Author's note: This is the beginning of a possible series of fantasy stories. I only have ideas for the first story at the moment, but I hope to write more in the future. It is set in the mediaeval land of Cascadia. Normally when I write I tend to write the whole story and then edit it, but as I felt this might turn into a long story a friend suggested I write and edit it as I go along, so I'm trying that for this story.

"THE KINGDOM OF CASCADIA STORIES"

PROLOGUE

23 Years Ago...

The knight knelt before the king's throne, his head bowed in respect for his monarch, as he waited for the king to acknowledge him. He heard the sound of a baby gurgling contentedly nearby.

James had been a soldier since he was fourteen, lying about his age to the recruiting officer. Though the Kingdom of Cascadia had known peace for a generation, the ruling family had always kept an army ready to defend their country should the need ever arise. James had risen quickly through the ranks and at age 20 had been made a knight and entered into the king's service. Now he was 22 and had been summoned that morning to an audience with the king; James had no idea what it was about. His service was exemplary as was his conduct always. A knight always lived by a code and James had been particularly young to be named a knight. His honour was his bond and it meant everything to him. He would never do anything to undermine his own character or that of any of his fellow knights.

The throne room was large as the king often had to address larger groups of people all at the same time. The king's throne was against the furthest wall. Friezes of former kings and queens adorned each of the walls.

"Hand me my son," the king's voice suddenly commanded and the knight heard footsteps as the order was complied with. "You may leave," the king ordered.

"Yes, my lord," said a small female voice, the baby's nanny. The footsteps receded and throne room became quiet, bar the happy sounds the young baby was making.

"Rise, knight," the king commanded.

James stood and looked up at his liege. King Caedmon was 30 years old and of medium height with short wavy brown hair. He had ruled for fifteen years already, as his father had died young, and he ruled well and justly. The king was reclining on the throne looking down adoringly into the face of his young son. Then King Caedmon's dark blue eyes looked up and stared openly at the young knight before him, as if he was weighing him up.

A second man now entered the throne room from a door behind and off to the side of the throne and moved quietly to stand beside the king's throne. His long velvet robes gently whispered on the stone floor as he moved gracefully. James knew it was Terrax the king's loyal wizard and physician.

Terrax was a bit of a mystery. He was of undeterminable age and had seemed to have always been in employ to the king's family. He was a tall willowy man with both grace and poise. The wizard was quiet by nature but his eyes were quick and took in everything around him. Magicians were rare in Cascadia, but Caedmon's father had somehow acquired Terrax's services and he had been a loyal servant to the royal family ever since.

The king addressed the knight. "You know why you have been summoned here, Knight James. Will you protect my son with your life?" the king asked. He had to admit he was still a little sceptical, the knight was young but he had come well recommended by his captain.

The king was asking a lot of a humble knight, it was a lifetime commitment to be bodyguard to someone so important to the kingdom. It was an honour and yet it was also a burden.

"Yes, sire, to my last breath," James replied, he was above all patriotic and loyal to the core.

The king looked to his wizard who nodded confirmation that the knight spoke the truth. The king sighed, he could ask no more of any man.

"My son, Blahr, is my first and only child," the king said looking down at the now sleeping face of his son, lying peacefully in his arms. He absently ran his thumb over the downy hair on the tiny head. "He is my heir and my future. He is everything to me. He is all I have left." The king added choking on the words. His wife, the Queen Naoma, had died giving birth to her son. That loss had been devastating but Blahr's loss would be shattering.

"I understand, your majesty," the knight replied, a little uneasy to hear the grief in his king's words.

"Knight, the wizard wishes to bestow on you a gift."

"I need no gift, sire; I will do my duty gladly to protect the heir to the kingdom. I have given you my word."

"This gift will help you protect the prince's life," the king said. "Wizard?"

"Sire," the wizard nodded to his liege and then turned his attention to the knight.

