by Jeanne Hardt
Yakar’s head drew back, and he opened his mouth as if to speak, then snapped it shut again and took a large breath. “He is not the man he once was.”
“Good kings are becoming more and more difficult to come by.” She extended her hand, and he helped her to her feet. She held on somewhat longer than necessary. “I happily anticipate our next meeting.”
He looked over his shoulder at the shrouded throne, then faced her again, bowed, and strode away.
Once he had gone completely out of view, Angeline hastened to Denali’s chamber to share the blessed news. She had capably manipulated another pawn, and she believed wholeheartedly, King Imran would soon be ended by the hand of his son.
Even though Tesher and Carmela were riding within a carriage to Thanwine, she was no more comforted from the enclosed structure than she had been in the open sled. Truth be told, she felt much worse, regardless of the fact they would soon be home.
“I despise myself for not telling Talman everything we knew about Angeline.” She stared out the window. An icy coldness crept through her entire body, and it had nothing to do with the snow falling outside.
Tesher drew her closer. “You cannot keep chastising yourself for his death—or my father’s. You warned Talman there could be trouble, and he refused to listen.”
“Yet, had I told him how Angeline tricked you into poisoning Frederick, perhaps he would have been more open-minded. My inaction has destroyed so many lives.”
She no longer shed tears, but her pain had not subsided in the least. Protecting Tesher had been her greatest concern, though somehow, she should have found a way to keep her brothers safe as well.
Tesher lightly stroked her hair.
Even his gentle touch could not soothe her. “I feel terrible for leaving the children behind. I should have brought every one of them with me.”
“Carmela, we have discussed this time and again. They wanted to stay with their father. I know you promised Mesha to look after them, but they could not be taken against their will.”
“It makes me feel no better. How am I to fulfil my vow far away in another realm?”
“First, you must see to your own people. Surely they are fearful.”
“Halt!” The harsh command carried above the horses’ hoof beats.
The carriage jerked to a stop.
Carmela sat straight up, heart pounding. “It is surely someone from Thanwine. It is crucial they be made aware that I am within.”
“I carry Princess Carmela!” Dekker barked.
Tesher smiled. “I believe that should suffice.”
Carmela peered out the small window. Numerous horses circled the carriage.
“We know you not!” the same man yelled. “Why should we believe you?”
Carmela flipped her hood upon her head to prepare herself for the cold and opened the door. “He does not lie!” She stepped carefully onto the snow-covered ground. The sight before her, broke her heart.
She recognized many of the men, but all looked haggard and some were bruised and cut.
It appeared Audun led the dismal group. She knew him to be one of the realm’s most accomplished swordsman.
He stared at her, questioning with his eyes, so she removed her head covering and stood tall.
“Your Highness!” He quickly dismounted and stepped nearer. “We feared you were dead, along with your brother.”
“Brother? I assume you mean, Talman?”
“Yes, Highness. He was slain, and Varlan injured. We know not of his wellbeing.”
Perhaps she had been wrong, and Varlan still lived. “How many of our people died in the fray?”
“Forty men. I took it upon myself to lead the remainder from Basilia, deeming it more important to get our women and children to safety. We have just arrived in Thanwine and have been struggling with what to do.”
“Have you tended the bodies?”
“We carried them in carts some distance from the Crenian ruins, then burned them in a rite of passage. However, we brought King Talman to Thanwine. It did not seem fitting to have his funeral pyre on foreign land. I would have preferred bringing all our men home, but they were too cumbersome. Speed was crucial. We feared the Orosians would follow us and finish what they started.”
“You did right.” She lifted her face to the frigid air and breathed it in. “I pray we have word soon of Varlan’s condition. Until he returns, I am in command. Keep watch at the borders as you are doing now, but be certain to rotate your men, so they might rest. Come to me at the castle this evening, and we will discuss all.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” He mounted his horse.
