Edward stopped just short of her, put his hands behind his back, looked down at her, and said, “I have considered your situation...”
Her heart sped. What about her situation? She glanced at the prince’s bodyguard.
Melee looked puzzled like he wasn’t sure why they were there. Han remained silent, but his face reassured her everything would be fine.
“I... No, Han...” Edward spoke awkwardly. “Han has convinced me to keep you as my personal guard against my better judgment.” He diverted his gaze, unsure if he was making the right decision as he continued, “We shall see how things go.” He started to head back and added, “Thank you.” Edward didn’t face her, and his voice sounded strained like he had to force himself to speak as he said, “I thank you for your protection on Pass Island and in the Temple long ago. A debt I hope to repay one sun's cycle.” There was a moment of silence then he took a deep breath as if to continue, but he didn’t. He walked off, setting for his cabin. Melee followed even more confused.
She looked to Han. Silence found her again, except for the waves hitting the ship and the wind whipping their garments. Relieved she still had her life and her freedom, Pluck sighed, feeling ashamed of what she was.
“Not what you hoped for I imagine, but it’s a beginning,” Han told her as he walked to Pluck, putting his hand on her shoulder. “There’s so much for Edward to accept.”
She muttered, “As you said, it’s a beginning.”
“Come,” Han told her as he scanned the sea. “The storm shall be here soon.”
* * *
The storm gave way to a clear morning as seagulls once again filled the sky, indicating they neared land. A sailor in the crow's nest scanned the ocean, spotting a vessel in the distance.
“A ship!” he yelled as he pointed off starboard.
Captain Brine asked for his telescope.
Fracas, Sinew, and Parry walked up on deck, hearing the alarm and squinted in the daylight.
“Is it a merchantman or a warship?” Fracas questioned as he stroked his pointed red beard.
“A warship by what I can tell,” Brine answered the Archer. “She’s flying one of the Kingdom’s flags.”
“Which one?” Sinew asked, feeling tension sweep over the crew as he wiped sweat from his shaven head.
“I can’t make out. Wait...” Brine said as he strained to see. “I see a Roaring Black Lion.”
The three High Guards felt relieved as Han came on deck with a few of his men.
“I heard we spotted a ship?”
“Yes,” Sinew answered, twisting his long mustache. “She’s flying Morgog’s flag.”
“So they’ve sent a ship to escort us to port,” Han stated as he scratched his gray beard. “I wonder if there’s been an attempt to abduct Princess Virago.”
“If not, there’s sure to be one,” Fracas spoke as he adjusted the quiver on his shoulder. “We should warn them.”
“Yes...” Ardor said as he joined them on deck. “We should meet with the princess’ advisor and commander of her guards as soon as possible.”
The ship named Dark Monarch turned and followed the Fletchings toward port. The High Guards on Breakneck stood along the starboard, swapping glares with the Sentinels who were Morgog’s royal army.
“This shall be an unstable alliance,” Fracas stated as he leaned on his long bow. “Even with the marriage there shall be strife. There’s too much blood between us.”
“Aye,” an old sailor agreed. “They sank the Sea Wind in the battle of Coral Point, during the last rush to crown an Emperor. My brother went down with her.” He spat on the deck as he cursed, “Foul scalawags, I’ll never trust ‘em.”
Parry cracked his massive knuckles as he added, “I’m up to giving the scamps a good thrashing.”
“There shall be no trouble from our side,” Han warned, eyeing each of them especially the Blond Ox. “Am I understood?”
“Yes, commander,” the High Guards replied.
As Han walked off Parry whispered, “We shall not start it, but we shall end it.”
* * *
Pluck carried a tray of cheese, bread, oranges, and wine to the prince’s cabin. Melee and Von stood without. She knocked and entered at Edward’s command.
“Here’s your meal, my lord,” Pluck stated a she noticed the Mystic Rose still cast an azure glow. She thought it was best if she stayed far away from the flower. Pluck set the tray in front of the prince.
