The Noble Queen-A Shadow Slave Fanfic

Noble shut her eyes. The pull last time had been irresistible. She dared not test her luck a second time for something so trivial. 

She gripped the bench below her and gritted her teeth. 

The searing pain washed away her curiosity. 

"We made it, My Lady," Orrin's voice broke through the agony. 

The Saint nodded. "When everyone has exited, we will find a place to rest."

"Yes, My Lady. I will relay the order now." Orrin bowed.

Noble opened her eyes. The trees' vibrant colors were replaced with more mundane hues. This was much closer to the appearance of the forest near before Noble had entered the Seed.

Was she close to that area?

With how close Syrce said the fortress was, it was possible.

More importantly, Noble could feel the change in the air. It hadn't been noticeable while inside the boundaries of the woods, but the absence of the magical forces felt like a weight lifted from her shoulders. 

The Pink Ones must have felt it too, for Dalia trumpeted. Syrce tossed the creature a plum, only for her brother to snatch it before she could guide it into her mouth. Dalia snorted.

"Don't worry, I have another." The Saint threw the second piece of fruit more to the left, out of the male's reach. 

This time, when he aimed to take it, he received a slap from one of Dalia's ears instead. The brother harrumphed indignantly. 

"Such silly antics!" Syrce laughed. "Do you have any siblings, Lady Bel?" 

"The closest thing I had was a cousin." Noble smiled softly.

"Did he pester you like that one?" Syrce squinted playfully at the Pink One's back.

"All the time. But he was kind too…"

Noble felt a pang in her heart as she remembered. The ache dulled, quickly overshadowed by the love and happy memories. Her smile widened.

"...Sometimes he would insult and compliment me in the same sentence. He always knew how to make me laugh."

"Sounds like someone I would like to know." Syrce patted her friend's arm. "I have two sisters, and we never argued."

"Never?" Feeling the emotional spike, Noble raised one eyebrow at the other woman.

No family was that perfect, no matter how close.

Syrce clicked her tongue and amended her statement.

"Well…not often, and definitely not once our parents were called away! When they perished, we three became Stewards of the land. Now the only thing we bicker about is the best way to save our people."

"You and your sisters sound like great heroes. Will they be at the Fortress?" Noble asked.

Syrce's winsome smile turned sad.

"Alas, no. Lyra is far too busy presiding over most of our people with poise and reason by the seaside. I will not see her face again until my mission is complete."

Noble suddenly felt great compassion for Lyra. Child of Promise had also accidentally inherited a kingdom in her last Nightmare.

Running things was a full-time job. From Syrce's emotions, Noble could see the Saint had great respect for her sister and the duty she had taken on.

The admiration was mixed with a small amount of guilt and a large dose of determination. Syrce felt bad about leaving her sister to rule alone, but was also dedicated to helping her.

"Where is your other sister?" Noble guessed the third member of the group must be somewhere interesting as well.

"Oh…Maelys has gone to a distant shore, but after what I gathered in the North, she will be able to return very soon. Won't that be wonderful?" She touched the starstone amulet around her neck tenderly, reliving some old memory.

Noble opened her mouth to respond that a reunion sounded very nice, but the Saint did not give her time.

"I know. Just be patient. The time will come soon!"

"Forgive me if I sounded impatient," Noble furrowed her brow. "It was not my intention."

Syrce sighed. If anything, the Saint was the impatient one.

Noble could sympathize. Lena wasn't exactly on a distant shore, but the grandmother was usually separated from her child and grandchildren by a death zone.

The reunion at the cafe had been unexpected but unimaginably sweet. It was no wonder that Syrce wanted to be back with her sister after what sounded like a very long absence.

A clearing came into view, and the mossy-haired leader pulled on the reins in her hand. With a grunt, the Pink Ones drifted to the side. Noting the wide stream, they quickened their pace, shoving each other with their pale ears and bony shoulders to move faster.

At the bank, they came to a halt as their trunks stretched and dipped into the river.

Syrce stood from her seat. "We will rest here!" 

Her voice carried over the crowd.

From halfway back in the caravan, Orrin echoed the leader's words. 

Both orders were met with welcome cheers. While there were many carriages, most were loaded with supplies.

The people had been walking for hours without a pause. At the order, some went straight for the river while others collapsed on the ground to rest in the cool grass. 

The mundane men and women were dripping in sweat after such a long trek. 

Noble got a good look at the company of people for the first time. As she thought, there were no children among them. The members of the caravan were clad in armor with the symbol of a flame emblazoned on the front of the breastplate and the sides of the helmets.

'This is an army.' 

Or at least it was part of one. 

That wasn't a surprise. Who else was better equipped to go on a quest to save the world than a Saint and her soldiers? 

Now the title of Shieldbearer made more sense as well. Orrin was Syrce's second-in-command. If she was the commander, then he was the general carrying out her orders. 

If the group was as good at fighting as they were at resting, then the company was a force to be reckoned with. 

A blanket was laid out on the grass by a servant, who then bowed deeply before the peach-clad woman to sit. The commander nodded her approval, taking her seat on the woven cloth.

"Join me, Lady Bel." Syrce patted the spot next to her. "The food and your tea will be here shortly." 

"My tea?" Noble's eyes opened wide. "Oh yes, you were going to let me try the bark tea. I had almost forgotten."

The Saint laughed. "Typical Bel. You might forget your arm if it wasn't attached."

"Hey!" Noble puffed out her cheeks. "I am not that bad."

"Don't worry. I am here to help now. I will help you locate the ones you lost." Syrce laid her hand on her heart. She pursed her lips. "Of course, I always keep my promises!"

Noble dipped her head.

The Saint was quirky, but she meant well. She had already been immensely helpful. The Steward, as she had called herself, was a wealth of information that could be useful in identifying the central conflict and conquering it.

If a few awkward comments were the price, it was a small one to pay.

Sitting down, Noble smiled at the grey-eyed woman.

"I appreciate your assistance. Getting me to the Fortress is more than generous. I hope that after I find my friends, you can reunite with your sisters as well."

"I wish for the same more than anything. Reunions are the best!" Syrce clapped her hands before waving. 

"Titus, over here! Don't spill a drop of that tea. Lady Bel needs every bit of it."

Noble turned to look at the servant. A smile came to her lips.

'Speaking of reunions…'