Reign of the Dragon King
Awakened
Written by
Bethany Mowdy
Copyright 2012 Bethany Mowdy
Smashwords Edition
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Prologue
She waited, knowing that soon they would come. Her knees were tucked tightly underneath her where she knelt on the bloodied earth. Her hands covered her dirt, soot, and tear-streaked face; the pain within her very being was beyond what words could possibly describe.
The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and the air around her grew thicker, telling her they had arrived. She did not turn to see their approach. She did not wish to see them at all.
“Well done,” she heard one of them say.
It mattered not which one had spoken. To her, they were all the same.
She fought the desire to strike out at them with the bloodied sword still by her side that was only a hands length away. “I have lost everything with this action that you have commanded from me. Do not congratulate me by saying ‘well done’. Your words are a poison, and I pray you choke on them.”
“Your anger is understandable, but you must know it was necessary. The fate of mankind rests on what you have done this day,” she was told.
“His thirst for vengeance would not have stopped here. The whole world we have created would have been in jeopardy should the Dragon King been allowed to continue on with his plot to annihilate the mortals,” another one said.
Her hands lowered away from her face until one came to rest on the boot of the man in front of whom she knelt. The man of whom they spoke. He did not move at her touch, for she had made it so he would not. She kept her eyes down, unable to look upon his beautiful face.
“What will you do with him now?” she asked.
“We shall take him to where no one may find him,” they said.
The ache in her heart felt as though someone had placed it into a vise. She had to swallow the panic rising in her chest. It was difficult to believe that all this was real.
“Then take him to Sikuron, to the Ice Castle Lystire. The land has been desolate and barren since there is no longer a Guardian to keep it. No one will find him there,” she advised.
“Very well,” one agreed. “The others we shall return to Ignitus. They will awake from their slumber not remembering that which has transpired this day.”
Her head rose only slightly to see the unconscious army lying across the battlefield amongst those who were dead. They had fallen just after she had completed her task as though they were all connected to the Dragon King and his fate. Her eyes came to rest on the two men closest to where she knelt. Their familiar faces were peaceful and calm which only made the pain she was feeling worse. They could easily have been mistaken for being asleep, but it was not sleep that kept them in their current state.
“Titan and Riley shall remain with him. Had they a voice, they would ask for it to be so,” she said. “And I ask that I too, be made like him. This world holds no future for me any longer.”
Her hand tightened around his leather boot as she tried to reabsorb some of the power she had sent coursing through his body only moments earlier. Her attempt was not rewarded. She felt nothing but emptiness.
“We will agree to have the two mystics join him in Sikuron, but as for you that will not be possible,” she was informed.
Her brow creased in frustration and fury. How dare they not grant her request after what she had been forced to do. Their answer did not bode well with her.
Through gritted teeth and angry tears, she demanded, “Then tell me, what is to become of me? I cannot return to Ignitus without him nor would I want to. My life was meant to be with him. You have the power, and I demand that you make it so!”
She heard one of them sigh, whether from aggravation or sympathy she did not know, but when they spoke, the voice was steady and calm. “We all must sacrifice for the greater good. You must remain as you are to ensure that the Dragon King will not be awoken. He is to remain hidden. That is your price to be paid since you asked of us another way for him than death.”
“And what is it you must sacrifice?” she asked.
“Our world is no longer as it was meant to be. Our creation has become compromised,” came the answer.
Through her trembling, she felt her hand land on the grassy ground beneath the boot she rested it upon. As she dared to look up, she watched as the body of the Dragon King became transparent before disappearing all together, taking his army with him so they may be taken to their proper places, either to Sikuron with him or without to Ignitus.
“No!” she exclaimed. “Wait, I am not ready for you to take him yet!”
She turned around to see only one gray cloaked figure standing there behind her. “You shall remember all that has happened, but you shall not speak of it. You are forbidden to mention us or what it is we have asked of you.”
“Wait!” she called out as she shakily stood to grab hold of the flowing robe.
Her hands slipped through the material as a strong wind blew across the grassy field causing her to cover her face with her hands, but just as suddenly as the breeze had come, it left. She opened her eyes and brushed the red strands of her hair out of the way so that she may see. She turned in a complete circle before realizing that for the first time, she was alone.
Chapter 1
The heat from the sun increased as she labored away in her little garden. She could feel its warmth upon her back while she hunched over to gently pull away the weeds which seem to have sprouted up almost overnight. Not two days ago she had performed the same task. The day was still early, not yet mid-morning, and the heat was already causing her to perspire. A bead of sweat trailed down her right temple. Today was going to be nearly unbearable; at least it would be for her. Where most basked in the rays of the sun, she shied away from it.
Anika straightened her back to stretch out the muscles protesting at having been in one position for too long. She then lifted her long red hair away from her neck to cool herself. She had risen from her bed before the sun made an appearance in the eastern sky. It was always much easier for her to accomplish her chores when she did not have to compete with the warmth the day provided.
She took this moment to allow her eyes to wander, taking in the land and the beauty that surrounded her. A bird chirped happily in a tree just to her left. A butterfly with white and purple wings fluttered inches from where she sat in search of a flower to drink nectar from. A small head peeked out from the tall grass in the field behind her little stone cottage; a baby fox preparing to pounce on whatever creature had crossed in its line of vision. Its mother could also be seen not but a short distance away, keeping watch in case of any nearby danger.
