Read The Sword and The Seven Stones: Diamond Page 22

  Chapter 20

  Nicholis got out of the bath and looked at his body in the mirror. Not a scar or rash remained. He got dressed and decided today would be the day that he joined the others downstairs. Yesterday when the guard came in and brought his son’s saddle to him, it was torn and ripped. He couldn’t believe a creature could do so much damage. He needed to go search for him because the only thoughts that have been going through his mind since he saw the saddle is that his son was laying somewhere dying. He looked out the window and was happy to see that the rain had finally stopped. Madeline told him that many perished from the flood and that she would be spending the next few days with her parents, tending to those who would need her. He knew that he could trust her now. She would do her duty to his son but right now he had to make sure that his son would come home first. He walked to the door and opened it. William stood there, waiting for him. “William, how are you today?” William smiled, glad that his king was feeling a lot better. “I am fine, Sire. How are you doing this fine day? Did you see that the sun shines bright today?” Nicholis rumpled his hair. “Yes William, I am glad that it finally does.” They made their way down to the great hall where others were already taking in breakfast. Nicholis was starving and not eating for the last two days, he couldn’t wait to eat. William took the seat beside him. After spending two days alone with both him and his sister, Nicholis decided that he only wanted those he could trust by his side. A plate of eggs, sausage, and potatoes was put before him. He attacked it and enjoyed every bite. Noman came into the hall. Nicholis saw the look on his face and knew that the news was not going to be good. Noman didn’t want to tell the king what he found out but there would be no other time to do this. Two of his guards had brought the remains in of Churil and Reed. He already had the burial setup but the king would need to see it for himself before the family could put them to rest. Noman came up behind him and whispered in his ear. William heard the conversation and knew that the king would now be worried about his son. William hadn’t seen the saddle so he wouldn’t know that the king already had that thought in his mind. Nicholis hit the table with his fist and William jumped as well as any other that sat close to them. “Leave us now!” he shouted to all of them. People got up from their tables and left their food behind. “Bring them in.” He didn’t know how he was going to feel. The guards brought what was left of them into the hall. Nicholis got up and walked over to the bodies that they placed on the ground before him. Noman brought the cover back and as William looked at was left of the two men, he felt his breakfast come back up and ran from the room. Nicholis watched as he left the room. He would never expect a boy that young to look upon something this horrifying and not react. He looked back at the bodies. The pain that these two must have endured and knowing that he was the one to send them to their deaths. “Bring them to their families and make sure they have whatever they need. Noman nodded and the guards wrapped up the men and took them out of the hall. He walked out onto the balcony and looked over the damage that had happened with the storm. People had died. As suddenly as the storm came upon them, it left. He looked out towards the mountains. He still didn’t understand what made Alman so determined to go there. He wished now that they hadn’t argued with him, that he could have talked with him and found out more of why he had this need to go there. Alman had heard the stories, had witnessed men leave and never return. Why would he put himself in that kind of situation? Did he not know that without him the kingdom would fall? After Rosemele died, he knew that he would never marry again. Even if he were to save the Kingdom, he would let it fall but he never had to let that thought crossed his mind because he had Alman. He never doubted that his son would become his predecessor to the throne. Looking over the devastation that came to their world in the last seven days, he had to wonder if he would ever see his son again.

  William watched from the doorway. Over the last two days he found that his king was actually just a man like others he knew. That he held the power over everyone in the kingdom was something that he was born into but as they played cards while he recovered from his illness, he laughed like any other and talked about the stories from the past like a parent would to a child. He was a good king and William wanted to make him happy. He knew what he had to do to make sure that happened. He left and went to his room. He took his bag out and started to fill it with clothes. He had to give back to the king what the king had given him. As he left his room, he knew exactly how to do it.

