I sit up, rubbing my eyes. That was a good sleep, I really needed that. The giant cushion that has served as my bed deserves a reward, I need to take one of these back home when we are done here.

"Finally up to bless us with your presence?" The sarcastic words sully my good mood immediately.

Grant sits near the entrance to the tent, spear lazily leaned against his shoulder.

Sending out my senses, Enna seems to be in the orc camp, but not all that close. I fix Grant with a glare, "Enna left you alone with me?" I don't bother keeping the disbelief out of my voice.

The adventurer brings a hand up to massage his temple, "Apparently. I was instructed to look after you." He forces a stressed laugh and turns his full attention to me, "Look, kid, your highness, whatever. I think something got mixed up here, guess that's on me for thinking I knew what was going on in the head of a vess. And" He pauses to swallow nervously, "I'm sorry. About my disrespect, I told you from the beginning I don't know how to act around royalty."

He rubs the back of his head, looking distinctly uncomfortable. "I talked to the hero, and yeah, I agree with her. We need to save those families, killing a bunch of orcs doesn't help that. After a week of bumbling around this camp, I can see the orcs have families too, they aren't mindless monsters, and it doesn't sit right with me to kill them." He rubs the back of his head sheepishly, "Not that I even could kill a single one."

Something caught my attention, did I do it again? "We've been here a week?"

The man fixes me with a confused look, "Er, yeah. Didn't you know? Guess you were asleep half the time and half asleep the rest of it. I swear, every time I was in here that caretaker of yours had you all swaddled up and was raining kisses down on you non stop."

Ugh my bad habit of sleeping away the time snuck up on me again. Oh well, this is what I have companions for. I relax and flop back down into my cushion. I feel something warm against my back and lifting the blanket reveals a very sleepy One curled up. He is greedily scooped up and snuggled close. The tent is warm thanks to a fire crystal, but I want all the extra heat I can get, winter should be here soon.

"So um," Grant seems to struggle with the words, "Do you need anything? I admit, I don't know the first thing about taking care of kids."

"I'll be fine till Enna gets back." I reassure the man. I'm feeling really cozy, it would be a travesty to get up now.

Grant looks extremely relieved. He even laughs to himself, "Ha! I've faced down monsters twice my level, but being responsible for a little girl sets me on edge." The man shakes his head to himself"

"Soooo, what's the plan?" I ask.

"Huh?" Grant blinks, somehow astonished, "You don't know? Surely Enna has told you?"

I shake my head.

He blinks a few more times before getting himself under control, "You're awfully ignorant of the goings on around you for a queen."

I shrug. "That's what subordinates are for. And anyways, Sarah is much better at all this than I am." His attitude isn't as bad as it was, and I am way too comfy to let it bother me. Maybe when we get back to the hive, I'll have him punished until he respects me. The thought brings a toothy smile to my face.

"Well…" Grant rolls the word around in his mouth, "We are set to leave in a few days for South Tarenbaum. Sarah wants to get into contact with their leaders so we can work together, and to be sure there aren't problems with your army of monsters. Winter will be upon us soon; we are hoping to coordinate an attack on the north when they least expect it. The orcs and vess don't got any problems in the snow, and the South Tarenbaum army can mop up the rest in the spring." He smiles ruefully and laughs, "Hah! That's assuming the south will work with us. Your caretaker seems convinced they will, somehow."

The adventurer gets up and fiddles with a leather strap. "I'll let your caretaker know you're awake."

Still half asleep, I entertain a daydream where I tell Grant I could have him killed at any moment and no one could stop me. In the daydream he is terrified into submission, and I feel so smug and satisfied, the ant finally understanding its place. I almost call out to Grant as he's leaving to make my dream a reality, but a massive yawn interrupts my words, and he is gone before I can recover.

Pouting, I bring One up closer to my face. "Should I just go full vess mode? It would make everything so much easier." One nuzzles my face, "You're right, I did promise Sarah I would try to be good." My first summon presses the attack, licking my face and nibbling on my fingers when I go to block him, he growls playfully, and I giggle back.

After playing for a while, my stomach rumbles, and I realize I need to pee too.

Detangling myself from my blankets and rising from my cushion takes monumental effort, but I somehow manage. Stumbling outside of my tent, I find myself once more shivering in the cold. Oops I forgot my cloak. Turning back inside, I manage to find my cloak and put it on by myself, twirling and enjoying the way my cloak and skirts flow through the air. I stop, letting the clothing settle and curtsy for One, "Impressive, no? Proof that I can take care of myself if I want to!"

