A hundred soldiers.

That's all we have. A hundred soldiers. Sometimes I wish somebody would be more generous. A hundred soldiers, no matter how skilled, won't do much against Arcadia and Faustus' combined soldier count of seventy hundred thousand. Quoting the former Arcadian High Commander Terence, "Strategy and skill wins a battle, but numbers win the war."

Ryan did a good job, though. I'll never have known to slash the ankles of a giant! Even though I literally trained with the monks of Ba'ffkalomana, I guess I still have a thing or two to learn from assassins. In fact, for his help, I've decided to legally take two years off his ten-year sentence.

The goblins were great healers. Ryan was all fixed up by sundown with a healing potion that they also used on Hyu, but his injuries would take more time to heal.

I frowned at myself in the mirror. I was newly equipped with titanium goblin armour and a new silver dagger. Who knows when you might meet evil creatures of the night like vampires, lycanthropes and ghosts? One stab in the right place, and they turn into dust. Dust is much less dangerous in comparison to nefarious monsters.

Tara peeked out from behind the carved wooden door, her short raven-black fringe falling over her face. "Rhia? You done yet?"

I grimaced. "Someone calls me that once, and it becomes an eternal title?"

She waggled her eyebrows. "Oh, obviously. 'Your Highness' is way too much of a mouthful. Makes it easier for the rest of us."

I sighed. "As long as you promise to call me 'Your Majesty' as soon as I'm back on the throne."

Tara grinned, her now-black eyes sparkling. "Of course, Rhia. Now, will you please come and eat? We haven't eaten properly in days!"

"I've heard goblin feasts are wonderful. Of course I will join. Just... give me a little more time. Five more minutes and I'll be ready."

She pointed at me. "You said so." After that, she walked out.

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I strode out into the dining hall with my new armour and a new black travelling cloak. I loved them. The titanium armour was strong and stylish, while the cloak was silky but made with strong material. My old one was battered and torn. I still wore my navy blue shirt and my brown trousers underneath, of course, but the new armour added so much flair and style... even if I'm a warrior, I am still a girl at heart.

I sat at the table where King Wredlar was seated.

"Your Majesty," he said with an inclined head. "We have prepared a feast for your return, and the Alliance of goblins with the Arcadian Queen. Please enjoy our delicacies."

I nodded. "Thank you, King Wredlar. We appreciate your help."

He laughed, taking a big swig of goblin mead. "It was your yvfragnar who defeated my general and sealed the deal. We goblins love a bit of bloodshed every now and then."

'Yvfragnar', I knew, was goblin slang for 'lover'. My cheeks burned and I put down my goblet, which I was just about to drink from.

"The mercenary is not my yvfragnar, King Wredlar. We are merely coordinating to let me take back my throne. He is a criminal, after all," I stated, feeling my ears go warm.

King Wredlar looked at me askance. "I thought you would've let him go free. He has helped you a lot."

I raised my goblet to my lips and took a sip, thinking. "Well, I have taken two years off his ten-year sentence."

He snorted. "That's all? Forgive me, Queen Rhianna, but that lad deserves at least four years off. He has earned you a hundred soldiers. And from what the priestess has gleaned from his mind---champions are required to reveal their whole history--- that boy should have his entire sentence off."

"I will think about it. Thank you for your input."

Just as I finished, his servants carried in a dish of delicious roasted turkey into the hall.

The feast had begun.