Chapter Four
Meeting of the King
I tossed and turned, for my dreams disturbed me. I stood in a fog, searching desperately for a way out, calling for Sareta, Falco, Turstan… No one answered. I was alone in the haze.
Slowly a scene emerged before me: a wondrous place where beauty abounded; luscious green pastures; paths, alit with multitudes of flowers, around a large blue lake. Across from where I stood, a grand waterfall sprayed water upward in a mist of air while the water poured off the edge of a huge cliff. My ears heard chatter and laughter of children. Turning, I smiled as colorfully dressed inhabitants of this astonishing place appeared. Happy. Cheerful. Warmly greeted, I recognized I was in a place that seemed vaguely familiar.
Outside the gates of a majestic castle, I stood. I looked around, feeling out of place in clothes I wore, nothing more than a gray tunic. An older woman walked by me and waved her hand in front of me. Instantly I wore an elegant sapphire gown adorned with diamonds glittering in the sun. I felt wonderful. Looking upward, the gates opened.
I smiled widely, but before I took a step within the opening I halted. A richly dressed man ran by me, knocking me down. Stopping, he bent down to help me back up.
“Run, Kela,” he said. “He will devour you. Run quickly.”
“Why would I?” I questioned. “I do not run. I protect.”
“My niece, daughter of my beloved sister, Eufamia, I know well who you are and where your destiny lies, but it is not now. Trust the words of your Uncle Halmir. Do not tarry.”
I recognized him when he spoke his words. “Where am I, uncle? And who is set to do me harm?”
He looked back over his shoulder. Then spoke in a whisper. “You have been called to see, to understand…there is no more time…he will soon know of your appearance…tell all that Thardalf betrayed us. He called forth Asmeodai from the darkening chamber…no one is safe, no one: not only Withelegheans, but also Sordarins, everyone…Cyaika has already crossed. Asmeodai is assembling an army for assimilation. Waiting for the sign…” His face grimaced as visions relived grisly, gruesome scenes.
“I don’t understand…I don’t understand,” I cried, glancing over my shoulder. Looming in the distance, a cloud of dust began to spread far and wide. Turning back around, all had changed. My shock could not be hidden. The sun had set and the land lay in gloom, gray skies. Gone were the luscious green pastures, displaced with a barren land and dust over the desolate terrain; the laughter and chatter replaced with unending screams and cries.
The walls of the castle crumbled, exposing a burning fire. Flames erupted. Within the blaze of fire and smoke a loathsome creature emerged. He peered with red luminous eyes at me, beckoning to me. Instantly I was overwhelmed by a great evil. Closer and closer the figure came toward me. Sordarins, courageous and valiant, were not cowards, but I could not move, for a terror seized me.
Suddenly within the haze a voice called to me, a warm, safe voice. “Kela!”
“Mother!” I cried.
Light illuminated around me; a faint outline of a figure emerged. A warm smile on a beautiful face of one long gone, but never forgotten. Oh, never forgotten.
“My child.”
I heard the words and wanted nothing more than to follow the voice. I moved toward the light. I wanted so desperately to run into the light. As if frozen in time, I was no longer afraid. I called out again, “Mother?”
“Halt, Kela. Do not come any closer. You can’t come within. I have only moments. Listen, my precious. Do not forget the words I will utter. Do not let go of the past. It will lead to the present. Do not let go of your siblings. They will have need of you. Trust your instincts and let them guide you. Search out Seilda the Tvopac. She will guide you. You aren’t prepared as you should have been, but all you need you have. Find your path, Kela. Do not falter, my darling daughter…”
“Mother!” I cried, watching the light dissipate from my view. “Mother, don’t leave me!”
The light dissipated. I bolted straight up in a bed. Sunlight filtered in through an open window. Confused for a moment to where I could be, I looked down. Sareta lay beside me, asleep. Olaf lay curled up at the foot of the bed. Where was I?
Sareta stirred. “Kela, you are awake?”
Breathless, I nodded while memories of my dream, my vision flooded back to me. Calming myself, I reached up to my forehead.
“Yes, Sareta, but where are we? Where are Falco and Turstan?”
“I have been told nothing, but know all.” Sareta smiled at me in a knowing manner. I relaxed, for she seemed content. “I’m glad you’re awake. I had been scared you would not do so. You expelled so much energy that night. I didn’t know if you were injured.”
“It still hurts, but it is better. That night, you say. How long have I been asleep?’
