“I think you misunderstand my intentions, miss…Emile, yes, you must be Emile. Auriane told me that you were in charge here.” (Patreon)

“Auriane? Is she alright?” “She came to the capital city asking for help for Dacqoise. The queen could not spare any troops at this time.” “Figures,” Emile responded, in a guarded tone. “But I, Helena the Green, am a knight errant, only adjunct to the court of Plouffe.” “What the hell does that mean?” a red-headed tavern maid asked, grabbing a bottle.

“It means she was free to defy the queen and come here to help us,” Emile translated, adding, “Did you bring troops?” Helena blushed a bit. “Well, not exactly.” “Not exactly?” “If you wish to be a nitpicker about it,” Helena continued, “I brought ‘troop.’ But she’s quite the archer.”

“Not to be rude, Sir Helena, it is sir, right? Dame? Whatever. We’re up against an entire army here. One knight and one archer isn’t worth jack,” Emile responded. Helena nodded, “Not without the citizens. Auriane told me that you were the one who could organize a resistance.” “A bunch of dairy farmers, millers, bakers, and shopkeepers? No thanks. We’d be slaughtered.”

“Well, it’s either fight with what we have, or live under the boot of the Foxglove sisters. I’m sure you’ve heard stories of the rampant corruption, strict punishments, and high taxes that follow them?” Helena replied, desperate.

“That’s not going to work on me. Our people are weak, vulnerable. We have no weapons, and we can’t fight.”