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annwfynEveryone underestimated Estelle Hawkwood.
The Al Malik underestimated her first. The Grand Duke Sirat Sayf al-Madrossa Al Malik was tall and whip sharp, with a jawline identical to that of a steel trap. He had never lost an engagement, they said, whether in the field, or across the negotiating table, and his fingers were heavy with the gold and gems he had taken as spoils of war.
The Grand Duke came to meet with Alexius first of all the other Houses, for the Al Malik have ever been canny, and saw that the Emperor Wars would never end as long as each Royal House stood apart and fought for themselves alone. In those days, the Al Malik still craved a Third Republic, and came to see if they could bring the honorable Hawkwood to their side. They met in a tiny habitat-bubble, on a moon of Criticorum, where neither side held sway, for Estelle Hawkwood had whispered this idea gently in Alexius’ ear, and then sent a scented note to a Xanthippe Matriarch who was pleased to help.
And so the Al Malik came.
When the Grand Duke entered he saw a small woman, light built, with pansy brown eyes and a mess of curls, and thought her to be maybe Alexius’ mistress, and wondered why a man of war such as the Hawkwood Prince would bring his bedroom pleasures out to war.
He did not even look at her as he came to the table, in a swirl of silks.
Estelle did not mind. Rather, she smiled, sweet as baklawa, and poured the Grand Duke a tiny delicate cup of his favourite mint tea, and pushed it gently across the table towards him.
When the Grand Duke Sirat Sayf al-Madrossa Al Malik left, the Al Malik were sworn to the lion banner, and Sirat Sayf al-Madrossa Al Malik would fight Hazat boarding parties with his own battle dented stained scimitar, and was first to bend the knee to the new Emperor, with his left eye socket newly gaping empty.
*
The Li Halan underestimated her next, in the dark days of the War, when the triple Alliance of Decados, Li Halan and Hazat seemed unstoppable. Alexius had been forced into retreat, and three Li Halan generals came to demand his surrender from this scrawny little ambassador. One wore gold armour, as bright as the sun. One wore jade armor, as green as the ocean. One wore white ceramsteel armour, as pure as Li Halan honour. All three sneered down at Estelle sitting in her battered canvas tent, abandoned by most of the Hawkwood army, pouring each of them a cup of finest jasmine tea.
The Golden General was from Ikon. He had been blessed by the Pancreator and could bring down divine fire on his enemies. He was sure of the righteousness of his cause.
The Jade General was from Kish. He was subtle and wise and had studied the path of the stars and knew that his cause would triumph.
The White General was from Malignatius and had lived through many harsh winters. He knew his cause would endure.
Yet when they left that tent, they went to carry word back to their Prince that Alexius Hawkwood had not surrendered. Not only that but they had promised him a truce and a meeting. They had agreed to a place - neutral ground arranged by House Juandaastas (who would never permit anything so gauche as an ambush) – and a time and they wished their Prince to name only who would attend.
For the Golden General now swore that he knew that Alexius’ cause was righteous and the Li Halan should stand by his side.
And the Jade General now knew that the only wise and strategic move was for House Li Halan to align themselves with House Hawkwood. For fate and the stars told him that Alexius Hawkwood would be Emperor at the end.
Finally, the White General told the Li Halan lords, with a slow and sad voice, that the Triple Alliance would not endure. House Decados and House Hazat were bloody and brutal, but they were only flesh and fire underneath and that stuff would not withstand the coming storm.
*
Sometimes, Alexius’ own troops underestimated the tiny, delicate woman who loved tea and kept her fingernails clean. They laughed at the way she winced when she had to walk through muddy puddles and made dark comments about how her bodyguards would have their work cut out for them if enemies broke the line. You know, if those bodyguards could be bothered, some said.
