Chandeera

by Wolf Golan

  Max joined and watched her from the crowds.

  “We only ask for what you can give, nothing more. It is the price of freedom to stand and fight when that freedom is threatened. This is knowledge a child would know.” She said. She walked back and forth on the stone fountain. “We have visitors with us, who have supplied us weapons that can bring us Freena's Rock. We can win this Great War and make it the last one!”

  The crowds started chattering and mumbling and some yelled.

  “We gave many of our Baelyin men to war! What more can we give?” An old woman shouted, yells of agreement followed.

  “If we find the Shards of Freena's Rock, we'll no longer need to give our lives for this war!” Queen Ainera replied. “I know you all have known me since I was a child, but I address you now as your Queen, and as your Queen, we have to unite, or we will fall!”

  The crowd silently chattering and murmuring with each other and some thought about her words, a small applause erupted and got loud. Max joined in and clapped too.

  The Queen bowed.

  The following evening, Max did push-ups and sit-ups in his room, and went out for a short run.

  Max’s room consisted of a bed, a desk, a single chair, and a closet. He spent the rest of the evening sharpening his sword, when he heard a knock at the door. He walked up and opened it. Queen Ainera stood in the doorway.

  She was dressed casual with her hair down, it was the first time Max saw her like that.

  “May I enter?”

  “Yes, of course!” Max said stepping aside.

  She walked in and sat down on the chair. Max sat on his bed.

  “As a symbol of my gratitude for your accompanying me to Trelindria and my home, I would like to give you a gift.” She said smiling.

  “It's not necessary. This task in itself is a gift my Queen.”

  “Humble,” Ainera grinned. “No, I shall like to give you something Max.” She insisted.

  “Okay,” Max relented.

  “A medallion,” she pulled out a beautiful medallion with the Densmere Crest of Freena displaying her Rock. She handed it to him as he examined it in wonder.

  “It says, 'To one allied with those who stand for the good hearted.”' She translated.

  Max was floored and speechless.

  “Wow, I don't know what to say.”

  She glanced at the rock and then to him.

  “It means you are forever a friend of Densmere Kingdom, and me… Maxwell.”

  “You will always be welcomed in my Kingdom.”

  She got up and leaned toward him to hug him, he hugged her back. She held him for a long time, squeezing him. Max smiled and closed his eyes, it felt so nice.

  “Thank you my Queen.” Max whispered.

  “May your road be good, wherever it may take you.” She said calmly, smiling.

  The next morning, the caravan was to leave Teewell Gardens.

  The women hugged Queen Ainera one-by-one, some crying at her departure. Reddra came and shook Max’s hand to thank him. The Queen stepped into her carriage, wiped her tears and gave one last wave, as they all waved back.

  The caravan slowly made its way out of Teewell Gardens and the South Valley, entering the forest road.

  They travelled the rest of the day without word, until they reached a place to set-up camp. They ate and talked about small things, but soon retired. The next day they rode all day until reaching the edge of Densmere’s croplands, where the Queen asked a farmer to sleep in his loft. He readily agreed.

  Max was excited to be home and to see Alex, it had only been six days, but it seemed an eternity.

  The next morning, Max woke up to the quacking of ducks and mooing of cows. He had slept on a makeshift bed in the shed, along with a few of the Knights. There was only one room for Queen Ainera on the second floor.

  They ate a small meal in the kitchen and began moving the caravan again. Max walked his praides most of the way across the great croplands of Chandeera, enjoying the sights. They would see farmers pushing plowshares after cows.

  Two travelling Doons with sacks on their back, passed Max and nodded. He nodded back.

  A few hours later, they saw the city gates.

  The Queen’s carriage caught up with Max walking his horse, Ainera looked at him through the window, and only gave a quiet, glistening smile. Max chuckled and waved.

  They soon entered the city gates and came onto the main street of Chandeera.

  The streets were unusually empty, but they continued. Some peasants waved at the caravan and yelled:

  “Welcome home my Queen!”

