by Jude Marquez
He smiled faintly. "Any babies of yours would be beautiful," he reassured her.
"I'll try my hardest to take this burden and become queen. I will build you a library and a place for your art so that none can disturb you," Avelina said to her sister.
Lissandra threw her arms around her younger sister, "There is none better than you, sister."
"I know," Avelina said and leaned into Lissandra.
"What if he finds his preference in one of us?" Edmond asked quietly.
Of them all, he was the least prepared for the news.
"The three of us will try to take his attention off of you for the duration of his trip," Lissandra promised and smiled faintly at her little brother.
"Even you, brother?" Edmond asked Eamon.
Eamon hated how small he sounded.
"I will protect you with my dying breath," Eamon replied. "If this- repulses you so much, I will do everything I can."
"It's not that, Eamon," Edmond said. "I only mean-"
"I know. I know it's not the fact that he is a man that repulses you. Your entire life was spent here, destined to protect Stormholme. I will do what I can to keep that yours," Eamon promised.
"But-" Avelina looked up at him.
Eamon only raised an eyebrow.
"What about you?" Lissandra asked. "Who will protect you?"
Eamon snorted and gestured to his body. He was covered in scars, tattoos, and broad in places that made the tailor sigh every time he had to get fitted for new clothes. "Does it look like I need one of you to protect me?"
It was meant as a joke but no one laughed.
Eamon sighed and turned to fully face his siblings. "Let us think on this rationally. Honestly. What do we know of Crown Prince Alik? What are the rumors we have heard, what do we know of him when he came to Cerith?"
"His men would die for him," Edmond said and cleared his throat. "I have heard them say that he has asked them not to take that particular oath, that they not pledge their dying breath to him, but that they swear they will live for a true and righteous crown, one that serves the people."
"His closest friend is Issat of Nightfell. She was born an orphan but we know she is such a fierce fighter that she was taken in with the guard as a sort of... mascot." Lissandra cleared her throat and began to pull her hair down from the complicated manner it was pinned up in. Avelina batted her hands away and took over as Lissandra continued, "Alik was only a boy but it is said that when he saw the knights jeering and mocking the girl that he demanded that she be put in his personal guard or he would abdicate. The king and queen thought it was cute, puppy love or what have you, that they did it and now she is the fiercest fighter in their guard."
“She and Josette are close, correct?” Eamon asked. He paced to his window.
“I don’t think so, actually. From what Josette says, they grew up in the same place and there is a connection there, but other than that, they do not know one another,” Lissandra said. Since Cerith, Josette had been traveling but kept in contact with Lissandra as much as she could.
"I have heard that he strives to make education mandatory for the wealthy and the poor alike," Avelina said.
Eamon nodded. He heard all the same stories along with others; that the prince had a temper, that he was spoiled, and was known to fall into moods that were often unpredictable. He couldn't imagine either one of his sisters ending up with someone like that and could imagine Edmond beating someone half to death who had such an attitude. He had seen it himself while in Cerith and it only confirmed what he already knew.
"What have you heard, brother?" Lissandra asked.
Eamon looked out the window at the half moon rising over the ocean and how it turned it glassy and beautiful; a world upside down.
For some reason he did not want to speak about how he told Alik plainly that he would not protect his lands if Evander did fall. He did not want to recount how Alik looked slightly ill at the thought of losing their only protection but understood. He did not want to recount the only other time they spoke alone, about how Alik begged Eamon to find another way, any way to save Evander’s life. It hadn’t been for his sake or even his kingdom’s sake. Alik looked up to Evander like an older brother and the thought of losing him was too much to bear.
Those conversations felt like something sacred between them.
"He is singularly handsome, quick witted and has a sharp tongue for those that seek to defy the crown. I have heard that he strives to be just and is able to hit the mark for the most part," Eamon said.
“Though he is quick to anger,” Edmond reminded them all.
What Eamonsaid was not a lie. He just chose to leave parts out.
"I hear that he trains with his men daily so that while he might be untested on the field, he is not without experience," Eamon added. "I hear that he is highly regarded with a bow and arrow."
"It could be worse." Avelina murmured, low and soft. "It could be the Vresal Empire."
"Father would go to war first," Eamon said. "I would go to war first."
"Let us look on the bright side; he is handsome, experienced in arms, fair, just, and intelligent. At least he is not an ugly old man who expects us to rub his feet every night." Lissandra said.
"There are worse things." Edmond agreed.
Chapter 2
“How long do you think you can avoid them?” Lady Issat asked.
Crown Prince Alik pulled the string of his bow tight and let the arrow fly. His guard watched as he hit the center of the target again.
Early summer was warm for the northern country. The winter snow was melted and the grounds were green. For a singularly hideous castle and surrounding grounds, this was one of the few times that the lands were not ugly to look upon. There was plenty of wildlife and there was a certain peace among the trees and away from the conniving court of Grayhaven.
“It’s a large castle,” Alik mused. Though it was warm, both he and Issat still wore heavy cloaks. The chill was still in the air and it could weigh on them if they were out for too long.