“For three days,” Sareta said simply. “Turstan has checked upon you constantly. I believe he still feels the need to care for us, but they have sent him back within the Royal Wings. It was the Royal Wings they sent.”
“Sent? I don’t understand,” I said, lying back down for a moment.
“I’m not sure they know what to do with us,” Sareta squirmed, stretching her legs. “I’m not supposed to be here. They had placed me within the castle with Gunilda. I believe they are to place me with our aunt. We have an aunt, Kela!”
Glancing around, fear gripped me. The room was clean, but small. We both lay on a cot. There was nothing else in the bare room that had not even curtains on its window, except a wooden chair.
“Then where am I, my sister?”
“I’m not certain. They have been arguing about you for some reason, of which I’m not certain of. But it is my hope they place you with me. They have to. Do they not?” she said with her smile. Her face had more color within it, more energy. She tilted her head and swung her small feet off the bed. “I’m certain you impressed all with your display. It is all any one is talking of, but it is confusing. For some reason others talk as if it was Falco who did so. But Falco and Turstan couldn’t have been more pleased with you.”
“Where is Falco?”
“He is enjoying himself immensely down at the barracks. They wasted no time. He is training to become a true Sordarin. But, Kela, all is not as it seems,” Sareta said. She jumped down upon the floor. “They have certain expectations now of us.” She walked over to a wooden-backed chair. A simple wool gray dress sat upon it. Sareta winced upon the sight. She thought for a moment. She unfolded the dress and it became a beautiful blue dress with designs embroidered along the front. “You should look like a lady in this. Do you not think?” Sareta laughed.
“It’s not funny,” I responded. Without explanation, an emotion gripped me. “What is not as it seems, Sareta? Hurry, for I feel we don’t have much time alone.”
Rapid footsteps could be heard hammering down a hall. Sareta reached for my hand. “Do you want to leave? We, two. We could go upon our own. We can’t be separated. Not yet, Kela.”
“I know, Sareta. Mother…Mother told me as I slept,” I whispered. “I will never abandon you. Stay. I will deal with all.”
Suddenly, the door sprang open with Sareta and me staring at a quite disturbed Sordarin. An elderly gentleman - his wings had faltered, over time or injury, I wasn’t certain - but by his robes, he was a man of importance.
“Mother of all!” he exclaimed. “How did you? How could you?”
The aged Sordarin gripped tight the frame to the entrance of the room in an attempt to catch the breath he had lost in his haste. “I thought someone had captured you in some manner. You, young lady, are my charge. You can’t leave my suites in the castle.”
I walked protectively in front of Sareta. “Excuse me, my lord, but this is my sister. We have always been together and have no desire to be separated.”
“It is not a choice, young lady,” he responded indignantly for someone of such youth to talk to him such. “She has to return immediately.”
> I eyed him with a reflective gaze. He ignored me and reached for Sareta. A mistake! I flicked my hand ever so lightly. Immediately, his hand propelled backwards.
“I don’t think so.”
Sareta smiled, inching back behind me. The man stared intently at her, but I didn’t relent. From behind the man, a woman appeared, a dark skinned older lady dressed in a simple cream tunic down to her ankle with a leather belt tied at her waist and a head dress.
“Lord Pigoc, the children have gone through much and I’m certain they are confused. It’s all understandable. Why do you not let me ready the young lady? You found the little one. She is fine and seems content with her sister. Does she not?” she said in a graceful manner. She walked to my side with an elegance I had rarely seen. “King Edulf asked for me to prepare the young lady when she awoke. What harm can come?”
“The little one can’t walk the grounds as such. King Edulf stated…”
“I’m certain they can travel, as the young one obviously did to enter within a guarded bed chamber without being seen,” the woman answered. She gently maneuvered Lord Pigoc out the door. “Give me a couple of hours and I’ll have both prepared.” She gave him no time to respond and closed the door behind him. Then she turned with a tender expression. I liked her almost instantly. “Let’s see what we need to do here.”
As promised, I prepared to meet the king. I stood outside a grand hall waiting to be summoned, adorned in the blue dress Sareta had given me. Sareta had only with the greatest reluctance returned to her suites. I was certain I would meet her again, to come before our grandfather as sisters. To my dismay, I found I was destined to meet my grandfather alone. Standing in the massive hall, I felt small, insignificant. I had a sudden need for Turstan and Falco. I sighed heavily. Why was I apart from the others?