Anika sighed with contentment. Her life was fairly simple but one she very much enjoyed.
Rustling from inside the cottage brought her back to focus. Tristan must be awake, she thought. She stood, shaking the dirt from the skirt of her plain dress, and picked up the basket full of herbs and plants she had gathered that morning before going inside. The yellowed haired head resting upon the table made her laugh quietly to herself.
“You came crawling into your bed rather late last night,” she halfheartedly scolded as she set the basket down next to his head.
Slowly, she saw the forget-me-not blue coloring of his eyes that went with that yellow hair along with the eyebrows which had been pulled down to show her he was scowling. She did her best to keep from smiling. When it came to Tristan, keeping her face expressionless was a difficult feat.
“I am not a child anymore, Anika. I am free to come and go as I please,” he replied, setting his head back down on the table, groaning as he did.
She cleared her throat to try and stifle her laugh. “I never said you were a child. However, you are not quite a man either. I still wish to know where it is you go.”
His head popped back up with a look of annoyance. “I am so a man,” he shouted, but then cringed at the volume of his own voice. He pressed the palm of his hand against his forehead.
Rolling her eyes, Anika turned her back to him to fetch the herbal mixture needed to cure Tristan of the intoxicating level of ale he had consumed during the night. She allowed the mixture to seep for a moment in boiling water before setting the cup in front of him.
“It takes more than being allowed to drink wine or ale without reprimand to be considered a man, Tristan.”
She went to brush the hair from his eyes, but he dodged her touch, glaring at the cup in front of him. Now that she could look at him more closely, she could see there was hurt behind the anger he was displaying.
“Do you wish to talk about it?” she asked him.
“No,” was all he muttered.
Anika nodded. She knew that when the time came he would tell her what had him so troubled. He had been that way ever since he was very little.
“Very well. Hurry and eat something. It will help. We need to leave for the market.”
Tristan only continued to sulk at the table as though he had not heard what she had said. Anika sighed, but moved about the cottage gathering the materials they would need for the day in the marketplace.
***************
The sun had risen quite a bit higher than what Anika had wanted when they finally made their way down the road to the village of Potteria. The heat had increased as well. They walked in silence except for the sound of their horse’s hooves clomping on the ground behind them and the squeaking of the wagon wheels.
Tristan had his arms crossed over his chest with a frown etched upon his face while Anika swung her arms freely holding onto the lead rope with one hand. She stole glances up at the man-child walking alongside her, but she kept her curiosity locked up inside, reminding herself that he would tell her when he was ready. Pressing him for information would only result in the stubbornness of his youth taking over.
It was disconcerting to her, however, just how much older he looked. It was as though he had aged at least five years over night. An onlooker from behind would think him to be a man. He was as tall as most men in the village. In fact, Anika had to look up when he was standing next to her, but his body was still gangly and uncoordinated. Only sixteen years had passed since his birth. To her, he was still very young. The hardships of life had not yet made their mark on him, and she hoped the change she noticed on his face this morning was not a permanent one.
Tristan caught her eyeing him before she had the chance to look away. “All right, I am sorry. I should not have shouted at you. It was rude and uncalled for,” he said, trying to keep his voice sounding apologetic instead of condescending.
She gave him a smile. “Apology accepted.” She returned her attention back to the road before them.
He took a deep breath. “My problem is Caleb or rather with Caleb, maybe both.”
He paused. Anika tilted her head in his direction and raised an eyebrow, inviting him to continue.
Finally he said, “There is this girl, her name is Alexandria. She is beautiful and has this amazing laugh. Her hair is the color of midnight and her eyes as green as the leaves in spring.”
She smiled at his poetic analogies. Now she was beginning to understand.
“You like her,” she stated. There was no need to ask due to his description of her.
His eyes grew wide and bright. “What I feel for her is beyond my merely liking her. I think I may be in love with her.”
The brightness in his eyes quickly faded away and became replaced by bitterness and hatred. “He stole her away from me,” he hissed as his hands clenched into fists at his side.
“Oh, I see,” she responded while she turned from him.
She sought for the right words to say. Anika was unsure how to comfort him since she had never been in a position such as his before.
“Does she know of your affection for her?” she asked, glancing back over to him.
His expression softened, though only slightly. “Well, no. I was unable to tell her, but he knew of my feelings and pursued her anyways,” Tristan argued.
“Let me see if I understand you correctly. You are infatuated with this girl...”
“Alexandria,” he interrupted.
“Alexandria,” she continued, “but have yet to tell her of your feelings. Meanwhile, Caleb appears to have the same standing as you towards her, yet he has made his interest known. She, Alexandria, evidently has the same mutual feelings for Caleb. She made her own choice here, Tristan. She was not stolen.”
His mouth dropped, but the anger crept back into his face where his scowl returned. “Oh, what could you possibly know.”
Tristan stormed off ahead. Anika quickened her pace to catch up, towing the horse along behind her. This would be a clear example of how he was not yet a man by the way he was pouting, but she chose not to anger him further by pointing this out. Instead she grabbed onto his hand, pulling him to a halt. He in turn yanked his hand from her touch.
