Chapter Seven: Indels Castle
The journey back to Bale had taken several days since the battle with the bandits on the prairie. Alexandra had come to know that she was traveling with Sir Gyr and the Seventh Knighthood, which had been assigned by her father to track down and arrest all the bandits remaining in Serdio shortly after the attack on the carriages. The bandits had been a growing problem and Alexandra was relieved to hear that her father was finally taken an active stand. According to Sir Gyr, while the 7th Knighthood had been dispatched to hunt bandits, the 9th,14th, and 5th Knighthoods had been deployed to look for her.
"Your father insisted that you would have survived and his confidence in you was well-founded. It gave all of us hope," Sir Gyr had said.
The Knighthood had stopped to rest about two days into the journey in the Limestone Cave, which was now devoid of all life, save the running water. Though none of the knights present had an extensive medical knowledge, a few did know some fairly decent first aid. They had wrapped the Princess' leg and given her a healing potion, and to her great pleasure, it had been enough to make her feel more lively. However, as with Tohan, Sir Gyr had insisted that she ride with him, even though she had wanted to walk.
So, as if had been, after three days of nearly constant travel, Alexandra found herself on the familiar road to Bale. It was nearing late afternoon on the fourth day when she found herself staring once more at the gates of the magnificent city she called her home.
"Halt, who goes there?" called a voice from the top of the gate's archway.
"Sir Gyr and the Seventh Knighthood! We return from the field!" the Knight Captain shouted back.
"Aye, you're clear to pass, Sir!" the soldier atop the gate yelled, and saluted with respect. Suddenly the large stone doors swung open and Alexandra glanced upon the cobble-stone streets and houses with their thatched roofs beyond. The streets were, much as usual, crowded with people, all going busily about their daily lives. It was a welcome sight, that and the large town square with it's gushing marble fountain in the center. To the left, Alexandra saw Marie the Painter run by into her house with a bundle of canvas under her arm. Marie had always painted and draw beautiful, and life-like portraits. She was so talented in fact, that she had been a guest at Indels many times to paint portraits of Alexandra and her family and the many special events that took place there.
However, as busy as the streets were, the knighthood didn't have any trouble getting through. People on either side of the crowded, bustling streets parted for them out of respect, and soon they stood solidly in the middle of the town square. Everywhere people looked up eagerly at Alexandra and Sir Gyr and a murmur went through the crowd as citizens of all ages peered up at their dirty and ragged princess riding upon the back of the gleaming chestnut stallion. However, as shocked as the people were to see their princess in such a state, there was no one face in the crowd that didn't look happy to see her safe and sound. All of them were smiling and a few even called out well-wishes and welcome-backs to her. The people of Serdio had always loved her and her family, which was one thing that the princess was grateful for. She merely waved as she passed by, with a smile upon her own face at seeing the joy of her subjects.
The knightly procession soon passed out of the square and onto the main road across the city's river bridge. All the while, Alex began to see more and more of the shining white walls and golden rooftops of her home, Indels castle. All the while, she couldn't help but think how much Tohan, Martel, and Kamuy would have enjoyed this, especially Martel.
A few children ran nearby as their mothers scolded them, but they paid no heed and came up alongside Alexandra and Sir Gyr's mount.
"We missed you, Princess!" a small boy chided and Alexandra leaned down from the horse's back just enough to affectionately ruffle the child's already messy brown hair. Up in the window of one of the town houses, Alex could make out the figure of a little girl with a teddy bear in her arms gazing down at her shyly in adoration. The red-headed child blushed and attempted to hide behind her bear when she noticed the Princess was actually looking back. Alexandra gave her a friendly smile and waved to her in returned adoration. The young girl blushed even more, but waved back in happiness with what Alex thought was a small smile from behind her plush bear.
The young and old smiled when they saw her coming, and several children raced around excitedly, spreading the news of her return. Windows and doors suddenly would spring open all around them as their residents waved. Alexandra giggled happily.
"Do you think they missed me?" she asked jokingly to Sir Gyr, whom simply laughed.
"And why wouldn't they your highness? A lady as kind as you? Your family is the most beloved of any monarchy of our history and our present and that's no exaggeration."
As they approached the weapon shop on the side of the road, something caught the princess' attention inside the window. The blacksmith had outdone himself; he had laid several state-of-the-art spearheads and swords out for display. Alexandra sighed. After what had happened, her father would probably never let her out of his sight again, much less allow her to fight at all . . .
As the horses rounded around the end of the street, Indels Castle in all its glory loomed before them. The cobble-stone street suddenly gave way to pure white marble and the castle courtyard. Several knights stood along the Castle's front wall, still as statues, on guard with their spears. The knights nearest to the procession merely nodded to Sir Gyr and allowed him to pass, although not without bowing first to Alexandra apparently with some surprise as they eyed her through their helms.
A grand stair lead up to a large balcony at the top of the castle, amidst the uneven towers. It was the most direct pathway to her father's throne room. Sir Gyr turned his horse to face his troops, once they had all gathered together in the large courtyard.
"Okay men! You are all dismissed for a time. Stable your horses, and then back here promptly tomorrow at sunrise! Dismissed!" he barked. The knights of the knighthood simultaneously nodded and saluted him before turning their horses in an orderly manner and walking calmly in the direction of the stables on the left side of the castle grounds. Sir Gyr, however, did not follow them and declined a stable boy's offer to take his horse.
"Where are we going Sir Gyr? Surely you don't intend to take your horse into the throne room?" Alex asked in confusion.
