“My Queen.” Matthew bowed his head. The words between him and Gwendolyn had been few since she was betrothed to John. They were married a little over a year after the events surrounding the Princess’s disappearance. His father feared of having a celebration so quickly after such a loss, but he was determined to shake the kingdom out of mourning and civil dispute. So John wed Gwendolyn shortly after John’s nineteenth birthday and Gwendolyn’s seventeenth. They rose as King and Queen together four years after they wed, upon Matthew’s father’s passing. Yet, the years of being Queen had brought Gwendolyn more grief than joy. She had not been able to bear John a child and whispers started to circle around her. The Barren Queen, the commoners started to call her. There were other hateful rumors encircling her as well. Some believed she was in love with someone else and refused to bear a child for the King.
“It is good to see you well, Commander. The King was beside himself in grief when you went missing. We all were.”
“I am sorry to have caused that grief.”
“We are glad you have returned to us.” She smiled with her lips but her eyes showed no emotion, as Uncle Jonathan returned.
“The King is amidst a council meeting, but wishes to see you. Come.” Matthew left Gwendolyn and went to follow his uncle to a large room where the King conducted meetings with his advisors. Matthew entered the room to bright smiles of the seven men who made up his brother’s council. Standing a distance away, John’s face looked not of joy or grief when Matthew entered. He simply set his eyes upon him. John was increasingly looking like their father each passing year. The same set of brown hair and brown eyes, and he had allowed the hair on his face to grow out into a short beard.
“Leave us.” The King instructed his men. They all bowed and departed the room placing a hand upon Matthew’s shoulder upon leaving. Uncle Jonathan followed them out the door, leaving Matthew alone in the large room with his brother.
Upon the door closing, John’s words came violently at Matthew. “You are a fool! You are nothing but trouble for me! When will I ever stop worrying of you?” He gave an exasperated sigh and cleared the distance between them. He embraced Matthew fiercely dragging both of them to their knees upon the stone floor. His brother continued to scold him as he kissed the side of Matthew’s face. Matthew felt his brother’s warm tears falling as they stayed in the embrace.
“John,” Matthew said lightly. “This is not proper decorum for a king. It will suit you to show some restraint.” John struck Matthew’s head with an open palm as he rose to his feet.
“You were missing in sea for days! When your ship returned without you, I was out of my mind! I was ready to imprison all of your men for returning to me without their commander. You cannot imagine the relief I felt in receiving King Joseph’s letter. As the days went on I was starting to think,” John closed his eyes and breathed deeply. “It would be more than I could bear, Matthew.”
Matthew rose to his feet. “I know.” He said quietly. “I am sorry. I never want to cause you pain.”
“I told you to give this up. You cannot continue to risk your life in these searches. I want to believe she is alive as you do, but you need to believe that if she is alive she will make herself known when she is ready to do so.”
“Brother,” Matthew started.
“Enough of this, Matthew. Do I need to command you to stop this search for her? Is this what we have come to? I swear it upon this day if you will not willingly cease the search then I will command it of you. I will find no joy in throwing you into a cell for disobeying me, but if that is what I must do I will.”
“John,” Matthew started again. “My search was not in vain. I saw her. Lucinda is alive.”
John looked at Matthew in disbelief. “What? You found her?”
“She found me. My body did not just float upon the shores of the North Kingdom. I was first in Narka. They would have devoured me if the Princess had not come to me. I saw her for only a brief moment, but I know it was her who saved my life. I don’t remember how I came to the North, but I know I was first at Narka.” He grabbed for the necklace hidden under his garments. “She gave me this. She wanted me to remember it was her who saved me.”
John looked at the necklace. “How can you be certain it belongs to her?”
“I remember seeing her green eyes, and I awoke with a woman’s necklace around me. It seems reasonable that it is hers.”
“Narka? Unbelievable.”
“They cowered in fear of her John. She killed their leader. She is no shy maiden.”
“Have you told anyone else about this?”
“Yes, King Joseph as well as King Adelphi who was visiting the North Kingdom. I only said that I remembered a woman saving my life at Narka, though they concluded it might be her.”
“King Adelphi was in the North?” John asked in confusion.
“Yes, I thought it was strange as well but he said he was visiting.”
His brother did not say anything for a moment. “You have had a long journey brother. You should rest.”
“John, I saw her. I know it was her.”
He embraced Matthew once more. “I do believe you,” He said unconvincingly. “But we need to consider what this means. Be careful who you speak this to.”
Matthew left the council room. Uncle Jonathan was waiting a little way off. “You should address your men. Some are still at sea searching for you. Word has not reached them yet, but they will soon return.” Jonathan’s eyes went to the necklace hanging loosely around Matthew’s neck. “Where did you get that?” He whispered.
Matthew looked at his uncle curiously. “It was upon my neck when I washed up on the shores of the North Kingdom.” Jonathan looked at it intently. “Do you recognize it, Uncle?”
His uncle shook his head, but was slow to speak. “It just looks similar to something I have seen long ago.” He put his hand on Matthew’s shoulder. “Go address your men and then get some rest. You’ll need to regain your strength.”