Answers to my questions were elusive. Even the hospitable woman who seemed to be in charge of my well-being could tell me little, introduced as only as Lady Faileuba.
“For the moment you are a guest in my home,” she said kindly. She turned to one behind her and called a bath for me. “King Edulf wants you within my house. I know my home is not the castle, but I’m certain the king has reasons for such. My husband serves in the Royal Guard, as does now my grandson, Cono. He was the one that brought you here. I don’t know if you remember much.”
I nodded, taking in my surroundings in the large house. Faileuba’s husband must hold a position of power, I thought, to own such a home. The house was made of brick and had a high wall around it. The entrance of the house had a long walkway, which gave way to a wide wooden gate opening into a lane. The many rooms were well furnished and I found Faileuba had many servants who waited upon her.
But my concern laid not where I was to stay but keeping all together. Sareta had tried to contact Falco, but he seemed content. I could well imagine Falco was where he had always dreamed of: not being surrounded by his sisters, but in a group of warriors. He ignored us. I will take care of him later, I thought.
Lord Pigoc had returned to walk me over to the west wing of the castle, Yucca, a grand unyielding, imperishable fortress. From a distance, Yucca loomed as a massive gray stone fortification.
“The grounds are extensive, my lady,” he explained on our walk, which was a greater distance than I first imagined. “The castle lies secure upon the cliffs. The only way to enter is from the sky. The back opens up to open ground. Along the squares, the homes are arranged to the west. To the east lie the barracks, storehouse, armory, and treasure house. All along the mountain cliffs are the homes of the Sordarins, opening beyond the Preda Range to the Saquasha Range. The land of Scarladin is vast and widespread.”
I caught a glimpse of the bailey when we entered the massive stone castle. Flowers abounded within, along canals of water. I caught scent of gardenias in the lustrous garden. In the middle I could make out a huge statue of a Sordarin by a fountain. From my view it seemed peaceful, serene.
“There is much to remember when meeting His Highness,” Lord Pigoc explained while we walked. I wondered why he seemed nervous. Was I not the king’s granddaughter? “Keep your head bowed until he acknowledges your presence. Don’t speak until spoken to. Nod only. It will be brief, I hope.”
Lord Pigoc led me through the front sandstone pavilion. Two large wings encompassed the austere entrance with three towers reigning over the cliffs. The hall was lined with portraits of kinsman who had ruled in the past. I wondered briefly if my father was among the portraits. I wanted to ask, but Lord Pigoc gave me no opportunity, having walked fast by all. Tapestries hung down upon the stone walls. Fenestral windows with lattice frames that were covered in fabric allowed light in or drafts out.
The Great Hall seemed to have been annexed at a different time. It wasn’t made of stone, but the ceiling was made of stucco with gilt-leather hangings. At the entrance, a gilt bust was placed for all to admire. The floor was made of marble and hangings of blue damask covered the wall.
No sooner than I had entered, I caught sight of a small group of visitors leaving. They weren’t Sordarins, but walked with seemingly great importance. The tallest of the group looked back. My heart beat rapidly. I knew him. My eyes glared. He was of the band at the river. The prince, I remembered. He began to walk gingerly toward me, even more handsome to my young eyes than I remembered. Dressed in a regal manner, his eyes greeted mine with a sense of satisfaction within them. He bowed to me while the others followed, uncertain of his destination.
“I believe introductions are in order, my lady. Prince Pieter de Folur. It is good to see you well. I understand you have had quite the adventure, but it must be satisfying to know that you are back among your people,” he said. Without warning, he took my hand and kissed it. “I’m happy to have had a hand in your return.”
“How did you?” I uttered trying to hide my confusion. “How would you know...?” My voice faded. Warnings recalled gave me pause to talking to this stranger.
“Let us just say that I realize that the rumors of your existence held truth to them,” he said simply. “I have always held interest in such. This time it paid off, did it not?”
He smiled at me, but from behind him a guard appeared. “My lady, Your Majesty requests your presence.”
Prince Pieter let go of my hand with the greatest reluctance. “Your grandfather desires to see you. I’m certain we’ll be seeing each other again.” He bowed and waved his hand in a manner of departure.
Disturbed, for a feeling surfaced within me that the man knew more about me than I did myself, I stared after him.
“My lady.”
I turned back to the guard and followed him within.
"King Edulf, filia Mithelk of Scarladin, soror ejus Falco of Scarladin, Kela Monicalia Flandigana Calledwdele,” the guard announced loudly.
