I snorted. “You can say that again.” After a quarter of an hour, I spotted a fire through the trees, and asked, “Is that it?”
Larpsen nodded. “That’s my king’s camp.”
When we rode into the camp, men and women looked up, reaching for their weapons before spotting Larpsen. Larpsen dismounted, handing the reins of his horse to a young boy before going and shaking the hand of a big bear of a man who was standing by the fire.
Larpsen beckoned to me, so I dismounted and walked to his side. Larpsen smiled at me before turning to face the man again. “Here he is, Sire.”
The king rolled his eyes, smiling slightly. “I thought I told you not to call me that. It makes me feel old.” Before Larpsen could reply, the king turned to me and held out his hand. “Welcome, Max. I am Nikola.”
I shook hands, quite surprised to find the king’s hand callused from hard work. “Pleased to meet you, Sire.”
Nikola shot an accusing glare at Larpsen. “Now look at what you have him doing.”
Larpsen feigned an innocent expression. “It is your title, is it not?”
Nikola’s eyes narrowed. I stepped back, slightly alarmed and extremely confused when Nikola lunged at Larpsen, pulling him into a headlock. Even though Larpsen was a strong man, he was dwarfed by Nikola, so he could do nothing in the giant’s grip.
Nikola noticed my expression and burst out laughing, releasing Larpsen. Larpsen smiled slightly, tugging his tunic straight. “It’s all right, Max,” Larpsen said. “Nikola and I are brothers.”
I shot him a narrow-eyed look. “You are just full of surprises, aren’t you?
Larpsen shrugged, trying to look innocent. Nikola turned to face Katarina, Job, and Adam, saying, “You can all find a tent to share with someone. No one will mind. We will pack up camp tomorrow, and journey to my country.”
I frowned. “Why are you leaving?”
Nikola shot me a grim smile. “To plan a war.”
Chapter Ten
A week later, we arrived in Nikola’s city weary and saddle-sore. The inhabitants of the city cheered when they saw us, and Nikola smiled. Dismounting, he walked over to the people and started talking to them. A small boy tugged at his pant leg, and Nikola dropped to one knee to place a hand on the boy’s shoulder. He said something, then gave a few coins to the boy before standing.
I realized my mouth was open and closed it. I automatically knew that if Daveen were alive, he would spit on the people, and probably have them gutted on the spot. Larpsen stopped his horse beside mine, glancing at me. “You will find that this country is different from yours.”
“I’ll say,” I said, watching the king. Nikola treated everyone around him with respect, which was a night and day difference from Daveen. “I think I will like it here,” I said to Larpsen.
“I think so too,” Katarina said behind us, Job and Adam echoing her.
When Nikola finished talking to the people, he mounted and led us to the center of the city, where a slightly larger house than the others we had passed sat in an immaculate yard. Nikola led us down a pathway that ended at a small barn. We dismounted and brought the horses inside, where Nikola told Larpsen to take everyone inside.
I stayed in the barn with Nikola, watching the king. With efficiency born out of years of practice, Nikola quickly stripped off the horses’ tack and put it away, then started brushing them. After watching him for a moment, I grabbed a spare brush and joined him.
“You are probably wondering why I am doing this,” Nikola said after a moment of silence.
“That thought did cross my mind.”
“I believe a king should serve his people, not exalt himself. We are all humans with the freedom to choose; why should one be over the other?”
“If you believe that,” I said, “why are you king?”
Nikola paused to work some mud out of the horse’s mane, then said, “There are many people who want change, but they aren’t in a position to do anything. I am, and I try to help my people in any way I can.” He met my gaze over the horse’s back. “I have made it so that everyone is the leader; I am just a figurehead. Everyone gets an equal say in the government, and they are listened to when they have a complaint.”
“That doesn’t sound too efficient.”
Nikola shrugged. “Maybe not, but it works. My people are happy, and that is good enough for me.” We finished the rest of the horses in silence, then I followed Nikola as he went inside the house.
I sat next to the others in Nikola’s study, while he and Larpsen stood in front of us. “Your government is still corrupt,” Nikola said. “Even though the king is gone, the lords and advisors still remain.” He sighed, and his voice filled with sorrow. “The only way we can get a new government is to destroy the old once and for all.”
“Our people have been answering the call to arms,” Larpsen said. “We will be ready to attack in two weeks. We ask for your help.”
Job glanced at Katarina, then looked back at the king. “My daughter and I will help.” Job smiled.
“I’m in,” I said. “The rest of the rebels will help too.”
Later that night, Adam came to the room Nikola had assigned me, his expression worried. “Can I talk to you?”
I nodded. “What is wrong?”
Adam bit his lip. “My sister is still at the castle.”
