The Ashen Queen

by Sidney Gray

  They stared at each other, breathing hard, while the crowd sat in stunned silence. Claire had won, Mal stepped into the arena, and the crowd suddenly erupted into screams and cheers. Sofia remained seated, still stunned, she realized she hadn't really considered the possibility of Claire winning, she knew most people would not have been expecting that either. There was complete silence in the King’s box. She chanced a glance at Alex, and he appeared thoughtful but he didn't look mad unlike the King, and he wasn't the only one. There was lots of muttering and shaking heads in the boxes around them; she guessed a lot of people would have lost money on that match. Still, they all stood to applaud Claire as Mal announced her as the winner and Jack limped forward to shake her hand.

  She wasn't sure what losing meant for Jack. It wasn't as if it was his fault, Claire had been smart, and she had used her duplicates well. It did, however, mean that she would have no choice but to choose Claire as a guard. The King and Queen’s Guards were supposed to be made up of the best fighters in Arandale and Claire had without a doubt proven herself capable of being an excellent guard.

  There was barely a break before the final match started and she felt nervous again. Cole was up against Alyssa, and she honestly had no idea who would win or even who she wanted to win.

  “Cole has come this far so surely no one would be disappointed if he didn't win this match.” She said to Alex quietly.

  Even as she was saying it she realized how ridiculous that was, the guards were supposed to be the best in Arandale. Now that Jack had lost his match against Claire, if Cole didn't win it would look bad on all of the Prince's Guards. Cole was now under even more pressure. But still, a part of her secretly hoped Alyssa would win and then they would have no choice but to let her be a Queen's Guard. The first thing her mother had said to her after Claire's win was that she would need to be her first choice as if she didn't already know that.

  Alex just frowned and shook his head, but he didn’t answer, he was too focused on the match. She held in a sigh, this was going to be a long match.

  For this match, the entire arena was covered in grass with a few hills around the outside and a lake in the very center. Cole didn't waste any time, as soon as the match started he immediately caved in the ground at Alyssa’s feet, but she was prepared as well and took off running before she could be trapped. She started doing laps of the arena and Sofia knew she was preparing to attack; Cole wasn’t playing around though and threw up an impressive firewall in front of her. Alyssa frantically skidded to a stop to avoid it, and Cole threw up more firewalls around her, closing her in. He strode casually towards her, letting the crowd get worked up. Alyssa crossed her arms, amused, she appeared to be enjoying this. Cole strode through the wall of flames while stirring up a dust storm inside the ring of fire he had created; it was so thick she couldn't make out what was happening inside. The crowd screamed louder until suddenly Alyssa burst through the wall of flames, or was thrown through, it was hard to tell, but she ended up landing in the lake with a huge splash, disappearing beneath the surface. Sofia wondered briefly if she could run in water until the water started rippling and Alyssa burst out running. Sofia looked back at Cole, but the dust storm had begun to move beyond the circle of flames and the arena filled with dust. The shield around the arena protected them from the dust, but it didn't help them see what was happening inside. Soon she couldn't even see Cole or Alyssa.

  Jets of flame burst out from the middle of the dust storm, shooting off in random directions and she thought Cole must be having trouble finding Alyssa as well. He could normally use his earth magic to find someone, but if Alyssa was moving too fast, it would be hard. Sofia leaned forward in her seat as she strained to see. The dust started to clear slightly, and she just caught sight of Cole, Alyssa must have as well because there was a blur of movement and then Cole was sent flying into one of the hills at the side of the arena.

  She heard Cole's mother gasp behind them and had to stop herself turning around to check if she was ok. She kept her eyes glued on Cole. He was getting up slowly. He had built a wall of flames around himself to keep Alyssa at bay, but the hit had been hard, and she wasn't sure how hurt he was, he needed to end it soon, the flames and dust storm were draining his energy. He could only maintain it for so long before he collapsed. Through the dust, she could just make out the blur of Alyssa as she ran towards Cole again. At the last minute he suddenly pushed the wall of flames away from him catching Alyssa by surprise, she skidded to avoid it and while she was distracted Cole threw a massive rock at her, catching her in the stomach. She flew backward and landed on her side clutching her stomach, he surrounded her with flames again while raining rocks down upon her and the crowd roared its approval. They started chanting Cole’s name as he walked through the flames again. What happened next was a blur as they fought hand to hand combat while the dust continued to swirl around them. The dust soon grew out of control and the flames made it impossible to see but then it all disappeared in the blink of an eye and Cole stood standing over Alyssa as she lay unconscious at his feet.

  The crowd went wild, as did everyone in their box, the King especially was ecstatic, standing and applauding with great enthusiasm, Alex just looked relieved. She stood up to applaud as well but couldn't help but be disappointed, she felt happy for Cole, but she couldn't shake the feeling of worry that sat over her. She had pinned a lot of her hopes on Alyssa winning; she didn't know what she was going to do now.

  The final match between Cole and Claire would be held the next day, along with an awards ceremony to celebrate the winners and all those who had competed. Claire and Cole were both brought out to thunderous applause from the crowd. Surprisingly neither of them were smiling; they both looked drawn and weary. It had been a long day for them, and they had fought hard. She wondered what surprises the next day would bring.

