by Mike Shelton
Darius leaned over to him. “Tell Christine to meet me in the field.”
As soon as Darius made sure the King was being taken care of, he left the coliseum with some of the King’s guards following behind. Cray noiselessly approached him from around a corner. Darius stopped and saw a small crowd of men a ways off, watching their interchange. His guards hung back.
“Darius,” his voice had softened from earlier in the castle, “I didn’t know about your lineage. If I did, I wouldn’t have... You must understand I would have never hurt you. I was only prepared to avert a civil war if that was your intent”
“You don’t need to say anything, Cray.” Darius put together what Cray must have been planning. Not knowing that Darius would be named as the next king, Cray was afraid of Darius’s power and his reaction to the King’s announcement. “You remember my motivation from before? How angry I was with everyone and the revenge I wanted?”
Cray just nodded.
“Then you can appreciate why no apology is needed. What you planned was done without all the information, and in support of your King.”
“When did you find out about your heritage?” Cray asked.
“Just yesterday.”
“Now I see what I recognized in you… a grandson of my best friend.”
“A grandfather I never knew who should have been king.”
“And what kind of king will you be, Darius?”
He looked hard at Cray. “I assure you, Cray, that I will rule when my time comes in fairness and with honor.” Darius softened his retort. “I have found peace within myself, and I understand my duty to my people.”
“I just don’t know if everyone will accept all of your abilities.” Cray looked back at some of his men.
“Cray, do you remember when you planned that mock attack against me and you told me to be careful of who my friends and enemies were?” Darius’s hand moved toward his sword. The handle began to glow.
Cray only nodded again.
“Tell me now, who are you really? Friend or foe?” He smiled to show Cray he wasn’t angry, but he needed to know right now if Cray would remain loyal to the crown or not.
Cray didn’t hesitate to kneel in front of Darius. “I pledge my service to you, Darius DarSan Williams, the rightful heir to the throne of power, grandson of Alric, my friend.” He stopped for a few seconds to compose himself. “I swear my loyalty to you and to your family to the end of my days.”
Cray stood, and Darius gaped at him speechless. The pledge was far more forceful than needed and maybe not altogether appropriate since he wasn’t the king yet. However, he smiled and only said, “Thank you, Cray.”
“Sire. You will be a good king. I am sure of it.”
“And your men?” Darius motioned towards the others.
“They will follow me.” Cray sent a hand signal, and they dispersed.
Darius relaxed. “So you knew my grandfather?”
Cray smiled and began telling him of boyhood adventures with Alric. Darius enjoyed hearing about his grandfather
Darius then excused himself, telling Cray he wanted to continue the talk later. They parted, and Darius ran back to the castle to get something, then had to sneak away to avoid the eyes of his father and his men. As the next heir, he would be guarded day and night now. He used his powers to silence his steps and to ditch his guards. For one last time he wanted to be alone. Well, not all the way alone.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Late afternoon found Christine walking into the Field of Diamonds once again. The sky and air had turned bright and warm. She basked in the feel of the spring sun on her face. The grass in the field continued to green, even more so from the day before. She looked more closely. Flowers. How could that be? Flowers this early in spring. They weren't here yesterday.
As Christine reached the flowers, she bent down to pick one. There were about a dozen flowers, not planted, just stuck in the ground. She brought one up and breathed in, thoughts and feelings of springtime abounded in its soft scent. Large hands encircled her from behind. She turned around.
“Like them?” Darius had a grin from ear to ear.
“They are beautiful. But how?”
“Nobility does have some benefits. The King has a private indoor garden. I took a little early prerogative.”
“They smell like spring. Like this field does later in the spring.” Christine looked around, as if remembering.
“Remember when we used to come here when we were younger?” Darius spoke.
Christine laughed. “It wasn’t that long ago, Darius.”
“Seems like it was.” Darius blew out a deep breath “A lot has happened this past year.”
Christine’s eyes glazed over, remembering back to the first time they had found the field. They had been running through the forest after a rainstorm. As they had reached the field, the sun had broken through. The reflection of the droplets of rain on the ground had given off the glimmer of diamonds. Things were so simple then. “We’ve both grown up since then. Back then it seemed so innocent and fresh and… so...” she struggled for the right words.
“Romantic?” Darius finished for her.
“Well, I guess. Except we didn't know what romance was back when we first met. Anyway…” Christine looked down at the ground.
“What?” Darius prodded.
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Christine. What were you going to say?”
“It doesn't matter now.”
“What doesn’t?
“Us.” A few tears leaked out of her downturned eyes.
“What?!” Darius exclaimed, “What do you mean?”
“You are going to be king. How does it feel?”
“It feels... uh... I don't know. I’m not any different. King Edward will recover soon; I am sure I still have a while.”
“But one day you will be king.”
“Yes, but what are you saying, Christine?”
“It may sound silly now, but when you first left I always dreamed you would come back for me and we would be... married.” She turned away in embarrassment. A silly girl’s dream.
Darius reached over and turned her head softly back to him. “We still can!”
