The Unfading Lands The Complete Set

by Katharine E Hamilton

  ∞

  Alayna tossed the letter to the side and continued her perusal of the maps before her. She had barely slept, eaten, or left the Council Room since Samuel’s departure. Now, two days later, she sat again in the stately chair her father once occupied and rummaged through her notes and maps to find a way to defeat Lancer.

  “Your Grace?” Tomas bowed as he entered, the messenger following closely on his heels. “Did you not wish to respond to Prince Samuel’s letter?”

  Alayna looked up, her hair slightly standing on end from the use of her hands. Frazzled did not begin to describe her appearance as she smoothed a hand over the front of her skirts. “Yes, I have prepared a letter there.” She pointed to the letter at the edge of the table. “I gave instructions to bring my sister back here to the North if her condition has not changed by the time Hector gives the letter to Prince Ryle.”

  “My Lady,” Tomas stepped forward in surprise. “The princess should not be moved if she is in delicate condition.”

  “Did I ask for your approval, Tomas?” Alayna barked and then placed a steadying hand to her forehead and closed her eyes. “I am sorry, Tomas. I apologize for my outburst.” She took a deep breath. “I know, but if she is to remain asleep until she passes, she should be here with me. Everyone should be. We should never have split up. There is too much at stake. Too much at stake.” She mumbled as she dismissed them with a wave of her hand and began sifting through parchments again.

  Tomas and Hector stepped into the hall and closed the door. “She is not well, Tomas.” Hector whispered. “She has been in that room for far too long.”

  “It brings her comfort.” Tomas stated.

  “Tomas—”

  “Enough. Now take this letter to Prince Ryle in the East.”

  “But her orders, Tomas. They are not wise.”

  “That is not for us to decide. She wants her sister here. She is the future queen and we must do her bidding. Now on with you.” Tomas waved him away and cast a worried glance towards the Council Room doors. Granton would be proud of his daughter for focusing upon the needs of the Realm, but he certainly would not want her neglecting herself in the process.

  ∞

  Isaac stormed into the castle and raced up the stairs to his chambers. “Pack my things. Quickly.” He ordered as he grabbed his sword and sheath and belted it around his waist. “Have my horse saddled. I will ride ahead with Rupert and two guards. The rest of you come as quickly as possible. I do not have time to waste traveling with a carriage.”

  “Yes, my Lord.” His attendants rushed around the room as a knock sounded on the door. He opened to find King Abner looming in the doorway.

  “Yes, my Lord?” Isaac asked.

  “May I ask the reason for your abrupt departure? You have only been here a day and a half.”

  “I apologize, my Lord, but urgent news has found me. Princess Elizabeth is gravely ill, and I must go to her at once.”

  “The Princess of the North?”

  “Yes, though she now resides in the East.”

  “Ah, yes, Prince Clifton’s new bride. Ill you say?”

  “Yes. I shall return for a visit once I know her condition has been remedied.” Isaac explained as he grabbed his satchel and pulled it over his head.

  “And why must you go, Prince Isaac?”

  Isaac stopped his pacing around the room and looked to the man. “Because she is a dear friend. She and Prince Clifton both. I must be there for the both of them through this hard time. I can only imagine what Clifton must be feeling-” He cut off his words and shook his head. “Never mind me, your Grace. I thank you for your hospitality and I hope to visit again soon.”

  “You are traveling to King Eamon’s kingdom?” Abner asked again, his contemplative tone sending warning tingles up Isaac’s spine.

  “Yes.”

  “To help his son deal with the pain of possibly losing his wife?”

  “Yes.” Isaac repeated.

  Abner waved his fingers over his shoulder and two guards walked into the room. “Please allow my guards to accompany you.”

  “Oh, that is not necessary, my Lord. I have plenty, and I must make haste.”

  “It is not a request, Prince Isaac.”

  Isaac hesitated a moment at the smug smile of Abner and then nodded. “Of course, your Grace. Thank you.”