“I know much more than you think I do,” she said gently.
“Do you? Tell me then, Anika, what it is you think you know? From the time I could remember you never once gave notice to a man’s advance nor any indication of having interest in anyone. You do not know what it is like to be in love,” he accused.
She was taken aback by his brazen words and attack on her choices, but she pushed aside her own hurt feelings so that she may focus upon his.
She spoke calmly and sympathetically. “Tristan, you may not want to hear what I have to say, but some things are out of our control such as one’s feelings towards another. You can only control how you react to life’s uncertainties. You never know, though. Young love is fickle and easily persuaded towards another. Your chance may not be over just yet.”
She could see his anger subsiding, but he was still pouting. “This is so unfair,” he grumbled.
Her hand found his once more, and she gave him a gentle squeeze. “No one ever said that love was fair. In fact, most will tell you it is the complete opposite.”
She gave him a smile, and though he tried to fight it, he gave one to her in return. She released his hand and continued walking. He did not let her get far before throwing his arm around her shoulders.
“I need to apologize again,” Tristan admitted.
Anika sighed quietly. “Well, part of what you said was true. Since you came into my life, I never did pay any attention to men or their advances. They are unimportant to me. You were and are my only focus.”
“So what did I say that was untrue?” he questioned.
She had always avoided this topic of conversation. There were some things in her past which she did not wish to divulge to anyone. “I was in love, once. Long before you came into my life.”
He heard the hesitation in her voice while answering and decided it best to not ask who it was she had loved. “And you still will not tell me how old you are?”
She gave him a wry smile. “Never ask a woman her age. It is rude and impolite.”
Tristan’s face became thoughtful. “You know, soon I will look as though I were your older brother instead of your younger.”
“That is the thing with looks. They can be deceiving,” she answered.
“Although, I do suppose it is better than appearing as though I were your son as I used to.”
With her free hand she reached up to grab hold of his which was draped over her shoulder. “Have I ever complained about how people may perceive you? I knew what to expect when I took you in as my charge. I do not think I could love you more than I do now even though you are not of my blood. You are my son and always will be.”
Tristan ducked his head with embarrassment. In a quiet voice, barely audible, he said, “I love you, too.”
Anika smiled at his discomfort, but quickened her pace. “Now that has been settled, we must hurry for the day will be long.”
The two continued on down the road.
Chapter 2
The village marketplace of Potteria was bustling and crowded as it always was when merchants came together to sell their goods. The aroma of freshly baked bread mixed together with the scents of meat and fish along with the smell of animals and their waste. Fortunately for Anika and Tristan, the herbs and tonics they were selling countered the putrid smells around them.
They had to set up their cart much further from the village square where they were used to being located. Some of their regular patrons made mention of how they almost did not venture down to this part of the market, pointing out that their money could easily be spent elsewhere. Anika knew, however, the women to whom she sold her herbs would not miss an opportunity no matter where they had to search for her. These women were highly concerned with their appearance. They attributed Anika’s youthful look to the tonics which she sold, and she was not going to contradict their way of thinking. Her herb mixtures were mostly for helping to ease aches and pains, but she allowed them to believe what they wished.
Tristan was in the middle of helping an elderly lady to find an herbal tonic for her stomach pains when his head instinctively raised and his eyes wandered over the bustling crowd. He came to rest upon a group of young people, boys and girls walking along, browsing the many displays of the market. The group in itself held no interest for him, only the one girl with hair dark as night. His heart thudded within his chest at the sight of her. He watched her laugh at something one of her companions had said. Her dazzling smile seemed to light up her face.
Anika glanced over at Tristan who was now staring and ignoring the woman standing directly in front of him. She followed his gaze until she saw the girl who had captured his attention. She’s pretty, Anika thought. I can see why he is interested. She decided to intervene with the lady trying to continue to talk to Tristan.
“Here you are, Lady Honerage,” Anika said, smiling and handing her a tiny parcel. “Put these leaves in with your tea and drink it twice daily. They should help to relieve the pain.”
“Thank you kindly, Anika. The healers with all their medicines cannot seem to help, but I know this will,” the elderly woman said. She looked at the boy staring off in front of her. “It appears something has caught your brother’s eye or perhaps it is someone.”
Anika nodded. “So it seems. Have a good day, Lady Honerage.”
“And a good day to you, Anika,” she returned before turning and walking slowly away with her cane leading her.
Anika came to stand beside Tristan. “Do you wish to go and speak with her?” she asked him.
Her question brought his mind back to where he was and what he was meant to be doing. “What? No, no.”
“Do you not think greeting her would be more tactful than standing here with your mouth gaping and drool running down your chin?”
Tristan’s hand immediately went to his face to wipe away the saliva, but dropped it when he realized she was only joking. He gave her a gentle shove. “She is beautiful, is she not?”
She followed his gaze. “I think you should go and talk to her. There is nothing wrong with engaging her in conversation. You would be surprised at what you might learn from speaking with someone.”
From the corner of her eye, she watched Tristan as he struggled with himself as to what it was he truly wanted to do. Of course he wished to go speak with her, to hear her voice, to see her eyes sparkle, but he could not bring his body to move nor could he form the words he so desperately desired to say.
