Translated From Sarconian Annals - Draft Volume II
When Crystal and Sonarwyn left the room the next morning, Cartagh was still on the window seat. The Nymph appeared to be completely relaxed, sword laying beside him and eyes closed. When the two girls tried to slip by him, however, he opened his eyes."I'm sorry," said Sonarwyn. "We didn't mean to wake you up."
Cartagh laughed. "I wasn't asleep." He dropped lightly to the floor. "Crystal, Argon and Walker are already out at the stables. Walker wants an early start."
"So do I," said Crystal. "I'll head down there right now. Don't be frightened, Sonarwyn. You'll be fine here."
Crystal went out to the stables. Walker was busy saddling his unicorn, Ebony, a big animal with a coat like black satin.
"I want to show you something," Argon said to Crystal, leading her deeper into the stables. They stopped next to a stall, and a white unicorn nickered in greeting. "Her name is Cameo," said Argon, placing a hand on the unicorn's delicate head. She butted his shoulder, being careful not to hit him with her silvery horn. Argon passed a small cube of sugar to Crystal behind his back, and she held it out to the unicorn. Cameo took the cube delicately and allowed Crystal to stroke her mane.
"She is beautiful," said Crystal.
"She's yours," Argon told her. He laughed at Crystal's surprised expression. "You can't very well take your uncle to Corvan on foot, can you?" He patted Cameo's neck. "Don't let her petite form deceive you. She's tough, strong, and smart. She was trained by some of the best." Argon left the stable, and Crystal could hear him talking with Walker.
Crystal turned to Cameo. The unicorn pricked her ears forwards. "Well, we've got a long road ahead, girl," said Crystal. She gently took Cameo's halter and led the unicorn over to where her saddle waited. Saddling Cameo did not take long. Crystal led the unicorn out into the yard and held the reins somewhat loosely as she spoke with the others. Cameo teased Ebony, pulling his mane with her teeth. Ebony gave a rather exasperated snort, nipped Cameo and gave her mane a rather decisive jerk. Cameo squealed and hopped away, eyeing the big stallion with new respect.
Crystal and Walker mounted and trotted away to the south.
"Don't even think about it, you big devil," Walker said to Ebony when the unicorn tried to grab the bit between his teeth when Walker wouldn't let him run.
Cameo arched her neck, picked up her feet as if she were dancing and gave Ebony a look that seemed to say, "Look what a good unicorn I'm being, unlike you." This resulted in a great deal of attempts to nip on Ebony's side.
Crystal turned to Walker. "You want to let them run? They've got plenty of energy; a bit too much, seems like."
Walker nodded, and they let the unicorns out to a controlled run. During this time, Crystal directed Cameo through a few moves, trying to find the unicorn's gaits and limits. When they finally slowed the unicorns, Crystal knew that Argon had chosen her mount well.
Late in the afternoon, they reached a small town. After some asking around, they found out the location of their uncle's cabin from a shopkeeper.
"Right over that little hill, beside the creek," the woman told them. "Fella that lives there's named Jedrick, but he fits your dicription."
Walker and Crystal thanked her, and headed for the cabin. They knew from the information they had gathered that their Uncle Brian had been going by Jedrick.
The cabin was right where the woman had said it would be. They went up the steps and knocked on the front door. It creaked open, and a man stepped into the doorway. He went sheet white as soon as he saw them. "Daria?" he whispered, cautiously reaching out and touching Crystal's cheek. "You haven't changed at all!"
"I'm not Daria," said Crystal. "I'm her daughter, Crystal. This is my brother, Walker."
"Daria's married?"
"Yes."
"Oh. So much has changed. Come in, come in." Brian opened the door wider and ushered them into the one-room cabin. "It isn't much, but it's home." They sat down in front of the fire. "Why have you come looking for me?"
"King Argon recently received a message from your father," said Walker. "King Fredrick is looking for you."
"I suspected that. Why do you think I've been going by Jedrick for all these years? I'd rather not get my head knocked off my shoulders." Brian rubbed his neck.
"But Uncle Brian," said Crystal, "It's not like that anymore. We have a letter for you from your father right here to prove it!" Crystal pulled the letter from her pouch and handed it to him.
Brian slowly opened the letter. "This was not what I was suspecting," he said when he finished reading it. "My father wants me to come back and take up the kingship of Corvan. I had thought that I was out of favor with the Corvanie royal family, but that apparently is no longer the case. Still, it could be a ruse to get me back so they could get me executed."
"That was nearly nineteen years ago that they wanted you dead," said Walker. "Besides, if you do not come and take the kingship, when your father dies, you brother, Leonardo, will be king. And that isn't a good thing."
"No..." said Brian contemplatively. "Leonardo, from what I've heard, would not make a good king. And I'm willing to believe that. He was rather a brat when I knew him. Still..."
