Ruby returned his smile, “thank you.”
Ruby sighed as they walked down the path that ran through what was now a garden. A sort of memorial that the queen, her adoptive mother, had done in honour of the people who had died here. Every corner of the Neru Valley reminded her of the goodness of El. In sending her father to rescue her and giving her a family, she could not imagine ever being without. Yet still she longed for a people of her own, but not in the way her father had in mind.
"How will they understand Stafford, when there is no one left to teach them. I don't even understand myself. How can I blame them?"
“All in time Princess,” he assured her.
“Time is what I do not have, soon the people will get their wish.”
Stafford shook his head, “oh don’t lose hope just yet, El has not removed his hand from upon your life.”
Ruby stopped a little way down the path as Stafford proceeded to prepare the carriage. She cupped one hand on the corner of her lips and shouted.
"Anna, Merissa... time to go!"
A unified groan reached her ears and she smiled as two children bounded toward her. In their rambunctiousness they ran into her, causing her to sway backwards as she held their tiny laughing frames close. It brought joy to Ruby’s heart to see them smiling again. Bianca followed after them, her growing belly pushing against the fabric of her dress. She had loved having Bianca here with her, but when she looked at her now, she was reminded that her friend and trusted hand maiden had a life and family of her own. It was unfair for her to ask her to sacrifice any more of it because she was afraid of being alone.
"Can't we stay a while longer?" Merissa pleaded.
She was the more outspoken of the two. As a matter of fact, up until recently, Anna had not uttered a word since her parents’ death. The two orphans had become Ruby's constants since Deswald left for his quest. It was nearing close to five months since he rode away from her, sadness and hope intermingled in the blue pools of his eyes. As the time drew nearer for his return, she was growing more and more impatient. She missed him dearly. Yet a part of her dreaded facing him again, a lot had happened in five months.
She patted Merrissa’s hair and tugged on Anna's cheek.
"I am sorry girls but we must leave now if we are to make it back to Stone Vale before your bedtime."
"I'm not tired Princess," Merissa countered, shaking her neatly braided hair.
Ruby chuckled, "oh I know you think so. But that long carriage ride will show you otherwise. Come along now."
They passed the gate keepers and made their way to the carriage where Stafford stood, waiting patiently.
“It may not be as bad as you expect,” Bianca said. As always, she was the voice of hope.
Ruby smiled at her, “whatever it might turn out to be, I’m not running away again.”
Her friend reached out and patted her shoulder reassuringly, before waddling towards the carriage. As Stafford helped the girls and an unbalanced Bianca into the carriage, Ruby turned to take one last look at her new refuge. But as she did her eyes caught movement in the shadows a short distance away. Immediately a sense of being watched fell upon her. Her eyes searched the spot frantically, but she saw nothing.
"Is everything alright Princess?"
Since her return from Dravia she had experienced bouts of paranoia. There were nights Prince Haddin even haunted her sleep, thoughts of the darkness she had encountered in Dravia always set her on edge. She assumed that this was what she was experiencing now; that familiar feeling of never truly being alone. Shaking her head slowly she turned to Stafford.
"Oh yes, quite alright," she replied, turning toward the open door of the carriage.
"Take us home."
✽✽✽
When Ruby arrived at the palace it was late but Topaz was waiting for her in her room, dressed in her night gown and a displeased frown.
“You’re late,” she announced, as her sister entered the room.
Ruby’s hand went to her chest in fright, “Topaz!” she hissed as she tossed the cloth bag she carried across the room at her sister. Topaz dodged the pathetic choice of weapon instinctively.
“Why must you frighten me so!”
Topaz grinned, “because it is so easy to do.”
Ruby sighed as she lit another lamp and placed it back on its holder on the wall, illuminating the room even more. Topaz watched as Ruby proceeded to change out of her travel clothes, she was still mesmerized by her older sister’s beauty. Now that she was free to be herself, they all saw more of that mysterious curly mane falling past her shoulders. Even though she still opted for a headpiece every now and then. It was amazing that just a few months ago people thought them to be twins. Now they looked more different than ever. Ruby’s honey toned skin, which had always been shades lighter than Topaz’s, now had a smooth, bronze shimmer to it. Topaz wondered if it was from all the time spent in the cool of the Neru valley. She too had been surprised to learn of her sister’s heritage. She felt horrible about the way she had treated her growing up.
But despite Ruby’s newfound freedom, she had become more withdrawn since she had returned from captivity in Dravia. And even more since she had moved to the Neru valley for some “alone time”. Now she was often sombre and in her head a lot. Topaz did not think that the change was for the better. But she was alone in that observation.
“How was your journey?” she asked.
Ruby smiled sadly, “long and bumpy, I will miss living there. But father promised that I could visit whenever I want. I wish you would have visited more.”
“Me too. Neru is beautiful. But I am so busy, it is so much pressure now, everyone’s talking about finding me a match. Father has managed to keep away many suitors on my behalf but I know he cannot keep making excuses for me forever.”