“I think I should get back to work,” he responded, bowing his head at his cowardice as he walked to the other end of the cart.
Alexandria passed by without even a glance in their direction.
***************
The day progressed even though it was long and tiring. At times, the heat felt stifling to Anika. There was not enough shade this far down from the center square for her to hide in, but she kept her discomfort to herself not wanting to worry Tristan of her feeling ill.
When the sun had moved toward the western sky, a breeze finally made its way through the marketplace cooling the air somewhat. All the other merchants had begun to pack up their belongings so Anika and Tristan followed suit.
After their horse had been hitched back up to their cart, a boy came running up to Tristan. “Hello, Tristan. Hello, Anika,” he called, stopping just before he collided with his friend. This boy had yet to acquire his coordination as well.
“Hello, Jez,” Tristan greeted.
“Hello, Jezeriah,” Anika smiled. “How are you? How is your family?”
Jezeriah came from one of the noble families there in the village. They were wealthy and held somewhat of an important status in society though they could not compete with one of the overlord families.
“I am well as is my family. They are busy, what with the king coming...” Jez clamped his hand over his mouth quickly with his eyes widening.
“The king?” Tristan prodded.
“I was instructed to keep that a secret. No one is to know of his impending arrival,” the boy confessed.
Anika looked sympathetically at the boy. Jezeriah was never one to keep secrets. “Do not worry. We shall not tell anyone, will we, Tristan.” She eyed Tristan to make sure he understood.
Tristan nodded. “Absolutely, Jez. No one shall hear it from us.”
Jezeriah relaxed a bit. “I am not sure as to why all the secrecy. Most everyone in the noble families know he is coming. We just do not know when. He has been traveling to each region within his kingdom and word spreads quickly from villages and cities.”
“Does anyone know why he has been traveling?” Tristan asked, now curious as to this gossip.
The other boy shook his head. “No one knows for certain, but I have heard two rumors as to his reasoning. The first is that he is looking for a bride.”
Anika double knotted the rope she was tying off on the cart. “Is that so?” she muttered, not really paying attention to Jezeriah’s take on the king’s visit. Why should it matter to her if the king were seeking a bride?
“Or it could the other. It is also said he is searching for mystics,” he revealed.
Anika’s hands froze in place. Now she was fully aware of the conversation.
Tristan looked at his friend dubiously before laughing. “There are no mystics. Those were only stories told to us when we were children to make sure we behaved. Disobedient children were left for the mystics to get or something like that.”
“I did not say I believed in them. I only said he was searching for them or at least, that was what I had heard,” Jezeriah replied defensively.
Anika turned to the both of them. “Then perhaps instead of us drawing our own conclusions as to his arrival or listening to rumors, we wait and see his true reasoning for coming here to Potteria.” She was more than eager for the two boys to change the subject.
Tristan simply shrugged, not really caring one way or another. To Jezeriah he asked, “What are you doing tonight?”
“Oh, that was why I came to find you. My mother has banished me from our home for the evening while they finish preparations just in case the king decides to dine with us one night. Although with all the overlords, I do not know why he would come to our home, but mother is insistent that everything be impeccable. I thought we could find something to keep us entertained,” the boy answered.
They both looked at Anika with pleading faces.
“Do you mind?” Tristan asked her.
She was tired and would have really appreciated to have his help with unloading the cart, but she agreed to let him go. “Just do not be too late,” she instructed. “And Tristan, no ale.”
He simply grinned at her. She watched as the two boys raced off.
***************
The sun had already set by the time Anika had unloaded the cart and unhitched the horse. She turned the animal out to pasture in the field behind her cottage. Wearily, she decided to rest for awhile, sitting down next to the fence that protected her garden. A gentle wind blew across her face. Most would be chilled by the coolness of the night, but Anika enjoyed to cold. Sitting there, she began to feel a little more refreshed after the heat the day had brought. Her eyes closed, and she relished the calm and quiet after the hectic chaos of the marketplace. Within a few short moments, her breathing deepened and she fell asleep.
Anika was startled awake by the eerie feeling she was being watched. At first she was disoriented and unsure of where she was. The moonlight illuminated the outline of her cottage. Cautiously, she stood with her eyes darting through the darkness searching for what had caused her to awake, but she saw nothing. Ordinarily, she would have laughed at herself for jumping at shadows, but there was something different about this. Something was not right. Perhaps it was a warning, but even so Anika could not shake the uncertainty.
She made her way slowly to the door of her cottage, continuing to be watchful. With one last glance, she closed the door behind her.
***************
The hour had grown late as Anika paced back and forth, glancing periodically at the door. Tristan had yet to come home and she was worried. She paused to peer out the window facing the road, but saw nothing in the dark. Sighing, she returned to pacing.
After a few moments, she heard a loud commotion outside the door before it swung open and three boys entered, two carrying one in between them. The boy being carried was Tristan.
“Tristan!” Anika cried, rushing toward the unconscious boy. “Place him on the bed over there.”
The two boys did as she instructed.
“Jezeriah, tell me what happened,” she insisted as she placed a strip of damp cloth over the bleeding cut on Tristan’s forehead. He was very badly beaten up.
The boy cleared his throat while glancing to the other boy who had helped to carry Tristan home. He was clearly uncomfortable. “We ran into Caleb tonight, and Tristan was unable to contain himself. We did not see Caleb’s companions with him and a fight broke out. There were too many of them.”
