Tanya's Third Life as a Barbarian Queen, Chapter XXXII

I will have the chapter as links to download at the bottom of the post. As well as a link to the Google Document page.

Got some nice painkillers for the arm and it is healing nicely, I am very lucky! Now, onto the story.

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Adjacent to the outermost Kontia Defense Line

Zorzal El Caesar, Tribune of Sadera and Heir to the Imperial Throne.

Wind cascaded across the gentle rolling plains that surrounded Kontia to batter against the crude wall that dominated the horizon. For as far as the eye could see the savages stood atop the mound, with nothing but fur and painted skin to protect them from the biting northern howling.

At my back was a full half of the Ninth Legion’s able bodied men, thirty thousand legionaries who had already won many victories against the rabbits. They stood as an indomitable wall of red, the resolute blade of Sadera standing ready to crush this last vestige of resistance.

I did note that some of them looked rather grim. Haggard and worn from the long march south, but it is often said that hardship breeds strength. The men assembled here should be grateful to have fought for such a noble cause, to have suffered for Sadera in its totality. 

I drove my mount onwards, half a dozen of my close companions and most senior subordinates at my sides with a host of fifty men on foot behind us to serve as bodyguards for this meeting with the elusive Sorcerer Queen of the Tanaoi. Behind the guards were ten volunteer hostages without weapons, all of them cripples in some way, but that was a failure of the Lepus to demand able bodied hostages.

Rory Mercury had also decided that she would attend the parlay. Her presence had not been negotiated between the messengers but it would be absurd for this Queen to take offense with her presence.

Hopefully the troublesome little woman would convince the Tanaoi that surrender was their most reasonable course of action. After all, when the representative of a God stood besides a Prince of Sadera any question of who was favoured in war became moot.

I had considered taking Tyuule along with me to remind the Tanaoi that I had subjugated their High Queen. But I was beginning to suspect the fool had begun to suspect I had not been entirely honest with her when I had promised to turn her people into a vassal of Sadera. No, even if I were to gag the woman she would only serve to make the negotiations more troublesome. 

She also despised the Tanaoi Queen. It would be best to introduce the pair to each other in the bedroom when they could channel their distaste for each other into a competition to see who could please me more.

I could hardly wait.

Already too much of my time had been wasted by this entire affair. I needed to return to Sadera, politics waited for no man and I had little doubt that my enemies were slandering me as much as they could. Their petty attacks would be swept aside in my Triumph. 

We made our way along the fine Imperial road, inspecting the standards of the centuries who had assembled. This was not the full force, I still had more than half of the Legion in reserve. It was very likely that once we had shattered the Lepus at this wall they would run to Kontia or beyond, so it was important to rest some of the men so they might be ready to carry the camp forwards tomorrow.

Many of my subordinates had instead wanted me to march much of the army east to attack the mound of mud in many places at once. It was frustrating just how stupid men of high station could be. The Tanaoi were most effective when the strength of a legion was divided, split apart. 

No, it was best to strike in one place, a single potent fist driven into the gut of the Tanaoi would see them crumble. This long campaign had highlighted to me the manifest failures of the Imperial Legion as an institution. It was a system that floundered without the command of great men to gather forces together and direct them towards a single goal.

The career soldiers always wanted to drag their feet, to move ponderously. Men who were considered to be respectable commanders had again and again proven themselves to be ill suited to war when they wanted every single task to be preceded by constant reconnaissance missions, planning, meetings and debate. For every step forward a legion took five debates must be held.

That was no way to win a war, I had demonstrated that. It was ambition and audacity, nothing else mattered.

The meeting point was at the ruins of an old cottage several paces from the Imperial Road, The walls and furnishings of the building having been looted or crumbled away long ago. All that was left was the remains of a stone fireplace and a clay tile floor.

The Tanaoi had already arrived and had brought with them a table and some chairs as well as what looked like food, wine and several baskets. Perhaps they thought to offer me gifts for clemency.

A fine idea. I was already feeling rather generous but such measures were appreciated.

I did grow somewhat frustrated when I took note of how few of the savages had arrived. The agreement made between our messengers was that I could bring fifty bodyguards to this meeting while the Lepus were permitted twenty. This was in addition to exactly six negotiators and the ten hostages.

Thus the glorified rabbits should number thirty six, but instead only numbered twenty six.

