FallQM
patreon
Tanya's Third Life as a Barbarian Queen, Chapter XXI
🕑 Added 2025-03-01 20:57:14 +0000 UTCI will have the chapter as links to download at the bottom of the post. As well as a link to the Google Document page.
Kontia
Delilah, Lieutenant of the 111th Company
It took some time to organise our sally from the walls and in that time a pitch black night sky had turned to a deep and rich blue even if the earth was still shrouded in darkness. The cool air carried on the wind offered a bracing reprieve from tiredness and looking at the women I could see that few were concerned about rest.
It was at this time of day, when the sun had not yet begun to slip over the horizon that we had the greatest advantage over the Saderans, both Orcs and Humans alike. We set out beyond the walls and arrayed ourselves in a formation that placed the companies on horseback upon the flanks with my company in the middle.
Behind my company was a host of volunteers from the escaped slaves, they outnumbered the Lepus in the companies but without armour and weapons I decided that they were best used to wrap around the enemy when the lines were joined rather than be exposed to a potential cavalry charge.
The bridge itself terminated well beyond the boundaries of the river itself as the entire structure was built very high above the waterline for some reason I could only guess at. Great stone arches that sank into diamond shaped supports dotted along its length to the far shore. It was a stark reminder of the inordinate size and wealth of the Empire that they could build a structure such as this so far from the seat of their power.
And now the bridge served as a lifeline for the people of Kontia who fled across the bridge with all they could carry rather than fighting for their home. I could scarcely judge them, I fled from my home when fighting on under the banner of the Pomi had become pointless. But the people and the supplies they were carrying were desired by the Tanaoi and thus they had to be stopped.
But I did still feel some measure of sympathy for the people I was about to slay. If only because of the humiliation my people had suffered in kind.
Our approach was discovered, but too late for the Saderans to respond effectively. From the front of my hastily assembled army I watched as thousands of Saderans rushed out of camp forming a series of small blobs. The entire thing was strange, it was almost as if the Humans had not expected any response from us as they fled.
I did not order a halt to our advance upon the bridge, our true goal. Even as the human horsemen arrayed themselves as a challenge before me. My purpose was to cut off access to the bridge for the people escaping the city, once we interposed ourselves between the humans and the bridge they would have no choice but to return to the city.
Shouts and panic was carried upon the wind to us as the flood of people and carriages fleeing the city became a surge and in their attempt to flee faster their exodus became jammed and chaotic, offering me more time to secure the bridge.
Turning away from the bedlam in favour of the approaching Equites I found I could taste the enchantments woven into their armour upon my tongue and inside of my teeth and struggled to resist the urge to grind them pointlessly as I stepped back into my company and readied my spear to repulse any charge made.
The humans outnumbered us, roughly two to one and were better equipped by far.
Fair odds I would say.
The sky became a brilliant blood orange and enough light was cast about the world that the tips of endless blades of grass became a pale turquoise when the humans surged forwards with a battle cry. Sparks of light ignited as the Lepus to the rear threw stones at the approaching horsemen, blinding examples of Saderan mastery of magic that only the Tanaoi Queen could contest.
I braced my spear against the muddy ground and crouched somewhat, wincing as I anticipated the humans simply throwing themselves into our lines. The thousands of horsemen became distabalised however when the cavalry on our left flank broke from the battle line and towards the fleeing people on the bridge.
Their exodus was slow as we had marched onto a sown field that had, due to the rain of the last week, became a sodden mess that threatened to steal shoes and made just a simple march elect protest from the muscles in my legs.
I allowed myself a grin as too many of the enemy cavalry decided to chase Zara’s company but that was short lived as with a respectable battle cry a number of horsemen threw themselves into my company before I could see if Breha’s company was following the plan.
The air reeked of blood as soon as the battle was joined and my spear was destroyed as it plunged into the heart of a crazed horse ridden by a man possessed. I could scarcely draw my blade before the man threw himself from his dead horse to bring a sword down upon my head. His haphazard strikes were punctuated with a furious scream that was silenced when someone behind me drove their spear into the exposed face of the man killing him instantly.
It was a bloody melee, with the full force of the cavalry charge unable to dislodge my companies formation and with too many horses before us for the humans to turn back and attempt a second charge we were free to clamber over the dead horses and men to throw ourselves at men without the room to fight.