"Oh heavens no, but I'm afraid it would be most difficult for me to carry you up the stairs. I don't believe your well enough to walk that many steps, so I'm going to have good 'ole Charger here carry us up," he laughed and with a tap from the captain, the horse Charger began gracefully climbing the staircase.
"I had no idea that horses could climb steps," the princess grinned.
"A well-trained war horse can do many things my lady," the leader of the seventh knighthood commented.
Upon reaching the top platform, the two were halted by two of the palace's guard.
"Who goes there?" one asked and Sir Gyr removed his helmet, letting his black but grey-streaked hair tumble freely into his middle-aged face.
"Sir Gyr of the Seventh Knighthood and ---"
"PRINCESS ALEXANDRA!" the two guards exclaimed together.
Alex grinned sheepishly. "Oh my! Your highness! Please go right in!" they both said with a bow. Sir Gyr dismounted his horse, then lifted Alexandra off carefully.
"Sir knight would you please summon here a stable boy and have my horse quartered? I'm to take the princess to her father," he informed.
The left guard whom Gyr had addressed nodded respectfully.
"Yes sir, right away."
With that matter addressed, Sir Gyr and Alexandra stepped through the golden doors and into a regal stone hallway, lined with beautiful tapestries and a green-velvet carpet fringed in gold. Several more knights lined this hall on either side, perfectly still until Alex and Sir Gyr passed, then they sank to their knees in respect for their princess and one of their commanders. Sir Gyr lead Alex up familiar green-carpeted stairs and into another grand room made entirely of marble, all the while Alex hobbled along behind him using her father's spear as a walking stick.
There were many features to this marble room. Directly ahead of the two were two large, white marble elephant statues. To their left there lie a small room lined with red carpet with one tall bookcase lining its wall containing various musical instruments that had been neatly packed away. Just to the left of that room, lie a boardwalk that Alexandra knew lead to a balcony and a storage room. However, directly overhead , with stairs descending down on wither side of them in a semicircle, was the door and hallway to her father and mother's throne room. Still more knights resided in this room, but these seemed to be off duty and were standing about talking amongst themselves in a small circle. The soldier facing the hallway that they had just come from glanced up and noticed Sir Gyr approaching.
"Ah! Sir Gyr, welcome home! That was pretty fast. Those bandits must have not been a match for you and your knighthood. Care to come and have a drink with us to celebrate?" he called.
Sir Gyr shook his head.
"Sorry Steven, I'm afraid I can't. I have official business to attend to, not to mention that we shouldn't start celebrating just yet."
Steven seemed disappointed, but nodded to him and turned back to his conversation. "Will you not bow before your princess?" Sir Gyr interjected and stepped aside to reveal Alex in her rugged state. All of the knights immediately ceased talking and bowed low.
"So sorry my lady, I didn't see you there," Steven apologized.
"It's good to see you back, your highness," another said as he rushed forth and knelt before her, kissing her hand.
Alex blushed slightly.
"Not to worry," she said simply.
Sir Gyr waved them on.
"Sorry, but her majesty Alexandra must see her father. I'm sure she'll have plenty of time to socialize later," he said as he gestured Alexandra up the stairs. All of the knights waved to her before she disappeared into the regal throne room hall.
Once inside of the hall, Sir Gyr stopped just short of the door.
"Allow me to speak with his majesty, King Albert, alone for a moment. I wish to inform him of some of our military matters as well. I will return shortly," he said curtly with a bow before he took his leave. Alexandra stood alone in the small white hallway, outside the engraved golden doors of the throne room and watched Sir Gyr enter. Through a crack in the doorway, Alex caught sight of her father on his gold and green throne looking solemn and concerned. Next to him stood Minister Noish, a tall, old man with a high-set face, a long black beard, and gentle brown eyes. For as long as the princess could remember Minister Noish had been the most knowledgeable scholar in all of Serdio, next to King Albert himself, and her father's most trusted advisor. Alexandra could also see many knights variously placed throughout the chamber, but her mother was nowhere to be seen.
Alexandra watched as Sir Gyr approached King Albert, perched on this throne, and knelt before him with his silver basinet under one arm and the other folded across his chest in deep, heartfelt respect. Alex moved closer to the doorway and saw her father suddenly look up at Sir Gyr anxiously.
"What news?!" He asked suddenly and sprung up to his feet, before Sir Gyr could even speak.
Sir Gyr seemed surprised by his King's forwardness and lack of formality.
"Sire, you should sit down. Your stress is degrading your health," came Minister Noish's soft voice.
King Albert sighed and turned his head away to let it rest in his hands.
"I suppose you're right Noish. I really need some rest," he groaned and calmly sat back down. "I'm terribly sorry Sir Gyr, but since Alex went missing . . .I . . .I haven't been fairing so well. I was responsible, I should have never let it happen . . . Poor Emille is so worried that she can't stand to be down here waiting," King Albert apologized.
Sir Gyr's expression was understanding.
"Majesty, anyone in your position has a right to feel thus. I do hope Queen Emille will soon be feeling better," he offered kindly.
King Albert managed a weak smile in thanks.
"And now Sir Gyr, your report is?" Minister Noish asked politely.
Sir Gyr began without hesitation.
"Well as you have commanded your majesty, the 7th knighthood has been tracking down those that call themselves bandits all over Serdio, and recently we have come across what we believe to be a core group. I'm afraid I have some disturbing news, sire. We of the knighthood believe that they are more interested in Serdio's people than its actual treasures and valuables. This is because we have discovered there aim is mainly to take captives, not to steal or kill during their raids. We also believe, your majesty, that although we cleared Hellena Prison many years ago, that it has now been reoccupied by these bandits, whom are now using it as a base of operations," Sir Gyr said in utter seriousness.
