The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

  "The evening air seems to give you new life," remarked Kalen as he walked beside his wife. "You seem to have that glow about you," he continued as he stopped and pulled his wife to him, his lips gently but firmly pressing against hers.

  "What was that for," she asked in a breathless voice and a smile on her face as she gazed up at her husband.

  "That's because I love you, and I always will," he replied as he held her in his arms. "And because you are as beautiful now as you were the first day I saw you."

  "I love you too, Kalen," she responded as she returned her husband's embrace. "I do believe that you tried very hard to pretend that you didn't see me that day. It would have worked if you hadn't run into Lord Akbar when he stopped in front of you," she laughed remembering what had happened.

  "Yes, I guess you're right," he chuckled. "But would you have noticed me if I hadn't made a fool of myself?" he questioned still smiling.

  "I would have noticed you in a crowd of a thousand," she breathed, "or even a crowd of ten thousand. When I saw you I knew you were the one I would marry, and I didn't even know who you were. When I found out, I was shocked. I had no idea that you were a prince. Of course, when father found out that you had an interest in me, he was thrilled. I remember him sending Lycing hurrying out to buy the best silk that could be found to have a dress made for me for that evening's feast. I've never seen her work so fast in all my life."

  "I remember that dress; emerald green trimmed in gold. You were breathtaking," he remarked as he looked down at her. "You still are."

  The King and Queen stood there quietly for some time just holding each other.

  Chapter 3

  A Compromise

  The first snows began to fall and it was getting too cold to take walks in the gardens or to venture into town unless necessary.

  Queen Gwendolyn, when she wished to rest, stayed mainly in her chambers and took care of Amberlynn with the help of Persilla and Julin.

  Angelina would visit each day for a short time and have lunch with her mother. They would talk about general things or sit and enjoy each other's company. Angelina would sometimes bring a book with her and read while her mother napped after lunch. There wasn't much else to do unless the King, depending upon who he was meeting with, required their presence in the throne room if he felt that they should be there.

  Angelina would also visit with Tolmac and he would show her small magical feats or talk with her. He was trying to teach Angelina how to create a small flame. Not everyone had the ability to work magic but Tolmac could feel a small amount of magical ability emanating from Angelina and knew that she could, with practice, work this small spell.

  Angelina had to focus on an object, such as wood in a fireplace and concentrate on springing a flame to life. It took many sessions and most of the time all she could do was make that small area on the log smolder. Eventually, Angelina was able to create a small flame but that was the extent of her magical ability.

  Prince Phillip spent most of his time by his father's side or practicing swordsmanship out in the courtyard with Sir Matthew and Sir Taz. The cooler air was better to practice in because you didn't sweat as much and it gave you more energy to stay out longer.

  The rest of Phillip and Angelina's time was spent studying with Terigg. Terigg was the royal tutor. She was a dark skinned woman with gray hair who looked young for her age. She taught them for four hours each day, usually in the morning until lunch time. They did have a break here and there and when Phillip was needed by his father, he was excused from class. If Terigg felt that they needed to review what she went over on the day they couldn't attend, she would visit them that evening or give them double work the next day. Terigg was strict and wanted to make sure that the children were well educated.

  The months flew by. When Amberlynn was two, Angelina began taking her to the garden, which was Angelina's favorite place to be. She would have a large blanket spread out underneath the large oak tree which grew in the garden. A few toys would be placed there for Amberlynn which either Julin or Persilla would provide. Since Angelina was still too young to take Amberlynn by herself, Terigg would join her.

  Terigg would always have a reading or writing lesson prepared. Angelina loved to read and spent a large amount of her time in the library when the weather didn't permit her to be outside. She would usually take a book with her to the garden to read after her lessons with Terigg while Amberlynn played with her toys.

  Angelina also loved to watch the commander at arms, the knight Sir Matthew, as he instructed the young squires in the art of combat. It was fascinating to watch the sword blades arc in the air with the sun reflecting off of the shining blades before the ring of steel on steel as one sword came in contact with the other. However, she didn't hear this sound much because only the experienced men would use real swords, the less experienced men were required to use wooden blades or specially wrapped blades so as not to accidentally injure themselves or anyone else for that matter.

  The thing that Angelina disliked the most was having to dress up and sit in court for hours on end. She was very glad that it was only on special occasions that she had to endure this. The other times she could wear her satin dresses, which did not have all of the layers of slips underneath but rather hung almost straight down to just a bit above the floor. This was crucial if she wanted to spend the day at the practice yard, for if her father heard the swish, swish of her dress heading anywhere near that area she would be sent to her room for the day.

  King Kalen did not approve of young ladies, or older ladies for that matter, spending their time at the practice grounds unless of course it was to say hello to the single men. If you wanted to observe people, then you would have to do it sitting in court.