For the next several days, Matthew attended to the tasks that were required of him. He was training a new fleet of young men to join the Western Guard. More men were needed as the years went on. Since the Princess’s disappearance there were several moments of unrest amongst their people. Civil disputes broke out frequently over discussion of the mysterious castle in the water. In addition, every year new groups of people were reported missing. Matthew had mapped out and sent his men on several missions in search of the missing villagers, but throughout the years very few were successful. The ones that were found were runaways or victims of kidnappings, but the majority were lost. Rumors circled the kingdoms of where the missing villagers were. Many had claimed to see villagers entering the water late at night and disappearing.
They are joining her kingdom. Matthew thought. Lucinda was alive. She had finally made herself known to him after all these years. Yet, had she decided that that was enough? Would she wait another seven years before seeing him again? He knew he had to do more if he wished to set his mind at rest.
After training his men for the day, Matthew cautiously approached his brother’s chambers. The door was ajar, and Matthew hesitated as he heard voices inside.
“What if I am unable to bear children?” Gwendolyn said in a teary whisper. “It has been six years. Those who were married around us have a litter of children now.”
“Gwendolyn, enough of this,” John said gently. “I have asked nothing of you.”
“A king needs heirs! Would you be willing to hand your kingdom over to your brother and to his sons after you pass? Or to a distant relative?”
“I would prefer my brother’s kin, but as the years go on it seems unlikely,” John said lightly. “He has had several fitting offers of brides and refused them all.”
“Be serious John. Will you be willing to pass your father’s kingdom to someone else?” Gwendolyn dissolved into sobs. “It is my only job to provide you with a son and I have failed our people. They call me the Barren Queen!”
“Gwendolyn, I did not know—“
“They look at you with love and they look at me with disdain! They know I am not worthy of you! It is within your right to dismiss me—“
“Enough,” John started.
“—and choose another! Someone who can provide you with an heir!”
“I said enough!” John commanded in a deep voice he used infrequently. Matthew heard nothing for a while but Gwendolyn’s sobs. Slowly the tears lessoned and his brother started again, gentler, “Why are you so downhearted? Do I not mean more to you than ten sons? Your King loves you more than anyone in this kingdom, Gwendolyn. Remember that, before you allow the words of commoners to bring you to talk nonsense to me. If you are in such need of children, then we will go to the west village and claim one of the orphaned as our own. I will gladly name him as my heir. Believe me when I tell you, if I am to have a child of my own blood it will be with you.”
There was a moment of silence again. “You are more than I deserve.” Gwendolyn responded in a whisper. “I love you.”
“Don’t cry anymore. It hurts me to see you this way.”
Matthew turned to leave, feeling guilt in listening to his brother’s private conversation. The door opened then and Gwendolyn was before him. She looked at Matthew with wide eyes.
“My Queen, I apologize for startling you,” Gwendolyn turned her reddened face away from him and left quickly down the hall. He entered the King’s chambers and knelt with his head bowed and eyes averted from his brother. “Your Majesty. I am sorry for the intrusion. I had a request to bring before you.”
Matthew stood and watched his brother stare out over the kingdom from the balcony. John turned to him, “Is it true they call her the Barren Queen?”
“I have heard it said from some of the villagers.”
John sighed. “I have been so blind to her suffering. I haven’t thought much of heirs, in truth. We are still young enough after all. If I am meant to have sons of my own body, it is still possible. Yet, I suppose these matters weigh on the hearts of women more than men.” He said nothing for a moment. “What is it that you need?”
“With your permission, I would like to travel to the East Kingdom and report what I saw to King Hamlyn.”
“A letter has already been sent to the East with your account.”
Matthew knew that there were several claims of sightings of Lucinda throughout the years. The East Kingdom received hundreds of letters and reports from those who claim to have seen the Green Eyed Witch. “It would mean more if I went to the East. I believe my account should be taken into greater consideration given—“
“—our history with the Princess?” John finished. “Yes, perhaps. The truth is King Hamlyn has grown quite numb to the tales of sightings of his daughter. Your visit might not be welcomed.”
“I have to try John. Perhaps they will recognize the necklace. Please, allow me to make the journey to the East and I promise you I will quit my search for the Princess. This will be it.”
His brother gave him a sad smile. “You are a liar. Her disappearance has become your obsession. I fear you can’t give her up.”
“I swear I will, and,” Matthew hesitated. “Upon my return to the West I will choose a wife.”
John’s face dropped. “I would never ask that of you.”
“I know, but it is time.” He said. “Because of my incessant search for the Princess there are some who believe I am under her sorcery. I need to put an end to those rumors and,” Matthew paused and started again cautiously. “We both know as long as I remain unwed, there are some who would believe it is because I hold affection for Gwendolyn, and she for me.” Many amongst the kingdom were aware of Matthew and Gwendolyn’s childhood affections. As the years went on where he remained unwed and Gwendolyn went without bearing children, the rumors thickened. Though, his search for Lucinda had lessened some of it. “I don’t want her reputation to be hurt any longer on my account.”
“I don’t care about these senseless rumors. Do you truly desire to marry? Will you honestly be able to leave the Princess in the past?” John said in a low voice.
