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“Done. I will also add twenty cows to compensate you for the ones you lost. Anything else you need?”

Jaltious huffed and rubbed his forehead. “It would be better if—”

“Like I told the Sealian, I will not make any decision regarding taxing until I have my meetings. If there is any change, I will let you all know.”

“Your mother was quick to raise taxes without talking to us, why can’t you—”

“My decision making is none of your concern. Anything else?”

Jaltious lowered his gaze. “No, that would be all, Your Highness. Thank you.” He bowed low and walked away from the dais just as two other men walked towards Valda.

One of them introduced himself as Edemus, the chief of Perdita town, and next to him, was his highest rank guard.

Edemus was an older man, with short white hair, a tired and angry gaze and a deep frown. When he greeted Valda, the poison dripped in every syllable before his displeased shot to Maris before going back to the queen.

“We’ve come to ask for more guards on our borders with Umbriel. Thieves are raking our town, taking everything. We barely have food for ourselves!”

Valda moved on her throne, sitting up straight and squaring her shoulders. “When did this start?”

“It has always been a problem!” The old man snarled, waving his hand in agitation. “Ever since the king died, we’ve been thrown to the wolves. I feel as if we have been forgotten.”

“You have not been—”

“It feels like I have. Queen Rionach did nothing in my last audience, Your Highness doesn’t seem to see the problem. And I—”

“I would be careful with the next words that come out of your mouth, Edemus. I could very well not help you at all.” Valda rested her arms on her knees, her face forward, as if looking at Edemus. “Speak ill of my mother and I will have your head rolling down the Great Hall.”

The old man bit his lower lip and took a step back, bumping against his guard. He nodded his head and bowed his head low.

“Well?” Valda asked.

“Forgive me,” Edemus said, holding back another snarl.

“You will have six royal guards at the border of Umbriel. They will take turns keeping Perdita safe. You will, however, feed them and house them. Understood?”

Edemus nodded again, his face twisting with anger.

“I asked you a question, Edemus.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Good. Now leave before I change my mind,” Valda said, leaning back on her throne. Edemus left, muttering something Maris couldn’t quite hear.

Stepping next to Valda, Maris touches her shoulder, earning a surprised grunt from the queen. “Are you all right? Do you wish to leave?”

“I am fine.”

The stern answer came as no surprise to Maris. She walked back to stand behind her just the last courtier arrived, dragging the hand of a young woman who herself carried a young girl. Maris frowned, clearing her throat as if letting Valda know something was amidst. The middle-aged man had Skylian features, with a skin damaged by the burning sun, deep wrinkles to his brow and corner of his eyes. His teeth were bared before he released the woman, who stumbled to her feet. She cradled the young girl in her arms and bowed low to Valda. The woman was also Skylian and wore a shawl to cover her hair as did the young girl. Maris was unable to determine the relationship between the man and the woman. She didn’t want to imagine that they were mates.

“Queen Valda, I’ve come to you for a resolution of this matter.” The man stepped on the dais. The guards took a step forward, stopping him from getting closer to Valda, but instead, she raised her hand, allowing the man to get closer.

“Speak.”

The man turned to the young woman and pointed an accusatory finger. His anger was evident as it oozed out with every word he spoke. “This woman will not allow me to be with my mate,” he began before walking towards the woman and grabbing her hand, trying to get her to release the child.

Maris’s heart dropped, as her eyes widened. She looked at Valda and watched as a deep frown formed on her brow. She leaned closer and whispered to her ear, “He is with another woman. Younger than him. she is… holding a child, a girl. She is no older than ten.”

Valda nodded at Maris and turned back to the man. “Who is your mate?” Valda asked.