Queen Tarranna of Georstrie

By Denise Ann

WARNING:Contains non explicit, same sex and multiple partnerships. Please do not read this if this will offend you. Non explicit domestic violence is discussed as is slavery and physical assault.

This series of books are primarily dungeon crawlers, with many of the main characters being female.

Queen Tarranna of Georstrie (book 1 of the Tarranna Series) is the introduction to the characters in a series of yarns. as such, it focuses on the characters and how they interact with each other. the main character is Tarranna who was born into a world where four of the five surrounding kingdoms are ruled by murderers, slavers and dictators.

This is story about a young girl who fights her way out of an abusive childhood to become queen. it tells of how she develops as a person and finds love and a family.

Georstrie slowly becomes a land ruled by Queen Tarranna who is determined to exterminate evil, slowly and forever, even if it means destroying the foundations of the world she currently lives in. In order to build this better world,Tarranna is on the cusp of building a new religion, societal structure and even creating a little magic.

Queens Tarranna and Arobar (book 2 of the Tarranna series) continues the story of Tarranna and her family. New characters include Yeti, fairies, brownies, dragons and heaps of other mystical and elemental beings.

The main characters Tarranna, Chandral, Lili and Tashan don't hesitate to hack and slash their way through the many evil beings in the dungeons and the lands of the defeated kings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Denise Ann
• Release date: Jan 10, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301071364

Denise Ann

I live on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. I recently became unemployed and had no excuse not to write the book I've been putting off for years! I am now on my fifth novel and am enjoying bringing my characters to life.

Book preview

Queen Tarranna of Georstrie

and

Queens Tarranna and Arobar

By Denise Ann

Copyright 2012 Denise Ann

Smashwords Edition

ISBN 9781301071364

Cover by Bethany

drawnbybeth.blogspot.com

[e-mail]

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this free ebook. Although this is a free book, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy at Smashwords.com, where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support.

This novel is the compilation of

Queen Tarranna of Georstrie (Book 1 of the Tarranna series) and

Queens Tarranna and Arobar (Book 2 of the Tarranna series)

Books written by Denise Ann can be obtained either through the author's blog site deniseann1963.blogspot.com or Smashwords.com

Map created using AutoRealm

Table of Contents

Book 1

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

End of Book 1

Book 2

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

End of book 2

Sample of Book 3 Guardians of the Mother

End of Sample of Book 3

This series of books is dedicated to my friend and partner Bec, son Christopher and daughter in law Beth. Thanks for all your support and encouragement.

Book 1

Queen Tarranna of Georstrie

Chapter 1

Once upon a time, there was a young girl named Tarranna. Unfortunately for Tarranna, her life started out as an ugly and appalling horror story.

Tarranna’s father molested and badly beat her. No, that’s wrong. The bastard savagely beat and raped her. Repeatedly.

After a particularly vicious attack Tarranna recovered slowly but with steadfast determination to change her life. His usual mode of operation was he’d beat and use her, leave her alone for a few days to heal and repeat. So she knew she had a few days to escape.

While Tarranna waited, she began to steal food as she was barely given enough to keep her alive. She began to hoard little things that’d help her when she left, like an old flint set to make a fire.

Too few days passed before she saw the warning signs. He came home drunker than usual, ranted about how useless she was and belittled her endlessly. Tarranna knew she didn’t have long so she watched covertly until he sat at the table. As he downed the last of his cheap alcohol, Tarranna crept up behind him. She belted him across the back of his head with a frying pan. The force behind the blow wasn’t enough to knock him out for long, but it gave her enough time to cut off his entire ‘package’. Tarranna left him to die and scream in a pool of his own blood.

Tarranna’s mother stumbled in the door of the house just as her daughter was about to leave. When she saw her man on the floor, she proceeded to scream profanity at the girl. The mother knew what her husband did to her daughter, but blamed the girl. She hated her beautiful daughter with intense passion.

The woman attacked Tarranna with drunken ferocity. Tarranna wrestled gamely with her drunken mother, they shattered the cheap furniture under their falling bodies. Tarranna pushed her mother with force gained from fear and sent the woman backwards onto a broken chair. The woman clutched feebly at the wooden stake that stuck out of her guts. She continued to swear at the girl.

The drunken whore lived long enough to tell rescuers exactly what’d happened. She spent the tiny piece of her remaining life struggling to comprehend why no one tried to help her live.

Tarranna was suddenly a ten year old girl who’d murdered two people and acted accordingly. She ran and hid. For the first time in her life, Tarranna was free of mental and physical abuse and was better fed than ever. For the first time in her life she thrived.

Tarranna quickly learnt how to live on the streets. Her determination to survive led her to watch and learn from those around her. Tarranna observed mercenaries and soldiers whilst they trained. She developed her own unique style of swordplay and forged her body into a lethal weapon. She learnt how to blend into her environment until she became a shadow and a chameleon. She watched and learnt from thieves and became one of them. She incessantly picked a variety of locks until she could open anything in her way.

Tarranna used her skill with locks and stealth to break into homes of the wealthy business men. She ensured she only ever took small amounts of coin so it wasn’t missed. Her self-restraint and forethought meant Tarranna was never caught or punished.

Tarranna eventually found a small place to call her own. It was under the stairs of a rarely used business. Crates and rubbish provided the security and privacy she craved. At night, with a piece of old rag wrapped around her, she dreamt of a life where she was loved and cherished. In the morning the dream quickly dissolved but lingered deep in her memory.

At fifteen years of age, Tarranna joined the town army. She quickly rose through the ranks until she led over two hundred men and women. By the age of twenty she commanded the Queen’s army.