The King of Serdio sat with a grave expression on his face.
"These foul ruffians are seeking out my people? Do you have any idea why, commander?" he asked quickly.
Sir Gyr frowned deeply.
"It is our belief that our people are being held in Hellena Prison, your highness, and then being sold into slavery, but where or to whom we don't know," he answered darkly.
King Albert tightened his grip on his arm rest in what looked to Alexandra like anger. It was something she rarely saw in her father.
"Sir Gyr, at all costs my people are to be safe! I would ask you to summon here to me Sir Garin, Sir Thyarn, and Sir Belthazar. I want you to please inform them that they are to have their knighthoods combine forces with yours and organize an offensive raid on Hellena, preferably a siege. We must remember that some of our people may being held hostage. We don't know what those ruffians might do if we attack directly. With any luck we should be able to force them into submission without suffering much loss of life," he instructed.
Sir Gyr nodded in acknowledgement.
"Yes, my King."
As Sir Gyr turned to leave, Albert called to him again.
"Sir Gyr, in all of your travels have you heard of a bandit named Ikmir? This bandits escaped my personal guard, and he was also the one who fought with Alexandra. We managed to capture all of the others, however none of them have talked yet. If we could find him, or what became of him, perhaps we might find out what happened to my daughter," he trailed off as his worries once more seemed to overcome him.
"Of his fate, I can tell you, my King. I imagine he awoke with the worst headache he's ever had in his wretched existence," came a female voice of great strength, but beauty.
King Albert's eyes went wide and he immediately stood up once more from where he sat to stare down at his teenage daughter. Her silky sandy-blonde hair was layered in dust and tangles, and her skin was covered in dirt. She had a cut that appeared to be healing on her left cheek, and her once eloquent gown had been reduced to rags and riddled with holes, with the longest part still remaining being a chunk of fabric behind her down to her knees. She had a stark white bandage across her right thigh that was soaked with scarlet stains and she was barefoot upon the marble floor. She was leaning against his spear, with a grin across her face.
"I'm sorry to have worried you, daddy," she said in earnest.
King Albert didn't respond, he merely jumped over the throne railing, landed nimbly on his feet, raced to his daughter and seized her in an embrace, with she returned with equal amount of emotion.
"I missed you father," she said.
King Albert released her and bent down slightly so he could look into her emerald eyes. He placed his hands on her shoulders gently.
"Oh Soa, Alexandra, your mother and I have been so worried about you! I've. . .I've never been so scared in my whole life! Don't you ever do that again! You could have died!" he huffed emotionally.
"I'm glad to see you too dad," she giggled, knowing her father was really concerned and not angry at her.
Albert sighed and looked her over.
"Did the bandits hurt you? How long were you their prisoner?" he asked making a sentimental fuss over her.
"I was never their prisoner and never hurt save what that blasted scoundrel Ikmir's wounds," she answered with disgust at the very thought of the bandit captain.
Albert looked confused.
"Then why were you found with the bandits?" he asked, glancing to Sir Gyr to affirm that was the case. The middle-aged knight nodded to him in reply.
Thinking about the bandits made Alexandra think on the courtesy she had been shown by the trio of Furnian refugees. She wanted to tell her father everything, about how she and the others had fought the bandits, saved the people, and about her new friends that deserved his thanks and hers. However, she had promised Tohan to keep his secrets, and she would hold to that promise.
"Let's just say that I owe my life to chance and a few new friends," she answered.
"Are you sure you're alright?" her father asked again as she looked into his deep brown eyes.
"Yes. I'm fine," she assured.
The King of Serdio smiled for what Alexandra was sure must have been the first time in days.
"Okay then. Let's get you cleaned up and let your mother know that you're alright and home safe." King Albert said, turning to Minister Noish and one of the knights by this throne side.
"Minister Noish, would you please kindly inform my wife that our daughter has returned safe and sound? And Sir Kylvan would you please seek out lady Delori and send her to me?" And after you've found her, would you please go out to the clinic and fetch Doctor Samuel?" he asked politely. Both nodded to him and bowed before leaving the room.
It was only minutes before a pudgy woman came bustling into the throne room. She had silvery-white hair wrapped in a bun on the back of her head, and wore a simple, yet beautiful sky-blue gown. Alexandra grinned. This woman was Delori, her middle-aged handmaiden, stern to a fault but with a stout heart. She was exactly the same as she had left her, save maybe a bit more fussy than usual. Reaching the two of them, she bow as low as her bad back would let her.
"Lord Albert, you called for me?"
"Yes I did. Thank you for coming," Albert replied with a nod to her.
Delori curtsied in reply, however when her eyes fixed upon Alexandra she gasped.
"Oh princess! You're back! We were all so worried about you! My goodness, you're a real mess!" she said in surprise, locking her grey eyes on the princess' many scratches and tattered clothes.
Alexandra grinned embarrassedly and her father chuckled before he addressed the handmaiden again.
"That's why I sent for you, Delori. Soa knows you worried just as much as the rest of us. Not only did I want you to know that Alexandra is safe, but I would also like to ask you to see to it that she gets cleaned up. Would you be so kind?" he asked.
"Of course, your highness," she answered and signaled for Alexandra to follow her.
"Wait," Alex said simply, and turning back to face her father, she presented his spear back to him. "I know it means a lot to you, so I managed to take good care of it," she said with pride.
Albert's eyes glanced over his unique weapon and then over his daughter.
"Can you walk without it? I noticed you were leaning on it pretty heavily coming in here," he asked.
