The False Prince (Fall Of A King Book 1)

by Fuller, James

  "I could not sleep very well, again. Now please, answer my question, what is going on?" Meath yelled again, trying to drown out the many sounds around him and the voices of so many - it was hard to believe one could understand anyone else in there.

  Maxwell almost burst out laughing. "You mean to tell me you have not heard? Well it does not surprise me I guess, since you never pay any attention to what folks are saying anyway. The King's daughter - Princess Nicolette - is returning by mid-morning and the King is having a feast this evening. We have been up all night preparing for her arrival, and if we fall behind, the King will have my neck in a rope. So I really must leave you now and see to some things." He ran his thick hand through his blonde, greasy hair, smiled tiredly and then hurried away into the thick mass of people and food, barking orders loudly as he went.

  Meath knew the King would not harm Maxwell in any way, as the two had been friends for countless years. The King was as kind-hearted a man as Meath had ever known. He had even let Ursa bring Meath into the castle to be schooled and trained in things only nobles or wealthy merchants could put their children through.

  Meath's mind drifted back to what Maxwell had said about the Princess coming back to Draco Castle. He wondered how he could have possibly missed hearing about that. This was huge. He smiled at the thought of Princess Nicolette's return. He had not seen the Princess in several long months and his heart warmed at the thought at seeing her again. He had not realized how much he had missed her until hearing her name and knowing he would be able to see her soon.

  "You make a better pillar than a doorway, Meath!" One of Maxwell's kitchen staff grumbled at him, slightly annoyed because Meath was in his way.

  Meath snapped back to reality and apologized to the man. Without getting in anyone else's way, he managed to attain a chunk of freshly baked flatbread and some dried deer meat, along with a small flagon of honey milk. A fine breakfast indeed, he thought with a small grin. He got out of there as fast as he could, before someone thought he looked like a good candidate for helping with something, as he so often did.

  Meath started back to his room to eat. Now the castle was reeling with even more activity and he did not want to get in the way again. When he had reached his room and closed the door, it was silent enough that he could hear himself think again. He pondered the news he had just heard and could not believe he had not heard it sooner. He thought back to the last week and tried to recall anything or anyone who would have clued him into it. He had been so absorbed lately with his training and progress that he guessed he must have missed all the talk and commotion about the Princess' return.

  "So the Princess is returning for a visit." Meath whispered to himself as he ate. The last time he saw Princess Nicolette was at the spring renewal festival when all of the Lords, Ladies, merchants, and wealthy families came to Draco Castle to celebrate the beginning of a new year. It was a weeklong festival of dancing, eating, and games - drinking, gambling and best of all, the Warrior's Challenge. The best soldiers, warriors and champions tested their strength, bravery, skills and honour in hard challenges and then finally one-on-one combat with dull blunted weapons to pick the year's finest warrior.

  Meath had not been able to spend as much time as he would have liked with Nicolette. They were both older now and had greater commitments to the lives they were to have. They had grown up together in the castle and had been best friends, together as often as they could - which as they grew older became harder to do. As they matured, that friendship had only grown stronger and even more intimate. Several difficult moments had occurred and a few had been discovered, where firm scoldings had ensued.

  He only saw her several times a year now, since her mother had died several years previously. Now when she came home, she spent most of her time with her father or with the Ladies of the castle. Meath could understand that, and though it was not like they did not spend time together, it was not the same as before, though how could he expect it to be. They had both grown up so much over the last few years and had done and seen so much that was so different. They were not children anymore. Things were different between them now, as there were more thoughts and feelings than there ever were before. But they had been told several times that those feelings could not transpire… friendship was all that could be.

  Meath gulped down the last of the bread and meat and went to the window. The sun was now just about half way out from behind the lush, dark green mountaintops and it was almost time for him to be in Ursa's study for his lessons. He turned to grab the last of the things he would need, when there was a knock at his door.

  "Come in," Meath called out and Ursa walked in. His lengthy, ashen hair was as it forever was, straight down his back and held together with a black string near the end. Not a hair appeared out of place and his white robe seemed to glimmer like the sun in the dim room. Though the man was nearing his seventieth year, he still managed to get around better than most half his age and he only looked like he was entering his fiftieth year.

  Ursa was one of the most powerful Wizards in Draco Kingdom, which was believed to be why he was still so agile and full of energy. But even his powers were restricted. There were only a few Wizards in Draco Kingdom who could equal Ursa's skills and only a smaller handful who were rumored to be able to outdo him, though it had never been demonstrated.

  "Ah, I see you are already out of bed, good, good then. So I take it you have finally heard the news, yes?" Ursa spoke in a tone that sounded as if he was eager as he cleared the distance from the door to Meath in a few strides of his long, lanky legs.

  "Yes, I have heard that Princess Nicolette is returning," Meath said as he yawned and stretched his arms, trying not to tip the old man off that he was actually excited to see her again.

  "Have you been taking that tea I gave you to assist your sleep?" Ursa said, already knowing the answer. "No matter, lose sleep if that is what you want, but I will accept no blunders in your studies because of it. But that is not the point," he finished, almost too rapidly for Meath to understand. "The Princess is not just coming back, she is coming back to be wed to Prince Berrit of Zandor in several weeks. All of the royal families from Zandor will be here soon, for the wedding," Ursa said..