I advanced with the women at the front rank as we forced the mass of horse to stagger backwards unable to find footing, subjecting the humans to a crushing force at the behest of our natural strength. Soon their charge had been fully blunted and for many at the front of the human formation the battle was over and all that was left for them was an undignified slaughter.
There was a mad rush as many of my company gave into the bloodlust, leaping into the air to grab at the men and drag them from their mounts while driving home knife and sword. I suppressed the urge to seek blood and glory in order to take a moment to look about and see how the battle was progressing.
The humans, having outnumbered us, had attempted to wrap around our left flank when Zara had left it exposed, but they had done so at an improper angle and had cast away any advantage that the momentum of a charge offered. At such slow speed they were quickly swarmed by the unarmoured Lepus in the rear and pulled from their horses to be beaten or stabbed to death in the churning mud.
Escape had become impossible and despite the sheer number of humans only a fraction of them could actually fight at any given moment. With every breath more horses found themselves confused and riderless in a field of mud and blood. I jumped up on top of a confused horse and stood upon its back with my arms outstretched to allow me some measure of balance as I scanned the battlefield for Zara and Breha’s companies.
I was pleased to find that they had indeed led many of the humans on a chase and were now thundering down the road with furious humans nipping at their heels totally blind to everything but the companies of Lepus upon horse shouting barbs and mockery as they fled towards the city gate.
A brilliant light cast over the world, exposing the dead and dying to a sun that sought only to bring warmth to a cold earth. While the battle was not over yet I saw the many hundreds of men dying in the mud and the many hundreds more who abandoned stuck horses and mounts with broken legs to wade through the muck towards the bridge, towards salvation.
I had to put an end to that.
“The bridge!” I shouted out, loud enough to be heard over the din even as my throat protested at such abuse. “Make way to the bridge! We have to stop them!” I threw myself off of the horse and down atop a dying human, it was faster to run atop the grim carpet of the dead than to sink into the red mud below.
Victory was so close I could taste it.
--------------------------------------------------
50 miles north of Kontia
Tanya, Queen of the Tanaoi
I awoke with a clarity of mind that was only apparent in contrast to the fog that had clouded my senses the last few weeks. It was a shameful thing, the cruel voice at the back of my mind commanding me to act upon base impulse or my very mind would be held hostage.
Until I surrendered. My reward was the mental acuity to know, to remember everything I had done, how eagerly I had done it and the grim certainty that eventually my very biology would ensure I did it again and again.
I looked down upon Art’s sleeping face as he lay sprawled out atop me and quickly looked away, untangling myself from Furea, Art and Colla with as much grace as I could manage after having exhausted the poor men the night before. They had a right to rest after what I had done, after what they had done for me.
I slipped through a set of furs that hung from a rope to divide sections of my tent and was embraced by a sweet floral scent and the smell of boiling water that stood at odds with the sordid scents in the other section.
“Good morning.” Enna said, taking care to mix the hot tea in front of him with the precision and care he took to any task presented to him. “As ever I am in awe of how consistently you meet the day.” He teased and I smiled, kneeling on a pillow on the other side of the short table, facing him.
“Good morning Enna.” I said, taking the cup he offered me and abusing my magic to allow me to drain the tea enjoying the warmth that radiated out from my stomach.
“I hate it when you do that.” Enna chided me. “At least try to enjoy it!” He said with a smile on his face and was careful not to raise his voice to wake the trio sleeping not too far away.
“Ah, sorry.” I said as another cup was poured for me that I took a small sip from allowing the floral taste to play over my tongue. “Excellent as always.” The praise was genuine, Enna’s dedication to experimenting with tea had made the lack of coffee in this life bearable. I had traveled across Sadera and found despite the wealth of exotic drinks the only thing worth drinking was wine.
Until I returned to the steppe. To all the things I had struggled so hard to get away from only to find that there was no civilisation to be found in this world. There was nowhere to retreat to, to escape to.
If I wanted a place to retire, I had to make it.
“We need to talk...” Enna began, looking down at his own cup of tea.
“Go on.” I prompted at his unusual tone. There was an odd sense of dread that came with Enna’s words and he seemed to think for a moment about how he was going to continue before turning to me with a resolved expression.
“You must reward the women who offer loyal and courageous service.” He said at last. I waited a moment for him to continue but at his silence I replied.
“I do offer rewards commensurate with meritorious service. I am more than willing to discuss what should be offered in return for-”
“In the traditional way.” He cut me off and I felt my jaw set and felt a wave of frustration in response but he continued. “You will be seen as snubbing your most loyal officers if you continue to avoid the matter.”
