by Frank David
‘Sofia,’ Braynard spoke. ‘Stela is giving birth. You must take Felicia and the children to Easterfeld now. There is no time to delay.’
****
Sofia was helping the nannies prepare the children’s things. They were packing as quickly as they could. She heard Braynard’s words.
“We must hurry,” Sofia ordered. “I must go find Felicia. Continue packing. I will send men up to carry the things to our carriage.”
Sofia rushed to her room. Felicia was nursing.
“Felicia, we must leave. Stela has ordered us to go to Easterfeld with the children.” Sofia took Liam from Felicia, as she stood. “I will have the maid come and pack our things.”
“Why are we to leave? Should we not stay and help Stela?” Felicia asked.
“Stela wants us to watch over the children. She sent Charity and her family away as well.” Sofia said rushing about the room. “I am taking Liam to the nursery while you prepare.” Sofia hurried out of the room.
Sofia found a chambermaid wandering the halls and ordered the woman to help Felicia pack their things. She approached the guards stationed at Stela’s door.
“Please send some men to the nursery and my room to retrieve our things. We are leaving Jascaessau,” Sofia ordered as she continued to the nursery.
As she entered, the children were quiet and the nannies continued their work. She laid Liam in his crib. She paced the room. The children stared at her. She was sure they could sense her unease. She tried to hide the fear that was consuming her.
A knock at the door allowed her to stop thinking of what was happening. The guards entered.
“Please take the trunks to our carriages.” Sofia stopped her pacing. “Once the children’s things are loaded, please retrieve the trunks from my room.” The guards began gathering the trunks.
“You should gather some of your things as well,” Sofia said to the nannies. “You will be coming with us to Easterfeld.” The women rushed to their rooms to gather what they could.
Edwina, Stela’s five-year-old daughter, approached Sofia.
“Auntie,” she asked as she tugged at Sofia’s gown. “Where are we going?”
“We are going to my home in Easterfeld,” Sofia answered, picking the girl up.
“Is mama coming?” Edwina asked, playing with her aunt’s hair.
“No, your mama must stay here,” Sofia said, holding back the tears trying to escape her eyes.
“Why?” Edwina began to whine.
“She must take care of the people of Jascaessau. We are taking a vacation.” Sofia hated lying to the child but felt there was no reason for her to know the truth.
“I will not see her again.” Edwina began to cry.
Sofia could not contain the tears. Edwina confirmed what she feared. She would not see her sister again.
“Why do you say that, Eddie?” Sofia forced the words out through her tears.
“Mama is going away soon. If we leave, she will not be here when we come back,” Edwina whispered, the tears rolling down her full cheeks.
“Where is she going?” Sofia needed to know if Stela was to die.
“Somewhere we cannot go,” Edwina whispered in her aunt’s ear.
“Will she ever come back?” Sofia asked.
“Yes, but we will not know her. She will not tell us it is her,” the girl smiled, her eyes red from the tears.
“If she does not tell us, how do you know she returns?” Sofia pried.
“The man told me. He told me mama was going. He told me not to be upset because she would come back but I would not know her.” Edwina ran her fingers through Sofia’s hair.
“When did the man tell you this?” Sofia knew it was Braynard.
“The day Joseph left. He told us both,” Edwina laughed.
“What is so funny?” Sofia did not understand why the child suddenly turned to laughter after crying.
“The man turned the nannies into dolls. They did not move. They just stood watching. It was funny,” Edwina admitted. “He said one day I would be able to do that. I wish I could do that now. Then mama would not have to go away.”
Sofia was relieved to learn that Stela was not meant to die. She wondered where was she going and how she could return without anyone knowing her? Sofia lowered the girl. She turned and looked at Layla. Her daughter was playing with Zephyr.
She picked her up and held her tight. “Mommy loves you,” she said kissing the child on her head. “Never forget mommy loves you.” She wiped the tears from her eyes as the nannies returned. She handed Layla to one of the ladies while the others collected Zephyr and Liam. Sofia took Edwina’s hand and Alexander’s as she led them out of the nursery.
Felicia met them in the hall. She took her son from the nanny as they rushed down the stairs. Alexander struggled to keep up with the others.
A line of carriages awaited them in the courtyard. The women began loading the children into the coaches. Sofia stood back. Her heart broke as the children began to cry.
“Sofia,” Felicia called out as she was about to enter her carriage. She could tell by the look on her face that she was not coming with them. “What are you doing?” Felicia stepped down and rushed to Sofia.
“Take the children to Easterfeld,” Sofia said softly. “I must go to Frostmoor. I will meet you in Easterfeld.”
“I will go with you,” Felicia demanded.
“No, I need you with the children. Please, you can protect them. She is my sister, I cannot leave her. I will go to Frostmoor. She will believe I left for Easterfeld.” Sofia kissed Felicia leading her back to the carriage. “I must do this. If anything happens to me, promise you will raise Layla as your own,” she said as she closed the door. Felicia held her hand tight through the window of her transport.
“Nothing will happen to you,” Felicia said as the tears began. “We will be together again.”
“If anything happens, I need to know Layla will be taken care of. Her father is gone, all I have is you.” Sofia remained strong.
