The Emperor’s Heir
Book One of;
The Emperor Series
By
SD Tracy Harper
The Emperor Series
By
SD Tracy Harper
Also by SD Tracy Harper
SHORT
STORIES FROM THE HEART SERIES
Reality’s Exit
Reality’s Exit
The Emperor’s Heir
By
SD Tracy Harper
SD Tracy Harper
Copyright
© 2010, Steven D.T. Harper. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical
except for the purpose of reviewing or promotion. The Emperor’s Heir, Book One of The Emperor Series by: SD Tracy
Harper is a work of fiction, any resemblance between the characters and actual
persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Cover illustration by S.D. Tracy Harper.
Acknowledgement
Frankie Baby!
For my reader group at General Services Administration who
supported me in more ways than the obvious.
Dedication
This and all series under the
Twin Hearts’ World are dedicated to Princess Kristina and Prince Steven the
Second. The lights that shins brighter and gives clarity greater than any want,
wish, or word.
Love Dad, Emperor Steven the First.
Content
Prologue
1. Earliest Memory
2. Day of Birth
3. Response to the Call
4. The Unknown Call
5. A Plan, a Place, and a Pleasure
6. No Ordinary Tree House
7. A Taste of Blueberry
8. A Little Reminder
9. Wisdom to Fear
10. Given Honors Above All
11. A Special Event
12. Our New Daughter
13. Your Eyes
14. Sweet Cakes
15. She Has Need of Me
16. The Perfect Opportunity
17. A Friend True
18. DEATH
19. A Misunderstanding
20. Invitation to Tea
21. Better Surroundings
22. I am a Dead Man
23. Friend of My Friend
24. Little Monsters
25. Deadly Errands
Glossary
Excerpt from Book 2: The
Emperor’s Heart
PROLOGUE
A
child was made orphan because of one person’s wants, wishes, and words. This
soulless monster had nearly caused the return of darkness long past and best
forgotten. This blackness that once had ruled the land was conquered through
the greatest of sacrifices forever remembered as the Cleansing. The final price
paid to stop this vile pestilence’s return was just as great and because of the
hearts of those who sat in rule for each kingdom were unfit that they gave aid
than gave protection. Those who sat on thrones were selfish, spiteful,
domineering, gluttonous, and corrupted beyond redemption, a choice for those
who must take their place to honor, support, and obey the one this great
sacrifice was its sole cause had to be made. This necessary action had to come
to pass, or the sacrifice would be made in vain. Only one could be trusted for
this task and they were chosen and thus it was called the Chosen. But, those
willing to pay the cost showed much, the ring showed more, but the sunrise of
the second cleansing showed all.
Those
who soul was not corrupted shed unashamed tears for the cost was that of the
end of two mothers’ love, the removal of an fathers’ protection , and a loving
family’s ties torn apart and never share what all families hold dear, (warmth,
safety, and love of fellowship). Through the want of this single price, one
would have reason to believe that the gods were cruel to allow this event to
come to pass. Through the wishes of these gods to hold tight all of that was entrusted
to this one line from the first up until this one small child, who each had
given all of themselves for their pleasure was selfish. And above all, through
the words of these gods had all from this single line had to prove their
devotion were of a apprentice to their master and that through each generation
of this one line hearts were each equal and pure. Oh, but with the price set
and seasons can only change without stop or delay in the future from each dawn.
The ultimate payment would soon be at hand. Oh, but these seven gods would not
make the final payment they had demanded of this line easy or without great
sadness. Oh, but it was too late for the ultimate gift, the last hope, and the
final promise of redemption from the one promised now walked among their gift.
And so it begins again, with the gift of one little boy.
He paid close attention to his
surroundings so that nothing would give him away. He kept to the shadows as his
uncle had taught him during their hunts. He paid special attention to keeping
his movement smooth as not to give away his location. He left his shoes, hose
and a heavy doublet under the chair outside the room so he wouldn’t by chance
wake his uncle gathering his things. Once he was dressed, it was of bell to
make his way down the hall. He was no more than about ten steps away from their
room when he suddenly felt his uncle presence nearby. But instead of stopping
to be caught as was their routine, he ran as fast as he could down the hall,
around a corner and into the main room.
He moved his tiny little legs as best he
could without running into the wall before him and made a sharp turn straight
for the front door. Once he was outside,
he ran down the stairs two at a time, but before he could turned the first corner
that led around to the side of the cabin, he ran straight into one of the big
men carrying a log across his shoulders.