"Yes. I'll be fine," she reassured.
"Thank you, sweet pea," he said in gratitude and received his spear back in his hands.
"Dad!" Alex protested playfully.
"What?" the King grinned, turning his head so that his long sandy-blonde ponytail swished behind him.
"I'm too old for you to call me that!"
Albert laughed outwardly.
"No matter what you do, or how old you get, you'll always be my baby girl. Now, off to the baths with you, my little mud-washed angel,' he said sincerely, making Alex smile before she followed Delori out of the throne room with a slight limp.
Alexandra followed her lady-in-waiting back down the circular stairs, through several more ornately decorated rooms and halls and finally into the bath chamber, turning heads the whole way. A warm, steamy vapor eluded the chamber and wafted out into the hall across the young teenager's face as she stepped into the white marble room. It was a homey place, for it was decorated richly with imprints of seashells in the wall, ceiling, and floor. There were two, large circular pools of water, both containing bubbles in the center of the room, a large shelving of towels to the left and a folding mural right next to each of the baths on the right that served as a dressing room.
Delori ushered Alex into the nearest dressing room without delay.
"Highness, please discard that filthy rag. When you get it off, please hand it to me." Within moments a fair-skinned hand adorned with an emerald bracelet adorning it surfaced into view holding a filthy green heap of cloth. Delori walked over and took the ruined garment, then gave a little whistle, which brought a young girl, not much older than Martel scurrying into the room.
"Yes, m'am?" she panted, out of breath.
"Janette, I'm finally going to give you your first real task. I want you to stay here and tend to the princess while I go and fetch her highness a new dress, okay? Mind your tongue, don't talk to much, and always say yes m'am or yes, your highness. Don't mess this up," she directed firmly.
The small girl looked down and nodded.
"Alright. Princess Alexandra, I'm leaving for a moment to fetch you a new gown. I've left a squire here to attend you. I will be back shortly," she called and Alex could hear the opening and closing of the door. She also heard a light, high-pitched voice call out to her.
"Your majesty, is there anything you need?"
Alex sighed. It was back to the usual what you are instead of who you are deal.
"Yes please, I'd actually like a towel Janette, if you wouldn't mind. Thank you for your assistance," the princess said kindly.
"It is an honor princess!" she heard the girl named Janette squeak. Soon, a small, delicate hand appeared before Alex holding a white, fluffy cotton towel, which the princess took gently.
"Thank you," she said politely, before wrapping the towel around herself. Stepping out from behind the mural, she noted that her squire was very small, lean, and had fluffy black hair and shining brown eyes. Alex gave her a friendly smile, then walked over to the tub and dipped one toe in questioningly. The warm water was temperate, soft on the skin, and very inviting. Alexandra discarded her towel to the side and quickly slid into the water with the bubbles hiding her body from view.
The young princess submerged her entire head under the water and resurfaced with a sigh, settling back to rest against the side of the tub. Her whole body ached, but the water seemed to soothe the pain. She closed her eyes and let the steam enwrap her face in its soft breath. After several moments, she opened her eyes again.
"Princess, would you like me to bring you some soap, shampoo, or conditioner? The quiet little Janette asked.
"Yes please, if you would," she answered gently.
"Certainly your highness," she said with a curtsy and turned to the towel shelf. Of all twelve shelves, six were arranged for towels, two for shampoos, two for soaps, and two for conditioners all of assorted colors and smells. "Which scent would you like Princess? We have Strawberry, Lavender, Bramble Berry . . ."Janette asked shyly.
Alexandra cringed at the words Bramble Berries.
"Hmm. How about the Spring Leaf?" she asked, eyeing the green bottles on one of the shelves.
"As you wish, your majesty," Janette said and reached for the set of green bottles. Getting them down she walked carefully over to the tub and handed the containers to Alex, who first dumped the shampoo into her matted hair and then lathered it all over her head. Letting the shampoo sit for a moment, Alex watched Janette walk back over to the shelf and reach for a bar of Spring Leaf-scented soap. Alex dove back under the water to rinse her hair and then applied the conditioner. She could already feel the dirt in the water from her body, but she felt cleaner already.
Letting the conditioner seep in for a moment so that it might be more effective for removing the many tangles in her hair, Alex looked back to Janette, who appeared to be too short to reach the top soap shelf. She was now jumping energetically to try and grasp the matching bar of soap.
"Janette, it's okay. I'll get it," Alex said kindly and out of concern, because each time the little girl jumped, the fixture gave a dangerous wobble. Grabbing her towel, Alex stepped out of the bath and wrapped herself.
"Oh no your highness! Please allow me! I can do it. Really!" she insisted and began to endeavor even harder to reach the soap.
Alexandra has just begun walking towards the shelf when it gave a dangerous final lurch and began tipping over. Alex had just enough time to run and tackle Janette out of the way before the shelf came crashing down, spilling soap suds, waxy shampoo, and slick conditioner everywhere out from their busted bottles. Hitting the tile, in the end of her leap, Alexandra wished she had hit something softer.
"Ow!" she grunted as Janette landed on top of her.
"Oh gosh Princess! I'm so really, REALLY sorry! Are you okay!?!" she asked in a horrified tone, looking at the accident she had just caused. Alexandra groaned and sat up slightly as Janette began to cry. "On no! Madame Delori is going to hang me up by my toes! This mess will never come clean!" she wailed with fat tears dripping down her face. "Madame Delori is gonna be SO mad! She'll never give me another chance!"
Janette's last sentence made Alex's heart wrench. She knew that feeling. The feeling that you'd had your big chance and blew it . . . That was the way she felt about having gotten hurt by Ikmir.
