Chapter 202: Nothing will be enough for them.
~Ava's POV~
To honor our victory, we made a feast that night in the command camp. The soldiers sang and danced around the fires, trying to forget the horrors they had witnessed.
Others were telling stories of our glorious victory, each story growing more dramatic with each telling.
I moved through the camp slowly, observing my soldiers as they celebrated. The aroma of roasted meat filled the air, laughter erupted from various circles, with an occasional toast or cheer.
Near the largest fire, a group of soldiers had gathered, their voices carrying over the roaring flames. I approached quietly, curious to hear what they were saying.
"I couldn't believe my eyes today, our Queen was more powerful than ever," one soldier said to his companions, his eyes bright with excitement and perhaps too much ale. "Did you see how she moved across that battlefield? Like lightning itself had taken over?"
"Aye, Marcus," another soldier replied, raising his cup. "A power greater than that of the old house Lenica. I've heard the stories from my grandfather about the ancient queens, but what we witnessed today..." He shook his head in wonder. "The way she commanded those ice shards, turning them into a deadly storm. The enemy didn't know what hit them."
A third soldier, younger than the others, leaned forward eagerly. "Tell me again about that moment when she stood on the ridge. I was too far away to see it clearly, but the men near me were saying she looked like a goddess of war herself."
Clinton grinned widely. "Oh, lad, it was something to behold. She raised her hands, and the air around her seemed to shimmer with cold. Then she brought them down, and it was like watching winter itself descend upon our enemies. Sheets of ice erupted from the ground, trapping their cavalry. Their horses were sliding and falling, riders thrown from their saddles like children's toys."
"And the way she coordinated with our archers," added the second soldier, whose name I remembered as Willam. "She created these walls of ice that gave our men perfect cover while exposing the enemy flanks. Brilliant strategy combined with raw power. I've never seen anything like it."
"We were wrong to have judged her to be a weak leader," Clinton continued, his voice growing more serious. "When she first took the throne, many of us had our doubts. Some whispered that she was too soft, too kind-hearted for the brutalities of war."
"But today proved them all wrong," the young soldier said with conviction. "The way she fought beside us, not hiding behind her guards but leading from the front. When that enemy commander charged at our lines, she didn't hesitate. She met him head-on."
"Did you see his face when her ice spear went right through his shield?" Clinton laughed, slapping his knee. "Thought his precious steel would protect him from our Queen's Ice. The fool learned otherwise quickly enough."
Willam took another drink before speaking. "And she saved so many of our men. Remember when that group got surrounded near the eastern flank? Most commanders would have written them off as acceptable losses. But not our Queen. She carved a path through the enemy lines herself, her ice magic clearing the way for them to retreat to safety."
"That's what a true leader does," the young soldier said with admiration. "She values every life under her command. Even the lowest foot soldier matters to her."
The second soldier noticed my approach and motioned to his friend, letting him know I was behind him. They fell silent upon noticing my presence, suddenly embarrassed by their conversation. The cheerful atmosphere shifted slightly as they realized their Queen had been listening to their praise.
"Our apologies, my Queen. We were just singing your praises, speaking of how great a queen you are," Clinton stammered, his face flushing red beneath his beard.
"Yes, my Queen," Willam agreed quickly, straightening his posture. "We meant no disrespect by speaking so freely. We were simply... overwhelmed by today's victory."
I nodded graciously, understanding their discomfort. "There is no offense in honest words spoken among comrades," I assured them.
As they spoke, I could sense hostility coming from among the group. Two more soldiers stood apart from the others, their faces filled with anger.
They had been listening to the conversation but hadn't participated. Instead, they watched me with cold, murderous eyes. They didn't say anything at first, but I could feel their resentment.
Tension slipped in as the celebrating soldiers became aware of their comrades' disapproval. The jovial atmosphere slowly faded, replaced by an uncomfortable silence.
"You could have prevented it all," one of them finally said, his voice bitter. "The bloodbath. You could have saved them all from dying, but you didn't."
"Shut up, Garrett," Clinton hissed at him, knowing this was dangerous talk. "Watch your tongue."
"Let him speak," I said calmly, wanting to hear what grievances my soldiers held. I had learned long ago that suppressed resentment only grew stronger in darkness.
"You betrayed us all," Garrett continued, encouraged by my permission. "First, you fell for the man who erased our people, and now in this battle you didn't fight with your full power. Princess Norelle would not have done this. She would have fought from the beginning and saved all our soldiers. House Lenica would have annihilated the enemies without so many of our armies dying."
His companion nodded grimly. "We lost good men. Men with families, with children waiting for fathers who will never come home. All because you didn't show up until it was too late."
"Are you done?" I asked.
The smile left my face as I stared at him. Callie, who had been with me throughout the battle, stepped forward from the shadows where she had been standing guard, her hand ready on her sword.
"Do you think I am obligated to serve and save you? Am I mandated to stand with you?" I asked, my voice growing colder with each word. "If you can't protect yourself, then you're utterly useless to me. A warrior is meant to serve and die serving. I came here as your Queen, fought as a warrior beside you, and yet you look at me and say I am not fit to be your Queen?"
Hearing this, the complaining soldiers fell to their knees, finally understanding the danger they were in. The other soldiers around the fire quickly followed suit.
"Yes, some of your comrades died, but the larger number were saved. I kept my promise to you, and I will always do so. But mind you, do not take my kindness for granted. I am your Queen, not your servant. You're meant to serve me, and serve you must do with respect."
With these words, I turned and left them kneeling in the dirt. The other soldiers responded by shouting, "Long live the Queen!"
The words of those men stayed in my mind as I tried to sleep. No matter what I did, no matter how many enemies I defeated or how many lives I saved, it would never be enough for some people.
"Nothing would be enough for them."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