  CHAPTER 19

  She sat quietly on the carriage ride back to the palace, Evelyn couldn't stop talking about Cole’s victory in the last match and Sofia started to wonder if she had a crush on the prince's guard. She watched her curiously, she seemed happy and excited, chatting away with Lucy while their mother prattled on to Sofia about arrangements for the medal ceremony, what would be expected of her, all of which she already knew. For once Evelyn’s was not concerned about their mother's attention, and she briefly wondered what had changed, something was different with her sister, but she couldn’t work out what it was. She caught a glimpse of red through the carriage window and hastily peered out for any sign of Bree. She had scanned the crowd often during the day hoping to catch a glimpse of flaming red hair, but she hadn’t seen her, she hoped she hadn't had to stay back at the Inn, she would have been so disappointed. Although she dreaded having to hear Bree gush all over Cole, she missed her friend.

  The finally made it through the crowds of people lining the streets, celebrating, and she was allowed to retire to her room for a rest before the party that night. She had just flopped down onto her lounge when there was a loud knock on the door, cursing she reluctantly got up to open the door to find Alex, again, only this time he looked furious. He was also accompanied by Lee and Blake who both looked strangely uncomfortable.

  “My father just spoke to me, how could you not tell me your father was going to talk to him about Alyssa,” Alex said as he stormed in, not waiting for an invitation, Lee and Blake hovered in the doorway.

  Her heart sank, “I didn't…” She started to say before Alex interrupted her.

  “Just forget it Sofia, it's too dangerous to choose someone we know nothing about, and it's a waste of Hayden’s time when you already have thirty girls to choose from.”

  “I thought you were on my side, you said you would help me.” She snapped, dismayed.

  “I am helping you!” he snapped back. “Queen Marianna will never allow it anyway, and ultimately it's up to her.”

  “Alex, how can you say that? you saw Alyssa fight, don't you think she deserves a chance, at least.”

&nbs
p; “No actually I don't, considering the village she grew up in, it's lucky she was even allowed to compete.”

  “What are you even talking about,” she asked confused.

  “They worship the god of the sea, Sofia, her people should not be trusted.”

  Of course, she thought furiously, she should have known Olivia would have an opinion, the high priestess (and Olivia) believed the god of sea was evil, and anyone who prayed to that god was dangerous and not to be trusted but even if that was true it didn’t mean that Alyssa worshipped the god of sea.

  Alex just didn’t understand how important this was to her, it wasn't as easy as he made it seem, after all, he had grown up with his guards, they were like brothers to him. He had trained with most of them even before he chose them as his guards and he had had Cole to help him. She had grown up relatively alone in a court of backstabbing girls, and it made it hard for her to trust people, it had taken her a while before she could even fully trust someone as kind as Bree.

  She had finally met a girl she liked, it was the same feeling she had when she had first met Bree. Alyssa was different, she could tell instantly, she didn't care about the politics, and she needed someone like that. Mal had told her to trust her instincts, and she was trying to, but nobody would let her. She was suddenly furious at how unfair it was. It was her life she should be able to have some say in it.

  Alex stormed out the door before she could think of something to say to change his mind, it was probably useless anyway, she thought, he always sided with Olivia over her.

  Her mother suddenly appeared in the hall, frowning at Sofia disapprovingly and Sofia wondered how much she had heard, “The Queen wants your choices first thing tomorrow. Of course, I told her who we had decided on, but she insisted on hearing it from you personally.”

  Sofia didn't reply, she couldn’t come up with anything to say.

  “You do remember who we decided on don't you Sofia?” her mother prodded.

  She nodded numbly before she turned around and went back into her room, closing her door behind her. She pressed her ear to the door, listening carefully for the sound of her mother’s door closing, after what seemed like an eternity she heard the latch click and took a few deep breaths before she made herself invisible and opened the door again. The hallway was empty, and she quickly walked as quietly as she could to the servants’ entrance. She raced down the stairs and down hallways, trying to calm her breathing so no one would hear her as she rushed past. She didn't know if she wanted to cry, scream or hit something, there were too many emotions running through her but she did know one thing, she needed to get out of the palace. Now. Before she did something she would regret.

  She was so distracted she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going and took a wrong turn, she skidded to a halt just in time to avoid crashing into Councilman Whitby. He was talking to Lord and Lady Richmond and luckily hadn’t heard her. She backed away slowly as they continued talking.

  “I agree, something must be done, but you must convince the King of that, not me.” Lord Richmond said quietly.

  “I’ve tried, but until the tournament is over he won’t even consider it, surely you can try, you are his oldest friend, he trusts you.” Councilman Whitby pleaded.

  “Maybe but I am not a council member.”

  “You can at least try.” Lady Richmond admonished him, and he frowned.

  Sofia rounded the corner and broke into a run, she was too distracted to worry about what they were talking about, to desperate to escape. She ran the rest of the way, hoping that she wouldn’t run into anyone, luckily everyone she passed was too drunk to notice anything. She reached her escape and squirmed through the gap in the wall, made harder by the fact she was wearing a dress.