  Angelina was hoping that Amberlynn would share the same interests.

  The days flew by and the wintry weather began to settle in for the "season of snow."

  Amberlynn was approaching three years old and Terigg felt that it was time to begin teaching her the alphabet and her numbers as well as the required etiquette of a princess. Terigg also said that you were never too young to begin learning.

  Angelina and Phillip were instructed in the morning and Terigg would then tutor Amberlynn in the afternoon until she was a bit older and then all children would be in the same class. Terigg gave individual assignments because each child was at a different stage of learning.

  Angelina would take Amberlynn out in the evenings on short walks along the paths of the dying gardens. The trees had lost most of their leaves and the flowers had long since gone into hibernation for the winter. It was a chilly walk but it felt refreshing to get out into the fresh crisp air instead of being cooped up in the stuffy castle all day. Angelina had asked her mother to walk with them, but she said she couldn't stand to be out in the cold much anymore. The Queen blamed it on getting older and would wait until the girls returned from their walk and they would all have a drink of warm cider and a snack.

  On some mornings when they didn't have to attend classes, Angelina would also sneak out onto one of the balconies that overlooked the practice yards and watch the men practice. She would bring Amberlynn on some of the days when Amberlynn wasn't in a cranky mood. One day in particular, Angelina had decided to take Amberlynn out to watch the men practicing. Angelina explained to Amberlynn that you had to be very quiet so you wouldn't disturb any of the men.

  "Now you have to be very quiet," she instructed. "If you are loud you will disturb the men practicing and they will get angry." Angelina did explain that this would be their secret and she couldn't tell anyone.

  "Okay," agreed Amberlynn as she took her sister's hand and they headed through their father's meeting chambers and out the opposite doors to the balcony.

  The balcony ran along the second and third floor of the castle and surrounded the practice yard or inner courtyard. The princesses were on the third floor so they would not be noticed quite so easily.

  "Now sit down on the floor and we can
watch them through the posts of the railing," instructed Angelina as she placed a small throw on the floor and sat down. "Remember that we have to be quiet," she whispered to her sister.

  Amberlynn sat down next to Angelina and they watched the men practice. After almost an hour, Angelina decided that they should be heading back inside when she heard her father talking with someone as he headed out onto the practice yard.

  Amberlynn, upon seeing her father, decided that she wanted to say hello to him. Angelina noticed that Amberlynn was about to call out and she quickly cupped her hand over her sister's mouth.

  "You must be quiet, father will be very angry if you interrupt him," informed Angelina in a hushed whisper, hoping that Amberlynn would be quiet and they could retreat back into their father's meeting chamber. "Now I'm going to remove my hand, but you must remember to be as quiet as a mouse," she continued as she released Amberlynn. Angelina was starting to panic, knowing that she would be in a lot of trouble if her father heard them.

  "Father will not be mad," insisted Amberlynn in a loud voice as she was becoming irritated at her sister for telling her what to do.

  Angelina realized at that point that her father was going to hear and look up at them at any moment. She stood up, grabbed Amberlynn by the wrist with one hand and the throw with the other and proceeded to pull her sister toward the door and safety.

  "Let go," cried Amberlynn as she fought to pull free. "I want to see daddy!"

  Angelina knew that it was over, her father had looked in their direction when Amberlynn cried out and Angelina glanced down at him to find him looking directly at her and he did not look happy. Angelina turned away and looked at the struggling Amberlynn. "Now you've done it, father will be furious!" she seethed as she let go of Amberlynn's wrist.

  "Angelina and Amberlynn, you will wait for me in my meeting room," commanded their father.

  "Yes father," replied Angelina as she glanced down at the now quiet Amberlynn. Angelina knew that she couldn't lie to her father and there was no way out of this one.

  Angelina and Amberlynn went back inside and sat down on the chairs near the fireplace. Neither one said anything as they waited for their father.

  King Kalen was upset but put it out of his mind so he could finish his business in the practice yard. When he finished speaking with Sir Matthew, he asked Jonathan, who had accompanied him onto the practice yard to return to the throne room and he would meet him there after talking with his daughters.

  Kalen took a longer route to the meeting room so he could calm down a bit and the longer they waited the more worried the girls would get. He hated to discipline his daughters but this was in direct disobedience of his wishes. He had already informed Angelina that he did not want her spending time at the practice yard. It was not proper behavior for a young princess.

  Angelina was worried and had all kinds of things running through her head concerning what her father was going to do to punish her. Amberlynn on the other hand, too young yet to realize the trouble they were in, was busy being mad at Angelina.

  When Kalen did enter the room, Amberlynn sprang up from her chair and came running over to hug her father. Kalen picked her up and hugged her before walking over to Angelina and sitting down next to her. He placed Amberlynn on his lap. "You know how I feel about you watching the men in the practice yard, don't you?" he inquired as he waited for her reply.

