A Kingdom of Shadow

by Clara Johnson

  “I’m sorry he is no longer with you.” I touched his shoulder. His grandfather was his mentor. I knew all too well what it meant to lose someone you looked up to. Someone who was your reason to keep moving when you fell. A hero in painted in the stars.

  Jonas placed his gloved hand on mine. Although he was not crying, he sniffed, fighting back the tears. When he looked at me, he smiled. His eyes bright as the moon.

  “Thank you, my lady,” he said.

  I cleared my throat, not sure what to say. His face was turned to the garden ahead of us, staring out seemingly at nothing. I wasn’t sure how long we sat there together, but I felt a sense of comfort having Jonas here with me.

  I looked at my dress. However beautiful, this wasn’t who I was. I know Jared meant well. He wanted to give me but peace of mind. I may not have known him well nor would he probably fully express it, but I knew he had a good heart. Jonas was a good man as well. He seemed to wear his heart on his sleeve. A blessing and a curse. Sometimes it’s best not to let the world know how you feel.

  It was clear that I’d have to remain here for a long time, trying to find my own peace. If I am to live here, I should do something I’ve always wanted to do.

  “Jonas?” I said.

  “Yes, my lady?”

  “Can you teach me how to fight with a sword?”

  CHAPTER 12

  Needless to say, Jonas was reluctant to teach me anything. “A lady does not need to learn how to use weapons” he said. It was a man’s duty to protect his woman and children from danger. This was a world that didn’t see what a woman can do. What I can do.

  I explained to him that I took over the responsibility ensuring my family’s safety and well-being when my father passed away. I wanted to tell him about the inferniwulves but due to such skepticism about any danger lurking within their lands . . . I didn’t want to bring up the subject.

  Jonas seemed to believe me, but was hesitant. I continued to explain some of the work I had to do and that I had proven myself capable. I had chopped firewood, made repairs and helped others in my small village—those who ended up leaving not too long after—and that despite the questionable looks and dismissals, I was given chances to prove myself to them before they left. I proved it to them just as I would prove it to Jonas.

  “I’m skilled with a bow. Let me show you,” I offered.

  Jonas groaned and rolled his eyes, but didn’t argue when he had another guard hand him a bow and a quiver of arrows. He led me to a training area where many young men enlisting for the royal guard spent their time honing their skills. There was an arena where two men were fighting with their bare hands. Tackling each other to the ground and showing the recruits to beat down their opponent with no mercy.

  Another group of men were fighting dummies with a shield and sword in each hand. A man was yelling, telling them to hit harder, to fight in the name of the king and to fight as if their lives depended on it.

  No mercy.

  These men were warriors trained to be ruthless in the heat of battle. I could only imagine what they were capable of on the actual battlefield. No doubt that each one could take as many as ten enemies down before they fell. Their strength was unmatched to anything I have seen before. Their roars could put fear even in the strongest of opponents. They reminded me of the stories I would read to Albert before bed. As my eagerness grew, I wanted nothing more than to learn from them.

  But the looks made me feel otherwise.

  Here I was, a woman—and a small one at that—following one of their own to the range. Whether it was amusement or shock on their faces, I didn’t know, but I felt as though I would hear their belly laughs within moments. I would have to earn their respect.

  Jonas led me to the archery range. I thanked Mia again for the simple outfit she provided me in the kingdoms colors. The boots were thick and the clothes just loose enough to move freely. When I’d told her what I was doing today, I’d expected her to laugh at me, but she’d simply gotten me the clothes and told me to “knock those men off their feet.”

  Two other archers were practicing. As I passed, they stared at me and shared glances. I could hear faint laughter. My embarrassment rose, but I stood straight.

  I’ll do exactly as Mia told me to.

  Jonas put me at the furthest target, away from the others. He handed me the bow and quiver, then rubbed his head.

