The cold currents carried with them a strange murmuring, an unpleasant tune of sorts. Like lines of a butchered song getting closer but hard to discern at the same time. I tossed once more attempting to gain more sleep. Soon I realized it wasn’t the wind messing with my hearing, but the little lass whose voice, barely a whisper, addressed me and Father as well.
“Good morning, My Lords,” she repeated. “Are you still asleep?” Elle asked, standing outside of our tent. Through my still half closed eyes I could barely see her armored silhouette by the light of the torch behind her. Sword in sheath, helmet on, and she wore what looked like a satchel as well. “Are you even awake?” She paused and sighed. I rolled my eyes in return as I tucked deeper in my covers. “My Lords?” She asked again, louder and highly annoyed. “Please, my lords, arise at once I say. This is important and I will not ask again!”
Father grunted as he heard her troubled voice. He looked at me as if demanding an explanation, but in full honesty, I didn’t know how many times she had called for us before I heard her or if she had said anything else. I was exhausted, not only have we had a hard journey so far, but I couldn’t find rest thinking of ways to get out of watching over her which was the stupidest reason ever keeping me awake at night.
“What is it that you want?” I responded begrudgingly, after all, she had threatened me with hellfire the night before and I had no intentions of pretending to be pleased with her. Father elbowed my side in reproach.
“Are you decent?”
“Of course we are!” I scoffed while searching frantically for my clothes at the same time.
“May I come in?”
“No!”I yelled. “You may not!” I said, staring at her silhouette as I slipped on my right boot. “What do you have against a good night of sleep?” to stall her in an attempt to put on the left one while tucking my shirt into my trousers and nearly fell on my face, twice!
“I rested plenty, My Lord, but if you need to lay back down, by all means do so,” she replied, “the trail we’re about to follow is not for the weak or sleep deprived. Either way, we mustn't delay any longer,” I looked at Father expecting him to say something, anything, so she would not enter. She sighed again. “We’re ready to depart.” She stated. “The General commands us to leave before dawn and confirm the roads ahead are clear of foes. We must ensure The Everlands’ Herald arrives in Santia unscathed.”
“Herald?” Father asked as he sat up, strapping his wooden leg as he listened.
“Yes, my Lord, he arrived not long ago with an important message he, himself, must deliver to King Behr.” Her statement was odd, after all, we too carried a message from King Tobias.
“And General Luna wishes you to travel with us?” I asked.
She grunted in desperation. “My Father trusts Lord Darius,” she explained. “You, on the other hand, he’s not so sure.”
“Let’s get going!” Father said, tossing my breastplate at me and quickly started strapping his own. “Come, come, Son, if we hurry, we may miss the snow.”
“Snow?” I asked. It was true that the temperatures had dropped overnight, but the day before had been sunny and calm.
“It's too late for that, My Lord, it’s here already!” she exclaimed amid giggles.
I stepped outside, and for a single moment I caught a glimpse of the little lass as the child she was, her head facing the sky, arms extended wide to her sides, palms facing upwards, tongue sticking out of her mouth as she tried to catch as many snowflakes as possible.
For just one moment she had forgotten the task at hand. The sense of urgency had dissipated and in its place had left a thirst for wonder and delight!
Part of me wished to be a child again and join her. I couldn’t help but smile seeing the joy on her face. Unfortunately, when she saw me staring she stopped, and in just an instant, the little lass was replaced by the wee warrior, and the glee in her eyes disappeared and instead, I found defiance.
“Shall we go, My Lady?” Father asked as he joined me outside the tent.
“Yes, My Lord. The Men are waiting.”
*****
The snow came fast, heavy, with strong North winds causing my bones to freeze further with each stride of my horse. At first the snowflakes would melt to the touch, but soon everything around us was icy cold, and a curtain of glorious white covered every tree, rock and creature.
The little lass rode with poise, her nose red with the cold, her eyelashes covered in the icy flakes which appeared as though they would not end anytime soon. Yet, her lips didn’t utter a single word of complaint nor gave the smallest indication of displeasure at the current circumstances. Was there something wrong with her? Had her limbs and tongue go numb already and she was unable to voice her discontent. “She has to be freezing,” I muttered.
“We all are, Dorian,” Father chuckled. “But the little lady seems to be enduring this weather better than you are, my son.” I scoffed.