  Abner nodded and stepped out of Isaac’s way. Katarina awaited him at the base of the stairs. He stopped briefly and squeezed her hand. “Take care, Princess.” She stepped towards him and cupped his face in her hand, knowing her father would suspect a budding relationship between the two of them. She leaned towards his ear. “Do not trust his guards, my Lord.” She whispered quietly. Isaac pulled away to peer into her nervous gaze. “You will be alright if I leave?” He asked quietly.

  She nodded. “Yes. I will. But you must be careful. Please.”

  He lightly kissed her cheek. “I will. Thank you, Katarina.” She closed her eyes at the sweet gesture and did not open them until she heard the hooves of his horse galloping down the path.

  “He will be back.” Abner appeared beside her and Katarina forced a smile.

  “I hope so. He is a kind man.”

  “That is the weakness of Granton’s realm. They are all kind men.”

  “You see kindness as a weakness, Father?”

  “Yes. The reason I sought the Prince from the West is that I had heard he was quite the opposite. Though after meeting him, I think him as weak as the rest of them.”

  Katarina shook her head. “I do not think so, Father. There’s more to Prince Isaac than you know, I believe.”

  He turned towards his daughter and chuckled. “We shall see. How about you await him in the dining hall for dinner tonight, and you shall see how strong he is.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Should he return for dinner, then he is just like the rest of them and was unable to beat my guards. I do not wish to offer King Eamon or his children any kindness, whether it be through my kingdom or Prince Isaac’s return.”

  “You are going to kill him?”

  “No. The guards are to bring him back here. If he is here by dinner then he is a weak man who found it easier to agree than to fight.”

  “And what if he does not arrive?”

  “Then I underestimated him. I rarely underestimate people, my dear.” King Abner lightly tugged on the edge of her hair. “Do not get too attached to the boy, Katarina. He is merely a pawn.” She nodded at his retreating back, but then rushed up the stairs to her chambers praying Prince Isaac made it safely to his Realm and did not show up for dinner.

  ∞

  Lancer trudged along the boundary line facing the Southern Kingdom. He was never nervous about crossing, why was he nervous now? He scanned both directions before stepping further towards the line. Taking a deep breath he stepped into the fog. Ripples of heat and pain flashed through his body as he was thrust back into the Unfading Lands and landed hard against the trunk of a tree. He groaned as he slowly stood to his feet. His horse nervously hooved the green earth and whinnied. He lightly patted a hand over its snout and glared at the boundary line. There was no reason for him not to be able to cross. He clenched his teeth and growled as he sprinted towards the line again, only to find his body flying through the air with even more force and landing upon his back on the ground in his own Land. He swiped a hand over the blood that trickled from his mouth. He bit his tongue, he realized, and allowed the taste of lead to fuel his anger. He took a deep breath and sprinted towards the line again with the same result. Again, and he flew into a tree. Again, and he landed against the legs of his horse and received a terrified kick to the ribs. Again, and crashed his skull against a large stone. When he awakened, again he tried. He attempted over and over again to cross, but to no avail. He sat, legs outstretched and hands in his hair as he struggled to comprehend the lack of his power. That is how Edward found him.

  “My Lord!” Edward halted his horse and leapt to the grou
nd running towards him. He knelt beside him and surveyed the weary expression upon Lancer’s face. “Are you alright?”

  “No.” Lancer grumbled. “I am not alright, Edward!” His voice rose into a piercing yell and Edward stood with wide eyes of concern. Lancer pushed himself off of the ground and ran towards the boundary line again and flew past Edward towards the veil and then landed on the ground. Edward rushed towards him to help him up, Lancer shoving away his help. “I cannot cross!”

  “At all?” Edward asked curiously.

  “Did you not just see what happened?!” Lancer screamed, his eyes blazing and his appearance terrifying. He was cracking, Edward thought. The usual calm and collected man was completely losing his mind.

  “This cannot be happening, Edward. I do not understand.” Lancer raced towards the boundary line once more and his body retracted quickly, landing a few feet away from Edward. Pain laced Lancer’s face, but he stood to his feet. “Something is wrong. The Lands must be weak. It’s from all the cowards.” He glowered at Edward. “The people that fled into our lands, the people that crossed to avoid death have lost me my strength! They must go, Edward. They must die. We must gain back our strength. I told you they would make us weak!” Lancer shoved his hands against Edward’s chest and pushed him back a few feet.