He knew he was in trouble for true.
His uncle had warned him more than once about getting underfoot and now
he had. He expected the man to get
angry, but he only laughed when he looked down at him. The man he ran into turned towards the other
big men and called them over. That dawn
he learned a new word and it would change his life forever. KNIGHTS!
The
Emperor’s Heir
CHAPTER 1
Earliest Memories
His
earliest memories were that of snow and hard work. All around him were the sounds of trees
falling and its wood being cut into boards to replace rotten sections of
floors, patch inner walls, and as for new strips to hold fresh thatch for the roof,
or left whole for beams and outer walls.
Most of the structure was to be left undone until the spring thaw arrived.
Throughout the winter, the trees surrounding their small cabin were cut down
and the land was cleared of plants that cluttered the grounds. The cabin needed
a large amount of work and he helped his uncle as best he could.
The first thing they did was to cover the
hole in the roof with one of their waxed canvases they used as a tent when they
had first arrived. Each sunrise they swept, washed, and piled up debris to
burn. The fireplace had birds living in it and they made their feelings known
that they didn’t appreciate losing their home. The noise they made had him
gathering rocks to throw at them until his uncle gave him a more productive use
for his rock gathering skills.
It was cold work mixing the mortar to
repair the fireplace, but he quickly forgot about how he could no longer feel
his fingers and toes when the blaze of warmth of their first fire filled the
main room. Their first few meals were simple, warm, and filling, but not what
they needed to last the cold winter in the mountains. His uncle woke him early
one dawn and they got started preparing for his first Winter’s Hunt. He decided
that to delay longer could see them caught when the harsh weather arrives and
thought it would be for the best that they take their leave from their home the
following sunrise.
v
They had packed their things for a half
moon away from their cabin and set out a bell before dawn the following sunrise.
The pride in his uncle’s voice as he spoke on how this hunt would be the
beginning of his journey to become a man had him both excited and frightened. Just
a few moons ago, his uncle gave him one task he had to be able to accomplish on
his own before he would agree to let him go on a hunt. He had wondered why his
uncle wanted him to learn how to make sleds, and now he knew the answer to that
one question. Of course he had more questions than the stars in the sky at
night high and grains of sand in all of the Snake Kingdome, but the answer to this
one was most important.
Sleds were important because they were
used to carry their supplies and as their beds to keep them off the cold
ground. He learned to appreciate sleds even more when they had reached the
snow. After each long march deeper into the mountains, they would set up camp a
bell before there was very little light left in the sky. Their camp’s preparations that were his responsibilities
needed no explanation.
His tasks consisted of gathering wood for
a fire, digging holes, and collecting snow in buckets to put in pots that hung
over their campfire. This may not sound like much, but gathering clean snow,
and placing it into pots was a lot of work. It always surprised him how a
bucket of snow barely made enough water to fill half a cup. Let’s not talk
about how much clean snow is needed for the two of them to drink, cook stew for
their sun low meals, and for porridge to break their fast with the dawn. He had
learned so much that he knew he was going to forget that his head began to ache,
but it was not bad enough to forget to pay close attention to one particular
task his uncle had set for him.
His uncle always had him prepare the sleds
under their tent before their hunts began. He had learned all too quickly that
it was necessary to make sure the sleds were in place and secure to the ground before
his naps and at bed bell, and also for his bells in learning letters and
counting. He dove into the tent without doing his task properly one sunrise and
never did so again. Snow had a way of finding the most sensitive places to hide
when you are not careful and a sled need very little for it to move or tip over. He cared little for his school lessons each
dawn and sun high, and would try as best he could to avoid them. However, he
had no other choice but to complete each task if he wanted to learn woodcraft
and that was that.
Once his school lessons were done, he
received his woodcraft instructions. He was taught how to set snares to catch
rabbits, how to properly cut a hole in a frozen lake to catch fish, and how to
track animals of all sizes. He learned what plants were to be used for food,
which ones were to be used to heal and especially to avoid those that can cause
you great harm. Once they had all they could carry from their hunts, they would
head back to their cabin. Sometimes their hunts took less than a half a moon,
but it only bothered him when his uncle kept him longer in the mountains so
they could play one particular game.