“I am not hungry. Take the food away,” Edward ordered as he dipped a quill in an ink well and wrote on a parchment. The high sun shone in from an open window behind him.
“I’ll leave it in case you get hungry, my lord,” Pluck said as she stepped from his desk and folded her arms behind her back.
He looked up from his work and said in a stern tone, “I said take it away. Do not make me regret my decision to let you remain as my personal guard.”
She nodded, picked up the tray and wondered how she could ask him.
Edward continued writing, looked to her again, and questioned, “Why are you still here?”
Pluck stared at the Sun Oranges as she started, “I was wondering...”
He tightened his jaw, annoyed by the disruption to his writing. He had till they docked to finish his work, and he never would with her staring at him. Edward asked, “What were you wondering?”
She hesitated and then answered, “Do you remember the time when your cousins came to the castle for a visit?”
He stared at his work as he replied, “Yes, why do you ask?”
“Remember how they treated me? How they teased me and pinched my arm till I cried?”
Edward’s thoughts drifted back to that time. The girl what Pluck was known as before Han named her had just arrived at the castle. She was six and he eight. He didn’t think much of the peasant with brown hair and brown eyes and wasn’t sure why his mother the Queen sent for her.
“Why did you pick a girl to be my playmate and a toddler at that?” he demanded, turned from his mother, and pouted. “I am nearly a man, I should have men to play with not...”
“She shall be a loyal friend,” Queen Jezebel informed him as she nudged the girl closer to him. “And she shall keep you out of trouble. A prince should not get into trouble; it is not befitting your crown.” She left the girl and walked to him, turning Edward to face her. “The girl is so desperate for love. She shall give you her heart, and you need do nothing for it.”
He looked into his mother’s blue eyes as he said, “But she is a peasant.”
“Yes, and you must always remember that and remind her,” Jezebel instructed. “She is well versed in games, and she shall attend lessons with you.” The Queen lifted his chin and said to him, “My son, give her some time, if you still do not wish to have her then I shall send her back.”
He told his mother, “I shall give her a chance.”
Sun's cycles then weeks went by, and Edward grew to like having the girl around to play games and go on adventures. One of his favorites was saving the damsel from the dragon, of course the girl had to play both the maiden and the monster. As summer grew to an end, his cousins from his mother’s side came to visit. The first sun's cycle was exciting. They played High Guards and the girl was a Necrom the feared monster of magic. All was fun and laughter till his cousins knocked the girl to the ground and started pinching her arms.
“We have the Necrom now,” Philip the elder of the two declared.
“Yes, now the monster must pay for all its evil crimes,” Andrew added.
“Stop it!” she pleaded. “Don’t hurt me!” She looked to the prince and called for him, “Edward, help me!”
“Silence your pleas, peasant. The prince shall not come to your aid,” Philip told her as he continued to pinch her as red marks appeared on her arms. “Royal blood does not flow through your veins.”
“Yes, quiet your crying,” Andrew added as he kicked dirt on h
er. “You should learn your life is worthless.”
Tears ran down her face as she looked to the prince.
Edward stood, clinching his wooden sword, not understanding the feelings affecting his body. Why didn't he join in with them? Why did his face burn? The prince realized he felt outrage and clinched his teeth, remembering something he heard Han tell his men. Edward lifted his sword and charged the cousins, shouting, “Are we not honorable men?”
He caught them off guard and pushed them to the ground. The cousins looked up at him stunned.
Edward pointed his sword at them and told them, “High Guards do all things to glorify the Creator. We pledge loyalty to the crown. We swear to protect the Fletching people and property. And above all we forfeit our lives for the Royal Family.” He glared at them as he declared, “You shall not hurt any of my people!”
The cousins whimpered.
“We did not realize you liked her,” they declared. “Please,” they cowered. “Let us make our apologies.”
Edward nodded, and the cousins helped the girl to her feet and brushed dirt from her plain dress.
That sun's cycle, Pluck saw Edward anew. She fell in love with him. He had saved her. Pluck continued to hold the tray of food as she wondered if he would save her now from her curse.
