Keane stood in the centre of the Inner Ward surrounded by the King’s Guard; his guard. King Pengar sat quietly, looking every one of his seventy plus years for he seemed unusually strained in, what one would think to have been, a very joyous occasion. Something was afoot. Keane felt it… though still had no idea what it might be.
He felt claustrophobic… as if his own guards were closing in on him from all sides. He could feel hints of tension vibrating through the long spears they carried and even see it in flutters contrary to the breeze made by the embossed yellow flags hanging from their tips. Each flag bore the red Triage of Halyshae: head, heart & hand. He himself held nothing though, as always at such events, the Captain’s sword did dangle from his left side. His eyes scoured the cross-wall and drum towers searching for the source of his unease but found nothing out of place.
It was a bright day; the sun spectacularly hot considering it was three full hours before noon. Another hour and the sunshields, which thus far remained half mast, would be in full bloom deflecting the raging rays towards the blackened solar panels way off in the distance which had only just now begun to smolder.
A few late arrivals still made their way into the Lower Ward looking all the more embarrassed for having no place to comfortably stand. Keane knew the majority of them by name. They were mostly merchants, scholars and far too many notaries and lawyers for Keane’s liking. Seven doctors were in attendance which was a rare thing for even on the battlefield they often had none available. Whenever large crowds gathered heatstroke became a major concern. He’d seen to the positioning of the mist-cannons himself however and did not anticipate any chance of an overheating epidemic.
At all four main corner turrets of the castle a solar spit slowly turned above a great brass bowl to roast some sort of creature. Keane could make out the shapes of the stag, boar and bull but was unsure of the fourth…bear perhaps. The Sunspit Square stemmed of ancient tradition and was symbolic of the Captain’s Guard and how any disloyalty in particular would be dealt with.
Prince Bram entered the Bailey accompanied by his usual entourage which he dismissed with a casual gesture of hand. He bowed low before his father before settling himself into the adjacent throne. The same grand stone chair long ago occupied by his mother, the Queen… though he had never witnessed her in it for she had passed away during childbirth; his own.
Bram locked eyes with Keane for a moment then turned to inspect the new castle ballista which had been erected solely for this occasion. Alongside of it, great volleys of fireworks had been piled which would be launched later that night as the festivities continued.
Bram’s eyes turned to Keane once more before again drifting away uneasily. Keane felt an unwelcome chill wash over him. He’d grown up with Bram and knew his volatile nature all too well. He would likely have considered him his best friend were it not for Princess Stayen. He’d plunged into battle with him many times, even saving his life on one occasion though the Prince would never admit such a thing.
Keane had saved many hides amongst those in his company now and was widely renowned as the most capable warrior in the Sunship. Prince Bram was entirely unpredictable and prone to rash decisions fuelled by ego and temper. As for the two, Keane had always stood his ground whenever clashes unavoidably did break between them… and they were always quickly separated which went a long way in preserving what many assessed as “a most perilous camaraderie”.
Today King Pengar the Fair would announce whom Prince Bram had chosen as his bride and future Queen. Keane had little clue as to which maiden the Prince fancied most for their where many and he changed his mind more often than he did his silken undergarments… or so Keane joked.
Keane looked about, studying the many faces in hopes of a telltale sign. Knowing his lack of modesty, it was very likely that the Prince had told his new bride far in advance and therefore he felt her face might very likely give the news away. Keane’s eyes fell upon Princess Stayen’s where they froze for she was looking straight at him… or right through him to be more precise… as her vivid emerald eyes always did.
There was no one like Stayen. She was everything to Keane. She was his heart; his soul; his mind. He had no doubt that he could live a thousand lives and never meet anyone like her again. It wasn’t just her astounding beauty but even more so the way she interacted with everyone around her. She was fair and wise and strong and, most of all, genuine. To know her was to love her as far as Keane was concerned. For how could one not?
The Princess was one of seven sisters all of whom had been sent away to learn and study from other kingdoms before returning at some distant date to enrich and enlighten their own lands once again. Keane knew that day was coming for Steyan was no longer a child. She was a woman… a woman unparalleled in loveliness, humility and poise.
Keane and Stayen planned to marry long ago and never had either of their hearts waned from this proposal even a sliver’s breath. Keane however was forbidden to marry being a member of the Captain’s Guard. Moreover he was the Captain and therefore the only way he could be departed from his post was by dismemberment.
In spite of this, Keane cared little for he and the young princess had planned long and carefully about how they might one day spend the rest of their days together in her kingdom… a place where swords did not triumph heart and mind so easily.
Trumpets sang. Keane’s attention drawn, he watched King Pengar quickly rise and clear his throat to speak. Keane felt trickles of sweat break upon his brow as he tore his eyes free of Princess Stayen’s spell, forcing himself to turn away.
“Welcome everyone to this wondrous affair My son, Prince Bram of Halyshea, has made his choice and, after heady debate, I have conceded to his will… for most suddenly has this become a much grander day than any of us might ever have imagined… for today we find ourselves in the company of dignitaries from afar. I give you our own Princess Stayen’s parents, King Ogule and Queen Frazen who have traveled long indeed to grace us with their royal presence!”
Great cheers broke out and Keane turned to look at the Princess whose eyes he once again found waiting— though brimming with fear and apprehension this time. So, the time had come. Stayen would indeed be leaving Halyshea to return to her own lands and people. Keane steadied himself and sent a look to Stayen telling her not to fret for nothing in this world could ever keep him from her. It was a look she knew well for it had been passed back and forth between them for as long as they could recall. King Pengar continued and a bitterly cool breeze began to stir.
“Today, I am happy to say, we do not just unite two young hearts but two far way lands…” Keane felt his knees begin to buckle and the closest guard to him steadied him with a hand which he shook free roughly.
“Thus it is my immense pleasure to announce…” Keane felt the guard— his guard— closing in all around. He reached for his sword but it was pinned from his reach by seven spears at once while dozens more held his body fast so that there was no other choice but to listen to the agonizing words that came.
“My son, Prince Bram, has chosen the beautiful Princess Stayen as his bride and future Queen!”
“No!” Keane hollered trying to force his way free. He turned to look at Stayen. He wanted to tell her with his eyes that all would alright but she was nowhere to be found for having fainted straight away. Prince Bram pulled free his own sword and rose but the King stopped him with a hand. The old King made his way down the wide stone steps, making his way through the tangle of guards until he stood directly in front of Keane and his face was grim.
“Keane! Listen to me,” he pleaded soft. “I know you loved her and once, not long ago, I even considered bending law in honor of a King’s Champion… not to mention having saved so many lives of those around us. But my son has made his choice and YOU MUST let her go! I will give you little more leeway in this. You will be put in the dungeon for the night and in the morning I shall summon you before Dawn’s Reckoning an
d if you do not answer all as I would have it… you shall be released from your position as Captain of the Guard! Do you understand me Keane?”
Keane struggled to get free and tears stained his sun weathered cheeks. “Kill me now then! Kill me now for I will never give her up!”
“Then you will die by dismemberment… a very cruel and painful waste… but I swear it shall be so if you answer even one word contrary to my liking.”
“You may dismember me,” hollered Keane as they dragged him from the ward, “but you will never part her from my heart— for she and I are one and can never… EVER… be divided!”