The game was simple. He was to use all his
tracking skills to find where he hid. It was only a game, and it was never hard
for him to find his uncle. All he had to do was look on the ground for
footprints or his surroundings for things that were out of place. He would
spend most of the next two bells traveling through a dense forest or climbing
up a hill on his hands and knees until he found him sitting by a fire with a
mug and dagger waiting for him. It was tiring, and his uncle made it harder for
him to find him at each attempt, but not something that was completely without
joy. Now that the winter was coming towards an end, it was of season to get
back to work on their cabin.
He watched his uncle make their beds out
of small tree trunks and small saplings. He did like gathering thatch, laying
them out before the fireplace to dry, and then stuff them into large pouches
they used as bedding. The new thatch smelled wonderful and it also kept him
warmer than sleeping on the bare floor. It was also his job to throw out the
old straw every moon and refill the pouches with new. He remembered getting
excited when a wagon arrived at their cabin, but that soon turned to anger when
he learns the woman who drove the wagon would stay with him so his uncle could
go for more supplies. He wanted to go with his uncle told true, but it was only
proper that someone stays with their visitor.
She was nice enough, he guessed, but it
wasn’t the same as having his uncle near. She was pretty though and would some
sunrises let him sleep with his head in her lap. She always had a wonderful
story to tell him at bed bell and would hold him close when there were flashes
of light in the sky and the frightening sound that was heard afterwards. Well,
she did. That was until she asked him, after a fierce storm had passed, if he
thought it was alright if he would let her be frightened and not hold her in
protection. He saw no problem with doing this if it would make her feel better.
From then on, he only stood near, as if
protecting her from the storm. Once the storm had passed and he was sure she no
longer had fear, he would then go back to his studies. She was always grateful
and to thank him for watching over her, she would make him some sweet cakes
with the little seeds he liked. He still missed his uncle, but she was nice and
pretty told true.
When his uncle finally returned to their
cabin, they now had real beds. He still preferred to stuff his pillow with
straw. All his uncle did was laughed when he asked if it was alright to use his
straw pillow in place of the one he had bought for him. For some reason he did
feel better that the woman now had room to sleep in his uncle’s bed, but for
some reason she wasn’t happy about it. She must have changed her mind after a
good bed bell because the following sunrise she was all smiles.
The pretty woman stayed with us for a few
more sunrises after my uncle’s return, and even thanked him for offering to
share his bed and not his uncles. He hoped she would not get angry again
because his uncle’s bed was not to her liking. It wasn’t a truly sad sunrise
the pretty woman took her leave, but close enough. She had to do something that
was very important, but she said she would return to see him once again. His
uncle was angry for a few sunrises after the pretty woman took her leave, but
things soon went back to the way they were with just the two of them. That was
until the big men came during a terrible snowstorm the following winter.
He felt deep down that something really important
was about to happen, and it both excited him and frightened him at the same
time.
v
There were tents everywhere and fires
burned both through the dawn and well pass night high. The big men took over
the task he and his uncle had started with making their home bigger. More trees
were cut down. More of the land around their cabin was cleared. And, more big
men had arrived with more supplies and tools. In a matter of a few sunrises,
the big men had turned their small cabin much larger then what he had ever
expected. Somehow he knew it was all for him and the sight of it all had struck
him fence post stupid as he watched as each board or whole tree trunk was set
into place for the new additions to their small cabin.
He marveled at how the big men placed log
after log, one on top the other in quick succession to form the corners and the
outer walls of the new rooms. The cabin started with one small room and an even
smaller one that they used to store their supplies. Both were enlarged and
several other rooms were now taking shape. The last piece of this puzzle was
the roof of cut boards and the thatch to cover it. That confused him because
the old roof was not made of boards, but thin strips of wood and thatch tied to
them. He gave up on that thought as quickly as it came for a new one.
Throughout the many sunrises of the
building, laughter was heard and some strange thing the big men would say that
had him mesmerized. It must have been something important because it was the
only words spoken while they worked, he would hear them say. He recited the strange words they said so
much that he had found himself saying them unnoticed. Whatever it was must be
something important because when his uncle caught him saying it he received a
wide grin and a wink of his eye. Just to see his uncle happy was enough for him
to remember those strange words so if he gets into trouble again, maybe it will
stop his uncles blood from heating.