"Hey don't cry. I'll help you clean up this mess and Delori will never have to know about it," Alex said gently, and handed Janette a small towel to wipe her tears away. The young squire sniffled.
"Oh thank you princess! I'm so sorry about all of this," she sniffled miserably.
Unfortunately their luck at the moment was ill-favored, because Alex could hear two familiar voices coming towards them rapidly.
"Quick, Janette, help me lock the door!" Alex requested and sprang to the door trying to bolt the latch. Before Alex could finish however, the door swung open and sent her sprawling onto the floor.
"ALEX? ALEX? WHERE ARE YOU? WHERE IS MY BABY!?!" she heard a crystalline voice call in anxious worry. She saw a dark pink, high-heeled slipper step onto the floor in front of her nose and the princess only got one word of warning out before the woman put her other foot down right on a stray bar of Bramble Berry soap.
"MOM, WATCH---"
It was too late. A pink blur went whizzing by shrieking and flailing madly with bright platinum-blonde hair trailing behind, riding the bar of stray soap across the floor. Alex cringed as she heard Delori yelling,
"YOUR MAJESTY WHAT IS---" before she too came running in and slipped in a patch of gooey lavender conditioner that lie close to the other side of the doorway. Delori flew into the air and Alex rushed to her feet in attempt to catch her, but the old handmaiden flipped head over heels forward, landing in a pile of shampoo-stained towels face down, just as Queen Emille's skid came to an end as she fell backwards into a nearby bathing pool.
Fate however, was not done with the princess yet, because Janette, in her hurry to get to Delori, accidentally slipped on the wet, soapy floor, slid into Alex knocking her to the floor and her towel off of her slender frame. Queen Emille broke the surface of the water screaming like a banshee in shock and confusion as many men including several armored knights, Minister Noish, and King Albert came rushing into the room, the king calling for his family.
"EMILLE!?! ARE YOU OKAY? ALEX?" he yelled and suddenly glanced down accidentally and found Alexandra there naked as the day she was born, causing her also to start screaming and trying to cover up. Albert blushed deeply and closed his eyes, attempting to turn away with his hands up in the air. Alex, however, was still hysterical.
"GET OUT, GET OUT!" she screeched embarrassedly as she bundled herself up and began picking up empty containers and throwing them around blindly. "GET OUT!" she yelled again, and threw a half-full bottle of rose-scented shampoo that hit King Albert in the forehead.
"OW!" he yelled aloud and stumbled backwards, accidentally opening his eyes out of reflex, making Alex scream louder. Several of the knights now found the audacity to enter the room and were taken aback by the chaos.
No one seemed quite sure what to do and in the fray a couple of knights accidentally looked upon Alex. She didn't seem to care that it was an accident and that all they really saw where her knees up against her chest. She picked up a conditioner bottle and hurled it into the helm of the nearest knight, knocking him out cold. Several of the knights attempted to come to the aid of their king, whom, in his endeavor to help Queen Emille out of the tub had been accidentally kicked in the face and she flipped uncontrollably under the water.
Alex began to cry in addition to screaming now, realizing that many of the knights had seen her without clothes on, when one tripped over an outstretched foot of hers and fell flat on his face. Moments later, an old, raspy voice yelled out powerfully,
"ENOUGH! EVERYBODY BE STILL AND I WANT ALL THE MEN OUT OF THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW!"
This sudden outburst ended the noise, as everyone turned in silence to stare at the figure in the doorway. It was an old woman, with curly gray hair, tight, stretched and wrinkled skin, dull, but warm blue eyes, and an ancient body bent over an old-Maplewood cane. It took many by surprise that a voice so strong could come from one so frail.
However, all did as she instructed and left the bath chamber, including a scarlet red King Albert, so that only Janette, Delori, Queen Emille, and Princess Alexandra remained. The old woman hobbled into the room, closing the door behind her, and slowly made her way to Alexandra handing her a towel.
By this time Delori had picked herself up out of the towels and immediately assisted the drenched Serdian Queen out of the bathing pool. Emille groaned.
"Oh my gosh! What in heaven's name just happened?" she asked, dripping wet, looking around herself.
Delori immediately turned to a cowering Janette.
"IT WAS YOU WASN'T IT!?! YOU AND YOUR BLASTED CLUMSINESS! WHY I---"
"Actually, Delori, it was my fault, I accidentally knocked the self over when I got out of the tub," Alexandra interjected swiftly on Janette's behalf.
"You, your majesty?" Delori asked quietly.
"Yes, me. I'm dreadfully sorry, but my leg isn't quite stable yet," Alex said, making up an excuse and gesturing to the bloody bandage still around her leg. She knew that they wouldn't punish her for making such a mess, but they definitely would punish Janette. The poor girl, Alexandra felt sympathy towards her.
Delori gazed at her dumbfounded, and then turned to the young girl.
"I apologize Janette," she said bluntly and the child gazed at Alexandra in gratitude. "Well certainly in your condition, we can't blame you, your highness. Queen Emille, will you please come with me? I'll get you dried off," Delori offered. "Gracy, would you please clean up the princess?" Delori called to the old woman standing silently beside Alex leaning on her cane.
The old woman merely nodded. "And Janette, please do go get some of the other squires to help you, and clean up this mess," Delori ordered.
"Yes m'am," Janette said and with a quick bow to Alexandra, she hastily scurried into the hall, followed by Delori and Queen Emille.
Alex turned to the old woman.
"Mrs. Slambert, it's good to see you, but why are you here?" the teenager asked warmly.
