Rosalie, the decoy queen, huffed as King Hexion charged at her over and over. He may be an experienced war general, but he relied on strength and intimidation to win. Rosalie was Queen Galadriel’s main bodyguard, not just a royal guard. This was why Queen Galadriel could trust Rosalie to imitate her. King Hexion tried to knock the decoy queen down. Both royals were covered in open wounds with blood trickling down their bruised bodies. The crowd hollered in favor of King Hexion. Rosalie hadn’t noticed that the queen’s guards had disappeared throughout her battle. King Hexion was ready to kill Queen Galadriel, and he was slowly setting the stage for the queen’s death.

  Rosalie heard the shout of the strange orc from the crowd. The orc was being held back by King Hexion’s men. She saw a flash of pain envelop the orc's face, but none of the guards were hurting him. It utterly confused her, so King Hexion got the upper hand. He backed Rosalie into a corner of his supporters. She did her best to fend off King Hexion, but she was beginning to tire. She fell back a step as he aggressively tried to force her down. King Hexion swung his blade high, but it never clashed with her ax.

  "I think that is enough, Rosalie," The disguised queen said confidently when she ripped off her glamor charm.

  "Thank you, my queen…" Rosalie huffed as she fiddled with the necklace until it fell from her neck.

  King Hexion stood there flabbergasted as the real Queen Galadriel Haleth appeared in place of the guard, holding his blade at bay with her own. The queen he had been fighting was only a decoy although she had put up a good fight. "What's with the ruse Queen Galadriel? Too afraid to fight me?"

  "As if. I was busy helping end this ridiculous battle and finding the culprit who planned this charade." Queen Galadriel mused.

  "Oh? Where is this culprit?" King Hexion said sarcastically.

  "I have this one here, which is Grim Guild’s guild master, Shadow." Aura interrupted flinging Shadow’s dead body in between them. King Hexion’s eyes widened at the sight of Shadow’s lifeless body. "The other culprit is here."

  King Hexion glared up at a woman in front of him. He recognized her as the herbalist who became a she-wolf. The legendary werewolf that had come to life. "Do you mean yourself, werewolf?" He smirked.

  "Werewolf? I suppose I am, but no I was under Shadow’s influence like all the shifters here. Forced against my will to do Shadow’s will. I was a tool for him to enact your plan, your majesty," Aura explained.

  King Hexion stiffened at her words. How had this woman figured it out? Was she not just a victim of Shadow’s power? "What evidence do you have?"

  "I am the evidence, King Hexion. Or did you forget that you were trying to get the queen killed?" Rosalie came forward. "Or did you pick a fight with the queen for no reason?"

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  Shit. Stupid women! "I...I…" King Hexion mumbled.

  The strange orc pulled himself free from Hexion’s men. "There are more witnesses, my queen. The human squadron from Apricus has been watching everything." He grinned.

  "You too, Blade?" King Hexion asked.

  "I aim to please, King Hexion," Enoch chuckled, sarcastically, as the human squadron broke through the crowd.

  "King Hexion, you are under arrest for plotting to kill a fellow royal and Alliance of Kingdoms Representative, Queen Galadriel Haleth. You are to be brought back to Apricus to await your trial with the Alliance of Kingdoms." The captain of the human squadron said as he began to handcuff King Hexion.

  "Wait! Daddy, no don't go!" A female voice called rushing toward them from the village.

  "Daddy?" Queen Galadriel questioned.

  Aura instantly recognized the thunder of the female's feet as she approached them. "Princess Crisela," She said confidently. Everyone looked back at Aura for answers as the princess' eyes met Aura's.

  "The pet she-wolf?" Princess Crisela asked. Aura gave a nod, confirming her recognition. "You escaped that ugly Shadow’s cage, huh?"

  "Another witness and more evidence. It seems we will have enough to convict you, King Hexion," Queen Galadriel smiled smugly.

  "More like an accomplice," Stell added. "She knows everything about the king's plan."

  "You'll have to come with us, Princess," The squadron captain commanded. Princess Crisela agreed and went quietly, not wanting to leave her father's side. G

  The human squadron returned to their camp with their prisoners and the rest of King Hexion’s men. "Well, this has been an exhaustingly horrendous day," Queen Galadriel commented.

  "It's been an exhausting, horrendous week for most of us, your majesty," Aura replied. Everyone relaxed and fell to the ground to rest while Aura and Queen Galadriel began discussing the situation.

  "So, I have been told little werewolf. You were still a prisoner yesterday, right?" Queen Galadriel prodded.

  "Yes, I was. Jalen, Ivy, and Captain Dax saved me that hell," Aura tried to hold back her bitter feelings.

  "This whole thing is going to be a mess of paperwork," Queen Galadriel pinched the bridge of her nose. She looked back at Aura in her tattered clothes, and she could sense an influx of magic coming from Aura. She whispered, "Are you really a cursed werewolf? Or is there other magic at play here?"

  Aura paused for a minute and bit her lip. "Which one is easier for your paperwork?"

  Queen Galadriel laughed. "Neither, honestly, but for you to keep your freedom, we should probably stick to the werewolf story."

  "Thank you, Queen Galadriel," Aura was astonished at the queen’s decision. She expected to lose her freedom and possibly her life after today.

  "It's the least I can do for my new royal herbalist." Queen Galadriel smirked.

  Aura was flattered, but she realized she didn't have a choice in this matter. This way the queen could keep an eye on Aura, which would satisfy the concerns of the Alliance of Kingdoms. There was no way for her to continue moving around unchecked. Hopefully, no one else would try to object to the queen’s generosity. "Of course, my queen. I will be in your kingdom in a few months to start my position." Aura said gracefully.

  "I look forward to it." Queen Galadriel smiled and walked over to Rosalie, her royal guard.

  Aura let out a breath that she didn't know she had been holding when a voice called to her. She turned to find Enoch in all his orc glory, Jalen, and Ivy standing behind her. "I guess you all heard that, huh?"

  "Congratulations on your new position, Royal Herbalist," Jalen mocked.

  A light blush filled Aura’s cheeks. "I guess that's my new title…"

  "Truthfully, that's the best way this could have worked out," Ivy assured her.

  "Indeed," Enoch agreed. "I need to talk to you before I leave tomorrow. We have some unfinished business."

  "We do?" Aura questioned, confused.

  "Yes, quite a lot of business actually," Enoch answered. "But it can wait until tomorrow. You have people to tend to, Royal Herbalist."

  Aura looked over at the meadow people in need. Enoch was right. She had a job to do as a Royal Herbalist. Aura could deal with Enoch, Dax, and everyone else tomorrow.