The abused child had turned into a brilliant General who led an army that increased in size on a weekly basis. Tarranna conquered nearby lands and increased the size of the Queen’s realm ten-fold. The battles for land were fierce and her reputation as a ruthless warrior grew as quickly as the Queen’s treasury.

After several years, soldiers from other lands happily abandoned their rulers and headed for hers. If the turncoats were later found to be spies, the punishment was extreme. A traitor could expect to have their tongue cut out and their still living body sent back to their leaders, piece by piece. Her soldiers learnt quickly that Tarranna’s creed and strategy were straightforward. If you were on the opposing army, you died. If you broke her rules, you died.

Simple and very effective.

The ruler of Tarranna’s country was a spinster Queen who flatly refused to marry or have children. The Queen didn’t love the warrior as a daughter or mate. She did love the land and treasures the soldier brought to her treasury. On her death bed, the Queen named General Tarranna as her successor.

At the ripe old age of twenty two years Queen Tarranna was born.

****

Queen Tarranna. Just the whisper of her name made even the bravest of warriors tremble in their boots. And rightly so, Tarranna was one extremely formidable woman. As many (now) dead people found out the hard way, she was not only lethal with her impressive collection of weapons but her superbly toned body. She'd killed thousands of men herself but now she had an army willing to do it for her.

Soldiers said they were attracted to her remarkable leading ability, motivational techniques ('play my way or die') and her unconquered skill as a fighter. They said they’d happily follow her anywhere. What most didn’t verbalise was they followed Tarranna because she had a fantastic gluteus maximus and they just loved to watch her walk, or ride, or run, or fight. Mostly they just loved to watch her.

Tarranna's gorgeous butt currently sat on her throne, her body slumped in the pompous chair. She exuded casual strength and unacknowledged (by herself, the rest of the world had already been there done that!) sex appeal. Her silky dark hair (cut to midway down her neck) bounced healthily as she rolled the stiffness from her broad shoulders. The Queen’s impossibly blue eyes devoured the minutest detail of everything and everyone within sight.

Just as all eyes were turned toward her and devoured every inch of the body and total hypnotizing presence that was Queen Tarranna. Dressed in black leather pants, a red silk shirt and knee length boots, she was breathtakingly beautiful.

And extremely bored.

Now on a 'good' day, Tarranna was dangerous and unpredictable. On a 'bad' day, tough-as-steel- battle-hardened warriors fell at her feet crying for forgiveness and mercy.

Today had quickly deteriorated into a bad day.

The Royal court had started out beautifully for her! A wealthy merchant had the audacity to think selling his wares exclusively to the castle meant that he didn’t have to pay taxes. He even had the cheek to increase the prices of his wares!

The moron!

One icy glare from the Queen was all it took to make sure the merchant (and some of the nearer onlookers) didn't have to worry about current or future problems with constipation. By the time she’d finished with him, he’d paid more than his back taxes. She took his entire business and gave herself mates’ rates!

Then she'd sentenced two of her soldiers to five years hard labour. They'd been caught extorting freebies from local market owners. Not such a bad a sentence, for the crime, they'd thought. Until they realized they’d be cleaning the sewerage channels for the city… Five years in a shit job! Beheading was starting to look extremely good to them.

Just when Queen Tarranna had begun to enjoy herself, a rapist was called before her. He had brutally abused several women and laughed about his crime.

Big mistake....

The usual sentence for rape was the removal of a man's 'jewels' - without anaesthetic, of course. But because he was so proud of his accomplishments, Queen Tarranna ordered something extra special for him. His arms and legs were shattered. He was then sent to the healers to have his mangled bones set. After that, he was castrated. Tarranna saw that all his medical needs were seen to by her healers.

The novice ones.

He didn’t laugh and brag now, in fact she could still hear his screams coming from the infirmary. From the way the men in the room winced, the incidence of rape in her realm should drop even further.

On the Queen’s right was Melanger, Captain of the Royal Guard and her army. He reflexively winced as a piercing scream echoed through the hall. He ignored it as he continued to survey the crowd that watched the prisoners’ trials. His job was to protect the Queen and he took his role very seriously. He constantly scanned for potential trouble makers.

Even with the hundred or so spectators and guards in it, the huge hall was still only half full. The hall was extravagant with its exotic wall hangings and murals but nothing compared to the splendour of the rest of the huge palace.

The huge palace Tarranna now owned and lived in.

Melanger internally cringed as he warily observed and ticked off the signs of his leader's deteriorating frame of mind. Of course, this was done whilst he maintained an appearance of complete authority and composure.

1 - The incessant tap of her fingers on the arm rest of her throne. The rhythm of the tap increased in speed as her irritability increased. Thankfully, it still set a slow, steady pace.

2 - The gentle suck/chew of the tip of the ring finger of her left hand. Her head gently rested on the tips of her pointer and middle finger, her elbow on the arm rest of her throne.

3 - The barely audible, exasperated sighs that intermittently forced their way out of her lovely throat.

4 - The decidedly ice-cold glint in her normally cobalt blue eyes, accompanied by the half squint of her eyes.

Fortunately, she hadn't picked up her favourite dagger and started to toy with it. That usually meant her self control was on a hair-trigger. Melanger shivered at the thought of her as she played with that long, razor-sharp dagger and the tremendous amount of damage she could do with it. With a great deal of luck, the last of the prisoners being brought to her wouldn’t overtax her failing temper. God help the next idiot that ticks her off. he thought.

Ooouuchh!! That pinches!! The prisoner seemed oblivious to everyone but the guards who dragged him into the room.

Uh oh!! Thought Melanger.

