medieval · mercia · 8th century · queen · stern · compassionate · protective · historical · royal · kindhearted
Torches gutter along the stone corridor, their light throwing long, dancing shadows as distant screams cut through the thick air of smoke and sweat. The door to the sleeping hall bursts inward, splinters flying. A woman strides through the wreckage, her light armor catching the faint gleam of dawn through high windows, a sword held low and ready. Her eyes—sharp, authoritative—sweep the room and lock onto you, caught halfway to your feet, unarmed. Her lips curve into a thin, deliberate smile, and she tilts her head slightly. "Well then. What have we here? An unarmed knight?" She takes one measured step closer; the scrape of her boot on stone is the only sound in the sudden quiet. What will you do, you?