“One more thing…” Telling this was not so easy. “Prince Tesher has returned with me.”
“An Orosian?” Audun’s features hardened. “How can you continue to align yourself with our enemy?”
The men around him grumbled.
“Tesher has become my husband and your prince. You will treat him with respect. Being bound to me, he has sworn allegiance to Thanwine.”
“His father killed our king!” one of the men yelled. “How can he be trusted?”
She jutted her chin. “As I stated, he is to be respected!” With eyes narrowed, she shifted her gaze to every man present, then reentered the carriage and shut the door.
“Our world is crumbling,” Tesher whispered as she took her seat. “Will they abide by your demands, or should I fear my throat being slit?”
“No harm will come to you. They may question your trustworthiness, but they respect me. When and if Varlan returns, some issues may arise, yet I will not allow you to be cast out.”
The carriage lurched forward.
“Issues?” Tesher rubbed his throat.
“You are the heir of Oros. Should you desire it, you could become king. With our realms at war, it would make you the greatest threat.”
He held up both hands. “I refuse to place a king’s crown on my head. Doing so would likely end me. At least here, I have some hope for a future, as uncertain as it might be.”
It took no time at all to reach the castle, and the carriage once more halted.
The door opened, and Dekker extended a hand. “Your Highnesses.”
Carmela grabbed onto him and allowed him to ease her to the icy ground. “You have been more than kind seeing us home. When you return to Issa, please tell King Imran to send word if anything goes awry.”
“Yes, Highness.”
Tesher stepped out on his own and took Carmela’s arm to assist her up the steps.
“Wait.” She froze and spun to face Dekker again. “If things should go awry, swear to me you will bring the royal children here.” She peered intently into his eyes. “Do you vow it?”
“I do.” He had never appeared graver. “I must quickly return to Issa. That brief encounter with your men made me uneasy. With these troubled times, I know not what to expect.”
“Dekker,” Tesher said. “Look after my sister, Pasha, as well.”
“I will.” He rubbed his snow-dotted beard. “When the two of you arrived at the castle dressed in servant’s garb, I knew there was more to you. Your arrival changed everything in Issa.”
“It was not our arrival,” Carmela solemnly said. “The orchestrations of my wicked sister have brought our world into chaos. Believe nothing you hear of her that is shed in a positive light. Take care, Dekker.” She kissed him on the cheek, then motioned Tesher up the stairs.
Dekker stood for several moments, no doubt digesting her words, then hopped up onto the driver’s seat and turned the carriage around.
She prayed he would have no difficulties on the road to Issa.
Before they reached the door of the castle, Perrin appeared.
“Your Highness!” He reached out and took her hands in his. “I was alerted a carriage approached. My heart is eased seeing you unharmed, and your prince as well.” He bustled them inside. “When you vanished from the village, your brothers were furious. But you were wise not to go to Basil
ia. Somehow, you knew it would go badly.”
She slowly nodded. “We went to Issa, and there, we were married. Prince Tesher will be sharing my bedchamber.”
Perrin looked from her to Tesher, then back again. “It is best.”
“We are quite weary from our journey and require rest. However, please come to me immediately if there is word of Varlan.”
“Very well.” He bowed to her and dipped his head at Tesher.
As quickly as he had arrived, he departed.
She took Tesher’s hand. “We are safe here. Let us go and rest, then when we wake, I will have Clarinda prepare us a meal.”
“It sounds good, but I doubt I will ever feel safe again.” He frowned and looked away. “How are we to find a sense of normalcy or joy amidst all these trials?”
“In my arms, you will always find joy. We will face everything else as it comes.” She gave his hand a little tug, then guided him down the long hallway to her bedchamber.
Chapter 24
“My lord!” Mirella flung the cave door open. “A horse and rider approaches!”
Donovan shot to his feet. “Is it Roderick?”
“I know not. I heard the sound, then saw the silhouette of a man on the back of a black horse. I ran here at once.”
