∞
“You think it best to enter the main gate?” Edward asked Lancer as they trotted on horseback towards the boundary between the Unfading Lands and the Southern Kingdom.
“Yes. I want people to see us, Edward. We need to make our presence known.” Lancer’s shoulders bobbed up and down as his horse softly trotted.
“Are you sure I will be able to cross?” Edward asked as they neared the foggy veil. He saw the villagers tending to their land and homes, completely unaware of the darkness looming just beyond the boundary. Stalking them.
“Edward, really, must you question it again?” Lancer turned to him with a smirk. He was not annoyed at the questioning, but somewhat amused at Edward’s innocence to what now ran through his veins.
“Come, bring your horse next to mine. We should cross together.” Lancer waited until Edward’s Triton lined up with his own. Lancer nodded and then proceeded. Edward felt the tingle as Triton’s head made it through the veil. But when the fog reached Edward’s hands, he felt an electrifying spark that shot him flying off the back of his horse and falling to the ground. Triton bucked at the sudden absence of his rider and turned back around towards Edward. Lancer faced Edward from the opposite side of the boundary and shook his head in disappointment. He crossed back over.
Edward’s body ached from not only the fall but the absolute seizing that coursed through him at the impact. He still sat upon the meadow grass several yards from the boundary.
“It should have worked.” Lancer stated. “We must try again. Get on your horse Edward.”
“No.” Edward replied, slowly rising to his feet. “That was painful, my Lord.”
“Try again, Edward.” Lancer ordered again, his face turning into a scowl.
Frustrated, Edward stormed over to the boundary line and walked into the fog, the ripple of light that shot through the veil sent him flying back and hitting his back against a tree. He slowly slumped to the ground, breathing heavily as his body tried to recover.
“Try again.” Lancer stated.
Edward looked to him in disbelief. “You cannot be serious, my Lord? It will happen again, I assure you. My body cannot take another blow.”
“You will heal. Try again.” Lancer demanded again.
Edward rolled his eyes and stood to his feet. He thought of Prince Clifton, the emotion he must have felt at the time of his crossing. He was striving to save Elizabeth, out of love. Perhaps if he thought of his family and Cecilia, Edward thought. He took a deep breath as he ran towards the boundary line with a fierce scream. He immersed into the fog and felt the air rush out of his lungs as he was tossed back into the Lands and landed on his stomach, face down in the dirt.
Lancer laughed. “Well, I must say that was a new approach. We will try again another time, Edward. The Southern Kingdom can wait. It is really of no importance to us any way. Considering its defeat, I’m sure it is not at the top of King Granton’s list either.”
Edward brushed his hands over his knees as he walked towards Triton. Running a calming hand down his horse’s snout, he softly patted his neck. Mounting into his saddle, he looked to Lancer. “I do not understand this, my Lord. Your blood should have worked.”
“Perhaps it was not enough.”
“But how much more can you sacrifice?”
“Not sure. I feel our attempts may be in vain.” Lancer stated. “Don’t worry though Edward, I still value your position in my guard and private council. I was never too pleased about you crossing back into the Realm in the first place. This just confirms my ill feeling.” Lancer explained.
“I see.”
“Don’t be so disappointed, Edward. You are a great man meant for great things.” Lancer praised.
“Yes, well, I believe I will take time to reflect upon that, my Lord. Do you wish for me to travel with you back to the castle, or may I dismiss myself?”
“You are dismissed. I believe I will visit my reflection chamber in your absence and see if there are other alternatives for us that we have yet to uncover.”
“Very well. Good day.” Edward nodded in farewell as he and Triton branched off from Lancer and headed the long way around the boundary line towards his clearing where he normally met Elizabeth. He wished he could see his sister but knew that the injuries she obtained during the battle would have left her in the care of the castle for quite some time.
As he ducked under the overhanging limbs of a willow, he emerged into his undisturbed and peaceful clearing. Slipping from his saddle, he grabbed his satchel and withdrew a piece of parchment. He would address a letter to Prince Clifton sharing the last few days’ events. Perhaps his experiences would provide his friend some insight. As he walked towards his regular tree log, he stopped in his tracks. There beyond the veil of the boundary stood Prince Clifton with his father. Edward’s heart pounded in his chest as he surveyed the older man in front of him. His father’s face had aged considerably over the last five years. His once vibrant gaze was dim, and the lines of his face were etched deeply, beyond age, and into sickness. Despite the slumped shoulders and decaying frame, his father still held an air of regality that Edward found intimidating. Did he dare approach his father after all this time?
Clifton heard the king take a deep breath at the shock of seeing his youthful son round the corner of the trees in the Unfading Lands. Edward spotted them in equal surprise. Neither man moved an inch. Prince Clifton cleared his throat. “Perhaps, your Grace, we step a bit closer?”
King Granton moved robotically as Clifton lightly nudged him forward. Edward walked towards them as well, his steps slow and unsure.