They had not brought their full allotment of warriors in what was clearly a slight against Saderan battle prowess. It was a petty thing but I was hardly blind to the statement. If I pointed out the insult it would shame me and muddle negotiations. 

I would have to simply ignore the slight.

“Welcome to you, Prince of Sadera.” One of the Lepus spoke out as we reached the meeting place and I raised a fist as our procession slowed to a stop.

I looked at the assorted warriors and took note of the ten without armour or weapons, without anything at all save for combs and waterskins of wine. They were clad in nothing but paint and were in good spirits for hostages. 

From them I looked upon the ones we would be negotiating with. Some had Imperial equipment, gold and silver, jewels and magical implements. It was odd to see savages of the steppe carrying weapons that would befit a royal guard. But I supposed this was the equivalent.

It had been noted that unlike the rest of their kind, the Tanaoi were very rapidly adopting Saderan armour, weapons and equipment. Some of their imitation centuries looked like a Saderan Century but with its soldery sporting bunny ears.

I took care to look at the assembled Tanaoi tribeswomen. Among them was a giant of their kind, she stood back, behind the Lepus who’s hair and fur had begun to carry a hint of grey. Her eyes were sharp and unflinching. Another was a buxom beauty, not as tall as the giant but with a cascading mane of brilliant red hair framing a stunning face. But as I cast my eyes from woman to woman I saw no tell tale signs of a mage, nor a sorceress. None met my expectations. Eventually I grew tired of the guessing game and spoke.

“Is your Queen here to parlay?” I inquired, leaning forwards upon my horse as a titter spread though the assembled savages.

“Indeed I am.” The woman who had spoken to begin with, one who I had taken for a simple messenger of no particular note responded.

I beheld her then. She, unlike her peers, bore no particular adornment. No rings or baubles, no torcs or plates, she had no crown upon her head nor did she stand tall, indomitable, dark and imposing. For all that she was not there was so much that she was. Her face was youthful, her hair and what fur could be seen was fine and golden and her eyes shone like fine blue sapphires. 

She was beautiful, with thick and powerful thighs and wide hips and even her mail coat could not hide her firm and sizable breasts. Yes, she bore a coat of steel mail and under that a dull green tunic and matching set of braccae. As her companions were clad in silks, gold, silver and gaily coloured and adorned clothes, this Sorcerous Queen comported herself with the dress that would befit a marauding vagabond. 

While I could not deny that she had little need for adornment, it was quite the statement to underdress oneself so blatantly. That and while she would be in her element stripped bare and presenting herself to me, she was not uniquely beautiful among her race.

I have known many wizards, sorcerers and mages over the years and not a single one would allow themselves to be seen without rings and amulets on their person.

I looked dumbfounded upon her before I remembered how magic users would often use charms to hide or alter their appearance. The Tanaoi were used to using deception if Tyuule were to be believed. It would perhaps stand to reason that this Queen would fear an attack and thus had taken care to look as if she was a subordinate. 

I had also heard that many spellcasters sought to hide magical equipment to give themselves advantages in magic duels. It could be that this woman had enchanted rings and other such pieces upon her that were hidden from normal sight.

“Very well. First we shall exchange hostages before we continue.” I demanded. Before the Tanaoi could respond I waved forwards our hostages with a suppressed smile as the pack of cripples limped forwards.

There was shock and outrage on the barbarians faces the moment the ten men approached the ten naked Lepus and one of their number stomped her feet in frustration.

“How dare you! You think we shall accept thi-” Just as the Tanaoi woman, the tall and beautiful specimen with a mane of bright red hair that flowed down her back was about to protest, the underdressed Queen held up a hand and said something softly that did not carry to my ears.

There was a pause before the Queen of the Tanaoi got to her feet and offered me a smile.

“To volunteer to be a hostage is an act of supreme bravery, it is they who risk their lives so that we might speak, that bloodshed might be avoided. Their life is just as precious as any other and we shall not debase this parlay by quibbling over what soul is worth what.” 

I inclined my head. It was a good sign that this Queen was already obsequiously allowing me to snub her. 

It was very likely that she understood the situation she was in and her peers did not. I held the advantage here in pure military might and her observation of that spoke well of her intelligence if nothing else.

With the words of their Queen the ten barbarians were exchanged for the ten cripples, and while the barbarians were led back to my camp the cripples were led back to the Tanaoi mud mound. 

