The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

Sir Taz was the only one that did not sit. Instead, he came to stand behind Glasha and Maypre.

  The King began, "Only Queen Faleasha, Tolmac and Sir Larry have ever heard the story that I am about to tell you. Not because I felt it should be kept from you, but because I told it in passing and never thought that it would one day change my life so. It was during the "Changing of Seasons" festival at Wayferd when I was but a young lad and had gotten separated from the main party. Do you recall that day, Sir Taz?" he questioned glancing over at him.

  "Yes, I remember that day very well, it was the day that you went off on your own," he replied. Sir Taz looked almost like he did back then except for a touch of gray in his topknot.

  "Yes, I did do that indeed," agreed the King. "It was the first year that I was permitted to hunt and while out hunting, I asked father if I could ride ahead by myself. Father said yes but that I should keep within his sight. I guess I got further ahead than I thought and just when I was about to turn back I spotted a buck. I decided to close in on foot and dismounted my horse Piper and tied him to a tree. The next thing I knew I am sliding down a hill right into a sinkhole. I became stuck and was almost under when I noticed an old man and I cried out for help. He was able to help me out of the sinkhole and I pledged him anything that he asked for, for if he had not come along I would not be here right now. Well, after so many years passed and I heard nothing from this man, I began to think that he must have passed on for surely he was up in years when he helped me. This was not the case because he came to me last night and requested an audience. When I spoke to him, he asked me to grant his one request," King Kalen was almost not able to get the last few words out as his voice faltered and he stood up and walked to the fireplace, his back to his family.

  "Father," prompted Phillip, shifting in his seat, "please, you can tell us. No matter what it is we will deal with it." Phillip felt Julia's hand slide over the top of his as she gave him a comforting squeeze. Phillip knew that if his father called everyone to meet with him when the festival was over for the evening and most of the guests had retired, that it was something very important.

  His father looked at him, "I'm afraid it is not at all what I would have thought that someone would ask for," as he gave Phillip a weary smile. He then turned his gaze to his two beloved daughters, Amberlynn and Angelina as he spoke of Airic's request. "He has asked for one of my blood daughters."

  Angelina felt a very cold feeling in the pit of her stomach as her eyes met her father's and she then knew that she would be the one to go. Ever since her mother passed on she had looked after Amberlynn and knew that she would give her life for her sister or any of her family as they would for her.

  Relief was mirrored in Maypre and Glasha's eyes. They realized that since they were not blood daughters, Airic had no interest in them at all.

  "Father," Angelina broke the stunned silence, "since your word is law, I will be the one to go."

  "But ...," interrupted Amberlynn as she grabbed Angelina's arm.

  "No Amberlynn," Angelina cut in, "I am the eldest and it is my responsibility. Besides, I'm not the one to be married at the next "Changing of Seasons" celebration." She looked at her sister and gave her a reassuring smile.

  "Forgive me child," her father said has he went to his chair and slumped with his head in his hands. "If I had any idea of what would be asked of me, but no, it doesn't matter. Airic saved my life and now there is nothing I can do."

  "Father," Angelina called softly as she got up and went over to her father, kneeling before him on the floor. She took his hands from his face and held them in hers. "You did what you had to do, what anyone would have done in your position," she continued as her father raised his eyes to meet her own. "You gave a pledge to return a reward to someone who saved your life. If you hadn't, who knows what would have happened to you. You had the chance to grow up and have a wonderful life with a loving family and if this is all that Airic asks for, you can consider yourself lucky."

  "Lucky," he gasped, "for having to give up my own child. I would gladly have given Airic my kingdom if it would keep you with me."

  "No father," she reassured him. "What good would it have done to give Airic your kingdom. You rule fair and just and the people love you for it and they respect you. You were meant to be King."

  "There must be something you can do, father," pleaded Phillip as he got up from his seat and began pacing back and forth in front of the fireplace. Gesturing with his hands, he turned to his father, "We can't just turn over our own flesh and blood, let alone to someone we don't even know."

  "Your Highness," interrupted Tolmac as he got Phillip's attention. "Your father has no choice, he gave his word and it is law, even though when he gave his word he was but a child, a child that was heir to the throne. His promise then was as strongly binding as it is now."

  Phillip stopped his pacing and stood by the fire. His mind was racing, thinking on what could be done, but no solution was presenting itself.

  "Then I will make arrangements with Airic," stated the King. He knew that there wasn't any other choice but to comply with the old man's wish.

  "Father, since these arrangements will be dealing with me I insist that I also be present when you again meet with him," she informed her father with conviction.

  "Yes, of course you may," he assured her as he got a distant look in his eyes and smiled. "You remind me so much of your mother, not only in the way she looked, but you have that strong will like her. Your mother would be so proud of you," he whispered as he pulled her into a strong embrace.