  Soon the castle lied above them and gave them great joy, they were home.

  Queen Ai'na slowly stepped down from the carriage, took Max’s arm, and started up the stairwell.

  When they got to the top under the two Kings, Queen Ai'na turned to Max.“ You go see your lady now Max, you deserve it. Have a good evening.” She said.

  She reached up and squeezed his cheek then, started into the Great Hall. She went to see her better half as well, for King Laedin surely missed the Queen Max surmised.

  Max made his way up the South Stairwell and walked down the hall. He came out and felt the familiar wind against his face as he rounded the towers and entered the door and came down the hall to the bedchambers.

  He felt like knocking so he did, but there was no answer.

  He walked in and no one was there. He walked into the bathroom, but it was empty too.

  He decided to take a shower, so he looked in the bucket, full. He removed his clothes and started the sprinkler. In the middle of it, he turned to see if Alex would be leaning against the stall, but she never arrived. He dried off and brushed his teeth and decided to sleep.

  He awoke the next morning and Alex still gone.

  This started to bother him, where was she? He put on his boots, zipped up his jacket, and walked down to the South Dining Hall, where the Riven 5 Crew usually had breakfast.

  He walked pass the hallways down the stairwells and made it to the hall with the windows to the sea, then to the wooden double-doors. He came through looked around, but only saw Dallas and David eating and talking.

  “Hello Traveler!” Dallas yelled excited.

  “Hello there!” David yelled too.

  Max walked up to them. Dallas met him and hugged him, he hugged her back.

  “I’m glad your back.” She said still holding him.

  “Wow you missed me Dallas? Didn’t know if you even liked me,” Max said giggling.

  She playfully hit him on the shoulder.

  “So what were the Elves like?” Dallas asked excited.

  “They're called Raidins,” Max corrected her. “They're okay, interesting, intriguing.”

  “Coz, right on, cool.” Dallas responded.

  “So the Alliance is renewed now?” David asked.

  “Yeah, the Baeylins and Raidins are good again.” Max replied.

  David hit the table and raised his arm.

  “Right on man!” Dallas said nodding.

  Max sat and ripped a piece of bread off a giant loaf of bread and took a ghrin-sausage and cheese sandwich, that was clearly made by one of the crew. He enjoyed the breakfast and told them all about the Trelindria and Teewell Gardens, David and Dallas listened with fascination.

  After he finished his report and his breakfast, he asked the burning question:

  “Did any of you see Alex?”

  The excitement faded from their faces a little from the question. Max’s smile faded as well. Dallas answered.

  “She's with Prince Cornigan, they came back from Aetin. They're probably in the Square by now.” Max expression grew to anger. He threw his fork down, got up, and stormed out.

  “O shit,” David replied.

  Dallas ran after him.

  “Hey dude, chill, it's nothing.” She said to his back, as he walked down the hall.

  He went straight to the stables, took a praides, and rode down to the main street, as Da
llas yelled from the hilltop:

  “CHILL MAN! ITS NOTHING!”

  It was to no avail, Max rode toward the square.

  He rode along the street with the hoofs clinking away, until he reached the square where hundreds had gathered.

  Max saw Prince Cornigan making a speech with Alex standing by him in a suede red dress, looking radiant.

  “Now stand with me and my father!” Prince Cornigan yelled.

  The crowds erupted in cheers and yells.

  Cornigan walked up to Alex, wrapped his arms around her, pulled her close, and kissed her, the crowd cheered louder.

  “Our new Queen!” Someone yelled from the crowd.

  Max’s mouth was open from shock.

  Max got off, started pushing his way through the crowd.

  When he reached the base of the platform, a couple of Knights put their hands up to stop him, but he grabbed the halberd of one of them and punched him through his helmet, knocking him out. He hit the other in the face with the spear butt and knocked out as well. Alex and the Prince saw him, shock spread on their faces.

  “MAX QUIT!” Alex yelled.

  “Max what are you doing?” Cornigan yelled.

  The crowd grew quiet at the event.

