Book 1 Chapter 20: Confrontation

Vero looked out at the priests who had rudely come into the palace and demand an audience with the Ulrikan queen. Vero had politely responded with that she was unavailable but they had insisted and had even begun to walk through the castle to find her. He had tried to dissuade them, but they had proved relentless. He had finally gotten their attention and had said that he would have her fetched, to which they had smug faces as he had left.

He found Ylva at her desk and had told her of the situation, to which she had scowled but had silently gone to get herself ‘presentable’. Now Vero was standing in the hall next to the throne where Ylva would sit herself, once she came. He offered a silent prayer to Veles that this would work out and then his ears flicked as they caught the sound of Ylva’s footsteps.

When she entered, accompanied by four royal soldiers, no doubt a wise decision on her part, she only briefly glanced at the priests and then focused her attention on Vero and the throne. He bowed to her and she flicked her ears in the manner that he had taught her to, to tell him to rise. He did so, then extended one hand to the chair to offer her her seat, to which she took gracefully.

He noted that unlike most royal queens and princesses, she had less of a dress and more an intimidating functional outfit that would send anyone a message that she was not to be pampered or toyed with. A silent message that he hoped the priests would take seriously. She leaned against one of the arm rests in a bored manner as she looked out at the priests.

Silence filled the hall and Ylva couldn’t look more disinterested. Eventually she focused her attention on the most decorated priest who wore black ropes before barking out a command.

“Speak,” she said with a tone that warned to keep it brief. The priest grinned and stepped forward, taking one knee as he bowed his head, still holding his scepter.

“Ulrikan, we priests have come to warn you that your throne is in danger,” he said, looking up at her from his position. A smug smile tugged at Ylva’s lips but Vero noted that it vanished as quickly as it had appeared. Thankfully, the priest didn’t seem to notice.

“And to what threat is my throne and my position in danger of,” Ylva asked, trying to keep it sound like she was interested. Of course they both knew that is was the priests who were in danger of loosing power and that they would attempt to switch the situation to try to make the royal family feel threatened as well.

“There is an insurrection arising among your people. Surely you have heard of this,” the priest said. Vero felt a cold chill run down his spine. He wondered how much the priest knew of their involvement. He glanced at Ylva with a worried expression and saw her flick her ears to tell him to calm down. He quietly took a breath and hoped that her calm confidence would rub off on him.

“Indeed I have heard news, but I don’t see a concern here,” she replied. “Enlighten me as to why I should worry.” The priests looked at one another and murmured something before returning their gazes to her.

“Ulrika, it is our understanding that you still have not come to church,” the head priest said. “The people fear that their ruler is either afraid or denies the black wolf god who has been our protector since ancient times. They say that because of this, he has shown his anger and has caused wars in the neighboring kingdoms as warnings to you to join under his church or cause the whole country to be enveloped in the sounds of war.” Vero keep this face neutral, but it was as they feared. The church had instigated wars to keep the Master away and pounce on Ylva to subdue her.

If they had been hoping to insight Ylva to emotion or fear, then they were sorely disappointed. Ylva yawned, as if she could not be more bored by their prattle.

“Mi lady, perhaps you do not understand the situation here,” the head priest said, loosing his composure to a small degree.

“Oh, I am completely aware of what you are trying to do and your pleas are falling on deaf ears, head priest,” she said with a slight guttural growl. “I have no interest in becoming your little pet, nor do you seem to understand the position you are putting yourselves in. I would be more cautious who you think your friends are and your assumptions of the Yowlumne.”

“I beg your pardon?” the priest asked with anger lacing each word.

“You heard me, or do your ears only take in what you want to hear to improve your situation and power. I have no interest in entertaining power hungry dogs and you would do well to think on this as you leave,” Ylva said, standing and flicking her ears to her guards to follow her. As they came up beside her, she looked down on the flustered priest. “You are dismissed, little priest,” she said authoritatively, and he looked at her in shock. Vero wanted to cheer, but remained calm and collected. As she turned her back, the priest ran towards her with a begging look. She turned back around quickly but did not seem amused.

“Mi lady, do you not care about the insurrection. We came seeking your help in finding the one who has been publishing the plans and manuscripts that oppose you. We only seek to serve you,” he said, as he was handled roughly by two of the soldiers to keep him back. Vero glanced her way. It had been wise to publish under a false name. She flicked her tail, commanding them to set him down and the guards nodded before silently setting him on the ground.

“Thank you Ulrika,” the priest said. “I see you are very wise and do worry about your subjects and your throne.” HE inwardly rolled his eyes. This Yowlume was very much a flatterer, and obviously so.

“If you think that, then you don’t know me,” she said, folding her arms as Vero came up beside her. He started to took note of Ylva’s condescending attitude and did the same back at her, though much more mild.

“Eh?” he sounded confused at her attitude.

“Perhaps you have also heard rumors of where I came from and my situations before becoming an Ulrikan,” she said with a smirk.

“The ones about the soldier girl catching the eye of our beloved Ulrikan, your husband? Yes we heard rumors but,” he said and she cut him off.

“Then perhaps you would understand why someone such as I would be content with or without a throne. I do not seek luxury nor power yet both would be placed in my palm without a thought, simply because I ask it,” Ylva said, stifling a yawn as if the conversation was already boring her.

“And another thing, if you seek power, then you shall not keep it. If you seek war, you shall reap it. If you do not seek power and seek peace, great is your goal, for our god will give you power to bring peace. A truly pious man does not need the powers of the earth to accomplish his or god’s design for he already has power alone,” Ylva said, quoting the words of the black wolf prophet. The priests looked at her aghast. Vero stiffed a laugh.

“You would read the words of a heretic?!” the head priest asked in anger.

“Which is the heretic? The one calling others heretics or the one who only seeks truth and light for the people,” Ylva said, using more of the prophets words. This seemed to unravel the priests.

“You too, are but a heretic. Reading those booklets and supporting them to run among the people,” he said with a scowl that hid a hideous evil grin. “The people shall know of this,” he said, turning to leave.

“And he would drive the followers of god into the ground, only for himself to be banished by the people whom he tries to stir up,” Ylva said in the ancient tongue and the priest froze. Vero bit his tongue. This seemed a bit far. He became worried their plan would not work if she continued. But the words had been said, in other words, the deed had been done. He glanced at Ylva and she seemed completely unperturbed.

“Where did you read this,” the priest growled over his shoulder.

“Perhaps one should know how one can read the ancient tongue before one should throw accusations around, priest,” Ylva said and the priest, who had faced her turned a ghostly pale.

“None but the Revenant can read that tongue,” he said and Ylva did not answer. The priest stepped back and then returned to his group and left. Ylva sighed and Vero looked up at her. Her ear flicked and someone emerged from the shadows.

“Follow them and report to me,” she said quietly and the shadowy figure nodded and disappeared from their sight.

“Ylva?” Vero asked hesitantly. She regarded him with concern etched on her face which turned into a scoff as she grimaced.

“Perhaps I overdid it, but I dislike Yowlumne who think they can read my mind and know what I am capable of, often belittling me because I am a girl,” she said. Vero knew this to be true, and it also worried him that she had let her frustrations get the better of the situation.

“Perhaps it will turn out alright,” Vero said, hopeful. Ylva only looked forwards as she responded.

“I hope you’re right lad, I truly hope you’re right.” It was soft and almost like a prayer, a plea to Veles that they hadn’t ruined all their hard work so far.