Then 3,000 men of Alexius’ own household troops found themselves cut off from its supply lines after the Battle of the Ball and Chain, when Hazat suicide bombers in tiny ships closed down the gate to cover their retreat. Trapped in in the mud, amidst burned out farms, surrounded by wells poisoned by the Van Gelder as they fled, the soldiers knew they would starve soon.
Only Estelle did not seem to despair, but simply tucked her neatly kept curls back behind her ear and requested one of the remaining horses and one of the youngest and more hopeful squires to carry her bag.
She came back that night with four local women at her side, who bowed and swore loyalty to the Emperor Alexius and laid down the map to the local caves where the water ran fresh and clean, and game could be found to hunt.
The army sheltered there for three months until the gate could be opened again.
All four local women became great landowners under the new regime (and the youngest married a very heroic and exceedingly grateful Hawkwood Count, and their children dwell in splendour on Delphi to this very day).
Those 3000 men ensured that no one ever laughed at Estelle Hawkwood in their heading again.
*
The Decados underestimated her at the Battle for Byzantium Secundus. The Head of the Jakovians (a woman who was entirely grey, inside and out) promised in soft whispers to Prince Hyram Decados that Alexius’ alliance would not hold. It had, she murmured, been arranged.
The Al Malik had been brought, the Jakovian said. Seven of their fierce Crystal Lantern Dancers would turn and take down Alexius and his Hawkwood generals for Severan fire opals were already in their pockets.
The Li Halan had been corrupted, she hissed. The Jakovians had poisoned the beloved wife of the Golden General, and he knew that without an antidote she would die. Therefore his bright knights in their shining assault armour would hold back at the gates of the city and allow Hazat mechs to storm the walls instead.
Once this was done, the Jakovian said, and laid a light hand on Prince Hyram’s shoulder, the left flank of the Hawkwood/Li Halan/Al Malik army would collapse, while chaos spread from the heart as news of Alexius’ death spread.
All was ready.
Prince Hyram did not even know Estelle’s name, so it was a surprise to receive a note from her, written in neat round letters, informing him that she was returning his fire opals and was terribly sorry to inform him of the tragic suicide of the Golden General’s wife. The Golden General, however, was resolved to fight until the very end, which she was quite sure would be exhausting for all concerned. Perhaps Prince Hyram would prefer to talk.
She offered him his favorite blend of strong black Russian caravan tea. Apparently she had it prepared.
Hyram did not agree immediately, but when the first reports came in from the front and he saw how many Hazat battle mechs were still standing, he informed his adjutant to sent a note with some flowers to Estelle Hawkwood. He needed a meeting.
*
The Hazat were the last to underestimate Estelle Hawkwood, when their defeated Prince walked, stiff backed, before the Throne with his hands in chains.
He stared at Alexius, ready to die on his feet before he took the knee, for he was a Hazat and Hazat believe that one’s glory matters more than one’s life. He did not even look at the woman beside Alexius, who studied him with a thoughtful air and then had to stand on tiptoe to whisper in Alexius’ ear.
Alexius look at the proud Hazat and then, to the surprise of all his men, commanded that they unchain this man. For, Alexius said, “he has been an honorable and noble opponent and I would not see him brought low. Not when he has so much more to accomplish and so many more worlds to conquer,”
A ripple of astonishment ran through the throne room and Estelle smiled.
“Let us talk,” she said, “over tea. Declarations can be made later. There is no need for public surrender today.
“I believe it is the old Urth blend of Lady Grey that his highness prefers,”
*
Later, much later, Emperor Alexius came to Estelle Hawkwood. He accepted a cup of his favorite tea without thinking, for he had grown very used to having it available.
“I do not think,” he said, “that you are my secret weapon, exactly, anymore,”
Estelle smiled and pushed a stray curl back into place.
“I will always be exactly what your Imperial Highness needs,” she said and offered him a tiny pastry, of the kind he had not seen since he was a child. “Why not take a seat?” she said. “We can find out what exactly is it that you might need next,”
The formation of the Questing Knights was announced the next day.