“I will do as you ask.” Felicia’s tears soaked her cheeks.
“Take them to the harbor. Make sure they all board a ship for Easterfeld,” Sofia commanded the driver of the lead carriage. Her hand slipped from Felicia’s as the caravan departed.
Sofia watched as Felicia and the children exited through the outer gates. Her heart was relieved knowing they would be safe.
The courtyard was filling with people. She could only assume, by their clothes, they were Imperials from the other realms, as none were familiar to her.
A man approached her. “I am the Imperial Archduke of Quardor, Maurice Vollonville, of Savien,” he greeted her.
“Welcome, Imperial Highness. I am Imperial Princess Royal, Sofia Onlinger, of Hulsteria,” she curtsied.
“Where is your Empress, Princess?” Maurice asked.
“She is giving birth,” Sofia laughed. She was not sure why the statement brought about such a reaction.
“Where are we to stay? We were ordered here by our Empress, but it seems your Empress was not prepared for our arrival.” Maurice did not attempt to disguise his disgust with Stela’s lack of planning.
“She has ordered all commoners to leave Jascaessau. I am sure you will find lodging.” Sofia did not like the man’s attitude.
“We are to stay in the homes of commoners?” He grunted. “That is not appropriate for our station.”
“You are free to travel to the home of the Imperials of Jascaessau and seek lodging in their homes if you wish,” Sofia dismissed the man. She turned her attention to the others. Would they be enough? Were they strong enough to face Diana’s people? “I assume you have some gift?” she asked.
Maurice looked at her. She could sense his disapproval. His thoughts confirmed her suspicions. The people of Savien always looked down their nose at the people of the other realms. She felt something at her foot. She saw the small plant moving up her leg, wrapping around it. Maurice smiled at her.
“Ah, a
Magister De Terra,” she laughed, trying to shake the plant from her leg. It continued moving up her leg. “Please, call the plant off, Highness.” The plant retreated, going back into the dirt beneath her feet.
The mob of Imperials began to gather around Sofia, each showing the power they possessed. All the known powers were represented in those gathered. She began to put them in groups by their powers. The only power not seen was the Volans, the dragon masters. Perhaps that power was only a myth. She ordered the guards to escort the groups to homes where they could stay while in Jascaessau.
She knew Suffort Palace, Charity’s home, was vacant. She ordered the guard to offer the home to Maurice’s group of De Terras, believing this would appease him. His smile, as he left, let her know she was correct.
Sofia ordered a guard to bring her a horse. She needed to leave before anyone was aware she was staying behind. If Stela knew her plan, she would order her away. She could not leave her.
Sofia mounted the horse and began the journey to Frostmoor.
****
The room was quiet as the doctors continued tending to Stela. Braynard paced. He knew the child would be fine, as would Stela, but he worried that even in sleep she may lash out against those helping her.
The men gathered around her proceeded with caution, fearing the Empress’ power. They were afraid to touch her, believing the touch might lead to some dreaded infliction.
“You are fine, she will not harm you,” Braynard snarled. “Get the child out of her and you are free to leave.”
“I am sorry, Lord,” one of the men spoke up. “What if she attacks again?”
“I protected you all before, I can do it again. The longer you stand around doing nothing, the more likely you are to be targeted again,” Braynard said as he paced. The door to the room opened. “Get out!” he shouted.
“I will do no such thing,” Madeline said as she entered. “She is my daughter, I will be with her.” Madeline saw her daughter lying motionless in the bed. “What have you done to her?” Madeline rushed at Braynard.
He caught her fist before it could contact his chest. “She is fine,” Braynard said as he held her. “I simply helped her to sleep. She was not able to control her powers. The doctors were not safe.”
“She had better wake when this is over,” Madeline said as she freed herself from his hold.
“She will be fine, I promise you,” Braynard said, smiling.
Madeline’s eyes grew wide. She could not move. She could not scream.
Braynard watched Madeline, something was wrong. “Madeline, what is it?”
The woman did not respond.
He sensed her condition. Stela had used her powers, even in sleep. He moved Madeline from the room. He held her hand and Stela’s grip over her mother was released.
“What did she do?” Madeline asked.
“This is why I put her to sleep. I do not understand how the powers are able to still manifest.” Braynard took her hand and led her to a seat.
“Can you not just bind her powers until after the child’s birth?” Madeline sat composing herself.
“I could but I will not. She would be vulnerable,” Braynard commented as he sat next to her. “Are you alright?”
“I am fine,” Madeline smiled. “I have never experienced such a sensation. I commanded myself to move but my body denied my wishes. I did not know she had such powers.”
“She has many powers. It would seem they are all coming to the surface,” Braynard commented. “It is good that she is discovering them before she faces Daniella, but it is dangerous.” Braynard stood. He had left the doctors alone in the room with Stela. He rushed to the room. He stopped as he entered.
Stela was sitting up in the bed, crying. “I do not know what happened. Did I do this?” She pointed to the lifeless bodies around the bed.
Braynard surveyed the corpses. One was charred, another showed the signs of drowning, a third had eyes filled with blood; suffocation, he thought.