  Edward held up his hands in forfeit of a fight he did not wish to have. Lancer snarled and leapt into his saddle. “I will be in my reflection chamber, Edward. Should anyone need me, I will remain there until this problem is resolved.”

  Edward nodded as he watched Lancer ride away. He considered the boundary line a moment and then stepped towards it with a cautious hand raised. He inserted his hand into the fog and felt the shock and slap of energy pulse through him as his body was tossed back several feet. He could not cross either. Disappointment washed over him as he struggled to keep his temper in check. He did not wish for this darkness inside him just so he could stay here in the Lands. He just knew he would make it across to see his family.

  Stupidity, he thought. Stupid of him to think he could just cross back over as if nothing happened. It was more than the darkness that allowed Lancer to cross. Yes, hate and evil maintained the boundary, but coupled with something else. Lancer’s blood. The Lands started with him, it was his oath and seal that set the lines. Edward was merely a thorn in the side of evil. Pretty soon, Lancer would know what held him back, and when he found out, Edward’s life would be over. Slumping his shoulders, he pulled himself into his saddle and set out towards his fellow Uniters. Confidence gone, he did not know what was in store for them all now. How could he help the Realm if he was not able to cross?

  CHAPTER 4

  Princess melody sat slowly weaving her needle in and out of the cream linen that rested in her lap. She intended to embroider a baby's toss towel for Princess Elizabeth. Several, in fact. Though Elizabeth was not with child just yet, Melody knew it was only a matter of time now that the Princess was wed to Prince Clifton. A royal baby. Melody's heart sighed. Oh how she longed to have children one day. Her mother had taught her the art of embroidery and Melody had mastered the skill at an early age. She also enjoyed the art. It took concentration and a detailed eye to create stitches into patterns. She sat quietly by Elizabeth’s bedside and continued her work. Perhaps I should have chosen a different pattern, she thought. Prince Clifton and Princess Elizabeth had yet to even experience marriage, much less think of children. She sighed as she continued the routine. Hope. That is what Clifton needed. To hope. And she would, even if she was the only one. She continued with the pale blue pony stitching and thought of happier events. The royal wedding and the sight of her brother escorting Princess Elizabeth down the aisle. How hard it must have been for Isaac to hand over the woman he loved to another man. She shook away the thought. Her brother was more honorable than most gave him credit for, even himself. She could sense Prince Clifton knew of her brother’s heart, but he did not seem upset by the inclination. Perhaps he knew Isaac would never overstep. Or, perhaps he knew if Isaac did, he would never step foot back into the Realm without being killed. That worried her.

  She also worried about his journey back from King Abner’s Realm. He should be arriving later in the evening if she timed it correctly. She gasped as she withdrew her finger from beneath the fabric and stuck it in between her lips to suck the small bead of blood the needle withdrew. Satisfied it had stopped, she went back to her stitching. A soft moan fluttered through the air and her gaze snapped up to Elizabeth. The Princess’ brow beaded with sweat and Melody quickly jumped to her feet to find a damp cloth. She rang the bell on the bedside and watched as the doors opened and Arnos and Mary hurried inside.

  “She moaned.” Melody reported, lightly dabbing Elizabeth’s head with the cool cloth.

  Arnos leaned over Elizabeth’s face and lightly rubbed his fingertips around her jaw line and behind her ears. He then reached for her wrist to check her pulse. A soft moan escaped her lips again and had them all lightly tending to her. “Fetch the prince.” Arnos told Mary. “Our princess is waking up.” Excitement laced his words, and Melody felt joy leap into her heart. She continued coddling Elizabeth with words of affirmation and tenderness until she heard the booted steps of Prince Clifton rushing through the door. “Out of my way, out of my way.” He nudged around Arnos and sat on the edge of the bed leaning over his wife. “Elizabeth, love.” He lightly traced his fingers down her cheek. “Can you hear me? Wake up.” Elizabeth’s lashes fluttered and a soft whimper slipped from her lips. Tears began pouring down Prince Clifton’s cheeks as he cupped her face in his hands. “Come now, Elizabeth.” He whispered and kissed her cheek. “Wake up, my love. Wake up.” He gently laid his forehead upon her chest and no one bothered him. Ryle and King Eamon walked into the room, their expressions changing from joy to pain. “Did she pass?” Ryle asked Mary.