The Al Malik underestimated her first. The Grand Duke Sirat Sayf al-Madrossa Al Malik was tall and whip sharp, with a jawline identical to that of a steel trap. He had never lost an engagement, they said, whether in the field, or across the negotiating table, and his fingers were heavy with the gold and gems he had taken as spoils of war.
The Grand Duke came to meet with Alexius first of all the other Houses, for the Al Malik have ever been canny, and saw that the Emperor Wars would never end as long as each Royal House stood apart and fought for themselves alone. In those days, the Al Malik still craved a Third Republic, and came to see if they could bring the honorable Hawkwood to their side. They met in a tiny habitat-bubble, on a moon of Criticorum, where neither side held sway, for Estelle Hawkwood had whispered this idea gently in Alexius’ ear, and then sent a scented note to a Xanthippe Matriarch who was pleased to help.
And so the Al Malik came.
When the Grand Duke entered he saw a small woman, light built, with pansy brown eyes and a mess of curls, and thought her to be maybe Alexius’ mistress, and wondered why a man of war such as the Hawkwood Prince would bring his bedroom pleasures out to war.
He did not even look at her as he came to the table, in a swirl of silks.
Estelle did not mind. Rather, she smiled, sweet as baklawa, and poured the Grand Duke a tiny delicate cup of his favourite mint tea, and pushed it gently across the table towards him.
When the Grand Duke Sirat Sayf al-Madrossa Al Malik left, the Al Malik were sworn to the lion banner, and Sirat Sayf al-Madrossa Al Malik would fight Hazat boarding parties with his own battle dented stained scimitar, and was first to bend the knee to the new Emperor, with his left eye socket newly gaping empty.
*
The Li Halan underestimated her next, in the dark days of the War, when the triple Alliance of Decados, Li Halan and Hazat seemed unstoppable. Alexius had been forced into retreat, and three Li Halan generals came to demand his surrender from this scrawny little ambassador. One wore gold armour, as bright as the sun. One wore jade armor, as green as the ocean. One wore white ceramsteel armour, as pure as Li Halan honour. All three sneered down at Estelle sitting in her battered canvas tent, abandoned by most of the Hawkwood army, pouring each of them a cup of finest jasmine tea.
The Golden General was from Ikon. He had been blessed by the Pancreator and could bring down divine fire on his enemies. He was sure of the righteousness of his cause.
The Jade General was from Kish. He was subtle and wise and had studied the path of the stars and knew that his cause would triumph.
The White General was from Malignatius and had lived through many harsh winters. He knew his cause would endure.
Yet when they left that tent, they went to carry word back to their Prince that Alexius Hawkwood had not surrendered. Not only that but they had promised him a truce and a meeting. They had agreed to a place - neutral ground arranged by House Juandaastas (who would never permit anything so gauche as an ambush) – and a time and they wished their Prince to name only who would attend.
For the Golden General now swore that he knew that Alexius’ cause was righteous and the Li Halan should stand by his side.
And the Jade General now knew that the only wise and strategic move was for House Li Halan to align themselves with House Hawkwood. For fate and the stars told him that Alexius Hawkwood would be Emperor at the end.
Finally, the White General told the Li Halan lords, with a slow and sad voice, that the Triple Alliance would not endure. House Decados and House Hazat were bloody and brutal, but they were only flesh and fire underneath and that stuff would not withstand the coming storm.
*
Sometimes, Alexius’ own troops underestimated the tiny, delicate woman who loved tea and kept her fingernails clean. They laughed at the way she winced when she had to walk through muddy puddles and made dark comments about how her bodyguards would have their work cut out for them if enemies broke the line. You know, if those bodyguards could be bothered, some said.