“I will tell Nikola.” Smiling at him, I said, “She will be all right.”
Adam looked unconvinced, but nodded anyway.
*
Her back was ramrod straight and her expression was cold and set as a priest placed the heavy gold crown on her head. Bejeweled fingers were wrapped tightly around a golden scepter, and a red silk gown clad her slender form. As Ella rose from the throne, the priest declared in ringing tones, “All hail your new queen!”
A ripple ran through the crowd of nobles as they went down on one knee. Ella looked out over her new subjects, then said, “I will not rest until the blood of those who are responsible for the death of the king has mingled with the earth.” A roar rose from the listening nobles.
Within the crowd, Evin’s heart filled with horror. “You should have taken her with you, Max.” It was no more than a whisper, but saying it out loud confirmed Evin’s deepest fears. The battle was not nearly finished; it was only just beginning.
***
About the Author
H.M. Van Fleet has had a fascination with reading and with books all her life. She wanted to be a veterinarian as a child, but after a traumatizing experience, decided to be an artist. This decision led to her realizing she couldn’t draw. At age twelve, she realized she could paint pictures with words instead of with a brush and wrote three books by the age of fourteen. She currently resides in Utah with her husband and continues to write. Healer’s Apprentice is the first book she has published.
Preview of the Sequel
I rushed to the queen’s side after my coronation, tears brimming in my eyes. Jane was fragile and pale. Her brow was dewed with sweat, her eyes sunken and cheeks hollow. She breathed in laborious gasps, barely clinging to life.
"Jane," I whispered, my heart breaking.
The former queen’s eyes opened, and she smiled weakly at me. "Hello dear."
I swung to face the doctors who lurked by the walls. "What is wrong with her?"
The eldest doctor stepped forward, bowing his head. "She is dying, your Majesty."
"Why? Don’t make me drag it out of you bit by bit, doctor. I am not that patient."
He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "When her husband died, she lost the will to live. There is nothing we can do for her."
I bit my lip, looking down at Jane again. Jane’s eyes opened, and she whispered, "Don’t weep for me, dear. I go to join Daveen."
Her eyes closed again, and I bowed my head, tears running down my cheeks. Jane's breathing developed a nasty rattle, then stopped. A roaring sound fill
ed my ears, and I dimly heard the doctor announce, "The former queen is dead."
I swayed as the realization that I was suddenly on my own hit me, making me feel slightly ill. "Plan another funeral," I whispered. "The kingdom will mourn again." I rose to my feet and walked out of the room, not noticing the hasty bows of the room's occupants.
Four magnificent white horses pulled a gold plated carriage down the rose covered road. Solemn people dressed in mourning clothes lined the street, paying their last respects to the former queen. I rode behind the carriage as it made its way to the ancient burial place of the royal family. When it reached the low mound, where a dark hole led down into the crypt, servants came forward.
I stopped and dismounted as servants unloaded the coffin to carry it into the crypt. As the coffin passed me, I dropped the blood red rose I carried onto it. The inky blackness within the crypt soon swallowed the casket, and my shoulders slumped as fresh tears ran down my cheeks. I was on my own.
A strong arm slid around my shoulders, holding me up when I would have fallen. I leaned on my unknown supporter as sobs tore through me. His breath fanned my cheek as he leaned close and murmured, "Cry, my queen."
His voice was slightly accented, but comforting, and his words made fresh tears stream down my cheeks. "Who are you?"
"My name is Stephen. I am the son of Neander's ambassador."
I sniffed, my heart growing leaden as the servants returned and sealed the crypt. Pulling free from Stephen's arm, I turned to face him, my breath catching in surprise. Stephen had dark brown hair, high cheekbones, and twinkling hazel eyes. There was none of the brutish features the people of Neander were said to possess. "You don't look like you are from Neander."
Stephen chuckled, looking embarrassed. "I don't. My mother is from this country. I was born here, actually, and learned the accent from my father." His expression became pensive. "I am sorry to hear about the king and queen. Were you close?"
I nodded. "They treated me as their daughter for over four years, since my parents were executed." Wiping my tears away, I smiled at him. "It was nice meeting you, Stephen."
He bowed. "And you, Majesty."
"Ella."
With a smile, he said, "Ella. A beautiful name for a beautiful young woman." Again, he bowed, then walked away.
I watched him go, then turned to the crypt and murmured goodbye one last time before mounting my horse and riding it back to the castle. Once in the castle, I was confronted by an elderly advisor. Feeling very tired, I said, "Unless this requires my attention, go away."
The man gulped, looking very nervous. "I am sorry, Majesty. I...I have terrible news."
"For Pete's sake man, spit it out!"
The man's nervousness increased, beaded sweat appearing on his brow. "The king of Neander has declared war."
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