  “Alright. Show me.” He stepped back, crossing his arms, waiting. He didn’t seem to have much confidence in me. Yesterday, he was willing to trust me with his memories of his grandfather, but not that I could be skilled in any weapon.

  I took a deep breath and tested the draw weight on the bow first without an arrow. It was heavy, but after a few tries, I managed to draw it back. It had been designed for a man like Jonas. Taller and stronger physically. I nocked my arrow and set my eyes on my target. It was a good fifty feet away at least. This was one of the shorter distances. There looked to be enough room to move the targets back to two hundred feet.

  He was giving me an easier one.

  I understood his reasoning. If I couldn’t hit a simple target at this distance, I wasn’t as good as I’d claimed and he would dismiss any further requests for me to learn from him. Luckily, I had experience hitting targets at this distance. At least there wouldn’t be bushes and trees in my way.

  I inhaled and drew, taking aim, the string of my bow next to my chin. I imagined the target as a rabbit I would kill to feed my family.

  You can’t miss. You won't miss.

  I exhaled and let the arrow fly. It hit a few inches above the center. Not perfect, I didn’t think it would be enough to convince him so, I immediately nocked another arrow before he could stop me and fired again.

  Right in the center.

  I shot again and again until twelve arrows were in the target. They were grouped in the center. With a smirk, I looked at Jonas. His mouth was open, as well as those of several men behind him. The other archers had only gotten as close as the third ring, not one had hit the center.

  “I think I made my point.” I tossed the empty quiver to Jonas who barely caught it in time before it landed on the ground.

  He straightened and cleared his throat, handing the bow and empty quiver to the guard next to him.

  “That you did, my lady.”

  “Seems she may need to teach our men a few things. She is one of the best shots I’ve seen in a long time,” a voice said from behind Jonas.

  He was an older man with some gray hair and had a strong build, though he was barely taller than Jonas. Scars were across his eyebrow and nose as well as the wrinkles. I was uncomfortable in the sight of this man. He appeared stern and harden man despite the smile on his face.

  “I am Vernon Rojohn, Captain of the Royal Guard and let me say, your skill with a bow is impressive.”

  Rojohn?

  Jonas took a deep breath and shifted uncomfortably. “Father.”

  His father? Why hadn’t he told me his father was Captain of the Royal Guard? Looking back at the target, I realized I may have just insulted him by incidentally proving I was a better shot than his own men. This could mean trouble for me and Jonas.

  “Thank you, sir,” I said.

  “Where did you learn such a skill, girl?” he inquired.

  No point lying. “My father taught me to hunt at a young age.”

  “Hmph.” He circled around me slowly as if I were his next meal. I supposed I was fascination to him. Whether or not that was a good thing remained to be seen. When he stood in front of me again, he asked where my father was now.

  “Dead,” I said, “I have spent the last few years hunting game for my family.”

  Finishing his inspection, he stood there for a moment longer before walking to Jonas’s side. He whispered something in his ear and left and Jonas ordered the rest of the men to go back to training.

  “You’re pretty good. I’ll give you that,” he said.

&n
bsp; I crossed my arms but smiled.

  “Perhaps now you’ll know better than to doubt me.”

  He laughed. “That, my lady, I won’t do ever again.” He gestured his right eye. “I may just lose an eye for it.”

  ~ * ~

  We started training with a wooden sword. To prevent injuries, he said but I only believe him after the others confirmed. He showed me how to block by raising the sword at different angles to protect my center. As we went through the basic motions, I noticed there were several guards watching us. While some were aloof, others seemed fascinated by my progress.

  Jonas swung at my knee. I blocked it and retaliated to his face, not hitting him. He nodded then aimed for my stomach, I blocked that as well and stepped into his space with my knee to his stomach, almost losing my footing.

  “You’re a small woman, my lady, you must bring your opponents down to your level if you can. Then they will be at your mercy.”