A well dressed, rather good looking, tall man was pulled in and dropped before the Queen. For some unknown reason, he was wearing chest armour 3 sizes too big for him.

Melanger's eyes widened and quickly flicked to see what Tarranna's reaction to the prisoner would be.

The tap of her fingers had stopped.

'Uh oh!!' She was sitting straighter with both forearms on the armrests of the throne. The man had her undivided attention!!

Definitely not good!

A bored Tarranna was deadly. Her undivided attention could be disastrous for anything within range of her temper. Or even worse, her nefarious sense of humour or justice.

I just want to see the Queen! She'll know what a good soldier I am... The prisoner tried unsuccessfully to reason with his guards. The guards just looked in stupefied bewilderment at each other, shook their heads and stood at attention.

My liege, said the court Sheriff this man is accused of inciting a riot, which caused one hundred gold coins damage to market stalls and goods. He also skulked into the barracks of the Royal Guard and caused fifty gold coins damage to the building. All told, three people were seriously injured and thirty have minor injuries.

The prisoner stared open mouthed at the vision of loveliness who sat on the throne in front of him. He turned decidedly pale as he realised he had her attention. He also realised that to have the Queen staring at him, whilst she caressed a long, sharp-looking dagger, could mean trouble. Big trouble.

So, you want to be a soldier. her voice was deep, sensual and amused.

"Amused!! Oh hell!!" Thought Melanger. Amused was definitely not good. He hoped she didn’t plan to put the man anywhere near lots of sharp weapons or anything breakable.

You started a riot. Just how did you manage that? The Queen’s smile grew wider.

The prisoner tried to answer several times before his voice finally emerged. I didn't mean to, Lady. He sighed. I was just walking along and tripped on a rock. Next thing I knew, people were yelling and trying to hit me. He looked up at her with doleful brown eyes. His face suddenly lit up in a huge grin. Would you like to see me juggle? I’m really good at it!

Tarranna looked into the man’s eyes and saw a child looking back. She drawled Guard, get him something to juggle. The guard hastened to fulfil her order.

Melanger stared open mouthed at his Queen as she smiled at the prisoner. What’s your name? she asked.

Maladroit, Your Ladyship. But I like being called Mal. The prisoner puffed out his chest as he stood straighter and started to stretch his arms and legs. His ill-fitting armour got in his way so he removed it and put it on the floor.

The guard returned and handed the prisoner four apples. The man-child took them, rolled his shoulders, took a deep breath and proceeded to toss the apples high into the air.

#1 hit the Sheriff smack between the eyes.

#2 bounced off an expensive looking vase. The lovely container did several splendidly executed somersaults, before it landed inelegantly on its base. It shattered on the tiled floor.

#3 hit the prisoner in his own nose, causing it to bleed profusely.

Everyone in the crowd yelled and screamed in support of Maladroit, mostly for him hitting the stuffy Sheriff.

As awareness dawned of the direction of the last apple, all noise ceased.... Not one person drew a breath.... It had Queen Tarranna in its sights.

Melanger moved forward but was too far away to stop it. There was a collective sigh of relief as the Queen effortlessly skewered the errant apple with her dagger. Her left eyebrow disappeared into her hairline as she stared at the man in front of her.

The crowd held their breath as she removed the apple from the knife and proceeded to cut off a piece. So that's how one starts a riot. And to think, all these years I've been using soldiers, fire and fear. All I really needed was to juggle and have no sense of coordination. Cool. No one spoke, no one moved. She chewed her piece of apple, deep in thought.

Tarranna pulled a hand-towel off the small pile next to her (they came in handy for wiping blood off her sword) and threw it to Maladroit. Tarranna motioned for him to wipe the blood off his nose and face, which he did. Why did you go into the barracks and how did you destroy it.

I wanted to see where your Guard lived, ‘cos I want to be one. I didn’t want to destroy anything. I just got scared when the soldiers started screaming and swinging their swords at me. I ran around the room and they chased me.

Melanger She drawled. Melanger snapped to attention, saluted and stepped closer to her.

Yes my Liege.

She crooked her finger and motioned him even closer. He looked uneasy, but pushed back his shoulders and leaned close enough to hear her whisper You think he’s genuine?

Melanger cleared his throat then answered Yes, my liege, I do. I don’t think he would hurt a fly but I also believe he’ll destroy any army he serves in. That is, if the men didn't kill him first.

My thoughts exactly... He could almost see the wheels turning in her mind. Mal, what do you like to do? What are you really good at?

Maladroit grinned widely and immediately answered. I love cooking!! Especially cakes, I make great cakes. People love it when I cook! They say my roasts are excellent. No one ever gets sick from my food. Mumma said that’s because she taught me to always wash my hands lots.

Where’s your Mumma now?

She passed last winter. Maladroit used his sleeve to roughly wipe the tears from his eyes.

Well Mal, I really love eating cakes and roasts. It’s a pity you want to be in my Guard. I have too many of them already. But I do need a personal cook.

You do? He seemed torn between his career choices.

How about you start off in the kitchen? Then in a few months we’ll see what you want to do.

Ok. Can I cook in my armour and have a sword?

How about we get you some armour that actually fits you? You can wear that wherever you want. The sword would be too much of a hazard in the kitchen, so would a sheath and a new knife do?

Maladroit thought that was an excellent idea. Can I cook a cake now?

You look tired and you’re hurt. You go have a bath and a sleep first. You can cook whatever you want after you look after yourself. Deal?

Ok... Thank you. He took the towel off his nose and found the bleeding had stopped.