  *****

  Meath could feel the blood in his face drain out, making him feel cold and clammy - his stomach twisted at the thought of the Princess getting married. He knew she was well past the age that most were married and it really should not come as a surprise, but it did.

  "Meath!" Ursa spoke, snapping Meath out of his thoughts. "Are you all right, boy? You appear like you have just seen a spirit," Ursa said as he blinked, then chuckled.

  "I am fine." Meath lied, trying to compose himself.

  "She is a Princess, Meath. You cannot persist with this puppy love. I tried to advise you that it would never work back when I first noticed this predicament. You should have known better by now," Ursa told him compassionately.

  "I know…. I just thought that…I do not know. I am fine and happy for her." Meath rambled, still lost in the moment.

  "You will marry one day, I am sure of it, but until that day you have far more important concerns, like your studies," Ursa told him, gesturing to the door.

  *****

  "Your Highness, it is but a few more miles to Draco City. I sent a rider to tell them of our arrival and he has returned with good news - they are ready for us. Your room and a warm bath will be made ready for when you arrive." The large bearded soldier said as he rode up beside her carriage.

  "Thank you Rift - it will be good to be home again." The Princess replied as she pulled the hood of her deep blue traveling cloak back, letting her long brown hair sparkle in the light from the small window.

  "It has been too many months since I have seen my homeland as well, your Highness. It will be good to be back. I wonder how much has changed since the last time we were there," Rift said, a grin fashioned on his face as he considered the things he would enjoy once they were back. "It
will be good to see your father and everyone again," he said cheerfully.

  Nicolette smiled. "Yes, it will be good to see the old bear again," she replied with a chuckle, "and Lord Tundal and Lord Dagon as well."

  Ever since she could remember, Rift had been there for her; watching out for her and protecting her when she needed it. The deep scar across his chin was scarcely noticeable anymore, nor were his many others. When she was a child, she remembered calling him names and running from him, trying to hide because he frightened her. Now she had grown fond of the man, and found his rough features comforting. Although he was a fierce warrior who had killed countless, she knew the man within. He was more of a gentleman than he ever let on.

  The Captain was oath-bound to her, until his death. He had been her mother's champion before she had died, and on her deathbed Queen Lavira had made the Captain pledge a blood-oath that he would defend Nicolette from any harm ‘til he took his final breath.

  After her mother's death from a mysterious illness-when Nicolette was in her fourteenth year - her father had sent her away to be raised in Dragon's Cove where her Aunt Jewel and her husband Lord Marcus resided. Dragon's Cove was on the coast of Draco Kingdom, to the west. Her father knew he could not raise her the way she should be raised - to be a Lady - without her mother. King Borrack did not have it in him to take another wife, and only a woman could raise a girl to be a proper Lady and a Princess - and one day a Queen. He had too much to deal with at the time - with wars and his Kingdom's affairs - to give his daughter the time she would require from him.

  It had been a fortnight's ride with a group this large, but a solitary rider, with little sleep, could have made it in four days. The risk of killing a few horses from exhaustion was certain though. With a personal royal escort of five hundred of Dragon Cove's finest, battle-hardened soldiers, the expedition was slow going.

  As they traveled along the road to the castle, Nicolette felt the overwhelming joy of being back in her homeland. In Dragon's Cove you could see a great distance, for the land had few hills and the timberland was not as dense as it was here in the jungle. Once they had crossed the mighty Sheeva River, every step brought them into a thick, dense jungle, where the eyes could not begin to grasp all the colours and hues that were surrounding them.

  As she looked out the window of her carriage into the deep growth of the forest, she watched some monkeys playing in the trees. Some of them watched the large group that passed by - certain to keep their distance and stay out of harm's way.

  Nicolette envied the primates, for they lived in peace and sovereignty and could do as they wished - with no responsibilities. She sighed at the thought of what had brought her back home after all these years. Soon, she would be wed to Prince Berrit of Zandor. He was a man she had only ever met a few times in her life. He was handsome, but she remembered that he lacked everything else she had hoped for in the man she would wed. He reminded her of a serpent - one who was prepared to do anything to better himself, no matter what the cost. Also, he was Zandorian which made him bull-headed and ruthless. She had begged and pleaded with her father to find another suitor, but he had insisted that it had to be Prince Berrit. With their marriage, the two Kingdoms could finally work collectively to rid themselves of the Barbarian tribes that threatened both lands. They could also come to an accord on those with The Gift and finally end their Kingdoms' never-ending quarrel. The fate of her soon-to-be land and citizens counted on this marriage, being that she was the only pure blood of the royal line of King Borrack and Queen Lavira…there was no one else.

  After Nicolette was born, her mother had been left barren and could no longer conceive children. Her father - being madly in love with his Queen - never took a mistress to his bed to get another heir. Even when her mother had died, Borrack had never taken another wife, even though many had urged him to for the sake of the Kingdom. He had always claimed he would when the time was right.

