by Tod Langley
Chapter 5
The Royal Bargain
The court announcer drove his staff down heavily on the marbled floor three times, signaling the arrival of honored guests. “Your Royal Highness, and people of Duellr, I present our most esteemed guest. Having ridden far to seek you out and ask you an important question, one that will forever change our lives, I present to you, the royal heir to the throne of Erand, Prince Kristian of Landron.”
The courtiers of Duellr welcomed the handsome young prince into their capital with thunderous cheers. Many exclaimed that he looked very impressive in his fine clothes and armor.
“He looks like a true hero,” one blushing courtesan said to another.
“I heard he had to fight his way out of an ambush single-handedly on the way here,” said another. “And look, not a scratch on him! He must be the greatest swordsman to ever live.”
Alek Hienren almost laughed out loud when he heard these comments as he escorted the prince down the central walkway toward the king of Duellr and his children. Nothing was farther from the truth. A mob had gathered to force the prince and his companions out of town after the prince had nearly killed a drunken villager over an insult to his honor. The cavaliers had quickly formed up and ridden east toward the capital to ensure the safety of their prince.
The prince had threatened the villagers, “Someday I’ll return, and when I do, I’ll not forget how they treated me, their future king.”
Later, Alek had the pleasure of telling him the village was not in Erand. They had crossed over into Duellr several hours before sundown. The prince had admonished him for not keeping him informed of their current location.
Prince Kristian walked slowly, emphasizing the importance of the occasion as he advanced toward the royal family. Alek had to admit that the prince knew how to swagger. He carried his helmet and gloves in one hand, and the other rested casually on the hilt of his saber. He did not smile or nod or give any sign of enjoyment at being here, though. In fact, Alek knew he was furious at having to go through with this. Finally reaching the king, Kristian quickly kneeled and rose again.
“Your Majesty, I bring you greetings from my father. It has been long since the two of you met in Erand, and he wishes to know how you are and if you still stand firm in your resolve.” The prince wasted no time in cutting through the tedious court greetings to the real reason he was here.
King Justan the Seventh, in his purple and white robe, looked more like an overstuffed cushion than his future father-in-law, Kristian thought. He grimaced as he noticed the son was just as obese as his father. He assumed his future bride was just as hideous, but before he could get a good look at her, the king waived a hand in acknowledgment. Although displeased by the prince’s apparent reluctance to partake in the ceremony, the king smiled and returned the greeting.
“Welcome, Kristian, I am fine. In fact, I feel better now that you have finally arrived. My resolve has not changed. I still oppose Belarn … openly!”
A loud cheer erupted from the gathered crowd. Cries of ‘Down with Belarn’ and ‘Hang the Prince of Belarn’ could be heard throughout the crowd. The king raised his hand to quiet them. He looked back at the prince expectantly.
Realizing the king was waiting on him to propose a treaty that would bind his kingdom and Duellr together against Belarn, Kristian finally looked to the left of the king to see his future bride. He could barely hold back his grimace until he saw the beautiful young girl standing before him. Princess Allisia was very unlike her father or brother. She was small and delicate. With long auburn hair, green eyes, and olive skin, she looked more like a beautiful clay figurine shaped by a gifted artisan than the offspring of the king of Duellr. She wore a simple light blue satin gown that highlighted her slim build and accentuated her thin gold crown. Pearl earrings dangled from ears that barely showed through the wavy hair falling over her shoulders.
Kristian was confused. He was certain someone had told him the princess was not even worth looking at. For a brief moment, he felt a glimmer of hope that things might work out after all. Kristian had been certain that he was doomed to an unhappy marriage to someone that did not love him, but the beautiful girl standing above him commanded his complete attention. Was the princess someone that he could marry and enjoy his life with?
Allisia felt the prince’s stare and turned to look at him, but she did not return his smile. He noticed her icy glare and wondered what he might say to win her over.
The king stood there expectantly, waiting for Kristian to say something. Kristian had planned to say as few words as possible, wanting to get it all over with quickly, but now he decided he needed to say something grand to capture her attention. He did not want to be too hasty in his words to his … new family.
“Belarn is the true enemy of all decent people, Your Majesty. News of their king’s death and his evil son’s ascension to power traveled across the land like wildfire, beating even us here. Many know, as I do, that he’s a mad sorcerer bent on dominating the entire continent. None of us will be safe from his schemes.”
Alek rolled his eyes looking up at the ceiling in disbelief. Just two days ago, Kristian had scoffed at rumors that the prince of Belarn was planning to wage war on Erand. True, more and more reports were reaching them that the Prince of Belarn was planning to usurp the throne, Alek admitted to himself, but what made his own prince suddenly change his stubborn mind? The cavalryman could not wait for this ceremony to end so that he could get away from the fool.
Kristian continued his rhetoric, “None of us will be safe unless we combine our forces to defeat this madman. Alone he may well be able to hurt some of us.” Obviously, the prince did not mean Erand, Alek thought, “but together, representing all of Erinia, we will surely destroy Belarn in the name of God.” Courtiers again cheered, praising the valiant prince for his courage. He looked back at the king’s daughter to see if she was impressed by his speech. She raised an eyebrow questioningly as if challenging him to keep his word.
“Your words are strong and bare great importance,” the king said smiling. “And they mirror my own feelings. I have long thought that we must unite against the evil prince of Belarn.”
Kristian paused for a moment, faking careful consideration before he turned to the gathered crowd. “Then let us unite, king of Duellr. Let Erand and your own kingdom stand together to destroy our common enemy. In the name of my father, the king of Erand, I propose a treaty between us. One that I hope will not only see us through the dark times ahead but will forever bind our great kingdoms together.” He turned back toward the king and his children and said, “And to seal our treaty and ensure the bond between us lasts forever, I ask for the hand of your daughter in marriage. I hope the love we will share as husband and wife will lead the way for all of our people throughout the coming age.”