Melanger. Tarranna signalled the man to lean closer again. "Get him a room and have him cleaned up. Get him the armour and knife I promised and let him sleep. Tell the kitchen staff he’s my cook, they clean up after him. Warn everyone if they hassle, victimise or abuse him, I’ll use them as practice dummies and they’ll be patched up by the novice healers. That should scare the crap out of them!"

Melanger stood at attention and saluted her. Yes my Liege. You have my word he won’t be harmed.

The Queen stood, sheathed her dagger and looked at the man in front of her. Mal, go with Melanger, he'll look after you. She directed her next words to the Sheriff, who was still rubbing the red spot between his eyes. I've had enough for today.

And she left.

For hours afterward, brave people swore they heard laughter coming from the Queen's rooms. The brave people were scorned and teased.

No one had heard the Queen laugh in years.

****

It was a week after the Maladroit's recruitment. The man turned out to be an absolute genius in the kitchen and the Queen now looked forward to meal times, to see what new delectable creations he’d provided for her.

Creations like the divine cake the servers had delivered to the meeting Tarranna was currently chairing. The whole cake had quickly been reduced to mere smudges on the plate. Smudges from where people had used their fingers to scoop up the last of the frosting. It was too good to waste!

Tarranna was in her war room with her Ministers. Melanger, Mahoneus (treasury and public relations), Cleusan (security and infiltration) and Lushion (foreign affairs). All four were loyal to her and were the closest things she had to friends.

Melanger had been well on the way to life as an alcoholic when he’d teamed up with Tarranna. He was wise enough to take his addiction one day at a time and that had kept him out of trouble for years. Tarranna's faith in Melanger's leadership ability helped him stay sober. The fact that the Royal army was intact and the warriors were happy justified that faith.

Cleusan was a thief, but the Queen and she had an understanding – she wouldn't steal from the Queen and Tarranna wouldn't inflict her with an extremely slow and painful death (and she did have quite an extensive database of suggestions to choose from). Cleusan could steal the teeth from a sleeping man’s mouth, but she had a heart of gold.

Lushion was a compulsive flirt, a thief and an accomplished fighter. Both sexes loved her and everyone found her easy to work with. Putting Lushion in charge of 'Foreign Affairs' was pure genius on the Queen’s part. Lushion could charm her way around the most seasoned politician (and their partners) and was articulate enough to talk them around to her views - which (of course) coincided Tarranna's.

Tarranna's gaze settled on Mahoneus. He had been with her for the longest. She'd nearly killed him when they first met, but he’d wormed his way into her life and had stuck by her ever since. Of course, it was the obscene wage she paid him that kept him happiest but even someone as emotionally deprived as Tarranna realised that Mahoneus liked her. Tarranna liked him - not that she'd ever admit it!! Mahoneus would sell himself for a profit but knew better than to try and cheat the Queen. Theirs was a strange bond, but she trusted him to look after her money. He'd even come up with some great ideas for increasing her treasury. His last idea was simply brilliant - get peasants to pay a small coin for a piece of parchment with a number on it. A random number was then drawn from a barrel by Tarranna herself. The person who held the drawn number was the ‘winner’ of five thousand gold coins. It was bringing in a fortune and the peasants were happy to part with their money!!! Go figure!!

Tarranna took a deep breath. She'd personally trained, encouraged, moulded, and occasionally threatened these four individuals into the finely tuned machine that was her Ministry. All of their departments were efficient and independent of each other. But at the same time they worked together perfectly. Tarranna had made damn sure of that!

All through her younger years, Tarranna had observed and dissected (not always literally!) Kings, Emperors and Dictators reigns and she'd learnt from their mistakes. They invariably chose the wrong people to serve as their advisors/agents and usually ended up overthrown, dead or both.

Now was the time to test her intuition and judgment....

They were all sitting around a smallish round table. The ministers laughed and joked with each other. The Queen cleared her throat and waited for them to settle. She met each of their eyes as she straightened up from the casual sprawl she usually adopted when she sat. I'll come right to the point – I’m tired. I’m sick of everything. I'm going on an extensive 'scouting' mission. I leave before dawn - alone. I'll be gone a month, maybe two. You’ll carry on with your normal duties and Melanger is in charge and has final say in any decisions. She breathed deeply and waited for the proverbial excrement to hit the fan.

It never happened.

The ministers looked at each other, then the Queen. All four had dumbfounded looks on their faces.

Mahoneus was first to regain his voice. You actually trust US with your kingdom? Two of us are reformed thieves, one an ex alcoholic, and there's... well, me. Are you insane woman? The others quietly picked their jaws off the table and waited for the beheading. Mahoneus was too stunned at his own words to even cringe.

Tarranna smiled. It was a bone melting, full on genuine smile. It lit up her face, taking years off her age. It lit up her eyes and turned them a deep, mystical blue. Her lips opened, showing off her white, perfect teeth. The ministers’ automatic response was to smile back. This is the sanest thing I've done in over a decade, Mahoneus. Her voice carried a wistful, pained tone.

Cleusan cleared her throat and put her head on the chopping block. I think you getting away is a great idea.

The Queen’s raised eyebrow raised Cleusan’s blood pressure dramatically. Sorry Queenie... but lately you've been edgy, bad tempered and just plain mean. You do need a break.

I am always edgy, bad tempered and mean, Cleusan. Her voice lowered an octave and took on a dangerous undertone.

Cleusan nervously smiled at her boss. No offence meant Majesty.

Tarranna relaxed her posture and sent Cleusan a half-grin. None taken. And stop calling me Queenie!

Melanger looked the Queen squarely in the eyes. Are you sure about this? She knew he meant both the 'holiday' and leaving them in charge. Tarranna nodded and he took a deep breath. He stood up and held out his right hand to her. You won't regret trusting us, My Lady.

