Suddenly the door to Ruby’s room swung open and a disgruntled Topaz stood in the doorway. She was dressed in a simple but lovely print dress, which reached just above her ankles, enough to show that she wore those boots Ruby despised.
“Oh dear,” Bianca said with a smirk.
“How was it?” Ruby asked with a smile, her troubles forgotten at the sight of her sister.
Topaz grunted as she shut the door behind her and marched towards Ruby’s chair. She threw herself down and covered her eyes with her arm.
“Horrible,” she muttered.
“Oh? But you look beautiful. I could not have picked a better outfit. It pains me that you still put those shoes on but… how bad could it have been?”
“I look too lovely,” Topaz replied, tossing her hands aside to glare at her sister.
“He wants to see me again.”
“What is so bad about that? It means that you did a good job.”
“It means,” Topaz countered, “that I have to see the self-involved twit again. Do they make anyone an ambassador these days?”
Ruby chuckled, “Maybe he likes you.”
“Oh please, trust me ambassador Crombey of the South, has eyes for no one but himself. He acts as if everything is about him, you should see how he gets lost in every reflective surface he comes upon. And he acts as if his name itself is the answer to any question you might ask.”
She sat up for her dramatic demonstration, “Oh ambassador would you like a carriage prepared for you or would you prefer to have one of our finest horses at your disposal?”
She hiked an arm on her hip and tilted her head upward, “I am ambassador Crombey of Dartshall, only the best will do!” she mocked.
She turned to Ruby and Bianca with arms extended in exasperation, “What’s that supposed to mean!”
They were laughing at her comedic imitation of the man she was hosting.
“Oh, this is funny to you two? I have not been acquainted with much people from the South Territory but if they are anything like him, I do not need to see more.”
“El knows, I do not miss that part of the job. The governor of the south is much more amicable if it’s any consolation. But I guess with the state of things now, the ambassador has to play a more prominent part in political relations. He must be feeling even more important now,” Ruby said.
She tried to mask any discomfort she might be feeling over discussing the ambassador’s presence. She knew why he was here, but she couldn’t tell that to Topaz.
“Have you hosted Crombey before?” Topaz asked suspiciously.
With a wide grin, Ruby leapt from her bed and bounded towards the door, “better not be late to meet with father.”
“Ruby!” Topaz shouted as her sister winked at her through the space in the door before she disappeared behind it.
Topaz jumped to her feet and stomped, “Ruby!” she shouted, “come back here!”
The truth was that she had hosted the self-involved miscreant before but at that time he had not yet been promoted to ambassador. But his father died recently and he had risen to the position with no contesters, as the Governor had been friends with his father. It was unfortunate that riding on the accomplishments of his father, he was deserving of honour that he had not earned. Such was the way of kingdoms, another aspect of being royalty that she could not stomach; blood always seemed to trump character here.
✽✽✽
King Kalgary stood looking out of the window of his study overlooking the city square. From this height he could see people in the distance scurrying about their daily lives. From all appearances, all was well in Aldor. Yet his stomach burned with worry. He was worried about the turn out for the harvest festival since so much farmers had been complaining to him about sick crops. Aldor had always boasted rich soil that produced the best crops n the land, but somehow it seemed that the soil had become contaminated like the rest of Saharia. In addition to that, there was a man spreading fear among the people and they were yet to find him.
He turned to the man who had brought the most recent news of their failure.
“You are telling me that it is so difficult to find a man walking around in an outdated robe and a shepherd’s staff in Stone Vale?”
“We will find him my king,” came the nervous response.
He sighed deeply. The news of a man claiming to be a prophet, proclaiming the destruction of Aldor had created quite a stir in Stone Vale. The council was beginning to get antsy and Kalgary had to admit that so was he. His last encounter with a prophet had been life changing and though he had spent most of his time as king, longing for the day when another prophet will walk the streets of Stone Vale, he also knew what it meant if it were true.
He turned around to face the soldier, who he had given the responsibility of confirming that such a person did exist and it was not another one of the people’s tales. The man had confirmed via several witnesses that this prophet was indeed real, but since then had not been able to bring him to the king. The fact that he was avoiding the king bothered Kalgary even more. From his understanding of it, a prophet often showed himself to the king first, except that one time when one did not. He remembered the old prophet Enol and his relationship with his father, the late king of Aldor. He refused to go to his father because he had done evil in El’s sight, his father did not take the judgement well and shortly after that Enol had disappeared from Aldor. No other prophet had arisen since. According to prophecy this was expected to happen, but it did not mean that his father was any less to blame. He prayed that the same lot had not fallen upon him and that he had somehow lost favour in the eyes of his God.
“I will keep searching your majesty. He must be taking refuge among the people.”
“If that is all you can do, then keep doing it,” the king replied, he had already dismissed the man and his failure from his mind. Even more when he heard the tentative knocking on the door of his chamber.
“That is all soldier,” he said to the man, “Come in.”
