Chapter Five
Fight of Archnidean
The morning dawned once more. I rose from my bed, taking care not to wake Sareta. I pulled the thin blanket and tucked it around my sister, who again within the night had found me. Although still within the home I had first been taken, I had been moved; now I was held as a servant in the household, banished from the castle I had never known. I had been given a small room across from the servant quarters similar to the one I had had before, but I believed it was only because of the fear that Sareta would turn up beside me that I had a room to myself.
Lady Faileuba had been most kind. Although her husband, Lord Lothar, and she had no desire to incur the wrath of King Edulf, I don’t believe they thought the king, in truth, wanted his granddaughter to become a common servant.
But with all, I was confused and within my heart I understood not the method behind my treatment. Was I not a Euchoun? A warrior? At night when I lay my head down upon my bed, I would remind myself of the fact warriors did not cry, but survived. Turstan instilled within me as much.
I hadn’t uttered a word of complaint, but wondering of why I was being treated in this manner weighed upon me. The unfairness of it all! But Turstan had urged me patience. The king, he said, felt I had disrespected him. I would have to pay the cost of such behavior. Falco, I hadn’t seen since we arrived within Yucca three months hence. Three months since I had sustained the fury of the king. Falco hadn’t even tried to contact me when I turned another year. Sareta told me, in all, King Edulf had commanded none use my name.
“Please, Kela, do not hold it against Falco. Grandfather will not let him see you. In that I have heard,” Sareta confessed upon the day I passed into my thirteenth year.
“It has not stopped you,” I countered.
Her eyes lowered, escaping my gaze. “I fend ignorance, sister. I need your strength. I can’t be kept from you. I feel your need for me also. It calls to me and I can’t ignore it.”
At least I had my sister and, in time, I would reunite with my brother. Of that I was determined. My anger now seethed against the king. I had ceased calling him Grandfather, for he had shown me no feeling of such.
In truth, though, I had begun to wonder if I should relent and beg for forgiveness to the king. Not that it had been asked of me, but this time away from my family was taking a toll upon me. Surely the king would forgive me. Did not my family have need of me? A plan began to formulate within me. I could take no more, deciding upon swallowing my pride. I would humble myself before the king. The problem now lay with how to gain audience.
Washing myself before the day, I glanced over at Sareta once more. I would let her sleep a tad longer before waking her and sending her back. For some odd reason, her presence, even in sleep, gave comfort to me. Patting my simple gray tunic, I walked out the door, shutting the door quietly.
The house was large with many servants. In all, a pleasant, comfortable place to live. I found myself envying the family and wishing I lived with my family in a house such as this. Living as a servant, I learned much from the other servants in the house about the family. Lord Lothar had come from the Lanka tribe. I didn’t know a lot about the tribes that made up Scarladin, but I had heard of the Lanka tribe from Turstan. Proud and true, they were a dark skinned race, renowned for their valiant warriors. I didn’t ask the position Lord Lothar held. It mattered not to me, but, with all, I surmised he held a position of importance.
From these whispers, I learned Cono, the warrior whom had flown me to Yucca, came from this house, but his mark was Brixtone. Cono came at times to see his grandmother, causing a stir within the house upon each visit. The servant girls turned to silly, giggling idiots upon his appearance, not even talking coherently. Yet they waited upon his every want.
In my youth, I suppose I could not fault their actions. Cono was ruggedly handsome without question. He seemed much older than Falco, for he walked with the air of confidence that only time seems to give, but, in all, I learned he was only a year older. Already the winds carried the tales of his bravery and courage. Yes, he was a magnificent warrior with his bulging muscles, broad chest, and the most telling of eyes. I watched all from the shadows upon his visits, hiding from those telling eyes. With his actions, I realized he reveled in this treatment.
From the keeper of the house, Allersaka, an old woman whom had served the house since her early life, I learned much of the family of the house I served within.
“Lord Lothar and Lady Faileuba had only one child, a son, Pers. He was a valiant Sordarin warrior. He died in a battle along the border of Scarladin and Brixtone. An arrow to his unprotected chest. It was thought he was betrayed, for he wasn’t wearing his armor. The house fell into deep mourning for his loss. The darkness only lightened upon the discovery that Pers had left a child. Unbeknownst to his parents, he had married, but had done so in secrecy. His bride, Crestiana, came from the Brixtone royal family where it was forbidden to marry without consent of the King of Brixtone. You cannot imagine the shock of discovery of his lordship when he learned his son had left behind a child.
“A lone maiden, Helena, Crestiana’s cousin, arrived upon the steps of the house carrying an infant in her arms with the tale of his existence. The poor maiden carried only the babe and a letter: a letter that Master Pers himself had written before his death in case something happened to him. He worried about his wife and wanted her to be given entrance to the house if fate didn’t allow him to bring her. Fate was cruel; Crestiana died within hours after giving birth. Her last actions sent young master Cono to his home here. She feared for his life.
“Helena journeyed the treacherous path to Yucca, climbing even the steep incline of the mountains with the young one. By the Great One, she survived with Cono. She stayed a year ensuring the health and safety of Cono and then returned to her people.
“Cono looks as his father. And has never questioned he's a Sordarin, although he has the mark of Brixtone upon him. He has been a source of great pride and joy to his grandparents. Lady Faileuba holds great ambition for him. She has been told of a prophecy of his greatness.”
With my thoughts, I walked down the small hall to begin my work for the day. The sun had only thus risen upon my entrance into the kitchen. A fire needed to be tended; the food prepared. Water needed to be heated for the morning baths of Master and Mistress. I was given simple tasks to perform. I wasn’t allowed to wait on the Lady Faileuba. At all times, I was kept out of sight of all visitors. So I kept to the kitchen.