He knew it would take more than mere words
to do that, it was worth hoping. One thing it did do that was unexpected. After
he would say those words, he would always hear some strange sound that would
turn his attention from his uncle. When he turned back to him, he was gone. He
knew what he had to do next. It was like the game he and his uncle would play
at the end of their Winter’s Hunt, but indoors.
Also, his uncle wasn’t the hunted, he was.
As soon as he was on the verge of running
from the old part of the cabin to the new, he always felt a hand pull him back
from the area the big men were working in.
This became a new game and both he and his uncle would laugh whenever he
would attempt his exploration of the new rooms ending with his capture. He had
an idea and woke especially early one sunrise to see if he could make it across
the invisible barrier separating old from new.
He really wanted to see what was going on in the area the big men had
task, and this was the only way he could think to do just that.
He
crawled off of his bed and onto the floor. He then moved slowly on his belly
until he was out of the new room he shared with his uncle. Once outside their
bed chamber, he stood slowly as not to make a sound on the soft wooden
floorboards, which always made too much noise for his liking, and moved away
with as little sound as possible. He crept on tiny feet, hoping his uncle would
not see or hear him like he had during his latest attempt and stop him once
again from seeing where the big men had task.
He
paid close attention to his surroundings so that nothing would give him away.
He kept to the shadows as his uncle had taught him during their hunts. He paid
special attention to keeping his movement smooth as not to give away his
location. He left his boots, hose and a heavy doublet under the chair outside
the room so he wouldn’t by chance wake his uncle gathering his things. Once he
was dressed fully, it was of bell to make his way down the hall. He was no more
than about ten steps away from their bedchamber when he suddenly felt his uncle
presence nearby. But, instead of stopping to be caught as was their routine, he
ran as fast as he could down the hall, around a corner and into the main
room.
He moved his tiny little legs as best he
could without running into the walls before him and made a sharp turn straight
for the main door. Once he was outside,
he ran down the stairs two at a time, but before he could turned the first
corner that led around to the side of the cabin where the big men had task that
sunrise, he ran straight into one of the big men carrying a log across his
shoulders. He knew he was in trouble for
true.
His uncle had warned him more than once
about getting underfoot and now he had.
He expected the big man to get angry that he had bumped into him as he
was carrying such a heavy burden, but all he did was laughed when he looked
down at him. The big man he had ran into
turned towards the other big men nearby and called them to him. That dawn he learned a new word and that
single word would change his life forever.
KNIGHTS!
“Knights!” the big man’s voice rumbled
deeply. “It would seem we have one who wishes to be one of us. What say you all? Does he have what it takes
to be a knight or should we warm his bottom for getting under foot?”
The big man tossed the log he was carrying
to the side as if it was but a stick and grabbed him by his little
shoulders. He tried to shake loose so he
could run back into the old part of the house to safety, but it was of no use. As he turned his head towards the way he had
come, he saw his uncle looking back at him. He knew by the look on his face
that he was in for a bottom warming like no other and harsh words they would
stop him from sleeping without a candle.
“Knights,” called out his uncle with a
snap of his voice. “A question has been asked and I shall allow either choice
to be made.”
(How could his uncle do this to him!), his
thoughts screamed in panic. (These big
men were going to beat him badly for bothering them.) He had no other option then to allow them
their choice in this matter, he was clearly in error. His shoulders slumped as
he bowed his head defeated. He heard a voice in his mind chastise him harshly
for forgetting he was not weak! He agreed with the voice and turned back to the
big men with dignity.
He quickly raised his head, squared his
shoulders and stood as tall as his little frame could. He looked the big men
straight in their eyes and awaited his fate proudly. Right at that moment and
before these knights, he had made his decision, he had chosen his road, he had
set his course to sail, and no one was ever going to take his heart from him
for the rest of his life. He was going to stand his ground from that sunrise
forward at all cost and be the best knight in all the Five Kingdoms.
He was never going to let anyone take away
his pride for himself ever again as this big man almost had. The smiles on each
of the big men faces abruptly disappeared as they looked upon him and stood
tall and proud as well. There was a man bigger than the rest, not actually, but
he was no one to act a fool around. He was standing with his uncle looking like
a thundercloud come to visit and it wasn’t to have sweet cakes with the small
seeds on them. He carried a strange looking ax in his hand and his voice was as
rough as two coarse rocks rubbing together when he spoke.
“A question has been asked, you bunch of
lay abouts. Well, this isn’t a tea party ladies. What say you all?”
