by A. J. Medina
How could the king, the man I had sworn to serve do these things?
Neala placed a comforting hand on my shoulder and didn’t say anything. There was no need. She must’ve known what I was thinking.
“Alora,. May I ask a question?”
“Aye.”
“How is it that you still love Silas? Even after knowing he is the wizard’s apprentice... the evil apprentice.”
“I can’t explain it. My feelings for him didn’t vanish after everything happened. I still want him. I still need to be with him.”
“Even after he killed Tessa.”
I sighed. “He said it was an accident. He wishes he could undo what he’s done. You could only understand if you’ve ever been in love.”
Neala’s body shifted under the covers at my last comment.
Wait. Had she been in love?
I asked the darkness. “Have you ever been in love, Neala?”
Her legs moved under the covers. “I had someone that loved me once. We talked about marriage and children. But I knew it was all a fantasy. We were both servants in the palace and it would not be allowed. He spoke of doing it in secret, but I was too afraid.”
“And what happened between you and your love? Is he still here in the castle city?”
“The king found out about us because when he sent for me the first time, my love found out and tried to kill the king. The king removed his head in the square the next morning.”
Neala’s tears came fast. She gasped at the air—she couldn’t breathe. I rolled over and hugged her tightly. Was that Silas’ fate? Was Silas going to lose his head in the square? My own tears started flowing, but it was a slow sad cry, not a harsh one like Neala’s. I tried to wipe the image from my mind.
Chapter 7
Queen Rosaleen sat in front of her vanity and brushed her white hair as it hung draped over her shoulders and fell to her stomach. She watched her reflection in the mirror, her hand holding the brush and moving up, and then swiping down through her white strands. Her thoughts drifted towards the wizard. With the wizard, Agbavitor, now out of the way it would be even easier to control her husband. The king would hear every word she said and would gladly follow her advice.
She bunched together a new handful of hair and began running her brush through it.
Unfortunately, the wizard was also King Remi’s first knight and protector. He gave his life for Remi, and she didn’t know, at least not for sure, if this Alora would do the same. Queen Rosaleen needed to become familiar with Alora and learn if she could be trusted.
Never in history had there been girl knights and now, in such a short time, a girl had risen through the ranks to become First Knight.
The queen stopped brushing her hair and turned to one of the two chamber maidens that were standing by the edge of her bed watching her.
Chamber maidens always upset her. They were always so pretty and their bodies were always, at least she thought, more shapely than her own.
Why were these girls always so pretty while she had to age and whither? And they were all peasants. Their families either abandoned them or sold them into slavery. The queen couldn’t understand why the poor had been so blessed. She tried not to focus on those thoughts, besides, the maidens were never around long enough to even bother learning their names.
Queen Rosaleen held up her brush and said in her usual annoyed and royal tone, “One of you, continue brushing my hair. My arm is tired.”
One of the maidens jumped into action, rushing over to take possession of the queen’s brush.
The girl started at the back of Queen Rosaleen’s head and began brushing her hair.
The queen studied the young girl’s reflection as she lifted the brush and brushed downwards over and over again.
The girl was new to the palace and unfamiliar to the queen. For some reason beyond her understanding she was curious about the girl.
“What is your name?” the queen asked, surprised that she wanted to know.
“Genevee, My Queen.”
“Such a lovely name.”
And it was a lovely name. A lovely name for a lovely girl. Studying her reflection even more, the queen became jealous. Genevee was young and pretty, like all the others. Her wood colored hair flowed lightly over her shoulders. Her eyes matched her hair and were full of vigor and youth. Not at all like the queen’s own eyes, which she thought appeared tired and worn—full of a lifetime of experience.
Queen Rosaleen studied her some more and noticed the young girl’s lips moving as she counted how many brush strokes she performed—her mouth stopping at one hundred before picking a new area to brush. The girl’s lips appeared soft and supple. Lips that wanted to be kissed. Lips attached to a face that didn’t have one wrinkle on it. Not one. A face that appeared so smooth, and had skin as soft as a baby’s.
Why were peasant girls so blessed, the queen wondered again.
The queen now questioned her decision of sentencing her previous maiden to death. She was also young and beautiful and had caught the king’s eye, but this new maiden was even more lovely. This Genevee would surely catch his eye as well. If not for the strength and capability of the young, Queen Rosaleen would make sure all chamber maidens were older than she was and much more... ugly. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about the king being interested in them.
Queen Rosaleen’s eyes drifted to the goblet that rested by the edge of her vanity. In it was her own personal recipe—her elixir. The queen’s elixir was potent. But it seemed that when it came to matters of love and desire, it was never potent enough. She wished she could consult another. Another who also mixed their own elixirs. She had wished she could consult Agbavitor, but if he knew what she was doing, he would’ve had the king throw her in the dungeon, or worse. Queen Rosaleen was content with her head attached to her body and didn’t see any reason to risk its separation.
Her hair had been brushed long enough. It no longer appeared out of control.