  Mary shook her head. “No, my Lord. She is wanting to wake up, but having trouble.”

  Ryle stepped closer along with his father, who laid a comforting hand on Clifton’s back as he spoke to his wife. Her lashes fluttered and slowly her eyelids opened to the ice storm in her eyes. Ryle smiled and choked back a laugh of relief. Elizabeth blinked several times in confusion and her hand slowly rose from her side and rested upon Clifton’s hair. A soft smile tugged at her lips when she recognized whom it was that laid on her chest. Clifton’s words silenced at her touch and his head popped up immediately. Joy instantly flooded his face as he grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles.

  Mary rushed forward with a glass of water and slowly helped Elizabeth take a few sips. She eased her head back against the pillows once more, her eyes struggling to stay awake. “She needs air.” Arnos barked, stepping closer to her. Elizabeth’s brow furrowed at the sight of the older man and she caught the amused expression of King Eamon. He nodded. “Nice to have you back with us, Princess.” She reached her hand towards Clifton’s as he sat watching Arnos tend to her. He felt her fingers brush over his and he quickly grabbed her hand and kissed it again. Her eyes warmed at the sight of him and he leaned forward and lightly brushed his lips over hers. “I have been worried about you, love.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek and she closed her eyes to savor the feel of him. “H-how long have I been asleep?” Her voice was raw and crackled from lack of use and Mary offered her another drink of water that she consumed greedily.

  “Almost a week.” Ryle stated.

  She eased her head back again out of breath. “What happened? Where am I?” She looked at the bed coverings and the drapes perplexed.

  “You are in the Eastern Kingdom, my love. With me.” Clifton brushed her hair back from her face. “We were journeying here after our wedding and your leg took a nasty infection that caused you to fall into a feverish slumber for a bit.”

  She searched his face and softly brushed her fingertips over his cheek and lips. “Have I been the only one?”

  Ryle and Eamon laughed causing Elizabeth to softly smirk.

  “No, Princess,
your husband has just neglected his personal hygiene so as to never leave your side.” Ryle teased.

  Clifton turned a surprised glance towards Elizabeth and caught her weak smile. “You look… tired.” She told him.

  He brushed a hand over his bearded jaw and realized he could not remember the last time he had shaved. He remembered bathing the night before with orders from Melody, but he had not shaved. Now he wished he had.

  Elizabeth attempted a small laugh but it came out as more of a sniff. “You are still handsome.” She whispered. His green eyes sparkled as he bent to kiss her lips again.

  Arnos stepped forward and waved a clean bandage wrap. “Okay, enough of that. You will have plenty of time for all that mushiness once we have gotten some food in her.”

  Clifton smirked and backed away so Arnos could check Elizabeth over. “I am Elizabeth.” She introduced herself surprising the older man and he offered a smile. “I know who you are, my princess. I am Arnos, the healer for the Eastern Kingdom.”

  “My thanks to you, Mr. Arnos.” She leaned forward and lightly kissed his cheek. The other men grinned as the older man blushed and fumbled with his tools. “Yes, well it was not just me. There have been several tending to you.” He stood and began bustling about the room. Elizabeth’s gaze settled upon Melody and she smiled and reached for her friend. “Melody.” She whispered, a tear slipping from her eye. “I am so happy to see you.”

  “And I, you.” Melody squeezed her hand.

  “My sister?”

  “She could not leave the North, my Lady.” Mary stepped in and provided the answer they feared would upset Elizabeth, but she only nodded. “And Isaac?” She turned towards Melody.

  “He does not know of your illness yet, my friend, but I assure you I sent a letter and he will be here as soon as he can.” Elizabeth smiled at that news and looked to Samuel who appeared in the doorway.

  “Is that the future king I see?”