The wizard began to mouth something sub vocally and raised his right hand. A burst of invisible energy emerged from the hand and enveloped James. The spell didn't feel like anything at first, it tingled his skin making his hairs stand on end and then the energy was absorbed inside his body. It began to make his inside feel hot, his blood felt like it was warming and going to boil and then, just as it was becoming uncomfortable, abruptly it was over.

James looked at the wizard and then to the king who were both looking at him expectantly.

"How do you feel?" the wizard asked, his curiosity piqued as he had never performed such a spell before.

"Fine," James replied. "No different."

The king looked at his wizard wondering if the spell had worked. The wizard knew a test was in order. He walked to the window and opened it. Looking down over the courtyard he spotted two kitchen maids walking back toward the kitchen.

"James, what are the two maids talking about?"

James walked over to the window and gazed down over the courtyard.

"How am I supposed to know that!" he retorted as they were well out of earshot.

"Use the gift I have given you. Concentrate and focus on the two women," the wizard replied.

James turned his attention on the two women and focused on them. Suddenly their voices became crystal clear to him.

"Ted wants me to meet him tonight at the stables," the one said.

"Are you going to go?" the other asked.

"I don't know but he is lovely," she replied giggling.

James turned back to the wizard. "They're talking about someone called Ted."

"The stable hand," the wizard replied.

"I heard them," James replied incredulous.

"All five of your senses are heightened, James. You'll be able to hear, see, touch, taste and smell better than any man alive. With these gifts you will be better able to protect the young prince," the wizard explained.

James nodded solemnly as he looked back at the king who still cradled his infant son. The child was sleeping peacefully, content in his father's arms.

"There is one final test," the king proclaimed. "Are you willing to have my son's seal branded on your skin, as a reminder of your vow and lifelong commitment?"

James didn't flinch. "I will, my lord."

Terrax moved and called in two men who carried a brazier before them. They set it down and then exited the room. The wizard moved to the brazier and stirred up the coals. The coals glowed brighter and then the wizard picked up a poker that was being heated by the coals. At the end of the poker glowed a round seal roughly an inch across. The sigil depicted a wolf's head which had been chosen to represent the king's first born son's mark.

James braced himself and rolled up the sleeve of his shirt. He had been solemn in his vow to the king to protect his son always and would do anything that indicated how seriously he took that vow. As a soldier he had already undoubtedly received worst wounds but damn it was going to hurt.

The wizard advanced on the knight, the brand glowing white hot at the end of the poker. The knight stood his ground and steeled himself. The brand was an inch from the skin of James' left upper arm, he could feel the heat radiating off of it.

"Enough!" the king shouted. "You have proven yourself brave and loyal, knight. I know you have the bravery and fortitude to protect my son."

"My lord, if it pleases you, I am prepared to have the brand. I will wear it with honour, knowing that it is my lifelong duty to protect the young prince's life."

"You do not need to; I know you are a man of principle and duty," the king replied a little surprised but secretly pleased, he knew his choice of this man had been a good one.

"My lord," the knight replied stoically.

The king nodded to the wizard who moved the brand onto the knight's arms. The skin hissed and sizzled, smoke rising up from the area of the brand. James sucked in his breath, but didn't make a sound. It hurt like hell but the knight bore the pain with dignity. Then the brand was removed but the knight felt like it was still on his skin. The skin was red and already blistering.

James knew it had been the right decision; he needed his liege to know that he held not only him in high regard but also any member of his family. It told his king that he was willing to endure any pain for his son, and if necessary, die for him.

The wizard waved his hand over the brand and the pain stopped. James glanced down when he felt the pain recede and saw that the wound was healed. The skin was pink and healthy again, the wolf's head was clearly visible in a circle. James looked at the brand with pride. He would never forget his duty to his king or his prince.

The king looked down at his son lying contentedly in his arms. Now he had a protector that would be worthy. He just hoped that he would always be able to protect him and keep him safe. For a royal family always had enemies, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the moment they could strike. Caedmon hoped that James would always be worthy of the faith he had in him.

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End Prologue