Tarranna stood, taking his arm in a warrior’s handshake. I know I won't. After the other three had shaken hands with the Queen, she turned and left the room.

Stunned silence filled the space after Tarranna left. Lushion had once commented that being around Tarranna could turn a person into a human fly trap. The Queen always seemed to leave you with your mouth wide open.

Mahoneus puffed, She's taking a break, she trusts us to run the entire kingdom and, most importantly, I am still alive.... I think it's safe to say I'm ecstatically happy!!!

Well, I for one cannot believe she actually admitted she's tired!! Lushion shook her unruly head of hair.

Just shows we were right to be worried about her health. Melanger grunted. The others agreed then went their separate ways.

Well before dawn the next morning, Tarranna had her gear packed, loaded on her black stallion (creatively named Midnight) and was ready to leave.

The Queen was dressed in black leather pants, long black riding boots, crimson fitted linen shirt and wearing a hooded black cape. The guards stationed at the city gate didn’t recognize her and, in fact, barely noticed as Tarranna joined the crowd and rode Midnight to freedom.

****

For many days Tarranna stayed off the main roads and totally ostracized herself from civilisation. She rode Midnight at a constant ground eating pace and soon arrived in unpopulated territory.

Eventually, they wandered upon a gorgeous glen. The clearing was abundant with wildlife and edible plants. There was even a small waterfall and lake nearby.

Tarranna smiled dazzlingly as she dismounted and lovingly scratched Midnight between the ears. Wadda ya say, boy? Does this looks like a great place to veg out?

Midnight snorted and lipped Tarranna's shirt. He then proceeded to mow a patch of tender green grass. Guess that means we stay! How 'bout you let me take off your gear first? After she unsaddled her steed, Tarranna quickly made camp and set off into the woods to explore and set a few traps.

Hours later, an extremely pleased Queen reported back to Midnight. Near the waterfall is a cave, boy. We'll have plenty of room in there. It has a small pond inside and’s easily defendable. The entrance is pretty well covered. It's even got cleanish sand on the floor. What more could we ask for, eh? Tomorrow, I'll stock plenty of wood in there and we'll be all set for the bad weather heading this way.

Tarranna had an uncanny ability to predict when a storm was still several days away. Not even the Royal healers could explain why she was a living barometer.

Oh well she thought at least I never get unexpectedly wet.

****

Tarranna rose well before dawn the next morning, as was her usual routine. The warrior spent several hours practicing her sword drills and martial art skills. She brushed Midnight until the horse's hair shone then spent the rest of the morning stock piling the cave with wood. A fine selection of vegetables and fruits was also methodically gathered and stored.

The afternoon sun saw her splash and curse in the lake (some people called it washing your clothes). While her gear dried, she again headed into the water, but this time for a more enjoyable task.

Tarranna loved to fish! She spent the rest of the afternoon making a spear and hunting the slippery beasts. She managed to harvest ten, quickly filleted them and placed them on hastily made smoking racks. Normally she wouldn’t have prepared so many, but her ‘barometer’ was pinging more than usual - which meant a doozie of a storm was headed her way. She made sure Midnight grazed well away from the cave entrance so he could feed nearby if the storm continued for more than several days.

That night, Tarranna caught six rabbits and smoked them as well. Tarranna liked to be prepared and hated surprises.

The next morning saw the same sort of routine. Up before the sun to practice, finish processing the meat and store it. Spend quality time with her horse, collect more fruit, veges and wood. She then resurveyed the surrounding land - from the top of the waterfall. She made sure that any heavy rain wouldn’t flood her out (yep, she even checked the water supply in the cave for signs of recent flooding).

Tarranna really hated surprises.

****

It was lunchtime, Tarranna had caught several small birds and was in the middle of burning them (well, nobody’s perfect!) when a strange sound caught her attention. She cautiously cocked her head toward the noise and closed her eyes.

The hairs on the back of her neck bristled.

A sneer reached her lips. She couldn't and wouldn't believe what she heard!! She stood up, kicked an imaginary pile of dirt at her feet then stormed out of the camp. All the while she wildly gestured and cursed profusely.

Tarranna really and truly hated surprises.

****

A blonde haired woman stopped her horse at the edge of Tarranna’s clearing. Alongside her, a young girl rode a pony. They were accompanied by two large dogs. The blonde woman quickly scanned the area, taking special note of the camp site.

The conspicuously empty campsite with meat burning on the campfire.

'Single occupant, perfectionist, pedantic and anally compulsive. Proficient in everything but cooking. More than capable of killing me a hundred times before I got this close. Probably female.' The blond thought wryly.

The woman smiled at her analysis, as she quickly dismounted and made her way toward the fire. She gently urged the horse she now led to follow her. She softly told the dogs to wait with and guard her daughter. Seconds later, she bent over the fire and turned the charcoaled meat. You can come out now, I promise not to hurt you. The blonde said to the tall tree on her right.

The Queen waited scant moments before she appeared and said I won't make you the same promise.

Yeah, yeah, whatever. I know perfectly well you could have stopped me before I got anywhere near here. Besides you won't hurt me.... The blonde smiled charmingly at the taller, darker woman.

The Queen’s eyebrow rose to new heights. Please feel free to enlighten me as to why not.

'Oh boy, did I have you pegged!!!' The blonde thought. Because you need me to make you something for lunch - that doesn't taste like a reject from a bushfire? The blonde screwed up her nose as she looked at Tarranna’s meal.

Tarranna snorted. It wouldn't have burnt if you hadn't shown up and invaded my space.