  Chapter 16

  Terms of a Princess

  It was two days later when Airic returned to the castle. He was led into the study by one of the servants and given a tray of meat, bread and cheeses as well as a goblet of wine to tide him over until the King could be sent for. Airic took his time eating as he strolled around the room looking at the books and scrolls that were neatly stacked on the shelves. He had finished his meal and was pouring himself another glass of wine when the King and his daughter entered.

  "It is a pleasure to see you again Your Highness," he began, "and this must be your daughter," he continued as he set his goblet on the table and bowed to Angelina. "It is not often that I am graced with a presence as beautiful as yourself," he continued as he took Angelina's hand in his and gave it a gentle kiss.

  "Thank you," she replied in a cool voice as she gracefully removed her hand from Airic's and gave a slight curtsy.

  "I will fulfill your request and ask that you give my daughter a fortnight to prepare for her journey and to say her good-byes to her family," he told more than asked of Airic.

  "But, of course. I will return exactly two weeks from now and will expect you to be ready to depart." Airic directed the last statement toward the princess.

  "I would like to ask you a few questions," she began as she motioned Airic to take a seat. "It seems that you asked my father for one of his blood daughters but you gave no other information." She then sat down on the other side of the couch that Airic had seated himself on. "Exactly how long do you request my presence and where will we be going," she questioned, trying to maintain a calm and confident tone of voice.

  Airic took a sip of his wine as her father took a seat directly across from them. Angelina could tell that her father was not enjoying this conversation and was not trying to cover up any animosity that he had toward Airic.

  "Well, the time factor hasn't really been determined yet. It could be anywhere from one to twenty years or more, I have no idea. As for the place, it would be at my estate of course," he explained casually as he sipped his wine. He also noticed the open hostility emanating from the King and was becoming irritated himself.

  "Why do you wish me to come with you? Are you looking for a wife, a companion or something else?" she inquired becoming slightly irritated with his vague answers. "And exactly where is your estate located?"

  "You have no need to know why I wish you to come with me and as for the locat
ion of my estate, you will find out soon enough," he calmly responded.

  "I demand that you answer these questions," coldly demanded the King. "My daughter has every right to know what is to become of her."

  "Your Highness," began Airic in a slightly irritated tone as he shifted in his chair to fully face the King. "I have come to claim my promise and at this time I do not wish to share any information with you. You will grant me your daughter to do with as I please," he acidly finished as he set down his goblet. "I have had enough of this conversation. As I said I will return in two weeks. Good day." He stood up and strode across the room toward the door.

  Angelina hastily got up from her chair and grabbed her father by the arm for he had gotten up and was advancing on the departing Airic. Angelina could see that her father was furious and was afraid of what he might do. "Father, calm yourself," she whispered so that the departing Airic would not hear.

  "Lord Airic," she called as she now stepped in front of her father. "If I am to leave with you, my honor must be protected as well as the honor of my family." Her father was standing right behind her and she had both of her hands on his arms trying to restrain him.

  Airic stopped halfway out of the door and turned to face the princess. "Please continue," he prompted as he waited to hear what she had to say. He almost laughed at the sight of her, this petite young woman standing in front of her father who was much taller and broader than her and by far stronger than her and she was trying to hold him back.

  "As I said, our honor must be kept. If I am to leave with you then I will leave with you as your wife, whether it be in name sake only it must be done," she demanded, stepping back slightly so that she now was fully pressed against her father. "I will not leave any other way." Angelina knew that if her father really wanted to he could easily push her aside and bear down on Airic.

  "What!" exclaimed the King as he pulled free and grabbed his daughter's arm.

  "Father, please let me finish. I'll explain later," she quickly hissed as she looked over her shoulder at her father and then turned again toward Airic as she waited for his reply.

  Airic looked at Angelina for a long time before he answered. "I did not ask it, but if this is the condition that you set upon me, so be it. I do have one requirement if this wedding is to take place. The only witnesses will be your immediate family. If there are any more attendees than that you and I will leave immediately, wedding or not." He then turned, slamming the door behind him.

  "What are you doing!?" her father demanded as he pulled his daughter around to fully face him. He was not happy at all.

  "I will not dishonor our family. As Airic has stated, we do not know how long he plans to keep me or for what. Besides, I do not think he wishes me to be there as his wife. I have a feeling that there is a certain reason that you were rescued by him and that he has specifically asked for one of your daughters," she hurriedly explained. "Don't worry father, I can take care of myself," she reassured him.

  "That I do not doubt," he sighed as his anger left him and he pulled his daughter close and embraced her. "You have always been my strength. I used to find it when I looked at your mother and now I seem to find it in you. I love you so much and it breaks my heart to know that you are being taken away." He gently released her and looked down at her, "You, Phillip and Amberlynn have always been here with me. I guess I was hoping it would be a few more years before you both left and yet Amberlynn is marrying Prince Jarrett and will be moving away to his kingdom and now you're being taken away." He gently kissed his daughter's forehead. "Why didn't you prepare me for the shock of you telling Airic that you would only leave as his wife?" he asked.