When Anika glanced up at Jezeriah, she could see a few scratches upon his face. “We tried to fend them off, Anika,” he continued.
She shook her head and sighed as she watched Tristan lying there. “Thank you gentlemen for your help, but I think it wise for you to be heading home. The hour is late and your mothers with be wondering where you are.”
Both boys walked to the door but Jezeriah stopped when he reached out to pull on the handle. “I am sorry, Anika. I should have tried harder to stop him,” he said.
She turned her head to the boy. “There is nothing for you to apologize for. Tristan made his own decision and in doing so must now face the consequences.”
He nodded and left, motioning for the other boy to follow. The door closed softly behind them.
“Oh, Tristan,” she said quietly to her charge. “She is not worth all this.”
She then continued to work on cleaning up his wounds.
Chapter 3
Morning came and passed by with Tristan still asleep, snoring loudly. Anika had kept watch over him throughout the night. It was not until the bruises on his face and body began to form did she see the extent of the beating he had taken. One of his eyes was swollen and a deep shade of purple, and his forehead had a gash. His bottom lip was larger than it ought to have been while his chest had boot imprints as though someone had been stomping on him. She did her best to apply compresses and a salve to the worst of it, hoping to minimize the damage.
By mid-day she gave up her post by his side and went about with her daily chores. The day had once again grown hot, an indication the summer months would be coming early this year. Anika always hated the summer season.
She was out feeding their horse and brushing its coat when Tristan finally made an appearance. He blinked trying to adjust to the light of the sun. The one eye did not fully open, however, once he became accustomed to the brightness.
She glanced at him briefly before saying, “You have chores to do.” She then continued tending to the horse.
Tristan tried to respond, but shut his mouth almost immediately. He was unsure of what to say so he decided on an apology. “I am sorry.”
Her hand paused mid-stroke, but continued brushing when she spoke. “The fence needs mending as well.”
His words came tumbling out of his mouth. “I did not mean for last night to turn out as it did. I only meant to speak with Caleb, to sort things out. It all happened so fast.”
Anika could hear the remorse in his voice. Truthfully, she was not angry with him for his actions. They were his own to handle. In fact, she understood how love could drive a person to drastic measures. She understood all too well. What she was avoiding was the discussion of that which was inevitable and perhaps long overdue.
She inhaled deeply. “Tristan, it is time for us to move on.”
“Wha...” his voice caught in his throat. “What? Because of this? Honestly, Anika, that is a bit of an overreaction. Things will be as they once were. I have learned my lesson and will not be causing any further problems with Caleb.”
She turned to see the look of panic on his face and the pleading in his eyes. “No, it is not because of what transpired last night. Whatever did happen is for you to sort out on your own.”
“Then why?” he asked, not understanding.
Anika made her way over to Tristan, dropping the stiff brush on the ground before taking his hand in hers. When had his hand grown to be larger than hers, she wondered.
“Tristan, the time has come. You know my rule, not to stay longer than five years in one place and here we have stayed six. I cannot stay here in Potteria any longer without someone raising a suspicion as to why I have not aged.”
She hoped he could see the greater picture, but his youthful mind made his judgment clouded. She watched as his jaw clenched.
“I am staying here,” he stated, pulling his hand from hers and crossing his arms over his chest.
Somewhere deep down, Anika knew this would be his reply. “I cannot force you to come with me,” she said, though it greatly distressed her to do so. “You are old enough for this choice to be made on your own. The only thing I have to add is I will not be returning to Potteria. Should you decide to stay, you will never see me again.”
There was a moment of uncertainty which passed through Tristan. He did not expect this to be her response. He had thought she would plead and beg for him to come with her, and when he again refused, she would change her own mind and stay here with him.
He knew why she could not stay in one place for too long. She did not age like everyone else, though he did not know the cause nor would she explain. Twice since he had come into her life did they pack up what belongings they possessed and move to a different region, leaving behind the familiarity and friends they had made. He did not want to leave them again to start over somewhere else. Most of all, he did not want to leave Alexandria. The thought of her caused a surge of anger to rip through him and his eyes darkened.
Anika recognized the look upon his face. “Think about it before you decide. I am not leaving until the next full moon. That gives you a week to make up your mind.”
She passed him by and headed back into the cottage, out of the heat and away from the now angry young man standing in her garden.
***************
The afternoon passed them by. All Anika heard from Tristan was the grunting and groaning noises he made as he toiled away, working on mending the broken fence. Only once did she venture outside to give him food and water, but he did not even turn to acknowledge her. She left the provisions where he could get them himself when he was ready.
To keep preoccupied, Anika began the daunting task of sorting through her belongings to decide what she would take with her and what she would leave behind. Most of what she had acquired in the past few years since being in Potteria were meaningless to her. She would leave those for Tristan.
Anika went to the hearth where she removed a loosened stone, revealing her most valuable of possessions. She did not hold onto many material things. The fewer things she had, the less she had to carry with her when she needed to start over again elsewhere.
