“I trust you all slept well.” They both looked at each other. Phillip nodded his head while Natalia just shrugged her soldiers. “Good—Because we have a long journey ahead of us—a couple of days at least.” Tairren knew they didn’t sleep well, he could tell by the look in their eyes. He didn’t sleep well at all either, but he wasn’t going to tell them. “But we will make stops of course. I think we can set up camp at Lake Iris—we should get there by early evening.”
“I hope you are a fine guide, Master Tairren,” the prince said with a half smile, which had a hint of mockery.
Tairren pressed his lips together, not impressed by Phillip’s smart remarks. He tightly held the wing pendant in his hand, acknowledging the smoothness of the gold and roughness of the small jewels. He didn’t want to start an argument before the journey even began.
“Just follow me, I know those parts,” he said.
Natalia noticed the necklace that Tairren wore and the fine cape he had on. She decided she wouldn’t ask him about it just then. But she knew they were fresh in his possession, especially the necklace he was wearing, which was rather beautiful, she thought.
“Well, show the way great leader,” she said, smiling her “I trust you” smile at him.
Tairren smiled back, then with the nudge of his heels and the sound of his command, Lilly took off.
Phillip glanced at Natalia, having a childish grin on his rugged face.
“Will you be able to keep up?” he asked, rather facetiously.
“Eat my dust,” she said with a scoff, then as quick as a wink of an eye, she was off in Tairren’s direction.
“Looks like we have some tough ones on our hands old boy,” Phillip said with a grin as Sable grunted.
With a nudge and a smiling face he got Sable going, swiftly making his way towards the determined Tairren and a loyal Natalia.
The mists had thinned out only a bit, giving way to the three adventurers. With their hearts beating with zeal and adrenaline running with determination, the young comrades rode on through the mists, with Tairren as their guide. They were making their way across the fields towards the southern parts of Minslethrate, the Forbidden Lands. Not knowing what to expect, their main goal first and foremost was to save their companion and loved one, Princess Marrisa…
Even though they were the most peculiar guild: a peasant with a secret, a lady with a reputation, and a prince with a pretentious heart; they were ready for whatever came at them. With the winds on their backs and the chill on their faces, they were headed towards the Forbidden Lands, and into the valley of shadows…
†††
There was a mighty voice that reverberated in the kingdom of light called Nevaeh, which was set in the deepest parts of the great veil. All that dwelled amongst the kingdom listened and yielded to the beautiful voice that rose up like a great trumpet. The voice which was heard, said unto them:
“…I hear my children crying out from their broken hearts…The time is now that light will arise in the darkness like a great fire in the night. Arise, children of light—all that was to come is now. Arise and make forth the Kingdom of Minslethrate, which was my first settlement of light. Three keys must be awakened—for something dark which I have not forgotten still stirs in its being. Its heart has become lost and darkened. Verily I say unto you, the time of my coming and a mighty awakening is on the horizon…”
Darkness was becoming thicker and stronger, like an antagonized heart of a man, on the earth and upon the lands of Minlsethrate which was the first settlement of light. Man on earth was becoming week and submitted to the darkness that augmented so strongly.
In all of their luster, the legion of light which was summoned, journeyed afar to the Kingdom of Minslethrate in search for three gleaming keys—obeying the mighty words of The Great King of Light...
†††
CHAPTER 13
Darker Times
The kitchen of the Ducre’ Manor possessed everything but silence as many female servants of the household filled it with the sounds of gossip, melodious ballads and cooking. Dinner was being prepared in the warm kitchen for the Lord and Lady of the house, as well as the many servants of the household, which was always a big deal. Many of the servants, including the lord when he was at the manor, only ate twice a day; dinner was the bigger meal which was eaten at mid-day and supper was lighter and eaten six or eight hours later at mid-evening.
The servants went about getting dinner ready for the Lord and Lady of the manor while Sora fetched fruit, bread and hot porridge for Natalia’s very late breakfast, making sure it looked pleasing to the eye on a shiny silver platter.