“Father, your sense of humor amuses me. Being cold in the middle of winter is normal, being as calm as an ice pillar is not, perhaps you should talk to her. Make sure she is well -”
“Son, I can see you’re smitten with Lady Blackrose.” Father’s words took me by surprise. I turned to face him defiantly, ready to argue such a baffling statement, but the serious look in his face silenced me at once. He wasn't joking. “Let this dream go, Dorian -”
“I am certainly offended by your insinuations, Father. I cannot even stand the sound of her voice. It’s…high…makes…it makes my ears hurt. I cannot fathom to be near her for more than -”
“I recognize that look, Dorian. I once was young as well, and I looked at your mother the same way. You cannot lose sight of what we’re here for, of what truly matters.” I remained quiet.
“How can you even say something like this…she is just a child!”
“You're young as well, but will not always be so.” he paused and stared at Elleanora as if flooded with memories. “If she grows to be anything like her mother, her beauty alone could start the very next war you’d volunteer to fight on if that would earn you her hand in marriage!” I shook my head in disbelief, but there was no point in arguing with a mad man. To tell him again that I planned to never wed and that his bloodline would end with me would start an argument I didn't wish to have. I would rather take my chances among hungry wolves than to face my father’s wrath! “Soon you'll be a Knight of The Everlands. You’ll have your own destiny to fulfill.” I rolled my eyes and sighed in annoyance, but Father seemed lost in the one sided conversation. “Just like my lady will,” I looked away from him. Trying to hide the urge to ask specifically what his words meant as curiosity consumed me. I locked my eyes on her for a moment before she met my gaze and forced me to quickly look away. “She will wed the eldest son of King Behr, Prince Bahndry.”
“What?” I asked, taken aback. “I mean, that’s surprising,” I replied, clearing my throat in response to Father’s awkward glances. “Not that it affects me either way.”
“He is the heir to the throne of Santia, she is in line for Lerona’s throne,” Father paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts before continuing. “That is unless her uncle can produce an heir of his own.”
“So she could go into this arranged marriage to gain a crown for someone else?”
Father gave me a warning glance. “Together, Prince Bahndry and my Lady will reunite the Southern Kingdoms. Lerona and Santia will have but one ruler, one that is a friend to the Everlands throne and not a threat.” I was speechless again. Father’s words echoed in my ears like war drums.
“She is in line for her own throne, but has been given to a man that will sit on her throne and rule in her stead? This is insane…She is not an object! Elleanora has a mind of her own and so far she hasn’t been afraid to voice it out!” I blurted out disgusted at the idea. “Is she aware of this madness, Father? Does the little lass know she is just a pawn in this game of power?”
“Silence!” Father commanded.
“I speak the truth. If that was your daughter -”
“If she was my daughter,” Father continued, “I would expect her to do as she is asked for the benefit of her people -”
“And so it will be done, My Lords,” Elleanora said joining our conversation. “I couldn’t help to overhear that once again my future is being discussed without me having a say.”' She pulled up beside me, tugging gently at the reins of her horse as she steadied her stride.
Father lowered his gaze in shame. I too looked away for a moment before meeting her gentle gaze again. I wanted to tell her that I wouldn't allow it. That I could burn in the hell she promised me later, but that in that very instant I was her ally, I could take her to some far away land and keep her safe from such fate; I’d keep her hidden from the world, no woman should be forced to marry a stranger for the sake of her land! But I couldn’t speak, no word escaped me. She looked back towards the road and didn’t meet my gaze again.
“Apologies, My Lady,” Father said.
“Not needed, Lord Darius. I have known Prince Bahndry since I was born, he is kind, gentle, loving and brave. He will be a great ruler someday. Becoming his wife will be an honor, not a sacrifice. If I believed this arranged marriage to be wrong, I would’ve fought my own Father to ensure I was not simply traded like cattle.” She was calm as she spoke, but each word resounded with sadness and resignation. “There are worse things than marrying someone to fulfill one’s duties, my lord,” she sighed, then forced a smile before addressing my father again in a less somber tone. “We must make camp. Soon we won’t be able to distinguish the road from a gorge. We didn’t come this far to die.”
*****
We set camp quickly in a snow covered clearing surrounded by tall leafless trees on every side. The tents were positioned in a circle around Elleanora's tent, to allow her better protection against the blistering winds. She protested the entire time that such care was not needed, that instead we needed to protect the Herald, but we were sure the General would appreciate not losing his child to frostbite along with the Messenger.