From that sunrise on, Will found himself
running from one place to another around where the big men had task. Pulling
thatch from a large pile for the roof, fetching pail after pail of water from
the stream, removing wood chips surrounding the cabin for the burn pile, and also
bring food and drink to the big men and their mounts. With so many men around, his hardest task was
to turn the numerous spits that held all types of meat from deer, pigs, cows,
chickens, rabbits and his favorite, fish.
Although he was not allowed to cut the meat, he did receive the best
cuts and that gave him a sense of pride that he was doing well. These were his duties and he did each to the
best of his abilities without complaint.
Each dawn and sun high was a special time
for him. The knights took turns teaching him how to fight with hands, feet and
wooden swords. He enjoyed that part of, what they called, his watch. Although,
his arms and legs hurt at bed bell after his watch, he felt that he was one of
these knights or at the least, some sunrise would be one of them. He felt
sadden the dawn these knights took their leave. He felt he would no longer be
one of their numbers, but they gave him a sendoff that he would always
remember.
As the knights rode past him, as he stood
on the new porch, he helped build, each of them place their sword in front of
their face. He thought it was a strange thing to do until his uncle told him
that they were saluting him for all his good work. Will pulled his dagger the
big men gave him the sun low before, after his final watch was over, and
saluted them in the same manner. The last in line was the man with the strange
ax and the knight who caught him sneaking around. It was the man with the ax
who spoke.
“Will!” his voice called out with a snap,
as if he was truly one of his numbers. “One sunrise I expect to call you
knight. You are without leave until
then. Your duties are to take care of
your uncle, learn what he can teach you and work hard for one sunrise the
knights will need you. Be ready when they
call for your aid. Have I made my
commands known boy?”
He didn’t know why these big men call this
one man this funny name, but he felt it was proper to do the same. He stood tall, held his head high, and spoke
strongly.
“Aye, Commander Guardian!”
The man smiled for the first time Will had
ever seen him do so and he felt proud of that fact. The Commander Guardian bowed to him from his
saddle, then he and all the knights galloped away. He saw a blue flash of light
when they were just out of sight, but it must have been something shiny like a
sword or the Commander Guardian’s ax.
CHAPTER 2
Day of Birth
One
sunrise his uncle brought to the table milk and sweet cakes with the little
seeds on them that he liked. Fall was coming to an end and winter was fast
approaching. The sun still shone bright, but the leaves were turning bright oranges
and dark browns. The food they had gathered filled the storerooms to its
fullest it had ever been in the three full seasons they had lived in the cabin.
The last moon of the fall had them salting, smoking, and cooking meats of all
kinds for their winter’s stores and to take with them for the Winter’s Hunt soon
to follow once the snow arrived. Their cabin had changed drastically from the
one large room and small store room.
He marveled at how much larger their main
room at their home was compared to what it once was. This wasn’t the only major
change. They now had a dining room with several chairs and benches, a kitchen
with a real iron stove, baking ovens, and even a spit for roasting meats. There
was also a bathhouse connected to the rear of their cabin, and four bedrooms to
go along with the two rooms for each of them. Although, this sunrise he was to
move out of his uncle’s room to one of his very own, the one thing that totally
had his attention at that very moment was the tray full of sweet cakes with the
little seeds on them that he liked. That changed when he glanced out the
window. The first snow of the winter season had just arrived.
Well, to tell true, he really liked the
sweet cakes with the little seeds more than the snow. However, what had him
excited even more was the reason for the sweet cakes and milk. His uncle made
this special treat to celebrate his day of birth. This sunrise was his twelfth
day of birth. This should’ve been a
special and happy occasion for the both of them, but it was not to be. They had
received word that the boys who were to come to share in this Winter’s Hunt
would not be able to join them for various reasons.
One boy had broken his arm, another boy
had an accident and fell into some poison oak, one boy was too sick to travel
and had been that way from birth, and one did not receive his invite correctly.
The last of the five boys who was invited mother had outright forbid her son to
attend. It was a quiet and a sad celebration until they heard several wagons
and happy voices coming up the road leading to their lodge.
He grinned broadly for someone did make
the journey, and it being his day of birth and all, made this unexpected
surprise all the more perfect. His uncle
had warned him when he first had the idea to request the boys come to their
home for this Winter’s Hunt that these boys grew up in castles where they were
accustomed to nicer things. Not better his
uncle insured him, but nicer. They had
people who taught them many things and his uncle also made it clear to him that
he was just as smart as each of them and could show these particular boys a
thing or two.