In all, I didn’t mind. The room was warm and all within friendly. Although included within the talks of all around, I realized at one point that no one asked me where I had tarried from. For that matter, none asked me any questions. In turn, I offered no account of myself.
I worked diligently until after the morning breakfast had been served, being told that the Master and Lady would be leaving soon and would not be returning until the morrow. Scarladin was celebrating this day. I gave all no thought and continued my work. Then I snuck out of the kitchen, making back to my room. There would be no words to halt me.
I did so every morning. None seemed to notice. In turn, I offered nothing to call attention to my actions.
I quickly eased back within and woke my sleeping sister. As was her habit had become, she sleepily hugged me tightly, kissed my cheek, and disappeared immediately.
Smiling to myself, I once more closed my door and made my way down the hall. Before I had turned to make my way back into the kitchen, voices echoed out for my ears. At most times, I would not listen to the words but the voice I recognized. Cono! And with that recognition the utterance of my name! I paused.
“Kela? You think I come only to spy on the girl! Why do you question me, Grandmother? Is this not my home?”
“Do not play upon me, Cono! Your grandfather is no longer within the room. I know you have come to check upon the girl. I beg you, pray, don’t interfere. I worry so about you. The king has ordered her to
stay here until he has determined her course.”
“Grandmother, in that I don’t understand. Kela is…”
“Hush, my grandson, the wall has ears. If the king hears you have been checking upon her! Your grandfather says that she is to stay here during the ceremony and is not to be told that she isn’t to be acknowledged as her siblings this day.”
“Does that in itself not give you pause? I tell you, Grandmother, there is more going on here than meets the eye. If you had seen what she did, the destruction in which all laid. How can the king leave her here? She should well be within the castle with her sister. Or as Turstan proclaims, to train her as a Sordarin. It makes no sense to treat her thus."
"King Edulf has his reasons, child. Hold your tongue well, my grandson, or his wrath will turn upon you. He has looked favorably upon you until now. You dare not turn him from you."
“Have no worries, Grandmother; I come only to ease the young prince’s conscience. You’re correct in that the king has even forbid him in seeing her. He wants only to be assured she is cared for on this day.”
“Then go quickly. She is set. You have heard…”
I paused no longer. I raced down the hall into the kitchen, giving no time for contemplating - only reacting. “Allersaka,” I cried upon my entrance. “What day is today? What, pray, is being celebrated?”
“Child, in all, how could you not know? King Edulf’s missing grandchildren have been found! Praise be! The ones thought long dead. They are to be anointed this day. Prince Falco is to be heir apparent. And I have heard of the loveliness of his young sister, Princess Sareta. There is to be a Soaring…Oh, I see. You aren’t allowed to leave the grounds. Kela?”
Her voice faded into distance, for I forgot all about begging for forgiveness. I ran, determined that none should stop me.
My mind raced with thoughts. Falco hadn’t forgotten about me! Yet in the next thought, I was dismayed. My siblings were to be acknowledged this day. And I? I had to get to my siblings. We had to leave this place. We were being separated and above all that couldn’t happen!
I ran out into the gardens, giving no thought to its beauty. I heard a commotion behind me, but only focused on what was before me. A tall encompassing wall: a barrier between me and freedom! A moment later, I raced toward the gate, having blasted my frustration. I climbed frantically over the rubbled stones. Above me I could hear the flutter of wings. I turned. For an instant I set to blast, but I hesitated. And with hesitation came capture.
“I suppose I should be thankful you didn’t blast me,” Cono said harshly. “But what in all blue heavins are you doing? Trying to be imprisoned?”
At first I glared at him in awe. He was, in truth, a glorious warrior. I had been within his arms before but it had been in the midst of the skirmish. Here the sun gleamed behind him. He seemed to glow. His strong arms held tight to mine.
Finding my voice, I answered solemnly, “I have gone to retrieve my family.”
His intense eyes questioned me. Tilting his head, he looked at me strangely. “I take such you heard my words. Do you not reason that you will not reach them in this manner?”
From behind him I saw others gather: the servants’ faces shocked and in wonder of all before them. Nervous perchance, but it was the warriors that caught my attention. Their hands held to swords drawn toward me. I gritted my teeth at the scene. Immediately, Cono whispered low for my ears.
“Do not, Kela. It will gain you nothing.”
I turned to face him, staring him with rage ignited within me. “Who are you to dare tell me what it will gain me? I have tried to comply, but to no avail.” Heaving heavily, my chest burned with my fury. “Release me. At least then I go down as a warrior instead of sniveling coward. Let go of me.”
I felt power surged within me. Again my eyes…but suddenly Cono shook me. “Prince Falco sent me. Kela, your brother…”
Just the mention of his name, his concern weakened me. Devil beat all! My eyes watered while I felt the anger dissipate, replaced with an overwhelming sense of longing for my siblings, Turstan, and even Gunilda. Then, without warning, a sensation swept through me and I was not where I had been. When my eyes focused, I stood staring at my brother.
“Falco,” I whispered. My breathing became rapid. I couldn’t manage more than the faint cry. My eyes glanced around the room. Not to my surprise, my sister walked through an open door. A wide smile emerged upon her beautiful face. She broke toward me. She must have called to me in my distress.
Falco dressed in ornamental clothing with a long red train attached to the strappings on his shoulder. His wings had emerged broad and wide. He was as he always wanted to be: true Sordarin. I marveled at his image with pride bursting forth from me. Sareta eyed me with her tears, but she looked breathtaking in a sequin gown that glittered upon her every movement.
But my joy was short lived, for movement caught my eyes. I turned to face King Edulf.