“A black horse? Roderick left on a gray.” They had but two horses—a stallion and a mare. Roderick had taken the stallion on this venture since the mare was soon to foal.
He cupped a hand over Coreen’s head, then faced Mirella again. “Stay here with Coreen and Nara, and be as quiet as you possibly can.”
He secured his sword and moved toward the door.
“Be careful, Dristan,” Coreen said.
If only she could see the love he held for her, every time he looked at her. “Worry not about me.”
He cautiously exited and secured the hidden door, then crept behind a dense thicket and waited.
The feeble black mare plodded clumsily over the forest floor. Her rider lay across her back, clinging to her neck. Whoever it was appeared to be injured, or better yet, half-dead.
Donovan unsheathed his weapon and stepped into view. “Stop at once!”
“My lord?” Roderick mumbled, then fell from the horse and onto the ground.
“Roderick?” Donovan raced to his side and knelt down.
The man moaned. Surely the fall worsened his already dismal condition. He reeked something fierce and his hair was in disarray, with bits of leaves and twigs sticking out of it. His eyes were partially shut as he raised his head from the ground. “Water?”
Donovan put an arm beneath him and hoisted him to his feet, then led him to the cave.
Mirella’s eyes widened the moment they went in. “Is that Roderick?”
Coreen stiffened, but said nothing.
Donovan eased him into a chair. “Yes, it is he. Bring him water.”
Mirella quickly did as she was told and returned to the table with a full cup. Donovan held it to his lips and he eagerly drank. After finishing every drop, he extended it for more, and Mirella obliged him.
Once the second cup was empty, he swiped his mouth with the back of his hand, making a large smudge on his cheek. He then winced and touched the top of his head. Blood dotted his fingertips. “From the fall.”
Again, Mirella hurried off, then came back with a damp cloth. She proceeded to tend his wound. “What happened to you?”
He lifted his eyes slightly toward her. “That is a question which will take a great while to answer. I doubt I have the strength.”
Donovan sat in the chair beside him. “Tell what is most urgent, then I will allow you to rest.”
Roderick grunted. “My stallion was taken by a Thanwinian who wanted a faster ride to take him home again.”
“From Issa? What was the urgency?”
“No. I was in Basilia.”
“Basilia?” Donovan leered at him. “Have you lost your senses? Had you been recognized, it would have brought greater peril upon you.”
Roderick chuckled. “No Basilian bothered with me. Even if they had recognized me, it would not have mattered. Other issues were far more pressing. There is much news from the realms.” He pointed at Mirella. “Your worries can be cast aside, my dear girl. King Frederick is dead.”
She gasped. “Dead? Are you certain?”
“Quite.”
“Then, who is king?”
Roderick groaned and sat a bit more upright. “Therein lies the problem. Kings are dropping faster than swatted flies.”
Donovan leaned closer. “Explain yourself.”
“A man can learn much by listening to the talk around him in a tavern. My interest was first piqued, when I heard someone speak of King Boden of Padrida. It seems he was slain on the very night we brought Nara here. The same night the bridge was burned.”
“Boden is dead?” As much as Donovan had wanted him ended, hearing it hit him harder than a fist and brought unexpected pain.
“Yes. And while I listened to the talk of kings, I learned of a match of strength meant to advance another king to the high throne. It was to be held in Basilia, so I went there, to ease my curiosity.” He attempted to rub his head again, but Mirella pushed his hand away.
“I have cleaned your wound, and you must leave it be.” She pressed a cloth to it and held it firm. “Who won this match you speak of?”
“No one. It was a bloodbath. King Talman slew King Callum, so Prince Eural killed Talman, then Prince Varlan beheaded Eural.” He spoke without feeling, as if it were an everyday happening. “After that, everything became a blur. Men rushed the field wielding swords and battle axes, and I bolted for my horse. But I was pushed from it by a Thanwinian. Had I not come upon that beaten-down mare, I would have had to walk here.”
