The Queen by Suzanna Lynn Page B

people rely on
us to protect them. They serve the Kingdom knowing their King will
keep them safe. How can we sit here in the castle out of harm’s way
while this threat is so close?”
    “But, Your Grace,” said General Cormag,
“certainly you can see that all the people of the Kingdom will not
fit comfortably in the castle.”
    “No, you are right, I imagine none of us
will be comfortable,” Baylin sighed.
    The general smiled to himself and sat back
in his chair, basking in his small victory.
    “However, I’m less worried about their
comfort than I am about their lives,” Baylin said. “We will make
immediate preparations to have everyone in the Kingdom moved to the
tunnels within the mountain.”
    The room erupted with mumbles and
whispers.
    “Enough!” boomed Baylin, slamming his fist
down on the large oak table. “I have given you my decision and it
will be done!” He looked at his friend Ferric for reassurance.
    “Your Grace,” Ferric stood. “It would honor
me if you would allow me to immediately start the
preparations.”
    “Yes, very good,” Baylin said, his heart
swelling with thanks and pride. “Please take as many of the
housemaids and stewards as you need to get things moving.”
    Ferric bowed and hurried from the room with
several stewards in tow.
    “Your Grace,” said General Cormag. “I
certainly mean no disrespect. I have served under your father a
large portion of my life. I would hope I could be some help to you
in your reign. However, I’m afraid there is something we must
address with this course of action.”
    “What, Cormag?” Baylin snarled, infuriated
that the old man continued to question his judgement.
    “The harvest,” the general said. “If all the
villagers are residing in the castle, who will tend to the harvest?
Without it, we will all starve before winter begins. We will
already have to ration without our usual shipments of fruits and
nuts from Mirstone and Kardell.”
    “And if Ranhold or Strathen side with
Mirstone, we will be in even more trouble,” voiced another
general.
    The harvest . Baylin grimaced, staring
at a map of the Kingdom. I didn’t think of that. Grasmere
was the northernmost Kingdom in Wintervale and had extremely harsh
winters. They relied, not only on their own harvest, but the
supplies they received from the other four Kingdoms in the
realm.
    “We will have to push the harvest up,”
Baylin said. “We will bring in all the villagers who are
unessential to the harvest. The elderly. Mothers with young
children. Everyone else will help in the fields.”
    For the first time that evening the room
grew quiet. Baylin contemplated the upcoming celebration his mother
was preparing for Luana and the baby. He knew all within the
Kingdom were looking forward to it. We must cancel the
celebration. That food is far too precious now.
    Baylin turned to a steward who was standing
by the door, awaiting orders. “Young man, go to see Queen Valasca
at once. Tell her I have commanded the celebration of the heir to
be canceled. Tell her all the food and provisions that will not
spoil are to be stored. Perishables are to go to feed the families
who will be coming into the castle shortly.”
    “Your Grace.” The boy bowed and left the
room.
    The Prince turned back to the room, the men
awaiting his command. “In addition to the villagers, all working
within the castle will also be put to work in the fields. If
they’re not busy defending the Kingdom, they will be working the
harvest.”
    “Your Grace!” cried General Cormag. “You
can’t possibly mean to have the stewards, handmaids and kitchen
staff leave their duties and work the fields.”
    “That’s exactly what I mean,” said Baylin.
“The fate of the entire Kingdom now relies on those willing to
fight to live.”

Chapter Eleven

    After Baylin canceled the celebration, Luana
was given the task of helping Queen Valasca make arrangements to
move the villagers into the castle. She was certain it was