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Tova's Four Kingdoms River Crossing
TOVAErik gently covered me with furs to keep me warm from the chill wind that blew across the prairie and managed to come under the tent and swirl around us. Between his body heat and the fur, I was comfortable and slept well. He slipped out from the furs when the dawn light broke and I soon followed, slipping into the garments I wore yesterday. I then followed him out of the tent.He possessively clasped my hand and strode over to the mess tent. Men bowed and moved out of his way. I could see Leila peeling apart a biscuit and dipping the morsels into honey before poking it into her mouth. She gave me a conspiratory wink as I was dragged by. Erik went to the cook and pointed. We were given two steaming plates.He led me over to where the Generals were gathered. They made room for the two of us to squat on the ground near them. I started eating my breakfast, listening to what was going on between them.“We have two rather large rivers to cross today,” General Zerg announced
Tova's Four Kingdoms River Rescuer
TOVAI grabbed my saddlebags off from Bo and tossed them to the ground, trying to lighten his load as quickly as I could. I leaped into the saddle and raced him back into the river at a gallop, Laila shrieking my name behind me.I saw several warriors on the other side of the river jump in to help save their comrades, but unless they were really strong swimmers, two would be lost instead of one. This river was too deep and too fast for beginners.Just as I hit the water I could see Erik astride Troi on the other side, riding her straight into the fray. Then the water hit me, and I could see no more.I slid off Bo and tugged his bridle downstream from where the barge dumped. I let go of his bridle, diving deep, trying to see in the murky depths. I felt something bump my leg and then it grabbed me, pulling me down. I kicked out, loosening his grip, and then grabbed hold and pushed hard, swimming for the surface. We broke and I could hear Bo going crazy, neighing for me. When I s
Tova's Four Kingdoms Drunk
ERIKTova relaxed in my arms and turned towards me, tucking her head at my shoulder. I was angry with her, but only because she scared me. I had heard the shouting coming from the river and had ridden Troi hard to get there, just in time to see her racing Bo into the water. The river was running high, too high to be safe, and the current was fierce. We were lucky we only lost three men and we were very lucky she wasn’t killed. She was a stronger swimmer than I knew. She also had a bigger heart than I was aware.I knew that the warriors that had heard her passionate and authentic declaration for the warriors’ welfare would spread it all over the camp within minutes, and that she would have the loyalty and love of all the warriors once they heard.I was correct. I carried her into a silent camp, most of which was gathered around a huge bonfire. She wiggled a little and I gently put her on her feet. She wrapped the fur around her tighter and stepped forward, a little unsteadily,
Tova's Four Kingdoms General Brut
ERIKShortly before dawn I slipped out of the furs and quietly got dressed. Tova was still sound asleep. I figured she would probably sleep a few more hours and she would be lucky if she wasn’t hung over. I chuckled, remembering her lack of inhibitions last night. I got a cup of coffee and stood by the dying fire from last night. Someone was feeding it to keep it up and to ward off the chill, but it was much smaller than it was during the celebration. I was joined by one of my favorite Generals, Brut Sult.He brought his coffee over in one hand and the other hand held some dried deer loin. He was chewing a chunk and he stood next to me silently, the only noise coming from his mastication. He noisily swallowed and I waited for him to slurp some coffee. I knew he wanted to say something.“Your queen,” he finally said.“Yes, what about Tova,” I replied.He grinned. “She’s something.”I frowned. “What do you mean?”He smacked me on the arm. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.
Tova's Four Kingdoms Dry Drowning
ERIKI leaped for Tova but four other warriors who saw her fall got to her first. One of the Warriors had already sent another for Garth, the healer.When they saw me pushing towards them, all of the warriors fell back. The one that had sent for the healer bowed his head. “Sire, the mess tent has not been taken down. You can bring her there.”I nodded, gathering her in my arms. Leila appeared, white faced, looking at her friend, but took hold of Bo who was becoming agitated. “I will take care of him until she can,” was all she said. I nodded and started off towards the mess tent with long strides, Tova in my arms.Garth met me there and gestured to a table that they had cleared off for her. I put her on the table and Garth immediately opened her blouse. I fixed glares on the warriors that were standing around, worriedly, and the one that had arrived at Tova first started shooing everyone away. I loved that they loved my queen, but her bre^sts were for me to see only.Garth p
Tova's Four Kingdoms New Camp
TOVAI felt so weak and being in Erik’s arms was bliss. I snuggled up to him, hoping he didn’t mind the smell of onions. Because I smelled. Bad.Someone had hung up some curtains over the corner of the tent to give me a little privacy. They had taken a tub and filled it with steaming water and someone, bless them, had put a half-used piece of soap and a rough rag. I would need some serious scrubbing to get the smell off from me.Brut had asked someone to get a change of clothing from my saddlebags so I even had clean clothing to put on. That was good. I wasn’t sure how we were going to get the smell of onions out of my tunic. Erik gently put me on my feet and waved the curious and helpful onlookers away. “Go,” he stated. “I will tend to my wife.”I looked at him with some confusion. He gave me a tiny smile and then turned a stern look on to the warrior that was lingering. He bowed and left, fastening the curtain.“You know they are right outside the curtain listening,” I w