'Yip!'

Stepping outside again, I try my best to think. The past week is a blur, the toilet was close by though, I know it is. One has followed me out, intending to guard me, I can feel the waves of protectiveness coming off him and it's adorable.

"One, take me to the toilet." I command. I can certainly care for myself, but why should a queen need to remember the way to the bathroom? Such knowledge is beneath me.

My little guardian trots around the back of my tent towards another smaller tent and patiently sits down by its entrance. Entering, I find a vess made toilet which I make use of.

While I'm sitting, One yips and projects the image of the Matron approaching the tent across our link. The woman stops short of entering and gently calls out, "Do you need any help in there, sweetie?"

"No!" I quickly finish up and exit the bathroom, red faced and glare up at my tormenter.

My glare seems to pass right over her, she just smiles down at me, "My, someone is feeling independent today." Her condescending voice brings further heat to my face.

I stomp my foot, my claws sink into the ground slightly, "I'm fine. One is with me, anyway."

The orc coos down at my guardian, "Aw, you have a little protector today?" She scratches One on the head, eliciting a happy burble from the traitor.

If this woman is set on babying me, I might as well take advantage of it. "Fia, I'm hungry."

Fia'oh claps her hands together, "Good! Little-"

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The rest of her words are drowned out by a scout who has just entered my range. A furious torrent of information and images crashes into my mind, a massive headache makes itself immediately known. The information is important, however. A group of men are on their way to this camp, their horses are galloping supernaturally fast across the land, some kind of skill at play, and will be here in a few hours.

There are around three hundred of them, all clad in plate armor, and flying the flag of North Tarenbaum. A clarification comes from Enna, the man leading the group matches the descriptions for General Pirous, the man who ordered the orcs to attack the Karnakan villages. A secondary clarification from Enna assures me that she can handle him.

"Ver'kar? Ver'kar?"

Opening my eyes reveals a very distressed Matron who is crouching in front of me and desperately trying to get me to respond. A pulse of magic washes over me, she must be trying to figure out what's wrong.

"My head hurts, but I'm fine." I push her away, "General Pirous and three hundred troops will be here in a few hours."

Fia'oh straightens immediately, all traces of the cooing woman vanishing instantly, "We must speak to the Clan Head at once." She reaches down and takes my hand and starts a brisk walk. Somewhat brisk, she is forced to slow down so I can keep up with my short legs.

Thanks to my short legs, we are the last ones to arrive. The Clan Head sits with his head bowed and eyes closed, deep in thought. Jet'latar is standing in a heated discussion with Sarah and Grant. Enna observes them nearby, radiating calm and peace.

I am sat next to Set'latar, Sarah plopping down on the cushion to my right. Jet'latar, Grant, Enna, and the Fio'oh all remain standing.

"Lady Enna has informed us of the situation." Set'latar's dry voice grates out, "I fear that allowing the General to reach our camp, can only lead to disaster. Especially if he discovers the presence of the vess."

Sarah grips the hilt of her sword, "Your families either need to be evacuated, or we need to intercept him." Sarah visibly tries to relax her posture and voice before speaking to me, "Ren, this Pirous guy probably knows where the Karnakans were taken. If we take him out, we will also cripple the command structure of the north, giving the south more of a fighting chance." She seems conflicted, "This is our chance to get what we want without getting further involved. To tell you the truth, I really didn't like the idea of signing up with South Tarenbaum, but I didn't see any other way forward. A part of me does still want to help, but… My responsibilities are getting the Karnakan family's home." She hardens her voice and finishes strong.

"Mmm." I nod my head, "I didn't really want to get involved in a war until I have enough vess to just trample over my enemy. I can just have Enna pluck the General from his ranks while my drakes burn the rest to ash."

Jet'latar steps forward, "Are you certain? You're going to take on the General's elite force?"

I nod again, "It shouldn't be a problem."

The son of the clan head drums his fingers on the top of his hammer, "This is the same force that accosted us at the border. We could have killed them, but the risk to our families was too great. It wouldn't have been a clean or easy victory." His fingers pause as he crouches down to be at eye level with me, "The General is strong, he's in his third evolution, level sixty two last time I inspected him. The only reason we would stand a chance is because of our Matron. You are taking on a tremendous risk by doing this, the danger cannot be overstated, I can't send a child into such danger."

Wow Jet is a really stand up guy. I duck my head and hit him with a deadly, shy smile, "Don't worry, I won't be going in personally. Enna and my vess are more than capable of handling it."

