Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 (34 page)

The next morning, Cassie woke up to the sounds of her men moving about the tent. She stretched and yawned, watching their beautiful naked bodies move about as they looked for their clothing. Cassie smiled.

This is definitely the way to wake up!
 

“Good morning, Mistress,” they chorused softly.
 

“Good Morning, my loves,” she replied as she stood.
 

Mika handed her another set of borrowed leather clothes with which she quickly dressed. This set was a bit on the tight side. The pants were like a second skin, and the sleeveless vest pushed her cleavage up.

This would be the perfect outfit if I had a pole to dance on!

The heat in her slaves’ eyes had her laughing. She left the tent, intending to head for Kara’s to see if she would ride with her into town to get some clothes that fit. Male eyes followed her as she made her way to her friend’s tent, and the heat of their gazes felt like a burning brand on her back.
 

Kara was just coming out of her tent when Cassie arrived.

“Good morning, Cassie.” Kara was surprised at seeing her so early; the sun was just barely breaking the horizon.

“Morning. I am riding into town, since I
must
have some clothes that fit; I simply cannot fight in these,” Cassie said, gesturing to her chest.

Kara laughed and said, “The only fighting you will be doing in those will be fighting the men off, which could be quite distracting in the thick of battle,” Kara joked.

Cassie mock-scowled and grabbed her friend’s arm, dragging her to where the horses were corralled. The groom hurriedly saddled the horses for the women, and Cassie sent a message to Nera as to their whereabouts with the instruction not to wake the Queen, but to deliver the message whenever she rose.
 

As the women set off for the nearby village at a leisurely pace, they exchanged small talk about the adventures they’d had whilst they were separated.

“Cassandra, I don’t wish to force a confidence, but I wish to know how badly you were harmed while under that barbarian’s control,” Kara’s face was tight as she forced the question out.

“Kara, I was not injured, but I am furious, and I do mean to avenge myself as well as to take vengeance for the Queen upon his brother.” Cassie truly had no wish to talk more in-depth about the subject because it made her so angry—beyond angry, in fact.
 

Kara nodded, and the conversation lagged uncomfortably until they reached the village.
 

The townspeople had just started their morning bustle, and the women stopped at a vendor and bought some hot rolls for breakfast before seeking out the clothier.
 

As they stood, enjoying the fresh-baked treat, they caught a fragment of a conversation and a woman’s voice saying, “ . . . Nera’s whereabouts?”
 

They stiffened and turned towards the voice.
 

A tall woman wearing dark green fighting clothes stood five feet from them speaking to a merchant. The woman was well-muscled and well-armed with a long, blonde braid.
 

Cassie gave Kara a significant look as the merchant pointed in the direction north of town, and they watched the stranger thank the man and turn down an alley.
 

Moving quickly, they came up behind her as she stood tightening the cinch on her horse. Cassie slipped up and put her sword to the back of the woman’s neck.
 

The woman froze and dropped her hands.

“Put your hands on your head and turn around,” Cassie said menacingly. The woman complied and turned to look Cassie and Kara over carefully.
 

Cassie recognized that look; the woman was seeking some weakness of which she could take advantage. The three warriors stood there for a few moments—sizing each other up—before Cassie finally spoke.

“Who are you, and why are you asking questions about the Queen of Erla?” Cassie’s sword point rested on the hollow of the woman’s throat.

“I would ask who
you
are and why you are holding me at sword point.” The woman had a strong, clear voice, and her direct blue eyes met Cassie’s challengingly.

“Woman, I will not play games with you. If you wish to live, you will tell me what your business is and why you are seeking Queen Nera.” Cassie’s temper was flaring, and the woman was very close to having a sword run straight through her.
 

The two antagonists stood and stared each other down.

“Perhaps if you tell me to whom I am speaking, I may feel a little more inclined to divulge that information to you,” she said.

“Then, allow me to introduce myself. I am Cassandra, Leader of the Queen’s Personal Guard and Commander of the Erlan Army,” she ground out furiously, “and I will be the person sending you directly to Hell if you don’t give me the truth.” Kara, sword drawn, moved next to Cassie, adding her sword to her Commander’s.