Clifton smiled at him in greeting. “Where is that blasted rabbit?” He asked out loud as he glanced around the ground. He found Thatcher near the river and quickly snatched him. “If you wish to pass your letters to your son without me, you use this little guy, your Grace. Princess Elizabeth and Prince Edward have trained the rabbit to be their personal delivery service.” Granton studied the small ball of fur and lightly stroked its head. “They use an animal?”
“Yes.” Clifton replied. “Animals pass freely through the veil.”
“I had heard such news.” Granton replied.
Clifton placed the rabbit back to the ground and it scampered off into the reeds near the river. “However, today I volunteer to be your carrier.” He extended his open palm and King Granton gently laid his folded piece of parchment into Clifton’s hand.
“If you give me just a few moments, I will be right back.”
Granton nodded silently, his wonder over the whole situation keeping him quiet. He watched as Clifton stepped to the edge of the boundary. Taking a deep breath, Clifton took a step over the line and entered the Lands. King Granton’s eyes widened as he watched, and he slowly lowered himself to the large rock Elizabeth normally occupied.
Edward smiled in greeting as Clifton exhaled a relieved breath. “I must admit I was quite nervous to cross.”
“Aye, I imagine so.”
“Your father wished to give you a letter.” Clifton stated and handed the parchment to Edward.
“I cannot believe he came to the boundary line.” Edward stared at his father who studied them closely.
“Aye, he insisted he bring his letter personally, along with several others.” Clifton reached into his tunic pocket and withdrew two more letters. “One from your sister Alayna, and of course, the other from Elizabeth.”
Edward chuckled and ran a hand through his dark hair. “I am honored by all the responses. I must admit these surprise me. Not Elizabeth’s, but Alayna and my father.”
“He wishes to converse with you for a bit. Do you have the time?”
“Yes. I just left Lancer’s company. I should be good for a few hours.” Edward replied.
“Did you find out anymore news?”
“Some. He believes his blood is the answer to everything. He stabbed me last night and mixed our blood so that I may cross into the Realm to survey the damage of the Southern Kingd
om. We attempted my crossing this morning and it failed.” Edward ran a hand over his chest where he still felt the driving of Lancer’s blade.
“You could not cross?” Clifton asked, his brow furrowed.
“No. I’m thinking it must not have been enough.”
“I think you are correct.” Clifton stated. “We also believed Lancer’s blood held the key to crossing.”
“But how does that explain you?” Edward asked with a wave of his hand at Clifton’s figure.
“My father just confessed in last night’s Council meeting that I am a blood relative of Lancer. He is my mother’s brother and my uncle. We believe those in his bloodline have the ability to cross.” Clifton answered.
Edward’s eyes widened. “You are his kin?”
“Apparently so.”
Edward paced around the clearing. “Does this mean your brother will have the ability to cross?”
“We believe so but are not willing to test his crossing unless absolutely necessary.”
“Aye. Good idea. This is a wonder.” Edward stood baffled and glanced towards his father once more. “I guess I should return my father’s letter.”
“Yes. I will leave him here for a bit. He wishes to stay. I must warn you that his health is not well, and the ride over has made him weak. I will return for him around noon.” Clifton made his way back to the boundary line and turned. “He is not upset with you, Prince Edward, just so you know. I believe he wishes to make amends before his death.”
Edward nodded, and his familiar blue eyes grew glassy. “I hate seeing him like this.”
“We all do.” Clifton replied. “He is a good man, a strong king.”
“Long ago I would have disagreed with you, Prince Clifton. But I was young and selfish. I did not see what all I had in front of me.”
“It happens to the best of us, prince.” Clifton nodded towards him in assurance. “See you in a few hours. Oh, and I must sincerely ask that you write Elizabeth a letter. She would be a complete sore sort if I did not bring something back to her.”
Edward chuckled and nodded. “Of course. Thank you, Clifton.”
Edward watched as the prince stepped back through the fog and over towards his father.
“Well, is he well?” Granton asked curiously.
“Yes. Very. He says he has quite a few hours to spare, so you two should not be interrupted.”
“Thank you, Prince Clifton.” Granton roamed his gaze around the small clearing and spotted Elizabeth’s arena and marks carved into the clay. “She really did have another life over here, didn’t she?”
“Yes.” Clifton smirked as he thought of the first time Elizabeth showed him her oasis. “This place is special to her.”
“As are you.” Granton stated, noting the small flush that crept up the prince’s neck. “I do not wish to embarrass you, Prince Clifton, I just want to say thank you. I have spent many a night praying for a man who could love my Elizabeth for who she is. I am most grateful she found that with you.”
Clifton tilted his head at the sentimental conversation and eyed the king carefully. “Are you feeling alright, my Lord?”
Granton chuckled but his lips held a sad smile. “Quite fine. Please, when you return for me, will you bring your father?”
Clifton eased to his knee before the king and studied him. “I will, but only if you are honest with me, my King.”
Smirking and biting back a small laugh, Granton lightly patted him on his shoulder. “You are a good lad, aren’t you? I am fine, my son. Please do not worry over me.”
Clifton rose back to his feet and nodded. “Your son will be sending you a letter soon. I will send him Thatcher. Just be ready to catch the small creature when he sends him back over.”