Will wasn’t going to take that chance and
decided to make sure he could do one thing better than all of them. He
practiced the bow at every opportunity from the moment his uncle told him of
the invitations he had sent out. He practiced before dawn, after his chores,
before and after each meal, after his sun high nap and before bed bell. All
summer and fall, long after his uncle told him about this Winter’s Hunt Will
practiced. With all this practicing the bow, it would have led you to believe
he clearly had one thing over the other boys. Unfortunately for him, it didn’t
turn out that way.
Most of Will’s attempts to use the bow, he
would be lucky if the staff did not hit him in the face or choked himself. His
left hand he held his bow with would slip often, and if he didn’t pay close
attention when he attached a new line on each end he would find his head caught
in between the staff and new line. He was grateful when his uncle decided to give
aid before he did some permanent damage other than a few scrapes, cuts, bumps,
bruises, and a blackened eye. Things went along allot better after his uncle
gave him a few lessons, much better.
After half a moon under his uncle’s guidance,
Will could now hit the target’s center at fifty paces more often than not. He
was much better with the bow now, but felt that he did all that hard work for
nothing once the messages started arriving saying that the boys were not
coming. That sadness had all changed now with the sound of people coming up the
road to their home. He could not wait to show his winter guest how good he
truly was. Will looked expectant at his uncle for permission to leave the table.
With his eyes wide and his attention no longer on his special treat before him,
he looked to go craze at any moment.
His uncle chuckled, looking at the
expression on his face, “Go on boy. They’re probably just as excited to be here
as you are that they have come.”
Will took off running to the front porch
and stood tall and silent. It was all he
could do to stop himself from jumping up and down eagerly that he was actually going
to have boys around his own term to play with for the entire winter. When the first sign of the visitor’s wagon
came within sight, he looked on in awe.
But, that was for only a moment. There
were more wagons after the first that crested the hill and there were others as
well.
It became the longest procession of wagons
and men on horses, he had ever seen before. It was as if the fair was coming to
his house. The people in the wagons and those walking the horses up the gravel
path wore brightly colored clothes and furs he knew were the best. His uncle
had taught him quality from all the pelts they trapped from as far back as he
could remember. It was yet another thing he prides himself on knowing whether
it came from his want to learn or his uncle’s assistance.
They would fish and hunt for sunrises on
end for short stretches. Sometimes he
didn’t like it when they went during the hot summer season, but his uncle
insisted he knew how to live off the land in all seasons if need be. Will now knew how to lay snares all each types
of animals, and not just the kind they track during the Winter’s Hunt. His weapon for most of these hunts was the
sling because he didn’t have the eye with the bow then. Now he knew he could be of real aid to his
uncle this Winter’s Hunt. He always
wanted to try his best for his uncle and now he was going to have his
chance.
This Winter’s Hunt would be his first he would
use the bow and he was ready to show that he could do his part. Will didn’t
consider fishing as praiseworthy, although he always caught more fish than his
uncle. He liked fishing and eating it freshly cooked over a fire. The knights who
had helped enlarge their home had taught him what spices to use on the fish
that taste best. The smells from the fish after the spices were applied made
his mouth water and made their meal an extra special treat. Most importantly,
fishing was the one task that would allow him a few bells to relax and dream.
He always dreamed of some sunrise riding
high upon a noble steed before all the kings and queens of the Five Kingdoms
and having them announce that he was the best knight in all the land. He prayed
at every bed bell that when that happy sunrise happened, he hoped he would hear
one voice sing his name out in praise above all, (That is my nephew Will, the
best knight in all the land!) He would then do the knight’s bow to his uncle on
horse and salute him proper. He would work as hard as he could to make that
sunrise possible for his uncle. But, for now, all that had his attention was
the long line of wagons, men on horses, and people on foot and riding that were
coming up the trail to their house. Will woke from his daydream of being the
best knight in all the land by a stern little girl’s voice.
Standing before him was a tall skinny girl
in pigtails with tiny gold ribbons tied to the ends and wearing a scowl. The girl was almost a head taller and was
looking down her nose at him as if she was a grown woman and he a child. She was saying something to him harshly, it
was more like screaming something at him harshly, and she wanted an answer
smartly.
“Boy!”