Surprise flew over the woman’s face, and her body lost its tension—despite the swords at her throat.

“Lady Cassandra, it is my honor to meet you. Commander, my name is Leandra, Second-in-Command to Her Highness, Queen Saria of Tayliss.” The woman would have bowed if not for their swords.
 

Kara’s free hand reached out and enveloped Cassie’s sword hand. When Cassie glanced at her, Kara nodded.
 

They both lowered their weapons. Kara sheathed hers, and the two women clasped each other’s forearms in greeting.
 

Cassie, still suspicious, slowly put away her sword, but rested her left hand on the dagger at her hip. Leandra pressed her fisted hand over her heart and bowed from the waist to Cassie in the manner of the Erlan warriors, and keeping her eyes locked on her, Cassie inclined her head.

“I must be losing my touch; I didn’t even hear you two come down the alley!” Leandra laughed as Kara smiled and introduced herself.
 

Leandra turned to Cassie and said, “My Lady, Tayliss and Erla are old allies. Our country is far to the west of Erla, and aside from trading, there is little contact between our nations due to the distance. Our Queens are related by blood, and historically, we have always come to one another’s aid whenever disaster has stricken. We received news of the disappearance of yourself and Queen Nera from a peddler, who had recently returned from Erla. I have a division of warriors camped out on the western border of Erla that I offer you command of as well as that of my own services.” She bowed again. “In short, we have come to help liberate your country,” she finished.

“Lady Cassandra,” Kara said, looking in Cassie’s eyes reassuringly, “she speaks the truth. Tayliss and Erla are blood-bound allies. I can now see the crest on her saddle, and it is the royal mark of Tayliss’s Guardians.” Cassie’s eyes shot to the woman’s saddle.

“Forgive me for being somewhat less than friendly, Lady Leandra, but I am certain you can understand the reason.” Cassie bowed and Leandra smiled and nodded.

“Indeed, and I do not blame you, My Lady. I doubt I would have reacted any differently if it were Queen Saria who was in peril,” Leandra said. “I ask that you take me to speak with your Queen.”

Cassie and Kara agreed, retrieved their horses, and the three women mounted and headed back to the camp.
 

Cassie was still very leery of the stranger, and Nera was the only one who could allay her fears. They traveled fast, pushing the horses, and arrived at the camp in good time. Dismounting, Cassie left Kara to escort their visitor as she headed to Nera’s side.
 

She found Nera back in the Command Tent with Darien, Nyles, and Nall. The four of them looked up as she entered and bowed. The men’s eyes immediately dropped to her displayed cleavage, making Cassie growl and roll her eyes.

“Cassandra, I thought you meant to get clothing which fit your properly,” Nera said laughing. The smile soon left her face when she took in Cassie’s strained features.
 

“What is it? What has happened?” Nera rose quickly.

“Forgive me, Your Highness. Kara and I ran into a woman asking questions about you in the village, and we have brought her here. . .” Cassie’s voice trailed off as Kara and Leandra entered the tent and bowed.
 

A smile lit up Nera’s face as she recognized the woman.

“Leandra, gods how you have grown! You are such a beauty too! I see by your armlet that you are a Second now! How good it is to see you. How is Saria? The last news I had was that she was expecting another child, but that was well over a year ago.”
 

Nera ran to the woman and enveloped her in a tight hug. Tension left Cassie upon observing her monarch’s words and actions. Even so, she continued to keep a close eye on Leandra.

“We are all quite well, Your Highness. Queen Saria was delivered of a healthy girl nearly a year ago. We are all distressed over what has occurred in Erla, however, and my Queen has dispatched me with a division and readies another to come whenever you send the word.”

“May the gods bless her! We plan an attack tomorrow, Lee, and we will be more than grateful for your help. Kara will send word to your warriors and have them meet us here. Then, we will all march together and take back what was stolen from us,” Nera declared.

“Very well, Your Highness. I shall send orders to Tayliss to have the second division move into Erla from the west. Lady Cassandra, I think it best that the messenger have a small escort for safety’s sake if that suits you?” she asked with a polite bow to Cassie.