Jet'latar holds eye contact for a few seconds before nodding, "Good." Is all he says, stone faced.

"You are doing us a great kindness, killing our enemies and offering us shelter, Ver'kar." Set'latar smiles kindly at me, "Thank you, again. That said, it won't be safe for us to stay here after you make your move."

"You can move everyone to the village at the base of the mountains, like we talked about." I suggest.

The Clan Head nods vigorously, "Jet, get everyone organized. We move out as soon as possible."

"...Very well." Jet'latar agrees after a brief pause. "I'll organize it, but I'm going to be participating in the battle."

The Matron joins in, "I will lend my aid. It would break my heart to see the little Ver'kar left without a caretaker."

Sarah gets to her feet, "Let's talk strategy. I suggest the vess taking care of the main force while our group of elites handles the General."

I immediately tune out whatever they are going over, it's not important to me, they can handle it. Instead, I reach out to my vess to give them instructions, getting them in position to head out with Enna in command.

It doesn't take them long to figure out a plan and I soon am finding myself being lifted onto a drake. Enna sits me down comfortably and fixes my dress before stepping back, nodding approvingly. Everyone else is mounting up on those big lizard things, apparently called G'zuk. Sarah seems apprehensive at first, but Jet quickly shows her what to do and helps her mount with a small boost, the lizard being a size too big for her.

Our party sets out. Grant looks very green, clutching onto the neck of his lizard for dear life. It's a little satisfying.

Jet and Fia are leading the group, with Sarah and Enna close behind, Enna easily keeping pace on foot. Grant is keeping further back, he's not strong enough to help much in the coming fight. My group of fifty knights follow close behind with five drakes flying in formation above them. Six hundred vess soldiers are approaching from the nearby temporary hive they have been staying in. It's a shame I didn't bring any ballista.

My drake banks and dives effortlessly through the wind. I scream from the rush, it's like being on a rollercoaster; I must have liked them back on Earth. I'm freezing but starting to feel really excited! It's been a while since my vess saw combat, I'm eager to see them decimate the humans. Each of my knights are about equal to a level forty human. Sarah is level forty and struggles, but can defeat them with some effort, but I suspect that has to do with her hero class being more powerful than others. She has also been leveling up incredibly fast, another benefit I assume, we haven't really talked about our classes that much.

We are fast approaching our targets; I can now directly observe them through my scouts. A huge group of horses with a slight white glow around their hooves practically fly across the ground. It won't be long now before we collide. They seem to be lacking any scouts and probably aren't expecting any resistance until they get close to the camp.

The riders are all clad in white plate armor that almost looks more like stone. Each one wears a purple cloak with red trim, and it goes without saying they all are heavily armed. They absolutely give off the vibe of an elite unit. Jet said most of them are around level thirty, hopefully none of them are in their forties, or this could end with some losses on my end.

The man leading the charge is older, as is expected for a high level human, long grey hair is tied up in a high ponytail; he's the only one not wearing a helmet. His armor matches his soldiers, but his cloak is a deep red instead of purple.

Is it bad that I think he looks handsome?

"Not at all, sweetheart." Enna's voice in my mind makes me jump and blush, I didn't think she was paying so much attention to my thoughts.

Enna continues, "You are merely reacting to the sight of a powerful individual. It is natural for a queen to want to claim him as a part of your forces, so you may grow ever stronger."

"I didn't think Gwyna was hot." I grumble.

Enna's laugh is light and airy, "Of course not, she marked herself for death immediately. You knew she would be worse than useless to you."

"And the Matron? She's around level sixty. I wasn't really attracted to her."

"You already have her, dear." My caretaker purrs.

"So, I want this Pirous guy?" It's difficult to grasp the meaning of my new emotions and instincts.

"Yessss." Enna's voice turns sultry, "He would make for a fine subordinate"

"I-I'm not into older men!" I think. It's hard to remember my past life, but surely something like that would come up.

Enna laughs some more, "You need not play with the man, sweetie. He may serve you in more, practical ways." The way she curls the word 'play' around her tongue sends a shiver through me.

"How am I supposed to convert him though? We are about to slaughter his forces and interrogate him, probably through torture."

"Dear, all you must do is claim him. You're old enough now, I think it's about time you started acting more in line with your desires, take what you want and let none stand in your way. Are you not the leader of this group?"

That is technically true… The orcs agreed to my rule in exchange for protection, same with Grant. Sarah is Earth minded; she probably would prefer if I spared the General.

"Just take him?"

"The vess bow to no one."

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