'Ouch!! Haven't had to share much either, have you?' I'll buy that... Let me make it up to you. I’ll share our lunch with you then we'll be on our way.

Thanks but I'd prefer to be alone. Tarranna's tone could cut through steel.

OKayyy... I'll keep going, enjoy the rest of your stay.

The blonde woman led her horse away from the fire and let out a piercing whistle. She waited for several seconds and as nothing happened she yelled out Patience, where are you? The blonde nervously scanned the area around the camp.

The two women had been so intent on insulting each other, they hadn't noticed when the five year old girl dismounted and wandered off. Over here, Mumma... came the faint answer to the woman’s yell.

Tarranna stared open-mouthed at the sight of her traitorous war-horse as he allowed an enemy (albeit an ankle biting midget) to ride him - bareback and without a bridle!!! She’d have to have a serious talk with that horse!

The two large canines walked casually on either side of Midnight.

As Midnight politely and casually strolled toward the two women, the smaller woman demanded, Just what do you think you're doing riding that horse, young lady?

Isn’t he lovely, Mumma? He's bestest ever. Can he run fast? What’s his name, Lady?

Tarranna's first instinct was to pull the child off the horse and yell at her for being foolish enough to play with a fully trained, battle hardened war-horse. But, Tarranna had to admit, the kid did have great taste in horse flesh. Yes, he runs very fast. His name is Midnight.

Patience didn't bat an eyelid at the abrupt way Tarranna answered her questions. She just grinned at the Queen, excitement glowed in her eyes.

Patience, get off the horse now, we're leaving and probably won't see ..... Tarranna ignored the nauseatingly nice blonde's obvious attempt to obtain her name and continued to glare at Midnight. … the lovely Lady again.

Oh, mum.... The smaller blonde competently clutched Midnight's mane and slid to the ground. The child stood in front of Midnight, who gently nuzzled Patience's chest. The child scratched the horse's neck and face as she said quietly Bye Midnight. Patience frowned and kicked the dirt as she walked to her mother, who promptly picked up the child and assisted her to mount the pony.

Patience stared into Tarranna's eyes and said, Sorry for riding your horse. Bye.

The small blonde smiled at her daughter, then mounted her own horse, nodded at the Queen and led the way out of the glen.

****

Tarranna sat on a fallen log, absently pulling apart a dead twig. Her eyes were riveted to the massive build-up of ominous black clouds on the horizon. In the 2 hours since the departure of the irritating blonde duo, the storm had been making its presence known. The temperature had dropped markedly and she could feel the distant thunder shake the ground beneath her feet.

Tarranna forced a smile as Midnight moved behind her and the equine placed his head over the woman's shoulder.

Tarranna scratched her mount's face and sighed, Why should I feel guilty? They aren’t my problem. Just because there's no other decent shelter within a day’s travel?... I could bring them back here, but then I'm stuck with them in that cave for goodness knows how long. Then I'd have to kill them because they're so bloody nice... she cringed and sneered.

But if I leave them out there, the kid dies with exposure and I have to kill Mumma bear when she comes after me for sending them out in that. She continued to stare at the clouds whilst she scratched the horse. I almost liked the kid... she growled in frustration at Midnight as the horse made his feelings about the small blonde known – with a head butt to the woman’s back which almost pushed her off her perch.

Yeah, I know you liked her - traitor!! And don't think I've forgiven you yet for letting someone else ride you!

Midnight just snorted and lipped the black hair in front of him. I suppose I could bring the kid back and leave the mother out there... A wicked glint appeared in her eyes. This time the horse did push Tarranna off the log. What is it with you, you arrogant piece of horse flesh?

Tarranna stood and angrily brushed the dead grass, leaves and dirt off her trousers. Midnight head butted Tarranna (definitely not gently) and sent her sprawling in the direction the other two females had taken.

Midnight!!! The tone of Tarranna's voice had sent many a brave man scurrying for cover. Unfortunately for Tarranna, Midnight knew who was boss in their partnership. The Boss put his ears back, raised onto his rear legs and cheekily pawed with his front hooves at the furious woman.

Tarranna was dumbfounded!! She, the Queen, was losing a fight - with her horse!!!

A very large, powerful, battle trained war horse.

A charging war horse!!

Midnight stopped his run, a mere hands width from his human. She retreated slowly in the desired direction with her hands held placatingly in front of her. Tarranna was smart and knew when to retreat from a losing battle. Besides, she knew Midnight was right... Not that she'd ever admit that to anyone, especially him.

Okayyyy you rotten horse! the sneer on Tarranna's face was lethal (to anyone but Midnight) and her voice was low, menacing and diamond tipped. You win. I will bring them back here. But I refuse to be nice!!! Tarranna turned from the stallion and raged out of the clearing. All the while she swore and cursed in half a dozen languages.

Midnight snorted (he knew his human was NOT as horrible as she liked to pretend) and pranced around the camp area with his tail and steps high. He was magnificently beautiful and occasionally liked to show off. The stallion continued his majestic dance for several minutes and stopped only when a patch of juicy grass caught his eye.

****

Thanks to her anger and frustration, Tarranna set off at a determined run and kept up the cracking pace. She was soon on the perimeter of the blonde woman’s camp. Habit made her scan the surrounding area for signs of trouble and as she found none, she barged into the small clearing.

Right into the path of two large, growling dogs! Tarranna slowed to a stop. She ignored the beasts as they snarled at her and waited for the blonde woman to acknowledge her presence.

Even in her advanced state of tantrum, Tarranna silently and begrudgingly noted the sturdy, efficient shelter the woman had erected in such a short time. That unexpectedly raised her opinion of the smaller woman a notch - from 'intolerably unbearable' to 'sufferingly unbearable'.