"Don't start singing the 'I Don't Want To Be King' song, Uncle Brian," said Crystal. "Argon's worn that melody out, and my brother and I have some experience with changing the tune."
Brian laughed. "You are so much like your mother. Well, I might as well go. It's worth the risk, I suppose."
Walker and Crystal stayed with their uncle that night. They noted that Brian's behavior was much like their mother's; a sort of rusty grace with a strong hint of nobility and regal bearing. Brian inquired extensively about his sister's well-being, and they answered his questions the best they could.
They started out early the next morning. A week of steady riding brought them a day's journey from the Corvanie capital.
"I know this country," said Brian, looking around. "I know it well. Daria and I would escape our tutors and governess' whenever we could and ride around here." He stared into the campfire, a slightly pained expression on his face. Walker and Crystal remained silent, not disturbing their uncle's thoughts.
"Daria, why are you crying? What happened? Did the cat die?"
"No! I don't care about my cat right now! Oh, Brian...they've put them in the dungeon! They're going to die!"
"Whom?"
"Jonathan and Hugh!"
"No! That's impossible!"
"It's true! Father gave the order only a few hours ago! They're going to be executed for treason!"
"What treason? Not disagreeing with Father in the council."
"Yes. That's it."
"But their concerns were justified! The people will suffer all the more if the decision goes through!"
"Father doesn't care...."
Brian picked up a stick and broke it in half. He'd never understood why what had happened to his brothers had happened, no matter which way he looked at it. He could never understand how a father could have his own sons executed on charges that he knew were false.
Daria fell against Brian, weeping. "You've got to do something. Hugh's going to be executed tomorrow, and Jonathan the day after that! Maybe if you calmed Father down, he wouldn't kill them."
"Daria, sit down. I'll go talk with Father and try to save their lives." Brian left the room and walked through the halls to his father's office. "Father?"
"What is it, Brian?"
"Daria is very distressed. She says that you have ordered the execution of Jonathan and Hugh." Brian hoped against hope that what his sister has said wasn't true, but his hopes were crushed.
"I did."
"My I inquire as to why?"
"They are traitors!"
Brian struggled to think logically through his shock. "Why? What makes them traitors?"
"Their opposition of my plan during council can not be called anything but traitorous!" King Fredrick pounded his desk. "They must die!"
"Their concerns are justified!"
"The plan will make the royal treasury all the richer!"
"The plan will put a terrible strain on the people!" Brian said desperately. "You are pushing them towards the edge of rebellion!"
"Don't tell me you've bought the illusion that those boys see. It's ridiculous. I can deal with any small insurrections that may arise. Their deaths will be a lesson to all who consider opposing me!"
"They're your own sons!"
The king's eyes were hard and emotionless. "I have no sons by the names of Jonathan and Hugh."
"So you've disowned them for caring for their people!" Brian was astounded.
"I have disowned them because of their treason. Brian, I expect you and your sister to attend the execution tomorrow. They are no longer your brothers. You do not know them."
Brian struggled frantically with his emotions. "Father, you can't do this!"
The king grabbed Brian by his collar and slammed him against the wood panelling of the office. "So, you want your head to roll as well?"
Brian, struck dumb by horror at his father's behavior, remained silent.
The king slowly released his grip. "I didn't think so. You may go."
Brian left the office and slowly made his way back to his sister's chambers. One look at his face told Daria that his mission had been unsuccessful. They both burst into tears.
The stick was gone, broken into tiny bits. Brian could feel the worried eyes of his nice and nephew on him, but he could not think of any way to offer reassurance. Jonathan had always been the best at that...
"Jonathan, if you die, I'll die." Daria's tear-choked voice echoed slightly through the dungeon. "This is wrong! The people will be terribly hurt because of Father's plan!"
"They will rebel," said Jonathan softly. "But...maybe that's a good thing. They need freedom. It's been taken from them for far too long."
"But must you die, and for charges that aren't even justified? I could go to Father, say that I spoke to you, say that you renounce your words. Then you wouldn't die-"
"No! Daria," Jonathan reached a hand through the bars and cupped the back of his sister's head, laying his forehead against her's. "I cannot renounce what I know is right for any reason, not even if it means that I will die. Daria, fight for your people."
"I will."
"Fight for them. That is what we as royalty are supposed to do. Fight for our people and protect them, not get rich off them."
Daria nodded.
"Remember. Fight."
They remained like that for a time, silent and soaking up every precious second spent together.
"Hugh?" Daria asked softly, breaking the silence.
Hugh had been taken to the lower levels of the dungeon, and Brian and Daria had been unable to speak with him.
"Hugh feels the same way. He said to give you his love and to tell you to stay on a high balcony during the execution. And Daria, be ready to get back into the palace and out of arrow shot. There may be a little action. Don't cry, sis."