  "Yes father," she agreed, not looking at her father but at her clasped hands resting on her lap. "I'm sorry father, and it was my fault that Amberlynn was there also. It's just that I find it interesting to watch them and I'm not interfering at all. I keep quiet and they don't even know I'm there." Angelina was gaining confidence and raised her eyes to meet her father's stare, "I don't understand why you think it is so wrong for me to watch them. I'd rather be doing that then sitting in court which I find to be completely boring."

  Kalen knew how much Angelina disliked sitting in court. "I'll make you a deal. If you start behaving like a respectable princess in court and act like you would not want to be any other place on earth but in court," he began, "and you socialize more, I might consider allowing you to spend some of your time at the practice yards."

  Angelina was taken aback by his words. She thought for sure that he was going to punish her. It took her a moment to get over her astonishment before she could reply. "Of course I agree and thank you." She then reached over and hugged her father and kissed his cheek.

  "You must remember that it is your duty to attend court and you must present yourself accordingly, whether or not you wish to be there," explained her father. "You need to understand that you can't always do what you want. Everyone has to do things in their life that they don't want to. Now if you'll excuse me, Jonathan is waiting for me in the throne room." He stood and placed Amberlynn on the chair where he had been sitting. "Why don't you two go get something to eat for lunch or maybe stop by and have lunch with your mother," he looked at the girls and smiled before turning and leaving the room to meet Jonathan.

  "Let's do as father suggested and stop by to see mother and have some lunch," smiled Angelina as she got up and held out her hand for Amberlynn.

  Amberlynn hesitated for a few seconds because she wasn't sure if she was still mad at her sister, but did take Angelina's hand and they went off to have lunch with their mother.

  Chapter 4

  Eldorfess

  It was almost time to celebrate the "season of rebirth" which would be held at Eldorfess. Eldorfess was hot and dry almost all year round except for this season when it was cool from the rains and very pleasant. Eldorfess was also Queen Gwendolyn's home.

  Kalen had met Gwendolyn at Eldorfess quite a number of years ago during one of the celebrations. There, Gwendolyn had one slightly older brother, Parsell, who was a childhood friend of Kalen's. She also had three sisters, Jasmina and Zarmina who were twins and older then her and Corina who was the youngest.

  The King and his family were in the process of getting their supplies together to head to Eldorfess when Queen Gwendolyn became ill.

  "Now Gwen, if you're not feeling up to this trip, tell me. I certainly don't want to drag you all over the countryside if you're not feeling well and have you become worse," informed King Kalen as he sat beside his wife as she rested in bed.

  "I'll be fine, Kalen," responded Gwendolyn in a weak voice, placing her hands in his. "I so do wish to visit my family, it's been years since I've been to my homeland." She hesitated before going on, "I want to see my family before I die."

  "Gwen, don't say such things," he scolded. "You'll be with us for many years to come." Kalen smiled down at Gwen, but she could see the heartache in his eyes.

  "Kalen, my love, you know that I haven't gotten any better since the birth of Amberlynn. In fact, I've only gotten weaker," she began as tears slide down her face, "I want so much to be here for you and our children, but I feel my life slipping away more everyday. My time is coming and there is nothing that we can do."

  "Hush, darling," he whispered as he pulled his wife into his arms and gently wiped the tears from her face. "You are my life and a vital part of me. I cherish every moment that we spend together and I do not wish to do anything that would make you unhappy."

  "Then we will go to Eldorfess," she sighed as she snuggled closer to her husband.

  "Yes, of course we will," he answered. "Now you lie back and get some rest, it will be a long journey." Kalen stayed by his wife's side until she had fallen into a fitful sleep. He was wondering if allowing his wife to make this journey was the right thing to do. If he didn't allow her to go to see her family he would have to bear her unhappiness, but then if he did allow her to go, how would this affect her condition? He didn't think that there was a right choice. Looking down at his sleeping wife, her smooth beautiful face outlined by her long thick auburn hair, he couldn't imagine a life without her.

  The King did his best to keep his loyal subjects unaware of Queen Gwendolyn's failing health. However, it wasn't lon
g before everyone in his entire kingdom had gotten word that the Queen was ill and her condition was not improving. Kalen knew that she had written to her family and told them about being sick. In the weeks to come, every healer began to visit the palace to offer cintar leaves to be crushed and added to tea for pain relief, spearmint oil to be applied to cool the skin, and any other ointment or herb that could be thought of. Leyash was kept busy with these healers, comparing notes and such. Even through the hectic packing and getting things together for the royal family's trip to Eldorfess, everyone was talking about the Queen. Many thought that Queen Gwendolyn shouldn't make the trip to Eldorfess in her condition and were not pleased to hear that their Queen would be leaving along with the rest of the family the very next day.