Tova's Four Kingdoms Keeping the Promise
TOVA“You made me a promise,” I said, again. Erik continued to stride towards me, eyes dark. He looked at me and licked his lips. I realized the warriors around us had stilled, watching the scene.“So I did,” he acknowledged, stopping directly in front of me. I held my breath.He took another step forward and swooped down, grabbing me and flinging me over his shoulder. I shrieked and giggled, and he playfully swatted me on the butt. The warriors around us visibly relaxed and went back to what they were doing.Erik strode over to a tent that had been erected on the edge of the field. Erik walked through the open door and unceremoniously dumped me on the bed before turning back to the flap and fastening it. I scrambled up and shed my clothes. I wasn’t in the mood for foreplay, and I wanted Erik now. I needed to feel him inside me, and I needed to have his arms around me.He turned around to see me standing at the bed, naked. “How do you want me, sire?” I asked. I ran my fing
Tova's Four Kingdoms Missing
ERIK Two days after we stopped at the camp I was standing on the bank, pleased. All of the warriors that had stopped with us had learned how to swim very quickly. I watched Tova in the river, swimming back and forth like an otter, teasing the warriors and getting them to chase her in the water, practicing their new skills. Laila was the fastest learner, quite possibly due to the extra attention she got from Tova. Both girls were laughing. As I watched, Tova flipped over on to her back and floated, calling to one of the warriors. He paddled up to her, splashing, and she laughed in delight. “I think we were successful, Sire,” General Brut said to me, walking up soundlessly next to me. “Our warriors can swim, thanks to our Queen. Tova is a good teacher.” I felt proud. “Yes, she is.” I looked at him sideway. “Would it surprise you to know that she’s also equally as good with battlefield strategy, despite never being in battle?” General Brut laughed. “No, it wouldn’t. She
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Tova's Four Kingdoms Greatest Warriors
TOVALater that night Erik was helping me take off my ornate dress. I had my back to him, my hair lifted up and he was untying the lacing.“Why do they tie these so tightly when you’re obviously with child? Of course you won’t have a waist,” Erik complained, picking at the knots. I shrugged.“Fashion, I guess,” I replied. He finally got the knot untied and spun me around, lifting the heavy dress off from me. I gave a sigh of relief and collapsed on the couch. He sat beside me and lifted my feet into his lap, idly rubbing them.“She will tame the Lion,” Erik mused. “You know who the Lion is, right?”I sighed again. “Yes. And I hope HE isn’t who that prophesy is about.”“The king of the Minot Realm does have a fearsome reputation,” Erik acknowledged. “But so did I.”“She is only six,” I commented. “That’s the same age I was when Birgir came and got me from my parents. I’m not letting Greta go if he comes knocking.”Erik nodded. “I agree. I will fight to keep Greta here unti
Tova's Four Kingdoms Prophesies
TEN YEARS LATERTOVAI was on my knees in the nursery trying to finish braiding six-year-old Greta’s curly red hair. It was normally a mess and I normally let it be a mess, but today was the day she was going to get her prophesy. Her brother, Leif, had gotten his years ago and the seers were finally back in the area. It was a tradition that all the children of the realm participated in. Even Erik had gotten a prophesy at one time.I clumsily climbed to my feet, again big with child. The midwives were convinced I was carrying twins this time. I had another easy birth when I birthed Greta and I was hoping this pregnancy would not be any different. “My lady, can I help?” One of the maids came forward to help me with Greta’s hair. I smiled at her. “Please try, Berta. I can not do a thing with it.” I handed over the brush and ribbons and then looked for my son. I found Leif sitting in the rocking chair near the window, reading a book. I smiled at him. At age ten he looked
Tova's Four Kingdoms Baby
TOVAI woke up in the middle of the night with a start, unsure what had woken me. I felt achy all over and decided to take a bath in the morning. I would ask the medicine man for some herbs to put into the water to soothe my muscles.I rolled over and snuggled into Erik. He rolled slightly in his sleep, pressing further into me. I dozed back to sleep when I woke again. This time I knew what had caused it.I carefully rolled away, hoping not to wake Erik. I felt a horrific pressure in my low back and sharp pains were shooting down my leg. I got up and carefully put on a dressing gown over my hugely swollen body, tying the straps in the front. I began pacing up and down the room, hoping to alleviate some of the pressure in my low back. I was in labor.I knew from my lessons with the midwives that the baby could take hours, or even days to come. I wasn’t prepared for this amount of pain, though. The pressure made me feel like my body was going to drop out of my bottom and the
Tova's Four Kingdoms Dining Room
