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Piece 11: Prince and His Majesty
Sunset below the mountain of Alseid, our eyes were filled by the wonderful and radiant colors of the flowers at the end of our path living steadily without any worries aside from the brainless mountain-climbers that may stumble and end their struggles after accidentally stepping on them. Miakis almost made that mistake but Urda saved their meaningful yet short-lived life.
"Stop! Filthy humans!" Urda scolded her. She was cold against everyone else and thinking that she may have a good reason for hating humans was my only escape for letting her ran that tongue of hers unchallenged, well, the fact that she serve as our guide through this forest was part of it. She must've hated humans but she never did anything spiteful and even helped us when in need.
We're at the bottom of the mountain and the next village was at sight. "You really helped us out there Urda. You have our thanks."
"I am only doing what Isato asked me, now, be gone!" Urda bellowed.
It has been dormant for a couple of hours that we were traversing this escape from Lunas but the volcano called patience of Aunt Sialeeds exploded, she went directly to confront Urda but the latter only gave a murderous gaze and disappeared within the mist leaving a wounded pride of a royalty. She continued to curse Isato's friend until a colorful sight with harrowing taste coat the surroundings.
Haud village. This was definitely the place. Energized with the arrival of new guests, the townfolks erupted into a callithump. It was entertaining at the least. At that time, Sialeeds was already drained of her energy, she doesn't even want to complain unlike Georg.
"I don't know if I can take this. This is an attack to my senses…"
Counting the troubles we had, it was a complete disaster and I can only guess that attack on Lunas wasn't the end of it. Lyon called. Her face expressed melancholy mood and concerned gape to my direction. I meant to say not worry but guess a smile will do for the moment. "Are you really okay, Prince?"
The cargo on my back was becoming a bit too heavy, well, it has been so long since the last time I piggyback someone. Looking at the sleeping face of Lym resting on my shoulder now, was my escape to this nightmare that befalls to our family. Somewhere in my mind, I was hoping that this was all but a dream.
"You need to take a rest now prince, I will take care of the princess should she require anything." Miakis was back to her position. To tell her the truth, the travel had me exhausted, include the lack of sleep, I can tell that my fatigue was way above limit. Lym was already resting in her room, laid her down to the bed myself, and kissed her goodnight.
Outside the room, two able fighters were waiting for me. The brigade was waiting for your return, I presumed when I asked Richard. A scratch from his head and weak smile was all he could muster for an answer. Belcoot was more formal and addressed me kindly before requesting to take a leave. He wanted to check on someone named Marina and ensure her safety.
"My life… I owe it to her too... and I intend to repay her before I can repay His Highness." He answered when asked of his relationship with the woman. Marina, it was probably the lady crying hysterically when we left Stormfist. There was no way for me to hinder them both anyway though I am sure to miss their swords.
"I doubt that this will be the last time we'll see each other anyway, until then take care of yourselves…" hopeful that my benevolence reached them and on the door Galleon was waiting and guarding the only entrance to the fully rented floor.
Bushed and sleepy, Aunt Sialeeds found me sitting beside my room's door, at least that's as far as I can remember then someone carried me. My arms around her shoulder, her scent and the feel of her body saved me the trouble of guessing; with sleepy and almost closed off eyes, I forced myself to see her radiant face and bless my night with her bright jest. She was again by my side. Lyon was.
Darkness has sipped in through the window, anxiety probably woke me. I don't have to guess that it was already night time. Pulled myself up and sat on the bed, across the floor, a lady was dozing off. Lyon woke up, wiped the drool on her face that made me laugh and gave me a warm smile.
"You should've slept in your room Lyon. Don't tell me they run out [of room]." She smiled and a greeting came after. She didn't ask for one in the first place. Really stubborn lady, I said but she doesn't mind at all so long as she can protect the prince, she said. She promised His Majesty to do so and she won't have it another way. There was no way to win her the argument, in many years that were together, she never backed down, not even once.