All her treasures she kept in a small alabaster box that even Tristan did not know about. The box was overlaid with the purest and whitest gold. Her finger traced over the figure on the lid, a black obsidian dragon with two emerald eyes. She stared into the eyes, completely captivated. The longer she gazed into those eyes the less aware she became of her surroundings. She was being taken back, back to a time long ago. A time which Anika had tried but failed to forget...
The nighttime air was cool and calm as Anika stood next to one of the stone pillars in the Grand Hall. She had watched the sun disappear into the west and the moon rise into the sky to take its rightful place as master of the dark.
She should have been in her bed long ago which was where everyone else had retired to, except Anika could not sleep. Her head was too full of dreadful thoughts and closing her eyes would only bring vivid pictures instead of just words. She did not think she could sleep even if she had wanted.
The sudden feeling of warmth on her back announced his presence before he even touched her skin. His strong arms wrapped around her waist as he drew her close to him. “What troubles you to bring you here and keep watch over the night?” his deep voice inquired.
She could feel his breath upon her neck as he leaned down to kiss her just below her ear. Even though he stood in the shadows, she could see his face in her mind as clearly as if he were standing before her.
“Fear,” she whispered back. Her heartbeat began to quicken.
He paused. “What could you possibly have to fear, my love?”
“I fear for you. I fear that something will go awry, and I shall never be with you again,” she confessed.
He pulled her even closer to him as he soothingly whispered, “Do not fear for nothing shall go awry. There is nothing in this world or beyond that can keep us apart.”
Anika tilted her head back to lean and rest against his chest. “If only I could believe that.”
Taking her hand in his, he brought it to his lips where he delicately kissed the tips of her fingers. “Then believe in me. Trust that I will do anything and everything to come back to you.”
Her eyes closed, allowing the sensations of his gentle touch flow through her. “When do you leave?”
His breathing had grown louder and much more rapid. “Just before dawn,” he answered.
“We do not have much time left.” Anika watched the moon rise even higher.
“Then let us not waste it.” He spun her around, bringing his mouth down upon hers.
“Anika!” Someone was calling to her from a distance. “Anika!”
She had been returned to her cottage, sitting with the alabaster box still upon her lap.
“Anika!” Tristan called to her from outside.
Quickly, she replaced the box back into its hiding place under the stone in the hearth and ran outside to see what Tristan was raising an alarm about. He met her just outside the door.
“Look,” he said, pointing down the road that led towards the village of Potteria.
Her gaze followed to where he indicated. She saw three riders on horseback coming towards them. They were all dressed in simple traveling clothes except for the one in front who had some kind of green marking on his chest. As they drew closer, the mark became clearer. It was that of a snake.
“It is the king,” Anika said softly to Tristan even though there was no way the riders could have heard her if she had spoken in a normal tone.
He glanced from her to the oncoming riders. “But he is supposed to be in the village. Why is he coming here?”
“I think we are about to find out,” she replied.
The riders came to a halt a short distance from where Anika and Tristan stood. The man with the green snake emblem upon his chest dismounted from his horse. He was unarmed, his sword remaining with his mount, as he approached. His hair was a lighter shade of brown, like the color of sand and there was a smile upon his face that did not reach his brown eyes. It was not one that appeared to be genuine, but one which kept secrets. Another one of the riders dismounted to accompany the king. He did not give off any sort of friendly demeanor. The patch covering his left eye gave him a predatory look. The third man remained on his horse.
Anika bowed her head as Tristan bowed at the waist.
“Your majesty,” Anika greeted as she lifted her head.
His smile broadened. “Forgive our intrusion. You appear to know who I am, but I do not have the pleasure of knowing who you are. May I inquire your names?”
It was Tristan who responded. “My name is Tristan, and this is Anika.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you both,” he said. “Are you the man of the house?”
There was a hint of sarcasm in his question which Anika caught, but Tristan did not appear to have heard. It was even confirmed when she saw the corner of the other man’s mouth twitch ever so slightly in amusement.
“I suppose you could say that.” Tristan’s chest puffed up with pride.
The king turned to Anika. “You are far too young for him to be your son so I would assume him to be your brother.”
It was not stated as a question so she did not feel the need to answer. He took her silence as confirmation.
He then continued, “I hope we are not disturbing you.”
“Not at all,” Tristan replied.
The king had not taken his eyes off Anika which made her feel very uncomfortable. There was something in the way he looked at her that gave her an ominous sense of dread.
“We were passing by and noticed the field behind your home. Does the land belong to you?” he inquired.
“Yes, it does,” Tristan said.
The king was still gazing at Anika. “The rest of my men are a few miles down the road. Could we perhaps trouble you by setting up camp here? There are too many of us to find lodging at an inn in the village.”
Tristan glanced sideways at Anika, waiting for her reply. It did not make sense to her as to why a king would ask permission of a commoner to use their land. A king would make his demand and do as he wished, but she nodded once in agreement seeing no other option.
“Of course, it would be no trouble at all,” her charge answered out loud for her.
“Excellent.” The king turned and with a wave of his hand sent the awaiting man still astride his horse galloping off back down the road. “Now, while we wait for my men, shall we get to know one another a little better?”
***************
Anika was listening from inside the cottage while the king, who insisted on being called Conrad as though he were their equal, Tristan and the other man with the eye patch, introduced to them as Sir Thoran, sat outside. They were discussing life in Potteria as she prepared their tea. Just as she was about to pour the amber liquid into a cup, the thundering of hooves came through the open window. She stuck her head out to see about thirty men riding in their direction. All of them dressed in the same uniform as the man who went to retrieve them.
