Lady Victorius

A cool wind blows through the trees, as a warm sun shines down on the small farmhouse, at the edge of a great forest. This farm does not stand alone in this land. Right behind the fields of crops is a great castle that constantly looks over this small family. “Mama, There are riders coming!” The child runs to the front fence to see who it is. Visitors are so uncommon for this little girl’s home. Her mother, a tall beauty with long flowing auburn hair, had managed to catch the night’s meal and was coming in from the meadow to prepare the catch, when she saw the riders approaching. She knows all too well who they are, but what they want will have to be discovered when they arrive. Exiled from the castle, the visits from anyone are a rare thing, which is why Zoe seems so excited. The little girl is only six but very mature for her age. Still, she is but a child and that side will always shine brightest. Her mother has done well to raise her daughter on her own, but this is no ordinary woman. “Mama, who are they?” Zoe asks, pointing towards the approaching horsemen. It is a sight that doesn’t occur often around their house. In fact, one would think that their home was purposely off the beaten path. The child’s mother walks over to her daughter’s side, brushing the garden soil from her daughter’s face and hands. Darkness rides the winds with these men and the mother senses it.

“I don’t know, little one. Hurry into the house and I will be there, shortly.” The young woman strolls towards the roadside to greet the riders. In times like these, most women would be fearful of such a confrontation. But this is no ordinary woman. The auburn haired beauty stands her ground, almost defiantly as the lead rider stops his horse just inches from her position. Instead of falling back, she simply reaches up and strokes the horse’s nose. “Good afternoon, warriors. Perhaps you could tell me why you are trespassing on my land.”

The lead rider was obviously the one in charge of this band of soldiers. She knew this by his pompous nature in the saddle. “Madam, do you claim to be one Lady Victorius, of Coventry Hall?” The Captain gives her but one second before he is demanding her response. “Did you not hear me, woman? Speak your name before I have you whipped!”

“Do not work yourself into a fit, Captain. She is Victorius.” The voice comes not from behind the soldiers, but from the lady’s home. She turns to see an arrogant, brash man dressed in regal garb stepping from the doorway, holding Victorius’ young daughter, Zoe. “My how your daughter has grown; she was but a toddler in swaddling, the last time I saw her.” King Daenon messes the girl’s hair with his fingers.

“Don’t you mean, when you exiled us from the castle? What is your purpose here, Daenon?” Victorius starts towards the young man, only to be halted by the riders’ horses. She concedes her approach to allow Daenon his chance to explain before innocent blood need be spilled. It was not her daughter that was Victorius’ concern. No, the child was safe as long as there was breath in her mother’s chest. It was the innocent soldiers that would fall to her, and that is a past she doesn’t want to relive. “So what is your answer, my husband’s brother? Do you come here to finish off the true heirs to the throne?”

Daenon gives her a confident laugh as if to assure her of his good intentions. “On the contrary, m’ lady, I have a strong love for my niece and would never want to see any harm come to her.” Daenon shows a quick glimpse of his true nature to Victorius as he presses his head against Zoe’s. It is a sign of affection to most, but a sign of danger to Victorius.

“What do you want, Daenon?” She knows that she could take him in a fair fight, but with Zoe as the prize and the soldiers stacking the odds against her, she has no choice but to play his game.

“Very well, I need the greatest Commander of my father’s army to lead my troops to war. Since he is dead, all I have left is you. A rival to the north has raised an army and intends to invade our domain. My Captains have fallen before this barbarian, and the troops have lost heart for the battle.” Daenon sets the young girl down and steps from the entry of the home, making his way out to face Victorius, eye to eye. “As a member of the royal family, you are charged to go meet this barbarian under a sign of truce to draw up terms of surrender. While the leaders of this band of rabble are distracted by your beauty, my men will slip in and dispose of the threat once and for all. Once they have fallen, the army will vanquish their troops.” Daenon looks to Victorius to see that she doesn’t approve. “Don’t you see? This is a winning situation for all of us. My army will conquer this upstart with your guidance, my lands will be protected, you can regain your standing with the Nobles,” Daenon pauses for a second to stare back at the little girl in the doorway. “And young Zoe will be safe from harm, because of her mother’s involvement.” His tone is dark and ominous, warning her of the dangers involved.

Victorius reacts without hesitation. “Very well, Daenon, I will do anything you want. Zoe, come to me, daughter.” She starts towards her daughter, only to be halted by the riders again.

“No, no, no, my little princess must come to the castle with me, while you’re out conquering armies. Wouldn’t you like that, sweetheart? You will have everything and everyone at your beck and call. You’d like that Princess Zoe wouldn’t you?” Daenon gives Victorius a devilish smile.