"I'll come see you again tomorrow."
"You won't be able to. I'll be in the lower levels of the dungeon."
"They'll do something terrible to you down there!"
"It won't matter. I'm going to die anyway."
"I won't let them kill you! I'll, I'll," Daria pounded the floor wildly, "I'll do...something! I'll shoot the executioner and-"
"Be still," said Jonathan firmly. "If you interfere, you will die as well."
"I don't care."
"The people need you, Daria. You must stay strong for them."
Daria began to cry harder. "I'll try...for you."
"Not for me, Daria. For your people." He paused, then smiled slightly. "Your cat is probably wondering where you are."
"The cat can wait. I'll stay down here tonight, keep you company."
"Don't worry about me, 'Ria. I'll be fine. You get on to bed, Angel."
"Goodbye, Jonathan. If I never see you again...I love you." Daria hugged Jonathan as best she could past the bars, then left the dungeon.
"Poor thing," Jonathan said softly to Brian. "You'll look after her?"
Brian sat down next to his brother's cell. "With my life, if necessary."
"Is there any way you can prevent her from seeing the execution?"
"Unfortunately, no. Father has ordered her to be there."
"That's too bad. I wish she didn't have to see it..."
Brian found another stick and jabbed it miserably at the ground. But she did have to see it...
An angry crowd was forming in the courtyard. A large squad of soldiers escorted Hugh towards the block in the center of the courtyard. The doomed prince was pushed to his knees as a herald read the charges against him and the sentence. The executioner laid a heavy hand on the youth's head and pressed it onto the block.
On a balcony high above the courtyard, Daria, tears streaming down her face, began to dig her fingernails into Brian's arm. The crowd was growing unruly and beginning to pelt the soldiers with rotten fruit and vegetables. It was all the soldiers could do to keep them back.
The executioner lifted his ax above his head. At a signal from the king, it fell. Daria's scream of grief was drowned out by the angry roar of the crowd. The soldiers were overrun by the people, who took possession of Hugh's body. Daria and Brian saw a cart lined with cloaks being drawn through the crowd, and Hugh was lifted onto it.
The prince and princess slipped down to join the funeral procession. The crowd parted for them, allowing them a straight path to the cart. Daria was not the only one weeping bitterly. They escorted Hugh's body to the Tombs outside the city, where all the rulers of the Corvanie had been buried. By this time, Daria had gained enough control of herself to lift her voice in the mourning song, though she was nearly drowned out by the crying. Hugh's body was laid to rest with all the respect and state of a hero king.
Jonathan's execution the next day was even worse. In fact, it was barely carried out. As the executioner raised his ax over Jonathan's head, he was shot with an arrow. The crowd pressed forward and grabbed for Jonathan. The soldiers did the same, and soon the prince was in the middle of a deadly tug of war. It ended when an officer drew his knife and jerked it across Jonathan's throat. The officer was promptly killed by the furious mob, but Jonathan was already dead. The king, his officials, and the soldiers quickly withdrew from the courtyard.
Brian rushed down to the courtyard. Daria was already there, rocking back and forth on her knees, sobbing uncontrollably. News came that the Tombs were guarded, and it was doubtful that the guards would allow the people to pass. They decided to wait until nightfall, when they could slip in a back way to bury Jonathan.
That night, Brian and Daria once again joined the funeral procession of a brother. Daria was in a simple black dress; a long black veil covered her face, held in place by a silver circlet studded with onyx. The entire procession carried lanterns. The glass of the lanterns was tinted blue, and the light they cast was eerie. Beside Brian, Daria, who was crying so hard that she could barely see, was being supported by two older women. They moved through the dense woods on a narrow road and passed through the ivy-covered back gate of the Tombs.
Brian ended up carrying Daria back to the palace. It had been all that he could do to pull her away from Jonathan's side, and she had refused to leave the Tombs. When he had finally picked her up to carry her away, she had fought, but she was weakened by grief, and he had been able to coax her into letting him take her back to the palace.
The next day, one of Daria's maids rushed into his room, wailing that her mistress was going mad. Brian had hurriedly followed her to Daria's chambers and found his sister screaming, crying, and pounding the wall.
He pulled her back from the wall. "Stop it. You'll hurt yourself."
She said something he was unable to understand and slammed a fist into the wall, bloodying her knuckles. He jerked her away from the wall again. She whirled towards him with wild eyes. "Tell me it isn't true! Tell me it was all a bad dream! Tell me they're not dead!"
"I wish I could. But I can't."
Daria flung herself towards an open window. Brian had to forcibly restrain her from jumping out of it. She struggled violently against his hold, then fainted. He laid her down on a couch and went back to his own rooms. He had to think.
Half an hour later, boiling with rage, he blasted out of his chambers, scaring the guards. He nearly ran through the halls and burst into his father's office.