“Alexa, I need your hand, child!” Sora called out as she took a hot kettle of tea from a hook that hung in the large fireplace, which was boiling amongst a large pot of beef and vegetables that had been braising all morning.
Alexa looked up from her work towards Sora and began drying her hands off with her soiled apron. Her sleeves were rolled up to her dimpled elbows and her frazzled curls were up in the same old bun hairstyle she always had. She had been scrubbing a large crusted pot and seemed to be happy to stop what she was doing.
“Take this kettle and have a platter ready for tea with its crockery and fixings,” Sora said as Alexa rushed over to her, grabbing the handle with her water spotted apron.
Alexa quietly fetched everything she needed as Sora kept glancing up suspiciously at her.
“You’ve been really quiet this morning, Alexa. What’s on your mind, child?” Sora wiped the sweat from her dark brow, waiting for an answer.
“Nothing—I’m fine, just—keeping busy is all,” she mumbled evasively with a nervous smile on her round face.
Wisps of curls fell along her forehead, sticking to her sweaty skin and small dimples appeared on her cheeks, which made her face resemble a basket of speckled apples.
“I’ve never seen you so dedicated to your chores—you just seem different today is all,” Sora said as she shrugged her round shoulders.
Alexa just smiled a little as she brought the platter of tea over to the table where Sora was working.
“I don’t know why that child has to sleep the day away, she’s been acting strange lately,” Sora fussed as she placed a small vase of flowers and a dish of soft butter onto her platter.
“The Lady Natalia?” Alexa asked in a shy manner as she looked over at Sora by the corners of her eyes.
“Of course child, who else would I be talking of? She asked me to wake her up at noon. I don’t even know how anyone could sleep till mid-day! She’s been skipping her lessons too much. It’s about that time of day, I need to get this upstairs,” Sora rattled on as she gently picked up the platter. “Child, give me a hand and carry that tea platter up after me.”
Alexa placed a small dish of cream onto her platter, nearly spilling it over when Sora asked her to carry the platter up.
“Wake up child,” Sora fussed.
“I—I have to get on with…,” Alexa coyly murmured.
“With what,” Sora interrupted, “more scrubbing? Those hands of yours must be tired of scrubbing anyhow—looking like two rough prunes. Now follow me up with that tea, and don’t drop it. My chores are already in over my head. I swear child, you are stranger than a cow in a poppy field,” she said, then shook her round head.
Alexa just quietly nodded her head and picked up the platter, nervously following Sora to Natalia’s chamber. She knew Natalia was not there, but far off somewhere, which made her feel nauseous to even think of it. She would have just told Sora that she saw Natalia sneaking off somewhere early in the morning at dawn, but she was too frightened by Natalia’s threats.
She did have a bad habit of eating too much, which led her to take food from the cupboards; and she was highly embarrassed that Natalia was even aware of her bad habits. Ever since the uncomfortable confrontation Lady Natalia had with her that early morning, she felt that she wouldn’t even be able look Lady Natalia in the eye anymore. Even though th
ey were about the same age, Natalia always intimidated her. Her striking looks and strong personality always made Alexa feel like an anxious piglet amongst an abrasive and exotic cat.
They finally made it up the stairs and into the west wing, which were Natalia’s quarters. Red carpet covered almost every inch of the cold stone floors and beautiful candelabras lit the decadent halls. Vases and pots of flowers sat everywhere on beautifully carved tables, which softened up the dim halls; Natalia demanded that fresh flowers grace her halls at all times.
“Hurry up child, you are slower than a worm during the hot seasons,” Sora fussed as she made it to Natalia’s door.
Alexa quietly crept behind Sora, who was gawking at her with large owl-like eyes.
“Here we are,” Sora said with a smile as she placed her platter down on the table next to Natalia’s door. “Lady Natalia always wishes her door to be locked while she rests—she has a twin key.”
