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Next to her, Thornwall bowed low, eyes flitting between the Queen and the old woman.

“I know you have the...” He paused, struggling for the right word. “Godlyarmy.”

Erida nearly laughed aloud. She had many words for Taristan’s corpse army, away in the north. None of them came close togodly.

“But we are only men,” he answered softly. “Legions of thousands, but men still. Tired of war. Eager to go home and bask in victory. Let them sing songs of you, your glory, your greatness. Let them renew their strength, so they might rise to fight for you again. And again. And again.”

That was enough to give Erida pause. She pursed her lips, thinking on her commander’s advice. As in younger days, she found herself looking to Lady Harrsing for guidance. The older woman stared back at her now, brow furrowed into a thousand lines of care. After many years, her face was easy to read.

Listen.

“It is not in you to falter, Your Majesty. I know that. You do not tire, fail, or flag,” Thornwall pushed on, imploring. “But the men are not you.”

Erida barely nodded. Her commander was no simpering courtier. His flattery was poorly done, albeit true.

“I see your point, Lord Thornwall,” she said through clenched teeth. “We shall discuss this further when we are safely back in the capital. I give you leave.”

He knew better than to argue, dipping into a low bow.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She did not watch him stalk off, content to watch Ascal on the horizon.

Bella Harrsing remained, eyeing her beneath the folds of her fur cap, her look shrewd.

“Your victories are the greatest blow you could ever deal to Lord Konegin,” she said. “And anyone who might support his treasonous attempts to usurp your throne.”

Erida flinched at the mention of her cousin. His name was like a knife through her heart. She scowled and showed her teeth.

“I can think of something worse,” she growled.

His head on a spike.

Bella Harrsing chuckled low in her throat, the sound a wet rattle. “I’m sure you can, my dear. The Empress Rising, the court calls you,” she added, dropping her voice. “I hear their whispers even here.”

“As do I.” Erida relished the thought, her sapphire eyes glittering. “Even the lords who used to sneer in my face. Now they kiss my hand and beg for favor, hanging on my every command.”

Her body buzzed, excited and frightened and gloriously proud, all in one. As always, Erida wanted a sword of her own, some weapon to wear as all the men did. Even her useless courtiers who could barely hold a fork carried blades to feel dangerous. She had nothing but her skirts and her crowns.

“Queen of Four Kingdoms,” she whispered. Slowly, she pulled off a glove, revealing the emerald ring of state. It winked on her finger, a flashing green eye.

Lady Harrsing stared at the jewel too, as if entranced. “Old Cor reborn,” she muttered, repeating Erida’s own words. “It was your father’s dream once. And his father’s before him.”

“I know,” Erida answered without thought. Such hopes were hammered into her since birth.

“And you have come closer than any king before you,” Harrsing said.Slowly, tentatively, she put out a gloved hand, letting it hover over Erida’s arm.

On instinct, Erida leaned into the old woman’s familiar touch. Childish as it felt.

“He would be proud of you.”

The whisper hung in the air, nearly torn apart by the wind. Erida clutched to it all the same, holding it tightly in her chest.

“Thank you, Bella,” she murmured, her voice shaking.

Ahead, Ascal bloomed like a bruise. Golden walls and cathedral spires rose, banners of gold and green glinting against the bloodred clouds. Ascal was the greatest city in the realm, home to half a million souls. Her own palace sat at its heart, walled onto its own island, a city unto itself.

Erida traced the familiar skyline, noting every tower, every flag, every bridge, canal, and temple dome. In her mind, she walked the path laid ahead of her, a grand parade route from the deck of her ship all the way to the New Palace. There would be cheering from the commoners, flowers strewn in front of her horse, shouts of triumph and adoration. She was a conqueror returned, an empress rising. The greatest ruler their kingdom had ever known.