“Yes, I agree. Kara, see to it please,” Cassie spoke more easily now—having seen the closeness between Nera and Leandra. Kara bowed in response, received directions from Leandra, and then bowed again as she left the tent.
 

In a few moments, they heard the pounding of horses as the messenger’s contingent departed.

“Come and sit, Lee. Are you hungry?” Nera asked. Then, remembering the others, she proceeded with the belated introductions by saying, “Oh! I beg your pardon, My Lords. Please allow me to introduce the Lady Leandra of Tayliss. Leandra, this is King Nyles of Serlenn, his son, Prince Nall, and King Darien of Destia.” Leandra bowed low as the royals acknowledged her with warm smiles and regal bows.
 

Leandra followed Nera to the table and was seated as slaves brought out a plate of bread and cheese along with a cup of Mull. After having placed it all before her, Leandra ate. In between bites and sips, Lee shared with them all of the news which had reached her since Erla had been invaded.

“Great gods, Your Highness, I do not have the brain of a fig! The most important piece of news I have yet to share with you, and for that, I apologize! Some three days after the invasion, your slave, Quinn, arrived in Tayliss with Princess Danai.”
 

Nera fell into the chair and sobbed out a very relieved sigh. She had been horribly afraid for her precious daughter, and although she had masked it well, the possibility that her beautiful baby was in the hands of those barbarians had weighed upon her heart quite heavily.
 

“I believe she is intent upon taking the throne from Queen Saria, and she is being very spoiled by the Princesses. Also, whenever anyone dares to disobey her, she threatens them with the Lady Cassandra,” Leandra laughed.
 

Tears of joy slipped down Nera’s cheeks, and she wiped them away as she laughed with her.

“Nera, I am so relieved. If anything had happened to Danai, I would have slowly skinned them before I killed them! I do believe Quinn is even more courageous than my own slaves!” Cassie said as she forgot decorum and spontaneously hugged Nera in relief.

Nera completely overlooked it as she embraced her friend.

“Cassandra, I want you to know that you may trust Leandra, and I wish for the two of you to work together on the task of liberating Erla. We will
not
be defeated!” Nera said.

Cassie turned to face Leandra and smiled her first real smile at the woman, and it was gratefully returned.

“Lady Cassandra, I offer you my sword and the control of all of the divisions under my command; my warriors are now yours,” she declared with an ensuing bow. “I also wish to say what an honor it is for me to fight by your side.”

“I welcome you, Lady Leandra, and I apologize for my less-than-warm welcome earlier. I also look forward to fighting beside you and to the friendship which I am sure we will share,” Cassie said, returning Leandra's bow. “I thank you and your people for safeguarding Lady Danai. I hope she does not involve me in too many battles before I can return her to Erla,” Cassie said with a grin, and they all laughed at her words. Following this exchange, they all sat with Leandra to both apprise her of their current plans as well as to share with her the highlights of their recent adventures.

“You mean to tell me they rode out to search for you?” Leandra laughed until tears ran down her cheeks as she—along with Nera, Cassie, and Kara—relaxed on cushions in Cassie’s tent after the long hours spent in battle talk had finally shifted to talk of the escape and, of course, to Cassie’s brave slaves, who had thought to save their Mistress.
 

“What devotion you inspire, My Lady. Will I, too, fall in love with you?” The women laughed.

“Please, Leandra! I have enough to keep me busy as it is,” Cassie rejoined with a grin.
 

They drank Mull and ate food prepared by Aidan as they got to know one another. Leandra’s eyes caressed Cassie’s slaves with appreciative glances as they moved gracefully about the tent, serving the Ladies.

“Your slaves are very pleasing to the eye, Lady. Their list of physical attributes is quite long! They must be a joy to go to bed with,” Leandra said as the women laughed.

“Please, call me Cassie. And, yes, I am well-pleased with them.” She looked at her men fondly as they continued to efficiently take care of the women’s needs. “Leandra, I would be honored if you would select one of them to comfort you on this night before battle,” Cassie offered, smiling into Leandra’s eyes.