“Perhaps you should stay in our tent,” I stated as every attempt to start a fire was quickly put out by the storm.
“Unless you plan to get under the covers with me, my lord, I do not see how staying in your tent as opposed to mine would be any different,” I looked at Father as if expecting him to agree with me, but she was right. I could not protect her from the cold unless I used my own body heat.
“If you shall need anything, My Lady,” Father said but she cut him off.
“I know where to find you, My Lords,” she reassured us and disappeared into her tent.
Father and I followed her example and secluded ourselves as well. I sat bundled up in warm furs, fidgeting with my fingers, feeling uneasy for some inexplicable reason. Father was quiet, rubbing his hands in an attempt to restore the heat to his fingers.
The only sound we could hear was the constant wailing of the wind, almost echoing like a frightened child’s scream. Bone chilling cries, more than the freezing temperatures themselves.
“Father?”
“Hmm,” he responded with a grunt.
“What was the name of that Prince…the one she is to marry?” His eyes turned to small slits, as if trying to figure out the intentions behind my question.
“Prince Bahndry,” he responded. “And don’t even think about interfering with Lady Blackrose’s wedding, or so help me -”
“Bahndry is an unusual name,” I said, “Quite unusual.” Father rolled his eyes in desperation. “I think I have heard it before though… sort of… it sounded closer to Fa’ndree…” I paused.
“Well, that must have been an Everlander. Those of us familiar with fieldstream can easily pronounce the name correctly.”
“Did he have a limp?”
“He does, not did.” Father corrected, looking at me with concern. “How do you know this, Dorian? King Behr has gone to great lengths not to let that fact be known.”
“I overheard two of the soldiers talk about him…with the Everlands herald.” I stood up immediately remembering the details of the conversation. “The Messenger told the soldiers that Fa’ndree The Limp was no more, and with him went his Kingdom…The Kingdom of Santia…”
“Traitors!” Father cried. His bellowing alerted the soldiers at camp, the sound of their swords leaving their sheath echoed in the clearing. “My Lady!” Father yelled as he hurried out of our tent and into hers without hesitation. He came back out, just as pale as the still falling snow. “Lady Blackrose is gone,” he mumbled as he held her sword in his hands. The wee blade was still attached to her belt, although the belt had been ripped in half. “Bring. Me. The. Heralddd!”
“Good morning, My Lords,” she repeated. “Are you still asleep?” Elle asked, standing outside of our tent. Through my still half closed eyes I could barely see her armored silhouette by the light of the torch behind her. Sword in sheath, helmet on, and she wore what looked like a satchel as well. “Are you even awake?” She paused and sighed. I rolled my eyes in return as I tucked deeper in my covers. “My Lords?” She asked again, louder and highly annoyed. “Please, my lords, arise at once I say. This is important and I will not ask again!”
Father grunted as he heard her troubled voice. He looked at me as if demanding an explanation, but in full honesty, I didn’t know how many times she had called for us before I heard her or if she had said anything else. I was exhausted, not only have we had a hard journey so far, but I couldn’t find rest thinking of ways to get out of watching over her which was the stupidest reason ever keeping me awake at night.
“What is it that you want?” I responded begrudgingly, after all, she had threatened me with hellfire the night before and I had no intentions of pretending to be pleased with her. Father elbowed my side in reproach.
“Are you decent?”
“Of course we are!” I scoffed while searching frantically for my clothes at the same time.
“May I come in?”
“No!”I yelled. “You may not!” I said, staring at her silhouette as I slipped on my right boot. “What do you have against a good night of sleep?” to stall her in an attempt to put on the left one while tucking my shirt into my trousers and nearly fell on my face, twice!
“I rested plenty, My Lord, but if you need to lay back down, by all means do so,” she replied, “the trail we’re about to follow is not for the weak or sleep deprived. Either way, we mustn't delay any longer,” I looked at Father expecting him to say something, anything, so she would not enter. She sighed again. “We’re ready to depart.” She stated. “The General commands us to leave before dawn and confirm the roads ahead are clear of foes. We must ensure The Everlands’ Herald arrives in Santia unscathed.”
“Herald?” Father asked as he sat up, strapping his wooden leg as he listened.
“Yes, my Lord, he arrived not long ago with an important message he, himself, must deliver to King Behr.” Her statement was odd, after all, we too carried a message from King Tobias.