She pulled a bundle of keys out that hung from her leather belt and picked out Natalia’s chamber key, unlocking the heavy door. Grabbing her platter, Sora walked in the dark and cool room with Alexa following behind her. The dull afternoon light leaked in through the cracks of the heavy curtains, giving them little light. They placed the platters down on a table that sat in the middle of the room.
“Good morning, my lady,” Sora said in a cheerful voice as she went to open the curtains. “You’ve been sleeping far too long, child.”
She flung open the curtains, letting the gray light of the day come in. She unlatched the windows and opened them out, allowing the cool breezes to come into the stuffy room. A light-gray blanket of clouds covered the sky, making the golden lands appear depressing and drab.
“Such a gray day, but at least the mists have pasted. Natalia…,” Sora said as she turned, stopping her sentence as she was surprised to see that the bed was empty. The blankets were turned down and a mess. “Child, I am in no mood for games,” Sora fussed as her mood quickly changed. She walked quickly over to the large bed, pulling the covers and looking under them.
Alexa continued to stand quiet and off to the side, her lips pressed together and her arms folded as she noticed the letter on the bed. The letter glided off the bed and onto the floor as Sora pulled the blankets down to the foot of the bed.
“I beg your pardon, Sora…,” Alexa said as she picked up the letter.
“Don’t beg to me right now Alexa,” Sora fussed as she quickly walked to the bath chamber, peering into the darkened room.
“But I found this on the floor,” Alexa said, walking over to her.
Sora looked confusingly at the letter then snatched it from Alexa. She opened and read it to herself, her dark eyes wide and nostrils flaring. She wasn’t sure if she read it correctly so she quickly read it a couple more times. Her heart began to quicken with every word.
“Oh my!” Sora exclaimed with a surprised tone after deciding that the letter was an emergency, “She’s gone to the south!”
Sora quickly rushed out of the room and down the stairs, with Alexa right behind her with a look of guilt on her face. Alexa hadn’t been taught how to read, but she could tell by Sora’s reaction that it wasn’t a good letter.
Sora didn’t want to disturb the Master’s dinner, but she had to. She rushed past two servants who were waiting outside the dining room hall and talking quietly amongst each other. They gawked crazily at Sora who was obviously in panic mode. Sora burst through the dining room hall doors with tears in her eyes. Alexa stayed behind by the other two women with her hand over her mouth.
“I beg your pardon Lord Ducre’, Lady Ducre’,” Sora said, nearly running while trying to cover her emotions.
The servants waiting in the dining hall looked surprised as they covered their mouths with raised eyebrows. The Lord and Lady looked up from their plates, having a surprised look on their faces as well.
“What is the meaning of this, Sora?” the marquis barked as he wiped his mouth and the scruffy hair around it.
“Forgive me for disturbing you, my lordship,” Sora said as she quickly bowed her head, “but Lady Natalia has run away to the Forbidden Lands!”
The Lady dropped the goblet she was drinking from; it fell onto her plate as the deep-red wine from it splashed out all over the white table linens. The surprised servants who stood nearby quickly rushed over to tend to the mess.
Lord Ducre’ quickly took the letter Sora held out to him. He read it quietly to himself as a worried look came over his face, which then faded into anger.
“What is it, Fernund?” the marchioness asked in her islander accent as she stood behind her husband and placed her elegant, dark hands on his shoulders.
“She writes to Sora—that the princess and Minslethrate are in grave danger and that she has ventured off to the forbidden lands to help?! What kind of a fraudulent hoax is this? I’ve just arrived a couple of days ago and this comes about?!” He barked as he slammed his fist on the table. Startled, the servants flinched as they continued to clean up the dining hall table. “Our daughter has certainly acted out in a manner of impropriety before but this time she has gone too far! I worry for our daughter, Christianne… King Julpen must know about this—if his daughter and land is in jeopardy—if it is true…”
The Marchioness took the letter from her husband, reading it in disbelief.