She exhaled a deep breath. “Are
you cousin to a goat? You are supposed
to bow to me. You are probably too slow
of thought to know how.”
“I know how, but I will not!” Will yells
just as harshly. “Why would I waste my bells on a dumb girl?”
v
The explosion was spectacular. Mouths fell
open and eyes widened from all around. Some moved closer to hear what was going
on, but several times that number moved away with frightened expressions on their
faces. When the young girl spoke, even those who curiosity had a tight hold on
them now moved away in fear.
“I am not a dumb girl!” she screeched. “I
am a princess, and you are a goat brain fool. You have insulted my royal
person!”
Before
Will knew what was happening, a large man rushed up to where he was standing
with the yelling princess.
“You will obey boy!” the man growled hotly. “The princess has ordered you to bow to
her. You will do as she commands or
die!”
Will smiled up at the man as his uncle has
taught him what he must do when threatened.
His eyes widen when he felt a familiar presence behind the man. He was not surprised to see his uncle place
his dagger to the man’s throat.
“I wonder why that fool of a king would
let a dog like you out of its cage,” said his uncle in a tight hush of anger. “I think I may have to pay him a visit after
I have you fixed.”
The man slowly removed his hand from his
sword.
“I thought you would see things my way,” his
uncle continued, but did not lower his dagger from the man’s throat.
Will chuckled when his uncle winked at
him. His uncle chuckled himself when he
saw Will slide his dagger back into its sheath at his side. The man didn’t see a thing, but the little princess
had. She nodded her head at him as if
given her approval, and now wore a small smirk on her face.
“Boy,” called the princess abruptly, as
she started walking away. “you can play with me now.” She stopped when she
noticed he was not following behind her. “Obey me boy, and come play with me.”
“My name is Will, not boy,” he growled. “You
should also know that I only play with friends and not dumb girls!”
The screaming began anew and no one was
immune to its piercing sound. It quickly came to an end when Will sternly
pointed to the road where the wagons had arrived and simply said, “Go!”
The little princess turned away from him,
as if he no longer existed, and walked up to his uncle. She looked to one of
the young ladies with her and held out her hand. The girl quickly placed a
scroll in her outstretched hand and the princess handed it over to Will’s uncle
with a sweet innocent expression on her face. She spoke softly and profoundly
respectful as she curtsied, “Uncle.”
Will’s uncle was angry about this turn of
events, but knew it wasn’t the child’s fault. He cracked the seal of the King
of the Eagle Kingdom and unrolled the scroll slowly. The more he read, the
angrier he became.
It read;
Huntsman, I thought it would be for the
best if my daughter participates in your Winter’s Hunt. I believe it would do us all well if she got
to know others of her kind. Royals,
nobles, and Most Royals all should fellowship together to get to know one
another before the sunrise they have the responsibility of rule. Besides, with her mother in the gods care, I
wish her to be a child as long as possible instead of her believing she must
take her mother’s place and be responsible for her younger sisters.
Please accept her in this fellowship and
let her have some memories of a happy childhood before she is forced into being
Empress Royal. Huntsmen, please forgive me if I have overstepped my rights as
king, but please believe that I do this in the best interests as a father. As one
of the royal families of the Five Kingdoms, we were all told by our Master you
will have final say in our children's lives. When word of your outing was
brought to my attention, Victoria was in the throne room. Needless to say, she
made her mind known clearly. I have tried to explain to her this was not meant
for the princesses, but for the princes alone. One thing led to something else
and she wishes to ask you in person. I leave this decision in your capable
hands.
King Drake of
the Eagle Kingdom.
“Light
skirt,” he growled, under his breath. He
straightened his expression quickly as he noticed his little niece’s distressed
face. “Victoria, I am sorry, but this
fellowship was for boys only.”
“But, the boys are not coming. I have come to stay with you because they
cannot. I hope I have not disappointed
you by not being a boy. I thought it
would be good to be with you and make you happy. I am sorry I have made you angry,” she spoke
softly with tears in her eyes. “I will
go home at once uncle.”
The Huntsman opened his arms to the little
princes and she came to him as bid. He
picked her up and wiped the tears that flowed down her cheeks.
“Victoria, you do know tears are not going
to sway me like your father. That was
the worst lie you have told yet. You
knew this was for boys only and you forced your father in sending you here
anyway. I should put you over my knee
and spank you.”