Edward thought of that time differently. It was a moment of weakness, a childish whim, and an action he didn't wish to remember. The prince laid his quill down and started, “Yes, I remember that sun's cycle. What of it?”
“That was the first sun's cycle I realized I...” She couldn’t say it, not love... not to him, so she told him, “I gained a new respect for you.” Her ears twitched forward under her hood and her feline eyes narrowed. “I wanted you to know you’ll always have my loyalty.”
“As I should. You are a High Guard, my vassal,” he told her as he picked up the quill and dipped it in the well. “Now please take the food away.”
A shadow cast into the room as Edward set his quill to the parchment. He heard Pluck growl and saw her face wrinkled with rage in the darkness of her hood. She lifted the tray, throwing the food across the room.
“Insolent wench!” Edward uttered as he stood, slamming his hands on the desk. “What do you think...”
She rushed around the desk, pushing him aside as she yelled, “To arms!” She forced him to a side wall as she covered the prince with her body.
Melee and Von rushed in swords drawn.
“What are you doing?” Edward demanded, feeling her warm body pressed against his. She smelled of the forest and of leather.
“Remain, my lord,” Pluck ordered.
Melee rushed to the window as Von ran up to the deck.
“He’s gone,” Melee told them.
Pluck moved from the prince as she told Melee, “We can’t let him jump ship.” She set the tray on the desk as she added, “But first we must get the prince to a secure room.”
“Agreed,” Melee said as he headed for the hall. “Han’s has no windows.”
Edward moved to the middle of the room as he questioned, “Who is gone? And why can we not let him escape?” He glanced at the table, saw the tray with an arrow embedded in it, and noticed a rope dangling outside the window. “What happened?”
“There was an attempt on your life, my lord,” Pluck told him as she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the door. “We must get you into a secure room till the assassin’s caught.”
Her hand was also warm and held his firm and for some reason, he felt safe with her. She and Melee took Edward to Han’s cabin and waited. Soon a knock came to the door.
“Who is it?” Melee demanded.
“Ardor, it is safe. We caught the attacker.”
Melee looked to Pluck, she nodded, and he opened the door.
Ardor stepped in and said, “Come, my lord. He’s on deck.”
On deck, many High Guards surrounded the bound man.
Edward examined the man but didn’t recognize him. Many soldiers served in his army. He asked, “Who is he?”
“One of Fracas’ Archers,” Ardor answered.
“One of our own?” Edward uttered, surprised.
“Perhaps a spy planted long ago,” Han said as he shook his head, disgusted, and addressed the prisoner, “Are there more among us?”
The traitor didn’t answer.
“Who do you work for?” Edward demanded.
The man replied, “The one you suspect the least, and that’s all you’ll get out of me, Fletching mongrel.”
Ardor raised his hand to strike the man.
“No, take him below,” Edward ordered. “We shall get nothing from him. We shall have the Morgog’s deal with him once we land.”
Chapter Eight
Princess Virago
“Princess, please come out,” a fair haired Lady Flaxen beckoned. “Prince Edward shall be here soon. Please, we must dress you for the ceremony.”
“No!” Virago screamed as she remained in her locked room, stroking her long ebony hair. She wore a flame colored dress. “I do not wish to marry the Cretin of Fletching.”
“You do not know if he is a clod,” Flaxen said as she bit her lip in desperation. Her hair was pulled back in long braids. “I heard he is handsome.”
The princess’ room lay in shambles from an earlier tantrum. Dresses, jewelry, combs, brushes, and other small objects laid scattered about. Virago said, “I have had enough of people telling me what I am to do.” She sat in the middle of the floor, clinging to her bed post, face wet with tears as she yelled, “You are my lady in waiting... so wait!”
The thin man, standing behind Flaxen, moved to the door and beckoned to her, “Dear princess, please...” Lord Caliber leaned on his staff with an engraved wolf-head as he said, “Your kingdom is depending on you. Think of all the wealth and power you shall gain when you have the authority to make laws and judge the Five Kingdoms.”