The old woman, Gracy Slambert, grinned.
"Of course, I, in the silence of my lonely house, could hear everybody shouting about your return. I came to see you, dear girl, to make sure you're alright. It's good for me to leave my house on occasion, especially to visit friends," she said in an almost sorrowful tone, but upon looking into Alexandra's face she seemed to find comfort.
Alex smiled and after wrapping her towel about herself yet again, she hugged her old friend.
"Like I said, it's good to see you."
"Ah, child, I would hear all about your adventures, but first we need to get you dressed," Mrs. Slambert said with a smile.
Alexandra grabbed an old bathrobe she saw, hanging from the side of one of the dressing murals and put it on. Then, together with the widow Gracy Slambert, she slowly made her way to the north tower, the tallest one in the castle, and her bedroom. Upon opening the door, her large, circular room greeted her once more.
Nothing at all had changed since she had last seen her room. Her bright walls had been adorned with pictures of knights and her family that still smiled down from the walls, her two windows on either side of her room were still neatly sealed by thick green velvet drapes, her large four-poster canopy bed was still neatly made and covered by a warm, green goose-down comforter, and her richly carpeted beige floor was as pristine as always. To one side of her doorway, stood her huge Maplewood wardrobe with its many engravings of autumn leaves and to the other was her desk with it's many drawers, three-sided mirror, and cushioned chair.
Alexandra walked over to the chair and sat facing her mirror as Ms. Slambert walked slowly to the wardrobe and opened its doors. Many gowns of rich cloth and elegant designs in all colors hung from the dowel and many pairs of shoes were lined in color code beneath the dresses.
"Which color would you like, my dear Alex?" Gracy asked.
Alex . . . Gracy Slambert was the only person besides Tohan, Martel, Tiydus and Remus who called her by that name in a friendly, not formal sense.
"Why Don't you choose for me," the princess suggested as she watched Ms. Slambert pull a lavender V-necked dress and matching shoes from the closet, followed by a corset and golden tiara, laying them on Alex's bed.
Alex went over to her bedside, removed her robes, and began dressing in fresh undergarments and clothing with Ms. Slambert's help. When she had dressed, Gracy walked her back to her desk and seated her, next opening a drawer and removing a brush and a bottle of scented perfume. Alex's hair was actually quite dry, so Ms. Slambert began gently combing the tangles out of her hair.
"Why'd you choose a lavender dress?" Alex asked curiously as she looked herself over in the mirror.
Gracy closed her eyes in sorrow and memory.
"Because it was both Servi and Lavitz's favorite color," she said quietly.
"I'm sorry Ms. Slambert, I shouldn't have asked," Alex apologized quickly with a frown. Never had such a tragedy befallen such a kind woman.
Alex had heard tell of the story from her father. Gracy had been the noble wife of Sir Servi, the head of the 1st knighthood under King Carlo, Alexandra's late grandfather killed by her power-hungry Great-Uncle Doel. Tragically, Sir Servi was killed, backstabbed by his barbaric best friend and deserter, Sir Greham when her only son Lavitz was still just a boy. But fate had not been content to take only her husband. Although Lavitz had grown up and avenged his father, he died at the hands of a murderous man named Lloyd, trying to defend Alex's father. Alex had never seen so much grief in anyone and so she and her family welcomed Gracy into their home and their family as often as she would accept.
"It's fine, Alex dear. You asked and I answered. Oh my, just look now, what a pretty young lady you are," Gracy exclaimed, as she finished brushing Alexandra's hair back into its normal, shining style and placed the tiara atop her head.
Alex smiled softly.
"All thanks to you, Ms. Slambert. Say, do you plan on staying for dinner?" she asked.
"Actually, yes. Your father has invited me graciously. He's always been so kind to me," Gracy sighed.
"Wonderful! So I will be able to see you later? I'm afraid I have a few errands to run before dark," Alex admitted. Saying a brief goodbye to Ms. Slambert, Alex walked all through the castle, down to the stables, acquired a horse, and reluctantly a few knights as well. However this was nothing unexpected, King Albert had already decreed that she was to go nowhere without an escort.
Riding calmly into town again, Alex was hailed once more by the people of Bale, whom all bowed upon her passing by, with smiles seeing her back in the beautiful state that they were accustomed to. She tapped her horse gently to stop and entered a small store, resurfacing moments later with a small, tied parcel. All in all, the princess' outing lasted about an hour, for she knew she was most likely expected back at the castle.
She hurriedly, upon entering Indels again, raced as fast as she could back to her room and shoved her packaged bundles under her bed just in time to hear a knock at the door.
"Is it okay to come in this time? I swear, I am vexed to be hit with an object every time I enter a woman's dwelling," she heard her father exclaim outside the door.
"Oh Albert, don't be silly. I'll go first then, just to safe. Alex, it's mommy!" she heard her mother call and the door burst open as the beautiful queen of Serdio rushed to her daughter. Like her father, Queen Emille had a long, but well-featured face, a slender build, fair skin and long hair, but unlike Albert, her eyes were a piercing blue. Alex felt smothered as her mother grasped her tightly.
"Oh, my darling! I was so worried! Even though Lisa told me you'd be alright! Oh sweetheart, are you alright!?! Oh you've been gone for so long!" Emille chocked in motherly obsession.
"Mom, I can't breathe!" Alex gasped, making the queen release her.
"Oh , sorry, sweetie. I guess I got carried away," the platinum-blonde queen apologized softly and kissed her daughter lightly on the cheek.
"I know. I missed you too, mom! Are you okay, I mean earlier was kind of a mess . . ." Alex said sheepishly.
