She has never thought twice about being a King versus a Queen. Perhaps it does make her more badass simply being a she, particularly considering a large number of her members were in fact male and seemed to follow her rather loyally. Of course she knows they serve the Chamber and not her (she too serve the Chamber and not herself). But this is almost more rewarding, because if they believed she was failing the kingdom, the crown would not still be on her head.
But no one has ever questioned her place as Queen. Not when she used Eight to help her usurp her father (and of course, as an added little perk, sold him to the Valley). Not in her decisions, though she made very few without at least consulting her kingdom. Not even so many years later, when the crown of feathers and ash and thorns has sat on her head for so long.
She has never really thought much of her lineage, in truth. She only believes she has earned the throne by dedication to her kingdom and hard work. But she was born to rule. It comes easily to her. She does feel the weight of the crown pulling her down. And perhaps this is something to do with her bloodline. She is the product of the old dynasty and the new in the Chamber, and at one point was related to the ruling families of three other kingdoms in Beqanna. She is not nothing, certainly. But she could have been born a meadow bum’s daughter, and she would have made sure she was not nothing.
The ravens alert her to the visitor, and Straia knows this to be the mare from the Valley visit based on the description the ravens give her. She clears her mind, leaving a cute little dancing raven in her head instead – birdbrain. Literally. Not that she knows for sure that this mare is a mind reader, but she has her suspicions. And she does not yet trust this mare, or the Valley. She wants to, of course, but she is no fool.
She slowly slips her way through the pine trees until she sees the mare. She grins slightly, that mischievous gleam in her eyes. “Did you miss us already?”
straia
the raven queen of the chamber
Use of mild power playing is allowed; no injuries without permission