  Two more Knights came at him, but Max slammed the halberd into both of them at once. Max then rolled onto the stage, got up and came to Cornigan, then pushed him.

  “MAX STOP!” yelled Alex.

  Cornigan tackled him to the stage floor, but Max rolled him over and started punching him. The Prince threw him off to the side.

  “You have dishonored me!” He yelled and jumped on Max pulling his collar, punching him once across the face.

  Knight after Knight piled on top of Max, until they finally overwhelmed him and subdued him to the ground. Prince Cornigan stood up, straightening his collar, breathing hard. He padded his mouth to see a small spot of blood.

  The Knights held Max down as he stopped struggling.

  The crowds were stone silent with shock and awe.

  The Prince turned to them, smiled and waved to calm the situation.

  “It’s okay people, he’s a friend. He’s just angry.” Prince Cornigan said, trying to make sense of the chaos.

  “IMPRISON HIM!” A yell came from the crowd.

  Alex turned to the statement in horror, then walked over and pushed her way through the Knights. They held her back.

  “Let him go!” Prince Cornigan ordered his men.

  They let him go.

  Max rested on his elbows laid out on the wooden plank, breathing hard in rage.

  Alex rubbed his back and put her arms around his shoulders, but he pushed her away.

  “GET AWAY!”

  She fell to the ground and Prince Cornigan ran to her and held her.

  Her dress got dirty and she started crying.

  “I HOPE YOUR’RE HAPPY!” Max yelled at both of them.

  “ENOUGH MAX!” Cornigan screamed at him.

  “I’m not helping any of you!” He shook his finger at the crowd, and then turned to Cornigan and Alex.

  “Live Happily Ever After here if you want to then!” Max said in seething anger.

  He got up, ran down the stairwell with the Knights training their spears on him. He pushed his way through the crowd all the way to his praides.

  David and the crew showed up panting, they saw Alex crying and Cornigan holding her. Jenny and J.T. turned to see Max at his horse.

  He jumped on and turned the praides.

  He whipped it into a strong gallop and rode off down the street toward the city gates.

  “Max where are you going?” Jenny yelled.

  “Max, dude, don’t go! We need you!” J.T. added.

  He soon passed through the gates and flew down the road, riding faster and faster pass the great croplands toward the northern Densmere Forest.

  Max would ride north and not stop…until he was out of Densmere Kingdom.

  Chapter 24

  Alex Parks felt humiliated.

  She plopped herself on the bed curling her bare legs up, crying her eyes out.

  She still had on the red suede dress, but it was stained with dirt. She cried loudly until she ran out of tears and cried silently into the night. The man of her dreams publicly humiliated her and left her stranded.

  Where did he go? Will he ever return?

  Jenny came by and held her in her arms trying to cheer her up, but only held her until nightfall. She eventually convinced Alex to sleep and tucked her in and even kissed her on the forehead. Jenny left, but Alex couldn't sleep, she stared at the ceiling for nearly an hour, feeling regret, sadness, and confusion.

  The next morning, Jenny shook her awake and told her the crew wanted to see her downstairs. Alex slowly got up, holding her head, a massive headache from her perpetual cry. She hanged back into her normal crimson vest with wranglers and slowly followed Jenny down to the Great Hall.

  The crew waited by the entrance.

  Jenny and Alex descended the stairs, and Alex felt like the descent took a month. Even the Wangs were there, and they looked concerned. Alex forced a smile as she came up to them, sat down on a stool in middle of them.

  Jenny began rubbing Alex’s shoulder.

  “We're a little concerned about Max.” David said down to her.

  Alex looked downcast and didn't what to say or how to react.

  “No one's seen him since yesterday. They said he rode off north.” Ryan explained.

  The news upset her more and she rubbed her head trying to ward off the despair.

  “We heard about yesterday and we all feel bad.” Ryan continued, “But we're worried about Max. No one's seen him and... he’s the one who can get the Shards, if he disappears... ”

  “Can you stop thinking of your miserable sorry goddam self for ONE MOMENT!” Alex screamed at Ryan, followed with a scowl. “I'm getting sick of you Ryan! Everyone one is!”