“I am going to need more tea,” she muttered to herself.
***************
It was late by the time Anika had everything cleaned up from the dinner she had prepared for the king’s small army. She was beyond exhausted having not slept the night before and now having unexpected and unwanted guests. Tristan, however, had been enraptured with the king’s soldiers, asking question after question about their lives and what dangers they had seen.
After listening to his hundredth inquiry, Anika politely excused herself to the peace and now solidarity of her home. She had just put the final cup away when there was a knock on her door. She groaned, but went to answer. It was King Conrad standing on the other side.
“Your majesty,” she greeted, bowing her head.
He smiled at her. “Please, call me Conrad.”
She merely nodded at his request. “Is there something I can do for you?”
She moved to the side to allow him entry into her home. He accepted her unspoken invitation. He was the first man to enter her home and looked much too large for the small cottage.
“I came to ask your permission for Tristan to camp with us tonight. He did not feel the need to ask, but since you are his caretaker, I thought it best to inform you of his intentions,” he informed her.
Conrad was inspecting her dwelling place, taking in everything around him before turning to face her. With his eyes now on her, Anika once again, felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny.
“He was correct. There is no need to ask my permission. He is old enough to make decisions for himself,” she replied.
She stepped to the side to remove herself from his gaze to fiddle with the basket sitting on the table.
“Well, just the same, I thought it best to make sure.” He stepped toward her, pausing to pick up a leaf lying loose on the table. “I want to thank you again for the use of your field and for providing an excellent meal. There is nothing better than a woman’s touch.”
Anika’s head jerked up quickly, but then he added, “When it comes to cooking, of course.”
She eyed him cautiously before replying. “You are welcome.”
The hair on the back of her neck was standing on end. There was something not quite right about this king; something that made her very uneasy.
“You must be tired, and I have taken up enough of your time. Sleep well, Anika, and I shall see you in the morning.”
He looked as though wanted to say more, but thought better of it. He turned to the door, closing it behind him. She breathed a sigh of relief as the uneasy feeling left along with him.
***************
Exhaustion should have allowed Anika to fall asleep quickly. From the moment her head touched her pillow, she should have been unconscious to the world around her. She was so tired, but there was something inside her, a feeling she could not ignore. It was the feeling that had come when she had brought out her box.
Rolling from her bed, she padded over to where she had returned her treasures to their hiding place and slid off the stone. Gently, she cradled the box in her arms and went back to her bed to sit down. She placed the object in front of her as she curled up her legs underneath her.
Her fingers once more traced back over the lid until they found their way to the edge. It was too dark in the cottage to see the items clearly, but Anika did not need to see to know what the box contained. Her hand reached inside, and she pulled out the first thing she touched.
The object was small, hard and cold. It was a ring. She lifted the ring so the moonlight caught the clear stone on top and sent a glimmering reflection across the room. The ring had once belonged to her mother, and it was the only thing she had to remember her by. Many, many years had passed since she had thought of her mother. The memories of her were few since she had died when Anika was a little girl, but those she did have were mostly happy occasions, except for how she had died long before her time. Anika shook her head to clear away that particular memory and returned the ring to the box.
Her hand wandered away from the coolness of the metal only to brush against something that was radiating heat. This was what had caused the feeling to form inside her though she was unable to name just what that feeling was for there was a combination: dread, longing, fear, uncertainty, hope. Her fingers wrapped around the hot item. It was small and narrow. She was about to pull the object from the box when a breeze blew through the window. The wind was warm, like a breath upon the back of her neck. Anika dropped the item along with the box back onto the bed. Her heart drummed wildly in her chest as her breathing quickened.
Without another thought, she returned the box to its hiding place and climbed back into her bed, covering her head with the blanket. When her breathing returned to normal and her heart slowed, she was finally able to fall asleep.
Chapter 4
The following day was another long and trying one for Anika. She again, had to go to the marketplace to sell her tonics and herbs. King Conrad insisted on accompanying her since Tristan had chosen to remain with his soldiers. She tried to protest, claiming she was perfectly capable of going alone, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Graciously, but begrudgingly, she conceded to his chaperoning her. He changed into more common attire since the snake crest he wore would only give him away as to who was.
While they were in the village, Conrad never strayed far from Anika’s side, though she mentioned quite often that he should go explore and see the sights for himself. He seemed content with wandering only as far as where he could no longer see her then he would return.
There were many curious stares from passersby and few asked questions of the stranger, but his true identity remained hidden as she had been instructed. Anika directed any inquires asked of her to the king, but she did not stop long enough to hear his reply. She did see him smile quite often at her, and so she would not be considered rude or impertinent, she gave him a halfhearted smile in return. Again, his continuous attention upon her made her ill at ease.
Later that afternoon, Anika and Conrad made their way back to her cottage, but not before he filled the walk with question upon question about her life to which she only gave vague yet polite answers. She did not trust him. He, however, did not seem to notice her lack of enthusiasm.
