That night Kaell searched the castle for the Princess. She was usually easy enough to track down, her wanderings being a little more predictable than she realized, he always mused. Tonight however she had done a fine job of eluding him, until he by chance spotted her on the balcony, the very same one on which she had reputedly banished the wraith. He paused and stared wonderingly at her through the small glass squares of the window frame, looking at her from the side. She wore her smoky cloak, with a collar that was lined with thick silver fur. Her face was solemn and revealed to Kaell by the light of the moons she was staring at.
As he saw her then he could not imagine how a person such as she could have so many enemies and antagonists – beneath her beauty was a gentle soul beyond compare, tempered with a fierce intellect and the pride of her heritage that made her stand up to Swarztial the way she did.
He cursed Swarztial, this time loud enough that he could have landed himself in trouble if one of the Chancellor's eavesdroppers were around. They must be madmen to oppose her and blind not to see her the way he saw her – if they could ever accomplish seeding doubt in her Kaell would have her know; she was greatly loved and none worth having in the castle desired a different ruler. He decided to disturb her peace in any case. She needed to eat after all. He went around and came out behind her through the balcony doors.
‘Highness, you missed dinner, so I made you another plate of food, only I could not find you, and now it as well has grown cold. Is it that you don’t like eating so early or before twilight?’
Shala took a moment to bring herself to the conversation. ‘There is no hunger in being alone Kaell,’ she said quietly, ‘although I thank you for your concern. I can feel it; that I’m neglecting myself, but I cannot bring myself to eat when I am worried as I am now. And I’ll not eat alone. The dining hall used to be full of people, most of all my father; his appetite and laughter was infectious, and folk would be merry around his table and sweep clean the plates of a feast.
‘Now they put plates before me that I cannot even put a dent into, and despite the kitchen’s best efforts, the food has been like ash in my mouth lately. The chairs stand empty, and I listen only to the sputtering of tallow candles and the chime of a grandfather clock. I guess the hounds or the kitchen hands don’t mind finishing off for me...’
‘You must sustain yourself Highness, you need your strength and it will not come from within alone. You must eat and feast, and if you could ever afford it, smile and laugh. Not all within the castle are mean or charged with agendas.’
‘Yes,’ is all she answered, downcast, and Kaell felt unwelcome.
‘Do you wish to be alone Highness?’ Kaell asked.
She shook her head. ‘All day I avoid everyone, but actually I cannot bear the loneliness, and I miss my father’s touch. deBella holds me when I cry, but there is not much warmth and comfort from even a heart as sweet as hers.’
For the smallest moment Kaell considered walking forward and taking the Princess's hand where it rested on the balcony railing, until sense caught up to him, realizing it was the worst idea imaginable. Hoping to distract the Princess in some way he asked, ‘Do you also enjoy looking at the night skies Highness?’
‘Yes, very much. It is a good reminder that the world is much bigger than just the boundaries of my troubled kingdom. The stars are splendid and I never tire of looking at the moons, for they change and converge, or emerge far apart, sometimes hiding slyly in a cloak of clouds if there are any, and if they are full and round it is as though they have blossomed and their light puts pilgrims at ease on the roads. You can go to any corner of the world and you’ll still find the same heavenly bodies watching us from the echelons, from the skies beyond the sky.’
‘They fascinate me the stars, because they sit in patterns as if arranged and as to their substance I cannot imagine what they really are,’ said Kaell.
‘Who can guess at it? To me they look like the Embers of the great dream that brought about existence. The kind our myths talk about when trying to explain the origin of everything.’
‘My Lady?’
‘There is a world beyond what we can see, where all that ever was and all that ever will be is placed in stasis, where the power of creation is supreme and unquantifiable. When we dream, or allow ourselves into a dream, we touch – or no, merely brush against this great place, and if we know how, we can summon the gift of power to our reality, like my hands of healing and the blessed light contained in the Seluin waters.’
‘I have never understood the dreams of the gifted houses, but then my dreams are simple. And I would say I understand the Dream of Embers even less,’ said Kaell.