She urged me to go back to sleep. It was enough, I told her. I don't think I can sleep with the safety of Her Majesty in my mind. There was a knock on the door, instantly my hand was reaching for my weapon only to be surprised by the sister who seeks more attention. It was Lym with Miakis lurking behind her whispering another plot in her ears. It won't hurt anyway so I listened to her.
She wanted to explore Haud village, why won't she, this was practically the first time she spent long days outside the palace and not including her first time to this town. Without a doubt, its Miakis' idea but there was nothing else to do anyway, and everyone needs a breather for the meantime.
"Haud village is practically Barows territory so I don't think we are in danger here Lym, so I think we can go. What do you think Miakis… Sir Georg, Sir Galleon?" The knights were outside the room waiting for an opportunity. The lot of them entered the room, Lyon was of course against it, and thinking along the line of security but no matter how many the knights would like to oppose, Lym has decided.
Wearing simple clothing akin to the commoners, we ventured forth regardless of what the Knights have said. Miakis, Lyon and Georg ended up guarding our little escape from reality. Weird performers and entertainers somehow met our expectations, street foods on the sides, loud and melancholic music that energized our souls made this a night to remember.
"I hope we can come back again to this place… someday." Lym understood. This tranquil and joyful night was temporary and come morning, the danger we escaped from will be waiting for us.
Except for Georg, the Knights gave me a nod, I'm sure they understand my decision to go with a foolish and dangerous adventure, all this was to give a ten year old girl an ample time to grow up and be ready for the tempest ahead of us. It was merely a wish for a brother to support and help a young and fragile sister, but within hours, she was able to conquer herself.
Admit it or not, she made me realize that the girl who was merely following her brother has grown into a fine young lady. While staring at her, a whisper escaped to the wind, I promise you Lym, that I, your brother, Freyjadour Falenas, will do everything in his power to accede you to the throne.
"I am sure that you will become a fine queen someday Lym."
"Thank you, brother." She added before her gaze return to the dancing elves introduced by a performer who called himself Cornelio. Those DoReMi elves were giving off good and charming sounds, Lyon commented. It surprised both me and Lym. She was into the music and didn't hear any of the exchange at all. Without knowledge of the atmosphere, she went and cleared the dramatic tone. Something Miakis made sure not to let escape and criticized her for paying too much attention to the music after going against the escapade in the first place.
Lym chuckled. I was having a hard time stopping my lungs from laughing out loud while she innocently asked what was happening. Soon all of us were laughing minus Lyon with a concern and troubled look plastered on her face.
"Hng! WHAT IS HAPPENING?" Lyon screamed. Her voice bounced of the wall; the conductor of the DoReMi elves was distracted. Cornelio threw disgust and stared at the offender who sat down in a hurry, hoping to avoid the spear-like gaze of the visitors.
Her cheek was a ripe tomato, glistening due to the sweat of embarrassment she reluctantly received from the attention that surrounds her. My hand unconsciously hunted hers and asked Miakis to stop teasing her. It was imperative that we all enjoy this night. The remainders of the concert made us feel a bit uneasy with the unruly gaze of Cornelio but generally everyone must have enjoyed the little adventure.
A thank you from Lym and we wrapped up everything for the night and head back to the inn. Sialeeds was at the stair, her face a picture of jealousy, angst and discontent. She must have felt abandoned and discarded, well, its not like anyone can just barged on her door and not receive a great lump of reward. I had a feeling that this will take a while, won't hurt to be prepared.
Dizziness struck my head; suddenly the stairs was a bit blurry for my vision and there, I saw myself bleeding, wounded and my hand painted in red inside what seemed like the chamber of the Queen. Gizel and that Childerich was in front of me with a blood-tainted sword in his hand and behind them was Lord Marscal, he was furious and spewing the end of the line for the Falenan.
"Childerich, you fool! Father why did you act irrationally?" that was Gizel. A parent-child argument ensued and Gizel was driven to the corner.
"This wasn't part of the plan father, we only need to put Sialeeds next in line to the throne and I as her husband…" Gizel reasoned.