"Is it really worth it?" he yelled. "Is this plan of your's so precious that you are willing to sacrifice the lives and sanity of your own children?!"
"Sanity, Brian? What are you raving about?"
"Daria's gone mad, Father. When I went to her chambers half an hour ago, she was screaming and pounding the wall. She has attempted suicide."
"Why would she do that?"
"You had her brothers murdered! When are you going to face up to the fact that what you did was wrong? I hope all your new gold makes you happy, because you haven't anything in the world besides that!" Breathing hard, he turned and left the office. Daria was standing in the hall, calmer than he'd ever seen her.
"I heard what you said. Father will kill you for that," she said. "You must flee. I have ordered the grooms to bring your horse. You should go pack."
Brian went back to his chambers and threw a few belongings into saddlebags. Daria walked him down to the courtyard where his horse was waiting. "Goodbye, Brian," she said.
He gripped her hand, then whirled the horse and galloped out of the courtyard. He had fled east, to the Sarco Mountains, changed his name to Jedrick, and lived quietly. The only news he'd had of Daria after the day he had left was that she had been banished...
~~~
Daria sat quietly in the cell where Jonathan had been just a few days before. She had expected no less than imprisonment, so her predicament did not surprise her. She expected that she would be executed for helping Brian escape, but that did not bother her. Indeed, since her arrest, she had been encased in a bubble of complete calm. She felt stable and unafraid. Was this how Jonathan felt? she wondered. Was this how he was able to accept death and stare it in the face so calmly? Or is this acceptance? Maybe I'm just in shock. Maybe Jonathan was in too much of a shock to be frightened. Of course, he was one of those people who accepts the nature of the situation and stares it in the face with complete calm. She was surprised by the arrival of one of her maids.
"My lady. It has been decided that you shall be banished. The king would have you executed, but the lords fear that the people will rebel if you are killed. You are to leave today. I brought what I could sneak in for you, as well as what they told me to bring." The girl pushed a bundle through a small door. "The soldiers will be here for you in half an hour. You must be ready by then." She left.
Daria quickly opened the bundle. In it was a sturdy peasant dress, boots, a heavy cloak, and a messenger's pouch. Opening the pouch, Daria found flint, steel, a small pouch of coins, a dagger, a tightly folded bodice, and a silver comb with a silver-backed hand mirror. The silver comb and mirror were lovely pieces with delicate engravings, a gift from Jonathan almost a year previously. She changed quickly to the dress and pulled on the boots, then, on sudden impulse, grabbed her braid. Using the dagger, she cut her hair off to shoulder length. She shook it out. It felt strange but seemed to match with her new fate. She could also pass for a boy if she had to. She threw the pouch over her shoulder and put on the cloak. About an hour later, she was walking north.
Daria swayed slowly with the movement of her horse, a gift from a kind farmer. It had been some time since she'd eaten, and weakness had long since set in. Suddenly, the horse stopped, and there was a soft sound as someone grabbed the bridle.
"Are you alright, miss?"
She tried to answer but could not speak or focus on the figure standing beside the horse.
A hand gripped her knee. "Miss?"
With a moan, she slid from the saddle, blackness covering her vision. She was only aware that she did not hit the ground.
When her consciousness began to come back, she was aware of an arm behind her shoulders. Someone was spooning broth into her mouth.
"How long has it been since you had something to eat?" asked a voice.
Daria slowly opened her eyes and focused on the young man who bent over her. "I'm not sure."
"That's a while."
"Yes. Am I still in Corvan?"
"No. You're in Eresna."
"Who are you?"
"Who are you?"
"Daria Valorin."
"Or," said the young man, "more correctly, her highness Princess Daria Valorin, recently banished by her father for helping her brother escape certain death. News travels fast. I'm Coyle Firestone."
Daria nodded slowly, then went to sleep, still feeling the exhaustion of her travel.
As she recovered, Coyle hardly left her side. He and his family helped her settle herself. When he proposed marriage a few months later, she could not refuse...
~~~
Daria married...Daria a mother... To Brian, Daria's image was still that of a young woman just leaving girlhood who was full of life and laughter. What he had been told was surreal, but Daria's children were there, sitting across the fire from him. Not only that, but I am returning to the place I had banished myself from so many years ago...
"Uncle Brian?" Crystal asked. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Crystal," Brian replied. "But the last time I saw my father, I was busy yelling at him. I really don't know what will happen now."
"I think we're about to find out," said Walker, pointing. "Look. Horsemen."
The three rose as the horsemen approached. Their leader dismounted. "Prince Brian?"
"Yes, Captain?" said Brian.
The captain bowed. "My lord. Your father, the king, sends his compliments and has asked us to provide you with shelter and escort you to the capital."
"Thank you," said Brian.
Servants set up tents for them, and they spent the night in great comfort.
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