chieftan from the far North, who had returned home from courting Alexandra just in time to inherit his father's position, drummed his fingers on the table. “I agree that it is a good plan, but is it really what we should be focussing on?”

He was right; they were getting off-track, again. “I prefer to have plans for the aftermath in place before we need them, rather than scrambling for solutions and trying to play catch-up afterward, but you have a valid point. Where possible, I would like to avoid pitched battles. My people are already suffering, and de-throning Kerdos will be useless if we are immediately faced with another uprising. Their support is one of our greatest assets.”

Several of the allies who had led armies, rather than delegating the responsibility to others, leaned forward. “What do you suggest instead?”

Alexandra thought back to long nights of her father discussing battle plans for an enemy more numerous or too well-defended for a quick and decisive victory. “Harass the mercenary forces. Sabotage them and their equipment. Cut their supply lines, and then strike when they send patrols out to raid or forage.”

Varos nodded. “Sensible, and it makes the best use of our available forces. I do recommend keeping the bulk of them in reserve, in case open battle is unavoidable.”

Alexandra returned the gesture, relieved. Now for the hard part... “That I will happily agree to. I also need to contact the generals of the standing army.”

In the background, Sayfiya jerked in surprise. “Why in the name of all of your gods-?”

Several other attendees jumped, having either forgotten about her or never having noticed that she was there to begin with. “They follow orders, but have been doing so slowly, and as inefficiently as possible when it comes to certain orders. I have settled dissent before, and I know that they are more effective than this.”

Eike looked thoughtful. “You think that they are rebelling against the usurpers in their own way?”

Alexandra had thought long and hard, trying to find alternate explanations, but ultimately concluding that this was the most likely one. “I know them, or at least I know the generals. They are far more competent than recent events would suggest, and the rank and file haven’t been subtle about their displeasure at having to work with the mercenaries.”

The glint in Sayfiya's eyes suggested that they would be talking about this later and at great length, whether Alexandra wanted to or not. “We can get you in, but you won’t remain un-noticed for long.”

Fiete, a distant cousin of Eike's from lands slightly further south, made a decisive gesture. “The rest of us will make ready, though it may take time to plan who will work best together.”

Varos frowned lightly, “How so?”

Eike exchanged glances with his cousin. “Your armies, and those of Empress Alexandra, are directed. The Delta warriors fight as a collective of individuals, and those to the far east in smaller units. Our forces are more... unleashed in the appropriate direction.”

With all of her concerns about mercenaries, Alexandra bereted herself for not having thought of that. “I have heard tell of those who go insane with battle-lust. Are they at least able to determine friend from foe?”

Fiete laughed ruefully. "The reputation is somewhat exaggerated, Empress, and they are bound by honour. All will be well, we simply need to adapt to each other's fighting styles."

You can read the first book and pre-order this one at the link above!

If you liked this story, check out my other original works on Amazon and Vocal! Check me out on Medium for non-fiction and other articles!