“And General Luna wishes you to travel with us?” I asked.
She grunted in desperation. “My Father trusts Lord Darius,” she explained. “You, on the other hand, he’s not so sure.”
“Let’s get going!” Father said, tossing my breastplate at me and quickly started strapping his own. “Come, come, Son, if we hurry, we may miss the snow.”
“Snow?” I asked. It was true that the temperatures had dropped overnight, but the day before had been sunny and calm.
“It's too late for that, My Lord, it’s here already!” she exclaimed amid giggles.
I stepped outside, and for a single moment I caught a glimpse of the little lass as the child she was, her head facing the sky, arms extended wide to her sides, palms facing upwards, tongue sticking out of her mouth as she tried to catch as many snowflakes as possible.
For just one moment she had forgotten the task at hand. The sense of urgency had dissipated and in its place had left a thirst for wonder and delight!
Part of me wished to be a child again and join her. I couldn’t help but smile seeing the joy on her face. Unfortunately, when she saw me staring she stopped, and in just an instant, the little lass was replaced by the wee warrior, and the glee in her eyes disappeared and instead, I found defiance.
“Shall we go, My Lady?” Father asked as he joined me outside the tent.
“Yes, My Lord. The Men are waiting.”
*****
The snow came fast, heavy, with strong North winds causing my bones to freeze further with each stride of my horse. At first the snowflakes would melt to the touch, but soon everything around us was icy cold, and a curtain of glorious white covered every tree, rock and creature.
The little lass rode with poise, her nose red with the cold, her eyelashes covered in the icy flakes which appeared as though they would not end anytime soon. Yet, her lips didn’t utter a single word of complaint nor gave the smallest indication of displeasure at the current circumstances. Was there something wrong with her? Had her limbs and tongue go numb already and she was unable to voice her discontent. “She has to be freezing,” I muttered.
“We all are, Dorian,” Father chuckled. “But the little lady seems to be enduring this weather better than you are, my son.” I scoffed.
“Father, your sense of humor amuses me. Being cold in the middle of winter is normal, being as calm as an ice pillar is not, perhaps you should talk to her. Make sure she is well -”
“Son, I can see you’re smitten with Lady Blackrose.” Father’s words took me by surprise. I turned to face him defiantly, ready to argue such a baffling statement, but the serious look in his face silenced me at once. He wasn't joking. “Let this dream go, Dorian -”
“I am certainly offended by your insinuations, Father. I cannot even stand the sound of her voice. It’s…high…makes…it makes my ears hurt. I cannot fathom to be near her for more than -”
“I recognize that look, Dorian. I once was young as well, and I looked at your mother the same way. You cannot lose sight of what we’re here for, of what truly matters.” I remained quiet.
“How can you even say something like this…she is just a child!”
“You're young as well, but will not always be so.” he paused and stared at Elleanora as if flooded with memories. “If she grows to be anything like her mother, her beauty alone could start the very next war you’d volunteer to fight on if that would earn you her hand in marriage!” I shook my head in disbelief, but there was no point in arguing with a mad man. To tell him again that I planned to never wed and that his bloodline would end with me would start an argument I didn't wish to have. I would rather take my chances among hungry wolves than to face my father’s wrath! “Soon you'll be a Knight of The Everlands. You’ll have your own destiny to fulfill.” I rolled my eyes and sighed in annoyance, but Father seemed lost in the one sided conversation. “Just like my lady will,” I looked away from him. Trying to hide the urge to ask specifically what his words meant as curiosity consumed me. I locked my eyes on her for a moment before she met my gaze and forced me to quickly look away. “She will wed the eldest son of King Behr, Prince Bahndry.”
“What?” I asked, taken aback. “I mean, that’s surprising,” I replied, clearing my throat in response to Father’s awkward glances. “Not that it affects me either way.”
“He is the heir to the throne of Santia, she is in line for Lerona’s throne,” Father paused for a moment as if gathering his thoughts before continuing. “That is unless her uncle can produce an heir of his own.”
“So she could go into this arranged marriage to gain a crown for someone else?”
Father gave me a warning glance. “Together, Prince Bahndry and my Lady will reunite the Southern Kingdoms. Lerona and Santia will have but one ruler, one that is a friend to the Everlands throne and not a threat.” I was speechless again. Father’s words echoed in my ears like war drums.
