The Resistant Queen by Brandon J Greer

Author:Brandon J Greer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Brandon J Greer
Published: 2023-07-04T00:00:00+00:00

“I DON’T LIKE IT,” BELLE said.

Maggie and Belle walked around the outskirts of the city wall for the fifth time, checking the walls and traps that had so far gone unneeded. The fact that the winter wall had not descended on them yet was troublesome. The weather was something else entirely. The sky was thick with gray clouds and heavy snow fell around them. Spring should have appeared by now but winter refused to give up its hold on the land. Maggie nodded but remained quiet.

“If something does not change soon, we will all starve. We are usually preparing the fields for planting by now. And game is scarce. Our hunters have had minimal success in the north and anything they do get is gone as soon as it is carried through the gates.”

“What about the south? Have they had better luck there?” Maggie asked.

Belle shook her head. “There are too many mouths to feed and the winter is pushing everything away. We would be forced to leave Priama and enter the territory of man to find enough to feed everyone. We will not risk that yet as it would break the truce we have with them.”

“When this is over, if that ever happens, you must bring me up to speed on everything. I had no idea about a truce.”

Belle stepped over a log hidden in the snow. “It will take time but I have no doubt that you will learn all you need to.”

A gust of wind washed over them, shaking the branches of the tree they were walking under. An avalanche of snow cascaded on top of Maggie. Cold wetness dripped down her collar.

“That’s it,” Maggie yelled. “I’m done. This weather has officially gotten on my last nerve.”

Maggie turned around and pushed through the snow towards the northern gate. Her boots had done a good job at keeping her feet dry but her toes were frozen. She needed a hot bath to thaw her frozen limbs.

“Do not forget about the council meeting tonight,” Belle called.

“How could I? You’ve only mentioned it about fifteen times.”

She was sick of meetings. The topic of conversation never veered far from two subjects. The threat of the winter wall and the food shortage. In the beginning, the influx of refugees had been at the forefront of everyone's mind but it had gradually become a way of life. They had all grown accustomed to living in such close quarters with the hundreds of new residents. She smiled as she walked past a group of tents near the gate. A large fire burned brightly and laughter rang out, light on the air. At least some people could find something to be happy about. Times were hard but amidst the suffering, small pockets of joy guided them through.

“Hello, Queen Maggie,” a small voice squeaked from near the fire.

A short blond boy waved at her, a blunt wooden sword held tightly in his fist. Maggie smiled and waved back.

“Hello, Vincent.”

She wished she had the time and energy to chat but the misery she felt pushed her along.

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