Queen Amberry felt it was time for her working day to end. She dismissed the various generals and ambassadors from her throne room after another unproductive day of squabbling over battle strategies and resource allocation.
"I should do away with all the military honors I've ever bestowed. Maybe then they'd at least try to keep their egos in check..." she thought.
She was adept in her role as the leader of a nation but the stress was taking a toll. She let out a deep sigh and sunk into the great wooden chair from which she ruled. Her attendant Lucine, ever observant, gazed with compassion at the weary monarch.
"Before I return to my chamber I will send orders to prepare the evening feast. Is there anything else I can do to aid you before I leave you for the night?" she asked, her gentle words echoing off smooth stone walls.
Amberry thought for a moment. Normally she would decline the offer and go about her evening affairs, but today's audiences were especially draining. She needed some sort of release.
"Actually, Lucine, there is something you can do for me."
Word reached the queen earlier that day about the newest captures from the ongoing war against the barbaric northern tribes. Most are sent to work in manual labor around her kingdom, but there was one in particular who hadn't received any tasking. He was the commander of the rebel forces her army had just put down, named Bronlon. While formidable in battle he posed no threat to her now, kept in the dungeon beneath her throne room.
"Have the rebel commander brought up from below. Send him in here and keep him bound, then you and the rest of the staff may take your leave" she replied after some thought.
Lucine's eyes widened in concern.
"My queen, I should leave at least a few guards here with you, the prisoner could be dangerous!" Lucine suggested.
Amberry laughed softly in reply. "I understand your apprehension Lucine, but do not fret. I have ways to keep him under control." She winked subtly at her attendant.
Lucine blushed and bowed, beginning to understand what her excellency had in mind.
"Um...yes my queen. I'll have him brought in right away." She hurried out.
Not long after Lucine's bashful exit, the doors to the throne room opened again. The shuddering of the large iron hinges wrenched Queen Amberry out of her thoughts, reminiscing about the last rebel leader she used to reduce the stress of ruling. Two guards shuffled in, dragging Bronlon between them. They dropped him at the queen's feet and spun quickly, leaving before they saw anything they shouldn't see. As the doors shut behind them, Queen Amberry took stock of her prisoner.
His legs and hands were still bound with chains, the cuffs pushed to their limit over his well-muscled limbs. He rose up proudly onto his knees, his bare chest glistening in the soft candlelight of the throne room. Worn linen pants did little to hide the rest of his body, just as Amberry had hoped.
"I see the fight hasn't left your eyes just yet," she said, grinning down at him from her throne. "That's good, you'll need it".
His piercing blue eyes sparkled back at her from behind dark blonde locks, uncut from months on the road.
She put a foot firmly against his chest and pressed forward as she stood, sending the rebel leader backwards into the thick rug that adorned her throne room floor.