‘Look at the stars Kaell. Do they not look like embers, spat out by a fire into the sky, though fiercely white?’
‘So then the Dream of Embers is referring to... the stars?’ asked Kaell, not sure that he was following.
Shala smiled and said, ‘No, not directly. I did not mean to confuse you Kaell. It is just that I like to see Dream of Embers in the stars, for I will not see it any place else as a mortal.’
‘What is it then, Your Highness?’
‘For all I want I cannot tell you, it is a legacy of Kings, and so grave a secret to bear. It's not that I wish to be a tease. But what I will tell you is that it keeps safe all the lands of the world, as well as you and I. It strengthens the Rules of Realm and gives peace where it is welcome.’
‘You sound like Master Jalson Your Highness. “You don’t have to understand it, you just need to know that it works!” said Kaell in a convincing imitation of the moody Master of the kitchen.
Shala smiled. ‘There is at least something I can show you,’ said the Princess, pointing at the southern skies so that Kaell could follow. ‘Remember those stars you saw as a crown? And I told you they were not an omen for my benefit?’
Kaell nodded.
‘If you look closely you'll see them making a curving circle within another circle, like the spiral of a slug’s shell, growing narrow toward the middle?’
‘Yes, I see it.’
‘It depicts a horn if you have the imagination for it, a ram’s horn, and it represents the Dream of Embers.’
‘A horn?’ asked Kaell.
‘Yes, a horn on which a call can be blown, to signify a gathering. Most dreams are a lonely business, the kind you and I have, but the Dream of Embers is where the mightiest of minds meet and the will of the nobles are tempered into a defence against evil. The phenomenon is not for our eyes, we cannot see it, but it is in knowing that we are comforted. Those who know show to their children the stars, and say “look up, see the horn, and see that you are watched over,” Shala laughed at herself, ‘I have said too much already, and now I will definitely not say anymore.’
‘Is a message of hope to be kept secret, Your Highness?’
‘To protect it yes, it's not a well-kept secret Kaell, but we must aspire to keep it a secret nonetheless. If evildoers knew the function and the location of the Dream of Embers, well... Only I too feel as you do, and the dream enthrals me so that I have trouble guarding my mouth and not telling the world about its greatness.’
‘You are very passionate Highness; I wish I could spend as much time with Scholar Naceus. I need to learn more about the world, and you’ve me left curious to the nature of dreams.’
Shala sighed. ‘I miss my times with the Scholar and he does not come to the castle anymore.’
‘That’s right, he lives in the east town as I can recall. Strange fellow if there ever was one,’ said Kaell.
‘Yes, having asked him he always says he’d rather stay in town, even when he is offered quarters inside the castle. I never understood it because his home in town is very humble and he needs to walk far and upwards with heavy books. But then he told me he wants to approach the castle from outside every morning; see the men on the wall, watch the banners be blown by the wind as he’s allowed through the gate and come in over the threshold as a visitor, fresh and hopeful, having seen
the castle for all its glory. Now I understand, for I am trapped in opulence, and I cannot marvel at the castle living here with my enemies,’ said Shala, ‘I would very much like to speak with him.’
‘But Highness, the night is still very young and you are hungry. I will send for the Scholar and at the table I shall make sure you feast together under proper light and with good wine!’
‘It sounds good, but he too loved my father and I fear our conversation will turn nostalgic and sorrowful.’
Kaell seemed stifled. He had thought it to be a splendid idea.
‘But then I will not allow for it,’ said Shala suddenly. ‘Gather the members of my guard Kaell, those on duty at present and seat them at leisure around my table.’
‘The guard, Highness?’ asked Kaell confoundedly.
‘Yes, they would not have had dinner before their shift ends. Don't look so surprised Kaell, I have often felt home among them, a feeling not inspired by many others in the castle. They are unappreciated at times and for all their loyalty I will be equalled to them even before my rule comes to so early a twilight. And then Scholar Naceus and myself will have too much company to be sorrowful.’
‘As you wish Highness,’ said Kaell with a broad smile, ‘the kitchen fires will be lit and all the hands I can muster will be called!’