  As soon as her feet hit the city streets she ran as fast as she could, not caring about the people she bumped into along the way, they were all too drunk to notice anyway. The streets were still filled with people celebrating, the excitement was no longer infectious but rather claustrophobic, it was too much, it felt like the walls were closing in on her, trapping her. So she kept running, pushing through the crowds of people until she reached the gates to the city, they were still open, allowing the last stragglers from the tournament into the city. She didn’t stop to consider the consequences, she was past caring, no one stopped her as she ran through the gates and no one chased behind her as she kept running, leaving the city far behind her. Her breath was coming in gasps, and her dress was filthy and tangled around her legs when she finally collapsed to her knees.

  Shaking, she sat there rocking back and forth until she could breathe normally again.

  She had never had many choices in her life, she hated it, but she learned to accept it and now the one choice she was supposed to have had been taken away from her. She felt, not for the first time, completely alone and helpless.

  She had often dreamt about another life, she thought about that now, running away, far away, to another country, or joining a circus, there were a few that traveled throughout Latheria, she could see the whole country or travel across the sea, where nobody would ever find her.

  Lucy’s face popped into her mind, and she started crying as she realized it would never be possible. She could never leave her sister, and even if she could somehow take Lucy with her, she had nowhere to go, no money, she wouldn’t get far before she was found.

  She could go to her grandfather's but it would probably be the first place they looked, and it would likely cause him trouble if he was found helping her. She couldn’t do that to him. She suddenly remembered the letter her grandfather had sent her, she hadn't had time to read it, so much had been happening but she had kept it with her always, and she pulled it out and opened it carefully. Now more than ever she needed her grandfather’s guidance, but she would have to settle for his letter.

  Dearest Sofia,

  I hope you are well, I know your birthday is approaching, and I can’t quite believe how fast you have grown. It seemed just yesterday I was carrying you around on my shoulders. Try not to worry, the future will be what it will be. I truly believe you will make an incredible queen, you are strong and kind-hearted, don't let the anyone take that away from you. (she suspected he was talking about her parents) I miss our time together, but I don’t want you to worry about me. I have a household full of people to take care of me and a stable full of horses to keep me occupied. Take care of your sisters and yourself. Just remember that I love you and I am here for you always.

  She read the letter multiple times, as her eyes filled with tears, she missed him so much. She clung to the letter, it smelt like the horses he spent so much time with.

  Her grandfather had always had a gift with horses. For a time he had trained all the royal guards’ horses before he had moved to his estate in the country. She suspected he had grown tired of the politics, just as she was. But it didn’t matter, she had responsibilities, and she had no choice but to accept that, she thought, sitting up and taking a deep breath. She looked around her and suddenly realized how close she was to the edge of the dark woods, she had come further than she had realized.

  People said the banishing had left a dark hue over the entire forest which was why it was now called the dark woods, before that it had had a different name, but no-one used it anymore. She studied it now; it looked just like a normal forest to her. Until something moved in the bushes.

  CHAPTER 20

  “Sofia,” a voice came from the bushes, she gasped, she hadn't heard that voice in years.

  “Ella?” she whispered, questioningly.

  She stared wide-eyed as a small girl stepped out from the trees, skin the color of caramel with bright blue eyes, it had been so long, she couldn’t believe it was actually her. The last time she had seen Ella they had been just children, but she still remembered the day they met like it was yesterday, it had been a cool spring day when Sofia and Evelyn were playing in the gardens of her grandfather's estate. Her grandfather had managed to distra
ct their mother long enough for them to sneak out. Sofia had slipped and fallen down a crevice between some rocks and Evelyn had run for help. She was alone, scared and in pain when Ella’s face had appeared above her, the ground suddenly shook beneath her and slowly pushed her to the top of the crevice. She had just stared in shock at the girl who had just rescued her when she heard her mother yelling her name from not far away, Ella put her finger to her lips in a silent plea before disappearing into the gardens. She hadn't said a word to anyone even though she wasn’t sure why she needed to keep it a secret. She had never seen the girl at all during any of their visits and was curious as to where she had come from. Her young mind had come up with various mysterious reasons over the next couple of days, she searched the gardens but couldn’t find the girl anywhere. She went back to that spot every opportunity she had, finally, just as she was about to give up, Ella suddenly appeared again.

  They spent a lot of time together over the next couple of years; every chance she could get Sofia would sneak down to the gardens to see Ella. They had to keep it quiet though, from her mother as well as Ella’s, who didn’t like her straying too far from home. Ella was unlike any other person Sofia had met and her first real friend. She was free and open in a way that Sofia envied, she didn't care about her appearance or getting her clothes dirty, she loved being outside and exploring just as much as Sofia, and most importantly, she didn't care that Sofia was the future Queen.

  Sofia rushed forward to hug her friend, and Ella held her tightly for a minute before she took a step back.

  Ella’s smiled at her, “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too,” she replied earnestly “I’m sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye, my father and grandfather had a fight, that's why we haven't been visiting the last couple of years.”