  "I cannot wait until we are finally done with this boring trip." Tami, her cousin said with a very irritated sniff as she took her eyes from one of the side windows.

  "I just wish father were here. He always knows how to make the trip seem shorter with all his stories," replied Tami's younger sister, Avril.

  Tami ignored her and looked over to Nicolette. "What is the matter with you today? You have hardly said anything since we broke camp this morning." She spoke in that same flat, annoyed tone she always used when she was vexed - which seemed to be most of the time.

  Nicolette turned her attention from the window for the first time in hours. "I just have a lot on my mind, I'm sorry. I did not mean to be rude."

  "I bet you cannot wait to see Prince Berrit. I hear he is the most handsome and fearless man in Zandor - nothing scares him." Avril chatted to Nicolette with wide eyes of excitement for her. "I cannot wait ‘til I get married. I hope I am as lucky as you." Avril said, still wide-eyed with childish excitement.

  Tami laughed. "No man will ever want to marry you; you are too ugly and aggravating."

  "Will too! You're the one who will never get married because you are too mean." Avril shot back as she stuck out her tongue at her older sister.

  Nicolette turned back to the window while the two sisters - whom she had spent a great deal of her life with - argued back and forth as always. Normally she would try to stop them, but right now she just could not bring herself to care. All she could think about was what her life with her new husband was going to be like. Maybe it would not be that bad, maybe Prince Berrit would be all that she had hoped for in a man. Maybe she would learn to love him as so many others had told her she would.

  She hated the thought of having to learn to love someone. Love was meant to just happen and be as magical as in the songs the bards always sung. Yet she had seldom met anyone who had wed someone with whom they had fallen in love with. She knew what love was and knew she would not ever get the chance to wed the man she had fallen for. She had known years before, and yet still had allowed those feelings to grow.

  She wondered if Meath was even still in Draco Kingdom. It had been a while since they had last seen one another and even then it had been awkward and different between them. Last she had heard, he had finished his training as a soldier and since he had been born with The Gift, he would have started his training as a Wizard. She was sure he would have found someone by now - being in his twentieth year, a fully trained soldier, and now a trainee Wizard.

  Once Ursa retired from the King's services, Meath would take his place as Draco Castle's Wizard. Nicolette hoped he had found someone nice who would give him everything he needed and deserved. Someone beautiful and caring, who would treasure him for his quirks and flaws.

  "Hey, you still in there?" Tami waved her hand in front of Nicolette's face, trying to get her attention.

  "Make ready your Highness…we are almost in Draco City. It looks like all of the citizens in the city have come to welcome you home," Rift said as he rode past her toward the front of her carriage. He would see to it that no one got in their way or delayed them and he needed to bark final orders to his men. His men held their banner up high, waving in the warm breeze and marched in perfect formation as they had learned to do.

  Nicolette looked out her window, to see the gathering of people who had come to welcome her back with cheers and whistles. Though they had not even reached the actual city limits, she was surprised that there were more people gathered here than she would ever have expected. As she rode past them, she tossed out copper coins, mixed in with the occasional silver and gold coin and rare spices to those who were swift enough to grab them. Nicolette wondered if they had truly come out to see her arrive or to see what handouts might be given. She did not mind all that much either way - she knew the folks on the outer limits of the city were but poor families and farmers. The thought that she had just helped them - even with as little as a copper coin - made her smile.

  As the soldiers, wagons and carriages made their way through the now crowded streets of t
he city toward the castle; she could not help but notice how much the city had transformed. It had been several months since she had last been there, and now the buildings seemed newer and larger than before. She could not believe how different things looked in that time and how many more people now seemed to be living in the city. Before long, all she could hear was the people chanting her name and asking for the Creator to show her favour with many years of happiness and to bear many healthy sons.

  As she neared the castle parapet, she remembered back when she was a little girl, and her father would come home from war or from a trip. She and her friends would stand on the wall above the gates and watch him ride in with his troops. Now, others were on the wall watching her arrive. Nicolette could see the small children up there pointing her way and waving. She almost expected to see Meath up there, but knew he was not - she had to stop herself from looking.

  Before long they were within the ramparts of the castle and only a few moments away from the enormous front entrance of the grand feasting hall. Her father, his advisors, Lords and Ladies and people of high favour to the Kingdom were waiting for her. To her, there seemed to be many more than she remembered.

  The driver pulled up as close as he dared... doing his best to avoid stirring up dust in the direction of the King and his guests. Rift helped the Princess out of the carriage and onto solid ground, and then Nicolette made her way toward her father's open arms and wide smile.

  Ursa was one of the King's closest friends and a key advisor, so he had been summoned to be there for the arrival of the Princess. Since Meath was his apprentice, he stood at the doors of the feasting hall waiting to see his old friend - the future Queen of Draco Kingdom.

  *****

  Meath watched as the stagecoach - bearing the Princess' royal colors of bright blue and gold - pulled up to where they all stood. He watched as the familiar man who he knew to be Captain Rift - the Princess' champion - got down off his horse. He opened the dusty stagecoach door and provided his hand to help her down. Meath's eyes grew wider as he saw the tall, slender, womanly figure step down to the ground and start toward them.