Queen Emille laughed good-naturedly.
"Oh yes, I'm fine. I just needed to dry off," she joked, making Alex giggle too.
King Albert choose then to enter slowly through the doorway.
"Okay, good. There are no randomly accessible objects in here," he joked, making Alex blush.
"Yes, that was quite a nasty bruise, your highness," came an old voice, as Doctor Samuel with his long white beard, bald head, grey coat, and medicine bag entered into the room. He sat his bag down on the floor, and opened it up to rummage through it. " I must say majesty Alexandra, you have quite an aim! Poor Sir Fethal. I had to give him an Angel's Prayer potion," the old doctor sighed.
Alex blushed even more red.
"he is alright now though, isn't he?" she asked, and the doctor waved his hand around carelessly.
"Oh yes, sure. He's already back on his duties. Now then my Princess, Lord Albert tells me that you have a nasty wound on your leg. Let's have a look," he asked, as Alex modestly pulled up one side of her skirt to reveal the white bandage tainted with blood.
Doctor Samuel leaned over Alex from where she sat on her bed and carefully unwrapped the bandage. Removing it gently, he surveyed the long, red slash critically. "And you say you were given a healing potion?" I've never seen a gash close that well before," Doctor Samuel assessed.
"I had Ice Plant Leaf applied to it also," Alexandra admitted.
"Ice Plant? Oh yes, yes. It's a weed, not my choice of medicine, but it seems to have served you well, majesty."
Then rummaging through his bag once again, the doctor removed a pearly silver orb before turning to King Albert and Queen Emille. "I wouldn't worry your highnesses. I can mend this wound easily," he assured and held the orb over Alexandra's leg as it began to glow. The orb radiated silver light that permeated across Alex's cheek and thigh, absorbing the wounds into themselves and making them disappear. The pain disappeared along with them, making Alex smile.
"Thank you, Doctor Samuel, that's much better. The sting is gone too," she exclaimed.
Doctor Samuel appeared happy as he replied to her.
"Glad I could be of service, your highnesses, unfortunately I must be back at the clinic, I have an expectant mother due any moment now," he said and with a standing bow, he gathered this things and left the room.
"Alex are you feeling well?" Emille asked again.
"I'm fine, but really, really hungry," she replied.
King Albert nodded.
"Oh, me too. Say, no wonder, it's dinner time. Why don't we all go down to the dinning hall?" he suggested. No one protested and together the Serdian royal family walked down to the elaborate dinning room where Ms. Slambert was already seated and waiting along with Delori, Minister Noish, and young woman with bright blonde pigtails wearing an orange and yellow dress with a golden sun embroidered upon it. She looked very similar to what and older Martel might look like, but Alex would know here anywhere.
"Aunt Lisa!" Alex exclaimed and rushed over to her.
Lisa smiled as she rose from her chair and received her niece's embrace.
"It's good to see you too, Alex," she grinned. "See, Emille," she said turning to her sister, "I told you she would come home safely."
"Yes, you did. You've such strong astrology, Lisa. No star can fool you," Queen Emille sighed. "And I do appreciate the support you've given me and Albert and everyone else over these last few weeks. It was so nice of Nello to look after father so you could come visit us," Emille added in gratitude.
"What are sisters for?' Lisa laughed and was seated as an eager chef and many servants appeared from the kitchen carrying their evening meal upon golden plates.
As the food was laid down upon the enormous rectangular table's lacy white cloth, the crystal chandelier suspended from above caught a ray of the setting sun and cast a glimmer across Alexandra's face. Alexandra began almost immediately to wolf down her food, as starving as she was, however no one seemed to mind. The evening meal passed as it normally did, except for one thing Alex found slightly odd. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that out of all of those present at the table, only her Aunt Lisa and Ms. Slambert weren't engaged in conversation. To further her suspicions, her aunt hadn't even touched her food. After half an hour and the desert, all the guests put a closure on their conversations and begin to bid each other goodnight. As it would happen, Queen Emille had managed to convince Ms. Slambert to stay the night at Indels, so she accompanied Alexandra back to her tower in the queen's stead. The queen had been wanted in a handmaiden's council downstairs.
Upon reaching the tower, the princess hugged her dear friend, wished her goodnight, and stepped into her bed chamber as two guards parted to either side of her door to let her through. Alex's next action was to go to her desk and open the second drawer, removing a bottle of ink, a fluffy quill, and her stationary paper along the way. Seating herself, she began to write a letter. When she had finished, she re-read the document over to herself silently.
Dear Tohan, Martel and Kamuy,
I am very apologetic that I had to leave you so abruptly, however, as you probably know, I had no choice. I hope that even though we are separated that we will still be able to communicate. Boy, I really miss you guys already and wish you were here with me, but I trust in your judgment ,Tohan. If you say that you are safer where you are, then you are. You know your situation better than I do. Again, I want to thank you for looking after my well-being while I was with you. To show my gratitude, I've sent some gifts for all of you, including some ink, paper, and quills so you can respond to this message. When you receive this letter, please write back. The Roc that I'm sending this letter with is called Holly, and she will wait for your response. Can't wait to hear from you. In the meantime, take care.
Best Wishes,
Alex
Then, satisfied with her script, she neatly rolled up the paper, tied a red string around it, and went to retrieve her parcels from under her bed. All in all, there were six, but Alex decided to bind them all together with a string before picking them up and carrying them, along with the letter, out into the hall. On her way out, a guard paused to ask her if she would like assistance carrying her bundle, which she politely declined. The packages were all relatively flat, so they compacted nicely together and weren't really all that heavy.