“What?” Christine was taken by surprise. But the words made her heart skip a beat, and she took in a sudden breath.
Darius bent down on one knee. “Christine Anderssn, will you marry me?” Darius almost seemed to be begging. “It’s perfect. If we marry, then the farmers and city people have to be united. Our son will be the first true king of all of the people.”
“Aren't you the first, Darius?”
Darius thought briefly. “I guess I am. I keep forgetting that my father’s mother was a farmer. Still, it will be perfect, you and me.”
Christine considered the excitement in Darius’s voice. She remembered all of the times they had together. He was her best friend. She loved him very much, but...
“I can't, Darius.”
Christine’s heart ached watching the pain surface on her best friend’s face as he stood back up from the grass. She could hardly stand it.
“Why? Christine, what are you talking about? I know I’ve made some mistakes this past year. If it’s about Leandra, don’t worry. She is only a friend to me, nothing more. When I saw you in the road the other day, I knew in that instant that I needed you in my life forever. Please don’t do this to me. I love you. ” He choked on his last words. Tears filled his eyes. “I can’t do all of this without you by my side.”
“It would seem like you are just marrying me for political reasons.”
“Political reasons!” His face stood in shock. “This isn’t only about the kingdom, it is about us. I want to marry you because I love you. Even if I weren’t going to be king, I would want to.”
“I know that, Darius. But you will be a king, so that changes things.”
“How?” His gray eyes flashed in anger and confusion.
“I don't know,” Christine
stammered. Tears filled her eyes. “It just does. I’m a farmer, an outsider. The city people still treat us poorly. Look at the mess that happened with your grandfather marrying a farmer. King Charles disowned and banished him. What if King Edward or your father banishes us?”
“They won’t, Christine. King Edward wouldn’t do that to me after naming me the heir to the throne. And my father… well, my father has been hard on the farmers, but I think he is coming around. We will make it work.”
Christine just shook her head. It was so hard to say no to him. It was the moment she had dreamed about for years, but not now and not this way. “I just need more time. I need to know this is real and not us just caught up in the political maneuverings of the Realm.”
Darius stepped up to her. “I don’t want to hurt you, Christine. I guess it’s just too much to ask right now.” Tears filled his gray eyes.
Christine’s heart broke. She couldn’t bear to see Darius in so much pain. Pain she was causing. Things weren’t fair. Why did this all have to happen? Why couldn't they have a normal life? She could see he thought it was possible. A lot of things seemed impossible before Darius. But he had a way of making things work. Maybe it could.
“Darius, I’ll think about it.” Christine touched him lightly on the arm. It was all she could promise at the moment.
Darius looked up, and over his tear-stained face a broad smile spread. His eyes sparkled with hope once again.
With tenderness, he grasped Christine and held her tightly. He was so strong. She could feel the muscles that had developed while he was away. Her heartbeat fluttered and slowed down to match his. His power washed over them both, giving them strength and hope.
Chapter 21
DESTINY
Loud voices outside the castle walls woke Darius out of a dreamy sleep in his warm bed. As heir to the throne he had been given a suite of rooms in the castle. He still couldn’t believe how soft the bed was compared to where he had slept for the past year. He lay still for a moment, listening to what had awakened him. He heard the sound of horses and yelling. Then, he thought he heard his name. Darius tried to wipe the sleep from his eyes as he dragged himself out of bed. Yesterday had been an exhausting day he hoped he would not have to match anytime soon.
“Darius, you will never be king over Belor!” shouted a fading voice. Darius jumped to the window opening and shaded his eyes from the rising sun. He watched men on horseback riding out of the castle gates. He recognized the voice now: the Preacher.
Darius grabbed his clothes, still half-dressing himself as he ran down the empty hallway to the front of the castle. They would be long gone by the time he got outside, but he had to try. As he ran, he wondered who the other men were. Someone from inside the nobility of Anikari, most likely. Someone who had the means to get into the cells and unlock them without being caught. There wasn't any other way the Preacher could have escaped. Not with the dose of drug they had given him to stop him from using his power.
By the time Darius reached the large main doors of the castle, others joined him. He realized he was not the only person in the castle to be awakened by the noise. Leandra stood next to them in her nightshirt, blinking her eyes. He had forgiven Leandra’s deception while he had been held prisoner in the cave. Now he just felt sorry for her. She had been through a lot and had been injured when they arrived in Anikari. Her ashen face had begun to show signs of color again.
“It was Sean,” she whispered half to herself. “I am sure of it. He was working with someone from inside the castle.”
“What?” Darius shouted, and then ran toward the dungeons. One of the guards stopped him and told him he needed to check for danger first. The cells were no place for a future king to be. Darius reluctantly agreed with the strong soldier.
A few minutes later Darius, Leandra, Richard, and a few of the guards gathered in one of the many castle meeting rooms. Darius was glad a fire already burned in the fireplace. The clear night had brought in uncommonly low temperatures for this time of spring.