His daughter opened the door and poked her head inside, gracing him with one of those rare smiles. They were few and far between these days. She stepped in just as the soldier was stepping out. The man bowed slightly before exiting the room.
“You called for me father?”
The king smiled, “yes my child,” he replied, waving his hand toward a cushioned seat against the wall on the far side of his study.
She walked over and sat down, looking up at him nervously. Seeing her sitting there in the same spot she had often sat in as a little girl, waiting for him to come read to her, reminded him of how much she had grown. He knew that she had come to the place where keeping things from her was the least effective way of protecting her. He had learned that lesson the hard way, when he had almost lost her to the cruel Dravian King.
He sat down next to her and offered her some wine.
“Oh no,” she said with a wave of her hand, “thank you but I am too anxious to think about drinking anything.”
The king nodded, “well straight to it then.”
“Yes, please. But first, when is Deswald coming?”
The king sighed and he could see the hope waver in her expressive eyes, her brown eyes was instantly a shade darker, like wet sticky mud. You would think they could get no darker, but Kalgary knew that one spark of outrage could turn her rare brown eyes into a shade close to midnight.
“My darling Ruby…” he started.
“Did something happen?” she interrupted.
The king sighed, “I do not have all the details to share with you but I do know that the company came upon some unexpected circumstances that has delayed their returning to us.”
“What unexpected circumstances? Are they okay?”
“We do not know what we are up against… not until an official report comes back. Your brother has gone in himself to assess the situation.”
He shook his head, “I worry that Jasper is pushing himself too hard.”
He
knew that Ruby worried about her brother too, since he had returned from Dravia after her, he had been different somehow. He knew first hand that Dravia had a way of changing your view of the world, but he had not expected it to affect a man as well travelled as Jasper. It had to be something else. He hoped that bringing up Jasper would take her mind off of her soldier friend, but right now it seemed that thoughts of Deswald took precedence over concern for her older brother.
“What do you know?”
The king drew his hand down the length of his face. He knew how much she had grown to care for the soldier who had rescued her from Dravia. He hated that he could not give her the guarantee that she wanted to hear. But in their newfound relationship, he had committed to being truthful to her, regardless of how much it might hurt.
“The collection caravan was found destroyed… two men on board were… killed. We found it after responding to a distress signal they sent out. Shortly afterward one of the men from the caravan showed up here, terribly wounded and almost dumb. Until we are able to get him to talk, we are not sure what happened, but whatever it is it has delayed the return of the Questers.”
Ruby’s hand flew to her chest, “Oh Des,” she breathed.
“In all of this we are uncertain when they would return to us. Until then we are praying for the safe return of our men. I do not want you to worry about this. You have more important matters to attend to.”
“I…I understand,” she whispered.
The king reached out and touched her shoulder, “Stay hopeful Ruby, keep them in your petitions. I have no doubt that they will be home soon.”
Ruby swallowed hard, “and… what of the other matter. Your reason for summoning me?”
The king sighed, “As you know the ambassador is here to notarize your betrothal on prince Narvis’ behalf.”
Prince Narvis was her father’s cousin, who had settled for a Dukedom in the south rather than partake in the politics of governorship or hang around court. However, his son Lord Araken Narvis, did not share his aversion to the role. The king and council had seen him fit to take up the newly vacated governorship and thought that having a notorious princess at his side would strengthen his position with the people.
“Notarize you say?” Ruby asked, “does that mean that you’ve made up your mind?”
Her father pursed his lips and leaned towards her, “Prince Narvis has agreed, the council is on board and so am I. You may be happy to know that Araken is not opposed to marrying you either. Ruby it is a good match, I have looked at it from all angles. A match like this will secure your safety and reinforce our relationship with the territory closest to the border. You’ll be comfortable at Milina and from what I’ve heard Araken is a gentle man, kind and patient.”
Ruby drew in a shaky breath, “so I am to be wed to the son of the duke of Darthshall... a man I have never met, a man ten years my senior…”
The king nodded solemnly, “I am sorry that it had to come to this. But the south is our first line of defence and has the resources we need to begin mining Neru ourselves. We have to ensure it is politically stable. You can ensure that.”
“You want to mine Neru? Don’t I get a say in that? Or is that why you’ve decided to ship me away?”
He could see the colour in her eyes deepening, like a pending storm. He extended his hand to calm her.
“You are still the rightful heir to that land…”
“I have no people to rule, why does it even matter! Why don’t you just do what you want with the land. So much has been taken from it already, it doesn’t matter if you take any more.”
“It does Ruby, you may not believe it, but you have a rare gift, what you can do, can save this kingdom. We cannot do anything in Neru without your approval. I am asking that you consider thinking about doing what you can to save this kingdom. You are a princess Ruby; you have to start thinking like one. Put your people before yourself.”
The storm of outrage in her eyes subsided and she looked away from him. For a moment Kalgary worried that she would decline. For he knew that if she should decide to, she would find a way out of it.