Ruby smiled politely as she eased past her towards her bath chamber. Topaz frowned; she was sure that would get a stronger response from her. Ruby had always loved, love. Topaz followed her to the other wing of her bed chamber, where her handmaiden had prepared a bath for her. She entered just as Ruby was lowering herself into the bathtub.
“Is that why you were sitting in the dark? So, you could talk about your boy troubles?”
Topaz sat on the edge of the tub, rolling her eyes, “Why are you so grumpy?”
Ruby sighed, “I am sorry if you think so. I have a lot on my mind. The people have practically denounced me and the council cannot stop licking their lips. In all this, the one person who understands what I am going through is gone.”
Topaz felt a pang of offense. The realization that Ruby no longer saw her as being able to identify with her struggles weighed on her heart.
“I am sorry,” she whispered, “I know that Deswald is a good man and that you care for him. I saw how he brought the light back into your eyes those two weeks before he left. Now it is all burned out again. He will be back soon you know.”
Ruby nodded, “I know Top, thank you.”
“No really. I overheard General Mathis talking to father about it. They should be here in two days… they’re trying to get them back in earlier because of some… complications.”
Instead of leaping up in excitement as Topaz thought she would, Ruby became even more despondent. She looked away and sighed deeply.
“Ruby what is going on? aren’t you excited?’
“Are you sure he is returning? These things… well you can never be sure.”
Topaz smiled, “I am sure. He is coming home.”
Ruby nodded, sadness darkening her shade-shifting brown eyes.
“Ruby, if something is troubling you, you can talk to me.”
Ruby looked up at her with sad eyes, “I am sorry but something has happened and it will come between Deswald and I. In light of that… I just cannot bring myself to be joyful at the task that lies ahead of me.”
“But you love him.”
“It does not matter Topaz, I have responsibilities.”
“What a
re you not telling me?”
“I am not at liberty to tell you all right now. The most I can hope for now is that Deswald returns unharmed. With his body in tact it will help sustain the blow to his heart better.”
Topaz watched as Ruby hardened her heart against her own emotions. A veil of indifference was instantly drawn over her countenance. She wished she could do more to make her happier. She still believed that she had pushed her away in the first place and incited the events leading up to where they were now.
She cleared her throat and Ruby turned to look at her, arching an eyebrow.
“Are you going to watch me wash?”
Topaz eyes widened in horror, causing Ruby to erupt in good natured laughter. Her laughter punctured the thick dreary veil that had rested upon them.
“Just a joke Top, lighten up. What else is on your mind?”
“Well, father has given me the task of playing hostess for a guest he has coming in. You were always way better at that than me but father says the council wants me to do it. But I have no idea how to go about it. Smiling, waving and being polite is not my forte!”
Ruby chuckled, “is that what you think I did? Smiled and waved? Being a hostess is more than all of that. You are representing our father, our city and our kingdom. Whatever father’s purpose for having them, as hostess that purpose becomes yours.”
“Ugh, sounds even more awful. Why can’t you do it?”
“You know why. I am not a suitable representative of Aldor. Now it is up to you to help father and Jasper. I think you will find it a more attractive role if you see it as a strategic political responsibility. You love the law and I know no one else as loyal to Aldor as you. Keeping father’s guests happy, is good for Aldor. If you can get them to trust you, it will be even better.”
“Well will you help me?”
Ruby smiled, “always. Now can I have some privacy?”
“Never! I am never letting you out of my sight again,” Topaz teased, earning her a splash of water to the face.
Sputtering she stumbled out of Ruby’s bathroom with Ruby’s good-natured cackle trailing behind her.
“Go to bed, we will start brainstorming tomorrow,” Ruby shouted.
Chapter 3
Deswald swiped the back of his hand against his sweaty forehead and squinted against the brightness of the blazing sun. The heat bore down upon them mercilessly, as they trudged through the parched land of Penzu. He could hear the tired footsteps of his fellow soldiers behind and beside him. His small unit consisted of Ben, Nyla and five others, two of which were from their pledge days. Women soldiers were not required to do a quest because they could never be considered for Knighthood. That was the way it was, as such they would serve as escorts, guards and spies, particularly for missions that required them specifically. But Nyla was no ordinary woman, as she was proving more and more on this journey. She chose to do the quest as a personal test of her own limits and possibly to prove something to herself.
“We’ve been hiking for hours and still no sign of the border flags,” Cordwall groaned, blatant accusation in his voice.
Deswald ignored him, Cordwall had proven himself to be lazy and a complainer during their time together.
“I’m just happy to be out of that creepy village. I am in need of undisturbed rest, and when I get home, I’ll be first in line for a cleansing,” Pike replied.
“I wouldn’t count on it, Pike,” Cordwall responded.
At the start, Cordwall did not like the fact that Jasper had made Deswald the cohort leader and as cohort leader he had assigned Nyla the position of tracker. This resistance to his leadership had placed their secondary mission, as assigned by Jasper in danger of compromise. As they worked together, Deswald started to sense their respect for him as leader and the importance of the task entrusted to them. It was only then that they had started to function more as a team.
“Why do you suppose they always have a company of soldiers at Saharia’s edge?” Pike asked, always the one with all the questions.