“Have the coach ready, Sora,” Lord Ducre’ said in a low tone as he put his ringed hand to his forehead. “We must deliver some news to his majesty.”
Sora softly nodded her head and started towards the hall doors.
“And Sora,” Lord Ducre’ called as she quickly turned to him, “…I am pleased my daughter confides in you over her own parents…,” he said as he peered at her with a serious face beneath his large eyebrows, with the lady looking up at her from the letter.
Sora was quiet as she nodded her head again, glancing at both of them. As small tears built up in her dark-brown eyes, she turned to walk away, thinking that somehow the lord of the manor did not mean what he said—and that Natalia, the only person she had ever loved and cared for as her own daughter, was in danger…
†††
The dull, gray light of the late afternoon leaked into the giant hall, flooding the dim chamber with a melancholy ambiance. The castle was dark and dreary, and seemed to reflect the mannerism of everyone within it. With the concerns of the missing princess and possessing the knowledge that a slaughtered servant was found in Lilith’s chamber casted upon them, every servant walked about the castle like foggy minded lost souls.
The gossip amongst the servants had spread like a ravaging disease, causing great stress and sadness to come about the servants and courtiers of the castle. The insidious news poured throughout the kingdom within hours, morphing the golden lands into a place of auburn distress. The kingdom had once seen darker times—and now it was happening again… Over the years the faith of Minslethrate seemed to diminish, leaving Marrisa as the positive symbol within the kingdom, and now that she and her kindness and love was missing and seemingly in grave danger, the happiness of Minslethrate seemed to be smothered like a rose to thick smoke.
The head servant, Alexander, walked through the great hall of the castle carrying a golden platter. The platter contained a folded letter, an empty goblet and a full golden vessel of wine. Alexander made his way to the king’s study hall, passing curious servants who were still taking down the decorations and cleaning from last night’s festivities. With his head held high and having a patronizing demeanor, Alexander found himself at king Julpen’s unorganized table, quietly sitting the platter down upon it.
The king sat at the table in his large throne-like chair, not acknowledging Alexander’s presence. He sat with his head down and his ringed hand at his forehead. His long dark hair fell over his shoulders, obscuring his extravagant tunic. The whole chamber was quiet and still, except for the roaring fire in the large fireplace that crackled behind him.
“I’ve brought you a correspond
ence, sire,” Alexander said in an emotionless tone, as he poured some wine into the empty goblet. “The prince of Ishkar has requested that you receive it at noon.”
King Julpen looked up, not saying anything. He took the letter from the platter and broke the wax seal. He read it quietly, sipping the goblet of wine Alexander had produced for him. After reading the letter, he tossed it onto a pile of documents, then rubbed the left side of his bearded face.
“When did you receive this, Alexander?” the king asked as he irritably rubbed his eyes with his thumb and pointer finger.
“Jasper, his assistant, gave it to me last night and instructed that the prince had demanded it be presented to you at noon, Sire,” Alexander said quickly.
“Must there always be unsettling news,” the king said in an aggravated tone.
“My apology, sire,” Alexander said as he bowed his head then picked up the platter. “Does my lord need anything else?” he asked
“Fetch me my advisor and my commander-in-chief... There is something ominous abroad...once again…”
“As you wish,” Alexander said as he bowed his head. “Dinner will be served within the hour, sire.” Alexander turned to leave, leaving the king with his wine.
The king sat for a while, sipping at his wine, thinking of everything that was going on—and of his daughter. He felt emotional and scared for his daughter, but dared not show it upon his face. He had not cried in many years—and had barely shed a tear when his loving wife passed away nearly thirteen years earlier… He thought of Marrisa and wondered where she was at, if she was in jeopardy, if she was frightened—if she ran away—or if the letter that Prince Phillip had addressed to him was accurate… The king put his hand to his head again, squeezing his eyes shut and pressing his dried lips together. He drank down the rest of the bitter sweet wine, then poured himself another goblet full.
The Last Legend: Awakened Page 22