ERIKI rode Troi into the stable at a run. It had been a long time since she got to go out and ride hard like that. Tova was too large and too far along in her pregnancy to ride, but she still came down to the stable to pet and talk to Bo. He wouldn’t allow anyone else to ride him, including me, so he had to stay when I went out with Troi. I gave the reins to one of the stable boys and then went into Bo’s stall, patting him. “She’s doing okay, boy,” I murmured to him. “It’s just too cold for her to come down and see you.” The new year had come in with a bang, the snow falling enough to cover the first story windows in the castle. After the snow came the winds, biting and freezing everything into a glossy, slippery mess. Tova was large with child and clumsy, so venturing outside wasn’t a good idea. She was going stir-crazy inside the castle. She recently began rearranging the baby’s room for the third time.I dropped a handful of oats into Bo’s feed bucket and carefully made
Tova's Four Kingdoms Dangerous Traditions
TOVAThe days of the celebration passed. It took a week for the castle to become back to normal. Our guests spent a day or two recovering from the merriment of the day before heading back to their lives. Birgir and Ulka stayed a few more days, working out some of the details of their new acquisition. “I’m too old to have kids,” Ulka said, abruptly one night at dinner. Erik choked on his soup and Birgir had to pound him on his back. I started laughing and couldn’t stop.“What on earth brought on this conversation?” Erik asked, horrified. “What are we going to do about an heir?” Ulka said. “Birgir and I aren’t exactly young. We probably have fifteen to twenty good years left to rule, but what will be do after that?”I tipped my head to the side. “Exactly how old are you, my lady?” I asked, curious. Erik gave a shout of laughter. “Good luck getting that information from her. It’s a closely guarded secret.” I threw my wadded up napkin at his head and he ducked. Birgir grinn
Tova's Four Kingdoms Celebration
TOVAI thought my knees would buckle under me but Erik’s steadying hand on my elbow and waist helped. One by one the kings and queens stood. The king of Skaldik stepped forward and dropped to his knee.“Kings and Queens of the Four Kingdoms. I, King Olgir, pledge my alliance to each and every one of you. I pledge to work together, to contribute to the well-being of all of our people.”The remaining kings and queens stomped their feet, pounding out their acceptance. And one by one, each of the royalty took to their knee and made the same pledge.Then it was my turn. I wasn’t sure if Erik had intended on participating, but I knew I needed to. I dropped to my knee and bowed to them.“Kings and Queens of the Four Kingdoms. I, High Queen Tova, pledge my alliance to each and every one of you. I pledge that we will work together and contribute to the well being of all people, regardless of where they dwell.”Erik fell to his knee beside me and repeated the oath. We stood together a
Tova's Four Kingdoms Unite
TOVAI stood in front of the crowd, nervous. I looked out, shocked at how many people were there. Every flat surface that could be used as a table and every stool, step and chair had been brought from the castle and were filled. Furs from the beds were placed on the ground with cushions for those who arrived too late to find a seat. As far as I could see there was a sea of people, and they were all looking at me.I cleared my throat and began speaking. I spoke loud, partly to control the shaking in my voice, and partly because I wanted all to hear what I had to say.“Men and Women of Oremgoth. I am speaking to you now as a sister from Nidavelle and as your High Queen. Hear my words.Oremgoth is a realm that is made up of four specific kingdoms. Because of location, each of these kingdoms has a specific gift that is from nature, herself.”I turned to the king of Skaldik and inclined my head before turning back to the people. “Skaldik is to the north. Their people are hardwork
Tova's Four Kingdoms New Royalty
ERIKI stood on the podium in the pavilion and looked out on to the field. More people than expected had shown up to the ceremony and that pleased me. Some of the guests didn’t look too pleased and some looked uncomfortable, but my mother was down there doing her best to stop the muttering.The muttering was happening because Tova insisted on mixing the perceived social ranks. Peasants were seated at the table with noblemen. Children from all classes ran around together, playing games and enjoying each other’s company. And those who did not send a response saying that they would be attending, regardless of status, were seated on furs and cushions that were placed out last minute. I knew that the only reason no one had left in a huff is because they were curious about what was going on. I stepped out and raised my hand, garnering the attention of everyone. The hum of conversations slowed and then finally stopped, the only noise made from the servants clanking silver together in
Tova's Four Kingdoms Beautiful
TOVAI was happy to see that the servants had filled my bath with lightly scented water. I climbed in and let the warm water relax my body before quickly washing and coating my hair with oils. I climbed out, wrapping myself in my robe and wandering back to the bedroom where my chambermaid had laid out my gown for the evening.Instead of the chambermaid, Erik was sitting on the couch, shirtless. I looked at him and breathed in, hard. I knew the look in his eyes.“Come here,” he said, widening his legs. I stepped forward until I was standing within arm’s reach of him. “Take off the robe,” he said, eyes smoldering. I obediently untied the sash and let the robe drop to my feet. He hissed his approval through his teeth when he saw my body, still glistening with the oils I had used. He lowered his head and started sucking on my nipple and I threw my head back and moaned. “You know we only have a few minutes,” Erik whispered, his mouth full of my breast. “No, we don’t. Take your