“Apparently Aldor is tasked with guarding the inner lands from some great evil that resides beyond the border,” Han did not speak much, at least when compared to Pike and Cordwall.
Nyla stopped abruptly beside Deswald and he lifted his fist to command the others to do likewise. It had been almost three months since they left Aldor for their quest and they were all weary. After battling the elements with the rest of the questers under Jasper’s guidance for about two months, they were then divided into five cohorts and given a mission each. Upon completion their final mission was to meet at the base at Saharia’s edge and from there conclude their quest. Each Cohort were to provide four marked stones from their journey and return with their life, to be considered for a greater position. They were given forty days to complete the journey and attain the stones.
Deswald had the smallest cohort, and at first this troubled Deswald, because he thought it meant that they did not trust him to lead a larger group. But he later found out that Jasper had ulterior motives for their grouping. And they had been given a very delicate task that had proved to be quite difficult. During their journey, stretching over the space of three weeks, they had faced numerous challenges. They evaded enemy foes, fought off attacks by wild beasts, hunted for food, made camp and kept watch over each other, all while enduring Cordwall’s complaining and Pike’s supportive chorus. Deswald had just about had enough.
“What is it Nyla?” Deswald asked.
Nyla looked up at the sky and then dropped unto her stomach and crawled to the brow of the hill. The others followed. Down below was their destination. Seven orange flags lined a tall brick wall. There was one large barrack, with smoke rising from a pit at the front, with tents littered round about it. It looked like a place that was constantly occupied, but not built for comfort.
“I think we’re here,” Deswald said, “we’ve made it.”
Nyla was frowning, “we’re almost a day late,” she said, “most of the others should be there already. It’s too quiet.”
“Maybe it’s made to look that way. Remember General Arthur explained that things are not always as they seem,” said Pike.
“Regardless, we have to check it out,” Deswald said firmly.
They made their way down the hill to the camp, casting furtive glances around them. A dark forest stood on the left, running along the stone border that marked Saharia’s edge, and disappearing into a thick fog, where no man dared to go. Even from afar Deswald could feel the eerie darkness.
“I would never want to work in a place like this,” Cordwall muttered.
On the right of the clearing where the barracks were located, was a lush green forest, a contrast to the dark forest, with a neat dirt path disappearing within it.
“I hope that’s the way out of here…”
Suddenly a flock of birds dispersed from the green forest, Nyla and Deswald exchanged glances. None of them could outmatch Nyla’s tracking skills as had been proven on previous lengths of their quest. Her attention to detail, sharp focus and edginess earned her that spot.
“We are being watched,” she said matter-of-factly.
Deswald followed her gaze, feeling his own weariness weighing down on him. He was not in the mood to fight off wild creatures right now, much less enemies of Aldor. He looked about them, at the narrow track they were walking along, at the forestry around them and he too sensed that they were not alone. His hand protectively went to the bag he had slung across his chest, in it he held something very precious to the prince. Something they all knew was not very easy to attain and had cost a member of their cohort his life.
“Ben and Han, get to a higher vantage point and cover us. Everyone else search the camp, there has to be others here. Let’s pair up and stay low.”
The others broke from the group just as Ben and Han did, leaving Nyla and Deswald. They ran towards the barracks crouched low, scanning the area for any sign of what they might be up against. Deswald drew his sword and Nyla
was already holding both her blades at the ready, her entire frame taut with preparedness.
“Help me,” a faint voice called.
Deswald followed the sound to the back of the barracks where tents filled a wide clearing close to the wall. But the tents were in tatters and the green grass were littered with the bodies of fellow soldiers, most of them dressed in the dark blue Questers uniform.
Deswald gasped, “They’re dead.”
“He’s alive,” Nyla shouted, kneeling next to a groaning man.
Upon looking closer, they realized that the groaning man was no Quester. He must have been one of the assigned border guards. He still wore his armor, the breast plate ripped to shreds; he was a bloody groaning mess.
He lifted his hand and forced himself to speak, “You must… leave now,” he whispered hoarsely, and he extended a bound scroll, stained with blood to Nyla.
“Get this to commander Arthur,” he said, “Tell him… it has begun.”
“Where are the others?”
The man shook his head, “the questors who arrived earlier managed to leave before the attack, they went off to meet the commander at a village nearby, an ally of Aldor. But the others…” the man groaned, “they were no match for them.”
“For who?” Deswald asked, casting furtive glances about him.
The man groaned and gasped for air, “they may have moved on by no…, but you are not safe here. You must go now.”
“Come on,” Nyla whispered, “you’re coming with us.”
The man shook his head and with a pained exhale turned his head aside and became still.
“We need to get the others and get out of here,” Deswald said.
Then he saw it, sudden movement through the bushes and a dark figure darting past a row of tents. He turned and his eyes caught swift movement around them. Panic rose up within him.
“We’re surrounded,” he whispered.
Nyla nodded, her jaw tight with the realization that they were about to be ambushed. She shoved the document into her shoulder back and picked up her sword. A sudden cry punctuated the tense quiet before a body fell from a tree in the distance with a thud.
Kingdom's Darkness (Gemstone Royals Book 2) Page 2