  Madeline had been up for the last twenty four hours. So many people to bury and more with sickness. Her mother was so happy when she had opened the door and saw her oldest standing on her doorstep. At first her mother thought she was there to stay but as she sat down and had a bite to eat before going out to see to the people in the village, she explained what had happened so far. Her mother cried but Madeline told her that she was okay with it. John would have his life and she loved him so much that she would do as the king bade. She told them what happened with the king and how while treating him, she got to know him. Her mother told her that she should have let him die. Then she could have come home. Madeline got up and walked over to her mother. Looking down at the worried face that had gone through so much, Madeline wished she could take it away for her. “Mama, I am okay with the decision now. He is really not as bad as everyone perceives him to be.” Her mother hoped, for her children’s sake, that she was telling her the truth. Her father looked on and was very happy that things worked out well. Madeline sat back down and finished her food then went to her shed in the back yard and looked to see how much damage had been done. She hoped that her herbs survived. When she looked at the shed, she noticed that not one piece of stone had moved and the thatch roof was just as sound as the rest of the building. It was as if the storm just went around the whole building. She opened the door and was so happy to see everything as she had left it. She walked over to the bench and pulled out the stool. Sitting down, she reach up and started to take dried herbs down. She knew she would have to bring enough with her so she didn’t have to make many trips back home to replenish. As she got everything packed up, she turned to see John Standing in the doorway. “Someone told me that you were here. I ran right over. Have you come home? Did he let you go?” He walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. He couldn’t believe it when one of the guys he had been working with to restore some order back to the village, ran over to him to tell him that she was back. He dropped everything and came straight to her. Looking down at her, he couldn’t believe how happy he was. Madeline’s heart broke more for the man she would never be able to love. “John, the king allowed me to come help the people here because he knew how much they mean to me. I am going back and I will be marrying his son. It is the only way that I will know that you will be alive. Nothing has changed.” She took a step back out of his arms. She knew saying the words would hurt him but she had no choice. She loved him too much not to. She saw the anger come over his face. She knew that this was not going to be easy. John turned away. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He ran his hand through his hair and tried to gain some composure before turning back around. Madeline knew that she was breaking his heart all over again and she wished she didn’t have to. John looked back at the woman who stood before him. She was beautiful in all ways, from the inside out and since they were young, he knew that she would be his. In a matter of days, his life was turned upside down and now she stood here and told him that she would rather be with the king’s son. He couldn’t believe this was her. He loved her and looking into those beautiful eyes, he knew that she was doing this for him. She was making the ultimate sacrifice. He didn’t care what the king would do to him. He walked over to her and took her in his arms. “I will always love you.” He bent his head and kissed her. Madeline felt her heart swell with the love that John had for her. He felt her heartbeat against him and felt like he was dying inside. He stepped back slowly and turned and walked out the door. Madeline let the tears fall down her cheek.
She turned back to her table and wiped her tears away. She couldn’t dwell on him right now. Even though her heart was breaking for the man that she has always loved, others needed her more. She filled her satchel and walked out the door.

  William had slipped past most of the staff but when he turned one of the corners, one of the maids walked right into him. “Where are you off to, young William?” Lilimae was one of his favorites. She was always kind and when he had to get something for the king, she would help him since he was new to the palace. He smiled up at her. “The king has a taste for berries, so I was going to get some for him. I know where the biggest ones are.” Lilimae didn’t have any doubt not to believe him so she told him he best get on it then because he doesn’t want to anger his king. William smiled as he went down the stairs. As he walked out the front door, he made his way over to the stables. The guards stood up and stopped him before he could enter. “This is not the place for a boy. Go back to the castle.” William knew that this would be the hardest part. “My King wants berries and the only way I can get to them and be back for the meal time, is to ride. Would you deny your king one simple pleasure? I will go back and tell him that you will deny him this.” He turned to go back to the palace and the guards looked at each other. The way the King had been acting lately, they didn’t want to be on the other side of his wrath. “Wait boy,” one of the guards called out. “Come, I will help you saddle.” William smiled and turned back around and followed the guard into the stable.