“This one journey and I will speak of her no more. I will choose a wife.”
His brother studied him. “I will send word to King Hamlyn ahead of you.” He turned back to the balcony. “Why do I continue to indulge you?”
“In spite of what you tell your Queen, we know who you truly love the most in the kingdom.” Matthew smiled as John shook his head. “I love you brother. Thank you.”
Matthew withdrew to his own quarters. His brother was right. He may not be welcomed by King Hamlyn. The Eastern Guard had stopped their search for Lucinda years ago, but Matthew still commanded the Western Guard to continue the search at the anniversary of her disappearance every year. It was time for it to end. Perhaps, she had made herself known to him so he would stop searching for her, and leave her in peace. He went to sleep, praying for a dreamless night.
Wake up Matthew. Danger lurks in the darkness.
Matthew woke up with a start. In the darkness of his chambers he saw two shadowed figures standing by each side of his bed. He went to grab for his dagger by his bedside, but one of the figures climbed on top of him holding down his arms and weighing down his body. The other covered his mouth before he could make a noise. He held a blade by Matthew’s throat.
“We find no joy in this, dear Prince” a voice he did not recognize started. “You have brought our Queen into power, but we know you will be her weakness once again. As long as you are alive, she is in danger.” Matthew didn’t understand. He could not recognize the men or their voices. He struggled to move. “We will not lose the Queen again.”
“Stop talking and be done with it!” The man on top of Matthew whispered. He was heavier than Matthew, but he had the sloppy grip of an untrained knight. “What if she can see us? What if she knows?”
“Don’t be a fool. She is in the sea.”
“You don’t know that for certain.” The man started to tremble slightly and loosened his grip. “She is stronger than she was before. What if she is watching over him as well—“ Matthew freed his left hand and went for the dagger by his bed. He lunged it into the forearm of the man holding the blade and retracted it.
The man gave a painful cry and dropped the blade upon the bed. Matthew pushed forward, planting the dagger then into the shoulder of the man on top of him and threw him off the bed. He went for the other man before he could retrieve his blade. He pushed him against the wall and continued to slam him against the stone until he lost consciousness.
The other tackled Matthew to the floor and held a hand at his throat. He held Matthew’s dagger with his other hand. Matthew raised one hand around the stranger’s throat and the other he used to ward off the dagger. He was losing air.
“What do you want of me?” Matthew struggled to yell. “I’ve done nothing to you!”
“I'm sorry.” The man responded. “But we need to protect our Queen and her Kingdom. You will bring her downfall!” Matthew tightened his grip around the man’s throat but they were both struggling. Matthew twisted the man’s wrist to free him of the dagger to no avail. The point inched closer and closer to Matthew’s neck.
Suddenly, the man’s eyes became wide. He made a gasping sound and released his grip from Matthew’s throat. He placed his hand at his stomach where the end of a sharp sword was visible. The sword disappeared and the man was pushed aside to the floor. Matthew coughed for air and looked up to see his brother with a bloodied sword in his right hand. He pointed the sword at the dying stranger.
“Who are you?”
“Forgive me, this was never what I wanted. We just wanted to protect her.”
“Who?” John demanded. “Who sent you?”
“We just wanted to protect the Queen,” The man was fading. “We just wanted to protect her.”
“Which Queen? What is her name?”
Suddenly the man’s body started to convulse. The unconscio
us body of the other man did the same. Matthew and John watched in terror as two dark shadows pulled out of the men’s bodies, flew out the chamber window and into the night sky.
Chapter 4
You shouldn’t be here. If someone sees you, if my father sees you—
Your father cannot hurt me. I do not fear him. Though the kings want me to, I do not fear any of them. You are the only one who matters.
Why are you here? I told you I will get my father’s blessing. I just need time to make him understand. I want to do this the proper way. Nycilla, why do you look at me like that? What’s wrong?
You will have much time, my love. I need to leave you. Don’t ask me why. Soon you will know. Be patient and wait for me, and I will return to you. I promise I will return to you.
Lucinda woke in the morning after a sleepless night. She had told Geenessa about the events in Narka that night the memories returned. Geenessa considered each word carefully. “For so many years you did not allow yourself to think of your past, and when you did the sea responded to your grief.”
“Why did Matthew have to suffer? He was halfway to death when I found him.” The thought angered her. She did not punish the Narka islanders enough for their treatment of him.
“Perhaps the sea wanted you to save him. Perhaps it wanted you to be reunited with him so…” Geenessa’s voice faded as if she was deep in thought. She shook her head and started again. “For years he persistently searched for you even when all the other searches stopped. Now he has hope that you are alive. Maybe that will give him peace.” Lucinda looked at her governess curiously. It was clear that Geenessa was keeping her own accounts of the other kingdoms. They spoke of it no more as the days went on, but Lucinda would see the governess studying her from a distance.
The dreams persisted. Each day she saw more into the life of Nycilla. Though the memories had returned, the Ancient Queen had not tried to take over her body again. Lucinda knew she was getting stronger every year, and hoped that now she was too strong for the Queen’s spirit to overtake her and put those around her in danger.
A Castle of Ashes (The Fifth Kingdom Book 2) Page 3