Will smiled happily at his uncle words,
but was surprised that the girl laughed.
“Uncle, it worked with father and I am
here. You still love me, do you not?”
“Of course I do, but you should never lie
to me. It will only get you into
trouble. What if some of the boys come
later? Are you going to behave yourself
little girl?”
“I will try my best, but the other boys
are no fun. They cannot climb trees, fish, run fast or even use a bow. No one can best me at home and I was hoping
that the princes would be better. Uncle,
can that boy do anything, but act the fool?”
“That boy is my nephew and his name is
Will. This is his home and he answers to no one but me, so stop treating him as
a servant. It is he who must decide if he wants to play with you and when. This
is his home, not yours. If you are going to stay, you best understand that.”
“I do uncle. Can I stay?”
“One more thing before you receive an
answer. All these people must go.”
“Sir,” the knight who almost got his
throat cut chimed in. “The Princess must
be protected always. Surely you do not
mean to strip her of her protection.”
“You, protection,” he laughed. “Have you
ever tested to be called Guardian?”
“Not yet Sir, but I am sure I will measure
up.”
“You best go home and practice your
woodcraft for you are without sight.”
“Sir, I do not follow,” he said confused.
“Will, how many men do you see?” he asked
with a slight chuckle. “Over there,” he pointed to a clump of trees to his left.
“I
say six, no seven, Uncle. One of them is
hiding in the tree. I almost missed
him.”
“Good, but you missed the one behind him.
You are getting better, but you should wait to see if there is one behind the
other. The second man always wants to see what the first man sees with his own
eyes. That usually gets the both of them into trouble. Remember you must always
trust the man before you or you will be the cause of getting the both of you
removed.”
The knight looked at the two of them as if
they went addle until the Huntsman lowered the princess and made a bird
call. All around them the forest came
alive with Guardian Knights dressed in forest colors.
“Knight, I think the princess is in good
hands and if you did not figure it out by now, if I would have allowed you to pull
your sword on my nephew you would have looked the porcupine with as many arrows
that were pointed at you.”
He whistled two short bursts and pointed
to the roof. Over a score of men rose from the thatch roof with bows pointed at
him. The thatch was attached to their backs and they also wore colors to match
their surroundings.
“No one will get within a league in all
directions of my lodge without me knowing about it. You can have your people set up camp for this
sun low and be prepared to leave at dawn.”
Will thought this was the perfect
opportunity to add the princess to the list of people going.
“Uncle the girl can have my bed for this
sun low, so she will not have to sleep on the ground. I am sure it would be good for her before she
takes her leave at dawn with the others.”
“Who told you I was going?” the princess
screeched.
“You are going.”
“No I am not!”
“Yes you are!”
They went at one another again. The Huntsman was about to throw himself on
his own sword until one of Victoria’s ladies interrupted them.
“Princess,” call an older servant. “it is
almost of bell for your sun high meal. Young man, if you would please show the
princess where she may wash before the two of you have your meal, I would be
thankful.”
“She can jump in the lake and drown for
all I care,” Will growled.
“Maybe you should join me,” Victoria
returned the comment with fire of her own.
“Then it would be you who drowned unless I save you. You probably cannot swim.”
“I can too, and better than a girl.”
“No you cannot. I am probably better with
the bow than you too. That is the reason you want me to go. You cannot best me
at anything.”
“Not true!” spat Will.
“Then let us have a contest. If you best
me in the bow than I will leave. If I best you, I stay. Agree?”
“Agreed!”
“I do Not until the both of you have your sun
high meal and take your nap,” the Huntsman chuckled. “I will not have you shoot some poor
unsuspecting bird because of a yawn.
Will, show the princess and these ladies where they can go out back to
wash.”
Will was not happy, but he did as he was
told.
“Come on Vicky, I will show you where you
can drown yourself.”
“Young man,” the much older servant was
about to chastise him before Victoria stopped her.
“Vicky, I like that boy. You shall call me Vicky from now on.”
“My name is Will, not boy, and you shall
not call me at all.”
“Find by me, Not At All. You can now show
me where I can wash. After my nap, I
shall teach you a lesson you will not soon forget!”
As both children stormed off, everyone
laughed. This included the Guardians
from all around. Only one person was not
happy, but the Huntsman was glad that no bloodshed was forthcoming from both of
these strong willed children. At the
least, not until they had their naps.
And they were men.
- End of Sample Chapter -
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