The Army Governor And Her King [Fiction]

On a sombre morning in 1718, the kingdom of Guellé braced for war against the Cheweadians. Amina was getting ready for battle when her servant, Iara, walked into her bedchamber and bowed. "Amina, the king requests your presence forthwith."

Iara watched as Amina, the governor of Guellé's army, wore her fitted, brown leather armour. "Amina?"

"I heard you, Iara," Amina said. "I'm not one of his brides, why does he bother me so?"

Iara chuckled, picked a small brush from the dressing table and tidied up Amina's tousled pixie haircut. "The king has only one. Maybe he wants to say a farewell prayer and give you his blessing?"

Amina shook her head, strapped on her sword belt, and drew out her shiny sword to examine the blade before sheathing it. "Fine. Tell the generals to be ready. We leave for Melrirt when I return. It's a three-day ride. We can't waste time."

As Amina walked confidently through the palace, her figure and height of six feet seven commanded attention. Courtiers bowed and gave way. The women looked at her with envy, some with pride while the men stared at her with longing and lust.

She had been one of the king's generals for years and was now the army governor, a position she earned after the previous governor passed away in the Awjiwiya's battle of 1709.

Amina took the stairs, two at a time, and stepped into the king's inner chamber. She nodded at the guard at the door who waved her in. There Zeke stood beside a shelf of books and scrolls, while the queen sat in a chair.

Zeke's height of six feet nine emphasised by his broad shoulders and muscled chest might put the fear of the gods in his citizens but not in Amina, the army governor. "Leave us," Zeke growled. The queen waited a long moment in silent defiance, glancing between the king and the army governor before slowly getting up and leaving the room.

Zeke turned to face Amina. His gaze became intense, his lips thinning and hands clenching as a nerve ticked in his strong jawline. As teenagers, they had a crush on each other and hoped their relationship would blossom into marriage. Zeke wanted no one else. He made Amina promise to wait for him when he travelled to the land of druids to study for two years.

Upon his return, his father, the king, arranged a marriage for him and conscripted Amina into the army. Zeke had never forgiven his father, even on his deathbed.

Zeke moved towards Amina in two strides, almost touching her. She arched an eyebrow at him and took a step back. "Why do we keep doing this?" She whispered.

Zeke struggled with his emotions, their history replayed in his stare of longing and love. "You make this hard for me every time."

"I must do my duty to our kingdom and you," Amina replied calmly.

"I'd rather have you here with me than lose you in battle."

Amina smiled, something she rarely did. Her face lightened up, her beauty compelling enough to melt an ice-cold heart. Zeke sucked in a breath and took a step forward. Amina raised a palm to stop him. "I'm yet to lose a battle, Zeke. Have some faith. You are my king, and I'm your army governor. I'll be fine."

"Come back to me then, Eloá," Zeke said, using her real name. Amina gazed at him for a long moment. "May the gods go with you and your army and give you victory over our enemies."

Amina nodded, thumped her left breast with her fist in salute, and turned to leave. She was the only citizen of Guellé allowed to see or speak with the king without bowing. Very few knew the real reason. The queen was one of them.

As Amina left, Guellé's queen dropped the curtain and tiptoed away, having watched the scene.

On the battlefield…

Three weeks had passed since the battle began and Guellé's army was still standing strong. Amina refused to let her emotions take hold of her, instead moving with precision, giving orders and directing her army to take down the enemy's barricades. Amidst the chaos and destruction, Amina fought on with all her might, determined to emerge victorious.

Deep down, her thoughts constantly wandered to Zeke. It hurt to know that they could never be together because of their duty and loyalty to the kingdom.

As the battle raged on, the Cheweadians were losing ground. In the third week, the enemy was finally defeated. Instead of celebrating, Amina found herself trudging through rows of wounded soldiers, giving encouragement and comfort to those who needed it most.

While speaking to a soldier, her vision became blurry. When her head hit the ground, Iara's scream and the sound of confused voices were the last things she heard before she passed out.

When she blinked her eyes open, the king stared into her eyes, his palm cupping her face in a gesture of care. Was this an illusion? A manifestation of her innermost desire? Zeke spoke but she could hear nothing. She read his lips. "You were poisoned. I came as fast as I could." She smiled weakly and fell asleep again.

When Amina woke up again, she was back in her bedchamber in Guellé. Iara was busy in a corner sorting some clothes. Amina cleared her throat.

"Amina!" Iara gasped and moved towards her. She picked up a cup to give her a drink. "Thank the gods you are awake. I was worried and so was the King…." Iara gasped in shock as Amina took the cup and threw the content at her.

Amina sat up in bed, stifling a groan. "Speak! What did you lace my drink with at the battlefield?"

Iara shivered in fear, her dress wet, as her eyes flickered between Amina and the doorway. "Don't make me reach for my dagger. You won't make it to the door." Amina threatened through gritted teeth.

Iara began to sob, fell to her knees and bowed her head to the ground. "I beg your forgiveness, Governor. The queen threatened the life of my son unless I ensure you never return to Guellé. I deeply regret my action."

Amina sighed. "Rise, Iara. You must swear your loyalty to me or I find another."

"By the gods, you have my loyalty till my last breath, Governor," Iara said amidst her tears.

Amina dressed up and went to the Queen's chamber. There she found Zeke and the Queen in an argument.

"Your father chose me for you instead your heart longs for her these past years."

"Do not speak to me of such matters. It's no concern of yours. This is treason. Your action is worthy of death!"

"But I am the queen. Your army governor cannot be more important than me."

At this point, Amina cleared her throat drawing their attention to her. The queen rushed to kneel before Amina and grabbed her hand. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. "I beg of you Governor, do not let me be sentenced to death…"

"Guards!" The king roared.

Heavy footfalls could be heard outside the chamber. Amina turned to look at the guards. "Wait outside," she ordered. The guards turned and left. The queen blanched, realising the authority Amina had. She could as well be their king.

"I don't want your death on my conscience but you must leave Guellé and never return. Either that or face a death sentence," Amina declared, looking to Zeke for his approval.

The King of Guellé and his army governor could not stop gazing at each other. Somehow, they found their way back to each other.