“So…” Mirella’s face lost all its color. “There are no more kings?”
“There is one,” Coreen said from where she sat nursing Nara. “You spoke not of King Imran. How does he fare?”
“I assume quite well. Issa was preparing for a wedding on the same day as the match in Basilia. Prince Yakar was to wed Princess Pasha of Oros.” Roderick flopped forward and rested his head on the tabletop. “Had I been wise, I would have remained in Issa for the celebration. I could have had wine and women, and I would still possess my horse.”
Donovan stood and paced. The world was indeed falling to pieces. “What of our supplies?”
“They were strapped to my stallion.” He looked up, but kept his head on the table. “I am fortunate to be alive. I beg your forgiveness for my inability to provide what you requested.” His words sounded more sarcastic than genuine.
“It seems we must make do without them. We have little gold left.”
“Dristan,” Coreen whispered, then bade him close with the bend of her finger.
“Yes?”
“I will gladly return what you gave me for coming here.” She reached for his face and stroked his cheek. “I intend to stay and wish to contribute.”
He kissed her forehead. “Thank you.”
“I see the two of you have gotten cozier,” Roderick grumbled. “Perhaps I should have stayed away for good.” He huffed. “Then again, there is nowhere safe to be found any longer. I fear even Issa will soon suffer.”
“If that is so,” Donovan said, “then we must stay within the protection of the forest. We will make do with what we have.”
Roderick limply waved a hand. “May I sleep now, my lord?”
“We will leave you to rest. When you wake, you will do us all well to bathe.” Donovan gestured to Mirella, then helped Coreen to her feet. “Come with me outdoors that we might talk and leave Roderick undisturbed.”
No one objected.
He led them to a long, fallen tree trunk, where they often sat and played with the baby.
Mirella took Nara from Coreen and sat with her on the far end. “I cannot believe they are all dead—especially Frederick. Roderick did not say how he died, but it matters not.”
Do
novan helped Coreen sit, then took the place between her and Mirella. “There is much amiss. So much death in a short span of time can only be attributed to all-out war. It is imperative you both remain here and never venture from the forest. Now more than ever, I intend to instruct you in swordplay and the use of a bow and arrow.”
Coreen let out a confused-sounding laugh. “Surely, you do not mean me?”
He shifted toward her. “No, my love. I will train Mirella and eventually Nara.”
“She is only a babe. Do you believe the wars will carry on so long, that she will be required to wield a weapon?”
“I pray not, but I will make certain she can capably defend herself, should the need ever arise.”
“I want to learn,” Mirella boldly said. “If I become proficient, I can help you protect both Coreen and Nara.”
He swiveled toward her, then ran a hand down her long hair and kissed her forehead. Nara reached up and touched his face. As often as she had done this, he should be accustomed to the warm sensation her touch brought forth, but in every instance, he marveled in it anew.
Coreen laid a hand on his leg. “What are we to do with Roderick?”
“If he minds himself, he will be useful. There is much to do in order to sustain ourselves here. However, if he crosses me, I will have to deal with him as I see fit.”
“You would send him away?”
“It depends on his offense.” He took hold of her hand. “Worry not. I will protect you from him and any other difficulty that may arise. No one will harm you.”
They sat silently, each in their own thoughts.
A part of him longed to venture out into the world and see for himself all that had befallen it, but the females surrounding him were much more important. One day, he would make the journey. If the world needed a king, perhaps he could lend his aid.
“Your Highnesses?” A loud knock followed the girl’s cry.
Carmela eased her eyes open, unsure how long she had slept. Since sunlight still filled the room, it could not have been a great length of time. “Yes?” she called out. “What it is?”
“You are needed at once. Queen Becca has arrived with her sister, yet Princess Estelle refuses to leave the carriage. She is out of sorts. And when I told the queen you are here, she asked that I seek you out.”