“Of course.” Granton watched as Clifton sent the small rabbit across the line to Edward. He then bowed towards King Granton and slipped through the trees back towards his horse.
∞
“I wish to wear my cream corset and lace.” Elizabeth demanded as she leaned against her pillows and crossed her arms in annoyance. She studied her sister at the foot of her bed and scowled.
“No.” Alayna stated without even a glance up from her papers. “You will wear a new white corset and your dress skirts will be the pale blue of the Eastern Kingdom. The ribbons to tie will be white as well.”
Elizabeth blew an air of frustration and her hair fluttered over her forehead. “Perhaps we should make sure I am able to walk before we plan my walk down the aisle, sister.”
“You will be fine.” Alayna looked up and smiled. “With father’s health failing, I believe an urgency should be placed upon your wedding, sister.”
“Yes, but I am not even fully recovered yet.” Elizabeth countered.
“I know.” Alayna sighed as she slipped from her looming position and sat on the edge of Elizabeth’s bed. “But with the war against the South now over, King Eamon and his sons must return to their kingdom to assess the damage to their villages and rebuild. It is a perfect time for Prince Clifton and you to get married that way you can make the journey with them and be introduced to the Eastern Kingdom after such a bleak time. People will rejoice.”
“I do not wish to leave just yet.” Elizabeth replied. “Not with Father feeling the way he is and with our own kingdom out of sorts.”
“The Realm and the kingdom have been through much lately. That is why I think a joyful event is necessary.” Alayna explained.
“But what of Father? I wish to be here with him in his last few months. I could not bear it if I were gone and he passed.” Elizabeth held her sister’s sympathetic gaze and they both sat quietly, pondering over the thought of not having their father around.
“I do not wish to think on the subject.” Alayna stated quietly.
“Me either.” Elizabeth echoed. “But it will happen, Alayna. Are you ready to lead the Realm? Fully?”
“Is anyone ready for such a task?”
“I imagine not.” Elizabeth replied in understanding.
Alayna studied her sister’s wounded leg, the stump covered by the mauve blankets and coverings of Elizabeth’s bed. “I believe we found a craftsman who can create you a false leg and foot.” She reported.
Elizabeth’s brow rose. “Oh?”
“Yes. He claims to have made them for members of the guard in the past. Mosiah attests to his honesty and praises his craftsmanship.”
“So, I shall be walking around with a wooden peg as though I were a pirate.” Elizabeth held her hand over one eye as she quirked her mouth in what she hoped was a piratey sneer. Alayna laughed. “Only if you wish to. I figure it will aid in your stability.”
“Yes. I think it would be quite fun actually.”
Alayna shook her head in bewilderment. “You are so strong, little sister. Sometimes I wonder if I should pass the throne to you.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, thank you. It is all yours.” Elizabeth winked. “Besides, perhaps you will soon have a prince of your own to share the burden with.”
Alayna’s smile slowly faded, and she stood. She adjusted her lavender skirts and picked up her parchments. “We shall see. Now, where were we? Oh yes, your dress.”
Elizabeth groaned and then leaned back against her pillows and closed her eyes as Alayna continued drowning her in wedding details.
“Now, Princess Melody and Prince Isaac will stand with us. Melody with me and Isaac with Ryle.” Alayna stated, making a small notation.
Elizabeth’s eyes popped open. “Isaac.” She stated.
Alayna glanced up. “What about him?”
“Have you seen him today?”
“No.” Alayna stated. “But that is no surprise. Word around the castle is that he never made it back to his chambers last night. No doubt enjoying his victorious day with some… female entertainment.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No. That is not like him.”
Alayna tilted her head and wrinkled her brow in disbelief.
“Well, not
anymore.” Elizabeth added. “Could you see if you can find him?”
“Whatever for?”
“I wish to ask him a favor.” Elizabeth answered.
“Lizzy, the man is a cad. Yes, he saved your life, and I am forever grateful for that, but I do not wish for you to have fanciful thoughts of him making a turnaround. He is still the man he was.”
“No, he isn’t.” Elizabeth replied.
“Yes, he is.” Alayna countered firmly. “His disappearance last night is proof of that.”
“You do not know him as I do. He has changed.” Elizabeth defended the prince wholeheartedly. She knew Isaac had changed, had seen it with her own eyes.
“I believe you are wrong.”
“Yes, well you were not there, Sister. You did not see the way he fought and the choices he had to make. Whether you choose not to believe, or whether he chooses to cover it up, Prince Isaac is an honorable man.” Elizabeth’s voice had grown louder in the heat of the moment and carried down the hall. “I stand by his newfound character.”
“Quite loudly too.” Prince Ryle’s voice drifted into the room from the open doorway and had both women turning to him in surprise. “I hope I am not intruding on anything.”
Alayna and Elizabeth replied but in opposition of one another. Alayna pierced Elizabeth with a firm gaze as she waved away her sister’s negative response. “Please, Prince Ryle, join us. We were just discussing wedding plans for your brother and my opinionated sister.” Alayna finished.
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