“That’s enough,” she told Genevee, and then instructed her other maiden. “Go tell the king I will be along in a moment.”
“Aye, My Queen.”
The other maiden left to deliver her message leaving the queen alone with Genevee.
The queen stood and turned to face the young girl. The girl’s eyes were level with the queen’s neck and that’s where they focused. The maidens all knew better than to look at the queen directly in her eyes.
“How old are you?” the queen asked.
“Fifteen seasons,” Genevee replied.
Fifteen seasons? She was just the right age for him. This would not do.
Queen Rosaleen picked up the goblet that held the elixir she had prepared for her husband, walked to the door and opened it. Ready to leave, she turned once again to Genevee. “I don’t want you here when I return.”
Genevee turned to face the queen, opened her mouth to speak, and almost made eye contact. The queen lifted her hand, silencing her before she could even say a word.
“Go to the head maiden and tell her that I have sent you back. Tell her to send me someone...,” the queen looked Genevee up and down and then continued, “someone less like you.”
The queen turned towards the door and was about to exit, when she shut it and walked back over to her maiden.
“Better yet. Have her switch you and the princess’ maiden. Her maiden is slightly older and less attractive than you are.” The queen studied Genevee again. “Although not by much. And you will report back to me, every night, everything that happens with my daughter. Do you understand?”
“Aye, My Queen.”
“Excellent.”
The queen left her chambers and went up one level to see the king. She thought about knocking, like the king had requested, but instead she pushed the door open and was shocked by what she saw.
Before her very eyes the king and the chamber maiden, the one she had sent up before, were embraced in each other’s arms. They were kissing and separated when they heard the q
ueen come in.
The maiden trembled and lowered her head, focusing on the floor in front of her. Queen Rosaleen’s eyebrows scrunched together, her nose flared and her eyes burned with hatred.
“Rosaleen, you should’ve knocked!” King Remi scolded.
“Knocked to see my own husband?”
After ignoring his scold, she walked over to him and handed him the goblet. “Here Remi, drink your elixir. You’ll feel better.”
The king took the goblet from her, like he had so many times before, and drank it down in one gulp.
The queen turned and stared at her chamber maiden. How dare she kiss her husband? This would not do.
The queen went back to the open door, and with her back to it, began stepping backwards to shut it. Just before the door closed completely, she reached behind her back and removed her miniature dagger from its sheath and whispered, “Now to deal with you... you hag.”
Chapter 8
Me and Neala had fallen asleep talking about the future she might’ve had, had the world been different.
While asleep, I had a horrible nightmare, one that I couldn’t wake up from. It was the same scene playing over and over in my head.
Silas knelt in the city square and waited for the blow. His executioner stood at the ready, with his hood covering his face, and then he raised his battle axe. When the axe was brought down, Silas’ head flew into the crowd and all the city’s citizens cheered.
The executioner’s axe vanished and when he lowered his hood, it wasn’t a he at all. It was me.
I opened my eyes and finally woke from the nightmare.
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it would jump out of my chest. At my side, Neala was fast asleep. Her faint breathing was barely audible over the sound of my own heart thumping.
I climbed out of bed and over to the window. Peering out at the garden, it was dead silent. No one stirred below, everyone was probably in their chambers sleeping.
I, of course, was now wide awake. There was no way I was falling back to sleep after that dream.
Would I as First Knight have to do that? If the king sentenced Silas to death, would he order me to swing the axe? I shuddered at the thought.
Since I wasn’t going back to sleep, I figured I would visit my workshop and maybe read some of the wizard’s journals to pass the time. Since it was late, I figured there was no point in changing. Barefoot and wearing only my white sleep shirt, I tiptoed out of my room.
I walked down the passageway and thought about our conversation. The things Neala said started to frighten me. All of the girl knightlys could’ve been called to the king’s chambers. I was definitely at risk since he had asked her about me. The king would send for the servant girls. And what of the citizens of the castle city or even the kingdom? Would he send for them as well?
And the queen was aware of this. Since she was aware, does that mean the princess also knew?
If the princess knew it didn’t matter, it’s not something I planned on bringing up in our conversations.
My king, you keep making it harder to follow you. Ugh... I wish Neala hadn’t told me.
When I arrived at my workshop, I shut the door behind me — but I wasn’t gentle enough and it slammed shut — sending a loud boom through the room.
I shook my head at my noisiness and shrugged it off.
Oh well, nothing I could do about it.
I stood in front of the wizard’s closet and prepared to say the magic words to move it out of the way and reveal the secret room below, when I heard what sounded like footsteps.
The palace was so quiet that I could hear them getting closer. Whoever it was wasn’t wearing boots because their feet landed softly with each step.
I opened the door to my workshop to see who it was. The torches in the passageway cast moving shadows, but the passageway was empty. I shut the door and listened carefully. The footsteps were slow and controlled. Whoever it was, was in no hurry.