“It is my fault. I left them alone with you,” Braynard said as he approached Stela. “I should have just delivered the child myself.” Braynard waved his hand and the bodies vanished from the room. “Lie back. We are getting this child out before anyone else is harmed.”
He sensed Harris enter the room. “Get out!” he yelled as he focused on helping Stela deliver the child.
Stela screamed.
Harris froze in the doorway. He reached for his throat. The air was being pulled from his lungs. He fell to his knees.
Braynard looked back at the young man. With a gesture he threw Harris from the room and Stela’s reach. He could hear him coughing as the air returned.
“Stela!” Braynard yelled. “You need to control it.”
He could see the baby’s head as it made its escape from her body. “Push,” he ordered.
The wind grew in the room. He fought against her power to ease the wind, which continued to intensify. He planted himself firmly by the bed, using one hand to balance against the raging gales. Books began flying from the shelves. The room filled with ash from the hearth.
“Stela! Stop!” he yelled. He looked at her but she was not present. Her eyes had become darker. He knew she was beyond his words. He continued to struggle to deliver the child as the gusts in the room increased. Suddenly, the winds ceased. Braynard sighed as the room quieted.
The child’s shoulders emerged from within the Empress. The task would soon be over and she would once again be in control of her powers. Braynard grabbed a small blanket to wrap the child when she was free.
One more contraction and the child should be free. Braynard worried it would be strong. What would she unleash?
The contraction came. He quickly pulled the child free from her mother’s body. Rothmar began to quake. He quickly cut the cord that kept the child tethered to her mother, freeing them both from her wrath. Braynard hurried to cover the child. The tremors grew stronger. A strange sensation caught him. He could feel his heart being crushed. He fought her attack. He attempted to remove her grip from his chest but failed. He fell to his knees still holding the baby.
“Stela!” he screamed, trying to bring her back.
The room was becoming dark as he fell to his back. “This is not how this is to end,” he whispered as his eyes closed, the child crying in his arms.
Chapter Thirty – Braynard and Madeline
“Braynard,” the voice called him back to consciousness.
He opened his eyes. Madeline was kneeling over him. She helped him sit up.
“How is Stela?” he asked as he looked around the room. “Where is the child?”
“I am fine,” Stela called down from the bed. “The baby is with me.” Harris sat next to her. He had recovered from his affliction.
Braynard took a moment before attempting to stand. Madeline assisted him as he took to his feet. She offered support as he fought to maintain his balance.
“I am sorry,” Stela said as the man approached.
“Do not be sorry,” Braynard laughed. “I believe that you will win against Diana. I have never felt such power. I could not stop your assault. I was wrong to tell you to protect your heart. You must protect your physical organ, that is your weakness, but allow your love to be strong. It is what gives you the extraordinary power you possess.”
Stela looked down at her daughter. “What shall we name her?”
“Do you have a name picked?” Harris asked.
“May I make a suggestion?” Braynard offered.
“Please.” Stela smiled.
“I like Kaylie,” Braynard suggested. “It means pure.”
“Her Imperial Highness, the Imperial Princess Royal, Kaylie Morrison,” Madeline announced. “I like it!”
Stela looked at Harris. “I think Kaylie it is.” Harris smiled.
“We should leave them,” Braynard said, offering his arm to Madeline.
The woman refused his arm and walked off. Braynard shrugged as Stela and Harris laughed. He ru
shed after her.
“Why are you still so angry with me?” he said as he caught up with her.
“You know why,” Madeline responded, not stopping.
“It was many years ago.” Braynard got in front of her, stopping her movement. “Can you never forgive me?”
“I have played nice with you,” Madeline moved to the side to step around him. “I am done. I do not wish to be a part of your games any longer.”
“It was never a game with you,” Braynard confessed.
“Then why did you deceive me? Why did you not come to me as yourself, instead of coming to me as George?” Madeline quickened her pace as she headed toward her room. “Is your desire for me the reason you convinced me to take George’s life?”
“If I remember correctly, the task did not require much convincing,” Braynard responded. “You were unhappy with him. You had been since you discovered the truth about Roderick. The relationship was never the same after that.”
“I may have been unhappy, but I would never have dreamed of killing him, if not for your encouragement.” Madeline huffed off.
“You had envisioned it, do not lie to yourself. I simply gave you the excuse to do it. I gave you a way to feel less guilty about your decision.” Braynard chased after her.
“I loved him.” Madeline stopped and stared at the man. He looked the same today as he did when he first came to her.
“You tolerated him,” Braynard said, returning her glance. “Admit it, his betrayal was something you could never forgive. You gave him two daughters as was your duty but beyond that you wanted nothing to do with the man.”
“I admit, he hurt me dearly when he told me he had a child with that whore.” Madeline could not contain her anger any longer. “It was only made worse when he decided he wanted the boy to be his heir. He was illegitimate and not of true Imperial blood, save for George’s. The children I gave him came from the original line of Imperial rulers of Hulsteria. The whore was the daughter of a successful business man who bought the right to call himself a lord.”
“Does it not feel better to be honest with yourself?” Braynard approached her. “Do you not remember the feelings we once shared?”