The crowd hushed as the king looked to his daughter. Seeing the great hope that was in his eyes, the young princess realized her fate was already sealed. Her father needed this treaty not only to keep Belarn in check but also to shore up their own kingdom. Trade relations with the Old World were worse than they had been since the wars between them over five hundred years ago. Her father was looking hopefully at her. It was her duty to help ensure the welfare of their people. She nodded her head in quiet acknowledgement, but refused to smile back at the man that would be her future husband.
The king’s smile widened as he turned back to face the crowd. He raised his hands in a grand gesture and repeated, “May your love lead the way for all of our people throughout the coming age.”
With that final symbolic phrase, the gathered crowd cheered louder than before. Hats and scarves were thrown into the air as bells rang in the distance. The bells signaled to everyone within the city that the treaty was final and that a royal wedding would soon occur.
“There will be a feast at the end of the week to celebrate this momentous occasion. On the following morning, you two shall be wed.”
Prince Kristian and his captain qui
ckly bowed before leaving. The last look Allisia had of her betrothed was of him strutting out of the hall, his back straighter than what looked comfortable. She frowned in disappointment, knowing the rest of her life would be spent with a self-centered, uncaring bore.
Allisia sat on the lip of her favorite fountain, tossing pebbles into the murky water. A stone maiden held a vase in her hands that poured water into a pool full of lilies. The statue always appeared so benevolent to Allisia, but she knew there would be no wishes granted for her today. She could not help but feel sorry for herself. Her ladies-in-waiting had assured her that Prince Kristian would take great care of her. Besides, he was wealthy and handsome and that was enough to satisfy them.
“What do those giggling, foolish girls know?” she accused her reflection as she threw another pebble into the water. “I know what he’s really like.” Allisia had known for quite some time that her father planned to marry her off to ensure a treaty with another kingdom. When she learned that it was to be to the prince of Erand, she hired her father’s couriers to do a few other tasks while delivering messages to the neighboring kingdom. She found out what he looked like, what he acted like, and most importantly, what others thought of him. Allisia knew her life was ruined when she found out that even his father feared Kristian was beyond hope. She loved her own father very much and did not want to disappoint him, but she had often thought about running away and forgetting all about the prince of Erand.
She was startled to hear a voice interrupt her contemplation. “Isn’t it customary to throw coins in a fountain if you want to make a wish? Surely, the king’s daughter is not so poor that she can’t afford a few coins instead of pebbles?” The prince’s sense of humor did not amuse her, and she did not turn to greet him. Though he sensed he was not welcome, Kristian sat beside her and tried to comfort her as best he could. “You will like Erand. I’m sure of it. There are fields of grain that look like golden seas and forests that stretch for miles. There is space enough for everyone … even for the lesser classes. Here, I feel trapped by the hills and the ocean. You could explore the expanses of Erand your entire life and never see all of it.”
Allisia was offended by his comments of the one place she had known for eighteen years. She finally turned to look at him. “I have never seen another land, My Lord. I am sure there are many beautiful places that I will never see. But this is my home. I grew up here, and I love it. I don’t want to leave it,” she said defiantly. “And I think you’re mocking it.”
Kristian tried again to win her over, unsure of what he had done to ruin things this time. “I’m sorry. I meant no offense. Your city is a magnificent wonder. So many people have come together here because of the trade you share with the old kingdoms. It is a great cultural experience for me. And naturally, with so many people in one place there is also bound to be a significant amount of ….”
He smiled, acting innocent, as he looked back at her, but Allisia was gone. Kristian stood in embarrassment, looking for her. He challenged her, running to catch up to her before she disappeared behind a shrub wall. “Are all ladies in Duellr this rude? Do they just get up and walk away from a conversation whenever they want … from one with their future husband?”
Allisia wheeled on him in anger. “Rude? You assume much if you think I wish to marry you. I don’t. You’re going to take me far from the one place I know and love. And you offended me by insulting my city and my people. I don’t believe you know what rude is, otherwise, you wouldn’t act as badly as you do.” She looked up at Kristian with contempt in her eyes; she stood there impatiently with her hands on her hips demanding an answer.
Kristian fumed at her. He retaliated in the tone he used with everyone that was beneath him. “You assume that I proposed our marriage out of genuine concern for our future. In fact, I opposed it. If it were not for my father’s insistence, I wouldn’t be here at all. Marry a pretentious, naïve princess whose only wish is to stay hidden in her own father’s house? Indeed.”
Completely taken back by the prince’s sharp words, Allisia almost slapped him. Kristian immediately regretted saying them. He could see the scared and hurt look in her eyes and was instantly sorry. Allisia turned away from him and started to leave. He grabbed her arm gently but firmly and turned her around. He hesitated before speaking.
“Wait, please don’t go. I am sorry. Look, I admit that I oppose the treaty because I don’t feel that Belarn is the threat our fathers do. But when I saw you standing beside your father, for the first time, I felt something good might come from this agreement. I didn’t mean what I just said. I’m scared, too.” It was hard for him to swallow and even more difficult to continue, but Kristian could see that Allisia was not satisfied. “I know you don’t love me, but maybe with time things will change. I don’t wish for us to spend the rest of our lives acting like this.”
“And I am afraid that is as much as I can hope for. I am the king’s only daughter and must help Duellr in any way I can. And I love my father.” Allisia lowered her eyes trying to hide her sadness. “Well, there is the celebration at the end of the week. Perhaps we can start over then.” She curtsied and took her leave before he could reply. Kristian watched her run into the palace through a small door near the fountain.
“Why did I say that?” he asked himself, ashamed of his actions. He walked out of the courtyard and headed for the lower part of the city, not knowing the answer.