  She was in Ryan's face.

  “ME? We wouldn’t be in this situation if it weren’t for you fucking around on your man!”

  “Ryan!” Jenny yelled.

  She pointed toward the door.

  “Go away!”

  “What?” Ryan asked, furrowing his eyes.

  “You heard me, go away! Now!”

  He waved at them and left angry.

  Alex blinked her eyes as if she just got back to reality, sitting back down on the stool and burying her head in her hands.

  “Alex none of us know what you're going through, but I can assure you we don't take your pain for granted. We'd like to help, but we 'do' need to find Max.” David insisted. “Kraakon has a bounty on him, so we're worried about his safety.” David said rubbing his mouth.

  “And I hate to admit it, but Ryan is right. He's our only hope to get home.”

  David looked to everyone then back to Alex.

  “Alex, do you have any idea where he could've gone?”

  Alex unburied her head and looked up. “NO! How the hell should I know! No I don't.”

  She sneered. She buried her head in her hands again and Jenny rubbed her back some more.

  They slowly nodded and started murmuring among themselves.

  “Well in this case, we better talk to King Laedin about forming a Search Party, before Kraakon finds him.” David said.

  “That sounds like a great idea,” Dallas replied.

  “Yeah!” J.T. added.

  Alex left her head buried in her hands and Jenny stared down at her rubbing her back.

  “I'll take care of her, guys.” Jenny commented.

  The crew nodded to her and disbanded.

  David remained staring at Alex. He buried his hands in his pocket and looked at her.

  “Alex, I'm really sorry about what happened.”

  Alex looked up through her messy hair with a blank serious look, and stared at him for a few moments before saying:

  “I know... ”

  David nodded and walked away.

  Terry and
Donald came up to Alex.

  “Alex honey, we would like to say a prayer for you and Max.” Donald commented.

  Alex nodded, frowning and almost crying. They did a group hug of Alex and Donald gestured Jenny over, so she joined the prayer.

  Donald took off his hat and put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed his eyes shut. Terry put her hand on Alex's other shoulder and Jenny closed her eyes.

  Donald started:

  “Lord God, we thank you for keeping us safe until now. Please make sure your son Maxwell is safe and finds his way back home. We hope he brings us home too.

  Bring him peace and comfort and bring it to Alex too and may your Loving kindness and grace be upon us and please take care of Max and mend the relations between him and his lady Alex, in the name of the Christ, amen.”

  Alex opened her eyes and smiled at them and said silent ‘Thank you’s’ through her dried tears.

  ###

  Alex, Jenny, and David met with the King and were surprised the King had already deployed small band of Knights and officials to search the lands for Max Wilkes. He also sent word to the farmers on the outlying croplands to keep an eye out.

  David decided to go on the Search Campaign.

  Hundreds of Dens'mere's Knights began to ride all over the Kingdom and five airships flew the skies searching the lands. The King also sent a small band of Knights south to the Woodlands. No one had seen where he rode, and the farmers were all at the city, when he left, so they did not see him.

  Alex didn't feel like going yet, so she went back to the bed chambers. She didn't want to bathe in her grief either, so she kept busy. She went to the kitchen and asked for a job and ended up slicing up vegetables all evening, as well as help the Cook when he needed it.

  The following evening, she retreated to her bed chambers and decided to sew, make a bag, but she gave up.

  She took a bottle of wine out of the dresser, sat against her bed, and poured herself a glass. She started sipping it as she stared at the wall, remembering how it all started.

  Why did I fall for Prince Cornigan and become his diplomatic appendage? Alex thought It felt glorious to be treated like a Princess, truly, it was fun, but costed her boyfriend.

  It all started when she and Max had grown distant. He fell asleep out at the platform most nights and she got lonely. The Royal Trips appeared enjoyable and exciting, but then came the day she heard she was going to Bogon. So in the week following, she started out with Prince Cornigan to the North road.