[The Panther]

The Kingdom of Man, Turn 3

I was royally pissed.

Hmm… I kind of like that word royally. It makes me feel special.

But enough of that. One thing about being the Queen of Man is that people instantly respond to your every command. I might actually get used to this! So…

“GET RALPH IN HERE RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!”

I even managed to keep a stern face until AFTER my handsome young attendant ran off to obey me!

It did not take him long. Of course, I started on Ralph the instant he arrived inside my huge field tent in the mountains of Gryphon Spires.
“Uncle Ralph”, I said, using my iciest voice. “You told me they would bow before me. You said that my dominion already controlled this land. You even said your preaching is paying dividends inside all the borders of our so-called friendly neighbors. SO WHY ARE THERE 28 CORPSES ON THIS BATTLEFIELD?”

That darn man. He is always so very glib. He knows the proper words in any situation. I was therefore totally unable to faze him in the slightest. “Twenty eight, huh? That many…” he replied evenly.
“Yes, I personally counted them. Furthermore one of my own loyal spearmen is dead and three axemen are over in the medical tent being treated for injuries. Two of them have even lost an eye!”

Ralph paused for just a tiny moment before continuing, “Well, my dear niece,” he said lightly, “I did not expect to find the local Lord with such a large army. I suppose he took affront when I asked him to contribute gold to the rise of the Age of Man in your honor.”
“Asked, smasked, you slippery man you. I am sure it was more like you ordered him to pay up or else.”
“Perhaps, my dear, perhaps I did. You could be right.”
“I AM right.”
“Yes, my queen, your word is gospel.”
I stared at him in silence, letting him squirm under my glare.

But he was not squirming at all! In fact, he seemed highly amused. Darn that man! Why did my father have to die while Uncle Ralph continued to live?

I sighed deeply and said, “Well, uncle, I do admit I am very happy that I came along with you. That flying shard spell taught to me by the Royal Library was most effective indeed. I did not know I could do such things.” The memory of stones being conjured out of my hands and landing on the heads of the enemy was still fresh in my mind.

Ralph eventually replied, “Oh, I knew you could do many things, Selena. I have always known that you inherited much of the gypsy ways of my mother, your grandam. You have far more magic ability than your fair share, my young enchantress. Of that I am totally certain.”
“As do you, my dear uncle. What was that spell you kept casting to keep our axemen from running away when they engaged the enemy? Can you teach me that?”
Uncle Ralph answered, “I call it the ‘Sermon of Courage’. But I think you are not holy enough to try it as yet. I think you are better off attempting some other spells more suited to your style.”
“Like?”
“Well, I have heard of a splendid spell called ‘Quickness’. We will try to discover how it is done and teach it to you.”
“What would this new spell do for me?”
“It makes you move at twice the speed of most mortals.”
“Could I cast my spells faster?”
“Yes, twice as fast!”
“I see. Do it then.”
“Yes, my Queen. I hear and obey.”
And with that, Uncle Ralph turned and left my royal field tent without even a goodbye.

Darn that man!