“So when will it be announced?” she finally spoke, her voice just above a whisper.
“As soon as the paper work is finalized. It will serve Araken well to begin winning over the people. Once they know he is betrothed to you, it will give them a sense of stability. Fortunately for you Araken is willing to wait until you are ready. You will continue to reside here until your marriage. Once the documents are finalized and things have settled in the South, Araken will come to meet you. He hopes to possibly ease some of your concerns about him. He really is a good man Ruby. I would not entrust you to anyone who isn’t.”
“I guess I must do what I can for Aldor. And I do trust you.”
The king smiled sadly, “good. Now what can I do to take our mind off of all this.”
“I… I just want to go lie down,” she said softly.
“Okay dearest,” he touched his thumb against her cheek where a tear had escaped her eyes.
“You will be okay.”
She nodded, “I know,” she said tearfully, “I am not crying over what I must accept but… over what I must reject.”
She lifted tearful eyes to the king and understanding dawned on him. His daughter cared for the soldier she had asked about. He felt her pain but he could not encourage it.
“This is the best way Ruby,” the king said firmly.
He pulled her to him and cradled her against his broad shoulder. He lowered his head and kissed her hair, days like this he wished his wife was here with him. He knew that a friendship had formed between his daughter and the guard, but he did not know the extent of it. It was clear to him now that his Ruby was in love with a man who may never return, a man she could not have. He often wondered if he was doing a good job of being the father of five children and now, with this news of a prophet in the kingdom, he wondered if he was doing a good job of being king. He held his daughter closer and closed his eyes, pleading to El in his heart to keep them all safe from the unknown.
Chapter 6
Jahreed stood outside the entrance of the royal house, holding his mother’s package close to his side. Though princess Pearl and her husband Reeve had no gate, the guards were as efficient as if they themselves were made of steel. Even though the governors made a show of being accessible, in reality it was just as difficult to get to see them. Regardless, Jahreed thought that he would try. Hoping that in the event that the princess or her husband agreed to listen, he could tell them of what he saw and no longer be burdened by all the questions in his mind.
“Who are you?”
Jahreed looked up into the eyes of the gruff soldier and held his gaze. Though they truly did intimidate him, he had learned the importance of not showing them that they did.
“I am Jahreed son of Timard of the clan of Aron, my mother sent me to deliver the queen’s bristles.”
Jahreed’s mother had a special touch for making the best teeth bristles in the kingdom. It was so good that she sent orders to every territory each month to the royals. Jahreed had the honour of delivering to princess Pearl now that his mother was too busy taking care of his father to do it herself. Today however, it was more than an honour, it was an opportunity.
“Oh, it’s the bristle boy,” said the guard to his companion and they both chuckled like it was a fine jest.
Jahreed raised an eyebrow biting back a response about their particular need for it. Instead he waited for them to please themselves at his expense.
“You are early.”
“No, I am right on time, the temple bell dinged just as I approached you,” Jahreed countered.
“Hmm,” the guard grunted and extended a hand, “give it here. I will ensure the princess gets it.”
Jahreed frowned, “Oh I usually deliver them myself,” it was also his only opportunity to tell the princess directly what he had witnessed.
“Give it here! The princess is busy!”
“And you are wet,” the other added.
It had rained again, as was typical of the North, and as usual Jahreed was too much in a hurry to stop and shelter. His mother often warned him that cold in his bones would be the end of him if he did not stop. He had cut off his locks as his mother had advised, after coming down with a terrible cold last year and since then had worn his thick hair short. Jahreed took his satchel from his shoulder and slowly extended it towards the rude guards. They roughly snatched it from his hands. He considered telling them what he had seen, and to ask them to come with him to the woods, but he knew that they would only laugh at him. He also knew that that was not what his ‘mind feeling’ had directed him to do. A Ma’jion was a thing of stories told by mothers to their sleepy children. Those men would make fun of him even more, should he mention such a thing to them.
He preferred to speak to Princess Pearl because she had shown herself to be a good listener. No question was ever considered too dumb, or concern too minor. She would always say that if it matters to you it matters to her. The only other way to see the princess was to wait for weekly court and that was a crowded environment that was always too intense for Jahreed’s liking and way too far away if he wanted to get anything done.
He bowed slightly and backed away but did not move until one of the guards, with a roll of his eyes, turned and walked towards the palace with his delivery. When he was satisfied that it had reached inside the Governor’s house he left, walking away with slumped shoulders over his failed plan.
On his way back from his failed attempt to speak to the princess, Jahreed stopped by the stalls to see Feather. As usual she was hanging around the town square while her parents kept their family stall.
“Why so down Jahreed?” she greeted, dancing around him in that playful way she had.
Feather was always looking for a good time. She was naturally a happy person and Jahreed always felt like they had that in common. He loved how she would clap and grin with glee when he played for her, or recited one of his pieces. She had always made him feel like he could truly make it as a musician.
Kingdom's Darkness (Gemstone Royals Book 2) Page 5