“Do you know what they want?” Issat asked and leaned against a tree.
“War or marriage,” Alik said and sighed. He scrubbed at his face. He pushed his hair out of his face, hair that was longer than his father liked for the sole purpose of bothering his father.
Alik delighted in causing his father whatever kind of small annoyance he could.
Everything else about Alik remained in line with the Grayhaven fashion. He was not as thickly muscled as the soldiers he would one day command but he was tall and had an untold strength. The clothes he wore were made for the cold, gray weather of Grayhaven; a high necked shirt that laced close at the wrists to keep the weather out and thick breeches with well made boots. The ground around the Grayhaven castle was more often than not mud and it made it tricky to navigate in anything less than well made boots.
Issat did not follow the fashion of the courts, if she could at all help it. She was Alik’s personal guard, closest friend, and level headed when Alik simply could not find it in himself to be. Today she was dressed much like Alik but kept her thick cape around her shoulders whereas Alik had discarded his as soon as he could. Issat had been the sister that Alik had needed so desperately growing up when his own had disappeared like the snow melting in the spring sun. She wore her usual skirt that was cut high and thick leggings beneath them. Around her waist was a wide belt. Half of it held deadly sharp knives and the other half was occupied by her sword. She was often the only guard that Alik let accompany him everywhere. She was fierce enough to defend Alik if the worse case scenarios and the only person that Alik cared to have around him at all times.
“War with...?” Issat encouraged. Her eyes were bright with the idea.
“The Vresal army. There is word in the court that they approach the lords and ladies here, seeking to usurp the throne out from under my father. Or possibly find a weakness to assassinate him and myself and invade then,” Alik said and paused before he wen
t on, “Their encroachment into the Cerith Kingdom is a personal insult that I would like to repay.”
The excitement in Issat’s bright eyes dimmed when Alik casually spoke of his own death.
“I will be dead before that happens,” she muttered.
Alik nocked another arrow and let it fly into the target once more before Issat could gather the courage for her next question.
“Marriage to who?” She finally asked.
“There are many candidates,” Alik said and pulled another arrow from the quiver at his feet. Issat watched him warily. She wouldn’t say anything but it was easy to see that Alik was close to losing what little hold he had on his temper. “Lady Sexton would probably be at the front of the line-”
“Both myself and your mother would have to be dead before that happened,” Issat muttered and kicked at a dirt clod at her feet. Her dark braid fell forward over her shoulder and she glared at him when she raised her dark eyes to his. She was one of the few not of royal blood who was unafraid to meet his eyes.
“I would probably fling myself from the nearest turret. Let the Vresal king have the empire before it came to Lady Sexton,” Alik agreed. His next arrow hit the target.
“Aside from the court?” Issat asked.
“The Conburian court is a possibility,” Alik sighed and shot three more arrows before he put his bow down and faced Issat, “But the most likely candidates come from the Ataton kingdom.”
Issat choked on the wine she had brought to her lips. It was so violent she put her hands on her knees and caught her breath before she looked up at him. “They will eat you alive,” she said.
“I appreciate all your support, dear Lady.” Alik muttered. He had heard all the same rumors about the royal family of Ataton. They were barbarians who could barely read and lived for war and killing. They were often half dressed and were arrogant, beautiful, and angry.
What Alik knew of them from their time in Cerith, those rumors were not entirely untrue. Alik could still sea the miles of golden skin he had seen at King Evander and Alyx’s wedding. He remembered the Crown Prince stepping between him and the former king of Cerith when he threatened him
“Even the youngest princess- she is-” Issat shook her head and let out a disbelieving laugh. “Princess Avelina would break you in half without trying.”
“You do nothing to relieve my worry,” Alik snapped. He knew what the Ataton family was like. He had spent enough time in the Winchester castle to know what they looked like, what they were capable of.
“And the brothers? Should the king and queen allow such a union- of course, the eldest, the Crown Prince- his tastes align more with yours-” Issat’s words were stumbling over one another but just as she opened her mouth to clarify, Alik caught sight of a contingent of guards making their way to them. He groaned.
“Your Highness,” the man at the front said and they all bowed.
“Sir Athalos,” Alik said and clenched his teeth. There was only reason Sir Athalos, the general of their laughable army, was here.
“Your parents request your presence,” Athalos said and grinned at Alik. He knew exactly what was happening and he lived to mock Alik in a brotherly fashion.
“Tell them I have flung myself off the nearest turret,” Alik said.
“They have them all guarded,” Athalos said.
“Tell them I have run away,” Alik tried.
“They have turned your guards against you,” Athalos replied.
Alik turned and glared at the captain of his guard. The man offered a shrug.
“Tell them I have married Issat,” Alik tried.
Athalos and Issat both laughed at that.
“Fine,” Alik said and straightened his posture. “I will see them at dinner tonight.”
“I am to bring you to them right now, even if I have to tie you up and carry you over my shoulder,” Athalos said.
Alik raised his bow at Athalos and Athalos tapped his shoulder. “Here. It will only be a flesh wound but it will get me out of court duty this evening and escorting Lady Sexton to and from her rooms. It will give you time to run for a ship so you and Issat can live out your romance on the high seas.”