"Don't be a fool Gizel. Are you willing to give up our dreams for the likes of Sialeeds? Perhaps if she accepted your offer when you talked to her in Stormfist but that cursed woman played with your heart. Am I right? I am right, correct!" Marscal was sure of himself absolute and authoritative, the kind that doesn't value life dearly.
"She doesn't plan to be queen in the first place, so we need to change our plan. Sialeeds, Lymsleia…or Haswar, it doesn't really matter."
Marscal ordered to threaten Arshtat but Childerich was too impatient to receive such mission. Father fought back and the end-result was in front of me now. Tainted by my blood, flowing down from the wound on my gut, slowly my consciousness was fading away, one missed footing and I have lost balance. Warm and gentle hands helped me lie down; face looking up the painting on the ceiling.
"Is that you Arshtat?"
It wasn't my own but I am more than adequate to recognize that it was the voice of my father. I can see everything clearly yet the actions and voices weren't my own. It didn't take long for me to know that I am looking through the eyes of His Majesty.
"Yes, my dear. Your Arshtat is here…" Her Majesty answered with tears in her eyes. Her face engrossed with sadness, father asked her not to cry and that she must stay strong, but she answered with bitter smile. The image was slowly fading and I know His Majesty was in grave danger, her tears and eyes made me realize that.
"I am sorry Arshtat, I know I promised…but, guess I won't be able to protect you after all…" *cough*
A strange blinding light started to cover my vision that soon her face disappeared. Her voice continued to echo sobbing within the warm radiance. "No, Ferid. You protected me… you made your promise. This time, I will protect you."
"Damn woman, Childerich, finish her off," Marscal shouted.
Uck! I started telling myself that this was all but a dream. Tried to close my eyes but the picture remained. He was probably looking at the same image. I can't help but feel the pain that he was having now. With a sword that pierced the heart of the woman you admired, seeing the blood flow without restraint, and the glow of light disappearing from her eyes felt closer to hell.
A loud laughter echoed within the hall of the chamber and suddenly blood gushed out from Her Majesty's wound. In the corner of my eye, Childerich was there. He pulled his sword and with maniacal gaze, he licked on his blood-stained sword and seemed to get off watching the life of Her Majesty flow out of the wound he inflicted with joy and self fulfillment.
His Majesty, with a course voice, called for Her Majesty's name. Her body was in shock, from the pain, I am no longer sure what was happening but she remained motionless until she fell beside her beloved husband. Father, although in grave pain himself, using the last bit of his strength, turned his head to look at her face once more.
"Thank… you. Fer… id…" Her Majesty uttered. Her eyes remain peeled, staring at me; her lips close and has no need to breathe any pain anymore. She was free at last and found her very own peace. And there was silence. And then there was a voice. It was His Majesty. I am still unsure if all these were real or just a dream but I remember all of it.
Everything until I finally opened my eyes. Ceiling covered my vision. I was back on my bed and Lyon was beside me fast asleep. Tears have created a river on my face and I know I wanted to believe that all of it was nothing but a dream. Somehow, the tears kept on flowing and the scene played back in my head, repeating the pain, as though ensuring that I needed suffer more. Vibrissa on my nostril may have thickened since it became harder to breathe. It was logical to think that way, perhaps, but it doesn't explain the heavy stack on my chest, crushing my heart.
"Prince… what's wrong?" Lyon whispered. Instanly, I covered my eyes and wiped the tears off my face while saying that it was nothing. She stood and fetched me a water to drink which I took from her without asking. She told me then that I was out for a couple of minutes and Galleon helped me to bed. The rest was back on the lounge below waiting for me to gain consciousness.
My feet crossed the floor, put the glass on the side and stared at the night through the only window in the room. Asking myself what I would do if the dream came out true. At that time, yellow bright light covered the sky but only temporary, the light became white and disappeared, exploding in the sky and returned back to Sol-Falena. The radiant light, which was supposed to ease my soul, sent thousand of horrible thoughts to my mind while I ask myself hoping none of it was the truth, what is happening?