It was only a short walk to the falconry tower, since it happened to be the closest tower to Alexandra's. Walking up the enormous staircase and opening the great, wooden doors found the princess in the topmost tower room. It was dark, with what little light there was coming from starlight and moonlight through the towers open windows. The rafters of the room were high and lined completely all the way around with various iron cages containing many various types of birds. Most of the animals were already asleep in their nests as the Serdian princess passed by them, stopping at a large cage that housed a bird the size of a dog. This particular creature had gossamer brown feathers down to the wings and tail, which were a gleaming green. Tapping the cage softly, Alex called out to the creature quietly.
"Holly? Holly, are you awake?" The large bird stretched lazily in her cage and opened one, golden eye towards the princess. "I'm sorry to wake you," Alex said, "but I need you to go on an errand for me. It's rather a secret and somebody would probably see you in the morning."
The roc squawked groggily, then drowsily made its way to the cage door. "Holly, you are my most reliable roc and the only one strong enough to carry this effortlessly," Alex complimented as she tied her parcels softly to the bird's back and the letter to its leg. "Now, you know the Serdian Prairie, right?" she asked and the bird nodded. "You know where the Archian Waterfall is also, correct?" The bird squawked in response. "Okay, good. Take that package into the prairie and close to the waterfall there should be a grove of trees. There's a tree house there, right next to where that old shack used to be. I want you to take this package there, okay?"
The bird squawked again in comprehension. Rocs were very intelligent creatures. As Alex, stepped aside to let Holly walk out of the cage and over to the window, she also added, "And Holly, please be careful, and if you can, try to avoid being seen. As I said before this is a secret, and there are bandits about." Holly fluttered over to Alex, gave her arm an affectionate nip and flew out of the closest window into the night sky.
Alex's ears perked, as she heard someone coming, with soft footsteps upon the stairs. She didn't know why, but perhaps out of reflex, she hid. Alex was relieved however, when she found it to be only her Aunt Lisa with her telescope under one arm. As Lisa assembled her telescope and began peering through, another being entered the tower, only significantly slower, hunched over a wooden stick.
"Your majesty Lisa, is there something wrong? You left quite suddenly from the conference and didn't even touch your dinner," came the elderly and motherly voice of Gracy Slambert.
Lisa turned to face Gracy, but hesitated to say something. Ms. Slambert looked to the telescope, then to the Tiberian princess. "What is it that you see? Apparently the skies tell you something troubling. Servi used to get that exact same look when something was wrong," she asked gently.
"Gracy, please do not repeat what I am about to say to anyone, at least not yet. It would probably arouse much uneasiness. I trust that you, with all your hardships, will remain calm?" Lisa asked, turning back to look at the sky.
Gracy nodded simply. There had been a time in her younger years when her husband and son were still alive that she might have worried herself sick at the slightest mention of anything dangerous, but having been through all the loss that she had and gaining thirty years on herself, the old woman knew that incessant worry would do nothing to protect those you love, or anything else for that matter. Over the years, she had almost become numb. Almost.
"I am more troubled by the now than the future, your majesty," she said quietly.
"Very well. The western comet of Gallia has been racing rapidly into the east. A great change is in motion. And from Cyrin's triangle of stars, it would appear that this disturbance is coming from Mille Seseau. And what's worse, the Blood Star continues to grow brighter with each passing day, and in response, the demon star, Tehelindi, and the Dark Elven star, Sidere glow in unison with it. My fear is that the Lord Nvernias on his dark throne is behind the disturbances. It would also appear that some sort of dark alliance is forming in the west . . . And that war is coming once again to Endiness," Lisa said darkly.
"War? What kind of war? Surely it will not reach Serdio all that soon?" Ms. Slambert said in concern.
"The Gallia Comet is racing. I believe that we are not safe, even here in Serdio."
"And what does this alliance seek?" Gracy asked in worry.
"I don't know," Lisa replied, "All I can see is that they seek our ruin and if they find what they're looking for, they'll be unstoppable."
"Is there any hope you can see?" Ms. Slambert asked.
Lisa actually briefly smiled, and for a moment, was once again the happy Aunt that Alex had always known.
"There is hope. I can also see eight bright stars alive in the Draconis constellation facing the Blood Star."
"The dragoons!?! But how? Lord Albert tells me that two of them were destroyed!"
"I'm afraid I don't know anything more than what the sky can tell. Anyway, I am done troubling you, and myself for the night. Dwelling on such things only makes me more worried and sometimes sick. Let us talk about more pleasant matters. Would you care to come with me and go get a slice of pie?" Lisa suggested as she picked up her telescope.
Ms. Slambert smiled a soft, gentle smile.
"Sounds good to me, your majesty," she remarked as the two of them left the tower together.
Alexandra's head was reeling as she stepped out from behind a row of cages. Who was this Lord Nvernias? Did he have something to do with the attack on Furni? What was this dark alliance searching for? Was war really coming to Serdio? And what of the dragoons? Her father knew, was one eight, but if war did come, would he be called away as a dragoon instead of a king? So many questions needed answering and Alex had the feeling that some of those answers might help Tohan. Alex resolved to go to the library as soon as she had the chance and do some research on the matter. However, she still could not find ease as she leaned against the tower window sill with a cool night breeze blowing across her face.
The princess felt so helpless as she gazed at the blazing ruby star at the topmost of the sky. Even if she found out the answers, what could she do? However, just as despair began to sink in, Alex could have sworn one of the stars of Draconis started to sparkle upon her and for some odd reason, she was suddenly calm and overcome with hope.