Alik lowered his bow and sighed. “You are a good man,” he said sadly.
“I know. It disappoints my father as well,” Athalos said. He picked up Alik’s cape and offered it to him. Alik took it and Issat took his bow. The guards followed him and Issat fell in step just behind him. As they walked up the dark steps into the light, Alik could feel his shoulders tighten.
“Breathe,” Issat murmured next to him.
It was always the same when he approached this room. Though his external demeanor remained relaxed, he could feel something coil deep in his chest, tight and hard and cold, and fought it to remain calm.
It was all Alik could concentrate on for the next period of time until they were brought to the war room where his parents waited for him. Athalos opened the door for him but stopped Issat with a hand on her shoulder. She looked from his hand on her shoulder to his face and he dropped it and held his hands up in surrender. “It is by order of the king himself.”
“She goes or we both leave,” Alik said.
Athalos sighed and shook his head. “If I lose my job, I will expect you to pay me.”
In the war room, Queen Aconi and King Alexios sat on the raised dais above everyone else. They did not look surprised when Alik entered with Issat at his side. They both bowed and Issat took several steps back as Alik took several forward. Between him and his parents was a huge oak table that was normally spread with maps but now was empty.
So it was not to be war, Alik concluded.
Alik took after his mother more in looks but his father more in taste of cruelty. Queen Aconi was slender and she had hair so blonde it was near white. Alik remembered as a child that she smiled more easily but now her eyes were distant and her smile was harder to come by. Alik had her blue eyes and fair skin. King Alexios was broad shouldered and had a round belly that often spilled over his fanciful belts. As a child, Alik did not remember him more than anything but an angry man, filled with angry words.
“Son,” Queen Aconi said.
“Hello mother,” Alik said softly.
“Alik,” King Alexios said.
“Sir,” Alik said.
“You know what this is,” the king said and held his son’s eyes for a moment.
“I suppose I do,” Alik said and put a hand to his head. “Why now?” He asked.
“Because our army needs the leadership of a man that has been to war. The Ataton kingdom can provide that to us if we provide the monetary value,” Queen Aconi said and stood. In her hands was a thick pile of paper. She set it on the table and Alik reached for it.
They were addressed to various people, all of which were of the Grayhaven court. They discussed high treason, betrayal, offers of money, positions of power, lands, title, everything and anything a power hungry courtesan dreamed of.
“They are at the boundaries of our country and only press forward. Our army does not have the experience or the leadership to battle them back,” Alexios said. He looked down on his son and his face was stony.
“So you intend to marry me off to a person that I do not know-”
“I know the royal family of Ataton-”
“I do not-”
“Knowledge does not equate love, and love does not equate knowledge-”
“I do not even ask for romance or love, simply a person-”
“A lady-”
“Of my choosing-”
“That is enough!” Alexios shouted and his voice boomed through the room and Alik shuddered and took a step back. He was angry that he was not able to hold his ground but clenched his jaw in an effort to keep himself silent.
“You will marry one of the princesses of Ataton and she will give you an heir,” Alexios went on but his voice was no less commanding. “The Crown Prince himself-”
“Barbarian,” Alik muttered. He had
not spoken to anyone, not even Issat, of the private conversations he had had with Eamon. Alik learned quickly that keeping secrets was the best kind of currency in a kingdom like theirs. And if they believed that Alik still held nothing but disdain for the Crown Prince, all the better for Alik.
“-will lead our armies and we will kill every last Vresal that stands against us and seeks to destroy our people and take our lands. And you will do as you are told.” Alexios finished.
“Well, father, I can assure you should one of the princesses find herself with child, it will not be mine.” Alik said.
“Alik,” Aconi warned.
“Give me this one thing or a bastard of unknowable blood will rule over your kingdom one day, father.” Alik bargained. “If you do not, if you insist on making this one last choice for me, then you will die regretting it.”
“Explain to me how the kingdom will be ruled when you are dead and gone. Even if there was a way-” Alexios shook his head. “No. It is this or it is nothing.”
“Then it is nothing,” Alik concluded.
“You will be exiled,” Alexios threatened and stood.
“I will see myself out,” Alik said and nodded. He bowed to his mother and turned on his heel.
“You will have nothing! No servants, no food, nothing to call your own!” Alexios raged.
“Better a beggar on the street than a whore you bargain with,” Alik said. He was almost to the door. It wasn’t so bad, he figured. There were other ways to make his way in his world. Maybe he would one day be a pirate. Maybe he would die nameless on the streets. In either event, Alik preferred the outcome to this one last choice being ripped from his hands.
In all reality, Alik knew he would end up at the Winchester court and live out the rest of his days there. Perhaps he would be able to be of use to Evander and Alyx, a scholar of some type-
“Alik, wait. Please,” Aconi called out and Alik wanted to hate himself for hesitating but he did. He put his hand on the door but did not push it. “We will give you this. We will give you this choice but the mother of the child must be royal blood. Either the princesses must bear your child or Lady-”