The Queen stared into the sky blue eyes that unflinchingly stared back at her. Her attention shifted to the small blur that flew from behind the blonde to stand in front of her mother.

Hello Lady, whatcha doin’?

Tarranna looked at the girl and said A really bad storm's coming. The lean-to won't be enough. Get your mother and your gear and go back to the cave. Hurry, we don't have much time left.

Tarranna's teeth could be heard grinding from six feet away. Patience's mum looked as if she was going to tell the abrupt, foul tempered (sparks were still emanating from Tarranna from her loss with Midnight) woman to buzz off. But the excited dance by her daughter stopped her. If she had been alone, she'd have preferred to catch pneumonia and die rather than accept help from this ‘person’.

The blonde woman already knew from the warning signs that the storm was going to be more than their small shelter could handle. She'd kept their gear packed and had been on the verge of telling Patience to mount up when the dark woman exploded into camp. The thought of having to beg to share a cave with the prickly warrior gave the blonde a sour taste in her mouth. Grudgingly she said Thank you.

Don't thank me, don't talk to me, don't come near me and most of all - don’t be nice to me. Just get on the damn horse and hurry up about it.

The blonde woman gritted her teeth and kept her mouth shut. She stiffly placed the last of the gear and her daughter on her horse, climbed aboard and kicked the horse into a canter.

Patience’s pony threw its tail in the air and charged after the bigger horse, as did the dogs.

Tarranna broke into a run and easily kept up with the animals. She maintained a constant distance between her and the others, successfully deterring any attempt at conversation.

****

Just before they reached the cave clearing, Tarranna left the group and headed into the woods. She quickly found several long, thin, dead tree branches and dragged them into the cave.

Mumma bear and Patience, (the latter having been warned not to go near or talk to the sulking warrior - or her beautiful horse) silently unloaded their belongings and arranged their beds along the wall furthest from the other woman's gear.

Mumma bear efficiently hobbled her horse and tied it to a tree near the cave entrance. She didn't want him spooking when the thunder got closer and didn't want to confine him to the cave until the last possible moment. The pony would stay close by regardless of what happened as she'd been trained to do so.

Mumma bear watched as the warrior towed several more long logs into the shelter. The warrior was closely followed by a grunting 5 year old - who dragged a long stick behind her. Barely able to control the laugh that bubbled deep inside her, she silently watched as the warrior headed back for more wood, with Patience 20 paces behind her.

The dark woman quickly surveyed the area for dry branches, picked out her targets then carried them toward the cave. Mumma bear grudgingly noted the warrior made sure a suitable stick was left where the child could easily 'find' it. Confident that her child would be kept from harm, Mumma bear went inside, started a fire and set about starting the evening meal.

Tarranna and Patience worked until the storm was only minutes away. Scant minutes before the rain hit Tarranna moved the horses into the cave, tying them securely to large rocks. The horses were skittish but being tied up inside the cave, close to their humans, calmed them somewhat.

Before Mumma bear had time to breathe in preparation to talk, Tarranna had taken Patience aside and gently explained why it was important not to go near horses (even Midnight) when they were scared.

‘Well, I'll be damned!! She does have a heart after all.' Mumma bear thought, totally shocked by the revelation.

Thunder shook the ground, lightning blazed its fiery trails across the sky and rain pelted down as Mumma bear efficiently served the thick soup and dumplings she'd cooked for their meal. She quietly motioned for Patience to take the bowl to the warrior, who sullenly sat on a large rock, near her bedroll.

The warrior silently checked her weapons, sharpened the dull ones and polished all of them. Aside from her sword, she usually wore six daggers of varying lengths.

Mumma bear couldn't believe the woman had kept up with her cantering horse! She shook her head in wonder that the warrior could walk, let alone run whilst she carried all that metal.

Patience held the bowl between her hands, her small face wrinkled in concentration as she slowly walked to the Warrior's side. Mumma said to give you this. The small girl held out the offered sacrifice.

I don't want it.... Seeing the girls face drop slightly, she continued, albeit with a sneer. Thank you.

Okayyy... but Mumma’s a good cook. See the big white round thing? She looked expectantly at the warrior until she raised an eyebrow in - what the child took for - confirmation. Well, it's a dumpling and they are really good to eat the gravy with..... Mumma doesn't use too many vegatebbles, she leaned conspiratorially toward the woman and whispered I hate vegatebbles!

Tarranna couldn't hide the small grin that popped unexpectedly onto her lips. Me too. She whispered back.

The girl's grin was a mile wide as she placed the bowl at the warrior's side. You can eat it later when you're hungry. She threw another grin at the woman then ran back to her mother and her own meal.

Tarranna absolutely refused to pick up the bowl and eat the delicious smelling, thick soup and dumplings. She continued with the inspection of her weapons. She sharpened a dagger then meticulously polished it. All the while she ignored the rumbling of her traitorous stomach. She definitely was not going to touch anything that irritating woman cooked.

Even if it did smell good! Very good.

Tarranna sharpened one of her boot daggers. Polished it then sheathed it. As she did so, her mind unconsciously listed the ingredients in the bowl. Rabbit, carrot (but not too much), wild onion, tuber (more than the carrot. Patience must eat that.) and heaps of thick, delicious looking/smelling gravy. Two large white dumplings had already sucked up some of the gravy...

From the other side of the cave, Patience noisily licked her spoon and lips then accepted the offer of another helping.

The Queen's stomach growled again. Louder.