“I can’t ask you to do that.” I said at last, failing to meet his stalwart gaze.
“By the Gods, do you think we are made of glass? That we shall shatter at any indignity? That you must heap favour upon us endlessly and jealousy guard us from your most loyal supporters lest our fickle whims turn against you.” I stared dumbfounded by Enna’s words.
“That’s not what I am doing.” I protested, feeling my hair stand on end as he lent over the table to take my hand.
“We love you, I love you.” I felt my face burn and could not look up at Enna as he spoke. “To be yours alone would be a wonderful privilege, but all people are born not just to the privileges of their circumstance but also the responsibilities. You asked us to always be truthful to you even if you did not want to hear such truths and it pains me to say these things but we are at war, loyalty must be secured and our people will be concerned about the future generations.” He waited again for me to speak but I could not trust the words, the confusing mass of discordant emotions that stole any rationality from me.
“Colla and I shall attend to them. Furea considers the company of any woman who is not you offensive and Art...” He did not need to continue.
“You’re not mine.” I said at last. “I don’t own you, any of you.” I looked up at him as his expression softened and he offered a smile I did not deserve.
“I’m afraid you’re stuck with us Tanya.” With that he stood up, still holding my hand so I stood up with him. “Now that we have resolved this matter let’s deal with the rather pressing concern.” I considered protesting but found I did not have the strength. As much as I found the lepus practice of using men as tools of control over their tribe distasteful, he was right. There was already discontent over my ‘greed’ and that would only grow until I offered chances for my subordinates to bare pureblood children.
Enna wrinkled his nose and began to lead me towards a tall copper bathtub with steaming hot water ready. “I had a bath prepared for you and your hair and fur need to be brushed before we begin today's march.” At his insistence I sank into the warmth and felt the confusing knot of emotions in my gut dissipate at Enna’s ministrations.
It was the sting of failure that frustrated me the most, that I could not devise a way to reform this and many other aspects of Lepus culture. But even that frustration seemed distant, to dim as Enna cleaned my ears and hair.
I would allow this for now, while it was necessary as Enna rightfully said.
The war would be a long one and I had to choose my battles carefully.
--------------------------
AN:
And the siege of Kontia is coming to a rapid close as we refocus on Tanya, I wonder what she will think when she is given a report on the goings on in the city!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tFEhON5j-ZO7pQfUJILP6MrAHj-QhFIMkruDOx1ewPk/edit?tab=t.0
Comments
Emdee Kay
I can almost see the instigating incident with Nalia being Tanya listening Enna and rewarding Delilah with a session with the bunny bois alongside the other women deserving of reward.
Tony
Great chapter, I liked this updated version better. Now that I see it again I wonder in the bridge battle why is the cavalry so frenzied and incensed to charge their enemies in the mud ? I can understand the Lepus doing it because for them its getting more provisions for survival and their own pride and battle lust. But the Saderan soldiers are trying to escape and survive, they already lost a battle and suffered a lot for it. For them to charge the way they did it's either personal or someone gave them a very good rousing speech, maybe some kind of spell for battle lust. Maybe its just me but I don't really see them being selfless enough to just charge to the Lepus in a muddled battlefield with their horses to save the other to escape. This is probably the biggest mistake they seem to have done so far in battles. About the Male Bunnies, maybe its Tanya's influence on them, to think they way they do. But as I see it they are like princess of high valued females in the past, they where cared, given the best food. clothes and lifestyle compared to the females, and in exchange they are expected to do their duty, have as many kids as they can and in their case as many females as possible. I do feel for them, but unless Tanya can find a way for them to have more males and probably less kids each pregnancy they cannot fix this issue.
Old Hammer
Last chapter I was hoping Delilah would get some honor and some wins to quiet the haters and I was not misplaced in those hopes, damn that was an awesome battle. If she succeeds it securing some of the food and supplies I can definitely see her being rewarded with some time with one of the husbands.
Dave Steele
Holy hell, Delilah! Calm down and leave some W’s for your Queen to secure! Also poor Tanya, you can’t win em all when it comes to governing
Xodarap4
Okay so the city is bottled up entirely the fighting force is entirely civilian levies now and the city center is taken with scattered few Imperial remnants escaping through hidden tunnels. Now the decision must be made on how to impose order on the entire city so they don't get desperate enough to starve into a blood charge.