Shortly after their return, he announced that night he must dutifully dine with the noblemen in the village and invited Anika to accompany him. She respectfully declined with an excuse of it being a tiring day and still having to accomplish chores around her home. So, adorned in his royal crested attire, along with Sir Thoran and another of his knights, the king rode off. She breathed with relief when she could no longer see his figure in the distance.
For the remainder of the afternoon and on into the evening, Anika enjoyed the peace and quiet from inside her cottage. She worked on extracting oils from the plants and bottling up the liquid. The peacefulness of her sanctuary was shattered when Tristan came bounding through the door. His eyes were bright with excitement, at least the one that could open up fully.
“I have wonderful news,” he exclaimed, sitting down next to her with a thud.
For the first time since the king’s arrival, Anika’s smile was genuine. “I was wondering when I would see you again,” she teased.
She set aside the bottle she had been filling.
“Oh,” Tristan said as he raised his brow, flinching in pain from his cut forehead. “I suppose I have been rather occupied.”
She let out a laugh. “I only jest. Tell me, what is your wonderful news?”
His smile returned. “Well, my absence is part of it. I have spent all day with the king’s soldiers, and they have been telling me all about their lives back in Certa. Did you know that you need only to be seventeen to begin training as a knight?”
She could sense where this conversation was being directed, but she did not wish to dampen his spirits. She had missed his smile over the past couple days along with his renewed youthful state.
“No, I did not know that,” she replied while standing to fetch Tristan a cup of water. She poured the clear liquid from the ladle as he continued speaking.
“Yes, and I will be seventeen in a few months, but Sir Thoran said with Conrad’s permission I could begin training sooner.”
She set the cup in front of him and returned to her seat. “Did he now?”
His blue eyes turned pleading. “I have spoken with the king. He said he will grant me consent under one condition.”
He paused, watching her to see how she would react. She did not even flinch nor make any indication of what she was thinking in regards to this news.
“And what is this condition?” she asked, though only for his sake and not out of curiosity.
He took a deep breath. “That you give me your blessing.”
Her hands folded, and she brought them to rest under her chin. “My opinion should have no bearing on what you chose. It is your life to live as you see fit.”
“That is what I told to him, but he insisted that unless you tell him yourself you approve of my choice, then he will not allow it. As he is the king, I cannot argue with him, so here I am to plead my case to you.”
She gave him a wry smile. “Then plead away.”
He took a sip of the water. “As a knight, I will be able to learn how to become a man and understand not only how to defend myself but those around me.”
The bruises upon his face suddenly became more prominent to her as he spoke.
He continued. “I will have a chance to see the world and meet new people. The others were telling me of how when they walk by, they are greeted with respect and admiration. They are looked up to by children and are longed after by women.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “Perhaps, I should have left out that last part.”
Anika thought for a moment before she said, “I fear you are choosing this path on a whim, Tristan.”
“No, not at all,” he protested. “I have given it much thought. This is something I truly wish to do, Anika.”
“And what of Alexandria? What of you affections for her?” She knew it was a blow to his ego to mention the girl, but she had to make sure he had considered everything.
“I can come back to visit. I am certain that when I am a knight she will share mutually my feelings for her with me. We will be together.” He sounded so confident, but that was the erroneous ways of his youth speaking.
Her hands dropped to the table. “Tristan, I do not think...”
He cut her off by placing his warmed hand over her mouth. “Before you object, there is something else I need to say. Conrad has invited both of us to come back to Certa, to stay with him in the castle. That is where I will be trained, and you can see for yourself how beneficial it will be for me. Imagine, Anika, staying in the castle as a personal guest of the king. Not many of our status can say they have been offered such an invitation. Just wait until then, and afterward, you can make your decision as to whether you give me your blessing or not. Please, Anika, for me?”
He removed his hand from her mouth and took her hand in his instead. “Please?” he asked once more.
Anika studied his face, so hopeful and yet so naive. She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could say a word there was a knock on her door.
“Come in,” Tristan called, turning to greet whomever it was entering.
The king’s form filled the doorway as he passed through. Anika again felt the eeriness of him being within close proximity of her.
“I hope I am not interrupting,” Conrad said.
Both Tristan and Anika stood as he entered. Tristan bowed at the waist as Anika bowed her head.
“No, not at all,” Tristan insisted as he stood up straight. “In fact, your being here could not be more perfect. I was just telling Anika of how you had invited us to Certa. Perhaps you could help me to convince her more effectively.”
His eyes came to rest on her face, but she avoided his gaze. “What might I say to persuade you to accompany us?” he asked her, tilting his head to the side as though he were really considering what he could say.
She glanced from Tristan to Conrad and back again, feeling like a trapped animal and any which way she turned there was no escape. “I have not given an answer, one way or the other,” she finally said.
The king took a step toward her. Anika’s instincts told her to back away, but she remained where she was. She did not want to seem impertinent.
“I only ask that you allow me to return the hospitality which you have so graciously bestowed upon me and my guard. Accepting my invitation does not seal your brother’s fate into servitude. He shall be free to walk away at any time.”
Anika settled her gaze onto Tristan’s pleading face. He was mouthing the word please over and over again behind the king’s back. She knew this was an extremely bad idea, but she could not seem to tell him no.
Reluctantly, she agreed. “Very well. We would be honored to accept your invitation, your majesty.”