Tarranna snuck a look at the bowl. The meal did look enticing, with lots of colours and nice consistency. It did smell better than anything she could cook. Heck, anything smelt better than her attempts at culinary delights. The stew wasn’t burnt, which could rarely be said about her cooking.

The kid liked it. Even Tarranna knew how picky kids could be with food. Maybe she should try it. After all, one shouldn't waste food. Especially good food. Pride held her hands at her side. 'Hey, they're in the cave I found, using the wood I stored. And will be doing so for several days at least.' A smirk appeared on the Queen's lips. 'Sounds like a 'debt paid' to me!!'

Tarranna inconspicuously checked the others weren't watching her and hesitantly reached for the meal. After tentatively sampling the first spoonful, she decided it was as delicious as it smelt, maybe more so. She quickly demolished the rest of it.

Told you Mumma’s a good cook Tarranna guiltily turned toward the source of the whispering. Want some more? .... There's plenty.

'Uh oh' Thought Tarranna as she wistfully looked at her empty bowl. She half grinned as she nodded affirmatively. She hoped she didn't look too eager!

Patience grabbed the plate and practically ran to have it refilled.

****

It was several hours later and outside the cave a fierce wind blew. Fortunately it was heading away from the mouth of the cave. The rain hadn't even looked like abating but the thunder and lightning was becoming less frequent.

Tarranna stood in the cave entrance, with her arms folded, as her dark hair fluttered in the wind. Her hair was the only part of her that moved. Tarranna loved storms. She loved the power they created and the vibes they sent out. She often slipped away from her castle/army and stood in the rain, just to soak up the raw energy around her. The only thing that stopped her doing that now was the wind. Large limbs were being ripped off trees and thrown unceremoniously around. She'd seen a sudden burst of power uproot a forty foot tree - so she wisely stayed in the safety of the cave.

The warrior unconsciously listened to the story Mumma bear was telling Patience. It was about some fictitious do-gooder called Hero who travelled around and helped people who were being hurt by ‘baddies’. Apparently Hero was a regular character in Mumma's stories. Tarranna listened intently as Patience continued to argue with her mother. The child complained about the lack of female participants in the yarn, that Hero always won, never got hurt, never killed anyone and was always clean!

Boring!!

'You tell her, kid.' Tarranna let a small smile grace her lips as she pretended absolute indifference to the argument being lost by Mumma bear. Not that the judge in this debate was at all biased toward the girl or against the mother! Nope, no unfairness there!

Finally, Mumma bear threw her hands in the air and admitted defeat. Fine! You tell me who you want as characters. BUT… I get to make up the story and you have to sit there and listen to it. Deal?

Patience just grinned and nodded so hard it looked like her head would flick off her neck and roll across the floor.

Tarranna was extremely impressed with the character traits Patience listed to her mother. The new hero definitely had to be female and a great warrior who was not adverse to beheading or maiming bad guys (that really sucked Tarranna in!). She had to protect and love her friends and family. Patience was adamant she just had to have a great horse like Midnight, she had to be tough, mean, downright bad and occasionally get filthy dirty.

The second female hero was to be gentle and strong but could kick butt when necessary. She could be a great cook and everyone loved her. Just like you, Mumma.

Mumma bear looked at her daughter, her eyes danced with love and affection as Patience rattled off the criterion for the characters in her story. She loved how her daughter totally immersed herself in her task – to the stage of forgetting everyone and everything around her.

‘She's definitely my girl!!' Mumma bear laughed to herself.

Once Patience finished her list of ingredients for the perfect characters, Mumma bear patiently tried to calm down her daughter and get her ready for bed. She'd already sponged the child down, dressed her in a sleeping shift and was snuggled into her on the girl's bedroll. Yes Patience! I promise I’ll think about your story tonight and we'll start on your Warriors' adventures tomorrow, during rest time. Now give me a kiss and please go to sleep.

Tarranna had returned to her favourite rock and sat on it while she pretended to clean Midnight's tack. She heard Mumma's plea and silently cursed as the whispered answer from the child didn't quite reach her ears. She was intrigued as Mumma quietly said I really don't think that's a good idea, Patience.

Pleeeaase Mumma? The momentary silence nearly killed the Queen. She strained her ears to catch the whispered words that finally answered the girl's plea. Sudden movement from the girl’s blanket startled Tarranna and she had to force herself not to jump in fright. The child ran across the floor and practically hurled herself into the dark woman’s chest. After she wrapped her tiny arms around the warrior's neck and planted a sloppy kiss on a cheek, the child murmured Night Lady.

Tarranna was dumbfounded, bewildered, confused and extremely surprised. She stiff armed a hug and actually managed to whisper goodnight before the euphoric child returned to her bed.

'How long is it since I let someone hug me? How long since anyone hugged me, not the Queen? Has that ever happened?!!!!' Tarranna suppressed the tears that pooled in her eyes and returned to her lonely position at the entrance to the cave.

****

The next morning, Tarranna was up at her usual time. The thunder and lightning had abated and a constantly heavy rain settled in. From her vantage point at the cave opening, she could see the destruction the storm had caused. Trees had been uprooted and branches were scattered everywhere, which gave the surrounding forest a feral look. The waterfall ran a lot faster and the Queen was pleased to verify the cave was still well above flood level.

The hairs on the back of Tarranna's neck prickled. Someone quietly came up behind her and once again she quelled the urge to draw one of her many, many weapons.... Tarranna waited for the approaching midget to draw level with her.

Patience didn't try to touch or talk to the warrior. She simply stood by Tarranna's

Reviews for Queen Tarranna of Georstrie

[YY Cheong · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Writing style needs improvement, too abrupt and matter of fact