  We continued for two hours before he insisted we take a break and had a servant bring us two canteens of water and some food. We chugged down the water first. Sweat ran down my back and my breaths were uneven. As we practiced, he’d wanted to go faster to see how far he could push me.

  “You know, you don’t have to call me ‘my lady,’” I said.

  “Ah, but you are a lady, my lady.” He smirked.

  I elbowed his arm playfully and laughed.

  “I would prefer it if you called me Ellyn.”

  He took another bite of his food, considering. “If my lady insists, I will call you Ellyn.”

  We practiced for another hour before he said he needed to attend to the troops. I thanked him for everything and asked if we could do this again.

  “I would love to,” he said and kissed my hand. He turned on his heel and left, leaving me flustered by his affection.

  I walked along the open walkway watching the guard’s practice formation. I believed it was safe to say that I made an impression on them, but I still had a long way to go before I could practice with them. Maybe one day I could join them. These men had years of practice from what Jonas told me. They began training at the age of fifteen, or sometimes younger, to become part of the royal guard. It was an honor, and their families would receive some of the money they earned so they had income while their sons were here. Many young men offered themselves, but only about a third made it through training. Jonas mentioned something about preexisting conditions that made the boys unable to keep up and so they were told to leave and seek other work.

  I thought of Albert. He would’ve given anything to be part of this, but would never have made it with his health. He was weak, even though his heart was strong. Then again, maybe the healers here could’ve healed him. If he’s been here with me, we may have found a cure. If there was a cure. I would never truly know.

  But I was here now, so maybe I could learn how to defend myself with many weapons. A bow could only get me so far, but this would be a way for me to learn more. I could find a way to help Jared, even if it would be in his guard. If they would accept me being a girl.

  “My lady,” a servant said.

  I turned to her—a lovely girl with dark curls in a plain brown dress.

  “My lady,” she repeated, “His Majesty wishes for you to meet him in the ballroom. I am here to take you there.”

  CHAPTER 13

  The ballroom was massive. It could’ve easily accommodated a hundred people. The golden chandelier lit the room like its own personal sun—reflecting off the gleaming floor. The symbol of Elra at the center of the floor. Bright and powerful. Just like the kingdom. Rec curtains framed the windows. On the other end of the room, glass doors led out to what looked to be a balcony. I could see flowers hanging over the railing.

  The stage had a wooden clavichord with a man in the seat ready to play. I could barely make out the inside of the lid was painted with ships at sea. The player bowed slightly at me with a smile and gestured to the lounge area where Jared was sitting, waiting for me.

  Anxiety creeped under my skin. Our last conversation didn’t end well per say, but it wasn’t terrible. I took the time to myself to try and understand Jared’s perspective and that he wanted only what was best for me and my mother. His reasoning, however, is what I questioned. I couldn’t shake the feeling it was more than his gratefulness that drove him so. I doubt he’d answer me if I asked, so I’d have to wait until he was ready to tell me.

  “You wanted to see me?” I said.

  He gestured to the seat next to him. I sat down as he poured me a glass of wine. Sipping the wine, I could taste the berries dancing around my lips. This wine was particularly sweet.

  “I heard about the . . . entertainment you provided my troops today,” he said. “It seems you have impeccable skills with a bow.”

  Who could’ve told him about? My first thought was the Captain of the Guard. He’d said he was impressed, but there was something off about him that made me uncomfortable in his presence. I proved a better shot than his men, so I must’ve hit a nerve or his pride. If we meet again, I imagine it wouldn’t be as . . . pleasant.

  “I’m all right,” I said.

  Jared gave a small chuckle. He stood and walked over to the clavichord player. I couldn’t hear what they were saying but the player nodded and began to play a slow melody. His body moved as if the music came straight from him instead of the clavichord. Jared approached me and offered his hand. I almost spit the wine back into the cup.

  “I’m not much of a dancer.”

  Jared simply smiled and took my hand.

  “I’ll teach you. Dance with me, Ellyn.”