Virago didn’t answer.
Lord Caliber massaged his temple and tried again, telling her, “Your father, King Elan arranged this marriage long ago. You shall dishonor him if you do not follow through.” He glanced at Flaxen, straightened his red robe’s gray-black fur trim, faced the door, and asked, “What about your mother?”
“Leave her out of this,” Virago demanded. “Why can you not leave the dead alone?”
Flaxen put a hand to the thin man’s shoulder, shook her head, and told him, “That is not the way. For the princess’ Advisor you are wise in many things, but you do not know how to deal with matters of the heart.” She smoothed her hand down her fiery yellow dress, bit her lip thinking, and said, “There is only one thing that may lure her out, but I do not know if it shall work.”
“Try it,” Lord Caliber urged as he stroked his long inky-black goatee. “The navy is escorting the prince’s ships into port. We do not have much time.”
Flaxen cleared her throat, praying to the Creator that this would work and said, “Edward shall have presents.”
“Presents?” Virago repeated as she perked up, moving to her door, leaned on its frame, and raked her ebony bangs from her blue eyes.
“Yes, many and costly.”
Lord Caliber jumped at the opportunity and added, “Edward shall surely turn back if he hears you have called off the wedding. He shall take all his presents with him.”
“No presents,” Virago said, thought about it, then unlocked her door, and ordered, “Do not just stand there, dress me.” She wiped her eyes and blew her nose on the handkerchief Flaxen offered as she said, “We do not want to keep my husband waiting.”
* * *
Breakneck and Waterswift docked at Stalwart Port while the Dark Monarch anchored in the bay. The prince with Han, Ardor, Melee, Pluck, Fracas, Sinew, and Parry unloaded their horses and rode to the castle with a Morgog escort while the rest of the High Guards stayed on the ships.
“I’ve never seen a Sentinel before today,” Fracas admitted.
“Look at the black leather armor they wear. It must be hot and heavy.”
“They say their armor’s hardened by the Fires of Morgog,” Sinew said. “That the capitol’s centered around these fire geysers and since the foundation of the Kingdom, the flames have yet to cease their blazing.”
Parry laughed and then spoke, “They also say their armor is the strongest in the world.” He tapped the top of his silver hilt as he said, “I have yet to see armor my blade couldn’t penetrate.”
They rode past a Sentinel sharpening his sword.
“Interesting piece of weaponry, isn’t it?” Sinew asked as he pointed to the large sword with a wavy blade. “It’s a Flamberge; it was first created to cut down cavalry and also boasted to be hardened by the Fires of Morgog.”
Parry glanced at the large sword as he spoke, “Impressive yes, but heavy and slow in battle. What else do we know about them?”
“Their royal army the Sentinels consist of three groups; Bowman, Footsoldiers, and Cavalry,” Fracas replied. “I would enjoy pitting my Archers against their Bowmen in a shooting contest.”
Parry flexed his massive biceps as he said, “I wouldn’t mind wrestling with a few of them.”
Four Sentinels glared at them.
“Move along,” Han commanded and then he added, warning them, “Quietly.”
* * *
The princess stood along with her lady in the center of the Capital. Virago wore her red flare colored wedding dress as the Fires of Morgog erupted around them, illuminating the sand stone canyon. A distance behind them, the Morgog Castle stood and in front of the castle the Great Cathedral. Virago stared at the flaming geysers in front of her.
The lady had been quiet a long time, letting her princess deal with whatever matters needed dealt with, and Flaxen said finally, “It is time.”
The princess closed her eyes, opened them, and spoke, “I am ready. This was the last place I wanted to see before we left Morgog. I wanted to burn the images of my homeland into my mind. I do not ever want to forget them.”
“Princess, you can return someday.”
Virago questioned, “Why do I fear I shall not?”
Lord Caliber entered, walking down the cobblestone path as his wolf-head staff clinked across the hard surface. He looked to the flaming geysers as he stated, “I knew you would be here.”