Then 3,000 men of Alexius’ own household troops found themselves cut off from its supply lines after the Battle of the Ball and Chain, when Hazat suicide bombers in tiny ships closed down the gate to cover their retreat. Trapped in in the mud, amidst burned out farms, surrounded by wells poisoned by the Van Gelder as they fled, the soldiers knew they would starve soon.
Only Estelle did not seem to despair, but simply tucked her neatly kept curls back behind her ear and requested one of the remaining horses and one of the youngest and more hopeful squires to carry her bag.
She came back that night with four local women at her side, who bowed and swore loyalty to the Emperor Alexius and laid down the map to the local caves where the water ran fresh and clean, and game could be found to hunt.
The army sheltered there for three months until the gate could be opened again.
All four local women became great landowners under the new regime (and the youngest married a very heroic and exceedingly grateful Hawkwood Count, and their children dwell in splendour on Delphi to this very day).
Those 3000 men ensured that no one ever laughed at Estelle Hawkwood in their heading again.
*
The Decados underestimated her at the Battle for Byzantium Secundus. The Head of the Jakovians (a woman who was entirely grey, inside and out) promised in soft whispers to Prince Hyram Decados that Alexius’ alliance would not hold. It had, she murmured, been arranged.
The Al Malik had been brought, the Jakovian said. Seven of their fierce Crystal Lantern Dancers would turn and take down Alexius and his Hawkwood generals for Severan fire opals were already in their pockets.
The Li Halan had been corrupted, she hissed. The Jakovians had poisoned the beloved wife of the Golden General, and he knew that without an antidote she would die. Therefore his bright knights in their shining assault armour would hold back at the gates of the city and allow Hazat mechs to storm the walls instead.
Once this was done, the Jakovian said, and laid a light hand on Prince Hyram’s shoulder, the left flank of the Hawkwood/Li Halan/Al Malik army would collapse, while chaos spread from the heart as news of Alexius’ death spread.
All was ready.
Prince Hyram did not even know Estelle’s name, so it was a surprise to receive a note from her, written in neat round letters, informing him that she was returning his fire opals and was terribly sorry to inform him of the tragic suicide of the Golden General’s wife. The Golden General, however, was resolved to fight until the very end, which she was quite sure would be exhausting for all concerned. Perhaps Prince Hyram would prefer to talk.
She offered him his favorite blend of strong black Russian caravan tea. Apparently she had it prepared.
Hyram did not agree immediately, but when the first reports came in from the front and he saw how many Hazat battle mechs were still standing, he informed his adjutant to sent a note with some flowers to Estelle Hawkwood. He needed a meeting.
*
The Hazat were the last to underestimate Estelle Hawkwood, when their defeated Prince walked, stiff backed, before the Throne with his hands in chains.
He stared at Alexius, ready to die on his feet before he took the knee, for he was a Hazat and Hazat believe that one’s glory matters more than one’s life. He did not even look at the woman beside Alexius, who studied him with a thoughtful air and then had to stand on tiptoe to whisper in Alexius’ ear.
Alexius look at the proud Hazat and then, to the surprise of all his men, commanded that they unchain this man. For, Alexius said, “he has been an honorable and noble opponent and I would not see him brought low. Not when he has so much more to accomplish and so many more worlds to conquer,”
A ripple of astonishment ran through the throne room and Estelle smiled.
“Let us talk,” she said, “over tea. Declarations can be made later. There is no need for public surrender today.
“I believe it is the old Urth blend of Lady Grey that his highness prefers,”
*
Later, much later, Emperor Alexius came to Estelle Hawkwood. He accepted a cup of his favorite tea without thinking, for he had grown very used to having it available.
“I do not think,” he said, “that you are my secret weapon, exactly, anymore,”
Estelle smiled and pushed a stray curl back into place.
“I will always be exactly what your Imperial Highness needs,” she said and offered him a tiny pastry, of the kind he had not seen since he was a child. “Why not take a seat?” she said. “We can find out what exactly is it that you might need next,”
The formation of the Questing Knights was announced the next day.