Apprehension grew upon each step I took. In the far corner of the room he stood, proud and grave at the moment before him. Forgetting the instructions to lower my head, I met his eyes. Nervously, I pressed my hands against my dress. I felt uncomfortable dressed such, but Sareta assured me I looked beautiful. The blue accented my eyes, Sareta said. She had placed a butterfly hairpiece in the middle of my thick auburn hair. Sareta enjoyed such things, things I had not for the time.
I studied my grandfather as he approached, as I was certain he was me. I searched for something familiar, but for the life of me, I found nothing. Had I not been four upon my parents’ deaths? Would I not have met my own grandfather?
He held himself tall and muscular, appearing younger than I had imagined, even with his long white hair and bushy eyebrows. For some reason, I had deemed him ancient and frail. That was not the man before me. He seemed a man ageless in time.
He had only a simple leather string tied around his forehead to hold his hair back. His eyes were grey as a clear evening sky. Lines were many upon his aged face. He had the look of a tried warrior, one not only in strength but valor revived. He had not dressed for
a formal meeting, wearing only his tanned pants and the leather straps criss-crossed over his broad chest. His sword sat secure within its place around his waist.
King Edulf motioned for me to walk to his side, dismissing all except for one. The Sordarin must have importance, for he carried himself thus. Tall, dark, and muscular, his manner gave way to a semblance of intelligence surrounding him. I imagined he must hold council with my grandfather. He gave me a slight smile, but when I turned back to my grandfather, if I expected a semblance of emotion from him in seeing his once seemly dead grandchild, I was to be disappointed.
“So you’re Kela, a Euchoun?” He looked upon me. “I understand you almost wiped out my entire Royal Wings. I send them to retrieve you and you almost destroyed them.”
Instinctually, I took a step back. Had I heard his words correctly? Reprimanded for my actions! I stared wide-eyed at my grandfather. Sudden emotions overwhelmed me. My eyes flamed. How dare he question me! We had no knowledge he was coming for us! I had only done what was within me - protect!
King Edulf rubbed his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. He seemed greatly agitated for having to deal with me. “Your upbringing has been sadly lacking! I know not if it can be saved at your age. What are you, child? Twelve? Thirteen? If you were male, I would know what to do. There are consequences to such actions.”
“My lord?” the other asked. He looked strangely at his king. “Of what are you saying? I thought we had talked about a course of action.”
“Lothar!” King Edulf declared suddenly and loudly. “I have not decided a course of action, but think not I will be questioned in front of a subject. I have to decide an acceptable solution.”
I stood speechless. I might not have expected a warm reaction, although I had long thought it would have been. My eyes grew large. This man, king, couldn’t abide being in the same room with me, his own grandchild, that much I was certain. I stood now as if I was an inanimate object.
“She needs to be taught quickly about the ways of the Sordarins. If she is indeed what has been proclaimed to be, she has much to learn. A Euchoun protects, not does harm upon us. It should well have been within her instincts. It may be she hasn’t the instincts within her. She will have to be developed. The East Tower will serve as her quarters. We’ll start with a month of bread and water and a strenuous schedule of lessons.”
“My lord,” I spoke. At first in a low voice, but while my courage grew, so did my voice. “Who are you to question my actions? Why would I assume that your guards descending down upon my home were friendly? They tore through the roof. No one knocked upon the door, but instead tried to ram it. Turstan for years talked of nothing but the grandeur of Sordarins. My father was one, but do you not comprehend that he was betrayed by such? My father is dead because of trust of his own; my mother betrayed by your minister. So tell me once more about my actions.”
Silence ensued within the room. King Edulf stared at me, intensely unhappy with my outburst. He stood straighter and seemed suddenly to have grown taller. With a flick of his hand, he called for a guard, who responded immediately. The guard reached for me.
Thoughts ran rapid within me. He was dismissing me, rebuking me. Was he sending me to the tower? Anger built inside of me. I would not be treated so. My hand raised and repelled the guard’s touch. Tears welled in my eyes. Where was Turstan? I wasn’t going to stay thus. I would leave with Sareta…Falco.
From behind me a voice emerged. “My lord. I beg your forgiveness,”
Relief flooded me, for it was Turstan. He spoke loudly. “I’m afraid proper etiquette I taught not, but the girl can fight. I can assure you, my lord.”