My open palms rested by my ears trying to pick up even more sound, but it was difficult to hone in on the steps. As I turned slowly, trying to find the footsteps, I caught a glimpse of a faint light from behind the wall next to my desk. The glow cast a shadow of someone’s feet.
I reached my hand back to unsheathe my sword, but realized it wasn’t there.
I scanned the room searching for a weapon when the wall slid open and King Remi appeared holding a lantern, barefoot and wearing a sleep shirt of his own. His sleep shirt was red like the queen’s window coverings and it almost looked like he was covered in blood.
“Hello, Alora,” King Remi said. “Up late?”
I relaxed my posture. “Aye, Your Majesty. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Ahh. Agbavitor had trouble sleeping most nights. Perhaps you inherited that along with his powers.”
“Maybe.”
The king’s eyes darted down to my feet and then scanned up my body until his eyes met mine.
I didn’t quite know what to say or do. With my new knowledge — the information Neala had told me about the king — I found myself scared to be alone with him. It also didn’t help that I was only wearing my sleep shirt.
“When we couldn’t sleep, sometimes we would sit and play a game of dragon’s chess. Can I interest you in a game?” King Remi asked taking a step forward before the wall slid closed behind him.
“Aye, Your Majesty.”
“Please, Alora, you are my first knight. Call me Remi when we are alone.”
King Remi sat down at my desk and set down his lantern.
“As you wish, Remi,” I said pulling another chair to the other side of the desk, and then went to the closet to retrieve the game.
After setting up the chess board with our pieces, the king went first. He moved his pawn and waited for my move.
“So Alora, the princess tells me you tried to help her catch the last leaf.”
“Aye, but I failed.”
“She’s been trying to catch that leaf for many seasons now. I doubt she ever will.”
I slid my pawn forward two spaces.
“I’m sure she’ll keep trying though,” I said.
King Remi chuckled. “That she will.”
As the game went on, King Remi had captured a few of my pawns, my dragon and one of my castles. He was much better at dragon’s chess than I was. I would need to get better if I was to be a great first knight.
When King Remi captured my queen, he leaned back in his chair. “You don’t speak much, do you?”
I hadn’t realized that we played most of the game in silence. I was so focused on the game and on trying not to say anything stupid, that I hadn’t said much at all.
“I’m not sure what to say to you. You’re the king.”
“I am your king, but I hope we can also be friends. Would you like to be friends, Alora?”
I didn’t know how to answer him. If I said no, that would be an insult, but if I said yes.... What would being friends with a king mean exactly?
Since I couldn’t insult him, I had no real choice in the matter. “Aye, Remi. I would like to be friends.”
“Excellent. And friends can tell each other secrets. Do you have any secrets to tell me?”
Secrets? I’m learning there are a bunch of secrets around here. But I couldn’t tell him that.
“Come now, Alora. Everyone has secrets. Share one with me.”
“If I told you a secret, then it would no longer be a secret. Would it?”
The king let out a hearty laugh. “Oh Alora, spoken like... well... like royalty.”
Panic set in. Had I overstepped my position? “Forgive me, Your Majesty.”
He waved his hand. “Don’t worry. You need to be wise when discussing matters like secrets. You must also think about your words before you say them. And you are correct. If you told me your secrets, then they wouldn’t be secrets. And if your secret was about someone else, you would’ve betrayed their trust.”
King Remi moved his castle into position.
“Checkmate!”
I studied the board. Remi had won. Leaning back in my chair, I lay my king down on the board.
“I also need you to keep my secrets,” King Remi continued. “That is part of your duties as First Knight. I hope I can trust you?”
“Of course you can.”
“Excellent. This game was just what I needed. I am going back to my chambers. I think sleep will come much easier now.”
Remi stood, walked over to the wall that he had come through, pressed his index finger to it and drew a circle. The wall slid open, silent as a mouse. Before he could walk through it, I summoned the courage and asked him what I’d been dying to ask.
“Remi, what will happen to Silas?”
Remi was mid step when he stopped and turned back around. I could tell he was searching for the right words.
“You’re worried I will sentence him to death?”
I nodded.
“He may still prove useful. I will keep him alive for a time.”
“How long?” I asked.
“I know you two are in love. This must be difficult for you, but he is our enemy.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
“Aye.”
I did know that, but it didn’t change how I felt about him. Nothing could.
“Let’s not discuss this any further. Tomorrow I would like to practice fighting with you in the courtyard of the guard’s wing. What say you?”
“It would be my honor.”
“Do me a favor. Try not to make me look too awful in front of my knights, will you?”
Tapping my fist to my chest, I watched as the king nodded once and then walked into the dark tunnel behind the wall. When he was safely in the tunnel, the wall quietly slid shut behind him.
A secret entrance that was opened simply by drawing a circle on the wall. I wondered how many other secret passageways there were in the palace. Where there was one, there could be many.
When I awoke the next morning. Neala was already out of bed and making her usual noise in the washroom. When she emerged, she was wearing different clothes and held her bowl of wake up water. I dipped my hands and splashed my face.