Richard surmised the Preacher as well as Sean had been helped by some noble, perhaps even some of the other councilors who wanted to stir up the people against the announcement of their new, young king. Darius insisted on going after them. If they reached Forest View and had time to organize the Preacher’s men, they could attack Anikari that very day. The city was not ready for an all-out war, especially not after the recent fighting with the farmers and lack of food. The people would be confused as to whom they should follow. The King seemed to be failing rapidly. Would they now listen to Richard or to his son? Or to someone else? He hoped Alessandra and Kelln were making their way north from Belor with the rest of the Elite Army. He hadn’t heard from them yet.
“Darius, you can’t just go running off every time there are problems. You must stay here and be protected.” Richard lips were tight in frustration.
“If I am going to be a king, the only way both the city and the farmers will accept me is if I show them I am on their side… that I can protect them. All of them. I have to prove myself to them, and I have to prove myself to me, Father. I am the one who brought the Preacher here. I thought he would be safe in our cells.” He said this last remark while looking at some of the councilors who had joined the group. Some of them did not return his gaze. “But I guess I was wrong.”
“What do you propose, son?” Richard sighed.
Darius could tell his father would have a hard time letting him form his own plans, but he had been out in the field preparing and fighting for the past year. If there was one thing he did know, it was field tactics. “You organize the Elite soldiers here. Take them out on the road to Forest View. Not all of the way... only about half way. A buffer zone to protect fighting from coming to the city.”
“But...”
“We can't afford an all-out battle in Forest View, if it comes to that. We have to protect the people. But hopefully I can stop the fighting from reaching that level.”
Richard nodded.
“I will bring a small group into Forest View with me to try to stop anything from happening. You will be informed if it gets out of control and I need your help.” Darius was scared to death. What if he was wrong? What if he failed? He would not be popular and unpopular kings or kings-to-be didn't live a long time.
“But the Preacher and Sean will get there first.” Leandra said her first words since the informal meeting had begun.
The men in the room looked at her, wondering why she was there.
Darius answered her question to the others. “Not if I hurry.” Darius gave a few more instructions, ran to get a few things, and bolted to the castle stables to get his new horse, a quick black Andalusian that had been kept at the King’s stables for him.
He jumped on his horse and rode at a frantic pace to Christine's house, catching Jain as he was about to leave. He gave Jain a key and told him to go to a room under the library in the school, taking Karel and Thomas with him, and grab as many swords as he could. He gave Jain some papers signifying that he had permission to be in the school. Darius hoped there wouldn’t be any problems there. Jain was to pass the swords out to as many farmers as he could, then meet Darius in Forest View.
Darius pulled out a map and spread it on the ground. He had drawn on it a different road into Forest View, one that bypassed the main road. The smaller trail stayed north of the Black Forest but was used only on rare occasions. He instructed Jain to take that road. That would keep them away from his father and the city soldiers.
Jain looked a little bewildered as he bowed awkwardly to Darius. “You can count on us, uh… Sir or Prince or…”
Darius smiled at Jain’s red face. “Just call me Darius for now, Jain. I hope to have a long time until I am king, and prince just doesn’t sound right.” He saluted back, and Jain rode off.
“We need to ride Lightning to Forest View.” Darius turned to Christine.
“I thought you said she would only take one rider at a time.”
“I think she will take me.” Darius smiled.
Speaking to Christine’s mind, the Cremelino spoke boldly. Don’t worry, child. I can carry you and the wizard. The beautiful white horse trotted up next to them, looking anxious to run.
“But I thought they would bond to one rider and one owner?” Christine asked.
It almost seemed as if the horse smiled as it spoke in both their minds. Darius is a wizard, and they may ride us anytime if their heart is true. But don’t worry, my bond is still with you, Christine.
Darius leaped up and then reached his hand for Christine to join him. His strong arms drew her up behind him in one long pull.
“Let’s go!” Darius yelled. “The peace of the kingdom depends on you, Lightning.”
Oh, no, wizard, it all depends on you.
They rode with the speed of a stormy wind over brush and grass. The thin trail had grown over in spots, but Darius kept his hand out in front of them and, drawing on his power, burned the brush and small trees away as they road through. The horse was fast, but Darius still worried about whether or not they would beat the Preacher and his party to Forest View. His plan depended on him being there first and the element of surprise disarming the Preacher.
The ride seemed to take forever, but Darius knew it was only his mind playing tricks on him. Christine didn’t say a word. He wondered what she was thinking. Had she made up her mind yet about marrying him? It felt good having her arms around him. The side of her head rested on his back. He breathed in and smiled at her lavender scent. With Lightning’s increased speed, the enjoyment lasted less than an hour before they reached the edge of Forest View.
“The city is too quiet.” He panned the area with a slow turn of the horse, making sure he didn’t miss anything. They slowed and trotted from the north around to the east side of the city before entering. They saw his own soldiers up ahead, and Darius stiffened. He looked around for someplace that would be safe for Christine. Someone shouted his name.
A few of the Elite soldiers came running toward him. Darius smiled and jumped down off the Cremelino.