  I let him lead me to the center of the ballroom. My palms were already sweaty. I would step on his feet. Or I would manage to embarrass myself in front of him in some other way. My cheeks flushed as he put his strong hand around my waist. I suddenly smaller compared to him. He was almost a head taller than me and twice the width. We slowly followed the melody of the music. One step at a time, I tried to follow his own, almost stumbling over my own feet. My frustration grew with each misstep.

  Jared stopped and urged me to trust him. It was too much to ask of me. In a way, this wasn’t a simple dance. To trust him would mean I’d have to let my guard down. But, after all he’d has done for us, I had no reason to not trust him. I nodded, unsure of what to say. Watching his eyes, I followed his lead.

  Once back, once forth. We stepped in rhythm together almost flawlessly. Jared’s confidence in me must have increased because he wanted to twirl me. Once. Twice. Then back into his arms. The song seemed to never end as he guided me along the dance floor. I was lost into the motions. There was nothing in the world but me and Jared.

  I realized I was smiling, having fun. Jared was a fine dancer . . . but then, he was a king. He’d must’ve been taught at an early age. There was no misstep, no wrong turn. He twirled me again, only this time he dipped me almost to the floor. I wasn’t prepared for it and clung to him.

  “Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” he said. “I will never let you fall.”

  Our faces were so close together that his nose almost touched mine. Our lips were inches apart. My heart pounded against my chest as the heat rose throughout my body. We were so close—too close. He held me effortlessly, as if I weighed nothing. Lifting me back to my feet, I watched his eyes never leaving my own.

  Another song began. It was faster, but more intimate somehow. Jared stepped with bigger strides on his feet as he spun us around and around. This time I had trouble keeping up with him and I almost tripped when he lifted me into his arms and continued to spin. The melody slowed down at the same time as Jared did.

  We came to a stop as he gently placed my feet back on the ground. He took a single step back but held onto my hands. Heat radiated from his own as if he was his own furnace. He turned my hands over examining my palms.

  “You have soft hands despite all the work you had to do in your previous home,” he whispered
.

  I’d never given much thought to the condition of my hands. Unless I’d smashed them with a tool. Or when I was digging out splinters and thorns. There were scars as well, but even the most recent cuts were completely healed and fading to white lines.

  As if Jared had read my mind, he turned my hands over and looked at the scars on top. “These ones,” he said gesturing at the healed cuts on my right hand. “Where are these from?”

  “Glass from a broken mirror.” It wasn’t completely a lie.

  He replied with a hmph and let go of my hands. “I suppose I never told you why I wanted to see you.”

  As a matter of fact, he hadn’t. I’d been assuming he’d wanted to dance with me and chat about the so-called entertainment I’d provided his man. Part of me had thought I was he was going to scold me for it, but he seemed to find it amusing. I should’ve known this was more than a social visit.

  “Armistic Day is tomorrow and I host a ball for it every year. I want you to come, to meet more of my people,” he said.

  “Who’ll be there?” I asked.

  “The nobles of the court, and families such as the Ardgards, Greensters and Armdwells will be attending.”

  Nobles. They were the people who looked down others like my family. Treating us like we were dirt beneath their shoes. Were these the same nobles that managed to get special favors for the rebuilding of Mightrun? If they were, then I already had no respect for them. There was no doubt they were aware of the shelters still being provided to the poorer folk. They prevented Jared from being able to do much to help them.

  No, this was a bad idea.

  “I’m not sure I would . . . fit in with that crowd,”

  Jared raised an eyebrow. Then he raised both eyebrows and nodded. “I see,” he began. “It’s because of where you came from, isn’t it?”

  All I could do was nod. The last thing I expected was for Jared to understand my concerns. If the nobles didn’t even see the struggle their own people had, then they would have nothing good to say to me when they met me. They would assume I’m a noble myself from some other land coming here to visit. How would I explain the reason I’m here? I wondered if he would still insist that I go, but why would he want me to so much?