  "I didn't really think of it until just then," she began and hurried on to explain when she saw the astonished look on her father's face. "Your honor and the honor of our kingdom is at stake. When people find out that I left with a man that probably no one knows and to whom I wasn't married, that will disgrace our family. If I leave with this man as his wife, then the only talk that will be heard will concern who is this man that the princess has married, and our family honor will stay intact. I do not intend to be his wife in any other way than in name. I plan to find out soon enough why he has requested my presence and I will make sure to write to you to let you know what is happening. I will also take Lady Elise with me. Don't worry, everything will be okay," she finished as she gave a reassuring look to her father. She wondered if she was really that sure about what she was doing or if she was saying it to try to convince herself.

  "What type of wedding do you plan to have? We are going to have to keep a tight lid on this or word will get out and we'll have more people here than we can handle and more than Airic wishes." He rolled his eyes toward the ceiling, "I can't believe I'm actually allowing you to continue with this ridiculous event." He sat down and took a long swallow of his wine. "These are the times that I wish your mother were still alive. She always knew how to look at the bright side of every dark situation."

  "I miss her too father," she agreed as she sat beside her father and gave his hand a squeeze. "I even dream about her sometimes when I have to make a difficult decision and I always feel more confident the next day. The odd thing is, when I dream about mother, she is exactly the way I remember her. I'm always still a child, never older and I can't seem to remember everything that we talk about. I dreamt of her the night before you gathered everyone in your chambers to tell them about Airic."

  "Your mother used to dream things and then they would happen," he told her. "She never told anyone about it except myself and Tolmac. Tolmac said that most people do dream about future events but they either don't remember what they have dreamt or they dismiss it and forget about it. Personally, I don't remember most of what I dream and when I do it doesn't make sense anyway."

  Their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door.

  "Enter," called the King.

  "Excuse me sire, but your presence is requested in the throne room. Queen Faleasha insists that you accompany her to join your subjects in town for today's activities," explained Jonathan as he stepped into the room.

  "I'll be right with you," he responded. He eHe stood up and turned to his daughter. "I'm sorry that we don't have more time to talk. I would like to continue our conversation some time before you leave," he gave her an apologetic look.

  "Yes, I'd like that and you don't have to apologize father," she replied as she smiled up at him. "Besides, I have to make arrangements for that particular event and there are only two days left in this year's celebration and I don't wish to miss it."

  He forced a smile in reply. "I have not yet decided what I will tell our subjects about this matter so I request it be kept quiet until then," her father instructed before he left the room. Jonathan followed him out.

  Angelina sat there a few more minutes before finishing her wine and leaving the room in search of Elise who would definitely be shocked at the news she would be hearing.

  Angelina found her in the kitchen. She was eating a piece of apple pie just out of the oven and talking with her mother as the kitchen bustled with activity for the evening's feast.

  "Your highness," greeted Alfreda with a curtsy, offering the princess a piece of pie and a glass of milk.

  Angelina sat down across from Elise and began to eat her pie and drink her milk, having a hard time carrying on a general conversation when she really wanted to tell Elise what had transpired earlier.

  "Is something wrong?" inquired Elise sensing Angelina's mood.

  "There is something I need to speak with you about," she began, "but we need privacy," glancing around the kitchen at the servants to make her point. "Let's finish our pie and continue this conversation in the gardens if we can find a quiet place."

  Angelina and Elise hastily finished their meal then stopped by their rooms to grab light shawls. The princess and her companion were stopped numerous times by their guests before they were able to excuse themselves and go through the study to the doors leadin
g to part of the lush gardens.

  The gardens were alive with a rainbow of brightly colored flowers and flourishing plants that had started sprouting from the recent rains. Princess Angelina and Lady Elise hurried along the cobblestone pathway that ran through the gardens until they came upon thick lilac bushes surrounding a small clearing with a stone bench and a small water fountain in the center. This was one of their favorite places in the garden to sit and talk and they were lucky that most of the guests were heading into town so they were able to have some privacy.

  "Well don't keep me in suspense, what is so important?" urged Elise as she sat on the bench and pulled the princess down beside her.

  "Only a few people are to know about what I am going to tell you," she began as she saw Elise looking at her intently. "When my father was young he was saved by an old man and he made a promise to that old man that he would give him anything that he asked. Well the old man, his name is Airic, came to visit my father a few days ago and asked my father for one of his daughters." Angelina quickly hushed Elise as she was about to speak. "Please let me finish," she requested and Elise nodded in response. "Since Amberlynn is to be wed it was my duty to speak up and be the one to go; however, I told Airic I would go with one condition," Angelina took a deep breath before continuing, "that I leave with him as his wife. I also would like you to come with me, only if you wish."