Next was a waiting game, little could be done until the hostages of both sides were secured as the negotiation was ostensibly predicated upon a mutual value of the lives exchanged.

Except everyone knew that was a farce and their Queen had allowed it. I glanced back at the painted women and shook my head, it did not matter if we started now or not.

“I could not agree more.” I said quickly, eager to get to the point of this. I smoothly slipped from my saddle and onto the ground with a bounce in my step. I was glad that the weakness that had haunted me in this long march south had faded without warning this morning. The sudden return of my strength was a clear sign that the Gods favoured me this day.

“I greet you as Zorzal El Caesar Prince and future Emperor of Sadera, Tribune and commander of the Legions that have subjugated all of your fellow Queens.” I grinned at her as she offered a slight bow in respect. 

It was a start I suppose, better than Tyuule had offered before she learned her place.

“I greet you Prince Zorzal, I am Queen Tanya, pureblood Mage of the Tanaoi, head taker of ninety four women and hundreds of men. And mother to five daughters. I command these women and speak with the voice of all free and subjugated Lepores." I snorted at the obvious boast but clasped her wrist when it was offered.

“I am Rory Mercury.” Said the Madwoman.

The Tanaoi Queen, Tanya, seemed to frown as she spoke but her expression quickly adjusted and she turned to regard the diminutive representative of Emroy.

“It is an honour to meet you, Apostle. It is interesting that you came with the Imperial Legion.” I could hear the slight edge to the woman's tone and let out a bellowing laugh. 

“It’s obvious more like!” I said in good cheer. “But you have made an impressive show of things regardless.” I offered, in part it was true, that she had done better than any of the other Queens of the so-called headhunting rabbits. Rory glanced at me and I reveled in how the other Tanaoi glared at me with open seething rage. 

“Emroy has bid that I stand in observance of this meeting, that is my sole task here. But know that I shall tend to the souls whose lives are claimed in the battle that is to come if you are unable to reach an accord here. Emroy welcomes all who fight well to their dark embrace.” Rory recited to the awestruck gaggle of savage bunnies.

“Emroy has no stance on the outcome of these negotiations?” The Tanaoi Queen probed carefully.

“A war... resolved by word or deed. It makes little difference to Emroy.” Rory dismissed the question. Tanya, the Tanaoi Queen accepted the answer and turned to me.

“Well, I understand that you intend to offer me terms of surrender?” The Queen pressed and I nodded, sauntering over to the table and settling down in one of the provided chairs. 

“Yes, In my benevolence, I am offering your tribe clemency.” I watched as the Queen in question seemed to consider my words.

“In the interest of avoiding any confusion, I will hear what you have to say in full.” She spoke at last.

“Very well.” I said. “ But It’s quite simple, out of respect for your tenacity and accomplishments on the field of battle, I will offer to make The Tribe of the Tanaoi a direct vassal to Sadera. You shall be permitted to keep your weapons, given over much of the land we have conquered from the other tribes to administer as you see fit.” I looked at my beautiful bride to be, as she looked rather taken aback at my generosity. 

“And of the land we have taken here?” She probed.

“Your people will return to the steppe.” I reiterated. “I think it is fair for you to keep any demihuman slaves you have captured, as well as most of the goods you have taken. But you will be confined to your allotted territory.” 

“To be clear.” Tanya said. “You are offering what land specifically? Upon what boundary? What rights and responsibilities will we have as a vassal? What is to be done about the damage to infrastructure of the region and what guarantee are we to offer each other to ensure our accord is observed by both my tribe and Sadera?” I felt my eyes glaze over somewhat as she began to babble like a Senator.

“Such things will be established when necessary.” I told her.

“They are necessary now, for these negotiations to begin.” She said with a concerned frown. “I cannot consider any agreement without a firm grasp of what that agreement shall entail!” I grit my teeth as the woman began to frustrate me. “Firstly, what are the conditions for our surrender?” She prompted. That, at least, was a question I could answer immediately. At her words I gave her another winning smile and reached out to take her hand she had placed on the table between us. Her eyes opened wide as I said the words that every woman dreams of hearing.

“You will be mine.” 

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Edited By: Y1

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UcncUM0deTxiwj_CSUMAEnyilId4GgKY4SAeMleMUfk/edit?tab=t.0