Heir to the Throne

By Ruby Crowe

In a small Kingdom in the region of Epirus, something unfortunate was about to happen. There was a baby boy… oh no, the baby boy wasn't unfortunate at all. Nothing is unfortunate about a baby boy, except maybe baby boy nappies. No, that wasn't the trouble. In fact for baby boys, he was a lot like most baby boys. Crying, hungry, but cute little guys. He did have one difference to most baby boys his age. He was the next king of Konitza.

He was the first child of a new royal couple, the King and Queen of Konitza, king Drious and his wife, Iaei, Queen of Konitza. The little nine month old child named Josif, was hopefully to be the beginning of a very large royal family. Well, there was a wrinkle in this story, a dark lining on the horizon… You see, the Chief Commander, Baltrais, was originally the Heir to the throne. Because written in the bylaws was, should the King & Queen die, and there was no descendant to take the throne, he becomes the next King of Konitza. Of course now, with the child, he was no longer in line for the throne. Already in his early 50s, he new he would live out his life in servitude to someone who no doubt in his mind, would become a spoiled brat king.

Now that wasn't something that Baltrais looked forward to. For him, it was most unfortunate. Of course, things can happen. Babies and kings can die, and then he would be king, if only just such an accident would occur…

00

The King lay dead, with 15 stab wounds in the back. Bandits were swarming the castle. Iaei wanted to scream but was afraid to be seen. The whole castle guard had seemingly been defeated. She ran to the nursery, and scooped the baby boy from his bassinette. Retreating out, child held closely to her chest, suddenly an arrow exited her body, just an inch about her heart… Iaei's blood ran onto the child's face. She was not undeterred however, she must save her son. She ran into the kitchen, when a second arrow pierced her back and penetrated her live. Dark blood poured down. A third slipped in her side, puncturing a lung. Breathing became hard labor. She knew was dying.

Most people's body would give out right here, but if Iaei died, her baby boy would be murdered too… with what little strength she had, she tossed a carving knife at her pursuer, killing him, she then fled into the pantry, where she hoped to find anyone alive. Her trail of blood would create the perfect path for the next attacker, and she knew that. She also knew that she was only alive now because of her love, but her body would eventually fail. She needed to save her son, somehow. In a corner, under a table, she saw a ten year old girl hiding. She knew this child, Llessa was an Orphan adopted by the Castle, to serve and help out in the kitchen, maybe she could help… "Llessa" said the Queen.

The child looked up at the bleeding queen. "Take him, get him out…" She dropped to one knee, the last of her strength fading. She only had enough energy for one action, she handed the child to Llessa. "Save him… Save Josif." Llessa nodded, and the queen collapsed, and died before her head hit the floor.

Young Llessa knew that she couldn't stand around mourning the queen, and she also knew about a secret cooks passage that the elder cook had used to rendezvous with a young blacksmith at night. She took the child and ducked through a small door. Just as she had left, two men came into the room.

One man said, "Report to Baltrais, the Queen is dead."

The other man replied, "Hey, it's supposed to be Bandit King Altos. What if someone hears you and survives?"

"No one is alive, no secrets are going to be getting out."

Llessa understood, Baltrais had betrayed the King and killed him. Her only chance would be to escape the castle, and the Kingdom. Maybe find some help. Llessa whispered, "Josif, I will keep you safe."

Llessa followed the secret path through the castle, traveling past dark stone, and the occasional love dedicated scrawled into the walls, by the elder cook, and her favorite blacksmith. Sure enough the secret path opened up near the blacksmith's hut. While the castle guard was distracted by the events at the castle, no one was watching the exterior, and as a result, Llessa, a mere ten year old orphan kitchen worker, bore the next King of Konitza out of his kingdom, and to safety…

00

Two days pass

"Xena, isn't helping a farmer find out who's stealing his milk a little below our level of work. We fight gods, and would be Roman Emperors… isn't there like a good neighbor who could do this?"

"Gabrielle, he asked for our help and we get a homecooked breakfast for our trouble. Besides, we don't turn down people just because they aren't being threatened by a screaming Amazon Goddess."

"It's only been a week, I'd rather not think about Velasca right now."

Xena nodded, made a facial expression that seemed to state, "Fair enough."

"Besides Xena, not sure you need any home cooking. I just caught a smell of what we've been cooking."

Annoyed Xena answered, "Gabrielle, that's not me." Xena stepped into a single hut, with her sword, "A nappy?"

Gabrielle asked, "Does this farmer have a baby?"

"I don't think so… and most parents don't leave this lying around. Look!" Xena saw a trail of spilt milk. They followed it. "I think I know who stole the milk."

Xena approached a wood shed, and lifted a cover. Her eyes fell upon a sleeping baby, and a young girl holding him. The baby had bits of blood in his hair. "I found her."

Gabrielle darted forward, "Found who?"

"Help me… His mother is dead."

Xena's heart broke… "Gabrielle, go tell the farmer to prepare some warm milk."