A well-groomed Turstan walked toward me. He had cut his beard down, washed and dressed proudly with the Royal Guard uniform. Without thinking, I ran toward him and he took me in his arms.
“I want to go home, Turstan,” I whispered. “I don’t like it here. Sareta is better, stronger. We can leave.”
“No, child,” he said softly, his arms outstretched. His hand touched my cheek, wiping back escaping tears. “Your place is here. Sareta is better because we have not need of her magic continually. For years she has been drained. She is in no shape to do such. Don’t ask her. We will have to deal with all. It’s time to stop running.”
“He doesn’t like me, Turstan,” I said in a whisper, glancing back over at Grandfather. “He’s mad with me. He’s placing me in the tower.”
“The tower? Why, in all that’s holy?” He looked doubtfully behind me.
“I will not be questioned about my actions!” King Edulf declared. He looked upon me, grave and stern. “She is supposed to be a Euchoun! A Euchoun would never behave such! Discipline! Honor! Duty! A tiny waif of child! A girl! Where does her strength lie if we had demand of such? Tell me why, Lothar, I would hold back from sending such to de Folur as was requested to Brixtone to honor our agreement, if she cannot perform as a Euchoun?”
Lothar walked between his king and me. He motioned for the guard to leave. I stood quite motionless. What was his meaning of his utterance of sending me to Brixtone? Panic swept through me. Was that what the prince meant?
“Tell me quickly, Lothar. My patience is wearing thin!” King Edulf demanded.
“My lord,” Lothar answered. “I have tried to explain I wouldn’t commit to such until we know more. I have urged caution from the beginning of de Folur offering such information. We have seen only a glimpse of her power. Do you not believe he is after such?”
I stared blankly at the man in front of me, the man that by blood was my grandfather, leader and ruler of the most powerful land. Trying desperately to make sense of all, all I could feel was his hatred toward me. My eyes broke from him. He began to rant. His temper raged at me.
“I’m tired of all of this. Falco is back as heir. Sareta holds form as her mother. But to tell me that this one, this tiny girl, almost destroyed my Royal Wings…that I don’t believe. Her brother must hold the bond. He will be able to develop.” With a heavy heave, he sighed and then took a deep breath in. “But Lothar, you are correct, I must tread carefully or I will be tricked by Brixtone.” He eyed me with an intent stare. “Yes, Lothar, de Folur ….”
I stood silently, but my eyes bore out my confusion. I felt my heart pierced with the keenness of the king’s glance. My own blood held me in such contempt. For what? Why?
Turstan grabbed my shoulders and turned me to him. "Kela, what is going on? What have you done?"
"Turstan," I said in a voice no louder than a whisper. "He hates me, Turstan. He will accept Falco? Sareta? What have I done, Turstan, to incur such hate from my own grandfather? Turstan, we can't be separated."
Turstan glanced across at his ruler, the one he pledged to serve and protect, but he had done the same to his son and wife. His oath he had made to my mother bound him to the children, for he understood it wasn't undone.
"My lord," Turstan countered, in an attempt to alleviate the tension. "I thought I had explained all to you in vivid detail. You have ignored all I have said as if all we have endured was for naught! What do you believe happened to your son? The entire unit I was assigned? You would betray your grandchildren. And in the end, your country."
"Lothar, hold to Turstan. I do have questions about my son's death. It may well be it is you, Turstan, who have betrayed all." King Edulf turned his full attention upon my guardian. "How is it you were the only one to survive? Yes, I believe it is what I will do. Get to the bottom of my son's death."
"Then may I suggest, my lord, that we listen. I beg patience. All has come quickly. You now have the opportunity to ask. Kela and Falco were there that night. Did you not hear her utter it was the minister? For your own good, we need to take all slowly. There is much to adjust to. Find the meaning of all. We have long suspected a threat is looming upon the horizon. To dismiss all would be a fatal mistake," Lothar said in manner of stating a fact.
King Edulf glared at me, his granddaughter. His ego would never let him rel
ent in front of me, this I realized.
"Get her out of here immediately. Do not begin to tell me that the fate of Sordarins lies within the hands of that weakling! Look upon her, Lothar. She is trembling! Her eyes water! Get her out of my sight! I will decide upon my course of action. Since Turstan seems reluctant to stop acting as a wet nurse, take him with you!"
Relief flooded me. I was dismissed. I may have not understood anything of his ramblings, but a weakling? Never! My only desire was to leave the company of this despicable man. I held my head high departing the room and didn’t look back.