“She is in line for her own throne, but has been given to a man that will sit on her throne and rule in her stead? This is insane…She is not an object! Elleanora has a mind of her own and so far she hasn’t been afraid to voice it out!” I blurted out disgusted at the idea. “Is she aware of this madness, Father? Does the little lass know she is just a pawn in this game of power?”
“Silence!” Father commanded.
“I speak the truth. If that was your daughter -”
“If she was my daughter,” Father continued, “I would expect her to do as she is asked for the benefit of her people -”
“And so it will be done, My Lords,” Elleanora said joining our conversation. “I couldn’t help to overhear that once again my future is being discussed without me having a say.”' She pulled up beside me, tugging gently at the reins of her horse as she steadied her stride.
Father lowered his gaze in shame. I too looked away for a moment before meeting her gentle gaze again. I wanted to tell her that I wouldn't allow it. That I could burn in the hell she promised me later, but that in that very instant I was her ally, I could take her to some far away land and keep her safe from such fate; I’d keep her hidden from the world, no woman should be forced to marry a stranger for the sake of her land! But I couldn’t speak, no word escaped me. She looked back towards the road and didn’t meet my gaze again.
“Apologies, My Lady,” Father said.
“Not needed, Lord Darius. I have known Prince Bahndry since I was born, he is kind, gentle, loving and brave. He will be a great ruler someday. Becoming his wife will be an honor, not a sacrifice. If I believed this arranged marriage to be wrong, I would’ve fought my own Father to ensure I was not simply traded like cattle.” She was calm as she spoke, but each word resounded with sadness and resignation. “There are worse things than marrying someone to fulfill one’s duties, my lord,” she sighed, then forced a smile before addressing my father again in a less somber tone. “We must make camp. Soon we won’t be able to distinguish the road from a gorge. We didn’t come this far to die.”
*****
We set camp quickly in a snow covered clearing surrounded by tall leafless trees on every side. The tents were positioned in a circle around Elleanora's tent, to allow her better protection against the blistering winds. She protested the entire time that such care was not needed, that instead we needed to protect the Herald, but we were sure the General would appreciate not losing his child to frostbite along with the Messenger.
“Perhaps you should stay in our tent,” I stated as every attempt to start a fire was quickly put out by the storm.
“Unless you plan to get under the covers with me, my lord, I do not see how staying in your tent as opposed to mine would be any different,” I looked at Father as if expecting him to agree with me, but she was right. I could not protect her from the cold unless I used my own body heat.
“If you shall need anything, My Lady,” Father said but she cut him off.
“I know where to find you, My Lords,” she reassured us and disappeared into her tent.
Father and I followed her example and secluded ourselves as well. I sat bundled up in warm furs, fidgeting with my fingers, feeling uneasy for some inexplicable reason. Father was quiet, rubbing his hands in an attempt to restore the heat to his fingers.
The only sound we could hear was the constant wailing of the wind, almost echoing like a frightened child’s scream. Bone chilling cries, more than the freezing temperatures themselves.
“Father?”
“Hmm,” he responded with a grunt.
“What was the name of that Prince…the one she is to marry?” His eyes turned to small slits, as if trying to figure out the intentions behind my question.
“Prince Bahndry,” he responded. “And don’t even think about interfering with Lady Blackrose’s wedding, or so help me -”
“Bahndry is an unusual name,” I said, “Quite unusual.” Father rolled his eyes in desperation. “I think I have heard it before though… sort of… it sounded closer to Fa’ndree…” I paused.
“Well, that must have been an Everlander. Those of us familiar with fieldstream can easily pronounce the name correctly.”
“Did he have a limp?”
“He does, not did.” Father corrected, looking at me with concern. “How do you know this, Dorian? King Behr has gone to great lengths not to let that fact be known.”
“I overheard two of the soldiers talk about him…with the Everlands herald.” I stood up immediately remembering the details of the conversation. “The Messenger told the soldiers that Fa’ndree The Limp was no more, and with him went his Kingdom…The Kingdom of Santia…”
“Traitors!” Father cried. His bellowing alerted the soldiers at camp, the sound of their swords leaving their sheath echoed in the clearing. “My Lady!” Father yelled as he hurried out of our tent and into hers without hesitation. He came back out, just as pale as the still falling snow. “Lady Blackrose is gone,” he mumbled as he held her sword in his hands. The wee blade was still attached to her belt, although the belt had been ripped in half. “Bring. Me. The. Heralddd!”